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Friday, February 13, 2009

Seminole Bat (Lasiurus seminolus)

With the wonderful help of Leigh Stuemke, I went out into the wilderness of East Texas and photographed seminole bats. Like so many bats, there are many mysteries about the life habits of seminole bats, but they are beautiful animals with striking features.

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It was a warm and humid evening with fireflies and frogs. A cottonmouth was curled up next to the pond where we set-up the gear. This was only a few days after hurricane Ike devastated Galveston, and we had to navigate around downed trees to make our way into the Stephen F Austin Experimental forest.

I can only wonder how such a small creature could survive a monster storm, tucked into some small crevice, or under the bark of a swaying tree.

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Bats are quick and lovely, and I never fail to be amazed by them.


7 comments:

Bpaul said...

Man that close up on the face is amazing! How the hell did you get that? (if it's a trade secret feel free to blow me off).

Bp

Bpaul said...

Hey, this is off topic, but I just ran across an amazing photographer who is doing a whole project on bees and bee keepers the world over. his name is Eric Tourneret, check it out: http://bugthumper.blogspot.com/2009/04/bee-photographer-eric-tourneret.html

I thought of you immediately.

Bp

Gerry said...

Hello,
I just bought my first DSLR to try and get good photos of bats. So I was perusing online to see what kinds of good bat photography is out there, other than Merlin Tuttle and Scott Altenbach's familiar stuff. These photos are the *best* images of these bat species I have ever seen hands down, not even close. Have you ever taken a trip to the tropics?

Best
Gerry

OregonWild said...

Bpaul – sorry for my lack of response. I have no good excuses except that I have been consumed with work. (good? right!)

The bee article is very cool, thanks for sharing.

Gerry - I have been to the topics of Asia, South America, Central America, and Africa - but never to photograph bats. At the moment the kit is to heavy, but I am developing a lighter version that will hopefully allow me to be more mobile.

Thanks for the kind comments

Tammie Lee said...

Hello,
I have just found your blog, seems you are off and about and have not posted for a while. Still as I wander through your blog I am thrilled and amazed at what you have captured and how you share about it. I have completely enjoyed my peak around and look forward to seeing more.
Wishing you well.
Tammie

Unknown said...

Good post.....
Great Blog.....
Beautiful photos in your blog...
Every one should read this ....
thanks for sharin with us......

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DyanaDevis

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cliff said...

I am still amazed at the super quality of your photos. When I get more time I'll upgrade several cameras. Plus I need a 20mm lens for the D100.

cliff

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Details About Me

Portland, Oregon, United States
Husband, Father, Student Of Natural History, Photographer