Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: 13 June 2016

This photo was taken on 13 June 2016, when I took a short drive SW of the city. A scene along one of the various roads I travel when driving SW of the city, looking different in the evening sun. The grain elevator is apparently a private one. The following day (yesterday), I had to drop my car off ready to get it serviced and repaired today, but hopefully I will get it back late this afternoon. I have to phone them back, as apparently, it needs a whole pile of things doing to it - now I know why it is recommended to keep running an old car, even if they say it is in great condition! Knowing I was going to be without a vehicle, I wanted to make sure I got out for one last drive. I had been looking for a Great Gray Owl and had turned off the main road in order to turn around. Caught sight of a Mountain Bluebird, so pulled over. It disappeared and didn't return and then I spotted a bright yellow male American Goldfinch singing its little heart out. Just as I was taking a few distant shots, a truck came round the corner and the guy came to a stop. He started telling me where he had just seen something - and I was expecting him to say a Great Gray Owl. Instead, he told me about a beautiful deer and her baby and said it would make a lovely photo. Posted a distant, poor quality photo yesterday - the highlight of my trip.

Two days ago, on 13 June 2016, I went for a drive SW of the city, along my "usual" backroads. I had been watching a pair of Mountain Bluebirds and, while watching the parents bring insects to feed them, I suddenly noticed two little beaks push through the hole in the nesting box. A few seconds later, this baby Bluebird poked its head through the hole and took a look at the big, big world beyond its cozy little nest. Such a cute little thing! I suspect I will miss the last chance to see them, as I have been without my vehicle since yesterday afternoon. Hoping it will be serviced and repaired in time for me to pick it up late this afternoon. I have only ever once seen baby Bluebirds that have fledged and that was a number of years ago, when I happened to spot them down on the ground, in the grasses. Usually, they are in the nest box one day and then gone the next and I don't see them again till the next year.

This peaceful photo of such beautiful, innocent creatures is in such stark contrast to the scenes of horror that are emerging from Orlando, Florida, following the shooting to death of 49 people and injuring 53 others. My heart goes out to all those affected by this atrocious act of terror and hate. Fully zoomed (EXIF data gives Focal Length (35mm format) - 1200 mm) and cropped, so this image leaves a lot to be desired as far as quality goes. However, I'm still thrilled to have seen this White-tailed doe with her tiny fawn and to get any photo at all. They were down at the bottom of a valley, so far away, and for one brief moment, they both stopped and turned to look in my direction. This special moment happened yesterday, 13 June 2016, when I took a short drive SW of the city. Later today, I have to drop my car off to get it serviced and won't get it back till late tomorrow afternoon, so I was itching to get out somewhere. I had been looking for a Great Gray Owl and had turned off the main road in order to turn around. Caught sight of a Mountain Bluebird, so pulled over. It disappeared and didn't return and then I spotted a bright yellow male American Goldfinch singing its little heart out. Just as I was taking a few distant shots, a truck came round the corner and the guy came to a stop. He started telling me where he had just seen something - and I was expecting him to say a Great Gray Owl. Instead, he told me about this beautiful deer and her baby and said it would make a beautiful photo. Without his kind directions, I would never have seen them. Even with his help, it took me a little while to find them. They more than made up for not being able to see an owl!