Wildlife in Photography

There’s no broad theme to describe Saturday’s afternoon trip through Huntley Meadows besides hot. I’m not talking a ‘roll up your sleeves’ kind of hot, but rather the muggy steamy feeling like your head is against an iron hot.

The smart animals stuck close to the water, and so did I.

Early in my trip, I noticed there were still an abundance of tiny frogs, but what struck me about the photo above wasn’t the frog, but what I initially took for a piece of dirt near its eye. In fact, it’s a tiny beetle going for a ride.

Of course, the larger frogs were around as well, but they don’t hold my interest as well as the little guys.

There were also a handful of reptiles around, beginning with a small skink that scurried out near the boardwalk.

After some time I focused again on finding dragonflies. Below are two species I watched extensively. The red species I had not seen before, while the blue has been present for several months.

It was around this time that I began watching a small muskrat navigating the reeds. I took a stationary position and began to follow it with my camera when something else caught my attention out of the corner of my eye.

This snake made a brief appearance, but didn’t stick around long enough to allow for good photo opportunities.

After a few minutes in the sun, I needed shade, so I set off into the forest. After slowly progressing toward the observation tower, I paused as I heard an animal crash through the nearby vegetation. I turned just quick enough to see a tiny deer.

Once it stopped, I honed in on its location and saw a small face looking up at me shivering. Thinking I was observing a full-grown, but small, deer I was confused at first as to why it would be so scared. Then I moved slightly and saw its body.

It seems fawns are emerging in the park. This youngster awkwardly stumbled off shortly after this photo, seemingly unsteady on its feet.

Shortly thereafter, I stopped and took another of my many water breaks. In the distance, a black squirrel was foraging.

Although they are relatively common in the park, I still enjoy them. After a few hours in the heat and getting low on water, I called it quits.

Also, if anyone saw the post about the bizarre beetles and the snake, here is what’s left of it.