Louisiana Belle: turtles

Showing posts with label turtles. Show all posts

Monday, August 4, 2014

Garden Visitor

A couple weeks ago this little turtle found his way into my flower bed. After admiring him for a few minutes I ran inside to grab my camera, then remembered some carrot pieces in the fridge. My mama always taught me to offer food and drinks to any visitors. By the way, I offered a cold glass of water to the plumber and he threw in the camera scope for free; a $300 value. He actually told me that was why he did it. Remember that, kids! Anyway, I said to my visitor, "Look, I'll take your photo and here's some carrots. Deal?" Well, he was not impressed. I read later that these turtles are carnivores. Live and learn!

Focus on the eye

Focus on the scaly arm. Wish I could've gotten focus on the eye, too.

"I'm outta here! Buh-bye! Thanks for nothin' lady."

Linking with

Our World Tuesday

Friday, December 27, 2013

Turtles and friends

Turtles and other sightings at LSU Lakes, November.

Also called a sawback, the false map turtle spends many hours basking in the sun, sometimes perched on steep snags. I found this false map on two different days, same log. They get their name from the yellow stripes that form on the shell, creating the appearance of a map. It is harder to see in adults (like the one below). The false map turtle also sports a serrated keel on the back of the shell. I so wanted to take an SOS pad to this guy's back and uncover those yellow stripes!

Photo taken 11/14/13 - overcast day

11/11/13 - bright day

Snowy egret, cormorant and turtle sandwich

Snowy egret

Cormorants in cypress tree

Voyeur, Timothy "Leery"
I love this stacked couple and the one peering over the log at them.

Linking with Eileen's Saturday Critters and Anni at I'd Rather B Birdin'. Hope you'll join in the fun!

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Happy Sunday!

Two posts in one weekend. What has gotten into me? The equation is as follows:

Overwhelming number of photos + rainy day = blog post!

I am also suffering from a little disappointment, but this too shall pass. Sure wish I didn't bruise so easily, but nothing I've tried has changed that part of my personality. Being ultra-sensitive really sucks sometimes. Okay, I'm done whining. The sun is starting to come back and my redbud trees are bursting. They are begging to be photographed. Later gators!

Lake Pontchartrain and the Causeway Bridge, 3/8/13

Red-headed woodpecker, Fontainebleau State Park, 3/8/13

Yellow-bellied sapsucker, Fontainebleau State Park, 3/8/13

Eastern Bluebird, Fontainebleau State Park, 3/8/13
I had no idea they could rotate their heads like that!

I chased this little cutie all over the park entrance until he finally got enough of my nonsense and disappeared for good!

Turtle party, Blackwater Conservation, 3/6/13

I finally had some time to play with Jill's pretty little American Goldfinch. I'm not too good with textures and embellishments, but here is my submission. Check out She Who Carries Camera for Creative License Fridays! This should be a fun new meme and something different.

Grunge Polaroid frame by Heather Green
Texture by Shadowhouse Creations

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Gifts of Bluebonnet Swamp

Continuing my quest for all things nature since the weather has been so glorious, on Friday I stopped off at Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center, a 200-acre preserve located 7 miles from my house. There I met the resident volunteer photographer who happily showed me all the hot spots, including a pair of barred owls named Barry and Brenda, and a rufous hummingbird. Barry & Brenda blended so well into the trees that I could not pull off a decent shot and the rufous was too shy. Something to shoot for (ha!) on the next visit, I guess.

I had asked God while I was wandering around, if it wasn't a bother, I'd really like something special to shoot. I've never asked God for anything remotely frivolous, and I felt bad even asking, but if you don't ask...

The male cardinals are exceptionally red right now. This has not been saturated in PS.

I would have been happy if this was all that was in store.

A brave little female worked her magic. Little did I know something even more special was waiting for me.

This was cute to watch them sharing, though at first Mr. Chickadee was doing his best to let Mr. Squirrel
know that his presence was not wanted by swooping around his head for several minutes. Didn't faze the squirrel one bit,
so I guess if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

This chickadee posed right nice for me.

The red-eared slider made an appearance.

Just as I was about to give up, my God-gift was about to be handed to me on a silver platter. Look what greeted me as I approached the exit! At first I thought it was stuffed, like some sort of display. Not taking any chances I stopped dead in my tracks, slowly lifted the camera to my eye, and took a couple of shots, then I took two more steps and another two shots. I repeated this one more time, getting a total of six shots, and then he fled. After emailing the photo to a worker at the center, she was thrilled that I was able to capture this elusive fellow that they had only seen on the critter cam: a gray fox! She shared it on Facebook and I was a little bit of a sensation for a day. :) God is so good.

Gray Fox

Today I had another awesome gift awaiting me. Something I never thought I'd be able to shoot unless I traveled to another state. Stay tuned!

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Motley Crew

Greetings everyone! It's been a mushy, wet week here in Baton Rouge. The incessant rain coupled with a very bad cold has got me feeling pretty run down. I was so thankful to have my ipad (thanks, Dad & Darleen!) so I could keep up with your blogs on the couch or bed. The dogs sure have enjoyed all the snuggle time. Since I can't get out with my camera I went through some photos that I had not yet developed. Hope you enjoy and that you all are untouched by this terrible flu season.