Kevin and I got the idea to take this day trip adventure when we were at the State Fair in October. We always try to go through the wildlife exhibit during the fair and see their latest display. This year they showed Tundra Swans. I did not realize that half of those beautiful creatures flew all the way from northern Canada/Alaska to our very own Lake Mattamuskeet every year to winter here! Kevin began talking about them and it got my photographer hopes and dreams stirred up.... YES. I was going to photograph some Tundra Swans and it was going to be EPIC!
In my mind, I pictured me, Kellie the Nature Photographer Extraordinaire, traipsing through the wildlife area, capturing the intricate feathers and details of these Tundra Swan. I just knew I was going to get right there at them. I was going to photograph the entire flock of them and they would pose.... just. for. me.
Yes. I was going to capture ALL of nature that I had not seen before and then some. Yes. I was going to be THAT good. You see, I have already been photographing nature for years.
- I have photographed the turtles, frogs, some snakes, etc... that live around here.
- I have photographed some birds through my windows or at local parks.
- I have photographed flowers galore.
- Oh, goodness... yes, I have photographed STILL OBJECTS in nature like there is no tomorrow. (let me emphasize here the STILL OBJECT wording....)
However, I soon learned after we arrived that it would be an epic ADVENTURE in many ways... just not in the epic way I had thought.
In fact, I have many memories as well as "NOTE TO SELF" moments:
1. I was in a National WILDLIFE RESERVE.
Note to self: these animals are not used to humans. They will run/fly away. Repeatedly. A lot.
2. I wore a pink athletic jacket.
Note to self: these animals NOTICE BRIGHT PINK as not being a part of their natural environment... they are not color blind.
3. I wore my tennis shoes I usually use to work out... even though they were an older pair.
Note to self: you are in mud because of swamp/marshland and you will get your feet wet and colder... HELLO, wear boots. (even though I didn't have any....)
4. Chasing a Great Egret is harder than you think.
Note to self: Do not wear a pink jacket. Do not have your family wait in the van and keep opening and closing the van door. Do not let your husband keep the key in the van so that the dinging sound is heard miles away.
5. Great Egrets have a super, neat call!
Note to self: the Great Egret is calling out because it was annoyed at you. You were chasing it just to photograph it... and you were in a pink coat.... and your family was making lots of noises.
6. Walking along paths in the wildlife refuge does not always ensure you have followed directions.
Note to self: when the sign says "NO ADMITTANCE" it is meaning vehicles, yes, but also HUMANS.
7. You have a zoom lens. Great!
Note to self: just because you have a zoom lens does not mean it is powerful enough to capture the nose hairs of the Tundra Swan from a great distance away. In fact, you are doing good to get an overview of the area in which the Tundra Swan are swimming and may in fact get a small dot of their resemblance in the picture.
8. Walking slowly is key to capturing wildlife.
Note to self: even when you are walking slowly you will still not capture the swans, egrets, etc... because they SEE YOU IN YOUR BRIGHT PINK JACKET.
9. Taking photographs of Black Vultures can be quite interesting and educational.
Note to self: be careful that you are aware if someone is using the Port-O-Jon nearby as the door to said place crashes with a loud bang and scares you and the birds at the same time.
10. When you arrive at the park, be sure to immediately take pictures of the swans that you are seeing right outside of your van window....
Note to self: because when you go back to said area after thinking a potty break was more important, the swans will be further away or gone and your chance at capturing that nose hair on the swan has dwindled to the slight glimpse that was described above.
11. It is WAY cool to hear and see wild animals such as red wolves, foxes, and other creatures of which you cannot remember their names.
Note to self: please make sure your husband is not speeding down the back road of the lake in order to reach another area for you to photograph only to scare a fox, and the entire van, half to death when you think he may hit it. Also, a Red Wolf is a LIVE creature when you hear its call. Meaning - he is in the woods so be on guard.
12. Enjoy the drive around Lake Mattamuskeet.
Note to self: you need more than the map that is given to you at the Visitor Center because you and your family become confused on many occasions. What you thought was going to be another opportunity for up-close, nose-hair shots of Tundra Swans turns into a dirt drive to an area where you may walk 3 miles to get up close... possibly... as the sun is going down....and you decide to just leave and go home.
13. Be thankful for the memories shared.
Note to self: be even more thankful that your husband understands your craziness about photographing a sunset and is willing to turn sharply onto a road at the last minute as you are deciding where would be the best place to capture the stunning beauty in the sky the Lord was giving you this last day of 2014.
Now, how about some visuals to go along with all of those words? We truly had a great time and I am thankful for all the Lord showed us. Spending the last day of 2014 with my family in God's creation was worth it all!
This is an old pumping station that was used at the turn of the 20th century. The people around the area at that time thought it was a bright idea to pump out all of the water of Lake Mattamuskeet to create more farmland. They accomplished that twice when they realized it would fill back up every time. Hello, people.... let's remember God put Lake Mattamuskeet there for a reason. :)
I will say, though, it makes for a beautiful building and I loved it!
I love reflections in water about as much as I love raindrops/water droplets on flowers, leaves, etc....
Can't remember the name of this bird, but, although a bit blurry, this was SO COOL! I was tickled I actually caught it.
This is what one finally photographs after climbing up a fence to photograph a Great Blue Heron that is perched on the side of the pumping station. The grass kept waving and getting in my way. I was also too chicken to try and climb higher on a fencing that could give way and allow me to fall into the water. SO... here ya go.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this shot. Yeppers, I do.
Who knew I could become so fascinated with the knee roots of the Cypress Trees?
Reflection, reflection everywhere!! I just could not get enough of it.... as you will continue to observe.
I learned something new while there.... the Cypress Tree loses its needles in the winter... ALL of them! I thought they were fully evergreen. See... all of life is learning!
My sweet family... Wesley, Kevin, Steve, Mikayla
ME. Yeppers.... see that bright pink coat underneath the brown one I should have kept on the entire time? Yeah, I took off the brown one.
Kevin also laughed at me and said I always tilt my head in pictures. Not nice.
My Sweet Man the Tree Hugger
Reflections... ahh.... love them.
Cat Tails in the marsh! (By the way, I also learned that marsh is water with grass. Swamps are water with TREES.) Yep... keep on a learning, people!
Blue sky... marshland....bare trees.... beauty.
LOVED this reflection of this tree!
Yep... another reflection. That was all reflection of the trees, though... cool, huh?
Sweet Gum balls. Yes, ordinary, but I found this striking. Reminded me of Christmas ornaments.
Great Blue Heron flying
Look at this wild creature!
Mikayla was still "dressed to the nines" while hiking. Fashion still has to make a statement even in the woods. (She was not dressed appropriately, either.... lol)
Can you see the Downy Woodpecker! I chased that bird all over that tree trying to get some decent shots. This is the only one I kept out of a "million."
My finest moment.... Kellie and the Great Egret standoff.....
He sure ain't happy with Kellie!
Now he is humoring me... making me think I could get closer.
Fooled you! Gone, girl!
Tundra Swan... can you see them? Do you need a magnifier?
I never thought I would become excited over Black Vultures, but when you are desperate for up-close nature photography, you take what you can get! Just don't let the door to the Port-O-John scare you and the birds!
Oh, Tundra Swan, Oh, Tundra Swan... why couldn't you have swimmed a bit closer?
You had your chance earlier.... you missed the up-close moments!
Well, I finally did capture a Great Egret a bit closer... on the side of the road... where we stalked it with the van before I finally got out and it soon flew away because I was wearing what?
Great Blue Heron... checking out what was for dinner.
Another Great Blue Heron.... loved capturing these at least!
I can't remember the names of these birds because Kevin didn't write it down for me. SO... here you have these birds that are different than regular birds we have around home and they are swimming, about to fly out of the water, and four are flying in a nice row. (I scared them, too....with what????)
This is the part of the day that took my breath away. Steve said I would still be there photographing that skyline if he had not finally driven off. This was what I asked him to turn on a road to our left at the last minute to find a spot to stop. I had prayed that the Lord would give me a wonderful sunset since I had not gotten to see the Tundra Swans up close. I am so thankful my Heavenly Father understands my creative mind and desire to see His glory unfold. Speechless.
We ate supper that evening in Little Washington on the river. This was what the Lord gave me as another present right before we went inside the restaurant. I am so thankful for how the Lord closed out 2014 for me and look forward to the beauty He will unfold in 2015.
2 comments:
That was such a fun post! I love all the photos but the last was my favorite. Making family memories are the best!
All beautiful and you had me cracking up reading about your adventures! :)
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