Ripples of Time

East of Ferris, Burrowing Old

crabster — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:08:13 +0000

It was east of Ferris, Texas, that we were able to photography a Burrowing Owl, he/she is about 10 inches tall and weighs about 6 ounces. This little guy would allow us photographers to get really close, but he would and could fly, we watched for several hours on Saturday and took Morgan back on Sunday. It was a thrill to watch this little guy.

Rule no 1

crabster — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 21:16:40 +0000

Always carry your camera and this is why. I spotted this Red-Shouldered Hawk from across the freeway. I almost went on home, because I was thinking that the hawk would fly away before I got over there. But, I decided to go for it. The hawk allowed me to take several shots before lift off. This made my day.

Lift off - Red Shoulder Hawk

Red Shoulder after lift off

ISO 400 390mm f/5.6 1/1250 sec

Glenrose State Park

crabster — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 22:08:29 +0000

Drove down to Glenrose at lunch on Sunday for our favorite Bar-B-Q, Hammond’s. Lunch was wonderful, but we were a little sad, no peanut butter pie today. Then off to Glenrose State Park to see what we could see. Driving through the park we didn’t see much wildlife action, I wondered if we were going to see anything. We decided to stop and walk around the picnic area. Patti and Morgan went one way and I headed a different direction. It did not take long before Patti yelled out Cedar Wax Wing. I headed over her direction and I spotted a Brown Creeper working its way up a tree, it is a lot of fun to watch and it is fast. We spent the next hour photographing Cedar Wax Wings, Goldfinches and a mystery bird, yet to be determined.

Cedar Berry eating Cedar Wax Wing

ISO 400 400mm f/8 1/400 sec

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

crabster — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 16:05:12 +0000

Best wishes to all.

Dove on Longhorn

I photography this dove this spring at the Greenery in Waxahachie, TX

What is that on the lawn chair?

crabster — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 15:11:54 +0000

Yesterday afternoon around 3:15, I noticed something sitting on the recliner in the back yard. I moved slowly and got my camera. Knowing I could not open the door, I took a few photos thru the window. I know its not the optimum way, but I could have some kind of image. This Cooper’s hawk was watching the rose bushes, and then the hawk dropped down on the ground and went under the rose bushes. Quickly I moved out the back door and waited and watched to see what would happen. The hawk was under the rose bushes for several minutes then jumped up onto the water fountain. All I could see was the hawk’s feet! Yes, I am trimming the rose bush today! At any moment the hawk would fly away. But, the hawk jumped back down and went under the roses again. Several minutes later the hawk is back out. I kept waiting for good images. The hawk then jumps up on the birdbath. Dawg! One limb between the hawk and myself, the hawk is in the shadows also. But then the hawk jumped up on the recliner where I first saw the hawk. I took several images, knowing the hawk was going to fly any minute. Well, ten minutes later, the hawk took off. I was sad to see him go, the songbirds were very happy again. Austin, my son, notice the hawk’s eyes was yellow and we have seen a Cooper’s hawk with red eyes. Yellow eyes means that the hawk was an immature Cooper’s hawk, if I have got my facts correct.

Cooper's Hawk in the yard

Cooper's Hawk

Black and white images

crabster — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 15:02:44 +0000

Enter these black and white images into a photo contest at Outdoor Photo Gear.

A rugged life

Bottles on top of roof

Praying mantis

The other side

crabster — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 03:32:46 +0000

How does a roly poly (Pill Bug) get to other side of the pond?

Roly Poly hitches a ride

Hitch a ride on Western Cottonmouth of course!

ISO 400 400mm f/8.0 1/250 sec with flash (better beamer) Sept 11, 2010, Old Bison Ranch, Texas 8:27 am

Bobcat at Old Bison Ranch

crabster — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:51:47 +0000

Patti and I went to Old Bison Ranch Sunday afternoon. The clouds were doing interesting things and you never know what kind of wildlife you will get to see. Patti commented that she would like to see a Bobcat. I said maybe early in the morning or late in the evening. Well, I was wrong again. Our closest Bobcat sighting was at 5:40 in the afternoon!

Bobcat at Old Bison Ranch

ISO 400 400mm f/8.0 1/100sec August 29, 2010 5:41 PM

Wish I was using a faster ISO, the next photos were blurry because “Bob” the cat was running. In a perfect world the bush would not be in front of ”Bob” either.