Are you interested in learning more about photography and improving your nature images? I will be teaching a beginning nature photography class in about 3 weeks.
I just completed teaching a course in May. Through a grant from the Community Foundation of Morgan County, the Morgan County Soil and Water Conservation District was able to sponsor a 5 night class with 2 field sessions this past May. We had a wonderful class and the participant's photographs are currently on display in the Morgan County Public Library after being on display in the County Administration Bldg..
The new class will meet Thursdays nights--September 27, October 4, and October 11, 2012 at 6:30-8:30 pm. The location will be the Sadler Room (first floor) in County Administration Building at 180 S. Main St. in Martinsville, Indiana. We will also have an optional field session to be scheduled once class meets. You should bring your camera manual and camera equipment with you to the classes.
The fee will be $45 per person for the three class nights and field session. There is an optional fee if you would like to participate in having one of your images (taken during these three weeks), on exhibit in the County Administration Bldg. The optional fee is $30 for the cost to cover the printing and mounting. You would receive the photograph at the end of the exhibition.
Whether you have a point and shoot camera or a DSLR, you will learn info and techniques to improve your photographic skills. We will touch upon taking people photos but not in depth.
You do NOT have to be a Morgan County resident!
Sign up soon! Please register by calling or emailing the Morgan County Soil and Water Conservation District:
765-349-2060 or sbarnett@morgancounty.in.gov. You can LIKE them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/MorganCountySoilWaterConservationDistrict
Check out my website at: www.jonijamesphotography.com
Don't forget to LIKE my HeronWatch Nature Programs on Facebook: www.facebook.com/HeronwatchNaturePrograms
Friday, September 7, 2012
CT Scans & Mysteries Inside Butterfly Chrysalides
If you love butterflies . . . If you marvel at them and stand in awe at the mysteries of their metamorphosis . . . then read on and go to the link I have posted below.
Richard Stringer, a biologist from Pennsylvania was marveling at the transformation of a Monarch butterfly within the chrysalis. when he decided to see if he could gather images with X-rays, MRIs and X-ray microtomography.
From the imaging & other nanotechnology that has been done on Monarch butterfly chrysalides, it was discovered that
Richard Stringer persuaded an Allentown company, Micro Photonics Inc., which uses CT scans (computerized axial tomography) to inspect the quality of paint chips, to do scans of chrysalides. They have produced some of the most revealing and amazing images inside the chrysalis.
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| Monarch Butterfly ©Joni L. James |
Richard Stringer, a biologist from Pennsylvania was marveling at the transformation of a Monarch butterfly within the chrysalis. when he decided to see if he could gather images with X-rays, MRIs and X-ray microtomography.
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| Monarch Chrysalis ©Joni L. James |
From the imaging & other nanotechnology that has been done on Monarch butterfly chrysalides, it was discovered that
- Some of the butterfly organs have already formed by the time the caterpillar has completed the chrysalis.
- The butterfly's brain was visible from day one.
- Before the caterpillar changes, the cellular structure precursors to different organs were evident.
- The caterpillar's (larva) head disappears, but the eye tissue remains to become the butterfly's eyes.
- The flight muscle and reproductive tissue mature during the roughly 10-day metamorphosis.
- The gold spots on the outside of a chrysalis are actually ports of entry for oxygen.
- Tracheal tubes inside the chrysalis bathes each cell of the insect with oxygen as the organs develop.
- The butterfly has a heart which is actually a tube that extends the length of the butterfly and has six or seven pumps along it to collect, not blood, but waste.
Richard Stringer persuaded an Allentown company, Micro Photonics Inc., which uses CT scans (computerized axial tomography) to inspect the quality of paint chips, to do scans of chrysalides. They have produced some of the most revealing and amazing images inside the chrysalis.
You must go to the link, read the article by Ad Crable, and view these wonderful images: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/717720_Local-scientist-unravels-mysteries-inside-a-butterfly-chrysalis.html#ixzz25n4SxhSU
Bearing witness to the beauty of the earth and your local wildness.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Let's Talk About "Who-cooks-for-you?"
Let's talk about the owl whose call sounds as if it's saying "Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you al-l-l-l-l!" I heard a Barred Owl (Strix varia) last night across the lake. It is one of the sounds in nature that I treasure.
Barred Owls (BAOW) are the nocturnal counterparts of Red-shouldered Hawks. Barred Owls dwell in moist bottomland woodlands, ravines, and swamps. Crayfish, water snakes, rodents, insects, small birds, and frogs are examples of their prey.
They range in size from 16-24 inches with a wingspan of 38-50 inches. They are not the largest of our owls in Indiana, that distinction belongs to the Great horned Owl. Barred Owls are next in size. They have a rounded head with no ear tufts and are gray-brown in color. They have large liquid black eyes-- at a distance the iris looks brown; at close range they appear blue-black.
Barred Owls nest in tree cavities and abandoned nests of crows and hawks. Nesting season is during the winter months (as it is for most owl species here). Courtship is a noisy performance. They are particularly vocal during late fall and early winter when trying to attract mates. They will call throughout the night especially under a full moon. You can often hear them on cloudy days especially during the winter.
BAOW usually lay a clutch of 2-4 eggs. Incubation is mostly by the female taking 28-32 days. Fledging takes place 40-45 days. Barred Owls are not migratory so they are here all year round.
If you hear the calls of a Barred Owl, you will never forget it. I encourage you to listen to the link below to hear the maniacal calls, barks, cackles, and wails of this wonderful raptor.
Listen at night, dawn, dusk, and on cloudy winter days . . . you just might experience the hair on the back of your neck rise!
A Cornell Lab of Ornithology youtube link to hear a recording of BAOW calling:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5zc-NHIipw
{Note: The Barred Owl in these images is Elmo, an owl who is a permanent resident at the Indiana Raptor Center. The IRC rehabilitates injured raptors and provides educational programs on bird of prey. They are dedicated individuals at the center who do tremendous work. Consider booking them for programs and/or donating to their passion & cause. Link: www.indianaraptorcenter.org}
You can always leave comments at the end of each post. Let me know what you think of Barred Owls & experiences you may have had!
Barred Owls (BAOW) are the nocturnal counterparts of Red-shouldered Hawks. Barred Owls dwell in moist bottomland woodlands, ravines, and swamps. Crayfish, water snakes, rodents, insects, small birds, and frogs are examples of their prey.
 |
| Barred Owl (captive) ©Joni L. James |
They range in size from 16-24 inches with a wingspan of 38-50 inches. They are not the largest of our owls in Indiana, that distinction belongs to the Great horned Owl. Barred Owls are next in size. They have a rounded head with no ear tufts and are gray-brown in color. They have large liquid black eyes-- at a distance the iris looks brown; at close range they appear blue-black.
Barred Owls nest in tree cavities and abandoned nests of crows and hawks. Nesting season is during the winter months (as it is for most owl species here). Courtship is a noisy performance. They are particularly vocal during late fall and early winter when trying to attract mates. They will call throughout the night especially under a full moon. You can often hear them on cloudy days especially during the winter.
BAOW usually lay a clutch of 2-4 eggs. Incubation is mostly by the female taking 28-32 days. Fledging takes place 40-45 days. Barred Owls are not migratory so they are here all year round.
 |
| Barred Owl (captive) ©Joni L. James |
If you hear the calls of a Barred Owl, you will never forget it. I encourage you to listen to the link below to hear the maniacal calls, barks, cackles, and wails of this wonderful raptor.
Listen at night, dawn, dusk, and on cloudy winter days . . . you just might experience the hair on the back of your neck rise!
A Cornell Lab of Ornithology youtube link to hear a recording of BAOW calling:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5zc-NHIipw
{Note: The Barred Owl in these images is Elmo, an owl who is a permanent resident at the Indiana Raptor Center. The IRC rehabilitates injured raptors and provides educational programs on bird of prey. They are dedicated individuals at the center who do tremendous work. Consider booking them for programs and/or donating to their passion & cause. Link: www.indianaraptorcenter.org}
You can always leave comments at the end of each post. Let me know what you think of Barred Owls & experiences you may have had!
Monday, September 3, 2012
Burkhart Creek County Park Visit
I visited Burkhart Creek County Park (BCCP) today in the late morning. I had not been there for a while and had time to make a quick stop. BCCP is one of the two county parks we currently have here in Morgan County, Indiana.
Burkhart Creek County Park will be a real gem in the coming years. There has been much work at creating a wonderful nature park for our community to enjoy. There are walking trails, picnic tables, shelters, and soon restroom facilities. The area has been recently planted with many trees and prairie grasses and wildflowers. A wetland has been restored with the planting of many wetland plants and trees. Now we just need precipitation.
We received a good dose of precipitation over the weekend and I hoped to find some water in the wetland today. Did I? Nope. There was a small amount of standing water but it was in the far south end near the willow stand. We need much more rain. The plantings have all suffered as a result of the drought and brutal record breaking temperatures this summer. Burkhart Creek County Park is a wonderful location for those who enjoy the beauty and solitude of nature. Once the plantings rebound, it should be a stellar site for those who enjoy observing, studying, photographing, and communing with our local natural history.
I did hear White-eyed Vireos, Indigo Buntings, American Goldfinches, and Carolina Wrens calling near the wetland area. I saw numerous Indigo Bunting fledglings and adults. Most are molting at this time.
We are into September already and swinging into autumn. It has been a long hot summer. I believe summer began in March this year, didn't it?
Burkhart Creek County Park will be a real gem in the coming years. There has been much work at creating a wonderful nature park for our community to enjoy. There are walking trails, picnic tables, shelters, and soon restroom facilities. The area has been recently planted with many trees and prairie grasses and wildflowers. A wetland has been restored with the planting of many wetland plants and trees. Now we just need precipitation.
We received a good dose of precipitation over the weekend and I hoped to find some water in the wetland today. Did I? Nope. There was a small amount of standing water but it was in the far south end near the willow stand. We need much more rain. The plantings have all suffered as a result of the drought and brutal record breaking temperatures this summer. Burkhart Creek County Park is a wonderful location for those who enjoy the beauty and solitude of nature. Once the plantings rebound, it should be a stellar site for those who enjoy observing, studying, photographing, and communing with our local natural history.
I did hear White-eyed Vireos, Indigo Buntings, American Goldfinches, and Carolina Wrens calling near the wetland area. I saw numerous Indigo Bunting fledglings and adults. Most are molting at this time.
We are into September already and swinging into autumn. It has been a long hot summer. I believe summer began in March this year, didn't it?
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| White-eyed Vireo (not at BCCP) ©Joni L. James |
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| Shelter at BCCP ©Joni L. James |
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| Black-eyed Susans in bloom at BCCP ©Joni L. James |
Saturday, August 25, 2012
American Lotus: A Sacred Symbol of Beauty
American lotus, Nelumbo lutea, has been in bloom for a while now. It grows in a local wetland area and is a beautiful sight. This plant is prolific and has to be managed or it will over-take a wetland.
The plant's genus name, Nelumbo means "sacred bean. In many cultures the American lotus is sacred and a symbol of beauty.
It grows along the muddy shores of ponds, quiet streams, or rivers from the water's edge to a depths over 6 feet. The plant propagates from seed but also from rhizomes.
The crinkled leaf slowly opens during warm days and becomes a large pad with a depression in the center where the stem connects from underneath. The leaves are often a width of 1-2 feet. The leaves float on the surface or extend 1- 2 feet above the water.
Flower buds arise from the same root-stock as the leaves. The bud is large and egg- shaped, and encased in several layers of scales and sepals. In the center of each flower is a flat- topped, buttery colored receptacle. This is the pistil (the female parts), and clustered around it are dozens of yellow stamens (male). The flowers open in the morning and, at first, reveal only the female parts. This leads to cross-pollination because the insects that earlier visited older flowers with exposed stamens now crawl over the pistils of the young flowers.
Each flower closes at night and lasts about 2 days. After the petals drop off, the center of the flower continues to grow and eventually reaches a diameter of about 3 inches. In this pod are about 20 holes, each containing a seed. The seedpods bend over and fall into the water where they will rot and release the seeds. In spring some of the seeds will begin to germinate, float to the surface, and drift ashore. Here, at the water's edge, a rhizome begins growing and a new plant begins its journey.
Beauty abounds in a pond or stream where the "Sacred Bean" grows-- a most definite symbol of beauty.
All Photos: © Joni L. James
The plant's genus name, Nelumbo means "sacred bean. In many cultures the American lotus is sacred and a symbol of beauty.
It grows along the muddy shores of ponds, quiet streams, or rivers from the water's edge to a depths over 6 feet. The plant propagates from seed but also from rhizomes.
The crinkled leaf slowly opens during warm days and becomes a large pad with a depression in the center where the stem connects from underneath. The leaves are often a width of 1-2 feet. The leaves float on the surface or extend 1- 2 feet above the water.
Flower buds arise from the same root-stock as the leaves. The bud is large and egg- shaped, and encased in several layers of scales and sepals. In the center of each flower is a flat- topped, buttery colored receptacle. This is the pistil (the female parts), and clustered around it are dozens of yellow stamens (male). The flowers open in the morning and, at first, reveal only the female parts. This leads to cross-pollination because the insects that earlier visited older flowers with exposed stamens now crawl over the pistils of the young flowers.
Each flower closes at night and lasts about 2 days. After the petals drop off, the center of the flower continues to grow and eventually reaches a diameter of about 3 inches. In this pod are about 20 holes, each containing a seed. The seedpods bend over and fall into the water where they will rot and release the seeds. In spring some of the seeds will begin to germinate, float to the surface, and drift ashore. Here, at the water's edge, a rhizome begins growing and a new plant begins its journey.
Beauty abounds in a pond or stream where the "Sacred Bean" grows-- a most definite symbol of beauty.
All Photos: © Joni L. James
Friday, August 24, 2012
Green Heron
At another location here in Morgan County, I have been "working" a Green Heron. This wetland allows me to pull up and use my car as a blind. I just have to hope the heron will forage along the southwestern edge of the shallow pond.
I enjoy watching these shorter legged birds hunt. They crouch and then wait and wait and wait. When they move, they either move incredibly slowly or will run to where they see potential food.
I admire the heron and egret family for their amazing patience and ability to stand in one position for a very l-o-n-g time.
A few Green Heron (Butorides virescens) photos to share:
All photos ©Joni L. James
I enjoy watching these shorter legged birds hunt. They crouch and then wait and wait and wait. When they move, they either move incredibly slowly or will run to where they see potential food.
I admire the heron and egret family for their amazing patience and ability to stand in one position for a very l-o-n-g time.
A few Green Heron (Butorides virescens) photos to share:
All photos ©Joni L. James
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Winged Angels: Part III
This is Part III-- sharing another sampling of my photos from my divine experience with Great Egrets almost a week ago . . . and a juvenile Great Blue Heron.
All photos © Joni L. James
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