Other Wildlife

Turkey Hens and Poults

I had a morning a couple weeks ago when it was foggy.  I saw some interesting wildlife that I don't always see.

I knew we had turkeys in that area of the "meadow" from earlier in the spring when I surprised one and it surprised me.  The first I knew of it was when I heard the "whump, whump, whump" of it flying away.  It was too quick for me to get a shot.

This foggy morning the hens had their poults along and I was almost sure they would not fly.  They walked down the trail in a feigned nonchalance.  I walked slowly behind them making shots as I went.  They rounded a corner and by the time I arrived there they had disappeared.

Deer Fawn and Sign

 I saw these fawn the first thing that same morning.  You can see a little of the fog in the air.  I did not realize the perfect posses they had given me until later when I sat at the computer.  They seem to be getting directions from the sign while keeping an eye on me.

Larry's Images



Follow Larry's Images on Facebook. 


If you wish to unsubscribe, email to larry@larrysimages.com with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

Dragonfly Exuvia

Dragonfly Exuvia

Dragonflies live underwater for perhaps several years before they exit the vernal pool to moult for the last time to become the flying dragonfly.  They leave their "skin" behind.  It is really an exoskeleton.  They don't have bones to give their body structure like we do.  Their skeleton is external which posses a problem when they grow.  When they are so crammed up inside, they must moult to grow.  Moulting is when they crawl out of their "skin."

The wings are compressed in two appendages on its back called "paddles."  As the moult progresses, the wings decompress and fill with fluid which gives them shape. 

Dragonfly Exuvia

The exoskeleton left behind is extremely fragile.  It hangs at the site of the moult until the weather, wind or rain, cause it to fall back into the pond where it decomposes providing food for the creatures living in the pond.

I liked the angle of the lower of the two images because it blocks the view of the two broken legs.

Larry's Images

Follow Larry's Images on Facebook. 


If you wish to unsubscribe, email to larry@larrysimages.com with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

The Fragile Forktail

Fragile Forktail

I am looking for another damselfly and mistook this one for it.  It is also a forktail.

I found that I had to be exceedingly careful not to over expose the light colors on the thorax.  My camera had to show it as slightly underexposed before I did not blow out the light colors.

Fragile Forktail

I noted that this damselfly came out after the Eastern Forktail had been out for a while.  It came out before the Slaty Skimmers and other dragonflies did.

Fragile Forktail

I don't carry my identification book with me in the field.  I had three large shoots before I finally realized that it was not the damselfly for which I was looking.

I needed to add images of it to my collection so all was not lost.  The damselfly for which I am searching is the Citrine Forktail.  They told me they have seen it at Gorman so I am still on the hunt.

Larry's Images


Follow Larry's Images on Facebook. 

If you wish to unsubscribe, email to larry@larrysimages.com with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

Eastern Painted Turtle

Eastern Painted Turtle

It must be egg laying time for the turtles.  I saw this one the other morning and unlike other times it did not run for the water.  I seem to remember seeing one other turtle that morning but can remember nothing about it.

Larry's Images



Follow Larry's Images on Facebook. 



If you wish to unsubscribe, email to larry@larrysimages.com with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

Halloween Pennant

Halloween Pennant

I recently, several days ago, added a new Dragonfly to my collection of photographs.  It was the Halloween Pennant shown above.  This individual is probably a male.

Halloween Pennant

I have been photographing insects at Gorman for ten years and have not photographed it.  It is not new to the county, I just have not seen it.

Halloween Pennant

I think the insects are responsive to the weather in their activities.  I might just get there too early to see the Halloween Pennant.  Both times I have seen it, the time was late morning.

This morning, we had a mostly cloudy cool, 55 degrees.  I waited as long as I could before going but it was still cool.  I wore my jacket when the sun was under a cloud.  I saw one bee, one butterfly, and one damselfly.  I made no image captures.

Larry's Images


Follow Larry's Images on Facebook. 



If you wish to unsubscribe, email to larry@larrysimages.com with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

Eastern Amberwing

Eastern Amberwing Male

I once photographed this kind of dragonfly in my daughter, Carrie's, pond.  This is my best shot of it at Gorman.  It is a small dragonfly not much longer than a damselfly, though wider and taller.  This male was in the process of leaving the area when I captured its image.

Larry's Images



Follow Larry's Images on Facebook. 



If you wish to unsubscribe, email to larry@larrysimages.com with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

Condensation On The Lens II

Blue Dasher

This shot is one made through a lens covered with condensation.  It was very humid that morning and the moment I removed the lens cap it fogged up.  On a whim, I decided to shoot anyway to see what would happen.  You could barely see the insect until I had "curves" in Photoshop neutralize the image.  I would say that I like what "curves" does maybe 66% of the time.  I really did not expect to like it this time but I did.  It sharpened up the insect.  I think this might look good printed with some kind of painting filter.

Culver's Root

This plant is in bloom, currently.  I go for a year at a time before I see it bloom again.  It catches my attention every year but this is the first year I was able to remember its name.  I had fog on the lens for this shot but I set up anyway and shot.  Focus, as you might think, is difficult through the fog.  I left the camera setup and while I waited on the fog to clear I shot insects elsewhere with the backup camera.  Again, "Curves" did it.  I am afraid to show it to Carol because I don't think she will like the greenish yellow.  I am pretty sure she will like the blue.  I liked this one better than the one I made after the lens cleared.

Culver's Root

The stems and leaves are whorled around the stock.  There are five and this shot does not show that well.  I find the rattlesnake master at the bottom distracting because of the light tone.  There is a tall plant, probably grass, the the left which bothers me, too.  I used f/8 on this shot.  I think that I would like to try for a shallower DOF, depth-of-field.  I have given myself a redo on this, that is if I can find one in such pristine condition with the right light.

Larry's Images

Follow Larry's Images on Facebook. 

If you wish to unsubscribe, email to larry@larrysimages.com with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.