Animals caught in the act

I love just taking walks with my camera and seeing what nature presents to me. Over the last week and especially on Saturday I had a lot of interesting encounters with animals. It was definitely using a lot of patience and being in the right place at the right time. I  love what I am shown and able to capture sometimes -- animals do some fun and amazing things 

I took this one because of the morning light -- it was so pretty and I think the birds  were enjoying it too -- I had to move around a couple of times to get the right angle with the wires but it was worth the wait to have them both facing to the right.  I was going to take an even closer shot, but they flew away as I stepped in

When I went to take this photo I didn't even know it was a cardinal because the sunlight was so bright -- I saw it sitting in the tree and I love to try to get the birds when they are in the branches.  It flew away just as I was snapping the shutter and this is the result. I love the way the light is on its wing ... 

This is a red tailed hawk from Shavers Creek. I caught this beauty on Saturday. Many of the birds are kept in cages and it can be difficult to get a good shot through the wires -- luckily we were walking around and one of the volunteers had this one out on display. I love that it was looking right at my camera

And then I got this as it turned to the side. I love how it really highlights the beak -- makes it look so strong and fierce

And of course I had to get the bald eagle. This was through the cage using manual focus. I loved how it had just raised its head for this one and I caught the sparkle in its eye

This was a little more subdued but I like that I got it away from the cage with the brown background-- and the little fluff of feathers on its nose makes me smile 

This peregrin falcon was hiding in the corner of its habitat and was very difficult to get a clear shot of. I moved around a lot and I think it noticed me because it finally turned and looked at me. This was the last shot of it and the best one that I took

This photo exemplifies my earlier statements about patience and being in the right place at the right time. I was out on Saturday afternoon with my camera and was looking at some of the daffodils on campus and saw some of the stems moving around and was wondering what it was. As I was standing there I saw this squirrel pop out with the plastic egg. I was far enough away and it was focused enough on its prize that it let me get a bunch of photos 

It took some time and effort but the squirrel finally broke through the egg and got the prize -- jelly beans -- you can see them on the ground -- it was persistent and so was I waiting till I could get this picture -- it had made a decent size hole in the plastic at this point.. 

Luckily for me I was just far enough away and quiet enough that the squirrel did not mind my picture taking. It was pretty intent on trying to eat the orange jelly bean ... 

I mean seriously how often do you see a squirrel eating a jelly bean -- and I got to capture the whole series of images -- such a great surprise ... 

And it let me get one last shot -- I stepped a little closer to get this angle and was only able to get this shot because it was so focused on the orange jelly bean -- after that it scampered away 

I spent a lot of time among the daffodils with the squirrels on Saturday. They were definitely aware of my presence but didn't seem to mind too much. This one was watching me but stayed there long enough for me to get this shot. 

Then of course they had enough of me and went into the trees -- the one I was watching must have been pretty hungry because it keep munching away on its seeds. I am very happy to have my zoom lens sometimes and just loved this shot 

It even let me get the full on close up -- the seed was just too good to be disturbed by me and my camera. Such a fun session with the squirrels -- of course it helps that our campus squirrels are very used to people ... 

And switching gears now to the ducks -- another of my favorite subjects. As I said Saturday was just a great afternoon for catching them in the act. This guy was on the duck pond (where I always go) just swimming around and letting me watch him.  He was swimming and stretching his wings when I got this shot -- I love how the water was so reflective also 

I loved the shape of the feathers as he was folding them back -- and then his colors are just so bright and beautiful. You can understand why I stayed and watched for a while .. 

And he knew I was there. I was sitting on the side just enjoying the place and how calm it was and he turned to look at me with just the perfect expression 

I don't even remember what these two ducks were looking at but it was so funny to see them do it at exactly the same time. This is one of my favorites from the day and it makes me laugh. So glad I had my camera ready 

They started quaking at other ducks and luckily I was able to catch the male mid quack.  Makes the photo more interesting 

This was all about the lighting and it was really interesting how the duck just decided to sleep in top of the rock in the shallow water. I have to agree that the sunshine was pretty nice -- he really seemed to be enjoying it 

If I remember correctly another duck landed on the pond and this duck raised its head to get a good view. I loved how far it stretched its neck 

and then the after picture when it looked back in my direction -- such nice shape and form and again the beautifully lit water .. 

and last but not least -- a few more squirrel pictures -- this one was digging for seeds and sat up -- I find it funny how many times I find squirrels sitting up like that 

and then it turned to look at me -- definitely striking a pose and so cute (and I think it knows it) 

by this point of the day I think the squirrels had enough of me -- it was scampering away into the trees -- I was lucky enough to catch it as it was right between  the branches -- and it looks like it was trying to escape . 

Thanks as always for  looking at my photos. I really had a lot of fun watching the animals and catching the moments. It will always be one of my favorite parts of photography and one of the main reasons that I carry my camera with me most days.