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Southeastern Indiana deer antler growth.....Last year ,the deer I photographed had a lot of antler deformation, so I changed to a BIG 6 MINERAL BLOCK (North American Salt Co.) and the feeding pattern has increase 3 times, around the clock. Salt block is monitored by a remote camera. Block contains Salt,Manganese,Iron,Copper,Zinc,Iodine and Cobalt. It will be interesting to see how the antler growth progresses this year. Some articles indicates the antler are at least 70% minerals.

GREY SQUIRREL Family.... Have a large White Ash tree outside my,second story, studio window and have watched and filmed a family of squirrels for several days. They play in the tree, chase each other but this day all ended up on a stub branch about 8 inches long ,18 feet high. A long way down, even for squirrels. Photo is a video capture.

WHITETAIL Deer..Antlers starting to grow.....Photo taken 5 days ago. Antler starts seem to be somewhat early this year. Note the shaggy look to the coats, shedding the winter fur. The hole in the ground is the result of placing salt blocks on the ground,with rain, the salt leaches into the ground and deer eat the soil. this hole is 18 inches deep by 15 ft. long. A result of 20 years worth of providing salt. This time of year ,they visit the salt lick 3 to 4 times a day .

Brown Pelican..taking off or

landing ....... I love to photograph Pelicans either landing, taking off, sailing and diving. There is a large water hole, formed by high tides along Ft. Myers Beach, Fl which has several pelicans and other water birds. This one came in to feed and I think was taking off,note the water splash behind the feet, they usually run across the water to gain speed to become airborne. Any way I like the shot. 400mm,1/400 sec. f6.3 ,-1 step bias,spot metering and a lot of luck

Early Wildflowers in Southeastern Indiana.......My grandson took me to see recently purchased property , this Sunday. A nice tract of rugged land with a large creek, waterfalls, clay banks, big rocks, and a very steep hillside. After falling into the creek, stumbling over rocks and forcing my old legs to do things they didn't want to do, after about 2 hours ,it became the most enjoyable afternoon I've had in sometime. On the hillside , I found various wildflowers that I usually go to the Smoky Mountains to see . Photos are of PURPLE TRILLIUM ( top) and DUTCHMAN'S-BREECHES which seems to be rather rare, but this hillside had an abundance of them. What a find!!!!! also several Triullum,Squirrel corn,Spring Beauty, Ramp and wild Phlox.Creek has a find of good fossils. About 20 miles from where I live and 200 ft. lower but much earlier.

Whitetail deer grazing in meadow....Unusual to see grazing deer, all with the heads down. One is always watching. Photo taken by the remote wildlife camera. The new green grass sprouts are very attractive.

Back-lit Night Blooming Cereus....Had this plant for 40 + years, about 5 ft. tall and I trim about 4 ft. off per year. A native of the Sonoran desert in North America. The bud starts to open about dusk, the photo taken at 10:45 pm,by 9:00am the next morning its wilted. Bloom is approx. 10 inches in dia. Note the moth attracted by the sweet smell. Smell is produced in bursts,very sweet.

Sandhill Cranes near Tavares,Florida. These sandhills were feeding in the pasture of a large cattle ranch. This the 3rd year I have photographed them, after doing some research, it seems they might not be migrating bird but a sub-species called Florida Sandhills. The article indicates the population is around 5000 and threatened by "habitat destruction" thus listed as ESA Endangered (protected by State & Federal laws). Florida Sandhills do not migrate.

Whitetail Deer winter well......

Usually the deer in our area are very thin in the spring,however this year they look good. Even though we live in a developed area ,there are large pockets of natural terrain.

Wild Turkeys in the Meadow ....... Photographed these 12 hens and 3 gobblers this morning,have not seen this many at one time ,this mating season. Weather was cool (37 F) with a 15 mph wind.