SECRET RENDEZVOUS

The theme for this Round Robin Photo Challenge is 'secret'.  For a list of other participants, click HERE:

 

A single light,

A bottle of wine,

A secret room,

But not enough time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rendezvous

MOSQUITO SQUADRON

No, they aren't alien invaders. I pretty much have to shower in repellant in order to avoid being sucked dry by these blood thirsty mosquitoes.  Unfortunately Off for Outdoorsmen not only repels the mosquitoes but butterflies and dragonflies as well.  Needless to say I was thrilled with my shots yesterday.  By the way, that picture is about scaled to life.  When they swarm like that, they really do sound like a squadron of fighter planes. Its advisable to cover your nose when passing through a swarm like this.  I'm sure you can figure out why.

The only thing worse than hearing a mosquito buzzing around your head is hearing a mosquito buzzing around your head and then suddenly not hearing it anymore.  That drives me nuts!  When they are buzzing at least I know they are still flying.  They don't buzz when they are feeding.

Ugh!  Just looking at that picture makes me itchy.

WHATS BEEN BUGGING ME

This little locust nibbled happily on some berries while I crawled around trying to get a good shot of him.  Usually they are shy and will hop away if I get too close, but this guy had more important things on his mind.

Yet another desert locust.  This one tolerated me for a short while before backing into a hole.  Unfortunately the hole was too shallow to hide in so it crawled back out and hopped away.

Here's a tip when trying to photograph dragonflies.  If you spook one away, just stay put, it will probably return shorty.  (thanks Sepintx) .  Not only did this dragonfly return, it landed even closer.  When I got the shot I needed, I moved away, and it followed me, landing just infront of me.  Too cool!

I had a semi-decent picture of this Cabbage White as it tiptoed across a flower, but if you've ever seen them, they like to fold their wings up together.  I snapped this picture halfheartedly as it fluttered away and was pleasantly surprised by the result.  The butterfly itself is not focused, but it still made for a delicate image. (thanks madcobug for the butterfly link).

Autumn Morning

Here is another picture from my visit to Garden of the Gods.  The leaves in the park are just starting to change colors but the evergreens are as green as ever.  The moon was still shining brightly at 10 o'clock in the morning.  It was such a beautiful morning that even the moon wanted to stick around to enjoy it a bit longer.

Did I ever post a picture of the statue of George Eber Duclo?  It stands in Manitou Springs Memorial Park.  George Eber Duclo, a resident of Manitou Springs,  gave his life in service during the first World War.  The park was dedicated to him and all of Manitou's sons and daughters who gave their lives for their country. 

BACK IN THE SADDLE

 

A little squirrel actually ran up to me and circled my feet like a little puppy begging for a treat so I shared my breakfast granola with it.  I pretended to be Dr. Doolittle and carried on a one-sided conversation with the creature while I photographed the flowers near by.  Passers by smiled sympathetically, I'm sure they thought I was nuts.  I just smiled back and took my pictures.  I was on my way home when I spotted this fountain.  The morning sunlight cast the perfect reflection and I had to stop.

I wish you could smell these roses.  Their delicate fragrance permeated through the autum air and hung like a silk curtain.  They smelled like romance, and springtime.

I was hiking along a trail off the road by the Garden of the Gods and was surprised to see a bicycle propped against a barbed wire fence.  I guess the rider continued on foot. Can't say I blame them, its a beautiful walk.

This was my first outting since just before my son left for Iraq.  Initally my reason for staying home was that I needed to be near the phone in case my son was to call.  Then I just had no desire to go out.  This morning as I walked in the peaceful solitude of the woods I realized that I was avoiding my thoughts.  At home there was always something to occupy my mind.  Out here by myself my thoughts turned back to my son and the fear I feel for him.  And it was therapeutic.  I think I will be okay now.

WHERE THE DEER AND THE ANTELOPE PLAY

My little excursion yesterday put me in sight of almost a dozen nice buck muledeer.  That is never the case when I am hunting.  Animals are smart, they can smell a license on a person and know if they are hunting or not.

I love photographing pronghorn antelope soley because of their eyes.  They have the most beautiful eyes.  My dream is to get close enough to zoom in on just the eyes.  (hint hint honey, must get a bigger zoom!)

These little pine roses decorate the tips of the pinon trees up and down the canyons and hillsides.  They are actually a sort of pine cone which when it opens, drops pinon or pinenuts all over the ground.  The small nuts are a favorite snack for some of the wild creatures that live in the pinon  groves.

SUNRISE, MOONSET

Believe it or not, these pictures were taken within 5 minutes of each other.  The sunrise swept across the sky in brilliant, fiery blaze of color while on the opposite horizon the full moon slowly slipped below the mountains. 

I don't often get to watch a moonset so this was a treat.  The night before it ruled the sky with its opal glow, surrounded by a treasure of diamond stars.  Upon the arrival of the morning sun it graciously relinquished its reign and drifted silently away with the promise to return for yet another night.

I love the morning sky.