Friday, August 9, 2013

Another Visit to Lilypons Water Gardens...


The Lilypons Water Gardens nearly always provides subjects of different genres throughout the year. Today was no different than many. My first encounter of the morning was totally unexpected. A Crayfish out of its element. This was the first time I have seen one out of the water. He was traveling through the grass just outside of one of the ponds. A very dangerous thing for it to be doing because of the variety of creatures that would love to eat him. Next was a Great White Egret, the photos are the same Egret different locations. As I was photographing the egret I heard a commotion in the pond and saw a large Snapping Turtle very rapidly cruising the ponds edge. Next was a Juvenal Black-crowned Knight Heron. First landing in a tree and then dropping down to the ponds edge to hunt for its meal.

A Crayfish in its defense stance...

Crayfish traveling through the grass...



Crayfish attitude...

Great White Egret...






Snapping Turtle...


Juvenal Black-crowned Knight Heron...

Coming in for a landing... 








5 comments:

Bob Bushell said...

Wow, that is a some of lifer, the Amercan Bittern, I would love to see them. And Crayfish is a blinder.

TexWisGirl said...

crayfish are such cool but creepy critters! LOVE the egret with the water lilies! wow!

is that a bittern or a juvenile night-heron? seems thick for a bittern, but i've never seen one in person, anyway.

Larry Ostby said...

Thank you Theresa. After your suggestion I checked it out. A Juvenal Black-crowned Knight Heron it is.

grammie g said...

Hi Larry ..long time no post : ), but this makes up for that with these stunning shot's !!
The Crayfish looks very vicious,boy watch out for those guy's lol!! Well of course if I was a bird I might hurt!!
Your photos of the Egret, and the Heron ...just love the taking off and landings just wonderful!!!!

Enjoyed these!!
Grace

Joe said...

That looked like a huge turtle.