Just got back from a trip to upstate New York in the Bethel area. The trip was on a personal note, but how could I pass up not exercising the art. The first day was fun, but quiet. We were greeted by a red spotted newt also known as an eastern newt. The little guy was crawling through the blades of glass trying not to become part of the soil. I found him in his ‘red eft’ stage. The Red spotted newt is a salamander and in his adult stage is not as similar looking. The adult stage has a forest green dark-colored back and yellow belly; while keeping his red spots on his belly. The rest of the first day was filled with bird songs, but nothing within view.

The last and final day provided much more to photograph. I woke early and headed out to the car. As I headed to the car I witnessed a chubby cotton tail rabbit just by the back of the car. I didn’t have my camera as I was on the way to get it so you can guess the out come. I tried my best to slowly approach him. I got as close as about four feet at the back of the car. After making eye contact the first slow movement for the trunk of the car sent him off into the woods. With the loss of this photographic opportunity another presented itself. A white tailed deer mother and her two young calves. They were right across the creek. Patiently and carefully moving to try and not spook them. They were blocked by trees and I tried to make the best of it. After photographing for a while I changed my position. Only getting a few photos before they scooted off into the brush.

After the deer had left and checking the grounds for amphibians I headed off to a local waterfall area ripe with life after the recent heavy rains. From mushrooms to scenic’s were bathed in the low morning light. High contrast creating deep impressions.

While getting ready to head home and packing my gear I hear a repetitive pecking noise. I look up and nine feet to my right seeing a bird up in the tree. There was a yellow bellied sap sucker (male and female taking turns at the sap) pecking away creating these amazing uniform holes. They create these holes less then a quarter inch deep to reach the sap of the tree. It is done with amazing precision. The only down fall…dead flash batteries. Rather a dead battery in the bunch causing slow recharge. I got off as many photographs as I could and decided to just enjoy the moment before what would be a long wet ride home.

Little red-spotted newt (red eft stage) navigating the blades of grass. (Sigma 150mm f/2.8 on Sandisk digital film)

One of the white tailed deer calves right after I changed my location. Took their last look before heading off into the brush. (Nikon 80-400mm on Sandisk digital film)

Loved the early morning sun grazing the side of the mother white tailed deer. She never took her eyes off me for long. Probably wondering what lens I was using too. (Nikon 80-400mm on Sandisk digital film)

A smaller falls amongst the collection of them in a small spot in Smallwood, NY. (Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 on Sandisk digital film)

A tree fungus right near the pull off to the falls. (Sigma 150mm f/2.8 on Sandisk digital film)

My friend the yellow bellied sap sucker. Hey I didn’t make up the name. Notice those uniformally shallow holed used to get to the tree sap. (Nikon 80-400mm on Sandisk digital film)

-Sorry for the late post from arriving back home. Had to scrounge together the money for Nikon NX2 as the new version takes my D300 RAW files, not my old Nikon capture software.-