The Calla Lily was past its prime, but it still made a cozy spot for a tree frog early this morning.
Tree Frog In Calla Lily
Category Archives: Nature
Cattle Egret, Breeding Colors
A Cattle Egret was showing off his breeding colors and very snazzy legs. Non-breeding adults and juveniles are all white.
Alligators at Mill House Pond
After visiting the sheep one day last week I continued across Middleton Place to the Mill Pond where two Alligators were taking advantage of the afternoon sun.
The smaller one plopped down after a short walk across the berm.
I had intended to go past the Mill building, but diverted to the left on an Alligator-free route, stopping for a different view of the big fellow.
Jumping Fish
Every time I’ve been to the pond where I’ve been photographing the damselflies and purple Iris this month the fish have been jumping. Of course every time I try to capture the action. Finally on April 17th I got one.
I have no idea what kind of fish, but they are large, at least a foot (30cm) long.
And they make a pretty good splash.
The Alligators don’t appear to follow them, but you can be sure they know where to look when they are hungry.
Tree Diorama
This scene reminded me of a museum diorama, almost made up with the variety of occupants.
Alligator Crossing
A fellow photographer motioned to me that there was something down over the bank. That motioning wasn’t at all specific, nor alarmed. I was hoping for a Barred Owl, which we had heard earlier.
No, it was a pretty big Alligator on the move.
I backed up, and more and more Gator came through the underbrush.
With my 100-400MM lens at 100MM I could not get the entire beast in my frame.
As expected the Alligator went straight across the road and dropped into the pond.
I found out later was that this is a mama Alligator and she had been seen moving young hatchlings into the pond.
Little Blue Heron
A Little Blue Heron perched above the pond on an on an outstretched branch that shows signs of spring.
Pancake Fungus
I was hungry when I saw this fungus sprouting off a tree trunk: all I could think of was pancakes.
From the other side and a bit higher up, imagine a drizzle of amber colored maple syrup as you ponder the pine needle stabbing the biggest cake.
Ornaments by Nature
Dangling from a slim tree branch a wasp nest adds to the decoration of this pond-side tree.
A closer look shows that there is not much supporting the nest. I didn’t see any buzzing activity and don’t know if wasps spend the winter in these nests or hunker in more weather resistant homes.
Stabbed
Stabbed by a pine needle
This rather large fungus looks a bit like a pie…or my mind is still on Thanksgiving.
