"Floundering about with Paralichthys lethostigma "

Since moving to Florida, I have caught two in three years...until yesterday. This one was worth the wait. I prayed, I read, I cussed... Oh yeah, one of them was caught in a cast net. (lame) Flounder are one of those things in nature which are quite hard to wrap your fragile eggshell mind around. They are truly a strange fish. Flounder are crazy...they begin life like a normal fish, but start to change as they mature. (just like we do). They eventually start to hang out on their side, watching to much TV, eating lots of mud minnows and shrimps. They live a somewhat sedentary lifestyle. An ambush predator; they lie in wait for little sea-snacks and BAM! As they move into the juvenile stage, a metamorphosis unlike most any other in the animal world takes place. Much of the fishes skeletal system changes dramatically as it morphs into a electric doormat. Okay, that was stupid.  Additionally, the eye on the side which faces the mud begins to migrate up top. Instant Flounder. To learn more about flounder...buy a fishing rod, bug spray, hang out in the salt marsh, and pray. Pray you'll get to experience catching a fish that looks like a doormat, fights like a bulldog, and has teeth like one too. Oh yeah...(My wife grabbed it and pulled it in the boat.) I AINT Grabbin' THAT CRAZY THING! © CHECK OUT http://www.wildwoollyphotos.com/ for more fun stuff.

" G e t S o m e ! "

Did you ever so something really, really, REALLY stupid? Did you ever do it and then "somewhat recover" the issue? How about catching a shot like this? Then I realized...ISO 800. For those of you who don't speak "techie" camera stuff that means...CARELESS. If your going to be prepared, if your going to shoot wildlife, if your going to be GOOD, then you have to be smart. So my Wild & Woolly photography TIP OF THE DAY is this; Reset you're camera every time you're done shooting. I am sure there are cameras that do this automatically. Heck, mine might even do it. These things are so advanced today, even I have trouble keeping track of it all. So again, don't shoot in broad daylight with your ISO set at 800. If you like this photo and its quality, or in my opinion lack thereof...you should know that I have applied the Orton effect. This is my attempt at recovering this shot to make it 'mo betta. The moral of this story. Pay attention and be prepared, your next shot maybe the "money shot". Check out more about the Orton Effect here: http://http://www.naturephotographers.net/articles0106/dw0106-1.html

"MY TOP TEN FAV-OR-ITE BOAT QUOTES"

1. "I remember how my great uncle Jerry would sit on the porch and whittle all day long. Once he whittled me a toy boat out of a larger toy boat I had. It was almost as good as the first one, except now it had bumpy whittle marks all over it. And no paint, because he had whittled off the paint. ~ Jack Handy

2. My Mom said she learned how to swim when someone took her out on the lake and threw her off the boat. I said, "Mom, they weren't trying to teach you to swim." ~ Paula Poundstone

3. "I love the ocean. Boats, not so much."~Jeff Goldblum

4. "There is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats." ~Kenneth Graham

5. "Basically my wife was immature. I'd be at home in the bath and she'd come in and sink my boats." ~ Woody Allen

6. "There are a lot of mysterious things about boats, such as why anyone would get one voluntarily." ~ P.J. O'Rourke

7. "A boat is a hole in the water into which one throws money"~unknown

8. "A Ship is safe in harbor but that's not what they are made for"-John Shedd

9. "If you boat a lot, you're known as a boating enthusiast. I like to boat, but I just don't want to ever be referred to as a 'boating enthusiast'. I hope they cal me 'a guy who likes to boat'." ~Mitch Hedburg

10. "Land was created to provide a place for boats to visit."- Brooks Atkinson

"Happy Belated Birthday"

Geez...I know I dont remember my friends or family, but to forget Smokey's birthday? I'm a really bad Natural Resource worker! For those who forgot to mark it on your calendar, Smokey Bear's birthday is August 9. Some might debate his exact break out onto the scene, but thats not all that important... What's important is that this iconic bear has been holding that shovel for 65 years! Dang, I thought the DOT employees were bad. Smokey has been fighting fires and educating people since he was found clinging to a charred limb terrified and burned. Most wildfires are caused by humans and most could be avoided by being prepared, and using common sense. But like "they" say, common sense aint all that common. So, all hail the bear! and remember "Only you can prevent forest fires."
By the way, Smokey is Wild & Woolly. www.smokeybear.com

"Lizards and greensnakes and tiny treefrogs"

I'm straying from my typical post, but I felt compelled to share this little chunk of fun... A Christian play for children that speaks of the glory of God and His creation... SO CUTE it'll make you vomit! The girls rocked it at the lil ole Church the other night.

There's crickets and tadpoles Turtles and frogs Down by the creek bank By the old holler log There's spiders and fireflies Earthworms that crawl Down by the creek bank By the old holler log God made the animals Both great and small But I guess my favorite Ones of them all Are crickets and tadpoles Turtles and frogs Down by the creek bank By the old holler log There's spiders and fireflies Earthworms that crawl Down by the creek bank By the old holler log God made the animals Both great and small But I guess my favorite Ones of them all Are crickets and tadpoles Turtles and frogs Down by the creek bank By the old holler log God made the animals Both great and small But I guess my favorite Ones of them all Are lizards, green snakes Tiny tree frogs Down by the creek bank By the old holler log There's spiders and fireflies Earthworms that crawl Down by the creek bank By the old holler log God made the animals Both great and small But I guess my favorite Ones of them all Are crickets and tadpoles Turtles and frogs Down by the creek bank By the old holler log Down by the creek bank By the old holler log...By Dottie Rambo

"Wet and Woolly"

Once in a blue moon you find yourself asking, "Is this really happening"? The photo you see was certainly one of those times. When you experience something so raw, so wild, so woolly...I dare say it can change your life. Why? Because it opens your mind to what your missing-lost in the concrete jungle. Have you ever seen a bear swimming across alligator infested waters? We hadn't and as we sat shaking as she crashed through the forest...I thanked God, I praised God. I almost cried...WHY? Because God's creatures are awesome. Wild, untamed, and just downright amazing. While the photo is not the best technically, the subject matter is-in my opinion stunning. I approached her carefully, and stayed back to avoid trouble for all involved, mainly her. I shot in auto...with no time to think about f-stops, flash, etc. She exited the water, looked back at us and disappeared into the dark swamplands.

WILD AND WOOLLY YA'LL! ©

"Getting a buzz"

If you've never been "buzzed" then you don't know what your missing. If your an adrenaline aficionado, junky, or if your just looking to scratch something off your "bucket list" then you simply must experience a warning from the Great Eastern Diamond Back Rattlesnake. Now, I am not suggesting you harass, bother, molest, or disturb this fascinating nasty. First know, that they aren't hunting you, looking for trouble or even remotely interested in harming you... Unless you bother one. So, just a suggestion. DONT. They are fairly common in certain areas of Florida and a few other states, but alas they aren't very "cute or cuddly", thus many are killed without a care. Snake bite statistics tell us that most bites occur when someone is attempting to capture, harass, or kill one. Out of those individuals many have been drinking. Go figure!? So the next time you get a buzz...Don't get a buzz. Does that make any sense? Many times you will see them crossing a road...just let em be. They aren't hurting you and they are just looking to get their mouse on. So don't be hating on the the incredible Eastern Diamond Back; The largest North American pit viper. Wild huh? Woolly-YES...©

"No time to wallow in the mire"

It's been a while...Fires burn throughout Florida but it seems that many burn in the central part of the state year after year. Florida is a landscape that needs fire, but not really like this. Beginning back in the early 1900's we started to fight fire. We ran out all of the natives, and cut down all the trees. This-among other things, created the problems that we face today... Development of course didn't help. Then there's climatic changes; La Niña, El Niño, and burritos; all affect the fire regime. Continued drought in Florida has lead to "tinderbox" conditions. The shot above was taken at 1.00 am, that gives you some perspective on the conditions. A fire usually lays down at night, but stiff winds and extra-dry conditions let this one cook. My main concern while shooting this was not fire, it was alligators and snakes. Indian Lake has a few, and I was standing in waist high vegetation and a half-foot of water. Man, I go to great lengths to get these incredible shots! Whew... Wild and Woolly ©

Mouth full of teeth

It's that special romantic time of year! We're about a month out from alligator mating season. These delightful creatures will frolic and prance about the swamps exchanging that knowing glance, gator digits, and glasses of cheap sawgrass wine. The largest in Florida was only 14' 5/8". They really don't pose any harm to humans do they? Well, since 1948 there have been 275 documented attacks on people resulting in 17 deaths. The Fish and Wildlife Commission in Florida receives approximately 15,000 alligator related complaints each year. Here's a complaint...Cut the costs of permits to hunt alligators. They make it tough for the little guy to get out and take one. The estimated number of alligators in Florida is currently around 1.25 million. That's a lot of gator tail. Remember-a gator less than four feet long is not usually a danger to pets or children, but from about four-foot and up- its time to reconsider. They can quickly become a nuisance and even dangerous. REMEMBER never let children or pets play near fresh or brackish water in Florida... ©

Listen to the sounds of this species below!

http://video.fws.gov/sounds/27alligator2bellow.mp3

The Sandhills of Florida

It's been awhile..."Blogging is HARD!"
So anyway, these are Florida sandhill cranes, (Grus canadensis pratensis). The adults are male and female, mother and father. The little fuzzy one crying is their offspring. This family of cranes were very patient with me as I followed them around. They foraged and fed the little ones while simultaenously keeping a close eye on me. If you get to close i figure they'll poke your eyes out with their big sharp beaks. However, I did get in close to get the shot of this little one. Remember, you should never harass or stress wildlife, and if you just cant keep yourself from getting in close-then I suggest doing it and then leaving them alone. Furthermore, I suppose it should go without saying that some species will not be patient with you and will defend their young to the death. So if you have any fancy-smancy ideas about getting out of the truck and photographing an alligator, bison, rutting buck, ferel pig, or woolly mammoth, use caution and THINK before you approach Wild and Woolly wildlife of any kind. © Listen to the call of this species:
http://www.savingcranes.org/images/stories/audio/Sandhill_Crane_Unison_Call.wav

An Silhouette appears...

A good silhouette is often easily produced. However, from my experiences they are seldom produced with forethought or intent. I personally have produced a few that I like. This is one of them. After a long day at my regular work I took off a little early in search of that ever-elusive award winning nature photo. Well, as usual things started off a little slow then tapered off. I was cold and ready to go home...I prayed, I waited and I watched. After a few hours in the field with little or no action I wandered upon this Great Blue Heron standing in top of a palm tree. Now, Great Blues are truly beautiful, but for some reason they don't seem to get the attention they deserve. I am guilty as well. Rarely do I even bother shooting them. My assumption is that they are just so common. As I stood there with my finger in my ear I realized that night was fast approaching. It then dawned on me, this bird would be leaving soon, it wasn't on a nest and it certainly wasn't going to spend the night standing in an exposed palm tree. So I waited, and I waited, and I waited some more-with my camera focused on him. Sure enough, when he launched, I was ready and I took four shots. All were good, and all showed action. This one however, spoke to me the most. About now, you are probably asking yourself what the point of all this is. Well, it concerns a number of issues. Number one, Never give up, never stop praying, and BE READY. A few months back I had two baby black bears ramble right up close to me... They were back lit, frolicking, and unafraid-I HAD NO CAMERA. I will never forgive myself for this. So, be ready, be patient, and be reverent. ©

Eagle, Hawk, Vulture?

I am guilty and more than likely you are too. I have often had people exclaim..."Look an eagle!" I then have to ever so quietly and kindly tell them that it is not an eagle but a vulture or hawk. So how does one distinguish between the different larger birds of prey? There are many ways, the most subtle and often overlooked are often the simplest, such as time of year, proximity to water, forest community type, and behavior. The most relied upon and accurate means however is to identify the silhouette, size, wing configuration, etc. Vultures soar with their wings in a "V" shape, eagles wings are flat and hawks are as well... An eagles wing span can be 7-8 feet across. A hawks span is typically around 4 feet. If you can get close enough, a mature bald eagle is easy to identify. The large white tail feathers and white head are prominent, and the legs are very yellow. If you are looking for them on a body of water, search for a soft-ball sized patch of white in the upper part of a tree-line. Of course there are many other birds of prey-and depending on where you are you might find some really interesting or unusual species. Kites, merlins, falcons, owls, and ospreys are interesting and fun to watch. Many areas have full-time resident eagle populations while other areas of the country have limited or migratory groups. To learn more check with your local wildlife management agencies. Keep on Birding. © listen to songs of this species

Did they not know or just not care?

They probably never thought they would destroy almost all of it. Did they know? Did they not care? Surely the vast bottomland forests seemed almost infinite. They stretched all over the south. What now remains is only a tiny fraction of what was. The remaining fragments are impressive for us...But we never saw the original tracts of ancient trees. HUGE TREES by what we know today. There are still small remnants here and there...Some were not worth cutting, some were fairly inaccessible and some, so it seems were looked over, and others were fought for by people with foresight. If you have never seen an old growth Cypress swamp then you are missing out on a truly magnificent community. So, when you are wondering what your next adventure might be, take the time to research the bottomland forests of the southern U.S. Try the Cache river in Arkansas, Dagmar WMA for example will leave your head spinning. Florida, Louisiana, South Carolina and Mississippi all have good chunks to check out...If your thinking that I'm a tree huggin' hippy, I guess your right. But who wouldnt be? While most of it is long gone, some of what remains was here and viable when Christ was born. Wanna see a 2000 year old tree? How about a 3000 year old tree? Check out the "Senator" in central Florida...3500 years and still kickin it...

"Old growth style"

[note: The tree pictured is not the senator-it was shot in Mississippi] ©