Common Grackle Encounter

Hello Friends! Tonight’s feature image is titled “Common Grackle 41320” and is available for purchase by the instructions at the bottom of the article.

A few days ago I happened to be in Glen Ferris on the banks of the Kanawha River. Since the shutdown I’ve mostly stayed in the big blue truck when I’m out and used my long lens from the truck windows. I’d stopped here hoping to catch up with some ducks but after a few minutes of looking at the empty water I knew that that had missed them. I was about to pull back onto the road when a movement in the bushes caught my attention.

Image Titled “Common Grackle On The Kanawha River 41320” shows the Green Sheen of its feathers.

It was a glint of green feathers that I noticed. Thinking that it might have been a mallard I eased the truck forward to change my angle and get a better look. What I found was a bird that wasn’t really a water bird and not nearly as large as my fleeting glimpse had lead me to believe. If not for the bird’s diminutive size I might have thought it was crow with an oddly iridescent sheen. The head actually changed color depending on the angle of the sun. I have heard of the common grackle but I’d not really paid much attention to them until now. I knew that they were around but I didn’t bother to learn more about them.

So when I got home I started to read up on them. They’re pretty adaptive and it seems the human activity favors their spread. They will hunt insects, feed on vegetation and even pull minnows out of the shallow waters. They’re in the same class of birds as the mocking bird but their songs are shorter and their voice is harsh but they do mimic other birds and they can even learn human speech. My short amount of research shows that some people have them as pets and the YouTube videos show that the bond pretty well with humans. Their iridescent plumage and long tail feathers also make them quite attractive. I’ll have to do a little more research but for now they definitely have my attention.

Hey Friends! Just a quick reminder that graduation will be here before you know it. Lloyds Lens Photography is available for portraits!

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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.

Hello Friends and thank you for your support of my page. If you have enjoyed the photos or the writings please let me know by commenting and sharing my work on your social media. I also want to invite you to Follow Lloyds Lens Photography on Facebook

If you would like to Follow me on Facebook the web address is

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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.

https://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/

Did you know that I also do portraits by appointment? If you’re interested in a portrait session either message me on Facebook or Use the Contact form. The YouTube link below takes you one of my slideshows.

https://youtu.be/FDcrY6w8oY8

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! Simplymessage me on Facebookoruse 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=238248269630914251

Lastly, 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 photographer.

Thank you again for your support of my page!❤

Thoughts On Earth Day 2020

Hello Friends! Tonight’s feature image is titled “Natural Love 4220” and is available for purchase by the instructions at the bottom of the article.

Typically, I don’t really make a big deal out of Earth Day. The biggest reason for that is that like everything else in culture today the objective gets lost in political opinions and debates that seem to be more about who is right rather than what is right. It’s a difficult topic for me to cover and maintain a focus on the positive. But there are a few things that everyone seems to agree on. The biggest issues of the day is all the plastic in our waterways. We see the images on T.V. and the internet of plastic in the ocean and on the beaches but at least some of it came from the streams and rivers of our inland. Even Little Elk Creek that runs through my yard is laden with the debris of so called civilization. The truth is that it’s human nature to simply discard waste. Archaeologists have built careers on the study of Midden Mounds. The main thing that has changed over several thousand years is that our debris and artifacts have become incapable of being recycled by nature. Prior to 1907 most things were either made from wood, ceramics and glass or metal. If anyone discarded these items in the wilderness natural processes dealt with them. Wood of course would rot while the other materials had little more impact than stone. Steel rusted and the resulting iron oxide would be used by nature even if it took a long time. When I was a kid we’d pick up the glass bottles and turn them in for a cash reward. It was usually enough for bottle of Coke and a Hershey bar. Glass was the currency of children in those days. I have the recollection of the pitch for plastic of glass. We were told that it would be easier to recycle plastic because it required less energy to melt it down and reform it into a new product. But soon the deposit was discontinued and picking up bottles out of ditches had no value. We actually have to pay people to haul away the very same items that we once got paid to pick up ourselves. 3D printing might change that. A quick Google search turned up a few articles on a class of 3D printers that consume shredded plastic and turns it into new useable items.

But you don’t need to go high tech. As an example here’s a Howcast video about using a hot iron along with needle and thread to convert disposable plastic bags into a resizable tote.

Another example is this guy who used a toaster oven and recycled plastic to create a woodworking mallet.

Once you get the concept down you’re only limited by your imagination. I have a close friend who’s scrap built starship models are second to none.

But it’s not just the litter in our waterways. There’s enough things like controlling erosion, planting forests and even urban farming that would bring us back to a more natural way of life. For every challenge there’s going to be multiple ways to resolve it on a personal level. We just need to look at the options and set a course. If we wait for someone else to fix it then by default we’ll be the last to benefit from the solutions offered.

Image Titled “Natural Love 4220”.

My last thought on Earth Day 2020 is that I don’t want to focus on the problem as much as I do the solutions and specifically a solution that you can implement all on your own. Even if it’s just bagging up the trash in a park and sending it to a landfill you’re getting it of the wilderness and that’s a good thing.

Hey Friends! Just a quick reminder that graduation will be here before you know it. Lloyds Lens Photography is available for portraits!

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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.

Hello Friends and thank you for your support of my page. If you have enjoyed the photos or the writings please let me know by commenting and sharing my work on your social media. I also want to invite you to Follow Lloyds Lens Photography on Facebook

If you would like to Follow me on Facebook the web address is

https://www.facebook.com/aviewfromthelens/

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.

https://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/

Did you know that I also do portraits by appointment? If you’re interested in a portrait session either message me on Facebook or Use the Contact form. The YouTube link below takes you one of my slideshows.

https://youtu.be/FDcrY6w8oY8

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! Simplymessage me on Facebookoruse 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=238248269630914251

Lastly, 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 photographer.

Thank you again for your support of my page!❤

First Light &Simple Blessings

Hello Friends! Tonight’s feature image is titled “First Light 41620a” and is available for purchase by the instructions at the bottom of the article.

I stepped out beneath the mountain earlier than has become normal in the past few weeks. Somewhere in the forest the laughing call of a woodpecker echoes across the hills. I have struggled to actually spot some of the bird species on my property but the morning chorus is in full concert. As my avian friends greet the morning light I noticed that my azalea has opened. The new white flowers seem to be waiting for the sun to fully spill over the ridge. Even now they eagerly catch the slightest trickle of light and convert it to a sweet aroma.

Image Titled “First Light 41620b”.

There must be some kind of magic infused into the first light. It makes the the birds sing and flowers open. The air is full of insects and the whole world is in contentment. It’s a perfect day to not just count my blessings but to embrace and enjoy them. Oftentimes we “count our blessings” like an old mother hen taking a head count to see if anyone is missing. But what good are blessings tucked away in box gathering dust? We need to realize that the simple blessings of this world are just as miraculous as anything described in the bible. Take a few minutes to enjoy them every day. I have said of foraging that God loves us so much that he’s given his providence in such a way that what is most important is found in the greatest abundance. Why should we think that mundane occurrence of singing birds and opening flowers is any less important than the miracle we ask for when a loved one is sick? So take a little time to breath the fresh air and have some quiet time. It’s like vitamins for the spirit.

Hey Friends! Just a quick reminder that graduation will be here before you know it. Lloyds Lens Photography is available for portraits!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

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.

Hello Friends and thank you for your support of my page. If you have enjoyed the photos or the writings please let me know by commenting and sharing my work on your social media. I also want to invite you to Follow Lloyds Lens Photography on Facebook

If you would like to Follow me on Facebook the web address is

https://www.facebook.com/aviewfromthelens/

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.

https://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/

Did you know that I also do portraits by appointment? If you’re interested in a portrait session either message me on Facebook or Use the Contact form. The YouTube link below takes you one of my slideshows.

https://youtu.be/FDcrY6w8oY8

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! Simplymessage me on Facebookoruse 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=238248269630914251

Lastly, 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 photographer.

Thank you again for your support of my page!❤

Red-winged Blackbirds Of April 2020

Hello Friends! Tonight’s feature image is titled “Male Red-winged Blackbird 41120”. All of the photos are my original work and are available for purchase by the instructions at the bottom of the article

The bright Spring sun fills the Marsh and I bring the big blue truck to a halt on the edge of the single lane road. The windows hum as they slide down into the doors. I have come specially for the Red-winged Blackbirds and I have a secret weapon to bring them in. A digital recording of a male singing. With the windows down and the volume on 10 I start the playback and quietly sip my coffee. It’s not long before there’s a rustling sound in the cattails to my left.

Image Titled “Female Red-winged Blackbird 4420a

The marsh is full of Red-winged Blackbirds and I’ve gotten the attention of a female. Like most birds the females color scheme is all about camouflage. Her reply to the song is few chirps followed by a high pitched cackle. She stays low in the reeds for most of encounter. Meanwhile, her boyfriend is not happy about a new singer on his stage and he isn’t shy about challenging the unseen newcomer.

Image Titled “Male Red-winged Blackbird Territorial Display 41120”.

He stays on the tops of the cattails showing his red and calling his long trilling song.

Image Titled “Shy Female Red-winged Blackbird 4420”.

The Female, sensing how close her boyfriend was to ritual combat moved a little deeper into the cattails.

The the male finally zeroed in on source of the strange voice in his marsh. He came in like a fighter jet. He was so quick and agile that I couldn’t get him in frame. At one point I thought that he was coming in the window. But he pulled up short deftly landed on the cattail that was only a few feet from my window.

.

Male Red-winged Blackbird 41120b

He took several hard looks into the cab of the truck from his perch.

Image Titled Male Red-winged Blackbird 41120c.

I suppose that he couldn’t figure out if I was a really big bird or something else.

Image Titled “Male Red-winged Blackbird 41120cd

Eventually I turned the soundtrack off and that’s when he turned back to his love. In his mind he’d vanquished his rival.

Image Titled “She Waits”

It was only after the male returned to her side that she moved out of the hiding place and back to top of the cattails.

With the lovers reunited it was time for the big blue truck to move on. As I pulled out a final glance into the rearview mirror revealed that the two birds were perched together.

Hey Friends! Just a quick reminder that graduation will be here before you know it. Lloyds Lens Photography is available for portraits!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

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.

Hello Friends and thank you for your support of my page. If you have enjoyed the photos or the writings please let me know by commenting and sharing my work on your social media. I also want to invite you to Follow Lloyds Lens Photography on Facebook

If you would like to Follow me on Facebook the web address is

https://www.facebook.com/aviewfromthelens/

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.

https://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/

Did you know that I also do portraits by appointment? If you’re interested in a portrait session either message me on Facebook or Use the Contact form. The YouTube link below takes you one of my slideshows.

https://youtu.be/FDcrY6w8oY8

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! Simplymessage me on Facebookoruse 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=238248269630914251

Lastly, 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 photographer.

Thank you again for your support of my page!❤

Renewal In The Forest

Hello Friends! Tonight’s feature image is titled “Box Elder In Macro 4220” and is available for purchase by the instructions at the bottom of the article.

My little forest sanctuary is rapidly changing as days grow longer. It’s said that Nature can’t tolerate a vacuum and Box Elder that is the shade tree in my yard is her accomplice. Every open spot where I don’t really mow now has a new Box Elder growing. Most are seedlings like the one in tonight’s feature image. As the master of my property I have some choices. I can remove the seedlings in an effort to maintain the open space or I could let nature take course and see what happens. The young seedlings have a market value and I have them in abundance. I could probably donate a few to a group that is interested reforesting waste areas. I’m sure that if I wanted to put the time and effort into it that there’s at least a dozen options.

I have the distinct impression that this spot was once as thick as the rest of mountain but at some point in the past something disrupted the status quo. Who knows what ancient tree was removed from the spot in the past? The only constant thing in this world is chang. Whatever changed in the past before I acquired the property removed the things of the past but also made it possible for new beginnings.

Our world is the precipice of major disruption but be encouraged. The vacuum left in the wake of change is our chance to shape the future. All it takes is for us to look at the options and set a course.

Hey Friends! Just a quick reminder that graduation will be here before you know it. Lloyds Lens Photography is available for portraits!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

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.

Hello Friends and thank you for your support of my page. If you have enjoyed the photos or the writings please let me know by commenting and sharing my work on your social media. I also want to invite you to Follow Lloyds Lens Photography on Facebook

If you would like to Follow me on Facebook the web address is

https://www.facebook.com/aviewfromthelens/

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.

https://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/

Did you know that I also do portraits by appointment? If you’re interested in a portrait session either message me on Facebook or Use the Contact form. The YouTube link below takes you one of my slideshows.

https://youtu.be/FDcrY6w8oY8

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! Simplymessage me on Facebookoruse 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=238248269630914251

Lastly, 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 photographer.

Thank you again for your support of my page!❤