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.
It really would help my mental perspective if folks would subscribe and comment.
Please subscribe and comment. It would help me in a number of ways. I believe that if you have an account on any of Google's platforms, you can just log in, subscribe, and then add comments.
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.
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.
The typcal bumblebee that I've seen is round. The part behind the head is yellow. And there is just one black band. The new bumblebee is totally different. It is flatter. Has black behind the head. And has multiple stripes. Along with pictures of both of these are some stink bugs, honey bees, wasps, a spider, and a flower.
I'm still trying to get insects in flight. I think I'm getting better.
Enjoy!
This is probably only the first post in a new quest: photographing insets in flight. A guy on X has some really spectacular photos. I thought I would try. The first problem this year at least is finding bugs. The local pond supply store that has tons of beautiful flowers but has only a few scattered honey bees. I saw two bumble bees and a few wasps. Out of over 500 images (all of which have been deleted except for 14), I got one keeper of a bee in flight and it isn't really in focus. I did come across a really unique flower.
If you haven't heard, central Texas had a huge rain storm with lots of flooding. Lake Travis rose 17 feet. Buchanan and Travis (combined) are now 69% full having started out less than half full a few days ago. This is some short video clips of Cedar Park area. Nothing dramatic.
I got this a few days ago but never posted it. Not a good angle but it is still up lifting to me.
Texas heat pretty much kills outdoor photography. Even if I go out exploring (which I tend not to do), the birds are gone after about 10 a.m. Thus I am not going out as often as a few weeks ago. I went out today and got a few pictures.
A change of pace today.
A recent YouTube video talking about the worlds largest ship ever built ended with it being scrapped in Singapore. The process is called ship breaking. The YT video reminded me of these photos.
In 2005, I took a guided photography trip to Bangladesh. One of the most striking features to strike me were the colorful clothes that were prevalent. In stark contrast was many other features. One such feature was the ship breaking site we visited. Here are fourteen images that stick with me in my mind to this day.
