mythrender6
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•2 Member Since: October 26, 2006 |
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As you can probably tell by now, I like bugs . . . and critters. Here are a few more of the bugs I came across this past summer.Anyone know these species? I thought Bug B was a tiger swallowtail until I read that tiger swallowtails are only found in eastern North America (which I assume excludes Oregon).
To DSW - You were close on the sunset shot. It was a reflection - not water, a mirror . . . sorry about your monitor.
and what do you think I saw? (Nope, not two buffalos.) And then to the left, yet another, insisting "I can reach these."So I went outside to greet them, and the younster asked, "You gonna take my picture?" I told her, "Yes." She thanked me and directed me to the back 3 acres where a hiding stranger said, "I see you". And Humphrey's Mom was busy having lunch, insisting, "Not now, this is my munch break."
I liked the idea and visual effect of "new abstractions" so much, I had to do something silly . . . go ahead; I deserve it; say something silly.
And to those no longer with us . . . a moment of silence.
mythrender6 (AF 12755571)
It's been raining a lot since Friday - just under 9 inches - and I've been feeling a little house-bound. But today it stopped for about 20 minutes, just long enough to take a quick excursion around the yard. The first thing new I came across was these pancakes. But upon closer examination, they looked more familiar. Until at ground level, they were unmistakable - yep, them's mushrooms standing tall.Turns out there were mushrooms all over the yard, like this little brown one, these little white ones and these white buttony ones.
Never been much of a mushroom connoisseur - only daring to eat the store bought variety - but they are neat for picture taking if you get to them while they're reasonably fresh.
In some ways, we're all alike - set up a new home, trying to make a living.The builder begins, and row after row after tedious row continues, until finally he's done . . . and the guests begin to arrive.
With everyone talking about the coming winter cold, I thought I'd reminisce for a moment on spring - after all, once winter arrives, spring is just around the corner.I've been impressed by all the beautiful sunset photos so many of you have posted. Unfortunately, I have nothing so spectacular to offer. This past spring, however, we did have a few interesting sunsets. This spring sunset wasn't a flaming, glorious wonder, but a closeup of the center cloud formation did have a cute little cloud face - sort of reminded me of a fluffy Elmo checking out a floating piece of cloud broccoli . . . or is that cauliflower? . . . or could it just be my cloudy imagination?
Sixteen years ago, we fenced off and let grow wild 3 acres behind the house - our mini wildlife refuge . . . all critters welcome. For the past several years, except for a drastic reductions in raccoons, the inhabitants haven't changed much, except maybe to mature. Last year, Humphry (a black-tailed deer) was a spike. This year, though still in velvet when this shot was taken, Humphry showed us how he'd changed - 4 points on each side. Humphry is basically a friendly guy and has even enjoyed the occasional game of hide and seek. (You can bypass this next one if you blush easily.) He's so friendly, in fact, he'll even unabashedly pose while doing his thing.But Humphry isn't the only one willing to pose for a casual shot. Here's Humphry's younger brother successfully ignoring me. And here's Humphry's girlfriend giving me a raspberry. (At least I think it's his girlfriend, since he's always trying to keep his brother away from her.) And of course, we can't forget Humphry's Mom and this year's sibling.
Hope you enjoyed meeting Humphry and his family.
BTW - With a little coaxing, they all survived hunting season. His family make neat and interesting neighbors that visit often, and I'm looking forward to seeing how they mature next year.
The Rufous dingers (from hummingbird - hummer - humdinger - ergo "dinger") arrive every year in Elkton in mid February. This past year, the lady of the nest arrived first, followed several days later by the male of the nest. Eventually, instead of waiting for them to come to the feeder under the deck, I got the bright idea of actually going outside and trying to get some action shots.
(use scrollbars)
hummer male and firethorn1
The Rufous dingers (above) are the only ones I see all summer. They leave sometime in October, but yesterday I discovered we get a different variety that winters in our area. The Anna's Hummingbird (sorry for the blurriness, but these guys don't stay long at the feeder) arrives in late October, and supposedly stays all winter. Guess I'll have to find some sort of dinger antifreeze for the feeder on our occasional cold snaps.
(Next year, now that I've begun to learn my camera, I hope to get clearer shots of them with the sun on their throats - amazing, the red/orange iridescence.)
This past April, shortly after getting my Fuji, my wife and I passed Dean Creek on the way home from visiting her mother in Coos Bay. A number of elk were in the field, and I got my first shots of these marvelous, great beasts, starting with these bulls just beginning to sprout their antlers - watching them watching me. Three months later, they had lost their ragged winter coats and taken on a sleeker summer appearance. The calves still had their spots, and mom and the kids were looking healthy. A month later, the horny young bulls (I know, they're "antlered", but it seemed appropriate) were already segregated from the herd. Isolated and with nothing better to do, they obligingly volunteered a few casual shots: a young bull browsing, another young bull and his little buddy, yet another just kickin' back; as another, with a subtle grin, offered a profile of his best side.Last week, the the guy in charge, showed everyone what the fuss was all about.
Photographica Feeds
Dragons:
No spiders this time . . . well, not really.
What one sees in Autumn 
Since I'm new to this site and photography in general, thought I'd begin by getting the bugs out.