22 April, 2018            Rare as an udder on a bull

When I get a lucky shot like this one, I’ll take it

The above photo is not “rare as an udder on a bull” – I just like the image. I took that picture standing on my front porch Tuesday evening around 6:00 PM. Notice the full “crop” – the stomach – on that Red-tail. It may be full of baby crows, but I doubt it. Probably the remains of some squirrel the crows wanted. 

The picture below is “rare as an udder on a bull.” I can photograph a doe at Pony Pasture almost any time I want. Bucks, on the other hand, are “rare as an udder on a bull.” Not that rare, but I don’t think I see six in a year’s time combined. Yesterday morning I took pictures of a little herd lying down. When I zoomed in I saw the “buttons” where his antlers are starting out. I learned this means he is around six months old: 

“Button” buck at Pony Pasture Saturday. See those tiny little “buttons” where his antlers will be?

Hopefully I’ll get a few more images of him as he matures. Mammals weren’t the only animals allowing photographs at Pony Pasture this week. This is a Five-Lined Skink from Pony Pasture Thursday:  

Look at those little claws on its hind feet. Remarkable: 

I got this frog a few steps later, not quite as pleasing an image. I think it’s a bullfrog but can’t see enough of it to tell precisely. More knowledgeable people are encouraged to chime in and I’ll credit you here:

Frog nosing up through the pollen:

A lot of flowers still at Pony Pasture – they’ll be here all summer though. No honeysuckle or multiflora rose yet. This one is a beauty: 

Gorgeous

Speaking of gorgeous – look at this dogwood from our front yard the same day: 

Nothing I write can improve this:

Believe it or not – this cowbird was perched in that tree Friday afternoon when I came home: 

Brown-headed cowbird perched in that spectacular dogwood

About two hours before I took that picture I was hiking with a buddy at Deep Run Park. This Bluejay stopped long enough for an image: 

Bluejay at Deep Run Park Friday

As an aside – did (finally) get a Red-tail in one of their predictable spots. Perhaps this is the one being chased by the crow. This is near the Westbury Pharmacy Wednesday: 

Westbury Apothecary Redtail

My friend Sam and I were hiking at Brandermill Monday and Sam took this picture of what I think is a Great-black backed gull:

Great Black backed gull – photo by Sam

Mackey and Turner and I went out on the dock a few minutes later. Sam still had the camera and (unbeknownst to Mackey and Turner and me) snapped this picture: 

Windy day! Thanks for the candid shot Sam!

I took an imperfect picture of a bluebird at Pony Pasture Tuesday, but (In My Opinion) even an imperfect picture of a bluebird is better than no picture of a bluebird:

One bird that always make me smile

I have a triathlon in a couple of weeks and I did my last long training ride Saturday. My tradition on the last long ride is to stop out in Goochland to fuel up:

That is only fun

Fits easily in my bike bag so I can have it on oatmeal when I get home:

Yum! The original energy gel!

I’m up way too late – come back next week! All best,

Jay