Tag: wildlife

egret bird on a post
For the Love of Birding

For the Love of Birding

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For the Love of Birding, one never knows exactly what one will see when out enjoying nature. When it comes to birding, the range of different compositions is unlimited.

Like this egret who is holding its own on a windy day, as the wind keeps ruffling its feathers. Looks like it has black stockings and yellow boots.

For the Love of Birding

Pelicans in a row, but what I like most is the bokeh lights in the background. Bokeh is one of the most popular subjects in photography. The reason why it is so popular, is because Bokeh makes photographs visually appealing, forcing us to focus our attention on a particular area of the image. The word comes from Japanese language, which literally translates as “blur”.

For the Love of Birding

On a humid day here in this photo, natural fog is surrounding this Cormorant bird giving it a natural vignette look to the photo.

I just love the brown pelicans, the photos always speak for themselves with these birds.

For the Love of Birding

by Sandra J

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the reddish egret
Portrait of the Reddish Egret

Portrait of the Reddish Egret

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Portrait of the Reddish Egret, such a beautiful bird I think. When I photograph birds I take a lot of photos at one time when I can. I put my camera on burst and hold the shutter button when the bird looks like it is in the right light and position. On average 1 or 2 photos out of 20 will be sharp, but the photos that excite me the most is when I come across one like below that looks like it is posing for the camera.

This is what I find most enjoyable about wildlife photography.

Portrait of the Reddish Egret

When I find just the right photo I will often turn it into a digital oil painting as well. My artistic side 🙂

Portrait of the Reddish Egret

Portrait of the Reddish Egret

by Sandra J

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alligator
Alligator and Turtles

Alligator and Turtles

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Alligator and Turtles, here at this small lake on Dauphin Island. There are lots of turtles who seem to not mind this alligator swimming right next to them. The folks that live here mention that there is just one alligator in this lake. I don’t know a lot about them, but maybe they are territorial so he wants the lake all to himself.

I placed a video below of this beautiful animal. We were standing on a dock above him and took these photos with a video on the one day he came out of hiding from the tall grass. It has been pretty cold here lately so he doesn’t come out unless it is warm outside.

Alligator and Turtles
Alligator and Turtles
Alligator Encounter - See This Alligator In Its Natural Habitat with a Lot of Turtles

Alligator and Turtles

by Sandra J

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cardinal
Off the Grid for a Month

Off the Grid for a Month

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Off the Grid for a Month, Hello all, todays post is an update on where we are at the moment. We are traveling west and will be camping in an area with very limited or no internet until mid March.

We will be camping at places that are like boon docking they call it. No water hookups or electricity at the camp sites. We will be breaking out the solar panels for sure. I scheduled post until mid March and hope you enjoy my photos. They are the last of my photos from the gulf coast.

I will interact with comments if internet allows and I just want to say thank you for all your compliments and comments that you write to me on this blog. I really appreciate it.

Todays photos are a little bit of what will be coming up after we get back on the grid.

Off the Grid for a Month
Off the Grid for a Month
Off the Grid for a Month

Off the Grid for a Month

by Sandra J

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river of sunrise
Health Benefits of Sunlight

Health Benefits of Sunlight

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Health Benefits of Sunlight (Light)

Being in the sun generally makes people feel good, and there are many scientific reasons for this effect. I can attest to this theory. I worked in a factory most of my life, inside of 4 walls and no windows. But when I wasn’t at work I was outside, which works well with me being a photographer.

Take for example the two photos below, when I look at the first photo I see an ok picture, nothing to get excited over, for me.

Health Benefits of Sunlight

But look at the difference when the clouds started to clear up and the warm sun light started to bring the world around me to life. This is what excites me when I am out wandering in nature. It immediately gives me a warm feeling and lightens my mood.

Health Benefits of Sunlight

Some of the effects of being in the sun is exposure to UVB rays, which causes human skin to produce beta-endorphins, which are hormones that reduce pain. Their other benefits include:

  • promoting a sensation of well-being and improving mood
  • boosting the immune system
  • relieving pain
  • promoting relaxation
  • helping wounds heal
  • helping people feel more alert
  • reducing depression

Makes One wonder if we were not designed that way.

Darkness is always the antithesis of light Freedom Comes From the Light that is placed in our heart

  • bayou at sunrise

I am born again in the word, nobody taught me except the voice of the Creator within me.

Health Benefits of Sunlight

Let your dreams dance on the windowpanes of your Heart in the never-ending Light

Have a Wonderful Weekend

Health Benefits of Sunlight (Light)

by Sandra J

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drone photo of a beach
Looking Down at Us

Looking Down at Us

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Looking Down at Us – Tranquility does exist.  Off the beaten path, taking the road less traveled and returning to creation.  That is us down there on the left side of the photo. Husband takes care of the photos from above as I photograph from below.

A way to show any one that happens to see these photos that the beauty of creation still exist.

Looking Down at Us

I am the One who gave you hands to use your talents to create life around you.

Looking Down at Us

Looking Down at Us

by Sandra J

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egret in tall green grass
Nature Speaks to Us

Nature Speaks to Us

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Nature Speaks to Us Simplicity, beauty, purpose. That is what I see when I am in nature surrounded by the beauty of creation.

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by those moments that take our breath away.

Nature Speaks to Us
Nature Speaks to Us
Nature Speaks to Us

Nature Speaks to Us

by Sandra J

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pelican stretching its neck
Stretching Feels So Good

Stretching Feels So Good

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Stretching Feels So Good even for birds. I took this series of photos as I was watching these Brown Pelicans perched on post in the water. This one started to do a stretch and ended up looking like he was going to dive right into the water. But it was just a stretch.

Stretching Feels So Good
Stretching Feels So Good
Stretching Feels So Good

Stretching Feels So Good

by Sandra J

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osprey bird in flight
No Luck for That Osprey

No Luck for That Osprey

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No Luck for That Osprey, he did not get his fish, he came up out of the water empty handed. I did not get a shot because my camera was buffering. But next thing I saw was another osprey coming from my right side and it did have a fish in its talons.

Now this might be a sad photo for the fish. But it is nature doing what it is designed to do. Fish is the main diet to the Osprey and its talons are created exactly for what it needs to do to survive.

Included below is a video of a variety of birds I have photographed here on the Gulf Coast, including the Rare Reddish Egret and my camera settings that I use to go with some of the photos.

As the bird reaches for a fish, its outer front toe swivels to the rear, giving it two grasping talons front and back. Its long, slender, arched wings help the Osprey get clear of the water too, as it takes flight with the fish’s head facing the front—the most aerodynamically efficient position.

It is Lunch Time
Shutter Speed Settings - New Bird - Sting Rays - Cute Birds - Fish Eating Birds, Gulf Coast Wildlife

It is Lunch Time

by Sandra J

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osprey catching fish
Did He Get His Fish

Did He Get His Fish

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Did He Get His Fish? Well his head is out of the water as he tries to flap his wings to go air borne again.

Did He Get His Fish

He is almost out, the talons are right there.

The water is nice and clear on this day. I have to go, I am making dinner right now and it is boiling on the stove. 😉

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s post.

Did He Get His Fish

by Sandra J

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osprey in a head dive
Fishing With an Osprey

Fishing With an Osprey

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Fishing With an Osprey, it hovers overhead looking for the fish of the day.

Fishing With an Osprey

It spotted the one it wants and off it goes.

Fishing With an Osprey

It gains speed as the wings tighten to its body.

Fishing With an Osprey

Talons are Out

And under the water it goes.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s post to see if he caught his fish. 😉

Fishing With an Osprey

by Sandra J

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osprey bird
Sharp Hooked Claws

Sharp Hooked Claws

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Sharp Hooked Claws A bird’s talons are the sharp, hooked claws at the end of the toes. Birds have one talon on every toe, and they may differ in overall shape, curvature, and thickness depending on how the bird will use its talons and how worn individual talons may be.

Sharp Hooked Claws

I was walking along a pier and this beautiful Osprey was perched on a pole. It wasn’t to spooked as I got closer and closer so I was able to get a wonderful photo of this beautiful bird.

On tomorrow’s post I will show you this bird going into a head dive to catch a fish. It actually went full body into the water. I thought they just swooped down like an Eagle to get their fish.

Sharp Hooked Claws

Sharp Hooked Claws

by Sandra J

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pelican stretching its neck
Did You Hear

Did You Hear

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Did You Hear , One pelican is asking the others this question; ” Did you hear the saying that humans say about us?”

“No, what”?

They say; ” How beautiful is the pelican who’s bill holds more then their belly can”.

Did You Hear

Ba ha ha ha, ha, ha, ha,

Hmm, George seems to really like this joke 😉

Still laughing 😂

Have a great weekend.

Did You Hear

by Sandra J

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piper plover
Piper Plovers

Piper Plovers

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Piper Plovers, these are the cutest birds on the shores. They are so tiny but move very fast. There are about three dozen species of plovers, 15 to 30 centimetres (6 to 12 inches) long, with long wings, moderately long legs, short necks, and straight bills that are shorter than their heads. 

Piper Plovers

If you look close you can see this Plover pulling a very small worm type thing out of the sand. You can imagine how small this bird is, there is probably no way we could see this little worm in the sand.

Piper Plovers

I read that birds tuck one foot up in their feathers to preserve their heat. They lose heat through their feet and on this morning it was pretty cold out. But they still stand in the water.

Cuteness overload.

Piper Plovers

by Sandra J

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terns birds
The Royal Terns Have Left the Court

The Royal Terns Have Left the Court

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The Royal Terns Have Left the Court, well this is the closest I have been to these birds this week. I have driven by this marina many times since I took these photos and have not seen any birds there since. But I am always on the look out for the next exciting bird sighting. There are some new birds still to come as we venture along the gulf coast.

The Royal Terns Have Left the Court
The Royal Terns Have Left the Court
The Royal Terns Have Left the Court

The Royal Terns Have Left the Court

by Sandra J

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brown pelican and a tern
The King of the Royalty Court

The King of the Royalty Court

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The King of the Royalty Court standing above all the others is of course the Brown Pelican. Mostly because of their size, they take what ever post they want and make the other birds leave. But they are such a beautiful bird as well I think. Dressed in all their brown plumage.

They are a facinating bird, especially when they are fishing. But I have noticed one thing here on the gulf coast, when the dolphins are around the pelicans follow them. Looking for the fish the dolphins round up I suspect.

The King of the Royalty Court
The King of the Royalty Court

The King of the Royalty Court

by Sandra J

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royal terns
There is More

There is More

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There is More, I took plenty of photos of this beautiful bird in case I never see one again. There is one in the line that is different from the rest. Can you see it? 3rd bird down, he wants to be a Royal Gull I think. Standing with all the other Royals.

There is More
Watch this video on YouTube.
Sandra J's Photography
There is More

There is More

by Sandra J

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royal terns
Its the Tern’s Turn This Week

Its the Tern’s Turn This Week

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Its the Tern’s Turn This Week, The Royal Tern to be exact. We stopped at a marina because we saw a lot of birds flying around down at the end of a dock. So I got my camera out thinking they were all going to be Gulls and Brown Pelicans, but to my surprise there is a new bird at the end that I have never seen before.

The gorgeous birds with the orange bills of course, what a surprise. I love seeing new birds to add to my list. There are a lot of different kinds of Terns like most species, I looked at them all to determine which one this is and I believe it to be the Royals. They do sport a bit of a crown of feathers on their heads.

Its the Tern's Turn This Week

They seem so arrow dynamic on windy days as they lean into the wind perched on post.

Its the Tern’s Turn This Week

by Sandra J

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two egrets in water
What is Snowy and Great

What is Snowy and Great

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What is Snowy and Great, that would be two different species of Egret Birds. The Snowy Egret has a black bill and a touch of yellow around the eyes. Much smaller than the great egret as well.

What is Snowy and Great
What is Snowy and Great

The Great Egret, as shown below, has always impressed me with their large wing spans. I love to try and photograph these beautiful birds when the are flying over water, to capture the tips of their wings just grazing the water is a fun challenge to do. One has to sit patiently for quite awhile to do this sometimes.

egret flying over water

The Snowy Egret below enjoying the fresh catch of the day.

What is Snowy and Great
What is Snowy and Great

What is Snowy and Great

by Sandra J

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two pelicans in flight
Birds Flying In Sync

Birds Flying In Sync

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Birds Flying In Sync, I love watching birds in flight, especially in a group or a pair. Amazing how the timeing of their wing beats can be so in sync for just a moment in time as you watch them. To see them fly in formation is breathtaking to me as well.

There are two well-supported and complementary explanations for why birds fly in formation. One is to conserve energy by taking advantage of the upwash vortex fields created by the wings of the birds in front. The other is to facilitate orientation and communication among the birds.

Birds Flying In Sync
Birds Flying In Sync
goose landing on water
Birds Flying In Sync
  • pelicans in flight
brown pelicans flying together

Birds Flying In Sync

by Sandra J

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driving into a tunnel
Through the Tunnel & Over the Bridge

Through the Tunnel & Over the Bridge

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Through the Tunnel & Over the Bridge to New Adventures We Go 😉

Someday is Here

Through the Tunnel & Over the Bridge

You know how some of us say; ” Someday I am going to go on that big trip”, or Someday I will do __________.

Well, the word someday usually means never. I heard that in a movie that the actor Tom Cruise is in. He said that line.

Someday is here and our journey continues. I look forward to sharing photos of God’s Country along the way. I wish you all a wonderful weekend. Try to never put off what you can do today until someday. Life is a gift,

Watch this video on YouTube.
Sandra J's Photography

Life is a gift and death is a homecoming to me.  Our body’s are on loan to us just for a short time to enjoy the wonderful things He gives us.  I did not grow up in a Christian family at all.  A neighbor told me a little bit about it when I was 10 years old and I have been searching for the truth ever since.

He never meant for it to be a mystery; it is the gift of life. Finding my purpose has been the journey, the end will just be the beginning.

Through the Tunnel & Over the Bridge

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trees of the south
Twist and Turns

Twist and Turns

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Twist and Turns is the design of this tree, plus it is a great spot for the birds to perch on high above the forest floor. The trees in the south have so many different designs to them. Amazing how the branches seem to go in all different directions.

Twist and Turns

She was framed by His words to represent His Creation

Twist and Turns
Twist and Turns

Have a Wonderful Weekend

Twist and Turns

by Sandra J

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butterfly on mum flowers
A Wonderful Day to Give Thanks

A Wonderful Day to Give Thanks

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A Wonderful Day to Give Thanks, flowers tend to dress up any thing we put them on. Whether it is our tables for special holidays like today, or like this old brick walkway, that has beautiful iron railings and worn bricks leading into a rose garden in this particular park. Video Below showing the flowers as we walk through this park.

A Wonderful Day to Give Thanks

They added cascading mum plants to this entry way, which changes the look to a more colorful vibrant entrance on it now. What I can not share with you here is the wonderful aroma coming from these flowers. I never realized mum plants smelled this good, but when you get enough of them together it is amazing.

A Wonderful Day to Give Thanks

Happy thanksgiving for many folks today, I hope everyone can enjoy a peacful day with family and friends or just spend some time out in nature. That is where I like to be the most.

Thank you to all of you who happen to come across my blog post here, I appreciate the time you take to view these photos and leave comments. I enjoy reading your words and am thankful for all the kind thoughts that you share every day. I enjoy sharing what I see through the lens of my camera with you and hope it brightens your day.

Happy Thanksgiving

Watch this video on YouTube.
Sandra J's Photography
A Wonderful Day to Give Thanks

A Wonderful Day to Give Thanks

by Sandra J

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sand piper
New Birds to the Collection

New Birds to the Collection

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New Birds to the Collection, well this first photo is a new bird to my eyes. It is called a green heron. It was at dusk when I took this photo, so it does not show the beautiful color this bird really is. It is a short stocky bird to say the least.

The Green Heron is one of the world’s few tool-using bird species. It often creates fishing lures with bread crusts, insects, and feathers, dropping them on the surface of the water to entice small fish.

New Birds to the Collection

This one is a Blue Heron, but I am thinking it might be a younger one. It is a lot smaller than the ones I usually see and its feathers were much bluer than the adults.

New Birds to the Collection

Of course one can not be on a beach without seeing the sandpiper birds. They are so commical to watch, they walk so fast, well they always look like they are running. They are not vey shy, they come right up to you most of the time to check out what you are doing on their beach.

New Birds to the Collection

by Sandra J

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two ducks in the flowers
Precious Are We

Precious Are We

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Precious Are We, these two lovely ducks were walking along in the park. One looks a little ruffled, maybe it is the younger of the two. I added some flowers to the photo because they just looked like they should be enjoying flowers on this beautiful Autumn day. But there was another duck not far behind them. A grumpy looking duck to say the least.

Precious Are We

Now it could just be the dark feathers around his eye, but he looks like he is having a bad day, giving my the ole stink eye like some of the deer did last year when I photographed them. 🙂

Precious Are We

He is unique, but I have to say his feathers are just as beautiful as the two from above.

His back feathers look like a warm throw blanket, with a beautiful design all his own.

Precious Are We

by Sandra J

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fishing on the beach
Morning Noon and Night

Morning Noon and Night

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Morning Noon and Night, there is always something going on at the beaches. From people just walking on the beach to fishing with very tall fishing poles. (video below)

Morning Noon and Night

To pelicans sunning themselves during the heat of the day. You can find them easy enough during the day stitting on a post in the water, cleaning their feathers.

But come sunset, the beaches empty out, the lights are low. That is when we enjoy a walk on the beach the most. Just remember to bring a flashlight if you lose track of time.

So the evening and the morning were the second day and the dry land could appear.

Morning Noon and Night

Sunrise of Gold

Watch this video on YouTube.
Sandra J's Photography

Have a Wonderful Weekend

by Sandra J

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gull at the beach
Hot Sand Hot Sand

Hot Sand Hot Sand

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Hot Sand Hot Sand, or just doing a little dance. It is a very windy day and the sand is blowing giving these photos a nice whitish background. The birds don’t seem to mind the sand blowing, but the salt spray tends to leave a sticky residue on your glasses, cameras and skin.

Hot Sand Hot Sand
Hot Sand Hot Sand

Hot Sand Hot Sand

by Sandra J

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osprey bird in flight
The Osprey in Flight

The Osprey in Flight

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The Osprey in Flight, these photos were taken next to the ocean as we walked along the beach. This gorgrous osprey was doing a little fishing. They dive into the water just like the brown pelicans to catch their fish. I did not see them hit the water, but I am thinking they catch their fish with their claws instead. The last photo shows their amazing claws.

The Osprey in Flight
The Osprey in Flight

The Osprey in Flight

by Sandra J

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Sandra J

Sandra J

I am a traveling photographer, I like to travel rural America, the roads less traveled when I can. I love the great outdoors, my Photo Galleries contain Landscapes, wild life and a few just for fun photos. Thank you and have a great day.

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