Sharp focus is the key!

A tiger catches some sun at the local zoo.

This bird wanted to make sure I was getting its "good side" in the photo.

This past weekend seemed like Tiger Lily weekend. They were all over the place--blooming everywhere. The anthers on this particular lily remind me of golden slippers.

Earlier in the day I had gotten myself into a place in the woods where I didn't want to be. I was being attacked by mosquitos and couldn't see the ground because of the undergrowth. Whenever I can't see the ground, I imagine there are snakes nearby. I finally walked out of there and decided I would keep to the well developed trails for the rest of the day because it would make for easier going and I really didn't feel like battling bugs and jungle-like growth.

When you see one snake in the grass, it's not a huge leap to assume there are probably more nearby. This made it especially challenging for me to get down in that same grass to get a photo of this guy. I am not a snake person. I am not even a large worm person! Kneeling there, I was sure I felt phantom snakes crawling over the backs of my legs. I wanted a good photo so I put up with my imagination. Getting the snake's eye in focus was going to require "threading the needle" with the focus. A little left or right and I'd be focusing on the surrounding plants instead. To make things more difficult, the snake kept adjusting his head up and down to blend in better with the surrounding plants. Finally, its eye became visible between the leaves so I got a few frames. I liked this shot the best because, when viewing the photo at 100%, I can see myself in its eye.

SKYNET is up again. They are sending down "Listener Drones" to monitor the populace. They do this every year during the summer months.

Below you see a Listener Drone and network node bot. Note the static wicks on the landing pods to dissipate static for a cleaner signal. Note too the large tail boom that does double-duty as a gigahertz antenna. The orbs that look like eyes are actually sensitive microphones and the only weaponry onboard is the gaping metal maw near the microphone-orbs. The wings are of a kevlar-like material with a pattern of ribs that contributes to their extremely high tensile strength. The wings connect to the fuselage, ahead of the tail boom, with advanced high-pressure hydraulic actuators. You do not want to be targeted by one of these rascals. Just sayin'...

Found this moth resting on a blade of grass. It was not interested in moving at all. Must have been tired or something.

...And Some Gave All

One thing I've noticed, as an aging photographer, is that the older I get, the slower I get. I think I may be so slow now that I am invisible to certain animals. There have been two times, in recent months, when I've nearly been run over by deer on a path because, apparently, they couldn't see me standing there. Not until I waved my camera did they break right or left and avoid trampling me.

Then, about a week ago, I was out on a drizzly day and happened across some large bumble bees that I was trying to get shots of in mid flight. I guess I must have been very still aiming my camera at the bees because, while I was standing there, I caught a brown blur out of my left eye (this is why you shouldn't close your non-shooting eye when taking photos!) and looked around my camera to see this bunny, flying down the path, headed directly at me. As soon as I aimed my camera at him or her, it stopped in its tracks and sat down, almost as if to say, "I'm ready for my close-up." I got one shot off and it got up, spun around and was off in a flash.

I'm ready for my close-up!

The three phases of meeting a bunny. First the bunny is shocked and sits down. Then the bunny turns to leave but rotates its large ears, like RADAR antennas, tuned to the perceived threat. Finally it gets into fourth gear and boogies on out of there.

Steller's sea eagles are the largest species of eagle in the world.

Goodyear's N3A leaving the Louisville area on a dreary day after the Kentucky Derby.

Soft kitty, warm kitty, little ball of fur

Happy kitty, sleepy kitty, purr, purr, purr

Another day, another weed. I think this might be a form of Knapweed which is a noxious weed.

The seedy underbelly of Tom Sawyer Park? Built into the side of a hill, it almost looks like a bunker. What was the purpose of these brick walls?

You can't take it too personally when you find yourself surrounded by a family of turkey vultures. At least "junior" here was willing to pose for photos. The rest of the family was a little more reserved.

Just an all-around colorful scene.

A little Tufted Titmouse gathers fur from a fox carcass for use in its nest. I watched this guy for quite a while and he (or she) was quite tenacious about pulling that fur up.

The Eastern Towhee is a really neat looking little bird that is difficult to get a clear view of because they love to be deep in the sticks. They have very warm colors that might remind you of a fancy coffee drink, but their call sounds like, "Drink your tea!"

Seems that if I'm going to post a rabbit photo (one post before this one) I better post a turtle photo as well. Both critters seen on the same day, not too far apart. The thing I like about turtles is that I can outrun them.

While I was walking in the woods recently, I saw two large bunnies. One of them didn't run away instantly.