Hummingbirds

We've been traveling for a few weeks so haven't taken many pictures but this morning could not resist trying to capture these hummingbirds feeding in the garden.  These were taken with Canon 7D, Canon 100-400mm lens, and Canon flash with Better-Beamer.

We'll return to Florida tomorrow and hope to visit the Circle Bar B Reserve over the weekend.

Circle Bar B Reserve, Lakeland, FL

I've been back in Florida for a few weeks and had not touched the camera so visited Circle Bar B Reserve this week to see what was happening.   When we first arrived we saw four eagles circling over the marsh.  There is a lot of tall plant growth in the marsh which blocks some of the normal viewing areas.  Along Marsh Rabbit Run we found this Limpkin on a low tree limb by the trail.  He was close and I was carrying the 500mm lens so this was the result.  (did I say how much I like this lens...)

We saw several photographers along Wading Bird Way so wondered out to them to see what was happening.  There were two baby Limpkins in the underbrush along the shore.  I was surprised they would be hatching this time of the year but with our never ending summer anything can happen.

The Black Bellied Whistling Ducks are starting to return.  We saw several flocks circling over the marsh. 

It was a good visit but got warm quickly.  With Fall arriving this week maybe it will start to cool off.  For you that are in the Lakeland area a new park recently opened on the other side of Lake Hunter from the Circle B.  It is the Marshall Hampton Reserve on Thornhill Rd.  I'll be visiting there soon and will report back what I find. 

A quick note on Yellowstone.  The Lake Hotel (where I worked) will close for the season on Sunday.  I wish all my co-workers and friends a safe return home or to your next work assignment.  I look forward to joining many of you next summer at the "Lake". 

David

Yellowstone Elk

Elk (Cervus elaphus) are the most abundant large mammal found in Yellowstone.  More than 30,000 elk from 7-8 different herds summer in Yellowstone and approximately 15,000 to 22,000 winter in the park.

While driving around the park on Saturday I thought I might find Elk along the Madison River on the west entrance to the park.  Sometime in September and early October is the Elk breeding season or "rut season".   I hoped to maybe find a large bull beginning to gather his harem but only found a small group of cows with their teenagers from this years birth.  Here is a mother  still keeping a watch on her growing youngster.



These two youngsters were playing in the river's edge.



This youngster was keeping a watchful eye on the photographers along the shore of the river.

This will be my last blog post from Yellowstone.  I'll likely post a few more topics in the coming weeks from my summer here and then will switch back to Florida wildlife, primarily birds which will begin their southward migration soon. 

To my friends from Yellowstone, a big Thank You for making this a special summer and I hope to see you again. 

To my family, Thank You for allowing me the time to live my dreams and for taking care of things while I'm away.

Thanks to everyone for following my Yellowstone adventure.    David

Yellowstone Pronghorn (Antelope)

On Saturday I traveled through most of the park remembering the many photo opportunities presented to me this summer.  As I traveled through the Lamar Valley I spotted a small family of Pronghorn not far from the road.  The Pronghorn is the fastest north American land animal capable of speeds of 60 mph.  It is estimated there are less than 1,000 Pronghorn in the Yellowstone ecosystem today.

This nice Pronghorn buck appeared to be the leader of the family.  He was usually on the outside of the family grouping keeping a watchful eye.  Bucks will have horns up to 25 cm long and females will have smaller or no horns.

These two young Pronghorn are sparring in practice for when they are grown and begin fighting for territory and dominance over a group of females.

I have one more post planned with pictures of a small family of Elk.   I will be leaving the park on Thursday making my way back to Florida.

Thanks for following my Yellowstone adventure.   David

Teton National Park

It was my last weekend in the park so on Friday I returned to the Tetons to see if I could finally find a moose, hopefully the big bull moose near Moose Junction that I'd heard so much about.  On the way down I saw a Red Tailed Hawk sitting on a fence post so stopped and got this picture.

I didn't find the bull but did find this nice looking cow in a small pond on Moose Wilson Rd.  The angle and the light weren't the best but I got the following pictures.

Today I spent my last day off driving through the park looking for any photo opportunities.  I watched a family of Pronghorn play for almost an hour and later in the day saw several young Elk playing in the Madison River.  I'll post one last blog from Yellowstone with the Elk and Pronghorn in the next few days.

As always, thanks for following my Yellowstone adventure.   David

Yellowstone Bison

Approximately 3,000 to 4,000 bison live in Yellowstone.  Yellowstone is the only place in the US where bison have lived continuously since prehistoric times.  In the early 1800's bison were almost hunted to extinction by European-American settlers.  Yellowstone was the only place in the states where wild, free-ranging bison persisted into the 20th century.  Even though protected, Yellowstone’s bison were reduced by poaching to approximately two dozen animals in 1902. From that small herd has grown the two large herds now occupying Yellowstone National Park. Many people consider the protection and recovery of bison in Yellowstone to be one of the great triumphs of American conservation.

The rut (breeding season) begins in late July and goes through August. Bulls display their dominance by bellowing, wallowing, and fighting other bulls. Once a bull has found a female who is close to estrus, he will stay by her side until she is ready to mate. Then he moves on to another female.

The two bulls pictured here have picked their mating partner and are bellowing possibly to alert other bulls of their selection.

Only two more weeks before returning home to Florida.  I hope to have a few more blog posts before leaving.   This weekend I will travel to Teton Nat'l Park in search of that big bull moose that has eluded me thus far. 

As always, thanks for following my Yellowstone adventure.   David

Osprey in the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

Back in July I posted a few pictures of an Osprey nest perched on a rock pinnacle in the canyon below the lower falls on the Yellowstone River.  I visited again this week and the three chicks are ready to fly.  I expect they will make their maiden voyage this week.  I watched as they were on the edge of the nest exercising their wings expecting one to take the leap any moment. 

Remember you can "click" on a picture to see a larger image.

Only a few more weeks before returning to Florida.  Evening temperatures are getting lower and I found frost on the car this morning. 

Thanks for following my Yellowstone adventure.  David