animals

Search For The Easter Bunny

April 4, 2015 — 16 Comments

Groundhog

F/6.3, 1/400, ISO 1600.

Groundhog

Day 94 /365

On my search for the Easter Bunny,  I came across Mr. Groundhog who just recently came out of hibernation. While stuffing his face, he pointed me in the right direction.

Interesting Fact: Groundhogs are skilled climbers and swimmers, which helps them to escape less-skilled predators. ( http://www.havahart.com/groundhog-facts )

bunny

F/6.3, 1/500, ISO 1000.

Cottontail Rabbit

Finally, I found him.  He was eating to get his strength up for Easter Sunday tomorrow.

Interesting Fact: Cottontail rabbits are almost completely mute animals. They communicate with each other by thumping with their back feet against the ground. ( http://animals.pawnation.com/cottontail-rabbits-1901.html )

 

Parakeets Guard Post!

April 3, 2015 — 14 Comments

Monk Parakeets

F/6.3, 1/125, ISO 1600.

Monk Parakeets

Black and White  Day 5 of 5

Day 93 / 365

” I will watch this side, you take the other side and no one will slip by us “.

Interesting Fact: Its large, communal nests of sticks are easily identifiable and are often built on support poles of electrical lines. ( http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/932/overview/Monk_Parakeet.aspx )

I was challenged by Cynthia at http://cynthiamvoss.wordpress.com/  to take up the Black and White 5-Day Challenge.  Part of the fun is to nominate another blogger, one on each day.

Today, I nominate Susan  of http://suejudd.com/ Susan, if you accept, the goal is to post one B&W photo each day for five days, and to nominate a fellow blogger each day to join in.

There is no pressure to accept this challenge. It’s just for fun!    🙂

Backyard Bully!

March 31, 2015 — 18 Comments

House Sparrow

F/6.3, 1/320, ISO 1600.

House Sparrow

Black and White  Day 2 of 5

Day 90 / 365

This little guy was bullying all the other birds today. So small yet so feisty.

Interesting Fact: The House Sparrow takes frequent dust baths. It throws soil and dust over its body feathers, just as if it were bathing with water. In doing so, a sparrow may make a small depression in the ground, and sometimes defends this spot against other sparrows. ( http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/House_Sparrow/lifehistory )

I was challenged by Cynthia at http://cynthiamvoss.wordpress.com/  to take up the Black and White 5-Day Challenge.  Part of the fun is to nominate another blogger, one on each day.

Today, I nominate Maggie of https://magscorner.wordpress.com/ Maggie, if you accept, the goal is to post one B&W photo each day for five days, and to nominate a fellow blogger each day to join in.

There is no pressure to accept this challenge. It’s just for fun!    🙂

I Am Ready To Go Outside!

March 28, 2015 — 22 Comments

bella 1

F/5.3, 1/60, ISO 100.

Day 87 / 365

Man’s best friend, and family for life.      🙂

Interesting Fact:  Yorkies are a toy breed, one of the smallest acknowledged by the American Kennel Club. As with every breed of dog, there are Yorkies that are smaller or larger than the breed standard. According to “Yorkshire Terriers” by D. Caroline Coile, the record-holding smallest living Yorkie is only 3 inches tall. Because there is really no such thing as a teacup Yorkie, anyone looking for a small companion should be wary of sellers offering such dogs.  ( http://pets.thenest.com/teacup-yorkshire-terrier-4873.html )

Das Auto

March 25, 2015 — 19 Comments

vw beetle

F/5.6, 48.0, ISO 100.

Day 84 / 365

Beetle still puts a big smile on my face.     🙂

Interesting Fact: The Beetle will float: The Beetle may have been inexpensive, but it was never cheap. Gaps were tight and doors sealed well. Additionally, it was a unibody car with a very flat floor with few openings. All of this meant that the car would actually float for at least several minutes after hitting the water before turning into a small U-boat.  ( http://www.hagerty.com/articles-videos/Articles/2013/01/25/Secrets-of-the-Volkswagen-Beetle )

I Am Branching Out!

March 19, 2015 — 22 Comments

squirrel

F/6.3, 1/125, ISO 800.

Day 78 / 365

I made a flute out of this branch.  Now watch me play.  ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫       🙂

Interesting Fact: Squirrels communicate with each other through various vocalisations and scent marking. They also use their tails as a signalling device, twitching it when uneasy to alert other squirrels of potential danger. ( http://www.onekind.org/be_inspired/animals_a_z/squirrel/ )

Stealth Mode!

March 14, 2015 — 13 Comments

Common Merganser 2

F/6.3, 1/1000, ISO 560.

Common Merganser

Day 73 / 365

She suspects him of cheating, so she decided to follow him today.    She is literally on his tail.      🙂

Interesting Fact: Common Mergansers usually nest in natural tree cavities or holes carved out by large woodpeckers. Sometimes mergansers take up residence in next boxes, provided the entrance hole is large enough. On occasion they use rock crevices, holes in the ground, hollow logs, old buildings, and chimneys.  ( http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Merganser/lifehistory )

Freezing And In Love!

February 14, 2015 — 4 Comments

gadwall

F/6.3, 1/320, ISO 1600.
Gadwall Duck
Day 45 / 365

Even on a frozen ocean you can find love today.

Interesting Fact: Gadwall sometimes steal food from American Coots and from other ducks.
( http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/gadwall/lifehistory )

Bonus Valentine Facts: 2. Valentine’s Day may have a rather gory history. As one variation of a popular myth goes, Claudius II, the Emperor of Rome, forbade young men from marrying because he wanted them as soldiers in his army instead. St. Valentine defied him and married people in secret, so he was executed on Feb. 14 in the year AD 269 – or so the story goes. ( http://m.ibtimes.com/valentines-day-facts-history-fun-ideas-free-burritos-singles-awareness-other-things-1813226 )

This Duck Baffled My Head!

January 25, 2015 — 25 Comments

Bufflehead Duck

F/6.3, 1/1000, ISO 400.

Bufflehead Duck

Day 25 / 365

Freezing my bum off for an hour in one spot today paid off.    🙂

Interesting Fact: Buffleheads are highly active and will undertake dives almost continuously. One duck will serve as a sentry, watching for predators as the others in the group dive in search of food. ( http://www.withmephotographyblog.com/10-interesting-facts-about-the-bufflehead )