Magnolia Blossom, Mizell Farms, LA, 2007-Sept-08
I liked how pure this magnolia blossom appeared, even though it was beginning to fall apart.
All photos © Amy Friends Stone and all rights reserved.
Squirrel, Audubon Park, New Orleans, LA, 2008-Aug-03
This little guy was too cute not to photograph… even though I had already folded up the tripod and was heading for the car!
All photos © Amy Friends Stone and all rights reserved.
Young Raccoon, City Park, New Orleans, LA, 2008-Jul-26
Last Saturday was quite hot and humid. I decided to take some stale bread to the park to feed the birds, and maybe get a lucky shot or two. However, the local raccoon population had other ideas, and absolutely no fear despite the hissing, spitting, and all-around fussiness the ducks, geese and swans provided.
All photos © Amy Friends Stone and all rights reserved.
WordOfWarning: nevernevernever delete database files if you’re not 110% sure they’re not being used. I decided to be smart and do a personal backup of my site (since I had been lazy and hadn’t been doing that). I was “cleaning up” my site files before doing the backup and accidentally deleted the wrong file. Amazing, I know, stupid me - the system even asked if I was sure I wanted to delete it, ha - as soon as I clicked yes, my brain somehow turned on and told me “crap, that was the database for the BLOG!“. That makes WordOfWarning2: backup first!! (yeah, I know that’s two words, I can count, I just can’t delete). Luckily the hosting company had some backup, so I only lost part of June and July.
I will be 110% more careful and am glad to be back.
Louisiana Gator, Barataria Preserve, New Orleans, LA, 2008-Jun-03
(Click on image for full size.)
This gator was a fair distance away before I took this shot; however, perhaps the scent of tuna from the afternoon’s snack was too tempting - it came directly over in a manner that certainly seemed purposeful; other observers agreed. The landing was at the water’s surface (the fuzzy thing in the lower right corner is actually the wooden deck), and no matter the fact that the gator was only about 5 feet long - there’s just no reason to stay that accessible!
An album of the photos from the day are here.
All photos © Amy Friends Stone and all rights reserved.
Mallard Landing, City Park, New Orleans, LA, 2008-Jun-01
(Click on image for full size.)
I went to City Park here in New Orleans the other day, hoping to find some birds to photograph although it was near mid-day and not really the time for birds. There were still a few though, so I got lucky. I got even luckier catching this photo, although I do apologize for the slight blur - still working on that! 
It’s a male Mallard Duck, a few inches above the water and about to land. I would be sooo psyched if it was sharpsharpsharp, but I decided to share anyway.
All photos © Amy Friends Stone and all rights reserved.
Man holding his dog, Krewe of Barkus parade, New Orleans, LA, 2008-Jan-27
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An escort (and fellow photog!) in the Barkus parade with his canine parader. I think the dog felt with all the spotlight he should have the star treatment! An album of my photos from the parade can be found here.
All photos © Amy Friends Stone and all rights reserved.
Cattle Egret, Audubon Zoo, New Orleans, LA, 2007-Jul-21
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This Cattle Egret with breeding plumage was much less eventful to photograph. Before taking this photo, I had never noticed the lovely lavender and pale blue “eye makeup” they have. I don’t know if that’s a breeding coloration, or year-round.
All photos © Amy Friends Stone and all rights reserved.
Laughing Kookaburra, Audobon Zoo, New Orleans, LA, 2007-Jul-21
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Image 3 of the three day series. The Kookaburra, who seemed to be flying directly at me, apparently has great eyesight: he was actually aimed behind me and slightly left, having spotted this yummy treat from 10 feet away. It wasn’t all that bright out either, and the worm blended in with the ground cover (well, to me at least).
All photos © Amy Friends Stone and all rights reserved.
Laughing Kookaburra, Audobon Zoo, New Orleans, LA, 2007-Jul-21
(Click on image for full size.)
Image 2 of the three day series. While taking these pictures of the Laughing Kookaburra, I was squatted down on my heels (ass-to-grass, as they say in the gym). Suddenly the kookaburra, which had been sitting calmly on the rope, flew right at me! As I toppled over backwards, I quickly snapped a photo, which although decidedly unfocused, still hopefully gives you the idea of what it felt like having this bird (who is about 16″ with that tail) flying directly at you.
All photos © Amy Friends Stone and all rights reserved.
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