Eastern Screech Owl

This night started sitting on the backyard deck enjoying the sounds of the darkness.  As I listened to the crickets chirping and watching an occasional bat flying by, I felt as though I was being watched.  Out of the corner of my eye I saw it, a Eastern Screech Owl, perched on the handle of a shovel leaning against the wall.

I ran into the house to get my camera, I just knew that by the time I got back out there he would be gone.  As i got back this little guy had moved over to the edge of the bird bath as though he was awaiting to be the star in a photo shoot.

I approached one step closer with every snap of the shutter until I was within 5 feet of this amazing little gift of Nature.  As the shutter was in over drive not missing a single shot, this little guy decided he had enough and took flight to the nearest bush for safety.

Nature has again amazed me with it's beauty.  God, continues to bring beauty into my life through the lens of my camera.  Looking forward to what tomorrow will bring.

9 Point Buck @ Mullberry Park

This morning started out like most.  Up before daylight, dressing for the cold and grabbing my camera and heading to Little Mullberry Park.  But today was different.  I had dropped by Walmart earlier in the week and purchased some Doe in heat scent.  My plans were to put this out and wait to see what happens.

The scent was out and I was sitting in the bushes, fully covered with Camo clothing.  Silently I waited, then it happened.  This Buck appeared, he popped out of the edge of the woods and came straight towards me, stopping 10 feet away.  My heart was pumping and the shutter was firing from my camera.  Love was in the air, two different loves though.  1st one being the love of Nature photography (me) and the other, the Love of a Doe in heat (The Buck).

Then as quick as he appeared, he was gone taking one last look at me before he disappeared back into the woods.  God has given me another gift from Nature today that will go down as one of most exciting photo shoots yet.

Solar Eclipse over Fort Sumpter

The morning was clear and I knew that this was gonna be one of those sunrise photo moments.  I grabbed my camera and headed out, I decided since I was in Charleston, South Carolina for the weekend, that I would head down to the battery overlooking the harbor.  As I arrived, I noticed that there were many photographers with tripods lining the railing of the battery.  Needless did I know that there was a Solar event getting ready to unfold.  So as I setup my tripod waiting on the sunrise, the colors started to appear, I was in total amazement.  God shined down on me this morning and gave me another gift of Nature, a Solar Eclipse over Fort Sumpter in Charleston, South Carolina.

Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge

The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, also known as the New Cooper River Bridge, is a cable-stayed bridge over the Cooper River in South Carolina, connecting downtown Charleston to Mount Pleasant. Wikipedia  I was standing on the front of the dinner cruise boat waiting for our 3 hour harbor cruise to begin.  As the darkness fell upon the water, this bridge lit up.  I was amazed at the beauty of the lights and the glow on the calming harbor waters, I knew then that this was gonna be the shot of the evening.

Nature's Bambi

The morning air was crisp and the sunrise was just starting to warm up the morning light.  I was hidden amongst the tree line ready to capture what ever walked by.  As I was waiting I noticed a young deer approaching through the grass.  I remained motionless, not to scare off the photo opportunity that was to come.  Then I saw it, a small bird was following this young deer as if it was it's protector.  It reminded me of the Disney movie "Bambi".  Again Nature has totally amazed me !!!!!

Bald-Faced Hornet

A new visitor to my backyard habitat is the "Bald-Faced Hornet".  As I was watching the many Yellow Jackets feasting upon the left over pears that had fallen to the ground, I noticed one of the pears had a black and white visitor.  This was the first I had ever seen one of these and was thrilled to be able to capture the beauty of the black and white of this Hornet.  I then noticed 3 more appear, now I had a small swarm coming in.  Decided then that this photo shoot had to end.  Another amazing gift from Nature.

First Frost

This morning started out with a brisk 29 degrees.  The frost was covering the high grass like a blanket of snow.  As the sunrise was starting to lighten everything up, this little guy popped out of the edge of the woods.

As I sat motionless, I watched as he took every step with caution.  This little guy was on full alert.  With every snapped of the shutter from my camera, his ears would go up and he would be motionless as if he was a statue.

Then he saw me, we were now engaged in a deer to camera lens show down.  Face to Face with Nature, life doesn't get any better than this moment.  Thank you God for this experience !!!!!!

A Lilly's Life

The Lilly starts it's day as a close fisted bundle of beauty that has emerged from the depths of the pond awaiting a kiss from the sun above to begin it's arrival.

As the sun is full, the Lilly stands tall over the glistening water below that supports the pancake flat Lilly Pad's.

A pond Lilly is one of the most perfect flowers that Nature has to offer.  To photograph, is purely a inspirational experience.

Chipmunk Cheeks

This afternoon started off with a little Chipmunk play.  This little guy appeared from no where with one thing on his mind.  "Food".  As I continued to watch, he searched everywhere, no leaf was left unturned.

As he worked the wooded area in my backyard, he finally came across the corn I had thrown out a couple of days ago.  He would pick each piece up with care and pack it in his cheeks, then raise up to see if there was no danger.

With cheeks full he made trip after trip back to his Chipmunk house that he has made in the rocks of my backyard pond.  Winter time is near and a food supply is the only thing on his mind.  I never thought that today's gift from God would be a message from the Chipmunk.

Sunday Morning Prayer

This past Sunday as I was bird watching.  I noticed this little fella perched up in a pear tree with his head bowed.  As I raised my camera inorder to capture this moment in time.  The title of  "Sunday Morning Prayer" came to mind.  I realized at this moment that I was not the only one who pray's while sitting in the woods surround by God's greatest gift "Nature"

A Wood Duck Morning

The morning started out with a little duck play performed by two young wood ducks.  They acted as if they were afraid to wonder past the end of the marsh they came out of.

As I continued to watch the baby ducks play, I noticed what seemed to be the mother and father wood ducks. 

This male wood duck was strutting his colors as if he owned this area of the pond.  He was the emporer of his duck kingdom.

The wind was calm and the water was like a sheet of glass reflecting every image that moved across it.

This wood duck would move his head from side to side as if he was showing off the crown of a king.  I was now in full photo shoot mode.

I can say, this morning was one for the memory books.  The gift of nature that god has opened my eyes up to is an absolute amazing gift from above.

Pond Butterfly

As I was sitting near an old pear tree that had lost most of its fruit.  I noticed the many Butterfly's that had gathered to feast on the pears that were laying on the ground.  This pear tree was next to a small lilly pad covered pond.  The Butterflies would take turns lighting on the lilly pads to get a drink.  The water was clm and the reflection was perfect.

The colors on these Butterflies were amazing.  The perfect fade from brown to blue with a orange touch of class.

When God wants to amaze you, the beauty that he reveals is amazing.  Nature is a beautiful thing, all you have to do is open your eyes and take it in.  God will amaze you !!!!

Sunflower Smile

This spring I decided to plant some Sunflower seeds to see if they would grow.  I prepared the bed with care, placed the seeds in ever so carefully.  I would go out daily and water.  Then to my amazement, these sunflower seeds sprouted.  I was on my way to my very own Sunflower garden.  Days passed and then it appeared, a Sunflower with its eyes closed.  I knew then it was just a matter of time and it would open their eyes to the heavens.

The sleepy eyes are about to open.  The sun was out and calling their names, but the Sunflower just couldn't become the full eyed beauty yet.

As the days pass, each morning brings a fuller view of the beauty of the Sunflower, opening its eyes to the heavens.  This was a treat to be able to watch the new birth of a Sunflower, one of nature's beauties.

Peek-a-Boo Lizard

During my backyard quest to photograph the Lone Ladybug.  I kept noticing a flicker of a small tail.  I eased in closer with my camera ready.  As my heart started to race, I saw it.  A baby green lizard.  He was about a inch or so long and was more interested in me than ever.  Every time I would try to get the shot he would duck his head as if he were playing a game of Peek-a-Boo with the camera.  This is the only shot I got before he disappeared back into the bushes.

Lion Fish

One of the most difficult shots I have ever attempted was a the Atlanta Aquarium standing in front of the Lion Fish tank.  It was totally dark except for the tank lights, the Lion Fish were moving in random directions.  There were kids with their faces pressed up against the glass, with the mommas trying to pull them back.  I knew I just had to get just one shot.  I held my breathe to reduce camera shake and got down eye level waiting on the Lion Fish to swim by.  As the shutter opened and closed, it was as if I could hear the image imprint in my camera.  The warm feeling of success fill my body.  I just closed my eyes and thanked God for all his beauty.  The Lion Fish tank is a must see at the Atlanta Aquarium.

Lone Gorilla

As I walked through the winding paths of Zoo Atlanta, I noticed a lone Gorilla siting on a rock holding a bouquet of grass.  He would pull each leaf of grass out one by one and eat them.  I stood and watched, as I tried to imagine what the world would look like through the eyes of this Gorilla.  Then they appeared, his family.  He had been keeping guard over them as they played in the high grass area of the Gorilla habitat.

I introduce you to the Zoo Atlanta Gorilla family.

Canadian Goose

The Canadian Goose is a full time resident at Little Mulberry Park.  Each time I'm there, they always seem to be ready and eager to pose for a photo shoot.  Word to the wise....  Don't get to close !!!!  They will chase you.

Bird Feeder Bandit

Earlier this year, I noticed a Squirrel trying to figure a way to get the bird seed from the bird feeder.  As I continued watching, he starting to get things figure out.  He first climbed out the limb of a nearby tree, then with one leap he was now upon the roof of the bird feeder, still unable to reach the seed.  I sat motionless, with my camera ready to capture what was about to happen.  The Squirrel locked his nails firmly into the roof of the bird feeder and like a circus acrobat, dangled upside down to get the seed and to earn the name "Bird Feeder Bandit".

Over the Edge

This evening as I was sitting at my pond watching the turtle chase the guppies.  A Bumble Bee lit on one of the many lily pads in the pond.  As he inched to the edge, It looked as though he was watching his reflection in the calm pond water.  I could just imagine his thoughts at the moment as he looked "Over the Edge".

The Last Ladybug

"The Last Ladybug"  started a day ago.  I had the idea that I would go by the garden store and purchase some live Ladybugs.  I arrived at the garden center, headed straight back to the small cooler that I had seen Ladybugs for sale.  They had a box of 1500 Ladybugs for $9.99, I was set.  As I drove home, I had visions of being able to take hundreds of Ladybug photos after I let them loose.  The next day after the release, I grabbed my camera with my 105mm macro lens and headed to where I released them the night before.  I searched and searched for an hour and only found 1 Ladybug.  1499 Ladybugs escaped without a trace into the wild blue yonder.  Please enjoy this photo of "The Last Ladybug"

Assassin Bug

As I sat at my pond waiting on the Bullfrogs to appear, I noticed a Assassin Bug appear.  He was definitely on the hunt.  He was heading straight for a small Beetle, stalking and moving ever so slightly until he was in range.  Then with one precise strike, he had his prey in his grasp.

Brown Pelican

During a recent trip to Panama City Beach, Florida, I had the opportunity to get some shots of a Brown Pelican hanging out on a fishing dock.  The light was perfect in the early morning hours and this Brown Pelican was ready for a photo shoot.

We played peek-a-boo around the post that held the pier up.  This was quite humorous.  I believe he thought it was some sort of game.

As I was shooting, I would try to inch closer hoping to get some closeup shots.  He would only allow me to get about 8 feet from him, then he would start clapping his mouth until i backed off.

After a solid hour of Brown Pelican poses and crawling around on the fishing pier taking pictures, we were both worn out.  As he settled down and started to rest, I just sat there and watched him as I thanked god for this experience.

Skipper Jack

As I was on a Butterfly hunt, I encountered to me what looked like a Skipper Jack migration.  The Skipper Jacks were swarming my Butterfly garden I had planted earlier this spring.  As soon as I would approach the garden they would swarm, but didn't leave.