Charlie and the Nature Factory [Warning: Stunningly Beautiful Large Photo Images]

pkbzrod said:

Hey, K.Taylor - saw a pic recently that has a cool story behind it. It's a shot that you can only capture 1 day a year when the light is bouncing off the hills just right - the reflection in the water + the hills themselves make an image of a praying adult and child. I'll have to see if I can find it again and post it here. Anyway, knowing it can only be captured at that specific time made me think of the shot you described.

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That's very cool.

Tried to post this earlier but my computer was being stupid.

I think these are crocuses, trying to open up and announce it's spring:

Silver King said:

A rare sighting for me today of a Florida sandhill crane, a juvenile. From a distance I thought it was a wood stork approaching and casually raised the camera, then was dumbstruck and nearly blew the shot as the bird came into range:

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Then we were both lucky: You were able to photograph a rarely-sighted bird in your area, and I was able to see the photograph of it.

rhymegirl said:

Tried to post this earlier but my computer was being stupid.

I think these are crocuses, trying to open up and announce it's spring:

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That is beautiful. Love the color!

Thanks for sharing, SK and rhymegirl.

Awesome, SK!

Rhymegirl, yup those are crocuses. Thanks for posting that - we don't get them down here & I haven't seen them since I lived in Michigan.

That's a great sandhill crane photo, Dino! Our sandhills are just starting to migrate back to this area. They have a very distinctive call, and you can hear them while they are flying overhead. Whenever I hear the call, I crane (yes, pun intended) my neck skyward to see them, but they usually fly so high they are just specks in the sky.

Nice crocuses, RG. It's always fun to see them pop through the snow..



I exchanged some curious glances with a couple deer today... shot one (photo, that is... hehe)




...and spotted the remains of someone's lunch..

swachski said:

...and spotted the remains of someone's lunch..

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Sorry, I'll try to remember to clean up next time...

Great deer photo, Swachski.

I also love how you took something as simple as a bunch of feathers, altered the angle of the shot, and changed the whole perspective of the scene. Very cool!

Silver King said:

A rare sighting for me today of a Florida sandhill crane, a juvenile.

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Nice! Are they really rare there? We have a pack of 'em living here. And it's baby season! They're awfully cute. There're two pairs that spend most of their time in my neighborhood and we often have to wait for them to cross the road while we're walking the dog.

rhymegirl said:

I think these are crocuses, trying to open up and announce it's spring:

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Oh, how pretty!

swachski said:

They have a very distinctive call

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You're being kind. They sound like unhinged dinosaurs.

Gorgeous shots!

L. Y. said:

changed the whole perspective of the scene. Very cool!

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That's what's known around here as "Coyote-eye" view!



Swachski, I love how your deer is blending in so beautifully with the background. The gray/whitish hair on its back seems like a remnant of winter.

SK, I had to go look at some other pictures of the sandhill crane because the eye-thing was kind of freaky. I realize now that those are just red feathers but the way you captured it from below, your guy looks like he might be a nice character in a SF/F. Or Men In Black!

heyjude said:

You're being kind. They sound like unhinged dinosaurs.

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And I thought peacocks were bad 'cause they sound like someone screaming bloody murder.

Great shots, swachski!

I may have to show that deer one to a couple folks around here. We have something nicknamed dog deer, 'cause that's about how big they get. The first time I saw them here, there were several the size of fawns in Michigan, then saw the 6 point rack on one and realized it was full grown. I had to laugh!

swachski said:

I exchanged some curious glances with a couple deer today... shot one (photo, that is... hehe)

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I really like this picture. Deer always seems to wear that alert look. I'd love to get a pic or two of the deer hanging around my neighborhood, especially one of them eating out my neighbor's bird feeders. But I only ever see them on my way to work when it's still dark outside.

Love the deer photo, swachski!

Where is every body? Did you all OD on chocolate eggs?

MM

I took some swan pics the other day but they didn't come out that good. Since the weather is nicer now I'll keep trying.

It took me a while, but I finally made my way through the entire thread and I must say, the photos and drawings are amazing! So are the stories. Thanks to all who contribute to this thread! And thanks, L.Y. for suggesting going through the whole thread - it is well worth it!

Yes, it is well worth it. I've been through the whole thing at least three times now. I love looking at all the photos and artwork and there's always a story in SK's photos, really amazing stuff.

In the next few days I'll have to go back through and see what I've missed since I've been gone and I'll enjoy every minute of it.

I went to the Aviary again this weekend and capture more birds. I'll post some picture a little later today.

Eagerly anticipating new photos

As promised:


















And my absolute favorite:



These are just some of the pictures I have.

Oooh, what's the one between the dove and the pelican? Such cool feathers. And I love how you've captured expressions, especially the macaws. I think the blue one was inviting you in for a drink.

Oh, Lady, they're beautiful! What great shots. I love that little finch. Such delicate toes.

Spring has sprung and I've moved to downtown in the little city, and I'm ten miles closer to the Big City. I got a few pics of the flowers and trees right outside the back door, but this new battery for my flipcam doesn't seem to hold a charge. So much for that eBay seller.

I expect to post a pic or two later, maybe I'll even catch that squirrel that's living in the wall and ceiling of the laundry room and has chewed a hole in the ceiling and is "storing" a nest in it.

LadyV, your photos made my day. Thanks for sharing.

LadyV, those are wonderful.