I enjoyed a very lovely stroll around the grounds of the Virginia Living Museum today, it had been a while since I was able to walk around the museum as a guest.  I walked around the museum with a friend and her young daughter,  it was a nice change to slow down and see the details we so often overlook in busy everyday life.  Here are a few of the images I took from this morning. Enjoy. 

"The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources." - Albert Einstein

Last Tuesday, I went on an adventure to the Zoo with a friend.  I hadn't been to the Norfolk Zoo in years, and was looking forward to the trip.  In preparation for my trip, I spent an hour or so, Monday night, cruising the internet looking for tips and tricks about shooting Zoo photography.  Now I know some of you are probably wondering why on earth would I spend any time at all looking for such a thing, I mean photography isn't that hard, you point the camera and click the button that takes the picture.  Although you are correct in that sense, over the past year or so, I've learned that in order to take really magnificent pictures (the ones we all aspire to take) that maybe a little research is necessary.  My DSLR camera is still new to me, although I have owned it for about a year now, I'm still figuring out how to use it to best suit me.  For that reason, I always put in time to research anytime I will be in an environment I am not used to shooting in.  For example, last December, I went to the Luray Caverns  while on vacation.  I knew that if I wanted any usable images from the caverns I would have to research how best to take pictures in such an environment, or I would end up spending the first half of my trip trying to determine which settings my camera should be on (here are a few images from that adventure).

In my research about Zoo photography, it was simple, try to take pictures where the animals look like they are in their natural habitat, move around and try to avoid fences.  Simple enough right... I learned that animals that are more "dangerous" to the general public are harder to shoot then those that are more docile, because predatory animals need bigger fences or more substantial fences.  I also learned that Zoo animals live an "easier" life then wild animals, which means to capture really unique pictures, I would have to be patient and willing to stand around for a little while.  Either way, I think I did pretty good, and am rather proud of the images I managed.  Not to mention, who doesn't love a day trip to the zoo!! Enjoy!

Baby Siamang (primate)

Fennec Fox

Malayan Tiger

Slender-Tailed Meerkat

Baby Giraffe

Giraffe

Bongo

Male & Female Ostrich

African Elephant

Grant's Zebra

Squirrel Monkey

"Surrender to what is, let go of what was, have faith in what will be" - Sonia Ricotti

Today's post is all about being in the RIGHT place at the RIGHT time.  Over the last week or so I have been doing some "research" on how to better use my Nikon D5100.  While I was sitting out in the backyard playing with buttons and nobs, this lovely butterfly decided to grace me with his presence.  I have found that butterfly/insect photography requires a LOT of patience and being in the RIGHT place at the RIGHT time.  We all have those moments when we see something that would be the PERFECT picture, but we don't have our cameras, or maybe you have the wrong lens on.. Maybe you were surfing the internet and came across other people's photographs and wonder why you can't take pictures like that.... in those moments its ok to feel frustrated, but it is never ok to think you are a bad photographer.  Taking amazing pictures comes with practice and more importantly good nature/animal photography comes with LOTS of patience and being willing to put in the time to wait for that perfect moment to happen for you... being in the right place at the right time. 

"A bird sitting on a tree is never afraid of the branch breaking, because her trust is not on the branch but on it's own wings.  Always believe in yourself."

This past weekend I came home to find a friend inhabiting our front step.  This young fella was only a fledgling and still relied heavily on his mother to bring him food, which is why he was sitting about 3 feet from the tree that held the nest.  Each year, we have a Mockingbird that takes residence in this little shrub/tree in our front year.  I decided to affectionately call the little guy Mock, in part to the whole him being a Mockingbird thing, and in part to the fact that he has the most adorable grumpy old man face.  I enjoyed observing him from afar while he was on the front step.. it wasn't until he left the step that things got a little more animated.

 Mockingbirds are known for their "wing display," why they do this is often contested but non-the-less it is definitely something that fledglings learn from their parents, because Mock jumped off the front step and started strutting his stuff. 

Here are a few pictures of Mom from a few days before...

Here is one more of Mock, this time he had spotted me and decided to lay low and not draw to much attention to himself... look at his grumpy little face.

This time of year it is especially important to keep an eye on your pets when they are outside, especially if they like to go after moving objects (My dog Max is always on the look out for a fledgling).  Equally as important, birds are wild animals, they are MEANT to fend for themselves.  If you come across a baby bird, or really any baby animal, unless it is CLEARLY bleeding out, they will be fine, you don't have to interfere on their behalf, I guarantee Mom is somewhere close by (Mock's mother was sitting on the wires above my yard THE WHOLE TIME I was taking his picture).  Remember we live in THEIR habitat... they don't live in ours. 

"It is impossible for the emotions arising from the sublime to be felt beyond what they are here; so beautiful an arch, so elevated, so light, and springing as it were up to heaven, the rapture of the spectator is really indescribable!" 

- Thomas Jefferson

Yesterday, the fam and I filed into the car and drove to Natural Bridge, Virginia.  If you have never been to the Natural Bridge, then you are unaware of the walk you have to take in order to reach the bridge and Lace Falls.  We walked down 137 steps to reach the bridge, 1500 yards to reach lace falls, 1500 yards BACK to the bridge, and 137 steps BACK to the butterfly house/gift shop.  And although 3000 yards may not sound like a lot to some of you, all we have been doing this week is walking up and down mountains... By time we got back to the gift shop, we were a BIT tired.  However, it is really not fair to complain, because the Natural Bridge was amazing.  You walk around the corner and its like BAM, twenty stories of solid rock, shaped into an arch.  As you walk toward the bridge, on the Cedar Creek Nature Trail, you are immersed in nature.  Cedar Creek runs the length of the trail, and as you walk the half mile to mile long trail toward Lace Falls, you encounter both plants and animals.  Below I have posted a photograph of myself in front of the Natural Bridge, and a photograph of Lace Falls. 

After completing the trail, we stopped by their indoor Butterfly house to look at some of the butterfly species they had on display. 

After the Natural Bridge and Butterfly House, we once again filed back into the car and drove the short drive to the Natural Bridge Caverns.  It wasn't a remarkably long trip, but it was still enjoyable to get out of the heat (it was freezing down in the caverns).  

We once again got BACK in the car, this time we drove over to Lexington, VA to see the campuses of Washington & Lee and VMI, both were beautiful, and I could definitely see why President Trible (graduate of Washington and Lee) has built up CNU in it's image, it is stunning.  

We grabbed a bite to eat and headed back up the mountain to our resort.  I have seen a number of DIFFERENT animals over the last few days, and wanted to share with you once more, the nature I have come across while in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  

Enjoy. 

Two Fawns, snacking on the Golf Course

Baby Goose

Moth. 

Blue-Tailed Skink

Northern Water Snake (I saw two different ones)

Daddy Long-Legs.

"The earth is what we all have in common" - Wendell Berry

Since Friday, I have been on vacation in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  I have enjoyed myself so far, and look forward to what is to come over the next few days! Although I'm staying at a "resort"it definitely doesn't feel like it, making it an ideal place to spend some quality time out in nature. Yesterday I spent an hour walking around the area where I'm staying to see what critters I could find.  My experiences with the nature museum were tremendously useful as I found myself being able to identify a number of the animals I came across on my walk.   Below you will find a few of the images I took as I explored.

Eastern Chipmunk

White-Tailed Deer

(Same Deer as above) - Side Story: There was a bunch of boulders about 100 feet from where she was foraging.  I sat down on the boulder in the hopes of minimizing my movements. As she walked around looking for food she kept an eye on me, but apparently felt enough at ease to lie down and rest for a little while, with me sitting no more than 100 feet from her. 

Woodchuck (aka Groundhog)

Northern Flicker Woodpecker

As the week continues, and I spend more time hiking and walking around the resort, I will be sure to post additional images.  I hope you enjoyed!

"In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks." - john muir 

Over the past ten years I have had the privilege of volunteering and working at an amazing Nature Museum.  In that time I have met many people, some of which I can honestly still call some of my closest friends.  I have also had the opportunity to capture them doing what they do best.  Enjoy.