Photographer's Journal

                                 
                                     

Zarucco Duskywing (Erynnis zarucco) on Lantana

Wow! I'm at one of my fave places--Allen Acres near Pitkin, La.,--and I almost didn't get to shoot today. Cleaning sensor of my camera before heading out this morning, I accidentally turned off one of the "custom functions" that must be turned on so that I can use my old, film camera lenses on my DSLR. Could not figure out what was wrong. Fortunately had internet; went on line to JustAnswers and got help from Mike. Had to pay for the info, but it was worth it. Thanks, Mike, wherever you are!!!!  Got the camera working and went out quickly in the fading light. Shot 40+ frames and this is one of the better ones.

This Duskywing has his head almost buried in one of the little florets that make up a Lantana bloom. I shot about five frames using my 70-210mm zoom. It is really hard to hold that lens still and get a sharp image when it is on full zoom, so I'm pretty happy with this.

   

BioBlitz: Critter

                              
                                     

Huckleberry Hideout

A critter shot from the BioBlitz at Charles Allen Biological Station near Columbia, La. And I didn't know I had a spider in this shot until I got it on my computer screen! Amazing how much his legs look like part of the blossom.
                    

Critters

                                      
                                          

Whadda you mean, you "see me"?

I'm sure this guy thought I couldn't because these critters don't usually hang around while you get up close and personal with an extension tube! Maybe he was posing so nicely hoping for a lucrative endorsement contract with an insurance company?

This is one of the numerous critters we saw at the ULM Biology Department's BioBlitz at the Charles Allen Biological Station last month.

Images of Australia: South Coast

                              

Falling Upward

                                       
Have you ever lost track of which way is down and which way up? I have, twice. Once deep diving in dark water and once standing on the Coast Walk, a path carved out of the side of a cliff on the south coast of Australia.          
                  
                                    

Photographer's Journal

                              

Beech among Pines

                                                 
I love Beech trees in winter. They hold their pale, coppery gold leaves until spring. Their branches are near horizontal, and so, seeing them in a stand of pines struck by sunlight, I think of heavenly beings holding their arms out in blessing.

But... my attempts to show this in a photograph have never lived up to what I see in the woods! Of course, that is true of many things. This universe is true incarnation and does not bend to the will of even the best camera, lenses and photographers. That's fine. Indeed, good for the human ego.

But I keep trying. And this evening decided to dump the color from one of my attempts. Sometimes black & white shows color and light better than color! Kind of like it.

This was taken at ULM's Charles Allen Biological Station near Columbia, La.
                       
           

Moments of Grace

                       
                                     

Egret Ambush

In her book An Altar in the World, Barbara Brown Taylor includes a chapter titled "The Practice of Getting Lost." I've been doing it and it is a wonderful thing.

Of course, I wasn't lost lost when I took this photo, but I had turned down a road heading east from Highway 34 just south of Bawcomville, a road I had never traveled before and had no idea where it would take me.

And this is what I found: A beautiful recreation area with a small lake. And a Great Egret standing in ambush framed by trees on a point extending into the lake.

But I didn't see the bird until I raised the camera with my 70-210mm lens on full zoom! Yes, the bird is tiny in the frame. I really, really need a 400mm lens. But that will have to wait...

In the meantime, getting lost with camera in hand saves my life every time. Moments of grace abound!

BTW, I highly recommend Taylor's book for all seekers of grace. Even if you don't consider yourself "religious," maybe even especially if you don't consider yourself religious, I'm guessing this book has something in it for you.

BioBlitz: Charles Allen Biological Station

                           
                                      

Tree Spirit (Cucumber Magnolia [Magnolia acuminata])

                                
This tree is also called "blue magnolia." It casts the loveliest shade ever from its big, rounded soft green leaves.

According to Wikipedia, cucumber magnolia is fairly common in Appalachia but not so common here in the south, and in Canada it is an endangered species.

This particular tree grows on the 80-acre ULM field biology lab near Columbia, La., along a high ridge.