2 manzanita shots to go, please...

Busy, but today's assignment was "red"

(for the 30 day photo challenge by @just_go_do_it)

so as soon as I realized that meant some quality time with manzanita,

I grabbed the Nikon and headed out.

I find myself gazing at this plant like I'm in love.

Just staring and staring.

So beautiful. We're very lucky to have them here.

SO many wildlife species eat the berries,

and they are early bloomers in the spring,

which gives a low hummmmm to the landscape

as thousands of bees merrily pollinate them

to begin their little bee lives for the year.

Maybe I am in love. =)

xoxobbb

Photo challenge parade of productivity

Sometimes it's good to get shoved out of your routine,

forced to interpret a theme you did not select.

This is why I like the 30 day photo challenge posed by @just_go_do_it (on Twitter).

If you've done this one, or there are others you like,

please let us know in the comments.

Day 8, "mother nature"

Day 8 of the challenge was "mother nature."

Looking ahead on the list, I thought, oh, easy. That's my thing!

But, on day 8, it rained and rained, and was dark and rained.

And I'm really trying to meet the challenge of the day ON that day.

No posting old photos. Do I shoot that dull, gray sky?

Then, hark! The sun came out super briefly

so I ran out w/my Nikon & shot away.

And found that manzanita, bizarrely beautiful.

And they're so seldom wet, it's a treat to see them this way.

This would not have happened w/out the photo challenge.

Day 6, "tell a story"

The story (above) is one of impatience.

The tomato plants had not yet frozen,

but I wanted to plant stuff & needed the room.

Perils of gardening in California: plants will not die.

Tired of waiting, I finally yanked a cherry tomato plant out.

Hence, the pile of teeny, tiny tomatoes, framed by tomcat.

Day 15, "4:00 pm"

Between storms, the sky was doing some lovely things

with a chromatically limited palette.

Technically it was 3:46, but that's close enough.

 Day 13, "distance"

I had to go the "distance" to find this wee mauve mushroom (& friend).

I've been monitoring a far corner of our property for months

in a (so far) vain attempt to find a purple puffball.

Frankly, it's past season for that thing.

However, yet another foiled foray did yield the above mauve beauty

under a pile of manzanita branches. Delightful.

Day 9, "fear"

Initially stumped re: what to shoot that spoke about fear,

I looked around and remembered:

I live with professional killers.

Our 2 kitties love killing things.

Which is why we keep them indoors.

And I don't actually fear them,

but the ONE time a mouse entered our home,

it did not end well for that mouse.

So, if you're smaller than a cat,

and enter our home uninvited, fear the kitty!

Day 2, "black & white"

Cottonwood tree in Yosemite Valley. =)

Day 1, "self portrait"

My habitat and I.

Day 4, "friends"

I was taking mushroom photos and my hen-friend kept me company. =)

Day 16, "silhouette"

(Hm, once again, blogger made my image more red than it is... pardon. )

The stormy skies changed evergreens into black silhouettes.

I took SO many shots of the sky, yesterday, waiting for a downpour.

We didn't get any real rain until it was dark.

A day of AMAZING clouds.

comma clouds

Clouds were not yesterday's assignment,

but stormy skies are so rare, here,

I don't need a prod to get out & shoot.

But, sometimes I do.

This annual challenge makes me look at things differently,

and get off my creativity/photography-buns.

I highly recommend it.

xoxoxo

Photo roundup (yee-haw!): last of 30 day photo challenge

 Tweeted these pups a while back, but here I'll make 'em BIGGER.

=)

Skipping around a bit...

Day 27: Portrait

The ever-charming brown pelican.

Apparently the blue eyes mean romance is around the corner…

Galveston, TX

Day 26: Candid photo

Ring-billed gull being a jerk, just 'cause it can.
Galveston, TX

Day 25: Time
(I'll keep it small in case it freaks you out--I get that.
You can click on it to see it larger

This fox's time is up,
but its tail is still beautiful…
Seems appropriately framed: the fallen.
Golf course north of Houston, TX

Day 28: Calm

Taken during flight home, TX to CA.

Clouds: I forgot what they looked like.

Somewhere up high

Day 29: Family

Niece holding shelly discoveries from Galveston, TX beach.

Day 30: Christmas

Beautifully decorated "Christmas" tree.
Golf course north of Houston, TX

Sweet gum, which, tho' I know them from San Diego,
are actually NATIVE to Texas.
This one was GIANT. And gorgeous.

<Checks end of 30 day photo challenge off her to do list,
with thanks to @just_do_do_it>


So, 2014…

Not big on entire year summaries, pardon.

I MAY go to a conference later this month.
A wildlife biology conference.
And possibly help recruit biologists for our company.

If so, should I dress like a corporate head hunter?
Put on high heels & wear lots of perfume & makeup?

Or, wear 100% field gear,
including oversized safety suits for inclement weather,
and carry a snake stick & wear gaiters?

Really, though, I think we should print out LARGE shots of
some of the BEAUTIFUL places we've done work,
and the SUPER cool wildlife "we've" seen.

That's the way to a wildlife biologist's heart…
at least, mine.

=)

xoxobb

There's magic in the air...

…and possibly in these pouches packed with promise. 

Ills they are alleged to address:

anemia, gastritis, gall bladder problems, ovary issues,

menopause, lung ailments, gout, lagging circulation,

liver troubles, unhappy colons,

and, of course, cancer.

I certainly hope it is true.

Given all the things plant compounds can do for and to us,

there's certainly plenty of potential.

It's so surprising when you learn of non-human animals

using plants to aid themselves (other than eating them),

like rats who line their nests with rosemary.

Rats with rosemary-festooned nests have fewer fleas

than rats that eschew the pungent herb.

That is how I learned to decorate the coop w/rosemary.

Which means I learned it from rats.

I hope the rats out there know, somehow,

that their botanical knowhow is responsible for my happy hens.

Might not be magic, but it's pretty amazing to me.

xoxobb

explore...

 … is today's photography theme.

Prickly pear fruits (I believe).

Took these photo whilst exploring the farmer's market in Houston, today.

It's MAJOR.

Had NO idea what many of the items were.

Which makes me very happy. =)

A key to exploring, in my mind, is to:

1st, embrace your ignorance,

2nd, ask someone to teach you.

That way you get to learn,

and they get to be a smarty pants;

a win-win.

=)

There was one item that looked like bags of dried green dodder or Spanish moss*.

A young girl explained to us that it is what you put in the manger for the baby Jesus.

Not for eating--oops.

She was SUPER cute.

I love learning from a 9-year-old.

So, there ya go.

Day 23 of the 30 day photo challenge (by @just_go_do_it): DONE.

xoxobb

*Now that I look at it, I'm wondering if what they were selling IS Spanish moss, which is neither Spanish, nor moss. Apparently, it's an epiphytic flowering plant. And it is native in this region (I'm in Texas)… interesting!

2 fer 1 photo quiz. And, love. =)

Reflection is the Day 20 assignment…

PHOTO QUIZ: Can you guess where I've been?

Actually, if you'll forgive me, I'll also use this photo for today's assignment,

"M is for…"

And, yes, people, that is a hint.

M applies to the above photo in two ways:

1. The generic term for the sort of place it is

2. the architect of this particular m~. 

So, got any guesses??

If so, please fling them into the comments,

AND, per usual,

PLEASE don't be shy about

WILD, 100% uninformed guesses.

They are all delightful. =)

So, yesterday was Day 21, but I didn't know the theme.

I just wandered around the above place in my usual way, 

and took this photograph:

Turns out the theme yesterday was Love. =) Done! 

To be 100% honest, I had several additional photos for "M is for…"

that I really like,  but my new camera is SO new to me,

it's doing some frankly unattractive things when I shrink some of the photos,

and I don't want to fling wonky, pixel-splattery images at you.

I care too much.

=)

But, just to make up for it,

here's another reflection photo

if you won't think the double duty photo is kosher.

xoxoxoxoxobb

p.s. In case you were wondering, YES, I had a WONDERFUL day, yesterday. =)

from a distance...

Photo taken this October whilst flying from the Midwest back to California.

Dr. Penny Higgins (http://paleopix.com/blog/)
"Alluvial fans in the desert. And maybe a volcano or two on the right hand side…"

Dr. Penny would know; she's a "vertebrate paleontologist/isotope geochemist/geologist."

More geo-shots from that flight, w/Penny's interpretations,
are in the "earth from the air" set at  http://www.flickr.com/photos/biobabbler/.

Thus endeth the "From a distance" challenge for day 19

of the @just_go_do_it 30 day photo challenge.

11 to go; gonna be traveling during some of that,

so posts may become a wee bit spotty.

xoxobb

Night...

is only ONE of the MANY times our kitty is invisible.

The only reason you can see him

is that my Nikon INSISTED on using the flash.

Here in person, he's just an area where all light is absorbed.

If you see NOTHING, not even reflected light,

don't walk into it or sit on it,

as it's probably our cat.

A warm & fuzzy black hole.

He's also much quieter than our colored-for-daytime grey tabby.

I think it's part of the whole ninja gig.

He

is

night

silence

stealth

Professional killer.

Sweet kitty.

'Long as I'm bigger than 'im.

=)

xoxobb

(thus Day 18 of @just_go_do_it's 30 day photo challenge = DONE)

Colour me crabby

Favorite "color" shot from this year:

crab spider on a zinnia

Assignment for day 17 of the 30 Day Photo Challenge is "colours,"

the spelling of which belies a Canadian or UK origin.

However, I'm feeling kinda wooky,

so wandering around w/camera may not happen today.

Y'all may have to settle for this.

xoxobb

The Stranger

Was supposed to take a photograph of a (presumably human?) stranger, yesterday,

for the photo challenge, but I didn't see one.

Work at the house, & no one darkened our door, yesterday.

So, how 'bout this charming creature, from a few days ago?

We've not been formally introduced.

This spotted towhee was on the back porch during the cold snap,

when snow covered almost everything,

and our porch sported birdseed.

It was a rare treat--this is a pretty people-shy bird.

Since the snow melted, most of the birds have abandoned our porch,

save the ever present dark-eyed juncos, and the occasional western scrub jay.

The spotted towhee is among the missing.

*sigh*

Perhaps I should have called after them, "Don't be a stranger!"

I fling birdseed onto the back porch, and the towhee ignores it.

It doesn't want to be my friend.

I can't blame it.

After all, I have cats.

Professional killers in my house.

Clearly a character flaw.

Smart bird.

xoxobb

late entry--today's sky DEMANDED my attention...

Tonight's sunset.

Okay, okay, I'll take your picture & put you in the blog.

My second entry for the "Sky" theme.

Poor little sky.

Just wants a little attention.

Don't we all?

=) 

xoxobb 

Water, water, every where...

Harbor seal, Bodega Bay

"Day after day, day after day,

We stuck, nor breath nor motion;

As idle as a painted ship

Upon a painted ocean.

Harbor seal, Bodega Bay

"Water, water, every where

And all the boards did shrink;

Water, water, every where,

Nor any drop to drink." 

Rime of the Ancient Mariner

Samuel Taylor Coleridge

The water was extra gorgeous this week.

Very much like a painted ocean.

xoxobb

(p.s. Day 14 of the 30 day photo challenge, by @just_go_do_it, DONE)

Birds are animals, too!

Belly landing captured during this week's Bodega Bay visit

One of the most common errors I've heard people make

(including famously smarty-pants types)

is saying birds and animals, or even that birds are not animals.

My theory is they are thinking about MAMMALS,

and yes, birds are not mammals,

but, they are animals.

"Animals" is today's assignment for the 30 day photo challenge.

Figured I'd use the assignment to remind people that

birds are people too.

Oops. I meant animals. =)

Framed weirdly (landing, immature western gull) but I liked the lighting & detail

xoxobb

Gull face

Today's photo assignment is "A face."

Annnd I chose a non-human animal face, naturally.

A rather bold western gull

hanging out at the Tides restaurant,

where I saw numerous gulls cleaning out BIG crab shells.

He is eyeing me disapprovingly as I seem to be photographing him

and NOT reaching for fried calamari to fling in his general direction.

Tomorrow's assignment is "animals."

Hm…

I'm stumped.

xoxobb

outside in -- Bodega bay, gulls and harbor seals

Day 11 theme - Outside In.

Everyone is outside, yet

the harbor seals are in a pod,

the gulls are in a flock,

the bb is in a fleece.

=)

STUNNING day, out there.

Heaven.

Joy of the beach in winter?

SUPER not crowded.

Except, maybe if you're a harbor seal or a gull.

xoxobb

totally fake

Today's photo assignment was "Artificial light," Day 10.

Which is perfect, 'cause I spent the day at the beach.

Shadows

Day 9 of 30 Day Photo Challenge.

Squiggly & weird.

Why, yes, I DID prune that tree myself, how did you know?

Yo no soy arborista.

I yam, however, tall, so trim limbs that threaten my noggin,

or block my kitchen-office view of the garden.

Hitting the road, today,

so if I continue to try & meet this photo challenge,

it is more likely to be via twitter (@biobabbler).

xoxoxobb

P.S. Years ago someone who was learning English (his English was very good)

asked me (16 at the time) to explain the difference between shadow and shade. Made me think.

Interpreting "dance"

So, watching flames dance on a pre-dawn, 14F morning,

I realized I had my photo(s) of the day (yesterday).

While not technically lovely, you get the idea.

And as an alternate, after the sun rose,

I saw the sunlight refracting in the grass ice.

So, that's Day 8 of the 30 Day Photo Challenge (fm @just_go_do_it).

Today's theme, day 9, is Shadows.

xoxobb

Beauty (this is gonna be EASY)

Day 7 of the 30 day photo challenge.

I'm going for everyday beauty,

'cause frankly, it's all around, all the time.

And to prove it, I'm not even LEAVING MY HOUSE to do this.

Western scrub-jay gettin' snacks post 6" snow dump & 14F night.

 Spotted towhee doing the same.

Ditto junco.

 Traffic signs showing mammalian searches for food & love today.

=)

Next photo assignment is Dance.

CAVEAT

To be 100% honest, these may evolve into mere tweets,

'cause I'm traveling this week, visiting, and will be BUSY

w/no internet action most the time.

Which is good, too.

Anyhow, if you've not yet, feel free to

check out @biobabbler (Samantha Biobabbler) on "the twit"

for more from the 30 Days of Photographs (via @just_go_do_it)

in case this site grows still.

xoxoxobb

Humans Meet Nature: today's photo challenge theme

These photo are not from today, but I'm still okay w/that. =)

A few things: this theme is major, for me. I'm a conservation biologist, for Pete's sake.

And I've been in national parks on days visitors have died there.

I pretty much wrote what I felt about it

(incl. talking about when John Muir was blinded in one eye) 

in this post, after some waterfall fatalities in Yosemite,

so you can peruse that if you want.

Taking this photograph (Vernal Fall) was THRILLING.

My basic perspective is that the beauty in nature often comes with risk

and that's the way it is.

I'd rather have nature unimpaired with its risks

than guard rails and DO NOT ENTER signs everywhere.

My favorite word is freedom.

Taking this photo of Nevada Fall was also super exciting.

That fall was LOUD & at SUPER high water.

Nevada Fall from farther away--kind of a plunge, eh?

If you wanna "Meet Nature" ya might want to

educate yourself,

prepare yourself,

work on your fitness (endurance, balance, etc.),

learn about the conditions you may encounter,

pack food, water, sunscreen etc.,

wear appropriate clothing (this is huge)

and TRAIN.

PRACTICE.

If you're not experienced, work up to it, read books, ask people who work there, etc.

Training before you go gives you time to get your clothing/gear/food/water situation all sussed out.

That's incredibly important.

And if you've trained, you'll have WAY more fun and probably be a lot safer.

And it's another excuse to get outside with friends & hike & blab.

Which I'm always in favor of.

=) xoxobbb