Image #77 – The King Farm

Image #77Things sure can change fast in a life. A year ago I was still working and had no clue that in about six weeks I would be laid off.  And I never imagined that in less than a year I would be living in North Carolina!  I was thinking about all this and wondered what I was doing, photographically, a year ago. Well, turns out  I  had just met Ben and Shelby King, of the King Farm in Bradenton, Florida.  I wanted to do some photography on their farm and Shelby was kind enough to give me a tour. Along the way we met these inquisitive creatures. I also met Bubba The Bouncer.  Thanks for a nice afternoon, Shelby. ☙

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Image #76 – Shelter from the Storm

Image #76We have a good deal of rain here on Fawn Hill. I’ve been told that the Nantahala Forest, in which I reside, is actually a rain forest.  Well, I don’t know about that but, as I said, we have a lot of rain and it is often tropical in nature. It pops up, comes down in buckets and then the Sun comes out.  During the downpours the birds often take shelter on the feeders.  Hey, on a rainy day what better to do then stay dry and eat good food? These finches and a male cardinal seem content with each other’s company … at least as long as it rains.  ☙

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Image #75 — Sub-adult Ruby-throat Hummingbird

Image #75Read enough bird identification guides and you come across some curious terms. Like “sub-adult”. Why not “young adult”? Why not “aged juvenile”?  Oh well… He’s strong and well-fed. May he live long and prosper. ☙

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Image #73 – Summer’s Bounty II

Image #73Today the birds descended on this berry tree behind my house.  Like yesterday’s squirrel they seem to enjoy the bounty. ☙

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Image #72 – Summer’s Bounty

Image #72

We are moving into late summer and nature’s bounty is feeding its children. This squirrel has followed the lead of several birds and is feasting on the berries of an as-yet-unidentified tree in my backyard. The cardinals have made several pilgrimages to these berries and they must be quite delicious.  Look at the stuffed cheeks on this fellow! In coming months, years I hope to add to this bounty and give the critters what they need.  Winter is coming. Those who cannot fly away must pack on the calories and the fat. Everyone has said the last few winters haven’t been too bad.  But one never knows, do one? ☙

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Image #71 – The Elephant

Image #71

Watching the BBC’s “Planet Earth” tonight got my memories stirred-up so I’ve dipped into the archives for a picture from my 2008 trip to Uganda, Africa. I was part of a medical mission team and it was a truly wonderful experience.  At the end of our week of work we traveled to a resort preserve and went on safari. This is one of the best shots I got that day. I just love the eyelashes.  Now, tell me true, did you ever think an elephant could have such gorgeous lashes? ☙

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Image #69 – Hummingbirds

Image #69There are hummingbirds that come to my feeder.  What a treat! You can sit on the porch, with the feeder just a few feet overhead, and the little rascals will zoom in, sometimes stopping to hover and have a look at you. Their aerial abilities are beyond description and, I can tell you, present a challenge to the photographer.  All birds, it seems, have an aversion to cameras. Hummingbirds are no exception and their speed and agility make them even more of a challenge.

I did get a picture today of a juvenile sitting on the feeder. I think this is a very young ruby-throat. They are the predominant species here Image #69(a)but this little guy is still in knickers.  Look carefully at the base of his belly and you can still see his downy feathers.  Good luck little hummingbird.  Live long and prosper. ☙

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