It’s been too long since we’ve had some photos by Stephen Barnard from Idaho, but he came through with this nice batch (and an explanation). His captions are indented.
I haven’t been doing much photography, for a variety of reasons, one of which is that I’ve been doing a lot of fishing.
This is my pet fish, a large, active, aggressive rainbow trout that dominates a deep pool. It’s a peculiar fish in that the right side of its head is dark compared to the rest of the body, which is unusually blonde. It’s striking. My theory, which is mine, is that it’s a genetic mosaic.
Pet fish taking a Trico spinner, a tiny mayfly that has died and fallen to the water. The fish gorge on these insects that hatch in multitudes.
Taking photos of fish is a problem. They’re usually the boring and repetitious “grip and grin” type photos. I typically fish alone and that makes it even more difficult. Hitch in the background likes to watch.
Instead, I’ve been photographing trout underwater at the time of release.
Some birds. These are barn swallows (Hirundo rustica). They build several nests every year under the eaves of my house and raise multiple broods. Kind of messy, but amusing. They keep the mosquitoes under control. The broods occupy the nests from time to time well after fledging, and I’ve noticed that they will eject newly hatched chicks to their deaths.
A black-chinned hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) showing off his gorget.
A rufous hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) spoiling for a fight.
The rare and endangered great-horned rufous hummingbird (Bubo rufus).
Deets (Canis lupus familiaris)
Beautiful photos Stephen! I love the trout photos!
Beautiful photos! Nice to see trout getting set free again after their brief awareness-expanding near-death experience.
Great shots! Must be a v high shutter speed for the birds (and the dog!).
Not so much for the dog, but when shooting stop-action hummingbirds I try to get a 1/8000 second shutter.
Great pictures! I agree the colors on the rainbow trout could be genetic mosaicism.
It is great to see you back behind the camera.
I couldn’t figure out what the heck your hand was underwater. It look like a giant ginger root.
I wonder if Hitch would eat a fish. Great photos.
He wouldn’t dare.
Pleasing variety of subjects well shot – talent [not a photographer, but I know wot I like!].
Good photos. Does your “pet fish” take the lure time and time again without ever learning?
I don’t fish to it, nor anyone else to.
Great photos. Wonderful to see Deets in the last photo!
+1. Lovin’ ’em all. ‘Specially, again, that
specific, darling Canis lupus familiaris !
Blue
Lots of good ones here. My favorite is the finger touching the trout tail.
My favorite as well.
Thanks for the submission Stephen. It’s always enjoyable to peruse your productions in the morning.
“…after fledging, and I’ve noticed that they will eject newly hatched chicks to their deaths.” Why would they do that, after all the trouble of hatching them?
Good to see Deets again.
The newly hatched chicks are ejected by their siblings, not their parents. Maybe the older siblings are jealous. 🙂
Well, we know they want all the bugs.
WHAT! No landscape shot 🙃 I feel incomplete and yet rewarded at the same time, I like going to Idaho.
Deets!!
Deets goes under the knife on Monday for a perineal hernia, at which time he’ll also be “tutored”.
Poor Deets,but I guess they might as well while they’re in the neighborhood”.
It’s generally recommended. Intact dogs have a higher incidence of perineal hernia. I’m not aware of any corresponding statistics for men. 🙂
Beautiful as always. Thanks for these and good work with the underwater shots