Camera Critter Meme #40

Last week, I presented my favorite images from 2007.

This week, it is 2008.

While going through my images from last year, I actually had a hard time deciding which I would pull for this post. I'm not patting myself on the back (well...maybe I am a little), but I finally got a some shots I like for one reason or another. Some of you may have already seen a few of these shots, but favorites are just that.

So, with as much fanfare as your imagination can conceive, here are Ashrunner's favorites from 2008.

Early one spring day, I walked the trails of the Dry Canyon in Redmond, Oregon and came across a family of Yellow-bellied Marmot, or Rockchucks as they are known locally. As I approached, the young ones disappeared into their holes. When I finally got into position, I chucked a stone out off in the distance and the two youngsters popped their heads up and I got this image.

Fireman's Pond is another spot in Redmond, Oregon I enjoy shootings. Once in a while, it proves worthwhile when I see a large bird. Often, it is Ospreys fishing the pond. However, a Great Blue Heron also shows up now and then. I like this particular image simply because of the birds pose. It may be facing away from me, but I like it.

One morning, a friend of mine and I decided we would go to Tumalo Falls, located west of Bend, Oregon near the Cascade Mountains. After seeing the falls (Tumalo and several other Oregon waterfalls I have visited, can be seen here), we were heading towards the parking lot, when I spotted this Lorquin's Admiral land nearby. At the time, I had been trying to get a photo of this butterfly for several years and here was my best chance yet. The butterfly turned out to be a good model and I finally filled a checkmark under this species.

After shooting the butterfly above, I was giddy with joy. I was able to shoot a butterfly I stalked for several years. But little did I know what was waiting for me at the parking lot. After my friend and I had walked down to the river and quenched our thirst in the cold, running waters, I was looking around, admiring the view, when a butterfly I was unable to identify flew by. I watched it land on the branch of a pine and as I approached, it moved off and out of sight. I was upset as that butterfly was gorgeous and something I had not seen before. Glad I was able to get the admiral photo above, I headed towards the car. Just as I was putting my camera inside, another of the butterfly I had just seen and lost my chance at, flew by and landed across the road from me. I grabbed my camera, darted across the road (to the consternation of an incoming visitor) and after scanning the area I thought the lepidoptera landed in, found this Pale Swallowtail posing perfectly in the sunlight.

The next two shots appear so similar, that one might think they are of the same critter. But careful examination will show the one below is a White-tailed Robber Fly. I found this bug along the eastern fence line of the airport in Redmond, Oregon.

A couple of days later, I was at the same spot near the airport when saw the Robber Fly below on a similar stalk, in a similar pose as the one above. Although they object the two are on, looks the same in each photo, and the bugs also look the same, they are both different weeds, and different, though the bugs are probably closely related.

Contrary to the belief of a certain someone who runs this meme, I didn't post this image because of the purple flower...though I remember thinking when I shot this photo that she would most certainly like it. I shot this photo because the Bumble Bee crawling up inside it to get to the pollen cracked me up. It still does. 8v)

Finally, those of you who regularly follow my Camera Critter posts know that last year, I became a huge fan of the local reptile population. I absolutely love shooting them. The poses they provide and their looks make any photo look great. This Western Fence Lizard, also known locally as the Blue-bellied Lizard, made a striking sight when I saw it, and and even more striking image after I shot it.

I have many more photos I would consider good shots, and some even better than these. However, these are my favorites for one reason or another. I do hope you enjoyed viewing them as much as I enjoyed shooting the photos.

If you liked my critter photos, head to Misty Dawn's Camera Critter page and check out some of the other entries. And if you have the time, join in on the fun!