24 Apr2015

Gone Buggy!

Written by Ruth Hoyt. Posted in Blog, Botanical, Insects

Prior to my arrival in Texas, I worked mainly on micro/macro photography. Here in Texas I discovered that a constant breeze or wind was the “norm,” a challenge for close-up photographers. I continued what I was doing, but people who were heavily involved in activities involving birds came into my life and my photography took a turn. Nowadays I love taking the opportunity to return to my tiny world when the opportunity presents itself, and that’s what I’ve chosen to share with you today. I was out wandering the beautiful Jones Alta Vista Ranch in Jim Hogg County, Texas, looking for potential perches for birds, when I spied a vine loaded with yellow aphids. I had to stop, pull out my tripod and macro lens and take some time to photograph these tiny creatures. Please be sure to click on the image to reveal the entire image and caption.

Yellow Aphids on Trailing Vine

13 Apr2015

Bonus Bee

Written by Ruth Hoyt. Posted in Birds, Blog, Insects

Last week I had planted an attractive section of Prickly-pear Cactus with blossom buds in the sand in front of one of the Laguna Seca Ranch’s photo blinds. I hoped a bird would pose as it looked through the curve of the cactus pad, and it happened yesterday morning. What I didn’t expect was the honeybee to come along at the same time as the Long-billed Thrasher. When I inspected the photo, the bonus bee was sharp!