The Sleepy Otter, Hawk Season and a Quick Trip to Fernandina Beach
Once again, I’m having to play catch-up with my posts. One thing I have decided to do to remedy that is to do smaller posts, more often. I hope that will work out better, and that y’all won’t be annoyed by the increase in e-mail notifications. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, celebrating the birth of our Savior, and I hope everyone has a safe, prosperous and happy New Year! Please leave any comments below. I love hearing from everyone! You can also e-mail me at danny@dannyswildlife.com . Either way, I look forward to hearing from you!
The main reason I started this web page is to showcase a part of God’s Splendor and Glory, through the lens of my camera. It is a genuine thrill to get out in the midst of it all, seeing the magnificent Creatures of His Domain, and the beautiful surroundings. I wish everyone would get out more regularly, and witness it for yourselves.
I want to welcome all newcomers to this site!! I hope you will enjoy these photos, share the posts with your family and friends across all social media, and take your children and grandchildren out to see God’s Splendor and Beauty yourselves!! You’ll be SO glad you did!
Thank you, and God bless you all!
Hawk Season is Upon Us!
Although several varieties of Hawks live here in Georgia year ’round, Winter is always the best time to observe them, mainly because the leaves are off the trees, making them easier to spot. I’m going to break these up into three parts – Hawks in general; Elvis and Priscilla, and Juliette and “Junior”. So, without further adieu … “The Generals”! (Cooper’s Hawks, Red-Shouldered Hawks, a Sharp-Shinned Hawk, Broad-Winged Hawks, and Red-Tailed Hawks)
Elvis and Priscilla
I don’t have to go very far at all to find Elvis and Priscilla, the beautiful Red-Tailed Hawks. They hang out about two miles from my house. I usually see them early in the mornings or late in the afternoons. Elvis is much more skittish, as are most male animals, and much harder to find.
Several of these shots were taken on overcast or rainy days. That makes for a less-than-colorful photo, but shows the reality of Nature.
Love me some Elvis and Priscilla!
Juliette and "Junior"
Juliette’s tragic story continues. As I mentioned in my last post, I used to see Romeo and Juliette many mornings, on my way to work. Two of their favorite perches were atop old, abandoned church steeples that are essentially right next door to each other. Then, on a cold, rainy March morning, I saw Romeo lying dead in the middle of the road. Juliette wasn’t the only one who was heartbroken.
It was around May or June when I noticed two young Red-Shouldered Hawks hanging out in the same area, and quickly concluded that they were Romeo and Juliette’s offspring. I captured several photos of them over the next few months. Many of them atop the same steeples, and other places where I would see Romeo and Juliette. I posted several of these photos in my last post.
Then, tragedy struck again. About two months ago, I saw one of the offspring lying dead in the road, in almost the exact same spot where Romeo had been killed. Again, Juliette was not the only one who was heartbroken. Here are several shots of Juliette and “Junior”, the surviving offspring. Juliette is larger and a darker shade of orange. I rarely see her without seeing Junior nearby.
Life goes on. They are such beautiful Creatures!
The Sleepy Little Otter
I see this beautiful Otter quite often once the weather gets cold. I used to see two of them, but haven’t seen the mate in over a year. I’m afraid that’s not good news. On a few occasions I was able to get some shots of it eating a fish – usually a Catfish – usually a BIG Catfish!
One afternoon, as The Sun was setting, I saw my friend crawl upon its favorite log, wanting to take a nap. Although I didn’t scare it, I’m pretty sure it knew I was there, hiding behind a bush, making it a little hesitant to fall asleep. I got several decent photos, and a couple of videos – one of the Otter, and one of four Deer watching all the excitement. It made for a fun afternoon!
Otter Video
Deer Video
Fernandina Beach!
I try to wiggle my way into going on business trips to Fernandina Beach a few times a year. It is a beautiful area, teeming with wildlife, very good places to eat, and lots of friendly people! This trip, however, was a little bit different. Our customer had a major repair job for us to help with, short-handed crew and all! I only had one Friday afternoon and one Saturday morning (of the eight days I was there) to take photos, but take photos, I did!
On a previous trip, I found a place where Roseate Spoonbills hang out. It’s basically inaccesible, so I thought I might try flying my drone out toward them. I did that both of the days I was able to squeeze some time in. Both days were sunny, but windy – not the most ideal conditions for flying the drone. I was concerned with flying it into the trees or the water, keeping me from being able to fully concentrate on taking photos and videos with the drone. The still photos didn’t turn out very well at all, but the videos are OK – not great, but OK. I will post them at the bottom of this section. I am also posting a video that my friend Michelle Siefken shot at The Circle B Bar Reserve near Lakeland, Florida. It is an amazing video of a Roseate Spoonbill, up close and personal! They are such beautiful Creatures! Please follow Michelle on Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube (@MichelleSiefkenPhotography). She is a brilliant photographer / videographer.
So, here we go!!
(Sunrise, an Anhinga, Red-Bellied Woodpeckers, a young Osprey, Wood Storks, a Gopher Tortoise, a Tri-Colored Heron, Pileated Woodpeckers, and more!)
P.S. If you want to see a video of us changing out a 2,500 horsepower motor on the second level, with a very short-handed crew, let me know. Our guys are THE BEST!!
Roseate Spoonbill Video #1 - High Tide
Roseate Spoonbill Video #2 - Low Tide
Roseate Spoonbill Video #3 Michelle Siefken
Apologies to Madelyn
Sending my most sincere apologies to my dear friend, Madelyn! I simply haven’t had time to get her most recent photos processed and uploaded. Please stay tuned. I promise to be back on track soon!!
Absolutely beautiful pictures…!!!
Thank you, Bobby!! I appreciate your kind words!! Hopefully, I will do a much better job in the coming year of getting more posts out. I still have scores of photos in the stockpile, and go out shooting almost every day (before, after and during work!)😎
Thank you! 😍
Thank YOU, Janet!! I appreciate your kind words!! 😊
Danny, these pictures are amazing! I especially love the hawks! They are beautiful creatures!!
Thank you, Faye! You always say the nicest things! I love the Hawks as well. They are just so beautiful!! Stay tuned. Many more to come!!