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For the past several weeks there have been baby burrowing owls at Brian Piccolo Park in Cooper City. I always anticipate the arrival of the babies.

This is the first shot that I took of one of the burrowing owls as it first took flight this year. I had seen one before fly up to the post, but I was totally unprepared, not knowing that they were already at that stage. But this time, I was more prepared. We watched this one testing its wings by taking brief "flighty hops" within the perimeter of the ropes .... then all at once .... up it went onto the post! How fun they are to watch at this stage. Once they are about 2 weeks, the emerge from the burrow to the world outside, then they graduate to feeling comfortable with the surroundings and playing with their siblings, then the short "flights" within the burrow vicinity. Once they start actually flying to the posts for stability in their landings, then ultimately onto the ropes which mark the burrows, which I'm pretty sure is for the development of their balance. The final step in their "flight school" is flying out a bit further ... perhaps venturing out to a nearby tree to hang out for a while, and show off to its siblings that haven't gotten to that stage yet.

Just like a child who learns something new, particularly something that they do for themselves for the first time, you can just witness the look of surprise and pride on their facial expressions ....as if to say "Look at what I can do!".

Can't wait until I can photograph them again in a few short weeks. :-)

Thanks for stopping by to view and especially for all of your thoughts and comments.

© 2013

www.tnwaphotography.com
www.tnwaphotography.wordpress.com

Well, we've been super swamped all day and evening tonight, so this post will be quick......

Thought that I would share another image of one the fox squirrels seen last year at Joe Overstreet Landing (this is the same one photographed leaping onto the fencing). Eventually this fox squireel ran up the palm and turned around and stared at us. It was so amazing to me to see how well camoflauged they can be. This variety of squirrel is also much bigger than the "standard" squirrels I'm accustomed to and they have big bushy tails too. It's always a joy to observe and photograph them. Didn't see any in our trips to the area in 2013 though ... not yet anyway!

Thanks for stopping by to view and especially for all of your thoughts and comments. Hope to get to everyone's images as well at some point tomorrow. :-)

© 2012 Debbie Tubridy

Web: www.tnwaphotography.com
Blog:
www.tnwaphotography.wordpress.com

Lately, it seems as though I've been living for the weekends! All I can say is T-G-I-F !!!

When I woke up this morning and realized that Friday had finally arrived, I had a feeling of elation, excitement, anticipation, and relief. I felt like how I imagine these little sandhill crane colts must feel as they appear to be dancing for joy! OK, maybe I have no idea what they're feeling when they excitedly jump around and suddenly engage in a full on "trot" if you will, but clearly something motivated them to put on this display.

I'm not exactly sure why I'm so excited right now ... for I have a lot of hard work to do this weekend (though I will get to see my daughter for the first time since February), but next week I'll have to go away for work for a week, then be home briefly before embarking on another adventure. Yes, life has been quite busy! I have to admit that I'm a bit sad that I'll be missing a few weeks of the burrowing owl antics that I have been enjoying of late. But I guess it just allows for an opportunity to see something new - though something different, but hopefully equally enjoyable.

Either way, I hope that everyone makes the best of their weekend coming up, doing whatever it is that makes you happy. :-)

Thanks so much for stopping by to view and especially for all of your comments and thoughts. Bear with me with my limited commenting over the next week or so and know that, though comments may be sporadic, I'm still checking out the images along the way.

© Debbie Tubridy / © TNWA Photography - All of my images are protected by copyright and may not be used on any site, blog, or forum without my permission.

Website: www.tnwaphotography.com
Blog: www.tnwaphotography.wordpress.com

I love taking images of the birds, especially during the courtship time, when their colors are at full display and they have an attitude about them that makes me feel like they're calling out ...Look At Me!

This particular tri-colored heron seemed to be out strutting it's stuff. At first when I saw it, I thought look at that bird, but then I noticed that the bokeh around it was highlighting its beauty and I really felt compelled to get the shot. Patiently it seemed to cooperate with me as I set up, composed, and succeeded at getting the image. I especially love the brilliant red eye! Now that it's almost mid-May, I'll bet all of the showing off is over by now and the young are probably getting quite grown already. Such is life :-).

Thanks for stopping by to view and especially for all of your thoughts and comments.

© Debbie Tubridy / © TNWA Photography - All of my images are protected by copyright and may not be used on any site, blog, or forum without my permission.

Website: www.tnwaphotography.com
Blog: www.tnwaphotography.wordpress.com

In the fall of 2012, we took a family reunion vacation to the Yellowstone/Grand Teton NPs area. We had a great time in the big outdoors with my mom, her husband, my daughter Kelli, Tom & I. After we then dropped my mom and her husband off in SLC, we then picked up Kelli's husband Mitchell and toured around Utah - Park City and surrounding areas. Then Kelli, Tom & I went onward through southern Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and into Texas.

One of the places that we visited along the way was Zion NP. What a fabulous place that is - so rich in colors, spiritual in nature, and adventurous for the mind and body. We were treated to spectacular weather, with amazing wispy clouds, and the perfect temperature in the air.

This image illustrates just some of the varied terrain layers of complexity to the area. I found every corner had a "hidden gem" to it and I could literally explore the area for weeks, if not months.

So much to do, so much to see, so much to experience ... not enough time. I need to return to the area on a trip, perhaps in 2014, to better quench my thirst for Zion. Until then, I can flip through my photographs from the trip and reflect on the memories that were made, and smile.

Thanks for stopping by to view and especially for your thoughts and comments.

© Debbie Tubridy / © TNWA Photography - All of my images are protected by copyright and may not be used on any site, blog, or forum without my permission.

Website: www.tnwaphotography.com
Blog: www.tnwaphotography.wordpress.com