Sunday, November 27, 2011

Red Squirrels

Red Squirrels are very shy and very FAST.  These guys can travel at the speed of sound, I swear.  But this guy was chomping on his lunch, and sat still for a few seconds for me.  If you look closely, you can see pieces of his walnut flying through the air.  He was on a mission.
 This guy also posed for me.
I guess lunch time might be a good time to capture these tiny critters.  They make a rattlesnake-type sound so be on the lookout for them on your next walk in the park.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

I'm in Love.

Yes, it's true.  I'm in love.  With Deer.  And when you can get close enough to them to get a half way decent picture, it thrills me to the bone.  Today was one of those days.  The males were chasing the females, and it was fun to watch.  But then, they would grow tired, and stop long enough to have their portrait taken, then off they went again.
 This guy was very determined. 
 Waiting....
 Resting.....
 And this guy seemed to have something on his mind for sure.  I decided not to stick around.  The noises they make can be a little threatening.

And then there was this guy peeking through the tall grass. 
Yes, Deer.  They are absolutely awesome creatures.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Big Bucks

Last evening, I visited a local park that is known for having not-shy deer.  If you know where to look, and are quiet and move slowly, they will let you photograph them.  I have been there several times and found females.  But yesterday, I was informed that there were several males at one end of the park, so we checked it out and found some beauties.  The sun was setting fast so we went back early this morning and here's what we found.
 


 Some of the females were smoking!  Oh MY!
This one just turned around to pose.
 It was rather chilly and you could see the breath on a few of the Buck.
 They like to jump up and eat trees.
Some of them just stroll along the path like they own the joint.
 
I don't think I will ever grow tired of seeing a deer in the wild.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

The moon

It's not a full moon tonight, I don't think, but it sure is pretty.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Even when it rains...

It was a good weekend.  The forecast was for rain, but I don't let that stop me.  Yesterday, while it was raining, the sun came out.  For the second time in a month, I got to see one of these!  I never saw a full one before!


 And today, when it was time to come home, I glanced in an open field and saw these guys.

And these guys.

 
And when this guy saw my camera, he said "buh bye".
 
 Some guys just don't like to be photographed.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Snake in a Lake

There is a park in the area that I've never really explored.  Yesterday, with a friend, I did.  It was beautiful.  There were mushrooms growing out of trees....
 There was the occasional turtle, covered with tiny little green leaves.
 I saw a dragonfly or two..
 And then... all of the sudden... what is that in the distance?
 
It's slithering and moving fast!  And getting closer!


A SNAKE!!!


 But he was on a mission, and went on his merry way.  I was never scared for even an instant.  Honest!

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Webs

Monday, I was fortunate enough to be in a beautiful park in Indiana. Pokagon State Park has always been known to me for it's beautiful Lake James in the Summer, it's toboggan run in the Winter, and camping probably year around.  But if you get off the beaten path, you will find some amazing nature.  One of these places was a swampy area with beautiful spider webs that hang from the trees so gracefully, especially early in the morning when the dew drops are still clinging to the webs.
Spiders can scare me if they get too close, but they sure can build a great house.











There were birds...

and wood ducks...

And through the misty air, I even spotted a few horses.

It was a very fun day.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Rainbow!

This morning when I woke up it was raining.  And that made me a little sad.  But then the sun came out.  However, it was still raining.  And, well, you know what that means!!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Birds

 There is a little island on our lake that houses many species of birds.  This past weekend, I got up at the crack of dawn, and decided to try and photograph a few.  I found this Black-crowned Night Heron. 

 He saw me.  Then he made his exit.
 He thought he could sneak around in this tree and I wouldn't see him.
 But I saw him alright.
And he sat there like a statue for the rest of the morning, waiting until night time when they start their day.

And then I saw this Eastern Kingbird.  He had a pretty voice.
But my favorite find of the day was the Green Heron.  I normally will hear them cackle from above, and finally found a few resting in the trees.  They are amazing to watch. 
 They can sit and look pretty.
 They can stretch their very long neck out to make them look like an entirely different bird.
 Or they can stretch their neck out just a little and pose for a portrait.
 They can dance.  (well, not really)

 The color of their feathers really brightens up once the sun hits them.



I want to be a bird when I grow up.