outdoors – ScaredyCatFilms

Critter Cam

For Christmas this year I was able to pick up 2 refurbished “Game Cameras” at a very reasonable price. I gave one to my Mom and Dad and one to Tracy for Christmas. Cue the excitement as we wait and see what we can capture with the cameras. We stuck our camera outside at the beginning of February and aimed it at our bird feeders and birdbath water. We caught deer photos the second night the camera was out there. The night mode is pretty good. So far, the deer seem really interested in it, as we have captured a few pictures that appear to be the deer looking right at it or sniffing it. One photo even has one of the cat’s two eyes watching out the sliding glass door. Should provide fun for months to come. Here’s a few photos.

Deer Photo	Deer camera
Monkey Eyes	Backyard Deer

Memorial Day Critters

When my parent’s invited us over for dinner on Memorial Day, I knew it was time to bring the camera for some bird shots. I got a funny one of a male cardinal all kinda puffed up, and we were treated to some baby bunnies that were’nt that shy at all. My outdoor bird and wildlife photography can be seen in my outdoor gallery on flickr. Here’s a few shots from Memorial Day here.

Male Cardinal	Female Cardinal
Baby Bunny Chowdown Party!

Crystal River Manatees

On Tuesday we visited Universal Studios Orlando, and went to Islands of Adventure to visit the amusement park rides. We did the new harry Potter coasters, Jurassic Park ride, Flume Ride, Spiderman, and Incredible Hulk Coaster. We also did the ET Ride, Simpson’s, Jaws, The Mummy Returns, and Twister.

Wednesday we traveled to Crystal River Wildlife reservation to do a manatee tour with Fun2Dive. It was really great. We snorkeled around in the many coves of the reservation and saw many manatee. We also visited a few of the natural springs that feed the area. Tracy spotted a crab on the bottom. We saw many fish, and were visited by still more manatee. Heather brought her underwater camera, and we were able to get some really neat photos.

Looking for those…	Manatee Eating
Swimming Manatee	Crab at Crystal River
Friendly Manatee	Circling Manatee
Friendly Guy	Fun with Fun2Dive

If you are in the Orlando, Florida area, and want to swim with the Manatees, we highly recommend Fun2Dive. They specialize in small group (1-6 people), all day excursions to view manatees in a non-threatening natural environment. More photos in the Florida flickr gallery.

Birds – Memorial Day

Went to my parents house for dinner this memorial day weekend which also meant I got to do a little bird photography while I was there. I was very happy to see the pileated woodpecker show up and saw three orioles, although they all decided to show up when we were inside eating. Also caught a glimpse of a humming bird as well as several other birds.

Blue Jay	Female Cardinal
Pileated Woodpecker	Chipmunk
Baltimore Oriole	Nuthatch

There are more birds and outdoor photos in my flickr gallery.

Mother’s Day Birding

A trip to my parent’s house on Mother’s Day gave me a chance to take some shots of their birds. They’ve got a good number of feeders and usually attract a good variety of birds. Got some good shots of a white crowned sparrow and some gold finches on the feeder. I hope to get some woodpecker and oriole shots this summer.

There are more birds and outdoor photos in my flickr gallery.

Eagle Crag Lake and Swamp 2010

This year on vacation to Eagle Crag Lake in the Adirondacks I took my mom’s kayak down to the swamp at the end of the lake. I’ve done it several times and this year decided to bring 2 of my cameras with for some photos. Its a pretty neat place to go. There is no path or road around the swamp so you are really alone. There is a lot of neat plants and wildlife to be seen. I saw several Kingfisher’s hunting for fish. No beaver’s to be seen or heard this year, but I assume they are around. Here’s a few photos I took, and a panoramic as well. Enjoy.

Lots of dead trees	Plants and Lilies
Kayak in the swamp	Infrared photo of the swamp.
Infrared Beaver Dam

Genesee Passage by Albert Paley

These are photos I took of the Albert Paley sculpture “Genesee Passage ” outside of the Bausch and Lomb Headquarters Building in Rochester, New York. Visit the Albert Paley Studios Home Page if you are interested in more of Albert Paley’s work. The second photo is in infrared.

Genesee Passage - Albert Paley — Genesee Passage – Albert Paley

Threshold by Albert Paley

These are photos I took of the Albert Paley sculpture “Threshold” outside of the Klein Steel building in Rochester, New York. This neat sculpture features animals cut out of various steel structures. Visit the Albert Paley Studios Home Page if you are interested in more of Albert Paley’s work.

Albert Paley Threshold	Albert Paley Threshold
Albert Paley Threshold	Albert Paley Threshold
Albert Paley Threshold	Albert Paley Threshold
Albert Paley Threshold	Albert Paley Threshold
Albert Paley Threshold	Albert Paley Threshold
Albert Paley Threshold	Albert Paley Threshold

Lilacs in Bloom

Spring got here almost a full month early, and the plants and flowers are all blooming way early because of it. I took a chance to get out of work early on a beautiful day to head to Highland Park to look at the lilacs. They are in peak bloom despite the fact that the Rochester Lilac Festival isn’t until May 14-23rd. These photos were taken May 3rd, 2010. In 2008 I visited Highland Park on May 24th, and the Lilacs were in peak bloom, so there is quite a wide range of time for the flowers to bloom depending on the spring weather. Learn more about the lilacs at the the Lilac Festival Home Page.

This year we had a really early spring, and the majority of the plants and trees are at least 2-3 weeks ahead of schedule for blooming. I took this early opportunity to drive to Highland Park in Rochester, NY to look at all the varieties of lilacs while they are in peak bloom. The Lilac Festival itself isn’t until May 14-23. I am not sure there will be many left blooming at those times. The park is really amazing, and boasts one of the largest collections in the world.

“Today, over 500 varieties of lilacs cover 22 of Highland Park’s 155 acres. Rochester’s famous Lilac Festival is a lavish array of flowers, attractions, and special events that signal the arrival of spring. The 1,200-plus lilac bushes in Highland Park create a floral rainbow ranging from the deepest of purples to the purest of whites.” – About Highland Park Lilacs

View my lilac gallery here.

Lilacs in Highland Park	Lilacs in Highland Park
Lilacs in Highland Park	Purples and Blues
Moskvy Lilac	Lilacs in Highland Park
Sensation Lilac	Primrose Lilac
Lilacs in Highland Park	American Flag Pansy Bed
Another Moskvy	Bright Pink Azalea
Highland Park Reservoir	Lilacs in Highland Park
Bumble Bee on a Lilac	Lilacs in Infrared
Lilacs in Infrared	Lilacs in Infrared

Tent Ho!

Last fall while backpacking in the Adirondacks we came across an abandoned tent. I decided that if I was going to be hiking around with a 50 pound pack on my back that I wanted more of a reward for my efforts, and not owning my own tent, decided to pack this one out with me. I didn’t know if it had all the pieces, and this May I finally got it set up to check it out. Its pretty nice, a three man tent, although I doubt you would really want to cram three adults in there. But hey, free tent!