Friday, April 20, 2012
Butterflies - delightful
I try to include, in this blog, elements of the natural world which I consider undeniably interesting (and cool.) Below are a few images of the butterflies from Lake Charles. This small lake is remote and relatively unknown. No narrative is needed for this blog entry other than to say it was a beuatiful springtime moring. I'm hoping my readers don't think butterflies and flowers are wimpy or uninteresting. Click on the images for a larger view. Enjoy.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
The Amazing Osprey
I'm surprised I haven't assembled a blog entry featuring the amazing osprey till now. I have marvelled at them for as long as I can remember and taken many pictures of them as my journeys are typically near water. (click on the pics to see them larger)
On this particular foray into the wild I went back to the little lake I discovered in the previous blog entry. But, this time I brought my kayak. Though it is just a small lake there are several osprey nests. The birds are on the nest in the springtime so I kept my distance using a 550 mm lens.
I waited to watch the male and female switch sitting position on the nest and then I left to give them some space. It's nesting season so I didn't stay long.
Below is another nest tree on the other side of the lake. It's a huge and spreading cypress.
the female sits on the nest. She is the one with the spotted necklace.
The osprey is such a cool bird, so skilled, so adept, so beautiful. The osprey can be found in temperate climates around the globe. I think the reason for the wide range is that they are superior hunters. Often when I see them they are carrying a fish. Good luck to these two families with their hatch. I will go back in a month or so to see the young starting to fly.
On this particular foray into the wild I went back to the little lake I discovered in the previous blog entry. But, this time I brought my kayak. Though it is just a small lake there are several osprey nests. The birds are on the nest in the springtime so I kept my distance using a 550 mm lens.
Ospreys are masters of the air and sky. They float and hover and dive like the skilled hunter they are.
Almost effortlessly.
They find a good nest tree and use it every year. Mating for life ospreys form a tight family unit. Some trees have been used every year for up to 45 years.
I waited to watch the male and female switch sitting position on the nest and then I left to give them some space. It's nesting season so I didn't stay long.
Below is another nest tree on the other side of the lake. It's a huge and spreading cypress.
the female sits on the nest. She is the one with the spotted necklace.
While the male takes up a perch to hunt and stand watch. He doesn't have the spotted necklace but he sits on the nest also to give the female a break.
The osprey is such a cool bird, so skilled, so adept, so beautiful. The osprey can be found in temperate climates around the globe. I think the reason for the wide range is that they are superior hunters. Often when I see them they are carrying a fish. Good luck to these two families with their hatch. I will go back in a month or so to see the young starting to fly.
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