Camera Critter Meme #26

As I have mentioned in several past Camera Critter Meme posts, I enjoyed the time I spent in Texas in April 2007. From the butterflies, to the dragonflies, to the birds, it was a blast. However, one of the best places I visited is the subject of this week's post.

The morning was spent at Lost Maples State Natural Area (where a number of my past CCM photos were taken) and the afternoon at Garner State Park, along the Frio River. After having a late lunch, we headed off towards the Frio River Bat Cave to witness the emergence of bats from a cave on private property.

For a per person fee, visitors can watch as millions of Brazilian Free-tail bats take flight on summer nights to head for their hunting grounds. It's estimated that the cave is host to more than 12 million bats.

The bat cave

As the sun begins to settle, a few bats will venture outside and go on the hunt. But those few are nothing compared to what comes out moments later. I had been told what to expect, but nothing can prepare a person for the number of bats which suddenly appear and spiral into the air.

And out they come

And as the bats showed, so did the predators. Hawks of various types, including Crested Caracara, Broad-winged Hawks, Swainson's Hawks and various species of falcons, descended on the flocks of bats. The birds would grab a bat in mid-air with its talons, take a few bites out of it on the wing, drop the remains and go for another. This lasted for as long as the bats emerged from the cave. It was an amazing sight to witness. However, you did need to watch out for falling bat debris.

A Broad-wing Hawk joins the feast

As the colony exit the cave, they would gather in separate groups and head off in different directions. The individual colonies are so large, they can be seen as a smudge on the horizon long after they have left the area of the cave.

The bats depart for nightly hunting grounds

The bats migrate to several caves in the Texas area every spring. The Frio River Bat Cave is the second larget colonies in the World. These flying mammals move to the caves from Mexico to birth and raise their pups. Then head south again in late summer.

If you ever in the area of Concan, Texas on a warm, summer evening, take the time to head to the cave. It will be well worth it.

If you enjoy photos of critters, please stop by Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme check out the posts. Better yet...join in the fun.

Camera Critter Meme #25

For Camera Critters this week, I'm gonna take everyone back to April 2007, and the Lost Maples State Natural Area northwest of San Antonio, Texas.

The park was the second place I visited on that road-trip photo safari. We were there looking for a certain bird which I can't remember the species right now, but it turned into a wonderful place for a nature photographer.

At one point, the path we were following crossed a boulder field and I could have spent the entire day there. Dragonflies and damselflies were everywhere and not just one or two species. At one spot I could see five different species sitting on boulders, enjoying the sunlight. However, in my excitement, I got a little too eager and scared them off before I could get in position for a photo.

But that wasn't my only chance to shoot. I spied a beautiful damselfly flying around and followed it with my eyes until it landed. I then carefully moved into position and made the shot. During the shoot, another damselfly landed near the first one I was shooting and I was treated to a two in one shot.


The larger damselfly is commonly known as an American Rubyspot. Scientifically, it's known as Hetaerina americana. It is easy to identify whatwith the striking colors of the body and wings. Also seen in the photo is a Variable Dancer, or Argia fumipennis, a much smaller damselfly.

My trip to Texas was the highlight of my nature photography career (so far) and I enjoyed everywhere I went on that trip.

Nothing can beat south Texas in the springtime and I hope to someday again, be able to shoot to my heart's content in some fantastic country.

If you enjoy photos of critters, please stop by Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme check out the posts. Better yet...join in the fun.

Camera Critter Meme #24

For this week's Camera Critter Meme, I thought I would pass on my favorite way to shoot when I go out. I didn't start shooting this way, but I have come to rely on it every chance I get. When I began shooting the smaller forms of wildlife where I live, I would stick my camera on Aperture Priority, the lens on f/8, the ISO at 200 and proceed to shoot to my heart's content. I was pleased with the results and continued shooting that way until...

Early last year, I read an article in a photography magazine which got me thinking. The author mentioned that in the studio, he always shot using manual settings based on the lighting around the subject. Most studio photographers shoot that way. But it was his usage of manual settings which caught my interest. I then refreshed my memory on manual shooting which was a style of shooting I used during my film days, grabbed my camera, set it up using the Sunny 16 Rule and off I went to my favorite shooting site, Dry Canyon Trail of Redmond, Oregon.

I came across a number of subjects to test my new style of shooting on and began snapping away. I shot the entire time with my camera set using the big "M" settings and never touched the dials all day. When I came home and looked at my photos, my eyes popped out. The contrast and colors were vivid and gorgeous, better than I thought my camera could accomplish. I was suddenly very sold on using Manual settings as often as possible.

California Tortoiseshell

Zephyr Anglewing

I set the camera initially with settings of ISO 200, Shutter Speed of 1/200 and aperture of f/16. I then turned the shutter speed to 1/400 a second which is a good quick speed, and increased the aperture to f/10 which was the same number of clicks I adjusted the shutter speed. The photos, as I mentioned before, were spectacular. Today, I shoot at ISO 100, a shutter speed of 1/400 and with an aperture of f/8 (which is the sweet spot aperture for the lens I shoot with). My camera is set to adjust exposure in one third increments, which differs from the listed settings in the charts below. However, following the suggested guidelines as mentioned below will provide similar results to my photos above.

More information on the Sunny 16 Rule can be found at the site linked above, or here:

For those interested, more in depth information on manual exposure can be found here and here:

Camera Critter Meme #23

Those who have followed my photography, know one of my favorite areas to shoot is along the Dry Canyon Trail centrally located on the north side of Redmond, Oregon. The trail is more than three miles long and winds through typical high desert lands with high desert plants and creatures.

When I arrive at the bottom of the canyon, my eyes immediately go into scan mode, watching everything which happens around me. A little less than a month ago, I was glad I was in scan mode.

I had been watching a beetle walk around a sage plant when I caught something flying by out of the corner of my eye. I glanced in the direction of the movement and noticed a Thread-waisted Wasp sitting in a nearby sage plant where it landed. But it didn't look quite right.

At first I thought the wasp had a stick in its mouth. As I looked closer and watched, the wasp began to move around with the "stick." It was then I noticed the "stick" was actually a caterpillar, most likely that of the Common Oak Moth. Curious, I continued to shoot and watch in an effort to find out what was happening.


One of the things I was most curious about, was the caterpillar wasn't putting up any type of resistance. I assumed the wasp had stung it or bit it and it was now incapacitated. Then the wasp dropped to the ground, still holding the caterpillar.

As I tried to get into position for a photo, the wasp began to back up. It was then I noticed a nearby hole and realized the wasp was moving towards it.

While trying to get into good photo position, I realized the wasp had repositioned the caterpillar. It had moved around to the back side of the caterpillar and was now dragging it backwards towards the hole. The last I saw of the wasp was its head. I then watched him drag dinner down the hole and disappear from sight.


Had I not been watching the going-ons around me, I never would have witness an everyday happening in nature. And by being in the right place at the right time, I was able to bring it to everyone through Misty's wonderful and fun, Camera Critter Meme.

Camera Critter Meme #22

In the spring of 07, I left Oregon for another state I have enjoyed...Texas.

I spent a number of years living in the San Antonio area, but I wasn't a critter photographer then. So when I went back this time, I had two goals...visit with my brother and his family, and get nature photos I couldn't get here.

Both goals were accomplished and I was able to collect a nice variety of Texas critters.

Two areas were my favorite. The first was the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center south of San Antonio. I visited this area twice and came back each time with a nice variety of photos.

The second area I enjoyed was the Lost Maples State Natural Area northwest of the city. Trails led throughout the park and at every turn, something new would appear, whether it was bird or bug. But one particular sighting really got my "trigger finger" itching.

We were on the east trail at the park, approaching a quiet area of the Can Creek Ponds. In the distance I could see something moving quickly around a small field of wildflowers. As we got closer, I lost sight of the critter and started scanning other areas for more wildlife. Suddenly, my nephew tugged my arm and said, "Uncle Lauren...it's back."

I looked back to the wildflower patch and sure enough, there was the same critter flying around I had seen minutes earlier. I quickened my pace and as I neared the patch, I realized what it was I had seen at distance.

Known as the White-lined Sphinx Moth, this large, and quick lepidoptera is also called as a Hummingbird Moth because of the way it hovers at flower, obtaining nectar. The moth's wings even sound like a hummingbird's wings. Everything about the creature gives it the appearance of a hummingbird...except the way it looks.

I hope you enjoy one of the few 'in focus' images of this marvelous critter. And yes...there was a reason this one was selected. 8v)

If you enjoy photos of critters, please stop by Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme during the weekends and check out the posts. Better yet...join in the fun.

Camera Critter Meme #21

Last October, a friend of mine said to me, "I got this nice new camera, so why don't we go get some pictures and you can teach me how to use it?"

I said, "Ok...what do you want to shoot?"

"Well," came his reply, "I'd love to shoot eagles."

Knowing the perfect place, we hopped into the Cherokee and off we went to Crane Prairie Reservoir, about 40 miles south of Redmond, where I live.

Our first stop there was for my benefit and not that of my friend, but it turned out to be a bust, so off to eagle land we went. It wasn't far from where we were...actually, even with my poor eyesight, I could see a couple flying around. However, when we arrived, the birds had disappeared. But I knew they would be back. And back they came! So enjoy my multiple offerings for Camera Critter Meme #21.





Needless to say, my friend was ecstatic and so was I for that matter. It was a great day to shoot Bald Eagles.

Camera Critter Meme #20

The Dry Canyon Trail in Redmond, Oregon, is one of my favorite places to wander around, looking for the cool critters this world has to offer.

Generally, I'll walk through to the weeds, looking on the plants as I pass by. Anything which looks out of place, I'll check out and if it's a critter, I start shooting.

In the years I have been doing this, I have learned a lot about the behavior patterns of many of the critters in the canyon...at least I thought I had learned a lot about their behavior.

Last Sunday (Aug. 17) I learned something new about two different species. But first, let me set the scene. It was midday and the sky was partly cloudy. The high sun was shining bright and the temperature at the airport at the time was 103. In the canyon, it was probably 105 or 106.

I had been wandering the canyon for about two hours and having a great time. Every now and then, I'd stop, get my water bottle (I always fill a plastic bottle with water and freeze it the night before I go out) and take nice cold, drink from it, then shove it back in the cargo pocket on my pants.

At one point, I had wandered near a lava outcrop hoping to see something, when I stopped for a drink. Now, remember, the canyon area is called the "dry" canyon for a reason...there's no water in it. After I had refreshed my thirst and as I was putting the bottle back in my pocket, something landed on the right side of my beard, just below my lower lip. For a moment, I didn't know what was happening. Then their was a slight pain in the area and I swiped my hand across the spot. When I did, a bug flew to a sage plant nearby and the back of my hand felt the wetness of a drop of water which was in my beard. I immediately lifted my camera and got this shot of a Blister Beetle, a first for me.

I have seen similar critters in the area, but nothing this big (it was about an inch and half long). Thrilled I had gotten a new species of something, I continued my walk-about. After not finding anything on the rocky outcrop, I continued on towards an area with a number of Juniper trees.

After about ten minutes, I stopped, retrieved my bottle of ice water and lifted it to my lips. As I pulled the bottle away from my mouth, a drop of water fell and landed on my shirt just to the left of center on my chest and below my breast. The drop no more than landed on the shirt when something slammed into my chest, right on the spot of water. I looked down and there was a Robber Fly sitting there (see my previous CCM post for an image of a Robber Fly). I brushed him away and as I did, felt some pain in the area.

I lifted my shirt to check out the area and noticed a spot of blood. I wiped it away and there was a small hole in my chest, with a reddened area surrounding it. I knew immediately, the hole was caused by the proboscis of the fly. The proboscis is the feeding tube for most insects. On the Robber Fly it is a stiff tube they insert in their meal and suck out the liquid. I guess the fly, like the beetle, needed water in the heat and probably could smell or detect the water on my lip and my shirt and went for it. I doubt it was coincidence that both critters hit me where water was.

Nothing like that has happened to me before and I doubt it will again. But it was still cool and still an interesting way to learn something new about the critter I cross paths with. 8v)

But before I close this milestone Camera Critter Meme, I've got one more image to show. A NTM (new-to-me) bee. I believe it is a Resin Bee of the Megachile species. I almost didn't capture this beauty, as I saw it from a distance on a sage brush with a number of other insects and assumed it was a common Honey Bee. But just as I was about to turn away, a voice in my head said, "Shoot it Bear." So I did...and I am glad I did. Just look at those eyes!