SkyWatch: Hay Making Skies

The dry sweltering heat that descended on our area recently is perfect weather to dry this year's hay crop.  Farmers are hurrying to get the crop in before the drought destroys what nutrient value the grass still holds.

As the evening sun caressed the western horizon its warm light falling upon the windrows of hay drew lines of dark shadow along their length.  Lying in the grass, I framed this shot from a low angle to capturing the lines of light & shadow against a sky of white fluffy clouds.  I also used a circular polarizing filter to increase the color saturation.

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Skywatch Friday

Morning Suprise: Mink Encounter

Deciding to accompany Willard for a morning wildlife photoshoot at the meadows, I arrived there as he was finishing setting up his equipment.  Soon after settling in comfortably I noticed a cottontail rabbit running away from us down the access road.  After going maybe twenty yards it made a 90 degree turn disappearing into the high grass.  Thinking nothing of it I looked back to the meadow only to hear Willard exclaim "Look at That!"  I turned to see a mink running down the path the rabbit had followed.  Swinging the camera into position I was ready when the mink paused where the rabbit had made the turn.

In a moment the mink figured out the rabbit's evasive move and again took off on its scent trail.

 A few minutes later movement to my left caught my attention and I turned just in time to see the rabbit running full out pass by directly behind us.  The rabbit was in full panic mode as it sped past only a few feet away disappearing into the old barn and only a couple of seconds later the mink followed in pursuit.

The action was breaking so fast that I was unable to achieve focus as the mink rushed our position!

When only a few yards away the mink suddenly became aware of our presence; stopping momentarily before reversing direction as rapidly as it had approached.  Here you can see the initial escape leap as the mink began fleeing.

Thinking of this encounter I believe that the little rabbit owes its life to our presence this morning as there is absolutely nowhere that a rabbit could go where the mink could not follow.  And then again looking at the encounter another way I guess the mink could blame us for its hunger pangs brought on by a missed meal.

I was fully intending to continue today with yesterday's wetland encounters but after this heart racing encounter with a creature so rarely seen I simply had to share this extraordinary encounter today.

Wetlands Morning: Muskrat Encounter

As the summer progresses the wetlands are in a state of constant change.  With no appreciable rain fall in well over two weeks the water level is receding rapidly leaving much of the previously flooded areas dry and baking in the hot sun.  The change of water level along with the vegetation growth forces me to change vantage points frequently.

This morning I chose a position overlooking a small pool that would be subjected to strong sunlight coming from my left once the sun rose.  Shortly after sunrise I spotted vegetation shaking about in a shallow portion of the pool.  A moment later I was able discern a muskrat swimming rapidly towards me with a bundle of leaves in its mouth. 

Photographing the muskrat continuously as it approached; the best shot of the session occurred as the rat turned to is right allowing the sun to light its head along with the leaves it was carrying.  Before I could trip the shutter again the muskrat dove out of sight; but not before leaving me with the my very best muskrat capture ever.

If this image had been the only good image I came away with this morning it certainly would have been a worthwhile outing.  Instead it was only the beginning of what was to be a very memorable morning spent in the wilds of the wetlands.

Camera Critters: Bunting & Baby

Indigo Bunting

This morning I decided to join Willard for a morning of wildlife photography.  Although relatively common the Indigo Buntings are very elusive anytime I try to photograph them.  This morning a male came to Willard's natural bird feeder posing nicely for his photograph.

 With its coat soaked by the morning dew an innocent little fawn pauses to surveys the photographers.   A moment later it bounded away to explore and learn more about its new world full of wonder as mom grazes peacefully in the background.

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SkyWatch: Double Sun

Double Sun

I always love to watch the sunrise; no two are the same.

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Camera Critters: Bullfrog

Bullfrog

Photographing the local Wood Ducks hasn't been going well lately.  With the lower water levels brought on by the hot weather of summer and the increased vegetation I have been unable to locate the ducks on most visits.  On the occasions that I have located them it has been when they are already fleeing from my intrusion.

During my latest visit to the wetlands this big male Bullfrog relied upon his natural camouflage to conceal him as he sat motionless allowing me to slowly approach to the 400mm's closest focus distance.

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Politicians

I bumped into some politicians the other day

Doing what all good politicians do; they were busily engaged in getting their “campaign contribution” and spreading crap around.

Time For a Face Lift

Nearly twenty years ago I acquired this little modified V boat.  Back then she was nearly new but time has a way of taking its toll on both man and machine.  Over the years seats, electronics and the bow mounted trolling motor were replaced.  The boat was still functionally sound but the carpet had long since seen its best days

Frontal shot showing the wear and deterioration.

Carpet completely gone in high traffic areas.

Having never done this kind of work before the entire job was a learning process.  The first lesson I learned was that a great deal of disassembly was required to do the job right.  Some items such as the trolling motor mount and rear hatch cover were held in place by rivets.  These all required removal by drilling and replaced with stainless steel bolts.

With the interior stripped down to the frame the laborious job of cleaning the parts began.  A paint stripping disk mounted in an electric drill did a great job removing the old glue.

Cleaned parts: rear deck and floor pan

Remembering the old adage; measure twice cut once, I was able to cut the carpet with no major mistakes.

Marine Adhesive is used to glue the new carpet in place

With major panels covered and in place the boat begins to take on its new look.

Reinstalling the rod holders and other accessories along with covering the hatch lids with aluminum diamond tread panels completed the job.  Total cost $255 in materials, 29 hours of my labor.

The 'ol girl now is now ready to carry me into another twenty years of fishing & waterfowl photography. if only I can last that long :)

Unusual Perch: Red-winged Blackbird

While passing through the historic town of Gettysburg yesterday my wife and I took a moment to drive through the grounds where the first day's fighting took place.

This Red-winged Blackbird perched upon the likeness of Brevet Major General James Samuel Wadsworth caught my eye.  His perch is not a natural one but from the condition of the statute it does appear that it is used often.

Recently I have been in a photographic dry spell.  My schedule and the weather simply has not been cooperating.  With a number of fix-up projects underway, an excellent fishing season, and a full time job my photography and blogging has been taking a back seat.

This evening, after finishing a phase of a fix-up project on my bass boat, I ask my wife if she would like to take a walk.  Grabbing the camera I was determined to photograph something to post!  Our first stop as at a yucca whose blooms are just past their prime.  The late evening sunlight cast a warm glow across the creamy white flowers.

A bush growing along the road offered up its translucent red berries which glowed beautifully in the warm back light.

Hopefully the weather and the ducks will cooperate that I will be able to get an update on the ducklings soon.