Oak Hammock skies

There's a lot to see at Oak Hammock Marsh, lots of great birds, other animals, and the marshes themselves make for some neat photos.  It's not as scenic as some areas, but it's this very feature that, to me, makes it incredibly attractive.  In the city, if I see some interesting cloud formations, or a pretty sunset, chances are that I won't be able to get a good photo of it.  There will always be buildings and power lines and whatnot in my picture.  Trying to head out of town doesn't usually work - by the time you get to an area without all that skyline clutter, the sky has changed. 

I know it's not always "skyline clutter", and have seen some beautiful urban photography.  But my love is nature, and the vastness of Oak Hammock allows for great sky views. 

Most of these photos of mine include man-made structures.  But somehow, at least to my eye, it doesn't seem to be out of sync. 

(July 27, 2005)

(July 27, 2005)

(July 27, 2005)

(July 27, 2005)

(July 27, 2005)

(June, 2002)

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The path we choose

I'm fascinated by pathways.  I never noticed this fascination until the scanning project.  But I've got a LOT of photos of pathways!  I'm sure there's some deep-rooted psychological reason for this.  Maybe. 

Oak Hammock Marsh, July 2005

Birds Hill Park, September 2004

Spruce Woods, October 2004

Old Pinawa Dam, May 2005

Portia Marsh, June 2005

(another photo taken using a disposable camera) 

Souris River Bend, August 2005

Spruce Woods, September 2004

May the path you choose always lead you somewhere wonderful.
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Animals that aren't birds

Most people aren't too excited with bird sightings.  They can only identify a dozen or two, and most are types, rather than species.  "Gull", "Woodpecker", "Sparrow", possibly getting as specific as "Robin" or "Crow".  

Sighting a mammal is more exciting to these poor non-birders.  Mind you, it's also exciting to birders!  I love it when our birding trips also turn up animal sightings, they're much more rare to see than birds! 

Here's the moose I mentioned earlier, at Hecla, May 2005 (you can see the profile of her head in that patch of yellow grass).  Thought I had a better photo, but I couldn't find any!  Maybe we snagged her with the video camera.  

Eastern Cottontail (I think) in the English Garden at Assiniboine Park, July of 2004.  

 

That's a badger!  Only time I've seen one, too! Near Glenboro, July 2004. 
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