Tuesday, July 19, 2005

HAYMES RESERVOIR, Fort Carson Colorado

Haymes Reservoir is one of many on Fort Carson.  This is a popular fishing hole for the soldiers and their families, although run-off from the airfield has contaminated the water and restrictions are now in place.  (This used to be my favorite crawdad hole.)  Wildlife also enjoys the cool water and shade from the surrounding woods which makes it perfect for wildlife watching.

The thistles are in full bloom and invite passers-by to come closer, but watch out for the leaves, they are very prickly and will grab you if you get too close!

Unless they are bloodsucking insects, most bugs hate me.  I spent the entire afternoon trying to get close enough to photograph one of the millions of dragonflies flitting around the banks of the reservoir.  I'm not sure but I think I heard a couple of them laughing at me.  Even this butterfly teased me by stopping just long enough for me to get close and then it would flutter off to another flower a few feet away before I could focus.

This beetle on the other hand actually came after me!  It landed on my ponytail and had to be flicked off.  Once it regained its bearing, it flew back onto me.  Not knowing what kind of beetle it was and whether it meant to investigate me or sample me, I brushed it off again and quickly put some space between us.  It sure was pretty though.

This moth finally took pity on me, or maybe it just got tired of flying away from my camera and it actually landed long enough for me to get this shot.  A close-up lens would have been useless today for none of the insects let me get close enough.  I think I need.... a bigger zoom!

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey, these are good and you have two butterflies, not a butterfly and a moth. The slight motion to the wings is wonderful.

Anonymous said...

I like the blue to the lake and the beetle is an unusual irresdesent.  Always nice to visit somewhere that I would never have been able to see otherwise.  ~mark~

Anonymous said...

As usual, wonderful!  I think that the second butterfly could be a moth but it sure is colorful!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful!  That reservoir may be restricted, but it look great from here! hehe!

Lori
http://journals.aol.com/scotthlori/DiscoveringMe

Anonymous said...

I really enjoy your photos....always looking forward to you next entry.
Betty

Anonymous said...

IAM GETTING INTO PHOTOGRAPHY MYSELF AND FINDING YOUR PICTURES HAS INSPIRED ME EVEN MORE. THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL AND FULL OF LIFE. THAT IS WHAT I CONSIDER MY PICTURES....LIFE. THANKS FOR SHARING CLIPS OF YOUR LIFE.

JAZZYIDABEL

Anonymous said...

Wow!  These are beautiful pics, and I'm glad I linked here.

Judi
http://journals.aol.com/emmapeeldallas/talkingtomyself/

Anonymous said...

You are getting good and close with the butterflies :-)
I post my successes and I often have plenty of frustrations in between. Basically I have more success when I notice a butter that is very interested in feeding in a certain area with limited flowers. If I can position myself in a spot that won't scare off the butterfly, I can usually get a fair shot in. Sometimes I have to wait upwards of ten minutes. Mornings are better than afternoons.

That's a wicked looking beetle!

Anonymous said...

Want only to thank you for a wonderful 20 minutes of admiring nature through your eyes.  Do some more!!!!!

Followers