That One-In-A-Million Shot!

Dwight’s recent email calling for photos for the TMN calendar got me thinking…. I need to send in that perfect photo.  As I was looking through folders and folders of photos on the computer I found that One-In-A-Million shot… you know the one... something that just can’t be duplicated.   I give you, my One-In-A-Million shot:

Point Bolivar Lighthouse, Bolivar Peninsula.

Now, let me just say that my one-in-a-million shots are usually about timing more than anything else.  That’s the Point Bolivar Lighthouse on Bolivar Peninsula and yes, that’s a streetlight almost perfectly framed right in front.  Rick and I were driving back from birding so this picture was taken while traveling about 45 miles an hour.  What excellent timing!  Who could ever reproduce this wonderful shot?!   Ha ha…  That’s why I say I take one-in-a-million shots.

Actually, I’m quite good at taking bad pictures.  Lately when I’ve been trying to take pictures of birds around the house and other nearby places I seem to time it when they’re looking at me.  I just need to add a conversation bubble to say, "Hey!  What are you looking at?"

Northern Cardinal, Ruby-Throated Hummingbird and Swainson's Hawk posing for the camera (left to right).

Or, the bird will be there one minute and disappear the next.

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, here and gone.

Not properly focusing the camera, getting the subject partially in the frame, or missing the subject completely… that’s me!  So now, for your viewing pleasure… my horrible photos.  Enjoy!

Blurry katydid on the side of the house.

Blurry male Summer Tanager, female Orchard Oriole, and two male Indigo Buntings at the drip at Boy Scout Woods, High Island.

Two female Orchard Orioles at the fountain through the window screen.

Common Nighthawk, upper center of the photo.

First year male Summer Tanager.

Bell's Roadside Skipper.

Yellow-throated Vireo preening so it's head is missing.

Ground shot... there was a bird there, honest!

These are examples of what NOT to send to Dwight!   I’m sure you have much better photos for the TMN calendar!

From Dwight:

It's time to start thinking about the 2015 chapter wildlife-calendar.  Any photo of native Texas wildlife/scenery may be submitted.

Photos should be as high in resolution as possible with JPEG being the preferred format.   Members may submit up to 6 photos.  The submission deadline will be October 1st so that we can have the finished product before Thanksgiving.  Photos can be emailed to me or brought to the next TMN meeting.   Be sure to email large files separately to ensure that they go through.  Please include a description of the photo (location/species etc.). 

Start screening those photos and pick your best ones.  You photo might be on the cover next year!

Dwight doesn’t need your one-in-a-million shots… just your perfect pictures!  Remember to send them in for the calendar before October 1^st!

P.S. - If you have any one-in-a-million shots you'd like to share post them in the comments section or to the Facebook page!  

Super Moon, Super Hike!

Why go to hiking/walking at night, you ask?  Well, it’s cooler… (ok, that’s a no-brainer… especially with the recent rise in temperatures)!  Hiking in the evening also gives you a chance to appreciate a different side of nature.  The shadows make everything look unusual.  There are different critters out, of varying appendages!  Finally, during a full moon it might be so bright you might not even need a flashlight all the time!

SAFETY FIRST!!!

Before we get started... some basic rules about evening/night hikes.

Evening/night hikes are fun but if you do not know the area during the day you will not magically know it better when it gets dark!  Don’t go for a walk in an unfamiliar area.  We’ve helped people who got lost during the day at Lick Creek Park.  When it gets dark it’s even harder to get out unless you know your way around.   

  

July 2014 Super Moon at Lick Creek Park.  Photo credit: Rick Laughlin.

Bring a flashlight!  It’s surprising how quickly it can get dark.  An enjoyable evening walk can turn into a not too pleasant experience if you are not prepared for the setting sun.

Bring a phone!  Nowadays almost everyone has a mobile phone… bring it in case you need it!

Expect to see interesting things but be careful!  Obviously avoid snakes but be aware of other critters, too.  Last evening while out walking we came upon several mating pairs of walkingsticks (Southern Two-striped Walkingsticks?).  Cool, right?  Apparently, if these guys feel like they are being disturbed they will release a chemical spray that can cause temporary blindness!  Maybe this rule can also be called, don't poke bugs!

Mating pair of walkingsticks at Lick Creek Park.  

So... be careful out there!  Ok, now for the rest of the blog....


SUPER MOON!

We decided to go out last night because it was a Super Moon night.  A Super Moon is when a full or new moon is at it’s closest to the Earth.  Now only will the moon be bright (if it’s not cloudy) but it will also be BIG!

We like going to Lick Creek Park.  It cools off pretty quick and there’s a lot to see when things quiet down.  One time walking along Post Oak Trail we paused to listen and heard a “bob-white!”  It was really close and looking around we saw the bird on a fence across the street.

Northern Bobwhite seen on Post Oak Trail at Lick Creek Park.  Photo credit: Rick Laughlin

Lightning bugs come out and during the right time of year you can hear the calling of Chuck-will’s-widows.  More year-round critters include possums, armadillos, frogs and toads.  On Deer Run we’ve seen Copperheads… not the warm fuzzy critter you’d like to see in a park when it’s getting dark but they are around and need to be watched out for.  Raccoon Run Trail is a really good place to listen to insects… they’re almost too loud certain times of the year!  

Copperhead seen on Deer Run Trail at Lick Creek Park.  Photo credit: Mark McDermott.

We’ve heard Barred and Eastern Screech Owls throughout the park, too.  Just this weekend we also saw a Bobcat run in the general direction of the park (along the greenway near the Pebble Creek development).  We were leaving and saw it cross the street in front of us.  We’re hoping it ended up in the park!

Two Barred Owls seen along Deer Run Trail at Lick Creek Park.  Photo credit: Rick Laughlin.

So go out and enjoy those evening walks.  See new things!  Take pictures!  Upload them to iNaturalist and earn volunteer hours!  And most importantly, don't poke any bugs!

Thanks to Mark McDermott and Rick Laughlin for the photos!

Resources:

Super moon: Wikipedia

Walkingsticks: Wikipedia    

Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America, page 66.  

Summer 2014 Children's Program in Cameron

Trying to Eat Like a Bird!

We had a great time at the Apple Tree Children's Daycare and Preschool in Cameron, TX, teaching children about birds during June and July of 2014. The program was organized and led by the Texas Master Naturalist El Camino Real Chapter with participation of the Brazos Valley Chapter.

The Apple Tree summer program was presented in one classroom. Children ranged from approximately 5 to 9 years old. The official "graduation" was held on July 30. Seven youths were present to stencil and color a canvas bird tote bag. Gift pencils, Texas Parks and Wildlife bird feeder information booklets, bat rings, coloring books of the ten birds studied, and certificates were presented to each youth. Two bird pot holders were given to Ms. Judy (the teacher) for all her help with continuing the program between sessions.  

The youth learned about 10 birds which stay in Milam County year round. They learned the proper names, such as Northern Cardinal, Northern Mockingbird, and American Crow; and bird calls, colors, and behaviors were demonstrated with help from Audubon Plush Birds and an online Cornell University computer application. Activities included: making paper roll binoculars (to use observation and focus); learning bird body parts - specifically, bird beaks (how to pick-up food), colors (for id), and feathers (how birds fly); learning friend or foe - what is good and bad for birds; journaling about birds and other observed nature - each child was given a booklet in which to draw and write about what they saw; stenciling bird bags; making a paper roll bird feeder; imitating how birds walk and fly; and pasting and/or coloring bird pictures.

On one of the Wednesdays, volunteers took a break from birds and presented a program on animal tracks. Activities were: getting to touch animal pelts and bones, pressing animal tracks into sand; matching animal to their tracks on a game board, and coloring animals on paper and drawing the animal’s tracks. Students also took home two handouts from Texas Parks and Wildlife about animal tracks.

Master Naturalist Members who participated are: Katherine Bedrich, Cindy Bolch, Sherry Colley, Debbi Harris, Pamela Neeley (all from the El Camino Real Chapter) and Joyce Conner (from the Brazos Valley Chapter).

Even though the youth "graduated" most of the volunteers decided to continue the program through August for 2-3 more Wednesdays. Activities planned for August are: making bird feeders out of milk cartons, making paper bird houses, and reinforcing what the children were taught during June and July.

The El Camino Real Chapter plans to present a 2015 summer program, possibly on butterflies.

Written by Katherine Bedrich and Joyce Conner. Pictures by Katherine Bedrich and Joyce Conner. Posted by Joyce Conner.

Sharing a Nature Journal

Learning About the Northern Cardinal

Practice Eating Like a Bird

Seeing a Pileated Woodpecker Feeder

Seeing a Real Woodpecker Nest

Touching Animal Pelts

Matching Animal Tracks

Making Animal Tracks

Matching Animal Tracks