Give it a Boost!

It was the end of the summer when taking photo’s of crawling things can become quite interesting.

On this particular afternoon I was totally bored and decided to grab the camera and head off to the back yard.

It was that time of day that the afternoon sun was angling in directions that can be exasperating but intriguing at the same time.  So  I decided to play with the aperture settings and see if I could change a somewhat plain subject and give it a boost of interest. What ya think?  Did I achieve it?

Feet Soaker: Verdict – Guilty!

This is a Sitatunga, a swamp antelope.

They are adapted to survive where few other antelope could. Their long and thin hooves allow them to walk across islands of floating vegetation and wet terrain without sinking.  Their coat is waterproof and they are strong swimmers that can even hide underwater with only their nostrils (and maybe eyes) showing.

So when I shot this photo of this one gingerly walking through the water, I was mistaken to think he was just crossing to the other side.   Instead he was just doing what he prefers to do which was to walk down the creek bed as if he had not a care in the world.

 

A Resting Dragonfly..say it aint so!

Two pairs of transparent wings, an elongated body, large multifaceted eyes, and six leg (though they can not walk well) is the making of a dragonfly.

The one pictured here is a male Common Whitetail who I was lucky enough to catch resting (in between speedy flights), on a seed pod of a Day-lily.

Dragonfly Quick Facts:

1.  Valuable predators that eat mosquitoes, and other small insects like flies, bees, ants, wasps, and very rarely butterflies.

2.  Dragonflies in general have a maximum speed of 10–15 metres (22-34 mph) per second with average cruising speed of about 4.5 metres (10 mph) per second.^[4]

Related articles

• The Life of a Dragonfly (withywindlenatureprograms.com)

Nap Time

I was able to catch this fellow  in the act of yawning  evidently right before he took his nap.  “Why grandma, what big teeth you’ve got.”

A Little about Leopards: 

Leopards are  elusive, solitary and largely nocturnal.  They are known for their ability to climb and rest on tree branches during the day as well as drag their kill up in trees to prevent other larger predators from stealing it.

They are powerful swimmers and are very agile.  They can run at over 58 kilometres per hour (36 mph), leap over 6 metres (20 ft) horizontally, and jump up to 3 metres (9.8 ft) vertically.  They produce a number of vocalizations, including grunts, roars, growls, meows, and “sawing” sounds.

Morning or Evening?

I was fortunate to take a recent trip that allowed me to enjoy a view of the ocean. 

I continue to find the sound of the pounding waves and the call of seagalls flying above calming and stress relieving.

I never tire of watching the waves roll in and recede, dispensing bits of sea weed, shell, and a string of seafoam at waters edge.

And as I stand at sea level, I am totally aware of just how small I am as I look out upon the horizon.  For some strange reason I find comfort in that.

I thought I have a little fun with you and ask if you can tell at what time of day that I took this picture, morning or evening?

Did you say evening?  If so, I’m sorry but you are mistaken.  This shot was taken at approximately 6:15 am.  What a way to start a day.

 

Splish Splash I was Taking a Bath!

I happened upon a community of bath loving geese as I was out walking my dog.

There must have been at least 12 to 15 that had gather, no doubt gearing up for their migration flight.

It was quite entertaining watching them flutter about on the water.  This one was truly into his bath.

Simple Beauty

Have you ever notice how the simple things in life contains much beauty?

The Sign of Promise

I was able to capture this rainbow from the view of my kitchen window which appeared instantly after a mid-day thunderstorm had past through our area.

It reminded me of this promise.

“I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the promise between Me and the earth.”

“It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow will be seen in the cloud,”

“And I will remember my promise which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh, the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.”

“The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting promise between God and every living creature of all flesh and that is on the earth.”    Genesis 9:13-16

Mountain Meadows

This is a view from the top of Cadel Mountain, part of the Allegheny Mountain range running through the state of West Virginia.

It’s a view that my brother had no problem in pulling the car over to let his little sister (me)  take all the pictures she wanted to.

A big thanks to my brother for indulging me.

Where’s the Snow?

The polar bear is  regarded as a marine mammal because it spends many months of the year at sea. 

It is the largest terrestrial carnivore,  sharing this title only with the Kodiak Bear.

Adult males weigh 770–1500 lbs and measure  7.9–9.8 ft in length.  Adult females are roughly half the size of males and normally weigh 330–550 lb, measuring 5.9–7.9 ft in length.

Pictured is a female Polar Bear (Baltimore zoo) sitting patiently on the ground apparently looking for something .  Given that I took this shot in the middle of June I couldn’t help but think that perhaps she is seeking relief from the hot summer sun and is wishing for snow.