April 2018: Time Bandit

No, it isn't the Lone Ranger.
:)
It is the ubiquitous raccoon, or as my daughter calls it, a Trash Panda. An appropriate photo this spring as it seems that time is zipping on by faster than ever, and before you know it summer will be here once again.
In the meantime, spring is in the air here in the woods. It is still just a little too cold for the frogs to come out, although I did hear a couple of them last week. Lots of the birds are back now though, and it won't be long before the morels pop up. The turkey seem very scarce here this year though, which is a little worrisome. Perhaps it is the changing of the habitat, but it could also be a reflection of colder temperatures during winter or a rise in the coyote population. Either way, if there is one thing you can always count on in nature it is that things change.

March 2018: Deer in Barbed Wire

Well, I haven't done a skull photo in awhile, so here you are.  March is coming in like a lion here in the Michigan woods, but it looks to be reasonably short-lived.  The maple sap is collected and will be boiled down for syrup this weekend, as sure a sign of spring as the returning blackbirds and cranes which were both heard on Tuesday.

Spring is a wonderful time of year, because while the death of winter is still fresh in your mind, all of the new life springing up around you (something new every day!) really imparts a sense of life and hope, and provides a sense of renewal and rebirth.  In just a couple months new fawns will be running around this old stump, turning it back into a place of life and joy.

February 2018: Sky on Fire

I am not now, nor have I ever been, much of a morning person.  But things like this really make it worth being out there for.  Even in the dead of winter there is fire and warmth on the coldest mornings if you know where to look for it.  A good life lesson there....

January 2018: Happy New Year!

Had to post something reminiscent of warmer days, as it has been so very cold here for the last couple weeks.  Hope the new year brings you all joy and happiness!

December 2017: From Behind

I've always been a fan of the "from behind" shot of animals.  You don't usually see them from this perspective in books or on television. I think though that many times we get distracted by looking at an animal's face, and so either give short shrift to (or miss entirely) the beauty of the rest of the creature. Typical photos of lions focus on their manes, eyes, or more commonly their teeth, which tend to emphasize their violent carnivorous behavior and more dramatic physical features.  Abstracting those elements from a photograph forces you to notice the other aspects of a lion, the texture of the fur, the variations in coloration, the thickness of the body, the relaxed posture, etc. I am willing to bet that very few of you knew that African lions had black stripes across the back of their ears until now!

November 2017: Fish Town

The old Fish Town district in Leland, MI a couple weeks ago. Some places just demand sepia.

October 2017: Smile, Crocodile!

OK, this is not a crocodile.  Sue me.  :)
It seems that I am on a reptile kick though...last month a rattlesnake, this month a caiman.  I like reptiles though, I can't help it. :)
Caimans are essentially small versions of alligators.  Their personalities and tempers are the same size, however.
Until next month, see you later alliga---oh never mind........:D :D