A fungus among us! I found
this while hiking in Rock Bridge State Park with my dog.
I'm not sure if they are Chanterelles (non-poisonious) or
the Jack-o'-Lantern (poisonious) variety. Please! be sure
of your mushrooms if you plan to eat them! It was enormous
in size. I am a firm believer in leaving things as I find
them. I was sooo tempted to touch this, but I did smell it
and what a nice fruity smell. Common sense prevailed since
many things are pretty to look at, but dangerous in the
outdoors.
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Falls in Missouri are a
splendor to behold! A nice drive along the Missouri River
bluffs in October can be a wonderful afternoon of
breathtaking colors. Our fall frosts usually occur around
mid
October.
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There are so many colorful
flowers native to Missouri from spring to late fall. I am
not an expert on plants, by any means, and just enjoy the
photogenic and odiferious qualities in what I can find
while driving or
hiking.
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I have no idea what these
are. But pictures convey their beauty and
simplicity.
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This barn is all that remains
of an original Missouri homestead. Such craftsmanship cannot be found
today.
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This outhouse sits hidden
deep in a Missouri River bluff slope. I can remember such
an outhouse in our backyard. That brings back many memories
of winter nights and cold breezes. Anyone who has had the
pleasure or displeasure of using one of these in years past
knows exactly what I am referring
to.
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No Missouri photo album is
complete without geese. Canadian geese are a common site
here. So much in fact, we are at a loss to how to control
their migration flocks which are causing some concern among
the golfers and swimmers at their favorite playing
grounds.
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Showing off for the
camera...SMILE! While geese are beautiful to look at they
can be aggressive when being handfed, so take a bit of
caution and let them have their space too. We can spare
this wonderful world if we just give a
little.
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A winter wonderland that has
drifted toward beautiful, but hazardous ice
storms.
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During the rainy days of MO
many
of the river roads are flooded by the rising Missouri River
waters, from time to time. So PLEASE be careful in your
travels through the Missouri River bottom roads. Even
seasoned "river bums" like myself get suprised sometimes!
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If you are familiar with the
levy road along the Missouri River near Easley, Mo., you
will recognize these particular trees. Normally there is a
nice sandy fishing bank beyond these
trees.
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This is normally covered with
drifrwoods and Missouri River mud when the river is not at
flood stage. It is a well-known site for river parties and
shuuuuu....some BIG catfish when the river level is
down.
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This is truly one of the
prettiest sky-views I have ever seen...as devine a feeling
as you will ever feel looking up at this art work in the
skies over
Missouri.
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While you can go on vacation
and see beautiful sunsets, there is still nothing like
seeing their splendor in your own backyard. Take the time
to look at what you have within a few steps of your own
domain.
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Missouri Turkeys are some of
the shyest, and most elusive birds in the state. I happened
to be driving along a country gravel road and these birds
were grazing in a pasture. They paid very little attention
to the several locals who stopped to watch them. I'm sure a
couple of those locals were wishing we "gawkers" would have
left the area so they could have indulged in a bit of
"turkey hunting". Ha
Ha!
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Frequently we Missourians get
one image in our minds and we tend to hold an awe to it. I
love the sunsets. What better way to say goodnight to a
beautiful
day.
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Take a drive along a country
road in the dusk period and you will see many creatures
that come out to feed, and travel the timbers. Many of my
wildlife photos come from traveling along the Missouri
River bottoms just before
sunset.
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Once you get down
to the Eagles Bluff roadways venture to the river parking
area and look across the river. There high upon the bluff
are numerous erosion holes. Many of these are home to some
interesting creatures and fowl...be sure to take your
binoculars!
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I am no expert on bird or
waterfowl. So you tell me...is this a crane or a heron?
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It was amazing to get this close to a turkey buzzard, if that is what they call them. She was sitting quietly along the wetlands bank eating a dead fish. More intriguing is the tiny black spot near her beak is a small bird waiting for her to take flight so it can follow her. This graceful flyer has a tiny bird in comparision diving at it in midair with no fear. Maybe we should take note and see all things big are so impossible to get along with.
Though they seem like pets,
these geese can be aggressive and down right hostile if you
venture too close to their young. Flaring of wings,
hissing, and finally racing toward you with that squak is
enough to send you backstepping to
safety.
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One day while fishing at
Fingerlakes with friends from Lousiana we saw a dragonfly
clinging to a staff of a weed. Wings all misshapen and
grounded for her short-lived freedom. I had never seen a
dragonfly up close or still for that matter.
What a treat to
photograph. I felt sorry for "her" though I have no idea
what sex it was really. To get such an opportunity to see
her up close, but sad too for without functioning
wings...she was doomed to such a short life.
Thank you Lady Dragonfly. You
have given me one more thing to be thankful for and to
remember
always.
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I know you must be tired of
sunsets by now, but take a deep breath, look into the
future of
tomorrow.
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How often do we miss nature
when we only see the big picture? I missed this, but my
very observant companion was quick to point it
out.
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Is it a crane? is it a heron?
I should look it up and learn from it. Assumptions would
save such confusion in the future if we learn first
hand.
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While on a fishing trip the
locals were talking about the eagles in the area. Well that
stuck in my mind. When suddenly out in the boat a great
huge wingspan shadow went above. Keeping in mind, I have
never seen an eagle anywhere except in a zoo. So being all
excited and camcorder in hand, I proceeded to document all
the activity. Needless to say, I assumed these birds were
eagles. Well to my disbelief a coworker corrected me the
instant she saw the photographs. Sorry to say this is not
an Eagle, but an Osprey.
I was amazed at the
nest size...gigantic! I actually could sit in it if I had
the need.
This hovering mother was
quick to voice her warning to us below the nesting area
when we quietly rowed up close to get a better view of her
and her offspring. Once in flight she soared closer and
closer to us as if saying, "I can do great damage with
these talons!", and by seeing them I know she meant it
too.
I have not seen any
Osprey in the wetland area, but then again, there are few
trees for them to safely nest in away from the public
scrutiny.§§§~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~§§§
There is an
abundance of waterfowl, not native to Missouri, who pass
through this area. In my observations we are retaining more
and more of these birds, due to our weather mellowing over
the years and with so much "bird-friendly" land, we are
attracting permanent
residents!
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All photographs are the sole property of D.Hake and may not be used for any brochures, promotional advertising, or other profitable use without prior written consent.
If you like what you see with my photographs, please feel free to email me with any questions or comments that you have on my photographs or my web page. My email is:
mo_gal45@hotmail.com or tattycat@webtv.net
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