Category: wildlife

Sunshine In My Pocket

Color Photography, wildlife
Hello Friends! Tonight’s Feature Image is titled “Pearl Crescent Butterfly 92520b” and is available for purchase by clicking the thumbnail and reaching out to me on the contact page.

The winter wind howls mournfully outside of my house that’s nestled safely into the hillside of my Appalachian Mountains. I expect that this will be the last of the January snow. Typically the next significant snowfall will be around valentine’s day and then the deep cold just before the buds began to swell. As I’ve said before, I watch the very small changes which are insignificant to most people. But what to do in the meantime? Thankfully, I’ve still got some sunshine in my pocket that I’ve been holding back for just such an occasion. I pull up the image of the small Pearl Crescent Butterfly and look into it deeply. Now there’s a difference between looking at a photo and looking into it. Looking at a photo is like looking at a map. We get familiar with lines and colors and get a general overview of the scene. But looking into photo is to be transported to another world. I can feel the warmth of the sun filtering down through the deep green canopy of leaves. I smell the loamy humus soil and feel the breeze. Around me the mottled light seems to dance as the trees sway softly in the late summer climate. A small set of wings flash in the path and gently land on the daisy-like flowers. It’s a Pearl Crescent Butterfly and it’s barely an inch from wingtip to wingtip. It’s a great idea to never neglect the small blessings of life. They add up like nickels and dimes. In spite of it’s diminutive size the tiny butterfly is unafraid when I approach. It holds its wings flat as if to say “Look how beautiful I am today.” I knew at that moment it was a gift from God, a tiny drop of sunshine that I could tuck away to warm my soul on a cold winter night.

Good night friends and be blessed throughout your days.

Announcement:

I am adding additional social media to my network. Eventually, I’ll be leaving Facebook behind for a multitude of reasons. Even though the Lloyd’s Lens Photography page is strictly non-political I have been restricted from interacting with followers with no explanation for why. But it’s not just that. For years now Facebook has throttled content providers in general. They encourage us to grow our audience and then want to sell us back the access to them. In addition, they collect and sell the data from our interaction. So Facebook has become an entanglement of thorns. In response I have created the Lloyd’s Lens Photography Discussion Group on MeWe. We can still interact directly on the blog but starting today I’ll be looking for more platforms that respect the privacy of my followers and don’t limit who gets to see the post.

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

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.

https://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/

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=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!❤

Conversations With A Woodpecker

Color Photography, wildlife
Hello Friends! Tonight’s Feature Image is titled “Decisions Decisions 12420” and is available for purchase by clicking the thumbnail and reaching out to me on the contact page.

The closing of January always brings at least a little snow to my mountain. The cold sleeping forest has very little forage for the birds and so I’ve set a buffet of suet and meal worms to compliment the main feeder of seeds. As I prepared my last supply run into town I heard the woodpeckers just inside the trees. I’m certain that if anyone happened by my yard they’d think I’d lost my ever loving mind but I talk back to the wildlife. The woodpecker makes his laugh and I stopped what was doing with my hands on my hips and look up into the mountain. At the top of my voice I replied “what do you want?”

The woodpecker laughs again.

“Woodpecker food!” I replied.

More calls from the woodpecker.

“Okay, but if I get you special food then you’ve got to pose for me. ”

At this point I have the mental image of my nearest neighbor overhearing this conversation with a woodpecker and questioning her recent move to West Virginia but I continue to talk to him. Later that same night I stepped out and had a conversation with the screech owl that was making my dog bark after midnight and I knew that she was questioning the move. Especially since I was outside making territorial calls in an effort to encourage the owl to give a Hoot about the property boundaries.

I’ve never been able to get a good photo of them but the woodpeckers on my place are at least a few Pileated Woodpeckers, common flickers, possibly a few red bellied woodpeckers and the one in tonight’s Feature Image is a Downy Woodpecker. All make distinctive calls and so it’s possible to know who’s who when they get vocal.

The downy woodpecker is the only one to accept the feeder so far. It spends most of the day just bouncing between feeders and then zooming off to store a little somewhere in the trees. I’m amazed at how fast it moves and was only able to catch the hop between feeders in burst mode.

Birding is a bit of a new hobby for me and so I’ve got a lot to learn when it comes to their behaviors. The large Pileated Woodpeckers are the ones I really want to capture in my lens but so far they really remain shy and illusive in spite of the calls they make while I’m outside. For now I’m just shooting the photos through my office window but hopefully I’ll be able to get a little closer soon. The chickadees have already started to be acclimated to me and the song sparrows occasionally land on the sill and peek in while I’m working.

That’s all I’ve got for now. Good night friends and be blessed throughout your days.

Announcement:

I am adding additional social media to my network. Eventually, I’ll be leaving Facebook behind for a multitude of reasons. Even though the Lloyd’s Lens Photography page is strictly non-political I have been restricted from interacting with followers with no explanation for why. But it’s not just that. For years now Facebook has throttled content providers in general. They encourage us to grow our audience and then want to sell us back the access to them. In addition, they collect and sell the data from our interaction. So Facebook has become an entanglement of thorns. In response I have created the Lloyd’s Lens Photography Discussion Group on MeWe. We can still interact directly on the blog but starting today I’ll be looking for more platforms that respect the privacy of my followers and don’t limit who gets to see the post.

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

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.

https://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/

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=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!❤

Small Changes

Color Photography, wildlife
Hello Friends! Tonight’s Feature Image is titled “A Promise Of Life 11221” and is available for purchase by clicking the thumbnail and reaching out to me on the contact page.

Cold winds gently disturb the tan colored reeds. Winter’s silent song fills the marsh as cattail down swirls in the sky. The warm heart of the red-winged black bird is painfully absent from the willow’s empty branches. Even though I know better than to expect them so early in the year I’m eager to hear the first melodic trills echo over the still waters in defiance of the gray sky. I breathe in the chilly air and step a little closer to the thick mud and look for the signs of changes. Thin and wispy the single twig is bowed as if humbly presenting a gift to the sleeping world. The catkins are beginning to ripen and with them the promise of life returning to the world. The changes in seasons are a small thing in the grand scheme of the universe. It’s inevitable as long as the history unfolds. But it’s the presence of the small signs of changes that brings me hope. And hope is the fuel that drives our lives.

Good night friends and be blessed throughout your days.

Announcement:

I am adding additional social media to my network. Eventually, I’ll be leaving Facebook behind for a multitude of reasons. Even though the Lloyd’s Lens Photography page is strictly non-political I have been restricted from interacting with followers with no explanation for why. But it’s not just that. For years now Facebook has throttled content providers in general. They encourage us to grow our audience and then want to sell us back the access to them. In addition, they collect and sell the data from our interaction. So Facebook has become an entanglement of thorns. In response I have created the Lloyd’s Lens Photography Discussion Group on MeWe. We can still interact directly on the blog but starting today I’ll be looking for more platforms that respect the privacy of my followers and don’t limit who gets to see the post.

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

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.

https://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/

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=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!❤

Turning A Page On My Natural Calendar

Color Photography, wildlife
Hello Friends! Tonight’s Feature Image is titled “American Goldfinch 12421a” and is available for purchase by clicking the thumbnail and reaching out to me on the contact page.

The snow falls softly on my mountain today. Old Man Winter is feeling generous as January comes to a rest. As I look up from my desk I see that my feathered friends are celebrating their good fortune around my feeder. The party started with just 2 chickadees a few months ago and now includes 3 blue jays, 2 song sparrows a Carolina wren, a mated pair of Cardinals, a downy woodpecker and about 6 or 8 Goldfinch. Last month I posted a photo of a Goldfinch at my feeder and noted that they don’t get their color until they come into the breeding season.

Image Titled “Breakfast With Friends 122320” and is available for purchase by clicking the thumbnail and reaching out to me on the contact page.

It’s very subtle but I can see a difference in the color between the 2 images. In fact I expect that by the end of March that we will have a dramatic difference in the color of the Goldfinch. I have also added this change to my natural calendar. Every day I notice little minute changes to the world around me. A sprig of green here a color change there and a slight shift in the direction of the breeze. All of these things add up to keep me encouraged as winter passes. A friend and were discussing the length of the day and how it feels like a renewal when the days are noticeably longer. I’ve been mentally keeping track of when the automatic lights come on for weeks now. Every day we gain a few extra minutes. Before we know it I’ll be posting pictures of the beautiful Dogwood bloom and the redbud in season. It was recently said that we were in for a long dark winter but the natural calendar says otherwise. It says that in just 6 short weeks we’ll have the official start of spring and with it will come a glorious daybreak.

Good night friends and be blessed throughout your days.

Announcement:

I am adding additional social media to my network. Eventually, I’ll be leaving Facebook behind for a multitude of reasons. Even though the Lloyd’s Lens Photography page is strictly non-political I have been restricted from interacting with followers with no explanation for why. But it’s not just that. For years now Facebook has throttled content providers in general. They encourage us to grow our audience and then want to sell us back the access to them. In addition, they collect and sell the data from our interaction. So Facebook has become an entanglement of thorns. In response I have created the Lloyd’s Lens Photography Discussion Group on MeWe. We can still interact directly on the blog but starting today I’ll be looking for more platforms that respect the privacy of my followers and don’t limit who gets to see the post.

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

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.

https://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/

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=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!❤

Things Are Just Ducky #16 The Great Duck Race

Color Photography, wildlife
Hello Friends! Tonight’s Feature Image is titled “Racing Mallards 120220” and is available for purchase by clicking the thumbnail and reaching out to me on the contact page.

George could feel his heart thumping loudly in his chest as he locked his tired wings and soared in to land on the still green waters of the big lake. This was his first winter triathlon with his new flock and he was in third place. One by one the ducks spashed into the cold lake and began paddling. George was thankful to give his wings a break. Once the were the water the rules were to keep them folded. The competitor behind him was closing in when he heard a couple of wing beats and then the honking of the goose that had been recruited as referee. He knew that duck had just been disqualified. He couldn’t stop for a second to see what had happened. He just had to focus on long powerful strokes of his webbed feet. The water was his best field. He grew up on the moving water of a river and many trips upstream helped develop his technique. He was gaining ground on the other two ducks ahead of him. George remained aware of his position in relation to his competition but ultimately he knew that he couldn’t focus on their race without losing his own. The were all three swimming neck and neck as they reached land. George could hear 3 sets of feet slapping the mud as he took the lead. Then, just a few yards from the finish line the slapping suddenly became two sets of duck feet. Then a distress call. Everyone stood still for a moment. The duck in third place had slipped and fallen. He had injured his ankle and was unable to finish. The rules didn’t require anyone to wait. George could simply walk the next few steps and be the winner but without a word he and the second place duck looked at each other and walked back to their injured friend. By the time they reached him he was up and limping. His ankle would heal but there was no way he could finish the race. George and the second place duck gently lifted their friend up and carried him across the finish line. George knew that being a champion was more than just finishing first. Sometimes the prize isn’t a ribbon or a trophy. It’s knowing that you have something far more valuable than praise.

Good night friends and be blessed throughout your days.

Announcement:

I am adding additional social media to my network. Eventually, I’ll be leaving Facebook behind for a multitude of reasons. Even though the Lloyd’s Lens Photography page is strictly non-political I have been restricted from interacting with followers with no explanation for why. But it’s not just that. For years now Facebook has throttled content providers in general. They encourage us to grow our audience and then want to sell us back the access to them. In addition, they collect and sell the data from our interaction. So Facebook has become an entanglement of thorns. In response I have created the Lloyd’s Lens Photography Discussion Group on MeWe. We can still interact directly on the blog but starting today I’ll be looking for more platforms that respect the privacy of my followers and don’t limit who gets to see the post.

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

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.

https://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/

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=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!❤