The Birds

An encounter with a Green Heron. Mr. MB and I were on a photo-walkabout along the Mississippi River at Coon Rapids Dam Park when we spotted this green heron wading in the shallows and spearing minnows. Surprisingly, he flew into the tree behind us directly overhead. He was not camera shy either.

Wait for Me

I spent considerable time playing cat and mouse to get a good photo of this deer. She was quite camera shy at first, making sure something was in between her and the camera. I all but gave up, turned toward the trail and continued my hike. Much to my surprise, she followed me. When I stopped and turned, she kept on walking toward me and stopped 50 feet (15 meters) from me before she stopped. We stood for a few moments staring at each other before she bound off into the woods.

Snap E Tom

This big snapping turtle was walking along side of the paved bicycle trail.
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(By the way, does anyone remember Snap E Tom Tomato and Chile Cocktail?)

Birdman

A nesting Flicker

Scarlet Tanager

A Fawn Is Born

Continuing on my hike along the Mississippi River, I caught movement on the island across the river. This doe was glaring at me and watching over her fawn.

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Sentinal Heron

This Heron is standing on the spillway of the Coon Rapids Dam. High above on the dam walkway, I got a pretty good shot of him.

A Walk In The Park

Are we there, yet?
Newborn fawn struggles to keep up with it's mother. They left the grasslands of the park and headed across the parking lot. The mother was cautious as there were plenty of people around. Two people were watching from a picnic table, two were rollerblading, five bicyclists, and us to walking roving photographers.

The little fawn scrambled to keep up with it's long unstable legs. She hopped and bopped around with here legs comically moving about.

If I can't see or hear you, you're not there.
then she got tired. Instead of following her mother across the parking lot, she sought refuse in the shade of this tree.

Too tired to move.
And move she didn't. fifteen minutes later, we left the park, driving by this little deer by the tree. She didn't flinch as other cars passed by.
I have taken and posted a lot of photos from this park since I have been laid-off from work. T is a whole world to enjoy during the day, and I'm taking full advantage of it. This outdoor photography fun will end when the economy changes and jobs are available. Then I will miss this little deer.

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Geese 'O Landing

Geese coming in for a landing with a noisy ruckus. The serene turtle pond is disturbed by these honking geese.

Gabby and Abby

"Hey, don't look back, but there is a biped stalking us".
A bit of anthropomorphizing but have you ever wondered what our subjects think when we are in their space trying to get that perfect photo?

Two Years

Today marks the second anniversary of the North Metro Blogspot. I've been at this photo-blogging for two years, here is my first post. The direction and scope has changed a number of times and I think I have improved in this hobby. I hope to continue to keep this fresh with new ideas and techniques. In the meantime, please enjoy these egret photos.

Great Egret

Kermit?

Gotta' Scratch

I tagged along behind this deer for 15 minutes. She didn't seem to mind my presence, but always tried to keep a tree or shrub between us.

Turtle Log

The sun's warmth draws everyone out to bask in it's glory. Unfortunately, it is rush hour in this pond.

R & R

Rest and Relaxation.
These suburban deer are quite used to people walking the trails through the park reserve. She kept a wary eye on me while continuing to rest in the ferns.

Peregrine Falcon

Raptor Release at Richardson Nature Center in Bloomington, Minnesota. This handsome falcon posed for us photographers.

Mother Goose

Out for a brisk walk

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Tagged

Christopher of Denmark tagged me yesterday.
The rules are simple: Tag and link back to the person who tagged you. List six (un) important things that make you happy. Tag six bloggers and let them know they're “it”. We all feel this blogging community to be one of inclusion and friendship.

My six (un) important things that make me happy:
a hike with my camera
post processing photos
the smell of fresh baked bread
veiwing a Manchester United match
baseball
a bicycle ride

My six tagged bloggers :
Chandler A to Z
Babzy Photos
Emm in London
Just Roaming the Cities
Photography by Alex
Cheltenham Daily Photo

Egret Fan

Practice with panning. Now if I can get him to stand still in a pond for a reflection photo.

Synchronized Sunbathing

The next Olympic Event

Rocky

Great Horned Owl chick. We quietly walked through the woods and spotted this owl chick. We were a considerane distance away using a focalpoint of 300mm. I also had to crop the image. I'm really wishing I had that 500mm to eliminate the cropping process.

Mr. White

A sports break; congratulations to Barcelona yesterday's match against Chelsea. UEFA Champions League. Barcelona scored in the 90 +2 mark to tie the match and proceed to the finals. I've been following this League on ESPN most of winter and spring. I'll wager anyone a Guinness on a Manchester United win in Rome on May 27th.

White duck in Mississippi River. Friendly duck, the only white duck in the area. He spends his time with three other drake mallards along the island shore, and o course me on this day.

Osprey

Osprey in flight.
Notice the split wing. He suffered this injury years ago from a fight with a Bald Eagle.

Nesting pair, he brings wood material for nest building on the platform. Since this photo, they moved to their other nest on the power tower. More to come.