lloydslensphotographyllc

A New Hunter In My Forest

Hello Friends! Tonight’s Feature Image is titled “Eastern Rat Snake 51621a” and is available for purchase by clicking the thumbnail and reaching out to me on the contact page.

The May sun is cooler than normal this year. I have been wondering if resident rat snake had made it through the winter. He lives in my sheds and we’ve learned to tolerate each other to a degree. Often I find him resting in some part of my lawn tractor and so that chore begins with a careful inspection of the moving parts to ensure that my natural pest control is safe from damage. If you missed last year’s post about rat snakes let me catch you up. The snake isn’t a pet. He’s a wild animal just like my songbirds and other wildlife on the property. However, He’s the only non-animal that regularly allows me to pick him up and so I gave him a name. I call him Decon because he deals with the mice. But he also disappears for long periods. We do also have a resident hawk and I’ve begun to wonder if Decon met his natural fate with the hawk. So when I saw the dark shape stretched out in driveway I thought that Decon had returned.

Image Titled “Eastern Rat Snake 51621b”. All photos found on my website are my original work and are available for purchase by clicking the thumbnail and reaching out to me on the contact page.

However, as I approach the snake it started to display it’s kicking posture. Something that Decon never did. It’s believed that this posture is an attempt to mimic a dead stick lying on the ground and thus is a form of camouflage. After all, a rat snake has only two defenses. Hide is one and stink is the other. It has absolutely no venom and it’s teeth are rather small and barb like. It still hadn’t dawned on me that this is not the same rat snake I’ve known over the past years. It wasn’t until I got closer and eye level with my lens that noticed the differences.

Image Titled “Eastern Rat Snake 51621c”.

This snake has more white on it’s face and a beautiful brown undertone in it’s coloration. I could be wrong but I think it’s also younger than Decon. It seems to have freshly molted as well revealing patterns in it’s skin.

Some people think that these patterns are the result of cross breeding with pit vipers. Nothing could be further from the truth. Rat Snakes lay eggs and pit vipers have live birth. I’m not sure but I also think that the chromosome count is wrong for cross breeding. Not to mention that rat snakes like king snakes will eat pit vipers. Which is another big reason why I allow rat snakes to have space in my sheds. The two species have been known to hole up together in winter but generally speaking pit vipers avoid areas with rat snakes. And since they have such a keen sense of smell they can tell where each other is living.

Image Titled “Eastern Rat Snake 51621d”.

And so I step a little easier knowing that these non venomous and non-aggressive Rat snakes are patrolling my yard. However, this newcomer is a little too close to the door. In my sheds he’s fine but the house and walkways are out of bounds. He wins a free ride in a bucket to the forest edges where there’s plenty of hunting and some large exposed rocks to sun on. And judging from his reaction to meeting a real live human he’d prefer to return to the forest. And so he did.

Announcement 2.0

For those who have been following me on Facebook and know of the struggle content providers have to get circulation from big tech I’ve been recommending for people to adopt MeWe as a social media platform. One of the problems I’ve run into on MeWe is that people don’t know how to navigate the platform. So to help with that I’ve created a permanent page on my website as a basic Basic Beginner’s Guide To MeWe I’ve tried to anticipate all basic questions there and You can bookmark the page to have as a reference and if you have any questions or suggestions don’t hesitate to contact me. I do still have a day job and I help admin several pages on both platforms so replies might be a little slow but I will answer you.

We also have the Lloyd’s Lens Photography Discussion Group on MeWe that is set up as a fully functional community. There you’ll not only be able to see and connect with me but you can also make your own posts and interact with each other.

I want you to join my group on MeWe: https://mewe.com/join/lloydslensphotographydiscussiongroup

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Hey Friends! Just a quick reminder that Lloyds Lens Photography is available for portraits!

To book me simply reach out using the Contact Page and we’ll set a date. If you’re within a 50 mile radius of Summersville West Virginia all travel fees are waived.

If you’re enjoying my blog and don’t want to miss a post then you can sign up for email alerts on my website.

WELCOME TO LLOYD’S LENS PHOTOGRAPHY

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Lloyds Lens Photography web link — Click here to visithttps://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/

Have you checked out the Zazzle Store?

I’m now using Zazzle to fulfil orders. What this means for you is a secure way to place an order, discount codes & a broader product selection! Simply use the contact form on my websiteand tell me which image you want and I’ll reply with a direct link to where you can place the order.

Clicking on the photo takes you tohttps://www.zazzle.com/lloydslensphotos?rf=238248269630914251Lastly, all of the photos and writings are my original work unless otherwise specified and are not to be copied or reproduced without expressed written permission from the photographerThank you again for your support of my page!♥️

Snowballs In Spring

Color Photography

Hello Friends! Tonight’s Feature Image is titled “Spring Snowballs 51021” and is available for purchase by clicking the thumbnail and reaching out to me on the contact page.

As songbirds gather all around my yard and greet me with the morning chorus I noticed that my snowball bush has fully bloomed. This particular bush reminds me of my great aunt Dolly. She had one identical to this one growing in her back yard near a little trail into the woods. I seem to remember very young kids getting into trouble for having a snowball fight with some of the lower blooms as well. In the imagination of a child it’s very possible for a tree to yield actual snowballs! This one however is the haven of a group of native goldfinches that frequently visit my feeders. And the males are in full color now. The make me think of little drops of sunshine zipping across my window as I work. Occasionally they sit in some of the undergrowth on the forest edges and sing all day. The females are more tolerant of my presence like the cardinals that live in the forsythia but the males disappear into the dense branches of the snowball bush as soon as I open the door. I believe this is same six individuals that I’ve watched all winter and with a little luck I’ll have a forest full of them soon.

Now snowball bush is an alien species to North America but it doesn’t really seem to produce viable seeds here. I have plans to bring in more natives a little at time and when the snowball bush ends its life cycle I’ll probably replace it with buttonbush. Buttonbush doesn’t have as large of a bloom but it does have a ball shaped cluster of flowers that gives the same anesthetics as snowball bush. The seeds of buttonbush are also food for waterfowl and wood ducks like to use buttonbush to build their nests. Overall, buttonbush is a better choice for wildlife.

Still though, there is a certain romantic image of a Victorian lady and her beau having tea beneath a snowball bush in a well manicured garden that draws us into a more civilized past. Simple pleasure are hard to beat.

Good night friends and be blessed throughout your days.

Announcement 2.0

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Click the link below to jump to the Basic Beginner’s Guide To MeWe.https://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/guide-to-mewe/embed/#?secret=GJGnIQEVHc

Hey Friends! Just a quick reminder that Lloyds Lens Photography is available for portraits!

To book me simply reach out using the Contact Page and we’ll set a date. If you’re within a 50 mile radius of Summersville West Virginia all travel fees are waived.

If you’re enjoying my blog and don’t want to miss a post then you can sign up for email alerts on my website.

WELCOME TO LLOYD’S LENS PHOTOGRAPHY

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Have you checked out the Zazzle Store?

Forage Friday #107 Stonecrop

Color Photography, wildlife

Hello Friends! Tonight’s Feature Image is titled “Stonecrop 50321a” and is available for purchase by clicking the thumbnail and reaching out to me on the contact page.

Please remember that Forage Friday is presented as trivia and not to be mistaken for medical advice.

The Light flows easily through the thin canopy and is caught by the gem-like leaves and petals of the stonecrop. For years I’ve been aware of stonecrop and appreciated it’s beauty but not given it much thought until I started the Forage Friday posts. So when I saw it there resting on a bed of moss like a crown for the rock I decided to look into it a little deeper.

Image Titled “Stonecrop 50321b” and is available for purchase by clicking the thumbnail and reaching out to me on the contact page.

The plant is a succulent and prefers well drained areas. I presume that the moss gives it just the right amount moisture to thrive on top of the rock. I’ve also learned that it flowers the best in dappled light and this spot has that as well. If one wants to grow stonecrop then I think it helps to start with establishing a colony of moss on native stone.

I believe that what I have found is Woodland Stonecrop. The genus Sedum contains about 600 species and with that many cousins it gets difficult to tell everyone apart. It’s said to have a peppery flavor and can be eaten raw or cooked. Large quantities can cause an upset stomach and yellow varieties are thought to be mildly toxic but that the toxins can be neutralized by cooking So this is probably another one that’s best mixed with something that needs a bit of additional flavor.

Medicinal uses include reducing high blood pressure and as a cough remedy. Stonecrop is in the same family as Hens and Chicks but a different genre. However, it does have similar uses topically for burns and rashes, minor wounds, eczema mouth ulcers and to remove warts. I suspect that the wart removal is the result of a compound that is antiviral but I haven’t been able to confirm that at this time.

Image Titled “Stonecrop 50321c” and is available for purchase by clicking the thumbnail and reaching out to me on the contact page.

Finally, stonecrop is said to be good bee food. And I consider that a secondary edible/medicinal benefit. I don’t really claim to know a lot about what’s in honey or propolis but as I understand it bees are able to accumulate and concentrate beneficial compounds from the flowers they visit. And that raw, unfiltered honey is a way that we can gain some of the beneficial compounds without disturbing the plants themselves. Buying local honey from a local bee keeper is a great way to help the plants, bees and beekeepers and yourself all at the same time!

Well Friends, that’s all I’ve got for tonight. Good night and be blessed throughout your days.

Announcement 2.0

I want you to join my group on MeWe: https://mewe.com/join/lloydslensphotographydiscussiongroup

Click the link below to jump to the Basic Beginner’s Guide To MeWe.https://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/guide-to-mewe/embed/#?secret=GJGnIQEVHc

Hey Friends! Just a quick reminder that Lloyds Lens Photography is available for portraits!

To book me simply reach out using the Contact Page and we’ll set a date. If you’re within a 50 mile radius of Summersville West Virginia all travel fees are waived.

If you’re enjoying my blog and don’t want to miss a post then you can sign up for email alerts on my website.

WELCOME TO LLOYD’S LENS PHOTOGRAPHY

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Larkspur & Hummingbirds

Color Photography, wildlife

Hello Friends! Tonight’s Feature Image is titled “Dwarf Larkspur 51321” and is available for purchase by clicking the thumbnail and reaching out to me on the contact page.

The shadey hillside is full of purple dots growing among the new leaves. As large bumblebees float effortlessly between all the leaves and thorns of the other plants I scan the landscape for another pollinator that may be hovering among the oddly shaped flowers.

I’ve always thought of larkspur as the American Wolvrsbane. The two species are cousins in the buttercup family and both are extremely toxic. In fact the larkspur is so toxic that just touching the plants can give some people a rash. But for some reason the bumblebees and hummingbirds are immune to the poison. Because of the odd shape of the flower larkspur can only be pollinated by queen bees and hummingbirds. And again we have a native species that is designed to work in conjunction with our native hummingbirds. This is also a native wildflower that has to compete with invaders that hold nothing for the hummingbirds such Garlic Mustard and Japanese Knotweed. Because of the toxicity livestock owners will attempt to eradicate it. And it likes to grow on the edges of the forest so utility companies will spray it with chemical herbicides making it harder for the hummingbirds to find a suitable meal when they arrive. So if you’re not trying to protect livestock or children and have a shady space to raise them why not include larkspur in your native landscaping?

Good night friends and be blessed throughout your days.

Announcement 2.0

I want you to join my group on MeWe: https://mewe.com/join/lloydslensphotographydiscussiongroup

Click the link below to jump to the Basic Beginner’s Guide To MeWe.https://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/guide-to-mewe/embed/#?secret=GJGnIQEVHc

Hey Friends! Just a quick reminder that Lloyds Lens Photography is available for portraits!

To book me simply reach out using the Contact Page and we’ll set a date. If you’re within a 50 mile radius of Summersville West Virginia all travel fees are waived.

If you’re enjoying my blog and don’t want to miss a post then you can sign up for email alerts on my website.

WELCOME TO LLOYD’S LENS PHOTOGRAPHY

https://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/embed/#?secret=ZBipPVJdZw

Have you checked out the Zazzle Store?

The Phoenix Awakens

Color Photography, wildlife

Hello Friends! Tonight’s Feature Image is titled “Fire On The Mountain 51021a” and is available for purchase by clicking the thumbnail and reaching out to me on the contact page.

Each morning since I first noticed the scales on the buds of my Flame Azalea beginning to swell and flex I’ve peeked out of my front window with anticipation. The small dark buds made think of embers smoldering beneath the ashes of last year’s flame. I knew then that very small changes were taking place.

Image Titled “Flame Azalea bud 41921” and is available for purchase by clicking the thumbnail and reaching out to me on the contact page.

For a couple of months I watched as the buds slowly changed colors. The scales on the bottom of the buds would open slightly and then close back up again.

Image Titled “Flame Azalea Bud 42921” and is available for purchase by clicking the thumbnail and reaching out to me on the contact page.

I began to think of the buds as tiny Phoenix eggs that would rock and sway as the gift inside continued to mature.

Image Titled “From Embers to Flames 42921” and is available for purchase by clicking the thumbnail and reaching out to me on the contact page.

And then as if kindled by the light and the breezes the Phoenix hatches. Born in a shroud of flames!

Image Titled “The Phoenix Spreads Her Wings 50221” and is available for purchase by clicking the thumbnail and reaching out to me on the contact page.

In a moment of burning glory the Phoenix spreads her wings takes flight with the rest of her brood.

Image Titled “Full Burn 51021” and is available for purchase by clicking the thumbnail and reaching out to me on the contact page.

The opening of my Flame Azalea is one of my favorite spring events. I’ve never actually named a flower like I would a pet before but I have named this little bush “The Phoenix”. Each spring she fills my property with the most wonderful scent and draws in all the bees and butterflies as well as the hummingbirds. More than once I’ve been outside and hear rapid high pitched noises coming from Phoenix and looked to see the hummingbirds competing for her nectar. Like the Fire Pink the bright colored Azaleas are a natural and native food source for hummingbirds and butterflies. And truthfully they’re probably healthier for them than sugar water. Even if you discount the red food dye that harms hummingbird kidneys it stands to reason that sugar water has no Flavonoids or Vitamins for them. All of God’s creatures need vital minerals as well. Certainly put out your hummingbird feeders and use the best ingredients you can purchase to fill them with. ( Exclude the artificial dyes please!) But also plant the native species that were designed by God to feed hummingbirds. It’s really what they crave.

Good night friends and be blessed throughout your days.

Announcement 2.0

I want you to join my group on MeWe: https://mewe.com/join/lloydslensphotographydiscussiongroup

Click the link below to jump to the Basic Beginner’s Guide To MeWe.https://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/guide-to-mewe/embed/#?secret=GJGnIQEVHc

Hey Friends! Just a quick reminder that Lloyds Lens Photography is available for portraits!

To book me simply reach out using the Contact Page and we’ll set a date. If you’re within a 50 mile radius of Summersville West Virginia all travel fees are waived.

If you’re enjoying my blog and don’t want to miss a post then you can sign up for email alerts on my website.

WELCOME TO LLOYD’S LENS PHOTOGRAPHY

https://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/embed/#?secret=ZBipPVJdZw