Charlie and the Nature Factory [Warning: Stunningly Beautiful Large Photo Images]

swachski · May 22, 2013

Hello nature buddies! I haven't posted any shots in a while, been too busy, but I've still been glancing in here every so often. I absolutely love seeing the variety of photos and reading everyone's brushes with nature. I hope this thread goes on forever and ever!!

LadyV · May 23, 2013

Okay. Finally uploaded my pictures.

This is a lake located about 40 minutes north of Pittsburgh. It's also situated in a rather nice state park. That's only about half of the lake.

Not sure of species the butterfly, but there were a few of them fluttering around the shores of the lake.

Just some trees.

Gray catbird

And finally, this last picture, which is my favorite, may also creep out some of the squeamish here:

Even though this looks like a copperhead, it's actually an eastern milk snake. Trust me, if it was the prior, I wouldn't have gotten so close. I nearly stepped on it.

swachski · May 23, 2013

Is it trying to eat something??

cray · May 23, 2013

swachski said:
Is it trying to eat something??

yes. a fish.

pkbax · May 23, 2013

Cool picture of the snake!

Looks like a nice place

Silver King · May 23, 2013

Nice shots, LV! The snake in particular is very well captured and dramatic.

The butterfly, btw, is a pearl crescent, which are also found in Florida.

pkbax · May 26, 2013

This time of year, I hate cottonwood. We skim the pool and the pool is covered again within a couple hours. It also sprouts quickly. It does, however, make for an interesting picture

And it doesn't take ants long to find it either

heyjude · May 27, 2013

Beautiful, LadyV! Is that North Park? (Er... that's closer than 40 minutes, though...)

I love the snake. Beautiful!

Silver King · May 27, 2013

pkbzrod said:
This time of year, I hate cottonwood. We skim the pool and the pool is covered again within a couple hours...

I'd be tempted to let the pool go for weeks without skimming to see what other life forms would spring up.

A few more great white egrets for cray:

pkbax · May 27, 2013

Silver King said:
I'd be tempted to let the pool go for weeks without skimming to see what other life forms would spring up.

Be glad to let you clean the filters.

Lovely photos, SK. I like how the sun shines through the feathers in a couple of those shots. The third one is really cool with what looks like the reflection of the light from the water on the underside of the wing.

Mom came over today and after we worked in the yard a bit, she went with me on a short afternoon photo excursion. I wanted to get the lilies blooming at the church prayer garden then we went to my brother's new property and I got a couple cool bug and wildflower shots there. They had a couple hawks soaring around overhead, but I'll have to check to see if anything decent came out of those shots.

Silver King · May 27, 2013

pkbzrod said:
Lovely photos, SK. I like how the sun shines through the feathers in a couple of those shots. The third one is really cool with what looks like the reflection of the light from the water on the underside of the wing.

Thank you, pk. They're slow fliers but a challenge to capture just right without direct sunlight overexposing their white features.

Mom came over today and after we worked in the yard a bit, she went with me on a short afternoon photo excursion. I wanted to get the lilies blooming at the church prayer garden then we went to my brother's new property and I got a couple cool bug and wildflower shots there. They had a couple hawks soaring around overhead, but I'll have to check to see if anything decent came out of those shots.

Looking forward to seeing some of those.

pkbax · May 28, 2013

Silver King said:
Thank you, pk. They're slow fliers but a challenge to capture just right without direct sunlight overexposing their white features.

I bet!

Silver King said:
Looking forward to seeing some of those.

I better get busy posting! I still have pictures from the botanical garden trip to post, too.

Lurosa · May 28, 2013

How do I load a photo?

Lurosa · May 28, 2013

That didn't work...

Silver King · May 28, 2013

Lurosa said:
How do I load a photo?

Lisa's post here in FAQ explains how. If you haven't already, you'll first need to create an account on an image sharing site, such as Flickr or Photbucket.

Good luck!

pkbax · May 28, 2013

It was iris month at the botanical gardens, so I should post at least a few of the irises. I promise, I won't post all of the ones I took.

This yellow and rust one caught my attention:

Brown and yellow was a little different, too

This peach one in the bluebonnets made a pretty combo

And this yellow and purple one was too cool - it doesn't show well at this size, but it sparkled in the sun like it was sprinkled with diamond dust

Future butterfly

And one last one for tonight. A parade of helmeted guinea fowl - these guys were shy and kept moving away from people so I had to crop the shot a lot.

Susie · May 28, 2013

What gorgeous photos, guys! Many thx for sharing. Howie loves them, too! :Cake:

s!

Lurosa · May 28, 2013

I don't get into nature much. I scuba but can't afford a decent camera yet (hoping that will change once I publish).
This was taken at an aquarium. Came out quite well, though.

Lurosa · May 28, 2013

I like capturing moments. To me, they portray life in its fullest.
"Making memories..."
This is a pic of my son.

pkbax · May 29, 2013

Nice pictures, Lurosa. Nice silhouette!

LadyV · May 29, 2013

heyjude said:
Beautiful, LadyV! Is that North Park? (Er... that's closer than 40 minutes, though...)

I love the snake. Beautiful!

That's actually Moraine State Park, where Lake Arthur is situated.

Silver King · May 29, 2013

pkbzrod said:
It was iris month at the botanical gardens, so I should post at least a few of the irises...

Lovely assortment of flowers, pk; and I like your decision to go with vertical orientation for some of those.

Lurosa said:
I don't get into nature much. I scuba but can't afford a decent camera yet...

Judging from the two photos you've shared, the camera performs quite well when a capable person is behind the lens. The second image in particular is stunning in almost every way. Thank you for sharing your photos with us here.

Lady MacBeth · May 29, 2013

Great photos everyone! Thanks so much for taking the time to post them.

L. Y. · May 30, 2013

Beautiful photos everyone!

pkbax · May 30, 2013

Thanks to everyone for the lovely comments! Y'all inspire me. So to all the amazing photos others post!!!!

I found out my brother's old SLR lenses should fit, the question would then be if they would need manual focusing or if what my brother was told is true and there is an adapter to make the auto-focus work. He has a much better telephoto lens than I do. That and a macro and I'll be happy (for a little while anyway).

Charlie and the Nature Factory [Warning: Stunningly Beautiful Large Photo Images]

checking the 'reset' box

Tree Hugger

checking the 'reset' box

Superior Life form

It's nap time, right?

Megalops Erectus

It's nap time, right?

Making my own sunshine

Megalops Erectus

It's nap time, right?

Megalops Erectus

It's nap time, right?

Through the eyes of a child

Through the eyes of a child

Megalops Erectus

It's nap time, right?

Thanks, special friend for my avi!

Through the eyes of a child

Through the eyes of a child

It's nap time, right?

Tree Hugger

Megalops Erectus

Out, damn'd spot! out, I say.

Thread surfer and virtual bartender

It's nap time, right?