Another visit to Alamance Island…

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I went back to Eno on Saturday afternoon with my husband and daughter – not intending to see/photograph wildlife, but I thought it would be a good idea for everyone to get some fresh air.

As we were leaving I spotted this squirrel busily burrowing in the leaves. The light was decent, so I stopped to get a couple of shots.

Now if you want to do some REAL squirrel photography all you need to do is head on over to Elon University. They have a HUGE population of squirrels who are quite accustomed to people. But I thought this shot was worth posting anyway.

As we were leaving Eno, a deer suddenly dashed across the road in front of us. Knowing that where there is one, there is typically more, I pulled off onto the shoulder and put my flashers on. Opening the passenger’s side window I could see the rest of the deer in the woods just beyond.

Nikon D300, Tokina 80-400mm lens @ 400mm, f5.6, 1/100, ISO 1600

One doe was bolder than the rest and stuck around even after most of her group had moved on. Darkness was rapidly closing in but with my camera mounted on the monopod I was able to snap a couple of images from the vehicle before she finally bounded off into the thick underbrush.

Nikon D300, Tokina 80-400mm lens @ 400mm, f5.6, 1/100, ISO 1600

Alamance Island (1)

 

Eno River State Park

We traveled to Eno River State Park in the hopes of getting some good shots of wildlife – in particular white-tailed deer. While some places in North Carolina (specifically Great Smokey Mountains National Park) present the opportunity to observe and photograph wildlife at close quarters, most mammals in my local vicinity are quite skittish and getting close enough for a decent shot can prove incredibly frustrating.

We arrived at the park at 7:46 AM – the park officially opens at 8 AM but since the gates were open we went ahead and parked. It was overcast and quite dark still when we started down the trail. We hadn’t hiked far before spotting our first group of deer. They bounded a short ways before they stopped and resumed browsing. Despite the darkness, they seemed more tolerant than any other deer I’d so far encountered in the area – but the lighting and thick foliage were less than ideal. I was forced to crank the ISO up to 2000 – something I’d never attempted before – and drop my shutter speed to 1/125. Despite everything I was able to get one halfway decent image before the deer moved deeper into the woods.

Nikon D300, Tokina 80-400mm lens @ 400mm, f5.6, 1/125, ISO 2000

Nikon D300, Tokina 80-400mm lens @ 185mm, f9.0, 1/25, ISO 400

The Eno River takes center stage and is a mecca for birds and water fowl. Although they were too far away for a decent shot, we saw three Great Blue Herons, a Kingfisher, and numerous woodpeckers, cardinals and other bird species. I really wanted a photo of the Kingfisher but he was quite shy and would not let us anywhere near.

Nikon D300, Tokina 80-400mm lens @ 80mm, f10, 1/20, ISO 400

Nikon D300, Tokina 80-400mm lens @ 400mm, f5.6, 1/400, ISO 1600

We were hiking a secluded path through the woods when I spotted some deer – miraculously before they saw me. But they moved on before I was able to get a good shot. I stubbornly refused to give up and headed down another trail I thought might allow me to intercept them. Amazingly, I was able to do just that. However this group was much more nervous than the last and as they quickly spotted me I wasn’t able to get anywhere close to them.

Nikon D300, Tokina 80-400mm lens @ 400mm, f5.6, 1/400, ISO 1600

Although I wasn’t successful in getting the “money shot” this time, I still came home with some interesting images and I think there is definitely potential there. I am looking forward to being able to revisit the park sometime in the near future.

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It may appear to be just a tangled mess of vines, sticks and fallen logs, but I see beauty. I had followed a deer trail into the woods, but stopped here because it was getting too dark to take any more photos.

I didn’t come back with any wildlife images but that’s okay. I found a spot with a lot of promise and I can’t wait to go back!

1-16-11

We got together this afternoon and took a walk beside a polluted river. I can’t even call it a hike because it was that brief and that easy. We were on the lookout for wildlife, but although the signs were promising we were unlucky this time.

So we proceeded to chase the sunset. It’s a hobby of ours, piquing in the winter months when Carolina sunsets are most vibrant and the moon is brightest.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”

Psalms 19:1

For some reason I hear James Horner’s “Hymn to the Sea” in my head when I look at these images. “Ashokan Farewell” also comes to mind. The perfect soundtrack to a sunset.

At our backs was the rising moon, framed by pines. No matter how many times I gaze up at its face I will never cease to be awed by the moon. I wonder how many others have fixed their eyes upon the same moon throughout history, and marveled – as I do – at the beauty of the universe and wonder of God’s creation.