An Ostensible Odontonate

While swimming in a lake in north Florida, caught a glimpse of one of the beautiful wonders of nature.  Saw this little guy go from aquatic nymph into a beautiful, adult dragonfly.  Saw him climb up onto a post from the water, park himself, and begin to shed his exoskeleton- the entire process took about an hour, and I got to see the whole thing...VERY COOL!

I missed the first few moments because I ran to go get my camera...

 Half way out

Unfolding the wings

 Wings all dried and getting ready to go!

Very first flight was to the top of this tree. 

Hirundo rustica adorablis

Went to take this guy to the vet school to get radiographed...

...happened upon a motherload of barn swallow nests. Turns out the concrete overhang lining the walkway makes a great nesting spot! 

Yard Musings

Took my camera out to my yard today to see what I could see...a couple of awesome insects looking at me!

A Relishing Raptor Release

The raptor rehab specialist giving a presentation about raptors for a group of day campers.

Campers anxiously awaiting the release of 2 immature red-tailed hawks.  It was amusing to watch as they gasped when 2 crows mobbed one of the released birds. 

 Two red-tailed hawks, education birds and residents of the Southeastern Raptor Center.

The evil bird that taloned me over year ago when she was wild and first came to the center. She had trauma to the feather follicles on her right wing and is unable to maintain regular flight, so she was not releasable. Being in great shape otherwise, volunteers at the center worked with handling and training her as an education bird.  She has come a long way and is a great mascot for the center!

Cowgirl Lesson #1

Recently went horseback riding with a friend in the rural countryside of central Georgia.  The spring weather was absolutely gorgeous and our ride took us all over a beautiful farm where we rode through fields, trails, and tracts of timber.  Had a fabulous time and looking forward to becoming a real 'rider.'

A Stroll in Sepia

I took a walk today.  Decided to bring my camera along.  It had just rained heavily and things were kinda dreary, so I was inspired to switch the camera into sepia mode.  Here's what I saw on my walk...

Weakened Warrior

This immature bald eagle was brought to the raptor center recently.  Some DNR people found him on the ground by a pond in a park. He was severely weakened and emaciated with a puncture wound in his chest.  We don't know exactly what's wrong with him but are trying to get his strength back up so they can do more tests.  His crop was full of beetle carapaces, so he was probably on the ground for a while trying to take care of himself.  Poor guy. 

 Snapped a few other shots of things at the center

 Took some shots of beaks and talons for an article I am writing for Untamed Science about predation....this will go under the 'morphology of a predator' section