Pic of the Day

     Dogwood Blossom – Horse Cove, Alabama:  On the day I shot the Azaleas (see post for March 24),  I also shot a few dogwood blooms.  Some years the dogwoods around my home do not bloom, but this year it seems that every dogwood in the forest is in bloom. They're just beautiful!

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 500mm f4, 1/80th second @ f7.1

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     Welcome viewers from Gabon!  You have made Gabon the 110^th country from which viewers have logged onto Bobby’s Photo Blog.  I hope you like the blog, and please come back often.  Bobby

Pic of the Day

     Wild Azalea --  Horse Cove; Alabama:  Spring rapidly came to North Alabama this year, at least two weeks earlier than normal.  With spring the wild flowers, dogwoods and wild azaleas have burst into bloom surrounding my home with a plethora of color.  This morning I took some time to photograph some of that color.  

     There are 15 different native wild azalea on the east coast, this one appears to be Rhododendron periclymenoides.  This wild azalea is from one of the four azalea plants that I have found on my property.  For years I have seen the wild azaleas as I drive up and down my driveway, and I would make plans to take a photo.  By the time I got around to shooting the image, the azaleas had withered and dropped.  Finally after 31 years I shot some images.  These two are my favorite.  

Top:  Nikon D7000, Nikkor 500mm f4, 1/250sec. @ f7.1
Bottom:  Nikon D7000, Nikkor 500mm f4, 1/400sec. @f6.3

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     Welcome viewers from Cyprus!  Cyprus is the 109^th country from which viewers have logged onto Bobby’s Photo Blog.  Thanks for logging onto the blog and please come back often.  Bobby 

Pic of the Day

     Cara-Cara – Virea Wetlands: Viera, Florida:  Prior to the last year and half I had seen very view Cara-Caras.  But, over the last year and half I have spent considerable time north of Lake Okeechobee in Florida’s prairie country where Cara-Caras are quite common.  This shot was made at the Viera Wetlands, which is a great place to see and photograph Cara-Caras, but you have to be there on the right day at the right time.  I’ve seen the birds there about one out of every three visits.  Also, I have never seen a Cara-Cara without a band on it's leg (legs) at the wetlands.

     Further south, north of lake Okeechobee, I have found lots of birds without bands.  Cara-Cara can often be found in this area along county and state roads perched on fence post and tree stubs.  Using your automobile as a blind can provide excellent opportunities. 

Nikon D300, Nikkor 500mm f4, 1/250@f6.3

Pic of the Day

     White Ibis – Fort Myers Beach, Florida:  The ibis was photographed at Estero Lagoon during a feeding frenzy.  The image was shot in February when South Florida wading birds are in prime breeding plumage.  This White Ibis sports the deep red face and legs that white ibises obtain during the breeding season, which makes this bird picture perfect. 

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     I would like to welcome viewers from Grenada to Bobby’s Photo Blog.  Grenada is the 108^th country from which viewers have logged on.  Welcome to the blog and please come back often.  Bobby 

Recently Published Work

   

     My most recent published work is in the winter issue of Creation Illustrated.  The article and photos are about Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.  If you would like to subscribe to Creation Illustrated go to:
http://www.creationillustrated.com

Pic of the Day

     Wood Storks, Viera Wetlands; Viera, Florida:   I shot these wood storks as they left the wetlands and headed for their evening roost.  While not the prettiest face in the avian world they are certainly one of the most graceful in flight. 

Who's Looking

     I would like to welcome viewers from Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Sudan to Bobby’s Photo Blog.  These two countries are the 106^th and 107^th countries from which viewers have logged on.  Welcome to the blog and please come back often.  Bobby

Pic of the Day

     American Bittern – Viera Wetlands; Viera, Florida:  I have seen less than a dozen American Bitterns in the wild, with most seen in the early morning hours before sunrise.  On my last trip to the Viera Wetlands I had the opportunity to see an American Bittern during mid morning.

     I actually walked upon the bittern, flushing it from its hiding place.  Watching where the bittern had landed I stalked it to its new locations and was rewarded with a number of shots.  After watching the bird stalk prey for about ten minutes, a car pulled beside me and the driver asked what I was photographing.  At that time the bittern took flight and ended the longest amount of time I had spent with an actively feeding bittern. 

     This first shot was taken as the bittern came out of the reeds where it had flown from my previous flush.  The second was taken after the passengers in the vehicle stopped to asked, “what are you taking a picture of?”

Top Image:  Nikon D7000, Nikkor 500mm f4, 1/640 second @ f7.1

Bottom Image: Nikon D7000, Nikkor 500mm f4, 1/1,000 second @ f76.3