§ 2020 in Review...Part V

This is the last of the series. Most of these images is of the unreal, the odd, or the creepy. Of course, there's sometimes beauty in what I see too and I can't help but stop and admire what nature can dish out, taking my breath away and I ogle in silence. For instance, deer. But, I can very easily get the jitters with other subjects. Why? Just 'cause. When I'm out walking, I can come across something that freaks me out too, startles me to a stand-still. And then, of course picture time; if I am not running away that is. So, here are examples of beauty AND the beasts of 2020...

You can't escape the alligators of Texas swamp lands! The first image is of the alligator as it is gesturing a 'snout lift'! This is more typical of the female...males bellow deep from within and mostly submerged. Trust me, both critters are really not that close to me, I opt to use the high powered zoom lens at this time.

This next one in the series will probably be a tinge on the bizarre. Hey, I have a feet fetish when it comes to birds. Their talons, their shape, their use, their size, some...webbed while others are built for walking on swamp grass without sinking, etc. I tend to check out the feet. This also helps with IDing, color, shape, size, etc...

Curious? This is a Great Blue Heron

As I walked a trail on the Oso Bay Wetlands once, I stepped up on the platform to walk the edges for the Paraque ...didn't find it. But the creepy crunchy looking critter at my feet, jumping somewhat like a cricket gave me goose flesh at first sight!! It was about the size of a paper dollar from its antenna to its hind legs!! Dang. Heebie Jeebies! I then regained composure and before it leaped off the deck, I snapped a photo. Took a few days for me searching when time was free of anything else, and found out it was indeed related to the cricket...a huge Camel Cricket. All I can say it was a good thing it wasn't a centipede. I'd still be running for my life.

...two for one!

Lastly, beauty is not always a beast. Take a look at this intricate pattern on this tree fungus. I thought it was gorgeous.

That concludes my 2020 in Review. I coulda done more I guess. I have thousands of photos still to be shared. But, enough already. It's January 1st 2021!! Time to move on and leave 2020 behind. Happy New Year.

Part I [Lensball photography]
Part II [heart shapes in Nature]
Part III [Flowers around my World]
2020 Review - Part IV [Beach Life]

§ 2020 in Review... Part IV

This time around, it's a little bit about island life...at sunrise, a snowy egret on the hunt for breakfast along the shore, the jagged edge along the Laguna Madre, a small furbaby enjoying the beach with its master, the curious sea gulls inspecting an empty chair [what?  no hand-outs?], the snow white sand dunes, egg shell case, to the way over the JFK Causeway Bridge from home to North Padre Island [note, this is NOT the tourist resort near Brownsville, Texas -South Padre Island...Corpus is just across the intercoastal channel to NORTH Padre Island.] We're approximately 150-175 driving miles from Brownsville. By the way, Padre Island-from north to south, the island barrier, is the longest barrier island in the WORLD!! Read about it here.

...and when I came upon this washed ashore, I thought it couldn't be more perfect for the year we've survived!! Not only Corona, but Corona Extra...all the phases of extreme outbreaks of the Novel Corona Virus after each long holiday weekend, holiday, or celebratory events!! Like a bad omen, not wanting to go away...



Part I [Lensball photography]
Part II [heart shapes in Nature]
Part III [Flowers around my World]

§ 2020 in Review - Part III

More photos collection throughout the year. Taken from our yard, AND along the walkways when out birding. Speaking of birding, I think, going through folders on the computer, I realize that I take more pictures of flowers than birds even!! Here are a few of many, many in my collection, beginning with a panoramic view of bluebonnets...

§ 2020 in Review - Part II

These, found in a photo folder on the laptop, I've never shared before, but the images were recorded this year.  Thought I would take time today to show them off.  I'm always on the lookout for heart shapes when I am walking or working in the yard. They're all more or less self-explanatory, leaves, fungus and rock...

PART I (lensball photos)

§ 2020 in Review - Part I

All the Christmas goodies are packed away for another year. The year ends with a pandemic of course, [I'm really tired of this!] and the new year will come in with... the pandemic. I have spent more time at home than I've cared to the last 9 months, and I'm itching for better days ahead. While indoors on a cold, damp, day these past few days, I was going thru my photo folders. I got the idea to share some of my favorite subjects of the year, 2020. This post is the art of lensball photography and six of my images taken over 2020...

Gulf Sunrise

Outhouse? Yep!!

A Field of Bluebonnets

Ebbing Surf

"Morning Glory"

Dune Grass