We’ve had a run of dull days, no sun and lots of rain. There was a gap in the storms this morning and we took the opportunity to get out even though conditions weren’t optimal. This Swallowtail Butterfly posed for some low light shots.
He very nicely turned around the flower exposing his underside to the camera.
And kept on turning for a nice side view of his proboscis at work.
The rain started again shortly after bringing an end to this meal.
Couples, families and singles dotted Waterfront Park away from the more popular fountains, providing an endless supple of subjects for people watching and some candid photos.
Waterfront Park, Charleston, SC.
The colors and upturned bill makes the American Avocet an easy ID.
Getting a good photograph across the mud flats of this impoundment at Bear Island Wildlife Management area was another story.
This single one ventured closer to the edge, co-mingling with Plovers, Sanderlings, Willets and the other shore birds working the shallow water.
Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC, 4/26/2017.
New lambs have arrived at the Middleton Place barnyard. Cute is the only word for them. Ranging from one day to one week old, these lambs were in a pen with their mothers, all trying to figure out how the world works.
The whole group was in constant motion and regrettably I should have taken these shots at a faster shutter speed.
In the photo below the youngest lamb, in the back, is less than 24 hours old. The three in the middle, perhaps triplets, mostly stuck together and practiced their “bahhing” for awhile.
A pair of farm workers were making some repairs to the pen, probably to prevent escapes under the fence by the new tiny occupants. The little guy below was most interested in what they were up to.
This mother sheep had plenty to say, too.
The farm’s adult sheep are looking a little bedraggled and will be shorn this weekend.
Middleton Place Barnyard, SC, May 1, 2017.
Iris in all sorts of colors are thriving around the swamp where I photograph the wading birds. This is some distance from the cultivated gardens and I’ve wondered if they were planted intentionally or just happened via a happy accident. Regardless, its a nice surprise to happen upon them.
We had just had a hard late season frost so I was quite surprised to see these brilliant poppies in full bloom along my path.
The blooms were dancing in a light breeze, the full sun highlighting the colors.
A bee filled his pollen sacks with seemingly little effort, gliding around in the flower cup.
It was worth the stop and delay in getting to my destination.
Click on photo for larger view.
View other entries at The Road Taken.
The Daily Post Photo Challenge:
“For this week’s challenge, show us something that surprised you on “the road taken.”
Essex, CT 4/9/2016.
The resident birds of an old mill pond in Maine that we discovered by accident entertained us along with their human neighbor who stopped by nightly as part of his evening ambulation.
A pair of Canada Geese patrolled the shore.
A Gull that seemed to be having fun playing in the water, back and forth near the dam’s edge.
A surprisingly peaceful Canada Goose vs Mallard interaction.
Near Freeport, Maine, May 2016.
Very few birds around North Cove in Essex today even though the water was calm.
A weeping willow is showing a hint of spring across the cove.
Click photo for a larger view.
