Monthly Archives: July 2012

Oklahoma Summer Morning

To me, these yellow flowers in the sunshine are Oklahoma in the summertime, in the early morning.

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Nikon D5100 f/11 ISO 100 1/125s Nikkor 55-300@300mm – Summer 2012

Well, the case could be made that a photo of the ubiquitous dry, brown, crispy grass would be more representative of the last few summers in Oklahoma, but that is not what evokes my desire to run out the door with a camera in the early morning. So this photo of small yellow flowers stretching toward the sun, which was, in fact, taken in Oklahoma in the summertime, stands in my mind for the quintessential Oklahoma Summer Morning.

quintessential: representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class

ubiquitous: present, appearing, or found everywhere

Watchful

The cats like to go out with me to take photographs, but they are ever watchful.

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Nikon D5100 f/5.6 ISO 400 1/125s Nikkor 55-300@240mm – Pet Portrait, July 2012

Apparently, they are cognizant of the danger of becoming lunch for a coyote! This photo of Tiger as a watchful, intensely focused cat contrasts strongly with his usual  totally laid back, flopped on his back, rag doll cat demeanor when in the house.

Face Off!

Tiny toad versus butterfly! Who will survive?

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Nikon D5100 f/16 ISO 800 1/180 s Nikkor 55-300@170mm – Summer 2012

Actually, the toad held perfectly still and ignored the butterfly as it walked past, picking up moisture from the mud with its proboscis. The butterfly seemed totally oblivious to the toad (which really resembled at tiny bump of mud)… If it had been a larger toad, I think the butterfly would have become dinner. Maybe.

Just in case the photo doesn’t make it plain, I want to tell you this is a truly tiny toad, around 1/2 inch long!

Playing in the Pond!

Finally released from Down-Stay on the pond bank, Zookie and Buttercup celebrate their freedom with a frolic in the pond.

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Nikon D5100 f/5.6 ISO 400 1/500 s Nillor 55-300@55mm – Pet Portrait, Summer 2012

See Zookie’s halo? Evidence that she really is a Good Dog, despite the facial expression that may seem to indicate otherwise!

Seeds at Sunrise

Yes, these are the same seeds from earlier this week, but at sunrise instead of sunset 🙂

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Nikon D5100 f/8 ISO 400 1/250 s Nikkor 55-300@300mm – Summer 2012

This time, the rising sun was so bright behind them! I thought they might come out in silhouette, but I wanted the sunlight glowing through them, the way I saw it. I think I got my settings right, so I am very pleased with this photo!

Loyal Companion

Buttercup is a great dog! She does get worried when her boy is missing. This weekend he and his brother and dad were all off doing Boy Scout activities, leaving Buttercup home with me.

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Nikon D5100 f/4.8 ISO 800 1/250 s Nikkor 55-300@105mm – Pet Portrait, Summer 2012

She kept a close eye on me, and stayed near by, wherever I went. This afforded me several opportunities for nice photos, like this one taken at sunrise Sunday morning.

I wanted to take photos at the pond before the dogs stirred it all up, so she and Zookie were staying on the pond bank, patiently awaiting their turn in the water. When they got in, they had great fun! (photo coming tomorrow)

Creeping Downward

I thought I would share another shot of the tree frog. She was creeping down toward her intended safe haven.

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Nikon D5100 f/11 ISO 800 1/250 s 55-300@270mm – Summer 2012

I am grateful that Bridger spotted her for me and called me out to take her photo. Surely there are many of these frogs in the trees around us, yet we so rarely see them. I get excited when I see wild animals, and I hope I always will!

Surrender!

Uncle! What do we trees and bushes need to say for the rain to come?

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Nikon D5100 f/8.0 1/250sec 55-300@300mm – Summer 2012

Despite the pathos of a single dead leaf on bare twigs, the light through this leaf is beautiful. I am out searching for beauty to photograph. If I wanted to show desperation or decline, I guess I would need different lighting.

What do you think?