Macro graph of Blue Jay feather.......The pigment in Blue Jay feathers is melanin, which is brown. The blue color is caused by scattered light through modified cells on the surface of feather barbs (CORNELL LAB of ORNITHOLOGY , publication ). The WISCONSIN Natural Resources magazine indicates the MIGRATORY BIRD TREATY ACT makes it illegal to possess native bird feathers without a permit, except for game birds. Anyway, it is amazing to me the structure of feathers. PS... I return all feathers to nature

 Yellow bird feather.........Found this feather by my platform feeder, but have not seen a yellow colored bird of this size. Feather is 5 inches long by .75 inches wide (at widest point). Only bird that seems to match up is a yellow warbler. Southeastern Indiana.

Whitetail deer antler growth... Don't see many bucks during the day this time of year. Remote camera picks them up about midnight. This is going to be a good one

Coyotes at the salt block.......a week ago, heard a lot of howling at night and also during the day. Have not seen these animals for many months, however we now have a large rabbit population. Photo on remote camera at 1:30 am

Color contrast in nature....saw these plants growing together in our rock garden, thought it would make an interesting photo.

DRY WEATHER MUSHROOM... About 1.5 inches in dia. , in rock hard ground, not much rain this month, but this guy found enough moisture to come up. Many years ago, I had a large white pine tree, that  died , removed it and dug the main stump but cut off a lot of the feeder roots, ever since I find different looking  fungus in that area. Looks like a miniature puffball, however I don't think so.

RUDDY TURNSTONE, Ormond Beach ,Fl...........in winter plumage, saw several which  appeared to be a pair, however  was not able to photograph together. Get the name from turning small stones , pebbles and wood to find food. Feeds on small marine crustaceans,vegetable matter and other tiny marine life .Winter resident in florida, summer in the far north (tundra ).

Sanderling at Ormond beach,Fl...........In late January, this year , we saw a lot of these birds. even with 100's of people on the beach it was difficult to get close to them. shot this at equiv. of 600 mm. , then cropped. Sanderlings are in Florida from August till  late April. Feeds on mussels, marine worms ,insects and some seeds. Where do they go a nite??????

Buck keeps company with 2 does.......Been watching this threesome all spring and early summer, usually bucks run with bucks, does with does. Bucks collect does near the rut. Maybe this is a family group with strong bonds, anyway, the doe (left) seems disturbed with the buck .

Whitetail Bucks in posturing........... obtain a lot of pics each year of deer, after a while they all are similar, sometimes the camera catchs interaction. These guys are circiling each other with heads down, ears layed back. I assume a little verbalizing is taking place. Who get the salt block ,first ?????