Wild Faces

Wild faces come in many shapes and sizes.  Some we recognize as cute and cuddly while others may be seen as being more ominous. 

 

Here is a small collection of Wild Faces I have met recently. 

 

Cottontail:  Met while taking an evening walk.

Gray Squirrel:  Caught while raiding a naturalized bird feeder

Beaver:  The beaver swam close to my hide while I watched a wetland for ducklings

Snapping Turtle:  Spotted while watching for ducks. 

Sora Rail & Snapping Turtle

Sora Rail with Snapping Turtle in foreground

Hoping to photograph the resident wood ducks I set up in the willows surrounding a wetlands last evening.  However the wood ducks proved too wary picking me out easily although I was set up in camo clothing and screened by the thick willows surrounding the water.  About forty-five minutes after settling in a movement through a screen of leaves caught my attention.  Focusing my binos I was super surprised to see a sora rail feeding in the shallow water.  This was my very first ever sighting of a sora!  Cautiously moving the camera to clear the nearby foliage I noticed a V wake quickly approaching the rail, a snapper on the attack!  As the wake reached land the snapping turtle lunged at the rail and just as quickly the agile sora hopped out of the snappers reach.

The rail kept a safe distance from the snapper as it circled about.

And decided to continue it foraging elsewhere.

Pennsylvania is listed as part of the sora rail's breeding range however in all of my years spending considerable time outdoors this was my first encounter.

After the rail had left the scene the snapper hauled out on the small hump and began digging into it.  As it dug I noticed that flies were buzzing around it that there were many feathers.  It was then that I realized that I was looking at the remains of some type of bird.  Whether it was a snapper kill or a dead duck that the snapper had lain claim to I have no way of knowing however I do think it evident that the snapper was protecting his food from an intruder; in this case the secretive little sora rail.

After lying there watching for a few minutes the snapper quietly slid off into the water.  No doubt staying nearby, watchful for any other creature nearing its cache.

Camera Critters: Wetland Critters

What better way to spend a warm sunny spring day than to hang out sunbathing with a waterfront view!

This painted turtle appears totally relaxed sunning its self on the rotting tree.  With water underneath the turtle can slide from its perch, plunging to safety in the blink of an eye.

Perched and the very top of a tree just beginning to leaf this Eastern Kingbird has an excellent view over the surrounding wetlands.

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Wetlands: Two in One

Taking the opportunity to visit our nearby wetlands again this morning I was rewarded with this photo op of an immature wood duck drake checking out a tiny painted turtle.

Having hidden where I could view the last remaining pool of open water I first spied the little wood duck waddling out of the surrounding vegetation into the water and swimming across almost directly towards my location. Only a short distance away he made a left turn under the overhanging branches with his attention riveted on the turtle. When I began photographing him his attention immediately became focused on the clicking of the camera’s shutter and he wasted no time beating a hasty retreat into the thick cover surrounding the pond.

After silently watching the wetland for a couple of hours I spent some time checking out the changes since my last visit about a month ago.

With the drier weather lately, the open water area has shrunk from a couple of acres to one small pond of maybe 50’ x 200’. Areas where I was previously photographing ducks swimming about are now covered in lush vegetation with some of it as high as my waist.

The flooding and drying cycle is what makes these wetlands so valuable to wildlife. The vegetation present now will be submerged during the winter and spring providing food for microorganisms along with larger creatures as it breaks down.

Uncommon Swimmer: Eastern Box Turtle

While fishing our local lake I noticed something floating with small ripples coming from it. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that it was an Eastern Box Turtle swimming across the lake from east to west.

At that point the lake is about two hundred yards wide and the turtle was near the mid-point. The little land turtle did not seem to be having any difficulty navigating the lake, swimming with its head above the water some of the time and under at others. I stayed with it for a little while noticing that it maintained its direction of travel in spite of the wind & small waves.

At one point I intervened and turned the turtle back towards the eastern shore. Without a pause in its swimming it immediately turned 180 deg and continued on its westward course.

Eastern Box Turtles are common in our local woodlands but this is the first I have ever encountered one crossing a body of water. With its sense of direction and the desire to not deviate from its course apparently the turtle knew exactly where it was going..

Camera Critters : Turtle Reflections

Sunshine brings the Painted Turtles out of the chilly spring waters to bask in the warm rays.

These colorful turtles are somewhat shy, slipping quietly into the water if I happen to approach too closely with the boat. This pair surprised me when they allowed me to maneuver the boat to within fifteen feet.

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Reflections of Summer: Painted Turtle

As the boat slid quietly into a small cove I spied this pretty Painted Turtle basking on a log. The lighting was good and I easily maneuvered into the best position for this reflection shot.

Many of the wildlife subjects I shoot are wary and difficult to photograph but that is not the case with the Painted Turtles. As long as one doesn’t make sudden movements or approach inside of their comfort zone these turtles are content to be the subject of many a blog post.

Basking, Painted Turtles

Painted Turtles basking in the warm sunlight of a cool April day

I frequently see Painted Turtles exhibiting this behavior during sunny spring days. As turtles are cold blooded, they relish the warm rays of sunlight. When I first noticed this log it was covered with turtles basking in a line along its entire length. By the time I drew near enough for this shot, all had slipped quietly back into the water except for this pair.

A little research revealed that females are larger than males and that we are in the midst of their breeding season now. Most likely this is a guy and his favorite gal all snuggled up and quite hesitant to flee.