Old Logs and Stumps
Have always liked old logs and old stumps because they have so many neat things growing on them.  They seem to have character.  I was walking along the creek one day, and downstream, I saw some beautiful color other than green, so went to investigate.  I see these little wildflowers around on the place, but never so many so close together.  This old log has been there, with one end in the water, since before my time, and I probably have no idea how many different things are growing on it, but there are mosses, ferns, berry briars, a small alder tree, all the little flowers.  To the left of it is a hole back in the bank where a beaver resides.  Often, little squirrels and chipmunks live in the old logs, but this one is probably too damp and gets covered by water in winter.

Raccoons

They are another spring-time favorite--or maybe not--at the water hole.  The geese and ducks must watch out for them, however, because they are notorious for stealing eggs.

This little fellow had his eye on me, and as soon as he got his drink, he disappeared into the underbrush.  They wisely like to stay away from people.  Another that I photographed was in a cherry tree.  I had to sit still for a very long time before he decided he should come down--and when he did, he went down the back side of the tree where I could not see him and quickly disappeared.

Big Cats
I have a little shop on Etsy.com for selling photos, as well as my web site.  A lady saw one of my cougar pictures on Etsy and got in touch with me for permission to use it in her blog.  She went on to tell me about the killing of the cougar in the Chicago area.  What a horrible shame, that people have to go berserk and kill everything.  There were two, and hopefully, they don't get the other one, but what a shame for them both, that people have to panic and go to such extremes.  I wonder if the police are trained in wild animal control.

A Great Time for Geese

There is a lot of Canadian Goose action lately, and soon the goslings will appear.  They are in pairs and getting quite territorial.  Woe to the person who messes with a goose family.  Father goose is just as active in taking care of the family as is Mother goose, and both are always right there to take care of the goslings.

Some have been fed by people and are not too afraid.  They should not be given bread, however, as too much can cause serious problems for ducks and geese so that they cannot fly.   

I prefer the morning light to photograph animals, if it is coming from the right direction.

 

Blue Swan Gallery
Today at 1:00, the Blue Swan Gallery in Veneta, Oregon, is having an open house and sale for meeting the artists and whomever would like to appear.  The gallery has many things:  Photographs (mine), some very cool painted flowerpots, really nice leather handbags and leather couch pillows, squirrel feeders, they have a great variety, 24 different artists and crafters.

Spring photos
Groundhog day is past.  Spring is here and such a great time of year for photos--well, any time of year is great, but in Oregon, things are turning greener than the usual green, the wildlife are pairing up and very active, and soon the little ones will appear, and more daylight to see them.  One day, I was watching a local deer chasing the cat around the yard, and I was able to get a picture of them nose-to-nose from the doorway.  Another time, I stepped out and heard splashing from the direction of the creek.  As I snuck down to see what it was this time, it was a dozen common mergansers.  Not only do I never leave home without a camera, I had better not go out the door without one!

Not sure about a blog...

Never having had a blog before, this will be an attempt to see how it goes.  My web site is www.wildcatphotography.com, which is for animal and nature photographs.  Enjoy your visit there.  All photos copoyright 2008, Wildcat Photography.