Nature

Picture Quote — 20170726

Jeff

Today’s Picture Quote — 20170726

You make me understand how wonderful it is for little lizards when they find that one special rock that's perfect for sunning themselves on. You make me lizard-happy. - Randy K. Milholland
“You make me understand how wonderful it is for little lizards when they find that one special rock that’s perfect for sunning themselves on. You make me lizard-happy.” – Randy K. Milholland
Original Photograph Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross – 2014 – 2017


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Photo Meta Data

File Name: IMG_2262.CR2
Capture time: 10:18:27 AM
Capture date: May 9, 2015
Exposure: 1/1250 @ f5.6
Focal Length: 89mm
ISO: 120
Canon Powershot SX50 HS
Location: Las Cruces, NM

*Edited: Lightroom with text added in Photoshop

 
See previous STATUS QUOtes HERE


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All original content on this blog is copyrighted by Jeffrey B. Ross with ALL Rights Reserved. While reference links back to JBRish.com are appreciated and encouraged, please acquire approval for any reproduction of original content from this website.

©Jeffrey B. Ross – 2017


Brodiaea elegans at Hetch Hetchy – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 282

Jeff

Brodiaea elegans at Hetch Hetchy – Year of Yosemite

Brodiaea elegans a beautiful purple wildflower

Part of the joy of hiking is finding nature’s surprises such as this patch of beautiful wildflowers. This pair of Brodiaea elegans blooms was striking in color especially in contrast to the dreariness of the other muted tones produced by the cloudy weather.

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Meta Data – Day 282 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Capture time: 11:56:12 AM
Capture date: June 11, 2016
Exposure: 1/60 sec @ f/22
Focal Length: 32mm
ISO 200
Nikon D3300

 

Hetch Hetchy Wildflower Identification Needed- Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 281

Jeff

Hetch Hetchy tall silver-white wildflower

Tall plant with white flowers

I can’t tell you the name or identification of this wildflower; sorry. Perhaps if I took a closeup of the flower, I would have had more luck identifying it. I am the first to admit that this plant isn’t close to being the showiest in either form or color, but I found it attractive in this setting primarily because of the contrast with the surroundings.

I appreciated the silver/green leaves that appear a bit hirsute and the tiny white flowers opening along the stem and in the leaf axils.

Can you help identify this wildflower found at Hetch Hetchy (part of Yosemite National Park, CA)? If so, leave the answer in the comments below!

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Meta Data – Day 281 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Capture time: 2:32:21 PM
Capture date: June 11, 2016
Exposure: 1/60 sec @ f/22
Focal Length: 23mm
ISO 800
Nikon D3300

 

Killdeer Eggs in Our Yard; Oh My!

Jeff

Several days ago, I reported about the Killdeer that have taken up residence near our house in North Phoenix, AZ. We saw them for days as we worked outside early in the morning tending our plants and preparing for the warmer, or more appropriately, hotter weather. You can see that initial post HERE.

Well, now we know why they were hanging around. They found a spot on the side of our landscape that they felt was just right for their “nest” although it is far from comfortable or nest-like from my obviously non-avian point of view. It is actually a depression they created by moving some of the landscape stones to the side. The mother must also bear the brunt of the intense sun for the entire day. Our attempt to set up a shade barrier frightened her and had to be removed for fear of having the nest abandoned.

Killdeer eggs

Four Killdeer eggs in a hard-packed nest

Killdeer mother tending the nest

Killdeer mom tending her nest in the hot Arizona sun

It is amazing to see how well both the mom and the eggs blend with the surroundings. Each morning we must strain our eyes to find her once again!

Lupine Wildflower – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 275

Jeff

Lupine

Lupine wildflower growing through a fern

I am fond of lupines because they grow well in our Sonoran Desert environment at spring time and if there is a reasonable amount of winter rains, they can be quite spectacular.

We saw a number of patches of lupines along the trails as we hiked at Yosemite. They are more purple than blue, but the yellow highlights and gray-silver leaves (not pictured above) give them added interest and appeal.

This particular specimen was growing through a fern so the leaves are not visible in this photograph.

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Meta Data – Day 275 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Capture time: 11:16:59 AM
Capture date: June 8, 2016
Focal Length:50mm
ISO 360
Nikon D3300

 

Forget Me Not – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 274

Jeff

Forget Me Not Flowers

Forget Me Not wildflower

There aren’t many blue flowers either wild or cultivated so it is quite a thrill to see them growing naturally in the wild. These Forget Me Nots were growing in a relatively isolated clump along the Sentinel Dome trail.

Individually, each flower may not be too impressive, but seen as a cluster of blue along the path of mostly pink and yellow wildflowers, they provided a beautiful contrast!

Here is a larger view of the flowers.

Forget Me Not Flowers closeup

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Meta Data – Day 274 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Capture time: 11:16:59 AM
Capture date: June 9, 2016
Exposure: 1/200 sec @ f/8
Focal Length:36mm
ISO 125
Canon PowerShot SX50 HS

 

Lupines Along the Path – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 212

Jeff

Lupines appeared along the trail

Lupines were abundant along the different trails. I highlighted lupines HERE and you can see that the plant looks quite different in the earlier post.

The variety in the picture above may be a different type or the fact that it is in full exposure of the sun, wind, snow, rain, etc. has stunted the growth. I find the leaf form very interesting and the leaves shed water which tends to form into drops.

NOTE – Lesson learned: Taking photographs from above the plant doesn’t always render the best perspective.

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Meta Data – Day 212 YOY – Year of Yosemite

File Name: 0361.NEF
Capture time: 12:24:49 PM
Capture date: June 9, 2016
Exposure: 1/100 sec @ f/18
Focal Length: 55mm
ISO 100
Nikon D3300

GatorZilla – Giant Alligator Roams in Florida

Jeff

Let’s face it, alligators look prehistoric. I am sure many people who have seen an alligator in its natural habitat has thought about the reptile-prehistoric animal link. They naturally look like something out of a monster movie. Of course they are not quite the same size as Godzilla was rendered to be, but there is one alligator in Florida that is pretty big. I mean this one is much bigger than most gators!

Watch the video below to see whether or not you agree that this gator is a relative of Godzilla; there is a family resemblance IMHO.


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