tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71916488223746413072024-02-08T13:22:30.822-05:00Natures DetailsThis is my photography blog...I will share my adventures here.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger230125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191648822374641307.post-18920495617142040642013-02-16T06:56:00.000-05:002013-02-16T06:56:02.516-05:00Spring is coming<div style="text-align: center;">
Every morning for the last week I can hear the woodpeckers and titmice singing.</div>
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The Cardinals started calling yesterday, so spring is not far away. A little over a month, but still...the birds might know things us humans don't. Maybe an early spring?</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191648822374641307.post-43684755996846667862013-02-06T07:27:00.001-05:002013-02-06T07:27:14.386-05:00Falls<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Here is another view of the little falls.</i></div>
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<i>Heading back today to see how much it has froze.</i></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191648822374641307.post-49741174250096517212013-02-04T20:09:00.001-05:002013-02-04T20:09:16.748-05:00Winters Beauty<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Winter's beauty is something that is ever changing.</i></div>
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<i> This little falls is one example.</i></div>
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<i>When the cold air arrives and stays below freezing ice forms. I visit this place every other day and the changes are always a big surprise. If the cold air stays around for a few more days the ice will completely cover the falls. It won't take long to melt when it warms up.</i></div>
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<i>The stream that feeds this little water fall comes form an underground spring. The water is very warm... 43 degrees and it seems to stay this temperature. </i></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191648822374641307.post-15476715606354128542013-01-01T18:57:00.001-05:002013-01-01T18:57:43.680-05:00New Year Sorry for not posting, but been so busy. (Poor Excuse) So this year I am going to try to post once a day.<br />
This morning I headed up to the little falls that I named Secret Falls. With all this cold weather we are having it has really made some ice formations. This is something I really enjoy shooting.<br />
Many patterns and shapes and they never stay the same.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191648822374641307.post-86033845240815845662012-10-15T13:50:00.001-04:002012-10-15T13:50:45.380-04:00Busy!!!!!<div style="text-align: center;">
WOW! It has been sometime since I have posted anything.</div>
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Summer was busy and this Autumn is and still is busy. Below are just a few of the photos I have taken this Autumn.</div>
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Even with the heavy rains and strong winds it still looks beautiful out in the forests.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191648822374641307.post-76551934248125177682012-06-21T18:58:00.001-04:002012-06-21T18:58:18.509-04:00Exciting day!<div align="center">
It was a cool morning as I set out to do some exploring and photography.</div>
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I made a quick stop at the Michigan Magazine Musuem to pick up some fliers for an up coming event. I than headed in to the back country. I made my way slowly down the dirt roads looking for anything that might be worth stoping for. As I rounded a small bend in the road a medium size black bear was crossing, but I had no time for and photos. I continued on down the road and keeping a shap eye out for other exciting wildlife.</div>
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I made it to the swamp around 10:30 am and decided to head deeper into the swamp. I found many subjects to shoot such as, butterflies, snails and ferns. Many wildflowers were in bloom and I had to stop and admire the beauty that each one had....plus photos.</div>
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As I was heading back out it started to rain, so I put my rain cover on my bag. I kept moving and as I moved through a pine thicket I stopped in my tracks. In front of me were the Queen's of the forest.</div>
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Hundreds of Showy Lady's Slippers. I headed to a large cedar tree and stood under it and watched it rain. Nothing is more beautiful than being in a swamp/bog during a summer rain. The air smelled so fresh and inviting. I was soaked, but I did not care. All I wanted is to get some shots of the slippers with rain drops on them.</div>
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The rain slowed enough that I could set up my gear. I was using a rain cover for my camera and lens. With the rain falling and the heavy overcast...it was perfect. Shot after shot...image after image was recored unto the memory card. The rain had stopped and by the time the rain stopped falloing I had more than 800 images. The sun started to peak out from behind the clouds and I headed back out to continue on my adventure.</div>
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As I was making my way through the hills I kept watch for anything worth stopping for. As I creasted a large hill I noticed large clouds and started to pull over. Suddenly a mother deer and fawn walked out of the woods in the valley below. I slowly grabbed my gear and set up and started firing away. Frame after frame. I had shot about 40 images when the Doe started to look behind her and up the road. I thought a car was coming, but nothing came over the hill.</div>
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The fawn began nursing and I fired of more frames. I decided to switch my lens so I could get the deer in a landscape shot. I put on my 70-300mm. No sooner had I switch when a lone Coyote walked out into the road about 50 feet from them. I was able to get one shot as the two deer high tailed it into the woods.</div>
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(Notice the fawn in the lower right corner. It's leaving mother behind.)</div>
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The Coyote knew the deer were to fast to catch. At this time I was feeling kind of foolish for changing my lens, so I quickly changed back to my 400mm and was able to get one good shot of the Coyote before it trotted off into the forest.</div>
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The rest of the afternoon was just as thrilling. Butterflies, landscapes and wildflowers filled my memory cards. It was a great day and Summer has only just begun.</div>
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191648822374641307.post-51339559272074951182012-06-16T17:21:00.000-04:002012-06-16T17:21:25.627-04:00Slippers<div style="text-align: center;">
In the cool dark cedar and spruce swamp grows one of the most beautiful ladyslippers in all of Michigan. </div>
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The Showy Lady's Slipper.</div>
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When I am sitting inches away from them I find myself not wanting to leave. The wet moist ground and the coolness of the swamp is so inviting. Warblers sing in the trees overhead and the breeze whispers in the cedar trees. From early morning till late evening the slippers put on a show.</div>
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When ever the light changes they seem to change.</div>
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The image you see here was taken late in the evening and the dark of the swamp created a pleasing and magical mood. With the company of yellow lady's slippers growing right next to them it makes for one beautiful sight. </div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191648822374641307.post-27008037389942908502012-06-05T19:44:00.000-04:002012-06-05T19:44:02.487-04:00The Search Continues<div style="text-align: center;">
The search continues for orchids. My latest find was this Small yellow Lady Slipper.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WtjNCaDcg3U/T86YNlhDgrI/AAAAAAAABwk/lCdXo49r0IY/s1600/IMG_0546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WtjNCaDcg3U/T86YNlhDgrI/AAAAAAAABwk/lCdXo49r0IY/s320/IMG_0546.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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So far I have located 6 species in this one cedar swamp. I am now watching another species that is getting ready to bloom. This one will make 7 species in this one swamp. The amazing thing is I have found all these orchids in a 400 foot area of each other. Here is the list I have located so far.</div>
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Ram's head ladyslipper</div>
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Pink ladyslipper</div>
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Showy Ladyslipper</div>
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Small Yellow Ladyslipper</div>
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Large Yellow Ladyslipper</div>
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Early Coralroot.</div>
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Today I sat for about 2-3 hours watching this one Ox-eyed Daisy. A golden-rod crab spider was waiting for lunch. It was amazing how many insects visited this flower. The spider never did catch lunch while I was waiting and watching.</div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191648822374641307.post-41792410419736740532012-05-16T17:57:00.002-04:002012-05-16T17:57:19.283-04:00After spending many years searching for the Ram's-head Lady Slipper I found one today. It is always a great thrill when you find something you have been looking for. Five hours in a cedar swamp and many mosquito's, but it is worth it. I plan on going back in the morning to get some better shots and to search for more. The wind was really blowing today so it made for some bad shooting conditions. I also found two other species...Pink Lady's Slipper and Early Coral Root.<br />
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Pink lady's slipper</div>
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Early Coral Root</div>
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Ram's-head lady slipper (Rare)</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191648822374641307.post-27347354210446946652012-05-10T22:06:00.003-04:002012-05-10T22:06:36.881-04:00Common Loon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yy-JArmjRRA/T6xz46VGK0I/AAAAAAAABv8/7_fFribTZmQ/s1600/IMG_7519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yy-JArmjRRA/T6xz46VGK0I/AAAAAAAABv8/7_fFribTZmQ/s320/IMG_7519.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Been a long time since I last posted anything. Been very busy here. I just thought I would post a photo of a common loon. Will try to post more often. Wildflowers are starting to really bloom and the birds are returning.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191648822374641307.post-20111198361301343072012-03-22T19:24:00.000-04:002012-03-22T19:24:52.795-04:00Spring<div style="text-align: center;">Spring is here and everything is greening up. As far as I am concerned it is a bit to early here in Northern Michigan. I decided to head North to the hills and it was very enjoyable. Only thing is I almost ended up getting myself lost. I was going from water hole to water hole chasing frogs. Before I knew it I had lost my bearings. So I turned around and tried to backtrack, but somehow I ended up about 1/2 mile from where I entered the woods. I did however find some early wildflowers that were in bloom.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W9rwqMC7AO8/T2u0DgfSisI/AAAAAAAABvc/wJjj2IBc048/s1600/IMG_2516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W9rwqMC7AO8/T2u0DgfSisI/AAAAAAAABvc/wJjj2IBc048/s320/IMG_2516.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Round-lobed Hepatica </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C-ZUXry4seE/T2u0GCkN6mI/AAAAAAAABvk/kTFeIaw7EZ8/s1600/IMG_2536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C-ZUXry4seE/T2u0GCkN6mI/AAAAAAAABvk/kTFeIaw7EZ8/s320/IMG_2536.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Carolina Spring-beauty</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I would say it was a great afternoon. Will head back up there in a few days to see what else I can find.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191648822374641307.post-62194555488310407912012-03-16T18:53:00.000-04:002012-03-16T18:53:27.883-04:00Almost Spring<div style="text-align: center;">Sorry I have not posted much lately, but been really busy. Between photography and yard work and other things I have been kept busy. Here are a few favorite bird images from this month. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nt4zUMHZrV4/T2PD5GWz2NI/AAAAAAAABu8/_UvjNPNGfNo/s1600/IMG_0273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nt4zUMHZrV4/T2PD5GWz2NI/AAAAAAAABu8/_UvjNPNGfNo/s320/IMG_0273.JPG" width="232" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qFYSFLOVuKY/T2PD8xKEnJI/AAAAAAAABvE/GoQ9laFzQMo/s1600/IMG_0326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qFYSFLOVuKY/T2PD8xKEnJI/AAAAAAAABvE/GoQ9laFzQMo/s320/IMG_0326.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oUj_ZenAoX4/T2PD_mN6HEI/AAAAAAAABvM/EoPnJggHezk/s1600/IMG_1409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oUj_ZenAoX4/T2PD_mN6HEI/AAAAAAAABvM/EoPnJggHezk/s320/IMG_1409.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LbyKl6Odu6U/T2PECOlWq4I/AAAAAAAABvU/CHhtPWpN4uE/s1600/IMG_1727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LbyKl6Odu6U/T2PECOlWq4I/AAAAAAAABvU/CHhtPWpN4uE/s320/IMG_1727.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I will be posting more as the spring season begins and I get out more to explore. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191648822374641307.post-49788326553359094012012-02-26T07:35:00.000-05:002012-02-26T07:35:40.332-05:00Ice<div style="text-align: center;">Well winter is coming to an end soon and I'm glad.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wjXs0y8LOAk/T0onDAbST7I/AAAAAAAABuo/BrFmqa9oOxI/s1600/IMG_9350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wjXs0y8LOAk/T0onDAbST7I/AAAAAAAABuo/BrFmqa9oOxI/s320/IMG_9350.JPG" width="225" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191648822374641307.post-89037267312359408882012-02-25T07:41:00.001-05:002012-02-25T07:47:27.635-05:00Bloodroot<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VYyHMRvBQRM/T0jW0p1W-LI/AAAAAAAABug/gP-Q7BS75yk/s1600/IMG_0096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VYyHMRvBQRM/T0jW0p1W-LI/AAAAAAAABug/gP-Q7BS75yk/s320/IMG_0096.JPG" width="320" /></a>When April winds arrive<br />
And the soft rains are here,<br />
Some morning by the roadside<br />
These Fairy folk appear.<br />
<br />
We never see their coming,<br />
However sharp our eyes;<br />
Each year as if by magic<br />
They take us by surprise.<br />
<br />
Along the ragged woodside<br />
And by the green spring-run,<br />
Their small white heads are nodding<br />
And twinkling in the sun.<br />
<br />
They crowd across the meadow<br />
In innocence and mirth,<br />
As if there were no sorrow<br />
In all this wondrous earth.<br />
<br />
So frail, so unregarded,<br />
And yet about them clings<br />
A sorcery of welcome,--<br />
The joy of common things.<br />
<br />
Perhaps their trail of beauty<br />
Across the pasture sod<br />
In jubilant procession<br />
Is where an angel trod.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="lineb">[The end]<br />
Bliss Carman's poem: Bloodroot</div><div class="lineb"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191648822374641307.post-42588298704217071982012-02-05T08:44:00.000-05:002012-02-05T08:44:16.990-05:00Along the river<div style="text-align: center;">With the warm weather I have been out enjoying it. Not much ice along the river, but still many subjects to photograph. I was playing around with slow shutter speeds and water. The blue skies added some nice color to the smooth water.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lz5D3DUbUgs/Ty6HhLIqUqI/AAAAAAAABuQ/hqJrtVGaAgg/s1600/IMG_7441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lz5D3DUbUgs/Ty6HhLIqUqI/AAAAAAAABuQ/hqJrtVGaAgg/s320/IMG_7441.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IpCVSuY6NsE/Ty6Hj0gTz1I/AAAAAAAABuY/OPkerhtax5w/s1600/IMG_7455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IpCVSuY6NsE/Ty6Hj0gTz1I/AAAAAAAABuY/OPkerhtax5w/s320/IMG_7455.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191648822374641307.post-46225347876940393782012-01-20T20:37:00.000-05:002012-01-20T20:37:48.835-05:00Busy!<div style="text-align: center;">WOW!</div><div style="text-align: center;">It has been more than a month since I last posted....sorry!</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Been really busy with a death in the family, new camera gear and many other things. I'm back now and have many images. It's that time of year for ice images. Ice details and other winter subjects. So starting with ice shapes I shot on a small stream. It was 23 degrees when I went down to the river, but wish it would have been colder. I will be going back to get many more shots of my favorite winter time subject.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gBsBRSOz_SU/TxoWP5MKvjI/AAAAAAAABtk/eWKoUgPPPW8/s1600/IMG_6287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gBsBRSOz_SU/TxoWP5MKvjI/AAAAAAAABtk/eWKoUgPPPW8/s320/IMG_6287.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5S9QE2n3t2Y/TxoWUfmfkDI/AAAAAAAABts/NCiitIiY2VA/s1600/IMG_6300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5S9QE2n3t2Y/TxoWUfmfkDI/AAAAAAAABts/NCiitIiY2VA/s320/IMG_6300.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KujiuCsBjNc/TxoWZRk0ffI/AAAAAAAABt0/4s3r5TWjs6c/s1600/IMG_6304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KujiuCsBjNc/TxoWZRk0ffI/AAAAAAAABt0/4s3r5TWjs6c/s320/IMG_6304.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H58EL14QSqo/TxoWckK0CXI/AAAAAAAABt8/nEgdb-VWBkw/s1600/IMG_6310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H58EL14QSqo/TxoWckK0CXI/AAAAAAAABt8/nEgdb-VWBkw/s320/IMG_6310.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">You can see the on location shoot here...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nY4Qf9eNhqY&list=UUtQmOhFHDOoH0QPegMvBrdw&index=2&feature=plcp" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nY4Qf9eNhqY&list=UUtQmOhFHDOoH0QPegMvBrdw&index=2&feature=plcp</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191648822374641307.post-45501948813797967812011-12-08T08:32:00.001-05:002011-12-08T08:33:22.728-05:00The little squirrel<div style="text-align: center;">Now that I have my new camera I have been busy taking photos again...</div><div style="text-align: center;">Really glad I upgraded to a much better camera. This little Red Squirrel was so much fun to photograph. All day it would run back in forth carrying one seed at a time and stashing it in the wood pile. I watched it take the same path over and over. So I set up my bean bag on the windows edge and took out the screen. I used my 300mm to get the shots I wanted. I waited and waited...every few minutes this squirrel would stop and look around and I would fire off a few frames. Still waiting for a good snowfall, but so far all we have is a dusting on the ground.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n29yqi84MrE/TuC8RKelNaI/AAAAAAAABtc/i-wxhuYnLSI/s1600/IMG_0580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n29yqi84MrE/TuC8RKelNaI/AAAAAAAABtc/i-wxhuYnLSI/s320/IMG_0580.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191648822374641307.post-40323315318146344582011-11-19T18:37:00.000-05:002011-11-19T18:37:26.748-05:00Waiting<div style="text-align: center;">Waiting can be so hard...</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am waiting on a new camera body to arrive and some other goodies. I'm also waiting for a good snowfall...and for hunting season to end. I really miss being out there and enjoying the wild's of Northern Michigan. So I am spending my time editing images form this past summer and photographing the birds at the feeders. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Here are a few images from this fall...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L-c3PmRNVqY/Tsg9Z4IGAYI/AAAAAAAABs4/q_NRgScSVCc/s1600/IMG_0100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L-c3PmRNVqY/Tsg9Z4IGAYI/AAAAAAAABs4/q_NRgScSVCc/s320/IMG_0100.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o4J3uQ7FF90/Tsg9eV_hdGI/AAAAAAAABtA/QZz4O1Nl2a8/s1600/IMG_0170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o4J3uQ7FF90/Tsg9eV_hdGI/AAAAAAAABtA/QZz4O1Nl2a8/s320/IMG_0170.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pan-DREXa_c/Tsg9j6DXIlI/AAAAAAAABtI/63xOyquGC_A/s1600/IMG_1051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pan-DREXa_c/Tsg9j6DXIlI/AAAAAAAABtI/63xOyquGC_A/s320/IMG_1051.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191648822374641307.post-77310409381255284192011-11-11T19:12:00.001-05:002011-11-11T19:14:37.247-05:00First Snow<div style="text-align: center;">We had our first snow this morning. It was just a dusting, but enough to make everything beautiful. The pond was calm and looked like glass. Everything was reflecting off the surface. Eagles flying and the Trumpeter Swans honking along the far shore. Here is one image of the sunrise this morning...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WBewhJu7vSw/Tr25AenoBvI/AAAAAAAABsk/kp_-5sNuPkU/s1600/IMG_2357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WBewhJu7vSw/Tr25AenoBvI/AAAAAAAABsk/kp_-5sNuPkU/s320/IMG_2357.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191648822374641307.post-7595882542462998562011-11-09T07:10:00.000-05:002011-11-09T07:10:23.258-05:00Skunk<div style="text-align: center;">Been so busy the last few weeks that I have forgotten to post anything. Last night I was able to photograph a skunk. This is a first for me...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g6mzulz0vOk/Trptk4aLknI/AAAAAAAABsU/V0A54ouDk3w/s1600/IMG_2054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g6mzulz0vOk/Trptk4aLknI/AAAAAAAABsU/V0A54ouDk3w/s320/IMG_2054.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HTOEIsd9MMw/Trptm5uXaEI/AAAAAAAABsc/cST0vQbLQd4/s1600/IMG_2061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HTOEIsd9MMw/Trptm5uXaEI/AAAAAAAABsc/cST0vQbLQd4/s320/IMG_2061.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191648822374641307.post-62637477139144624262011-10-07T19:08:00.000-04:002011-10-07T19:08:52.009-04:00Big Tree<div style="text-align: center;">Now that Autumn is here and the trees are ablaze. I have been trying to get out daily. This afternoon while I was out exploring a deep valley I found this huge tree in full glory. As I walked under it...the leaves were falling and it was just so special. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mn4OMQHI_W4/To-GX4QpJsI/AAAAAAAABsQ/nJs36tGgsHE/s1600/IMG_0868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mn4OMQHI_W4/To-GX4QpJsI/AAAAAAAABsQ/nJs36tGgsHE/s320/IMG_0868.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191648822374641307.post-8323504509879572272011-09-26T20:41:00.000-04:002011-09-26T20:41:32.200-04:00Autumn is here<div style="text-align: center;">Been really busy the last few weeks...only picked up my camera a few times. Now that Autumn is here I will be out more and enjoying the color. It is just starting here in Northern Michigan. Took a short walk along the pond on my favorite walking path and enjoyed the sights and sounds of Autumn.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4lrhkVDrlKQ/ToEbl226qvI/AAAAAAAABsM/7S_B3MDlOr4/s1600/IMG_0146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4lrhkVDrlKQ/ToEbl226qvI/AAAAAAAABsM/7S_B3MDlOr4/s320/IMG_0146.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191648822374641307.post-9852730034234153082011-09-11T19:41:00.002-04:002011-09-11T19:42:43.045-04:00Fringed Gentian ~Gentiana crinita~<div style="text-align: center;">Took a road trip this morning to photograph one of the wildflower species that I have never seen before. Thanks to a great friend and wonderful photographer I was able to locate and photograph this beautiful flower.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-piOA-XrkDIs/Tm1GhuZTarI/AAAAAAAABsA/y3WhLYpAMvQ/s1600/IMG_9485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-piOA-XrkDIs/Tm1GhuZTarI/AAAAAAAABsA/y3WhLYpAMvQ/s320/IMG_9485.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_j13WKq5jFg/Tm1GoKYQ1oI/AAAAAAAABsE/p0njqtTfqw0/s1600/IMG_9491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_j13WKq5jFg/Tm1GoKYQ1oI/AAAAAAAABsE/p0njqtTfqw0/s320/IMG_9491.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DxqA0jl9API/Tm1GtJgZc8I/AAAAAAAABsI/PxXdQ0fqjUA/s1600/IMG_9519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DxqA0jl9API/Tm1GtJgZc8I/AAAAAAAABsI/PxXdQ0fqjUA/s320/IMG_9519.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b> <span style="font-size: small;">To The Fringed Gentian</span></b></span> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Thou blossom bright with autumn dew,<br />
And colored with the heaven's own blue,<br />
That openest when the quiet light<br />
Succeeds the keen and frosty night.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Thou comest not when violets lean<br />
O'er wandering brooks and springs unseen,<br />
Or columbines, in purple dressed,<br />
Nod o'er the ground-bird's hidden nest.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Thou waitest late and com'st alone,<br />
When woods are bare and birds are flown,<br />
And frosts and shortening days portend<br />
The aged year is near his end.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Then doth thy sweet and quiet eye<br />
Look through its fringes to the sky,<br />
Blue--blue--as if that sky let fall<br />
A flower from its cerulean wall.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">I would that thus, when I shall see<br />
The hour of death draw near to me,<br />
Hope, blossoming within my heart,<br />
May look to heaven as I depart.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">-William Cullen Bryant, 1832</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191648822374641307.post-86572931881273871172011-09-10T17:02:00.000-04:002011-09-10T17:02:17.803-04:00Bird Bath<div style="text-align: center;">Busy day at the unfinished bird bath...still have work to do on it. Going to make the upper part bigger so the birds don't fight each other to take a bath. Going to set it up so I can photograph them...will be ready by spring. Today was busy...19 species stopped by to feed at the feeders and enjoy a drink and a bath. the list below is the ones took a bath.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Pileated Woodpecker</div><div style="text-align: center;">Brown Thrasher</div><div style="text-align: center;">Tennessee Warbler</div><div style="text-align: center;">Nashville Warbler</div><div style="text-align: center;">Pine Warbler</div><div style="text-align: center;">American Redstart</div><div style="text-align: center;">Canada Warbler</div><div style="text-align: center;">Scarlet Tanager</div><div style="text-align: center;">Rose-breasted Grosbeak</div><div style="text-align: center;">Blue Jay</div><div style="text-align: center;">Black-capped Chickadee</div><div style="text-align: center;">Purple Finch</div><div style="text-align: center;">Song Sparrow</div><div style="text-align: center;">Robin</div><div style="text-align: center;">Mourning Dove</div><div style="text-align: center;">White-breasted Nuthatch</div><div style="text-align: center;">Starling</div><div style="text-align: center;">Chipping Sparrow</div><div style="text-align: center;">Downy Woodpecker</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L8sVkRuUGQw/TmvPu03CCDI/AAAAAAAABro/UsSJkicobdE/s1600/IMG_8758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L8sVkRuUGQw/TmvPu03CCDI/AAAAAAAABro/UsSJkicobdE/s320/IMG_8758.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191648822374641307.post-76897067717836803572011-08-30T15:03:00.000-04:002011-08-30T15:03:13.306-04:00Mantis Love<div style="text-align: center;">Persistence pays off....</div><div style="text-align: center;">3 hours in the meadow following a female praying mantis was worth being bitten by ants.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is how it took place....</div><div style="text-align: center;">The last few days I have been visiting the meadow in hopes of capturing a mating pair of praying mantis. Today was my lucky day...I spotted this large female on the hunt for food. (See images below) So I carefully set up my tripod at ground level. Every move I made she would stare at me. I moved slowly and was able to get close, but not to close. I started shooting and waiting for an insect to become pray, but nothing happened. I followed her along the ground for over an hour. About two and a half hours into my crawling on the ground. I suddenly started to get bit by ants. I moved away and brushed them off. As I was doing so I noticed a male mantis looking at me from a higher perch. So I slowly moved my tripod and took a few shots. No sooner had I took the shots...then this male flew down to the ground close to the female. I was in luck would I get my wish and witness a mating pair. I was able to get one shot, before he jumped on her and it begun. I moved in as close as I could without disturbing them. Frame after frame I fired away. She moved slowly into the tall thick grasses where I was unable to get anymore shots. I watched them for another 15 minutes and moved on. I was happy...very happy. This male will have a slim chance of surviving. The female will have him for dinner. Pregnant females need protein and since the male is the closest food source she will eat him. There is that slim chance he will get away, but most never make it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UWG-yo60EVI/Tl0y-JBhe6I/AAAAAAAABrA/-fhaGmlMT78/s1600/IMG_7326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UWG-yo60EVI/Tl0y-JBhe6I/AAAAAAAABrA/-fhaGmlMT78/s320/IMG_7326.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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