Photos under the Sun

Southwest Florida Pet and Wildlife Photography

Monthly Archives: June 2009

Life Is Short!

Friday, June 26, 2009 Posted in Wildlife

That expression is bandied about so much that it has lost some of its somber meaning. It pains me to post this picture below because I love dragonflies and am always on a quest to capture every glorious one in my digital cage. I came upon the king of the wading birds—Great Blue Heron—a few days ago and caught him in the process of capturing a choice snack. I mean, really!!!! Did he HAVE to pick the one insect I cherish so much that I’ll endure the most awful heat if it means that I’ll get to see one????? Yes, I know, “that’s nature”—another phrase that is supposed to be comforting , yet leaves me with a little pothole in the heart area. All I can hope is that the libellule had a full life!

[caption id="attachment_698" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Great Blue Heron with Dragonfly"]

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On a brighter note, I came upon this thespian in the form of a juvenile Great Egret. He regaled me for quite a while—so much so, that I’ve decided he/she will be the narrator for my long neglected stories of Moongret and Sungret.

[caption id="attachment_696" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Juvenile Great Egret"]

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I’m working on them, yes, I am but I need to kick up the ol’ heels now ‘n then! So, download “Footloose” by Kenny Loggins and kick up them heels! Life is short!

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Who on Earth Has Energy…

Thursday, June 25, 2009 Posted in Wildlife

…on these heat-infused days?

The Tri-colored Herons, that’s who!! It was 110 degrees outside, yet, this tricolored juvenile had the energy to fly in and “force” an encounter with the parent:

[caption id="attachment_692" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption=""Gasp, Gasp, but I wan' shrimp, I don' care if it's too hot for shrimp..""]

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After I recover from my fainting in the intense heat we are suffering, I’ll bring back some stories I’ve neglected in the past. Now, please do me a favor y’all: get out those fans and start fanning! And while you’re at it, do a step or two and pretend you are a much-loved Flamenco dancer–yes, throw those arms up in the air (listening to Brahms: sonato for Cello & Piano #1 in E Minor, Op. 38 will give you a starting point) and pretend the legs are made of putty and there ya go!! Mind you, I’m doing all this sitting in my chair!! Cherokee just lifted his noble head (he’s been staring at the keyboard for some time) and nodded agreement. So, just do it!!!

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Sometimes, Dads…

Saturday, June 20, 2009 Posted in 'Snice, Wildlife

…are not appreciated enough. After all, they work hard helping to build the nest:

[caption id="attachment_683" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Great White Egret with twig for nest"]

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They take care of the kids:

[caption id="attachment_684" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Great Blue Heron with chicks"]

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They feed and put up with their sassy teens:

[caption id="attachment_688" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Juvenile Tricolor Heron "But Daaaaad, I need the car keys NOWWWW!!!""] Juvenile Tricolor Heron "But Daaaaad, I need the car keys NOWWWW!!!"

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But Dad knows that the epitome of bliss is knowing that the wee ones are safe and happy:

[caption id="attachment_686" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Cattle Egret chicks"]

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To Jim and Dads everywhere: A VERY HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!!

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Juno, Part III

Thursday, June 18, 2009 Posted in Travel, Wildlife

The last time we saw Juno (June 9th posting), she had asked her bro to help her fly. Now, we haven’t yet told you Bro’s name. Did you think it was Jupiter (after the Greek god)? Well, no, his name is Neptune (the other brother in Greek mythology). You see, there’s a little bit of a story behind his name. Growing up, Neptune the osprey showed great promise playing the saxophone and won a full scholarship to Julliard. This was a great honor but Neptune, instead of hearing the wind through his sax could only reminisce about the wind through his feathers. After a year, it was decided he would return home to the family fishing business on one of the barrier islands in Southwest Florida.

Neptune the osprey was a local hero and a bit of a comedian, too. He loved to swoop low over people’s heads with a juicy catch in his huge talons and scare the shorts off them:

[caption id="attachment_669" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption=""Whoooooeeeeeee""]

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More than that, he loved to freak out the tourists by tearing at his sashimi.

[caption id="attachment_670" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption=""Mmmm, mmmp,mmuummp, talon likin' guuuuuuud!""]

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He was thrilled to bits when Juno was born and promised her he’d teach her everything he knew. So here we are, looking in on the flying lessons:

[caption id="attachment_672" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Neptune: "Teach you to fly? Eh, can't now, got a date." Juno: "But Bro, you promised!!! You did, you did, you did, you did!!!""] Neptune: "Teach you to fly? Eh, can't now, got a date." Juno: "But Bro, you promised!!! You did, you did, you did, you did!!!"

Neptune: "Teach you to fly? Eh, can't now, got a date." Juno: "But Bro, you promised!!! You did, you did, you did, you did!!!"

[/caption] [caption id="attachment_673" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Neptune: "Well, it's going to be sundown soon. Maybe we can practice a few wing flaps!" Juno: "Yay, wing flaps. I LOVE wing flaps!""] Neptune: "Well, it's going to be sundown soon. Maybe we can practice a few wing flaps!" Juno: "Yay, wing flaps. I LOVE wing flaps!"

Neptune: "Well, it's going to be sundown soon. Maybe we can practice a few wing flaps!" Juno: "Yay, wing flaps. I LOVE wing flaps!"

[/caption] [caption id="attachment_674" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Neptune: "OK, ya have to hold your wings like this, see?" Juno: "Sheesh, THAT far?????"]

[/caption] [caption id="attachment_675" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Juno: "Like this? Schreeeechhh!!!! Is that water down there?" Neptune: "Sheesh, you almost took my eye out. Easy with those wing flaps!!!!""] Juno: "Like this? Schreeeechhh!!!! Is that water down there?"

[/caption] [caption id="attachment_676" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Juno: "I don' wanna fly, it's too scary!" Neptune: "Don't give up, Juno, you can do it!""] Juno: "I don' wanna fly, it's too scary!" Neptune: "Don't give up, Juno, you can do it!"

[/caption] [caption id="attachment_677" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Juno: "OK, one more time. Am I flying yet?""] Juno: "OK, one more time. Am I flying yet?"

[/caption] [caption id="attachment_678" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Neptune: "Not yet, first you need to do a little hop with BOTH feet and open your wings at the same time." Juno: "ARE YOU TOTALLY CRAZY!!!!!! I CAN'T DO THAT!""]

Neptune: "Not yet, first you need to do a little hop with BOTH feet and open your wings at the same time." Juno: "ARE YOU TOTALLY CRAZY!!!!!! I CAN'T DO THAT!"

[/caption] [caption id="attachment_679" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Neptune: "Juno, you have to be VERY patient! It took me a long time to learn. We'll try again tomorrow." Juno: "Ha, you can practice with your date. I'm NEVER going to fly. NEVER, NEVER!!! WWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAA""] Neptune: "Juno, you have to be VERY patient! It took me a long time to learn. We'll try again tomorrow." Juno: "Ha, you can practice with your date. I'm NEVER going to fly. NEVER, NEVER!!! WWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAA"