Saturday, April 4, 2009

An Outstanding Year of Camera Critters!

A little more than 52 weeks ago, a good friend of mine asked me a question.

"I'm thinking of starting a photo meme called Camera Critters Sunday. What do you think of the idea?"

I said, "I love it."

Well, 52 weeks ago, the first Camera Critter page opened. My first post(located here) was that of a lizard. So with this being the first anniversary of Misty Dawn's Camera Critters, I thought I would reverse the calendar and go back one year from the first appearance of the meme and present the photos shot on the day closest to the beginning one year before the start.

So...here are the photos I shot two years ago.


The California Tortiseshell is fairly common on the high desert. And 2007, was bumper year for the butterfly as thousands were seen throughout the area.

I had seen Mourning Cloaks before on the high desert, but had never been able to get a good photo of one. As I wandered along the Dry Canyon Trail in Redmond, I noticed the above butterfly in the distance and took off after it. It remained long enough for me to get this shot, then flew.

Another common Spring butterfly on the high desert and along the Dry Canyon Trail, is the Zephyr Anglewing. In 2007, I became very fond of this lepidoptera and was able to photo a nice variety before they disappeared for the year.

As I began my return trip home, I sat on a large chunk of basaltic lava to eat a snack. While I was munching on some cheese cubes, another Mourning Cloak landed right in front of me. He was even nice enough to open his wings for this portrait.

Finally, as I was nearing the stairs to leave the canyon, I found this mound of busy ants. They were too busy doing what they do best to worry about me, so I watched them for a few moments, took a few photos of their activities and headed home.

I hope you enjoyed my post this week. If you would like to see more Camera Critters, just drop by the website here run by Misty Dawn and then join in the fun with an entry of your own.

6 comments:

i beati said...

that first one is quite a unique shot sandy

Mom Knows Everything said...

I can never take good close up shots like you. :o(

I think Misty rocks too! ;o)

Jane Hards Photography said...

Excellent way to celebrate. I love this time of year when the odd stray butterfly passes by.

Misty DawnS said...

I LOVE the Mourning Cloaks. I think they are absolutely gorgeous. Very unique looking butterflies and so pretty. I don't think I have them out here though, so I'll have to get a shot of one when I show up with the a dad, a wolf, and a motorhome ;-)

Dianne said...

wow! that shot of all the busy ants is incredible

Manz said...

Terrific macro photos.

And a huge thank you to you for encouraging Misty to start the cc meme - I haven't been around that long, but I do plan an sticking around for as long as I'm taking critter pics :)