Thursday, June 12, 2008

Sky Watch Friday-A Cold Front Brings Relief

The passing of a cold front on Tuesday evening, brought a welcome relief from the recent heat and high humidity. Wednesday morning was clear and beautiful with an invigorating tang in the air before warming at mid day.

Canon 40-D: 17-40mmF4L

I have sighted a lot of wildlife lately, but have not had another good opportunity to photography fawns. I did see another doe with a fawn in a wooded area, but had no chance to use the camera. I noticed the chipmunk in the photograph below as I was driving a narrow, winding back road. He ran under the log when I stopped, but I got the camera in position, and he soon returned for a good photo op.

Canon 40-D: 100-400mm L at 365 mm-1/125sec. f5.6 ISO 800

The woodchucks have been frequent visitors to the meadow. The first shot is of the mother, while the second is a juvenile. They have grown quite a bit since the post where the entire family was pictured in one shot.

Canon 40-D: 500mmF4 L -1/350 sec. f5.6 ISO 100
Canon 40-D: 500mmF4 L -1/180 sec. f8 ISO 100

I hope to have more encounters with the fawns soon, but they are the ones that set the agenda and all I can do is to be prepared and try to make the best of the situation when it happens again!

For more sky watch photos visit Tom at Wigger's World

31 comments:

Anonymous said...

Beautiful photographs, Willard. I wish I had a woodchuck. Well, maybe not. The chipmunks we loved so much last year as twin babies are now making tunnels in the oddest places. I got to give them lessons next year on where and how to make a tunnel without upsetting the boss. LOL

SandyCarlson said...

The skies that clear out the haze and humidity are my favorite--deep and blue and bright. Thanks for the views of the furry guys, too.

Unknown said...

Hey buddy, great photos. I smile everytime I read your heading. Such a great statement.

Petunia said...

This is so beautiful:)
Petunia's SWF

Tom said...

Hi Willard
Another great post.. those Chipmunks would be sight to see... I've seen then over here kept as pets and I hate that..

Thank you for joining in with Sky Watch this week and helping to make it special.

Tom :O)

Michele said...

Willard, great critters. I adore these little woodland animals and I'm just not quick on the camera so I enjoy coming here. Very nice post.
Mountain Retreat

Sandpiper (Lin) said...

Your pictures are beautiful. You have a wonderful blog.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Willard: Very nicely done for a great SWF post.

Quiet Paths said...

o my, I can't choose a favorite, but that sky and trees is very lovely!

imac said...

Great sky and beautiful creatures always from you Willard.

visit my colours of Nature.

Voz do meu Coração said...

Magnificent the sequence of beautiful pictures, with colors and landscapes expactaculares. Congratulations.

Carletta said...

Lovely sky, but the wildlife get my vote!
I've loved chipmunks since I was a kid - this little guy was certainly worth waiting for.

FO - 2 said...

Very nice Sky Watch post.
Great shots!

Pretty Life Online said...

Nice one for SWF! When you realize how perfect everything is you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky... mine's up too hope you can drop by.

esnorway said...

i like your pic werry well nice

Jane Hards Photography said...

Just beautiful. Your wildlife photography is amazing.

Lilli & Nevada said...

wonderful shots of the sky and the critters

Pat - Arkansas said...

Beautiful sky photo, but my favorite is the chipmunk. Reminded me of a photo I took of a chipmunk some 60 years ago, using a Kodak Brownie camera at appx. 25 yards from the chipmunk. One would have to use a really high-powered magnifying glass to see the little creature evan as a lump on a log, much less any detail of an animal. I laugh now, but I thought it was great at the time -- I was 14.

Anne-Berit said...

Nice shots!

Chuck Pefley said...

Great photos! Don't know that I've ever seen a woodchuck before. Look a bit like slim marmots :)

Kerri Farley said...

Great shots Willard!
That chipmunk shot is Fabulous!
I like seeing the young woodchuck, too!!

Unknown said...

lovely shots!

VaQueenBee said...

Beautiful clear skies! I love the blue and green together!

Andrea said...

Great capture of the little critters. Very nice shots.

Anonymous said...

Hi Willard,

Yeah, Wednesday was a nice cool morning.

Good shots of the whistle pigs and I do like that chippie as a great image!

I've sent you an email.

Jim

lv2scpbk said...

Clear sky and nice blue color. I love the animal shots.

Texas Travelers said...

I really enjoyed the wildlife photos.

Have a nice weekend.

There's a party over here.
Come and visit for a while,
Troy

Anonymous said...

Love the little chipmunks. Fabulous photo!

DeeMom said...

HA HA reminded me of the cartoons Chip and Dale...gotta be careful now days people might think I be talking a male dance CREW GADS

lol

Great photos...and WE too are grateful for the BREAK in the weather

Anonymous said...

Just wanted to wish you a Happy Father's Day to the fathers in your family and to you a blessed day.

I hear cardinals, Carolina wrens, grackle babies wanting fed, and other nature sounds and the sky in the east is getting brighter and the air is cool and the doors are open and so are the windows. I am blessed on this Father's Day morning.

Jill said...

Good job on these, too! We have this type chipmunk. He loves to eat Oliver's leftover pellets. You should see his cheeks after he's thru stuffing his mouth. Funny!