Walkin' A Country Field Road

A walk down a field road brought me a few interesting surprises. The first was nothing that suddenly exploded into something. As I was walking along the road, the grassy field to my left erupted into a flurry of starlings. A moment where there was seemingly nothing very suddenly became something. Aside from restarting my heart the event was over in seconds. I continued on and was visited by a Field Sparrow. He allowed a few photos and was gone. I continued my walk and soon saw at the very tip of a six foot corn stalk was a dragonfly. I just thought because of its selection of setting where it did, I would take a photo. Soon after that there was a pair of dragonflies doing what dragonflies do to propagate the species. I thought I should record it and post it as soon as possible. Then I thought I should take a photo of a silo on the property that has a tree growing up and out the top of it. I’m thinking the tree is at least sixty feet high. As I am heading back to the truck, sun going down rapidly, I saw a deer way off on the horizon of a hill. Not a care in the world, cept of course that human way over there pointing something at her. 

                               Heart stopping flurry of Starlings here...

No Starlings here...

Field Sparrow

Field Sparrow

Dragonfly atop a corn stock...

Dragonfly

Dragonflies mating...

Dragonflies still mating...

The tree is really growing up and out of the silo...

Same shot a few minutes later...

Whitetail Doe grazing on a hilltop...

Here's lookin' at you...

Osprey... Feeding The Young

I don't think I have a favorite bird, but... Ospreys are definitely high on my list. Here you will see an adult osprey standing over her/his fledgeling. The youngster was facing into the wind and stretching out its wings hoping soon to be lifted up and out over the waters. When it turned back and faced it's parent the feeding began. There were times when the adult would hold on to the morsel of food and made sure the youngster tugged and pulled hard in order for it to get its food. Preparation for the real meals forthcoming I'm sure.  

Osprey family

Getting ready for flight

Under a watchful eye

Tearing off a morsel for junior

Try it... It's good

Pull pull... that's good

Lets do that again...

Look at me...

Watch and learn

And there is more where this came from

Open wide...

From A Fog to a Parking Lot

Whew... Been away for awhile. Did get a few photos though. The first few were unexpected special effects. Taking an air conditioned camera out into a 90 degree very humid morning in Tennessee. The protective lens cover became an immediate fog filter. The ducks came by, I picked up my camera and directed it toward my quarry and discovered my problem. Kept shooting (taking pics) and came up with what you see here. You will be able to tell when the fog cleared. The female Mallard kept a watchful eye on me as she paddled away. The Great Blue Heron gave me a few photos before I got too close for comfort. The Cardinal kind of looked like he just came back from a bar fight. Poor fellow looked a bit beat up. We came across a Mimosa tree, I hav't seen one of them in bloom in a very long time. I had to take a photo. Then as we were walking back to the car, a Tiger Swallowtail butterfly was dabbing up the minerals from a moist area of the parking lot.

Mood effects...

The estranged Park Ducks

No food, we're out of here

Female Mallard, cruising the lake's edge 

Female Mallard... Aah, ya surprised me

Camera, no gun, but I'm watchin' ya anyways

Great Blue Heron

Great Blue Heron

Northern Cardinal... Ooi, I feel not so good.

You should see the other guy

 Joyful and fluffy Mimosa is a true decoration of nature

Tiger Swallowtail

Gigantor - Ginormous - Goliath Squirrel... NOT

I took a short trip to a neighboring farm and had myself a pretty good day, photographically speaking. On the way there a whitetail doe was peaking at me through the bush. I get to my location, drive up a field road and park the truck. I get my stuff together and start trekking up the hill to one of my favorite spots. I hear a train smashing through the woods. There he was. A huge eight point whitetail buck antlers still in velvet, beautiful animal. He disappeared and moments later his little brother followed, a six point. They were both gone in a short moment. OK… So I get to my area and wait and wait and wait. No coyotes. That’s why I’m there, coyotes. They are supposed to be here. Hmm, hmm, hmm… Wait, what’s that! Holy camolie, what is that? Squirrel? No. What is that thing ambling around in the trees? You got to be kidding me. Not one of them. Your gonna have to scroll down to find out.   

Peak-a-boo Whitetail

Looking down the field road leading to my truck

8 point Whitetail

6 point Whitetail

And here is the monster squirrel... A Groundhog or Woodchuck

Woodchuck and groundhog are common terms for the same animal, the rodent with the scientific name of Marmota monax. Most closely related to squirrels, woodchucks actually can climb trees and also swim. We call them Groundhogs in this part of the country

Scanning the area

Looking for more...

Eating the tree leafs

and eating

He has a real grip on the branch

OK, last bite

      

Stage Fright... I Don't Think So

When I was listening to these guys the other day, for what ever reason, this song popped into my head, “Oh what a beautiful morning”. It just fit. So imagine if you can, these little creatures singing their hearts out. On a magnificent stage all their own and an audience that is everything within earshot. They are really lovin’ what they are doin’. 

"OK boys, ya gotta get this right the 1st time... Ready, a 1 and a 2 and..."

"There's a bright golden haze on the meadow"

"The corn is as high as an elephant's eye"

"An' it looks like its climbin' clear up to the sky"

"Oh what a beautiful morning"

"Oh what a beautiful day"

"I've got a wonderful feeling"

"Everything's going my way"

"Oh, what a beautiful Mornin'
Oh, what a beautiful day.
I've got a beautiful feelin'
Everything's goin' my way"