TC's Photos: bats

Monday, August 31, 2009

Summer Shots

Some Summer Shots...

I love going to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum! There is always something new for me to see or take photos of.

There is a multitude of plant life. Locating where the animals are hiding is half the fun. Especially when you are looking for scorpions at one of the Summer night events. You just never know what may turn up. If you are really lucky you might even see a bat or two.

You can get a good deal of exercise exploring all that there is to see. I tend to explore the reptile exhibits, but that should not surprise those that know me.

I also look for those things that might otherwise go unnoticed. There is a myriad of shape, pattern, texture and form. All part of my on-going photo study that keeps me sane (kind of) in the world I work in.

I always find something to shoot. That is why we keep going back.

And why I buy and annual membership.

Just sharing my thoughts and photos from a recent trip. Hope you enjoy!

http://www.desertmuseum.org/

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Carlsbad Caverns

Carlsbad Caverns

We hit another cavern during a visit to the Land of Enchantment. We had a great time spending about 4 hours exploring the Big Room of Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico. We entered through Natural Entrance trail and traversed the trail down to the cave floor.

There were Cave Swallows at the entrance as we went down the trail. The Rangers call them the Day-shift as the bats come out at night. We did hang out for the bat experience. We got there early and ended up with seats right up front. What a great experience that was. No cameras or video allowed during the bat flight, but it was fantastic anyways. The Park Rangers presented information and were then available for questions throughout the process. It was early in the season so most of the bats were pregnant females. The babies will be born in the cave later in the year. I can only imagine the experience after the babies are able to fly and come out hunting later in the year.

I think Ansel Adams knew what he was talking about when he claimed the cavern photos were difficult. There were several photos on display that he had taken. He shot images in 1936 and again in 1941. He was not real pleased with the overall results and destroyed many of the originals. I shot over 400 shots and have now weeded down to less than 200. I am still editing images out of the folder, but wanted to share a few of those that I still like. All subject to change after the next edit. I do have some talent when it comes to photography, but I have a long way to go. Hope you enjoy the images and attempts.

National Caves Association
http://www.cavern.com/

National Speleological Society
http://www.caves.org/

Carlsbad Caves National Park
http://www.nps.gov/cave/

Bat Conservation International
http://www.batcon.org/