Monday in Nature May 16, 2016

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<p><strong>Basic Guidelines</strong>: Nature based subject matter. Please, declare captive subjects. Keep your image at/under 700 pixels on the long axis for in-line viewing and try to keep file size under 300kb. Note that this includes photos hosted off-site at Flicker, Photobucket, your own site, etc. Feel free to link your image to a larger version. <strong><em>In the strictest sense, nature photography should not include hand of man elements. Please refrain from images with obvious buildings or large man made structures like roads, fences, walls. Minimize man made features and keep the focus on nature. </em></strong><br>

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<strong><em>Are you new to this thread? We post one image per week. For more details on guidelines <a href="/nature-photography-forum/00cgtY">please read this </a>helpful information. </em></strong></p>

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<p>Good morning,<br>

I hope you've all had a great week getting out in nature. Color abounds in woodlands with birds in breeding plumage and wild flowers. If you don't have to dodge a tornado, this is an easy time to be out with cameras. We'll dive right in this week. Wild geraniums, columbines, and woodland phlox are in abundance throughout the forest. They are impossible to leave alone and easy to get lost in. Toss in a rain shower and they each become a small work of art.</p>

<p>All of nature is art when we frame it up and hang it on a wall in a room called Monday in Nature. Have a great day, everyone.</p><div></div>

<p>Found a hummingbird nest...</p><div></div>

<p>Violets</p><div></div>

<p>Out for a walk over the weekend and came across an area where there were dozens of turtles languishing on logs in the water. This was just one of them.</p>

<p><a title="Lone turtle" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/outwithmycamera13/26408801574/in/dateposted-public/" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7721/26408801574_d9752ebc1e_z.jpg" alt="Lone turtle" width="640" height="473" /></a></p>

<p>Painted Trillium from NC Pa.</p><div></div>

<p>Early Saxifrage</p><div></div>

<p>Grapevine</p><div></div>

<p>Sticking with the floral theme. Saw these while walking around the lake. I don't know what they are, but thought they were pretty.</p><div></div>

<p>Six turtles enjoying some sun at Matsell Bridge Natural Area, Iowa.</p><div></div>

<p>The back yard is full of wrens. What they lack in size and plumage they make up in song and then some. Fast and hard to catch even when they're all around you. </p><div></div>

<p>New Mountain Laurel growth</p><div></div>

<p>Bill, Yellow iris (Iris pseudacorus)</p>

<p>A pair of blue-grey gnatcatchers(?) mob a red-shouldered hawk.</p><div></div>

<p>The UC Botanical Garden (Berkeley CA) has several turquoise Puyas that were in bloom a couple of weeks ago.</p><div></div>

<p>Forster's terns.</p><div></div>

<p>Laura, Gordon - lovely pictures.<br>

Just back from 4 weeks in Scotland, processing has started - with this, Eigg and Rum from Arisaig. </p>

<p>Thanks Gordon.</p>

<p>Western Grebe calling its partner</p><div></div>

<p>A white crocus - Crocus albiflorus.<br>

Hope you'll like it.</p><div></div>

<p>Black bear. Sequoia National Park.</p><div></div>

<p>Pnet wouldn't let me post a pic earlier - another (last) attempt</p><div></div>

<p>John, it was well worth the wait. I love the image!<br>

This week's image comes from western Iowa: plenty oaks in a very wet meadow.</p><div></div>

<p>Was going to post last week....with other herons :>). The largest fish I've seen the heron catch....in some other shots it looks down right like a shoe.</p>

<p>Les</p><div></div>

<p>Sunrise yesterday morning</p><div></div>

<p>Spring Green</p><div></div>