Monday in Nature POTW 6-3-2013

<p>Ok, the frog isn't really flying. I heard a thump at the front door and went to investigate. The frog was plastered on the glass of the storm door. The frog was nice enough that I was able to go get my camera, switch to the 50mm lens, turn on outside and inside lights and still pose. The welcome mat on the walk is the background, as I was shooting downward. Hopkinsville, KY.</p>

<p>This one if of a Great Blue in January doing a very reddish egret-like dance. I have a series of these. I actually was very surprised to see a Great Blue acting out like this. They normally fish by standing in one place, very still, for long periods of time, waiting for the fish to come to them. I don't believe this one was actually looking for food, though. Just having fun splashing in the water. 1D IV, 500 mm f/4L IS, 1/3200 sec. @ f/8.</p><div></div>

<p><img src="http://www.capture-the-moment.co.uk/tp/tfu29/upload/puffins_4_farnes_700.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="467" /><br /> <strong>Big crash in 3... 2... 1...</strong><br /> <br /> <strong><br /></strong>I'm lucky enough to live within an hour or two of the Farne Islands off the North East coast of England, home during the Summer months to several tens of thousands of Atlantic Puffins - wonderfully characterful little birds, like these little guys, who are about to learn that five into four won't go...</p>

<p>Dragonfly. </p><div></div>

<p>Don't know the real name but we've always called them pussy toes</p><div></div>

<p>Robert & Mark - thanks for the nod.<br>

And a big thanks to all, the quality is top notch.</p>

<p>Sometimes you just have to go for the easy pickin's. While out shooting flowers this weekend, I happened across a tiny pond. I wandered the banks looking for whatever might lurk there and spotted this chap. He didn't mind posing for a moment.</p>

<p>Keith R - I'm jealous over that Puffin shot. Nice combination of action and static subjects. Very well done. We only have Puffins at the zoo around here. </p><div></div>

<p>I am really enjoying this nature theme. Everyone's contributions are very interesting and top-notch. Here is a House Finch I came across the other day. Note the swelling in the eye. Unfortunately it has a case of mycoplasmal conjunctivitis. Apparently it is very common in House Finches, first noted in Washington DC in 1994 and spreading widely since then. It is not fatal, but makes them more susceptible to predation.</p><div></div>

<p>Yes, the small things, indeed.</p><div></div>

<p>Another great Monday. I'm sure some more folks will join in throughout the week. It's exciting to have such high quality photography across an array of subjects. <br>

Robert C, you have such a way with fog.<br>

Rick M. nice separation on the eagle, those hawk/eagle encounters can get quite intense.<br>

Patrick, looks like a nice day on the pond.<br>

Mark M, the light makes the starfish look other worldly.<br>

Hugh, thanks, that is a great story. The things that go thunk in the night.<br>

Thom, looks like a nice quiet time on the shoreline.<br>

Douglas, I'll have to see if that snake is around here, there's a lot of slithering in the woods now.<br>

Shun, I'm always amazed at how animals deal with thorny spiky food. Pretty colors.<br>

Jim, great shot, your onions are flowering already?<br>

Wayne, is that the mama of the cub from last week? She's a beauty.<br>

Jonathan, nice bird. What is it?<br>

Cory, was that gull able to eat the fish in peace? Good one.<br>

Bruce, the lichen is beautiful (and sending me to the books), but is that snow still receding?<br>

David C, nice, even with the rain.<br>

Dennis, nice one. Was it bath time for the heron? That must be a great series.<br>

Keith, beautiful action, expressions on the birds faces, and interaction between them. I'm looking in the atlas to see where yours and Colin's locations are. I'm with Mark, envious.<br>

Mark K, Great! I had an encounter with one like that yesterday. Yes, he was quite patient with my presence, and good looking too.<br>

Phil, we have a lot of House Finches here, but I've never seen this eye condition. Thanks for the informative post, not to mention your usual great photography. I probably would have thought the bird had been bitten or stung.<br>

Louis, lovely, simply lovely.</p>

 

<p>I found a cooperative jumping spider the other day. He stayed in one spot, mostly, long enough for me to make several shots.<br>

<img src="http://akgosdenphotos.smugmug.com/Nature/Insects-and-other-bugs/i-78gzMMv/0/700x700/untitled-9544-700x700.jpg" alt="" /><br>

<strong>XSi, 18-55 is with 12 mm extension tube, f/10, 1/200s, off-camera flash</strong></p>

<p>I read about this new thread on the news letter the other day. I have been looking these wonderful entries over but I have not seen any limitations upon age of images. This being a very busy period in my life currently, I thought I might post a couple of my older images until I can get out and about once more, I so much want to join in. I hope this will meet with the approval of the group.</p>

<p>Today's presentation is a cock California Quail, that was watching over his covey one early morning last August from his perch upon a downed log.</p>

<p>-Dave</p><div></div>

Unable to contribute at this time but, have been lurking in the background and viewing ALL the wonderful photography

from an Android device which I'm certain does not do these images justice.

 

I just had to comment and express my envy to you all!

 

Laura, a very good thing you got going here!

 

A sincere "salute" to you all (including those posting beyond my comment)and, my apologies for the inability to make more image specific comments. Navigating and

texting on this thing is a real pain.

 

Natures beauty and abundance is alive and well here!

<p>Thanks Laura, that was taken a couple of weeks ago and it's still only the 4th day of winter down here in the southern hemisphere. Hopefully the snow will be on the increase for a while. Love the forum</p>

<p>DL, you're right, there are no time limits. That would place unnecessary shackles on folks and hinder participation. We all need flexibility in this area for a long list of reasons from film processing, editing, post processing TLC, to vacation of a lifetime. We may need time to heal from an injury and might not even be able to get out. As you say, it's a busy time in life. Fret not.</p>

<p>James J, looking forward to you joining in when you can.<br>

Andrew, good to see you here, that one looks like it's about to jump at the lens.</p>

 

<p>While visiting the Dordogne area, in France, I was staying in an old converted farmhouse.<br /> This little fellow (about 4 cm) snuck in under the door to get away from the evening chill.<br>

Fire salamander the morning after.</p><div></div>

<p><img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b60/renegade54/Photo%20net/_ADC8390-2_zpsd485256c.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/17415332-md.jpg" alt="" width="680" height="437" /></p>

<p>It's been another great week here.<br>

Haig, Wes, Siegfried, thanks for sharing your unique views of the nature around us, both large and small.<br>

Everyone have a good weekend.</p>

 

<p>Laura-Thanks for the comments. You have a great mushroom there. I like the sporangiums on the mosses too, look like fireworks going off.<br>

Collin and Keith-Puffins are on my short list of things I'd like to photograph. Nice take on them.<br>

Mark-I know how hard underwater macros are. Great image.<br>

David-nice image. Not only sharp but a great catchlight in your hawk's eye.<br>

Shun-remarkable closeup on that hungry little feeder.<br>

Young-Nice composition with your wasp.<br>

Bruce-nice textures on your closeup<br>

Dennis-nice reflections on the wings. Nice eye!<br>

Mak K-Great frog there!<br>

Louis-very intimate seed image.<br>

DL-The firey background really works great with your quali image.<br>

Haig-you are killing me. Last year I was in southern France and looked everywhere I could for a Fire Salamander. Nice to see that there are a few around still!<br>

Wes-stunner Wood Duck.<br>

Siegfried-What a stunner of a Jumping spider!</p>

<p> </p>