Pretty In Pink

My morning out produced nothing for On A Roll, but when I returned home, I found the Japanese magnolia in front of my office window bursting with blooms. This scene will likely meet a tragic end in a few days or weeks when the inevitable freeze comes along and kills all of the blooms (along with my spring fever), but for today, it's a beautiful sight. 

Japanese Magnolia Blooms in January

(photo taken with Nikon P7000)

Golden Glow

No shot for On A Roll this morning, although I did consider this scene for a few moments. I don't know what I was looking for but I never saw it. There was so much potential and yet I left empty handed but warm hearted.

Pine Tree and Fog




(photo taken with Nikon P7000)

Waiting Game

The day began with a striking, pre-dawn red sky and high enthusiasm on my part for something On A Roll. Red-winged blackbirds were bursting out of the cattails surrounding me, hundreds, maybe thousands of them headed skyward all at the same time. The sight of them against the crimson backdrop was beautiful, but I waited, always conscious of having just one shot. 

Red-winged Blackbirds at Dawn

The sun was nearing the horizon when I spotted a hawk, on a dead tree, searching from his high perch over the Pearl River swamp. I set up and waited for the hawk to take off, but he didn’t budge. As I waited, the sun moved up and into the sky. Disappointed, I was moving to abandon my spot when I noticed the highlighted foliage in the swamp below the hawk. The interesting lighting changed the scene to my liking so I got it On A Roll. I'm glad I hadn’t departed after all. 

Red-tailed Hawk Searching for an Early Meal

When I finally did leave, the hawk was still on his perch. Things were moving a little slow on this 37-degree morning. He was waiting for that opportune moment, just like me when I am searching for another perfect capture for On A Roll. 

5)  Red-tailed Hawk - (V)  

Madison County, MS

January 19, 2012 - 7:37 am

Clear, 37 degrees

500mm w/2xTC, 1/1600@f8, Tripod

(photo taken with Nikon P7000)

Like Father Like Son

Yet another new buck found his way into "my backyard" today. He was with a lady on a lunch date, it was twelve noon.


In addition to a showy rack, this one brought an interesting twist. I noticed he had an amazingly similar antler growth to my On A Roll #2 shot (“The Buck Stops Here”). He was an eight-point with the exact same missing points as that buck. My comments about that shot, "I studied his antlers and noticed that his right beam was a perfect five points with a nice brow tine. The left side was exact but missing G1 (brow tine) and G4 points; it appears they never grew out as opposed to losing them in a fight or other mishap."


Today’s visitor’s rack was a little smaller than that of my On A Roll buck, so I knew it wasn’t the same deer. I can only conclude that this buck is the offspring of the buck I captured On A Roll.  And I have to say, they share an impressive family tree. 

White-tailed Deer

(photo taken with Nikon P7000)

Jilted

Saw this young eight point today, I've never laid eyes on him before. He is watching a doe that obviously wants nothing to do with him. He must be desperate for some love or the most optimistic deer in the county. The rut is over.

Dude give it up, she's really not that into you. Don't feel alone, the rest of us don't understand women either.

White-tailed Buck Watching Doe Walk Away

(photo taken with Nikon P7000)

Cold Prickly

Emerging from the woods into a nearby field, the first thing I saw was a large buck, who immediately busted for the brush. In the distance, a couple of does did the same, white tails a-flashing. The sun was just coming up through a light cloud cover, making for an interesting sky. A couple of bare winter trees formed a graphic composition that I captured with my digital camera, but I decided it was not quite impressive enough for On A Roll.

Sun Rising Behind Winter Trees

After a 22-degree night, the frost covered everything in sight. Looking for an artistic shot incorporating the frosty blanket, I spotted a tiny yellow flower and hit my knees to take a closer look, putting down a hand to support myself. 


Ouch! I jumped back with a yelp, jerking my hand out of a thistle that penetrated the palm of my hand in more than a dozen places. Not a pleasant moment.


But then, I noticed the flat, new growth thistles were all over, each one featuring its own unique, symmetrical design. After an hour of searching I spotted one with a small oak leaf caught in it. A piece of frost covered grass entered the scene from the top right. 


"Click", #4 On A Roll.


And if the title of this post left you confused, "Cold and Prickly" is the opposite of warm and fuzzy. 

Frosted Thistle & Oak Leaf

4)  Frosted Thistle & Oak Leaf - (H)  

Madison County, MS

January 13, 2012 -   7:58 am

Clear,  27 degrees

60mm, 1/3@f18, Tripod

(photos taken with Nikon P7000)