Doeskin Ranch Trail

I've only been to this place once before and it was a short visit but I like it a lot. Many places have just one type of habitate like dense cedar trees, or grasslands, or scrub. But Doeskin has large old trees, some cedar trees, a lot of open gransland, some scrub, and a small creek. BUT... I still didn't really find much wildlife. The traffic from a quiet two lane road is most of what I heard. My Merlin Bird Id app that identifies via sound came up with only three birds. I'm assuming it is the time of year. In any case, here are a few images. I hope you enjoy them.

Various critters at Lakeline Park

There is still no real wildlife besides the usual critters especially at midday which is when I finally ventured out today.

I hope you enjoy these few images.

Sitting Dragonflies and Fishing Egrets

It was actually yesterday that I took these photos. I went back to see if I could find the moth I found before but I didn't see it. I had discovered a place that had lots of dragonflies so I went there and just sat on a stool taking pictures of those that landed. Then when I was done with that, I noticed a Great Egret fishing so I captured some sequences of it. I hope you enjoy the images.

Found a moth (I guess) feeding on flowers

Today's discovery is a moth (I guess) almost the size of a hummingbird and acting much like a hummingbird except it has antenna so its not a bird. Also photographed some of the usual suspects: dragonfly, flowers, bumblebee, Summer Tanager. And I added in a neat looking half decayed log.

I found another new type of bee!!

The new bee is really tiny. Notice the image of the honey bee and the small parts of the flower it is flying close to. The image of the tiny bee (top) is sitting on one of those small flower parts.

Aside from that, I got a neat bumble bee flying straight at us! And then some images of small bugs. I don't know what they are. Anyone know?

More Insects from the Pond Store

I finally got out and took some photos after a few weeks. It is so hot that there are no critters about. I've been back out twice looking for the kingfisher and didn't find him nor any of the birds that I saw that day. Things become rather dessolate. But today I found some bees and butterflies at the pond shop. A few of them I think are rather good.

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Belted Kingfisher and other birds at YMCA (Twin Lakes)

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There is a Belted Kingfisher at YMCA Twin Lakes that I've seen sitting in a particular tree. I've tried to sneak up on it but haven't succeeded. Today, he was sitting on the power line that runs across the lake. It was far off even with my 800mm f/11 lens so the image is heavily cropped. The other images are a dragonfly, Great Egret, and a Western Kingbird.

Birds and Butterflies

The past week or so I've gone out with my camera most days but there just isn't much wildlife. I got off on a tangent of insects in flight but then, suddenly, there were almost no insets.

Today, I switched back to birds and went to a park that has had a sprinkling of birds. Today there were a few subjects but they are "the usual suspects". There are about a dozen species of birds in the Cedar Park area and anything outside of that group is extremely rare. And, with the heat, even the usual suspects can't really be found except in the mornings.

So... here are nine shots which I felt were worth sharing. I hope they bring a touch of joy to your life.