Saturday, August 28, 2010

Camera Critter #125

Not long ago, I came home from a good photo safari and sent one of my favorite images to a friend for her to see.  She really likes dragonflies, ya know.

I sent it to her with the comment, “First Western Pondhawk male.”  The reply I got was “It sure looks like a Blue Dasher.  You sure it isn’t one?”

At that point I was sure I had photographed a Western Pondhawk and not a Blue Dasher.  But I’ve been wrong before, so I double-checked my fact and you know what?

It was a Blue Dasher!  Thank you, Misty for pointing out my mistake  8v)

So, may I present the Western Pon….errr…Blue Dasher.  8v)  I do like this photo.

CRW_2138

Oh…and if you’re wondering why I determined it wasn’t a Western Pondhawk, just look at the face.  A Blue Dasher’s face is white, while a Western Pondhawk’s face is greenish.

Misty Dawn’s Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critters from around the world.  Go to the homepage here and check out some of the other entries.  Then join the fun and add your own.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Camera Critters #124

As I have mentioned before, the sewage ponds north of Redmond, Oregon are a good place to find a large variety of birds, dragonflies and other critters.

I have photographed rare birds there; first time dragonflies and have gotten better photos of previously imaged critters. 

This week, I’ve selected sandpipers as my subject.

I have gotten an image of a Western Sandpiper before, but it was a long way off and not that great.  However, on Aug. 5, I was able to get close enough to get a better photo.

CRW_0775 Western Sandpiper

At the same time, was able to get a photo of a new bird, the Least Sandpiper.  It isn’t a rare bird for this area, but has eluded me until I found one at the ponds.

CRW_0778 Least Sandpiper

Though the birds look similar at a quick glance, looking closely will show the Western Sandpiper with black legs and the Least Sandpiper with greenish legs.  There are other marks which tell someone the species, but those two are the most prominent.

Misty Dawn’s Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see creatures the world over.  To see more, go to the homepage here and check out more critters.  Then join the fun and add your own.

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Camera Critter #123

Last week, I made another trip to the sewage ponds north of town. I’m glad I did.

Not only did I enjoy the ride in the central Oregon heat, but I was able to image four new dragonflies.

However, what I was really pleased with was obtaining a complete family portrait of a beautiful odonata. That dragonfly family is the Variegated Meadowhawk.

Three years ago, Misty Dawn sent me a photo of a dragonfly she took and asked me to identify it. It was a female Variegated Meadowhawk…and it was a beautiful bug. At the time, I gave her a link to the male of the species, which was even more beautiful.

A year later, I found my own female Variegated Meadowhawk, and got a so-so image of it. But I didn’t give up and last year got an even better image of one.

But last week, I hit the mother-lode. Variegated Meadowhawks were everywhere and I had a blast photographing as many as I could.

CRW_0976Juvenile Male

CRW_0913 Female

CRW_1005 Male

But the best shot I have saved for the end. While running from one plant to another, I would see Eight-spotted Skimmers competing for the tops of some of the plants. Then I saw a skimmer push a meadowhawk off a plant top. As the skimmer began to enjoy basking in the sun at his new found perch, the meadowhawk came back.

CRW_0984

Moments later, the meadowhawk was back on the perch and the skimmer had found another.

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critter the world over. Stop by the homepage here and check out some more critters. Then join the fun and add your own.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Camera Critter #122

I occasionally read an internet post about a rare bird in my area, but having no motorized transportation, it's difficult for me to the area to see the bird.

Then there is the times when I can get to the area, and look and look and look and end up not seeing the rare bird.

Last week, I read a posting on the local birding mailing list that a rare sandpiper was seen at the Redmond sewage ponds. Before you cringe and stop reading, the ponds are not as bad as they sound...there's little or no smell...but the birds like the area.

To continue, last Friday, I decided to head to the ponds to see if I could see this rare sandpiper. So I hopped on my bicycle and headed north out of town. It's about 7 miles to the pond area and once there, I have to cross a fence, but it was worth the trouble.

As I began working my way around the largest pond, I started thinking I had missed the rarity once again. However, after walking three quarters of the way around the shoreline, I saw a solitary, gray bird wading in the water not far off shore.

Lifting my camera, I was finally able to photograph a rare bird for my area. Below, you will find the image I made of a Solitary Sandpiper...normally found east of the Rocky Mountains.

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critter the world over. Stop by the homepage here and check out some more critters. Then join the fun and add your own.