Hide 'N Seek

The three gifts which nature and wildlife photography have taught me are: 

P A T I E N C E 

(don't rush or you might miss something you'll only see once)

O B S E R V A T I O N 

(watch for ripples in the water, leaves moving and the movement of other wildlife)

L I S T E N I N G

(rustling in the bushes and mating calls)

Some of these photos might seem obvious to you, but when you're out in nature
walking along...looking up, down, left, right, in front and behind...it's not that easy!

Of course, MANY times I could tell that the object of my attention believed I couldn't 
see him/her because they became very still and didn't move until I walked on!

  Raccoons on Sanibel Island are extremely friendly...with the exception of juveniles who

are out exploring by themselves. (Probably warned by their parents to stay away
from the red-headed lady with the camera!)

Had I not observed the rustling of the leaves, I would have missed them both.  

The water was clear and calm so I stopped to take a picture of the "water mirror"

 and when I clicked the camera, this red bird popped its head up!

Doesn't this look like a Christmas wreath?

Did he really think he could hide behind some tall weeds?!

I stopped to change the camera batteries and it wasn't until I looked through the 

lens to make sure I was good-to-go that I realized this Anhinga was trying to

blend in with the dead branches. He almost succeeded!

Had I not looked back over my right shoulder I'd have missed this pretty

Anhinga drying her feathers.

The black and white on this Anhinga blended pretty well with the tree,

until I saw her big eyes and long bill poking out the other side!

"Man, I sure hope she's not after my nesting materials!"

The look in the eyes of this Black Crowned Night Heron seems to saying:

"I can see her. Can she see me?"

"Maybe the sun will be so bright she can't spot me!" (Black Crowned Night Heron)

"Is she gone?!" (Black Crowned Night Heron)

"Uh, oh!  I've been spotted."

"Better take cover!"

Green Heron.

This Juvenile Green Heron still has some hiding techniques to master.

Hawks are experts at tree camouflage.

Look closely.

"Shucks!  Time to fly!"

I probably would have missed this Dickcissel if she hadn't been yelling at the top

of her lungs.  I don't know if she was calling out to her mate for help,

or she's a camera hog and enjoys paparazzi!

I typically see Ibis by the water scrounging for crabs, water snakes and small fish...

NOT deep into a wooded area with lots of branches to maneuver their long legs over.

This Little Blue Heron should have moved a little further back into its hiding place!

Bless this peacock's heart...you can't blame her for trying!

This Reddish Egret thought she'd try ducking under her wings.  Nice try!

Cattle Egret in evening shadows.

Even Great Egrets periodically attempt to hide among the trees.

It never works, though, because they're bodies are just too long.

Snowy Egrets, on the other hand, are a lot smaller and have an easier time,

but a white splash against green leaves is pretty easy to spot!

Squirrels are also great at hiding...

especially when they drape their looooong tail over their body.

She's not even CLOSE to being hid.

I still seeeeeeee you!

All one has to do is simply look at the hair color and you immediately know

it's a Pileated Woodpecker.  There's NO hiding for this guy!

Can you spot the female Northern Cardinal? 

Her coloring helps her blend in really well with the autumn backdrop.

This is the only time I've ever seen a hybrid Muscovy Duck in a tree!

I realize this might not seem to be a very interesting or good picture, but it was

exciting for me because this was the first time (out of only 3 times) that I've

seen an Eastern Bluebird.  I caught it landing in the center of this tree. 

Hopefully someday I'll be able to photograph it's face.  Wish me luck!

We were at White Rock last fall and I was scanning the trees with my binoculars

when I spotted this beautiful Great Blue Heron nestled against some branches.

It's times like this I wish I had a large lens camera. 

This Monk Parakeet became rather agitated when I started clicking away.

I guess he wasn't happy that I could see him, so as I was taking the pictures he...

climbed down to a lower branch and hung upside down...as if he thought that would

keep me from seeing him!  At least I got a better picture!

I shall close with this picture of a juvenile Yellow Crowned Night Heron.

I'm looking forward to cooler weather so I can, once again, 

photograph the birds and wildlife who do their best to hide from seeking eyes.

May, in each moment, Earth's bounty of beauty you embrace

all winged creatures who ride the wind with purpose and with grace.