Bearing Witness

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Winged Angels 42 Part II

As I work my way through the images I captured the other evening, I will post them to share. The images will continue to tell the story of the Winged Angels 42.

(Remember you can go to my Flickr photostream via the link on the right side of the page).

©Joni L. James

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Imagine sitting among winged angels. That was my experience last night.

After observing 42 Great Egrets for several days, I knew the time and exact site in the shallow lake to set up. I planned to photograph these beauties before they moved on. I know their patterns of feeding during the day and how they move as the sun drops lower in the sky. They typically feed at the ponds and then move to the shallow lake to forage until they gather at the back side for roosting. I had to set up at a south-southwest angle to keep them in the sweet light of the setting sun.

©Joni L. James

I loaded my photo vest with phone, notebook/pen, cushion, and clipped a five gallon bucket to the back. With my camera/200-500mm Tamron lens mounted to the tripod, and the hat blind strapped to the tripod leg, I headed out. I wore my NEOS boots (which are fabulous!) since I anticipated mud after the blessed heavy rains. After a long walk, I found my spot in the mud and made my nest. It was 6:15 pm.

©Joni L. James

My chair was the upside-down bucket with the hunting cushion. I splayed the legs of the tripod to the perfect arrangement for photographing and then put the blind over me and the equipment. I could not move or it would frighten the birds. So I waited and sat still.

Wood ducks flew in and out as well as several shorebirds. They were too far away for appropriate photos. About 6:45 pm, the first few egrets began flying into the lake. My heart raced as they began foraging within my view.

©Joni L. James

More and more began to fly into the pond as the sun made its way to the horizon. Excitement! What a satisfying feeling to have planned and set up properly so the birds would not recognize me as human and feel safe to be so close.

©Joni L. James

Soon the area in front of me was filled with egrets. The warm sunlight illuminated them against the rich green of the grasses. White birds are difficult to photograph in sunlight. I did not want to "blow out" the highlights yet underexposing could be tricky. I preferred shooting when their heads were turned to be bathed in light, but this did not always happen.

As the sun dipped below the dam, they took flight and wheeled above the lake to prepare for roosting through the night. Once they settled, I took a few more images then gingerly prepared to leave. I did not want to disturb them, but knew it was unavoidable. My body was cramped from sitting motionless for nearly three hours, but I slowly walked away.

©Joni L. James

What a satisfying evening. As they flew about and foraged on small fish, I was filled with contentment. It was a privilege to be allowed into their world and to spend those hours together. Listening to their soft conversations with each other and watching their tussles for space, I was reminded again of how life plays out in all forms each day and night. We are a part of it. We share this space. As Henry Beston stated so eloquently in The Outermost House, "For the animal shall not be measured by man. In a world older and more complete than ours they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other nations caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendour and travail of the earth.”

More to come.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Butter Light of Sunflowers

As I wrote in a previous post, a few plants are thriving in my "garden" during the drought. Today I share with you the buttery light of sunflowers as well as the interesting textures and fascinating growth of the reproductive parts. Bask in the beauty of sunflowers!

©Joni L. James

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Dickcissels: Grassland Treasures

Enjoy listening and watching this video footage of Dickcissels, grassland birds who inhabit your local countryside. Then read or reread my blog post "Speaking for Grassland Birds".

Video is shared from Music of Nature website (Lang Elliott)

www.musicofnature.org

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Plants As Metaphors--Don't Give Up

Ok . . . we are in an extreme drought and oppressive record heat. Until today, I have not had a substantial rain at my home that would really water my thirsty plants. Amazingly, there are several plants in one of my flower beds that are flourishing-- Sunflowers, Amaranthus, and Queen Anne's Lace. I don't know how. I gave up watering them 2 months ago, yet they are growing when everything else is fried. My grass is dead-- crispy dead, but Queen Anne's Lace is growing throughout.

So enjoy the photos below of these strong, persistent, and determined plants which won't give up. They are a metaphor for us . . . to be strong and know we can weather any storm. (No pun intended--although we haven't had many storms to weather . . .)

Unopened Sunflower ©Joni L. James

Amaranthus species ©Joni L. James

This flower fills my flower bed and I did not plant it (that I know of). I believe it is an Amaranthus species (maybe Amaranthus cruentus?) but if someone can confirm--please comment at the end of the post.

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

All Want Water

It has been eventful lately. We are coming into August-- we are in an extreme drought and there are not many water sources available for wildlife. I usually have Great Egrets migrate through at and around my property due to the ponds. Within the last week though, the largest number of egrets has gathered. Twenty Great Egrets as well as 20 Great Blue Herons (a rather high number also but not a record).

Yesterday, I discovered a beautiful moth fluttering outside of the local Subway restaurant. I collected it in a cup and brought it home to photograph it. During the moth's fluttering it revealed the gorgeous reddish-pink hind-wings with black bands. I hoped it would extend its wings so I could capture the rich color. It did not. Below is one of the photos-- the only one that allows a peek within. As it grew dark, this nocturnal beauty, called The Sweetheart (Catocala amatrix) flew off.

This evening a large flock of juvenile Eastern Bluebirds flew to the bird bath and battled to drink and bathe. An adult showed up also. There were seven in all and interestingly, a Carolina Chickadee and female House Finch all decided to come to the ole swimmin' hole at the same time. The bluebirds dominated the water source. The quality of the photos are not the best since I was shooting through a window inside the house.

While the bird bath was full, several were waiting their turn.

Then there was dominance . . . hierarchy . . . bullies in the bird bath.

Everyone wants refreshing water . . . especially during a drought.

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Fleeting Mink

What a surprise today! I just returned from visiting Sodalis Nature Park in Hendricks County. I stopped by this lovely park after running an errand at Mooresville. I was doing some macro photography work along the dam with Chicory and other wildflowers when suddenly I saw a dark figure scurrying among the plants on the top of the dam-- an American Mink! It quickly walked along the dam and then pause to look around. It was very difficult to see among all the vegetation, and of course I only had my 105mm macro lens on the camera at that moment. These are elusive mammals, so to get a look at one was a gift.

Below is a quick image I was able to take. Not a good photo but you can at least tell what it is.