King On The Float!

Canada Goose Pair

I heard them before I saw them.  There were two pair of Canada Geese playing a game I am calling "King on the Float".

Canada Goose Pair

I wonder if the purpose of the game is to determine to whom the pond will belong for mating.

I read that the male is slightly heavier than the female and can be aggressive as you will see.

The game starts with one pair, probably the dominant pair, leaving the float and swimming around, giving the other pair access to the float.

Which they happily mount.

Once the second pair is at the float, the first pair begins a headlong dash back for it with the male leading the charge.

His charge is quite intimidating.

What would you do if you saw this "mad" goose charging you?

The second pair does just what you and I would do.  They leave.

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Salamander Update III

Eastern Tiger Salamander Larva

I started to expect legs to emerge because they look so much like a salamander.

Eastern Tiger Salamander Larva

Eastern Tiger Salamander Larva

Instead the tail began to develop and the body shortened.  They still retained the gills at this stage.

Salamanders in Photographing Aquarium

 I used flash to the right and above at this stage.

I used a Sigma 105 mm macro lens mounted on the Sigma 2x converter.  I mounted the Canon 500d closeup filter also.

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Salamander Update II

Salamander Egg

This was my second attempt to photograph the egg.  This time I tried to be careful to focus on the actual egg and not the gelatinous material surrounding it.

Salamander Embryo

I started to see embryos almost immediately.

Emerging Fetus

You can really see the salamander here.  The "ears" are external gills.

Salamander Fetus

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Salamander Update I

You may remember my discussion of salamanders shown previously.  I have something new to add on the subject.

I was walking past my "favorite" vernal pool from last year and, hearing the frogs calling, decided to sit a while.  I noticed an egg clump and thought that the eggs were too large for the tiny frogs I had heard calling.

Egg Cluster

While walking away back to the parking lot, I tried to think what was large enough to leave these big eggs.  I thought of salamanders.  After unloading my camera equipment, I walked back and netted just a few for further study.

I filtered the water through a paper towel and placed it and the eggs into my photography aquarium, made out of window glass.

Eggs

As you may notice, some are already becoming embryos.

Egg

I, initially, found it difficult to focus on the actual egg.  I had the gelatinous material surrounding the egg in focus here.

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Stream Bed Series Video

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While playing with this concept for several days, I was side tracked and started thinking of my grandchildren.  The video below sprang out of that.

A. A. Milne invented the game "Pooh Sticks" for his some Christopher Robin.  We read Winnie the Pooh to our children.  "The House on Pooh Corner" is where they play the game.  Milne was British and the story sparked a cult.  They hold The Pooh Sticks competition once yearly and record each year's winner in a hall of fame.  They have rules.  The first child's stick to pass under the bridge is the winner.  Poohsticks at Wikipedia.  The competition began in 1984 and continues until this day.

My video does not show a competition.  It is a sequence which held the interest of two of my grandchildren as they watched.  The concept is simple.  Enjoy.

 

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Stream Bed Series

Stream Bed 2130_9598

I hope that I have not already shown this.  It is above Bridge 1.

Stream Bed 2159_9571

I have been trying to pick the perfect one.

Stream Bed 2159_9567

Usually, I must work an idea and develop the best execution.  This image is unusual in that it was the first that I shot.

Here is why I like it.  The reflection of the sky and tree branches at the top are just strong enough to over shadow the irrelevant bottom above the ripples.  The shore at the bottom does the same thing.  Together, they create a frame diverting my eye to the ripples in the center.  They are lit by the sun shining through the trees and branches to the left.  The light is just strong enough to emphasize the subject.  The colors are complementary.

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Another Deer Sighting

White-tailed Deer

I saw deer crossing Hanley Road that morning on my way to Gorman.  They were moving from south to north.  I wondered if I would see them at Gorman.  I did.

There were about four and I saw them several times, just catching glimpses.  They were still moving north.  I thought I had seen them for the last time and went on.  When I rounded the corner, by bridge 3, and headed west, I saw them again.  They were behind some bushes but this one was out just enough for me to focus on him/her.  

I feel excited when I see them.

HAPPY EASTER everyone.

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