Katydid, Caterpillars, Snapper Babies, (20160924) Clarence and I take a stroll.

One of the locals has sent me a photo of a fresh-out-of-the-egg baby snapper climbing out of its nest hole. With an enticement like that Clarence and I hit the tracks hoping to find more stragglers. Our first encounter was not direct wildlife, but the results thereof. This honeycomb, which Clarence assures me is of the Honeybee, was likely left on thetracks by a raiding raccoon.

Not too far along our journey I took a couple of shots of this beautiful Wooly Bear. It was the second of these we spotted.

Our next siting that I captured was this beautiful Katydid.

As this is a Blog first here is a second angle of this new to me creature. For those that are not familiar this is a fairly large insect, that when it first landed I took for some sort of a Grasshopper. Take a little time and look up the is little creature.

On our stroll back down the tracks Clarence did spot this little unit struggling along between the rails.

Clarence was pretty taken with the little guy and refuse to let me be his transport. I took this image of his underside. What I really enjoy is the eyes of these incredible creatures.

I am amazed at how well they represent their parents in every detail, save some algae, so accurately! We also found a number of these beauties buzzing about.

When we arrived at our "release point" I couldn't help but notice this yound maple sprouting from a rotting log.

We also had a little buddy for our Snapper. This is one of three little Green Frogs that live in the area.

Here is our little buddy on the release log. We hung around for a while to see that he made the water okay. While we were wating I happened to spot another baby Snapper in the water. That sighting made my entire season! I cropped this image and left the subject high so that you could see his shadow on the log.

We wrapped the evening up with this American Dagger Moth.

Then there was this Fingered Dagger Moth caterpiller.

As I finish up this post I will toss in a couple of images of a very large male Snapper crossing over the tracks from the pond to the lake.

This is quite easily the largest turtle I have ever had the privilege to run across.
I am certian that he was large enough to cover the top of a garbage can.

He looked to be at least 8 inches thick, and I just love those front foot CLAWS!

This critter could be 60 or 70 years old. Just a magestic "Nova Scotia Grizzly"!
Take some time and put some "wild" in your life!
Turbo

Baby Snappers, caterpillars, Toad (20160921) Victory for the persistent!

Well ANOTHER day on the tracks. Me and the Bizzer have been at this for 3 weeks now and no real sign of baby turtles. But like the line from the Outlaw Josie Wales mentions we will "endeavour to persevere"! Then I spot a small leeaf like object in the dark shade, well away from any water. A hatchling, a baby snapper, finally. First order of business is to get him to some water. Then find a little something to provide scale, so a handy $1 Canadian coin, called a Loonie and we are all set.

Then a shot of him on the beach, what amazes me beside the small size is the length of tail in comparison to the shell.

Then before I place him in what I believe is a safe place in the lake I notice how perfectly his claws look. This is just a perfect miniature! He he is in his new aquatic home, safe from between the rails where he would likely have perished.

I am exhalted. I make a few phone calls to those that I think might be interested. Mostly to let them know tha I found one, who knows it might be the only one I ever find. Then back on the tracks for more searching, and I spot #2, Outstanding!

Here is a close up of the hind foot and tail. I just love how perfectly formed they are.

As I continue my search I believ I find a nest hole, this would be where these little ones might have crawled out of.

Then I spot a third! What a terrific day this is turning into!

Laurie Ann and Wesley decided to come out and get in on the bonanza. Neither had see baby Snappers before so this was quite a treat.

They have those neat Macro lenses that let them get right up close to their subjects. Not like my big tele.

Then I learned tht you don't ask anyone to hold your camera while you go on a little side mission. Laurie Ann took this shot of me and Bizzy with my own camera.

Here is the first of two caterpillars, This one is the Fingered Dagger Moth caterpillar.

Here is number 2 Caterpillar.  the young of the Banded Tussock Moth.

I'll wrap this post up with a shot of the largest American Toad we spotted all day. This fella was easily 30 times larger than the other little hoppers that were around. And, there were many of them out and about on this day.

Take some time to day and put a little "wild" in your life, I will!
Turbo

Clouded Sulphur, Pheasants, Palm Warbler (201609-Mid) A couple of dry days.

The "baby watch is still in full operation, so daily trips to the tracks are in order. The migrating warblers are petering out, but it seems the flutter-byes are still in full force. Here is yet another Clouded Sulphur, maybe my best yet?

A couple of days later I headed over to Hartlen Point to see what might be found in Angela's back yard. We were very happy to spot this Palm Warbler in an area we check for shorebirds.

Another image of this migrating beauty. I usually only find them in the spring.

We also found this beautiful Black-and-White Warbler. We were pretty close and this little gal was on the move constantly.

A couple of days later was I spotted this little little sweetheart, it was at the start of our walk, and it was very difficult to keep track of this one.

Then a little later in the day the pheasants were having a little drama in the cul-de-sac. Something spooked the birds when they were across the street and one of the chicks flew up onto the veranda roof. After a bit, Mom was out trying to reound the crew back up.

She convinced the younger bird to get down off the roof, I was able to grab a quick image as she lifted off.

In the afternoon this little sparrow showed up. I believe it is a Song Sparrow, but the yellow clouring has me questioning that.

I wrap this post up here. This covers post covers serveral days where I was able to put a little "wild" in my life!
Turbo

Cougar, Lion Cheetah (20160912) A trip to a local zoo.

With a family friend coming to town to visit, Len and I decided to go to the Zoo.  Grace Lush has done transactions with the Oaklawn Zoo dealing with primates, birds and cats. Cats were the reason for the trip, the Cougar in particular. While I have seen Cougars in the wild several times, my images are far from ideal. This to me is the most amazing critter we have here in Canada. These teeth are just part of the arsenal that it brings to the table.

The speed that it can develop and leaping capability are just outstanding. This big North American cat fears nothing in the wild, except maybe a bigger or meaner Cougar.

This is a face that I have stared into, albeit briefly, and was mesmerized!

Of course it wasn't just cats at the zoo. They have have llamas, goats, fowl, and of course Capybera's. These are the largest rodent in the world.

While the Cougar is a predator of the Cappy's so is this net big cat, the Jaguar. I learned that you tell these from a Leapard by the colours on their black spots. The Leopard only has the black spot.

We arrived just before feeding time so we had great views of the big cats. The first to be fed were the Lions.

The Jags could hardly wait to get their meaty morsels!

I cannot help to feel that this guy is saying " hey, I only want to lick you for a little while".

This younger male lion has a haircut that reminds me of the 80's!

I was unable to capture the Cheetah in an more natural setting. I may have to come back and spend some time observing and shooting to get a clearer image.

Here is my "cleanest" image of the target of my visit. No fences or man-made structures in the frame.

Another of the North American Cats available for viewing is this beautiful Bobcat. I have captured this great "generalist" in both Canada and the US.

The Zoo also has this young man-- Hunter. He weighs in at 50 pounds currently and is one of the stars of the place.

Oh, and I haven't mentioned that Mom was with me. While she didn't get her photo taken with a Llama, we did manage to get her petting Hunting.

Even if you can't get to the natural woods, Zoos and other institutions provide an alternative so that you can put a little "wild" in your life!
Turbo