Nature

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!    🙂

Nite Nite Sleep Tight

April 2, 2015 — 11 Comments

Mallard

F/6.3, 1/320, ISO 1600.

Mallard Ducks

Black and White  Day 4 of 5

Day 92 / 365

What time does a duck wake up?

At the quack of dawn!

Interesting Fact: Ducks are strong fliers; migrating flocks of Mallards have been estimated traveling at 55 miles per hour.  ( http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Mallard/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 Alix  of https://alixbleus.wordpress.com/ Alix, 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!    🙂

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 )

Quack, Quack, Another Duck!

March 24, 2015 — 12 Comments

Green-winged Teal

F/6.3, 1/40, 1600.

Green-winged teal

Day 83 / 365

Why did the duck fly south for the winter?

Because it was too far to walk.

Interesting Fact:   This is the smallest North American dabbling duck.  ( http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/350/overview/Green-winged_Teal.aspx )

Keep On Shoveling!

March 23, 2015 — 8 Comments

Northern Shoveler

F/6.3, 1/1000, ISO 640.

Northern Shoveler

Day 82 /365

His shoveling skills, would come in very handy during all these snow storms we had.

Interesting Fact: They are often referred to as the “Spoonbill” or “Spoony” because of their unique spatulate shaped bill, which has about 110 fine projections (called lamellae) along the edges, for straining food from water.  ( http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/97/overview/Northern_Shoveler.aspx )

Please Don’t Ring My Neck!

March 22, 2015 — 8 Comments

Ring-necked Duck

F/6.3, 1/500, ISO 360.

Ring-necked Duck

Day 81 / 365

Why did the duck tell you a joke?
Because he wanted to QUACK you up!

Interesting Fact: Because it never gathers in large flocks it has not been hunted extensively like some of its relatives. A fast flier, it undertakes longer migrations than most other diving ducks. ( http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/95/overview/Ring-necked_Duck.aspx )

First Day Of Spring

March 20, 2015 — 8 Comments

snow

F/5.0, 1/125, ISO 900.

Day 79 / 365

It is the first day of spring and winter is not giving up. I would say it is kicking spring butt.

Interesting Fact: On the first day of Spring the sunrise and sunset are about 12 hours apart, everywhere on the Earth and the hours of daylight and night are almost equal. Daylight is a little longer. ( http://www.kidsplayandcreate.com/what-happens-in-spring-when-is-spring-spring-facts-for-kids/ )