Red Fox

On Tuesday afternoon, while walking along one of the trails in the woods behind my house, I saw a red fox crouching in the grass watching me. I stayed very still for a few minutes and it began to approach me very slowly while sniffing the air often. It was fairly relaxed and didn't stop until it was about 6 feet from me. If it is the same fox that's been around here for a while, it is probably used to my scent.

Unfortunately, I did not have my telephoto lens with me and I couldn't get any close ups. Today's photos have been cropped from the originals.

I started a Red Fox Gallery at: http://lanephotography.com/animals/red_fox/red_fox_01.htm

Bullfrogs

Frogs are returning to the ponds and wetlands around Holyrood after many years of absence. On Monday, I hiked to the hills behind my house and could hear the sound of frogs in nearly every pond. As well, there were frogs in just about every puddle along the trail, even half-way up the side of the mountain. They are very plentiful again this year.

As I approached on pond I saw a few frogs and approached them very slowly as they "posed" for photos instead of swimming away. I have identified them as bullfrogs, but am not sure I am correct.

I uploaded 9 photos of frogs to: http://lanephotography.com/animals/frog/bullfrog_01.htm

Pitcher Plant

In all the years I have been hiking to the hills behind my house, until yesterday, I have never seen a pitcher plant growing in water. The trails are very wet after the heavy rains we had on Sunday and I assume the water is higher than normal in this particular spot. I really liked the colours in these photos.

The pitcher plant, the official flower of Newfoundland and Labrador, is a carnivorous plant found in bogs and wet areas all over the province. I have many photographs and am planning to update my pitcher plant gallery soon.

Sunset

After the wedding rehearsal Thursday evening, I couldn't resist taking a few photos of the sunset in Outer Cove. I really liked the interesting shapes and textures of the clouds and had to zoom in as much as possible because there were houses and wires everywhere. If you look in the bottom left, you can see the straight edge of a roof. I wouldn't have gotten a photo of the sun setting below the horizon unless I included the edge of the roof.

Stained Glass

I haven't been sending my Photo of the Day for the past few days because I have been busy - my son was married on Friday. This morning I chose three photos of stained glass windows in the church.

I haven't taken many photos in churches recently because most are locked. Years ago, I could walk into just about any church building in Newfoundland and Labrador, but our society has changed and that is no longer possible. There have been several incidents where people have entered unlocked churches and stolen items, including money from donation boxes. In a few case the buildings have been vandalized, and I know of one case where the culprits started a fire using hymn books and Bibles. I guess insurance companies are insisting that doors be locked when churches aren't being used.

There are people on this list from all over the world, and I wonder if it is the same everywhere.

Fireweed

Today's photos of fireweed were taken minutes ago in my backyard. This wildflower is very beautiful and I have photographed them for years. We have had 3 days of rain so the plants are very wet and covered with tiny water drops. I didn't take many photos because it was too wet and I wasn't really dressed for it. :)

I have other photos of this wildflower at: http://lanephotography.com/plants/fireweed/fireweed.htm

Aircraft

Several people responded to my question about raspberries. It has been identified as a dewberry and/or a low-dwarf raspberry. The berries are edible and the leaves can be used as a tea. I'll have to try making a tea out of the leaves.

On Monday, I was driving along Marine Drive near St. John's when I saw a jet approaching the airport. I stopped the car, changed lenses and photographed the jet as it approached and passed directly over me. When taking this type of photo you won't have much time because of the speed of the approaching aircraft. You should use a fast shutter speed to avoid blurred photos.

Most people ignore the aircraft flying over the city because they see so many, but I watch and photograph them whenever I get the opportunity.

Raspberries

Today I have a question to which one or more of you may know the answer. Are there more than one variety (or species) of raspberry growing in Newfoundland?

The two photos were taken on Sunday during a walk along the trails behind my house. On tall raspberry plants, the berries are just starting to form, but on plants that are just a few inches high, there are red berries. Are these the same or different varieties? I checked through some of my identification books but couldn't find an answer.

In any event, we are getting near midsummer and most fruit-bearing plants are producing fruit. In a week or so, the bakeapples (cloudberries) will be ripe and I'll probably spend a few days walking to the bogs and picking berries. :)

Ferns

Ferns are common on the trails I walk and I watch them throughout the spring, summer and fall. Of course, I photograph them often.

I chose this sequence of photos, taken yesterday, because it shows different lighting, macro compositions and shapes. The first was taken in the shade with only a little sunlight filtering through the trees above it. The others were taken with the sun filtering through the leaves.

If you compare the first two photos you will see the difference in colour and contrast. I tried a close-up image of the leaves with backlighting and liked it. The fourth image was cropped from the third and emphasizes the veins in the leaves.

Blue Flag Iris

While exploring my new yard I found a few patches of blue flag irises. The three photos today show three different views of the same flower: a vertical, a horizontal and a cropped version.

I really like these flowers which bloom in the wet areas all around this area of the province. I think I photograph them every year!!

Fog at Cape Spear

When I visited Cape Spear last Monday, it was a beautiful morning when I arrived. I saw a bank of fog lying not too far off shore and within minutes, the whole of the Cape was covered in thick fog. Of course, the temperature dropped quite a bit as well. It reminded me of why I take layers of clothes when going on a photo trip around here! :)

Feel free to visit my Cape Spear Gallery - http://lanephotography.com/cape_spear/cape_spear.htm

Petty Harbour

Today I am sharing more photos of Petty Harbour. The first shows a crab pot adorned with colourful flowers. I noticed a few pots decorated this way.

The second shows a brook lined with a few fishing stages. I don't think these are used any more and there are fewer every time I go there.

One of the buildings has a mural of the town. This is the first time I have seen this artwork.

I updated my Petty Harbour Gallery - http://lanephotography.com/petty_harbour/petty_harbour.htm

Petty Harbour

Visitors to the St. John's area might like to visit Petty Harbour, a small, photogenic, fishing village about 15 minutes drive. I have photographed this community several times in the past 26 years, but still enjoy an occasional visit and take some time walking around making images.
I really like the protected harbour surrounded by hills, the fishing stages and boats, and the houses and outbuildings. Lots of photographic subjects!!

Moose

I seems like quite a few of you enjoyed the guessing game I sent on Saturday. From time to time I'll do other photo games. :)

On Monday, I went to Cape Spear to check out the whales that are feeding offshore. I saw lots of whales, but they were fairly far off shore and I didn't get many photos of them.

On the way back, I saw a young moose wandering down the highway. I grabbed my camera and took a photo just as a car came around the curve and the moose was running towards me. I took another few photos as it headed down Maddox Cove Road and then into the trees.

You can see how tall the moose is compared to the vehicle in the background. Drivers in this province have to be extra careful when driving on our highways at night.

Goat

I have learned that it is difficult to identify an animal by its eyes alone. The list below shows the guesses you made - rabbit was the most common. I suspect the ears may have fooled you. :)

• Rabbit - 19
• Horse - 3
• Llama - 14
• Newfoundland Pony - 1
• Deer - 2
• Elk - 1
• Dog - 3
• Pig - 1
• Moose - 7
• Squirrel - 2
• Buffalo - 1
• Cow - 2
• Cat - 1
• Reindeer - 1
• Goat - 3

The first photo shows the three goats that were keeping the llama company. When I arrived, the closest was curious and came over to check me out. I took several close up shots and cropped the eye photos from them.

Thanks for participating in this little guessing game!

Burin

Several years ago, I visited Burin for a short visit and photographed a red house and shed that I am sharing with you today. During my travels, I have seen many red barns and fishing stages, but not too many red houses. I have a Burin Gallery on line at: http://lanephotography.com/burin/burin.htm.

Guesses on the eye photos are still coming in and only two of fifty people have guessed correctly so far. Tomorrow, I will send you the answer along with a photo of the animal. You can guess more than once if you wish! :)

Cottongrass

Today, I hiked to the top of the mountain and took a couple of photos of the cottongrass that is growing near the summit. I have seen this plant growing in the bogs before but not on the top of the hills.

The first view shows how near the rocks the cottongrass is growing. The second view is a wide shot showing a pond and ridge of hills in the background. The third image shows a closer view. You can see another clump of cottongrass growing on the other side of the rocks.

I always find it amazing where plants will grow!!

Eyes

The three photos of eyes are from the same animal. I cropped them from larger photos and thought it would be interesting to see how many of you could guess the type of animal just by looking at the eyes.

I realize it is summer and a weekend and many of you may be travelling so I won't give an answer until Tuesday. That gives people 4 days to send an answer.

The first person to guess correctly will receive a photo of his/her choice to use as a computer desktop.