I wasn't going to go anywhere today but changed my mind and went to one of my favorite places to take pictures, it's an ecological preserve which is owned by the university here. I was quietly walking through the woods and saw a frog out of the corner of my right eye jump into the water which had ice on it just yesterday. I found some fresh beaver shavings (so I know there in the pond) as I was walking... and then... not one, but two pileated woodpeckers!!! That makes three in about three weeks :D I only managed to get an image of one because as I was focusing... Bubba Sr. and Bubba Jr. came walking through the woods with their dogs as if they were storming the beaches of Normandy :mad: How I wanted to beat the both of them with my mono-pod :mad: :mad: :mad: (I haven't been in a fight since the 5th grade, so that wasn't gonna happen). Anyway, here are some images from today, I have no idea what kind of frog this is, so I didn't try to ID it (I can't believe they were out today).

I like the Beaver Lodge Picture

Thank you Cultex, we have a lot of beaver lodges around but not many beavers, I was surprised to see fresh shavings today (they were on top of some dead leaves).

Here's another image of the pileated with a tighter crop. They were eating the white berries... the reason for the blur.

Great pictures, CK
(I think you could of won that fight:wink: )

Great pictures, CK
(I think you could of won that fight:wink: )

Thank you Karen, and for the vote of confidence :lol: :D

Great shots CopyKot, I really like the framing too... I've been playing in Photoshop Elements trying out different methods to do that.

LOL, Copy! I've often thought about unscrewing my monopod in the middle of a path and unleashing hell on chit-chatty "nature folk". Isn't that a wonderful imagery :p

So if you hear a story on CNN about some crazed photographer going bonzai in the wilderness, you'll know who it is.


Back to business at hand - so how fast are you now clicking through your image counter? One can read all they want but it ain't nothing compared to getting out in the field and actually doing it, eh? Keep it up!

Thanks Scott, I'm never sure about borders or frames, I guess it just depends on what kind of mood I'm in at the time.

Loupey, I've been taking just under 100 images a day on the weekends, most of them end up being deleted, which includes some that turn out good but I just don't like for one reason or another.

I guess I will never understand some people, they get so wrapped up in themselves that they are oblivious to everything going on around them. I do get some people who see what I'm trying to do and stop walking so they wont ruin an image... those are awesome people :D

I guess I will never understand some people, they get so wrapped up in themselves that they are oblivious to everything going on around them. I do get some people who see what I'm trying to do and stop walking so they wont ruin an image... those are awesome people :D

Here's what I do when I hear a loud bunch up in front of me: trying to perfect my stalking skills, I walk up as silently as possible to see how close I can get before they notice. Usually I can get very close and it startles the crap out of them. They usually get the point and at least tone it down a notch.

As for the border, as I said before I think it looks clean and elegant. My only suggestion there is to use a smaller font size.

I am the most outspoken guy when it comes to "shut up A holes" towards loud chatty birders, walkers...... Not anymore, it's not my land and lifes too short. I have been confronted over it(and don't lose fights, though nobody was brave enough to want to "fight" over my disagreement with their noise level ) and looking back feel like a fool.

Nice find on that piliated!!!! The lodge and green frog are quite nice too!

Usually I can get very close and it startles the crap out of them. They usually get the point and at least tone it down a notch.
:lol: :lol: :lol: More good advice :D

And thank you Paul, do you know how do the males and females differ in appearance? The pair I saw looked the same.

Your piliated is a male due to RED on the cheek, females have black :wink:

Lovely shots Copy, what a great day you had, think sometimes the unplanned ones turn out the most satisfying!

What a wonderful opportunity you have where you are, beavers, pileated, Wow!
I love the frames i my self have been doing a little frame experimenting with a plug in for CS2, as i like to make my own cards for occasions, i hope you didnt mind me posting these as its just an example.
The plug in is from www.onOnesoftware.com I dont know if you have to have CS2 for it but it may be ok in elements as well.

Thanks Paul, that should be easy to remember.

And wow Bev!!! Those look great! I think the last two really add to the image. One more reason to get CS2 :)

Wow Bev, those last two are great. Darn.. and I've been trying to convince myself I don't need CS2... :)