ferine | Entries tagged with nature pics

As we pressed on through the softly falling snow, we noticed many Red-tailed Hawks all around us. None of the pictures came out very well due to the multitude of tree branches camouflaging them. The poor camera would focus on the foliage, and not the fowl. D'oh! Farther along, we spied what had to be two enormous birds in a tree in the distance. We moved forward as cautiously as possible to keep from spooking the birds. One did fly off to an adjacent tree--we couldn't tell if it was a Red-tailed or a Cooper's Hawk. The other bird, to our excitement, was a Bald Eagle! We weren't able to get very close to take pictures, as the area was private property and fenced off. Still, it was a neat surprise:
( Read more... )

A jarring patch of color:
( Read more... )

Seed pods:
( Read more... )

We had to photograph the amount of mud that caked my wheels for posterity's sake:
( Read more... )

Feeling: amused

These shots of the drainage ditch epitomized the cold of the day to my mind's eye:
( Read more... )

Nearby in the mud lay several prints, smaller than the average dog. Fox, maybe? There are plenty in the area, and not far away was coyote scat:
( Read more... )

Antonio left the path to check out some shrubs before...
( Read more... )

... we reached the owl bridge:
( Read more... )

Something odd in a tree at the base of the overpass pillars made me do a double take. Since the pillars are off the trail in a ditch, the boys investigated the scene. A piece of rabbit was tucked into the branches! Since it was near a white-washed concrete pillar where the owls roost, I'm pretty sure an owl either dropped it there from its perch, or it cached it there for later.
( Read more... )

Nearly every time we've visited the owl bridge we've found at least one owl feather. I assume they're Great Horned Owl feathers, as they're the most common owl in these parts. Some might be Barn Owl; their feathers are difficult to differentiate.
( Read more... )

Close to the owl feather was this severed duck wing, and we found a great mess of duck fluff just outside the bridge where it must have been dispatched in the first place:
( Read more... )

Feeling: good
Listening to: I Spit Roses by Peter Murphy

Across Riverdale Road, where we access the path that leads to the owl bridge, are a veritable sled dog team. Here's a good shot of two of them:
( Read more... )

The sky was oppressively stark:
( Read more... )

I spied this uprooted root beside the trail. It appears large in the pictures, but it wasn't much bigger than my hand. Still fascinating to me, though:
( Read more... )

We were excited that someones been landscaping the area, planting all manner of young trees and shrubs along the path. Looking forward to seeing it in the spring and summer!
( Read more... )

Canada geese comin' in for a landing:
( Read more... )

The colors! Divine:
( Read more... )

Feeling: bouncy

Beautiful...

Feeling: impressed
Listening to: Every Dog Has Its Day by Let's Active

As we neared the end of our excursion, we found a sacred grove with stone benches and a big stone table that overlooked the river. Surrounding the benches and packed earth were beautiful trees, many old. There was a big bit of old, sun-bleached root-work there that, of course, captivated me. I want to return and get more photos of the area, especially the table. It was like a stereotypical stone sacrificial altar *chuckles*. When I feel a little better I'll do my photo shoot there.
( Read more... )

Feeling: calm
Listening to: On My Way by Xandria

This cluster of trees were enchanting with the lowering sun behind them:
( Read more... )

Uh-oh... tree-hole-gasm! Seriously, these just overflow with character and magic to me:
( Read more... )

Look, there was even a portable bark hole!
( Read more... )

We came across raccoon tracks permanently etched in the cement trail:
( Read more... )

Another inviting walking bridge, followed by webs on its rail:
( Read more... )

More South Plattitude (har, har):
( Read more... )

Feeling: mellow
Listening to: I'm A Werewolf by Ragdolls

There was actual sand among the pebbles along the river shore:
( Read more... )

A crude fence was erected from driftwood:
( Read more... )

Jay said this huge emerald Dragonfly was perched at eye level, eyeballing him curiously:
( Read more... )

Snowy Egret:
( Read more... )

Belted Kingfisher:
( Read more... )

Some beautiful mood shots of the South Platte:
( Read more... )

Beneath the walking bridge were muddy banks riddled with critter tracks--especially raccoon:
( Read more... )

Feeling: impressed
Listening to: The Request by Artrosis

We diverged at this point, as I couldn't follow the deer-made trail to the water's edge. Jay discovered all sorts of cool stuff down there:
( Read more... )

Look at the white butterfly--it blends in with the pale flowers: [EDIT--is that a spider attacking it's wing?]
( Read more... )

The weeds, thick grasses, and sinking earth was proving too much of a deterrent so Antonio and I veered off to return to the cement path. The area was awfully pretty:
( Read more... )

Can anyone identify these berries?
( Read more... )

A Killdeer on the shore:
( Read more... )

Feeling: creative
Listening to: Into My Arms by Angelzoom

Solo sunflower:
( Read more... )

I always thought these were pretty. They're weeds, but they remind me of wheat:
( Read more... )

There was a fist-sized hole, like a natural alcove, in a nearby tree:
( Read more... )

This square-ish rock in the midst of the river was interesting:
( Read more... )

To the right were greenhouses with pretty flowers outside:
( Read more... )

A Red-tailed Hawk circled above:
( Read more... )

This was beneath a bridge:
( Read more... )

This lone pine spoke to me:
( Read more... )

Feeling: tired
Listening to: Forgiven (acoustic version) by Within Temptation

Continuing south on the Southern Platte:
( Read more... )

This Double-crested Cormorant loved to strike a pose:
( Read more... )

Duckies!
( Read more... )

Again, me and my wood obsession *chuckles*. This beaver-stripped log was cool:
( Read more... )

There was a lovely patch of sunflowers on the opposite side of the path by the river. Delicate white butterflies flitted every which way:
( Read more... )

Feeling: creative
Listening to: Underneath by Tarja

( Read more... )

For a lesbian, I'm more than a little obsessed with wood. Har, har, bad joke, I know. It's true, though; I am captivated by the personality present in tree stumps, exposed tree roots, holes and furrows in bark, gnarled limbs, etc. The following cluster of stumps were no exception:
( Read more... )

And a mysterious deep fissure!
( Read more... )

Listening to: Start Swimming by Delain

The lighting was in our favor, as was the temperature and the weather.
( Read more... )

Beneath the bridge, Jay spotted this enormous crayfish/crawdad in the stream. He plucked it out so we could photograph it on the trail. Neat-o!
( Read more... )

Feeling: busy
Listening to: Frozen (acoustic version) by Within Temptation

( Read more... )

Next up, photos and commentary from September 3rd's hike, which originates from the bridge we turned back from here. >:-)

Feeling: mellow
Listening to: I Wanna Life by Goldfrapp

( Read more... )

Listening to: We Are A Happy Landfill by Gorillaz

( Read more... )

Feeling: calm
Listening to: Young Blood by The Naked And Famous

( Read more... )

Feeling: sleepy

( Read more... )

Feeling: mellow

( Read more... )

Feeling: excited
Listening to: Utopia by Brendan Perry

After the bright, hot, cleansing fire had simmered down, Jay broke out the camera and captured some of the magic:
( Read more... )

Feeling: enthralled

On the walk back we spotted two eggs on the ground beneath a tree with a damaged nest. The eggs were close to hatching before the chicks died. We figured the recent wind and storms had blown the nest open and the eggs rolled out. One was closed and heavy, and the other was cracked. We brushed aside the ants and peered inside--the chick had been fully formed, perhaps days away from hatching. Not far from there we found the muddied remains of a Tree Swallow, its skull visible:
( Read more... )

The following trees drew me in:
( Read more... )