A Naturalist's Journal

Blue Heron

2008-04-17T21:20:00.001-07:00

Blue Heron
Originally uploaded by lightpainter

The last few days I've been checking this pond at dusk to catch some beavers at work. So far, no luck. But I did find this beautiful guy tonight.

2007-10-30T18:51:00.001-07:00

2007-09-30T08:59:00.001-07:00

Originally uploaded by A Naturalist's Journal

Yesterday afternoon, this deer was standing in the middle of a country road as I passed by. I drove up very slowly so she didn't run far off. I know from experience that if I had gotten out of my car to retrieve my slr from the back, she would bolt. So I got out my S3, which I keep in the console between the front seats. This little camera has a terrific reach - comparable to over 400 mm. It's harder to control all of the variables of shooting - but it's perfect for a grab shot like this.

It's almost impossible to drive anywhere now without seeing deer. Two are often standing in our driveway whenever we come home. It's mating season, or soon to be, and the deer are bolder right now. Many more car/deer collisions occur in Oct/Nov than any other time of the year.

Turkey Parade

2007-09-29T19:42:00.001-07:00

Turkey Parade
Originally uploaded by A Naturalist's Journal

A group of 20 turkeys was stopping traffic on Rte 2 this morning. (The photo doesn't show them all.) This year it seems that there are many more turkeys than in the past - and the families are much bigger. I was talking to one of my neighbors; he made the same observation.

Earlier in the summer, there would have been a couple of adult birds and a bunch of young ones. Now it's hard to tell them apart.

White Tailed Deer

2007-09-29T19:18:00.001-07:00

White tailed Deer
Originally uploaded by A Naturalist's Journal

After coming home from my unsuccessful search for the otter, I took a walk in the woods behind my home. I found this deer who, although suspicious of me, did not immediately run away. I'm very pleased with this image because it was getting dark when I made it. I was at 1600 iso, with an image stabilized 400 mm lens at 1/8 of a second. Pretty steady for 1/8, handheld, even with IS.

Green Frog (Rana clamitans)

2007-09-29T18:53:00.001-07:00

Green Frog
Originally uploaded by A Naturalist's Journal

Yesterday evening I went back to the pond where I found the otter, hoping that I would be able to see it again and make images in better light. No otter - but I found this frog. Actually, as I walked along the edge, frogs were leaping willy nilly into the water. This is the only one I could see after he leapt.

North American River Otter

2007-09-29T06:50:00.001-07:00

North American River Otter
Originally uploaded by naturalist's journal

I had been walking slowly along the banks of a pond photographing an otter in the water when I noticed a round black shape on a rock in the shade. On closer observation, I realized that it was an otter curled up in a ball. I tried to get as close as I could without disturbing him (or her). In this image, he was aware of me, and getting ready to launch into the water. Unfortunately, he was in uneven light and I was at the end of my image making options (i.e. - iso 1600, long lens and relatively slow shutter speed).

North American River Otter

2007-09-29T06:41:00.001-07:00

North American River Otter
Originally uploaded by naturalist's journal

The light was too contrasty to get really good, clear images. I've been back a few times but haven't seen the little guy again.

North American River Otter

2007-09-29T06:37:00.001-07:00

North American River Otter
Originally uploaded by naturalist's journal

In a pond near my home, I found what, at first, I thought was a beaver. But after photographing it for awhile I was able to see the tail - and discovered that it was, in fact, an otter.

Bear sign

2007-09-29T06:28:00.001-07:00

Bear sign
Originally uploaded by naturalist's journal

Bear sign

2007-09-29T06:22:00.001-07:00

Bear sign
Originally uploaded by naturalist's journal

I live within the boundaries of the Catskill Park in Ulster County, NY. The population of black bears has grown dramatically in the last few years. According to an article in a local paper, there are now more than 7000 bears in the region.

This dead tree and others around it have been recently harvested for whatever tasty goodies lie within.