Some more images from my walkabouts.

[Maestro]

Actually, they were long roadtrips but anyhow, here are a few more images.

These next few are from the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi, Texas.

River otter
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/maestros/Nature/OtterPortraitTexasStateMuseum.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/maestros/Nature/OtterSidePortraitTexasStateMuseum.jpg

This guy was just adorable!

Of course we saw dolphins there as well.

We saw them below water...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/maestros/Nature/DolphinsatTSA12.jpg

We saw them above water...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/maestros/Nature/DolphinsTSA13.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/maestros/Nature/DolphinJumpTexasStateAquarium.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/maestros/Nature/DolphinflipTexasStateAquarium.jpg

And in the water.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/maestros/Nature/DolphinsatTSA8.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/maestros/Nature/DolphinsTSA15.jpg

Heck we even saw them in the wild near Copano Bay, Fulton, Texas.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/maestros/Nature/DolphinsinAransasBay3.jpg

We also ran into two alligators back at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. This one was trying to hide.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/maestros/Nature/AmericanAlligatorinMarsh3.jpg

This one decided to come on out to sun. I headed off soon after this pic.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/maestros/Nature/AmericanAlligatorinMarsh.jpg

And of course, the real reason I like to observe wildlife is so that I can teach my kids to value all life!

I titled this one, Wonderment I'm not sure it is a word, but I like it. I think the dolphin is wondering just as much as my son. ;)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/maestros/Family/Wonderment.jpg

[dbaker1221]

good shots Stephen........love that last one

[BigAl]

Nice set Stephen, but I *really* like the first and the last :thumb

[Jack'll do]

Very nice set Stephen. That last one brings back memories of childhood wonderment I witnessed when my son was young. (Now I'm experiencing it with my grandkids) :D

[Maestro]

good shots Stephen........love that last one

Thanks Dave. That last one is one of my favs too!

[Maestro]

Nice set Stephen, but I *really* like the first and the last :thumb

Those otters are just too cute and really can't take a bad pic. Hey, my son can't take a bad pic either. :D

[raptorcaptor]

Someone had fun! Nice set Stephen! Like the last photo best!

[Harryb]

Good shots Stephen especially the last. When I visited the Georgia Aquarium I found that my best shots were of the people watching the fish rather than of the fish.

[Maestro]

Someone had fun! Nice set Stephen! Like the last photo best!

Thanks Glenn. When I show my pics from the trip to others, this one seems to stand out to everyone. And truth be told, I need to go back to my files because my wife may have taken this one. I'm not sure. I need to look at the EXIF to know for sure. She and I were both taking pics at this time, but I think this one is mine. :scratch :huh :dunno If this is hers, I will probably have to fork out money for a "real" camera for her. :D

[raptorcaptor]

Thanks Glenn. When I show my pics from the trip to others, this one seems to stand out to everyone. And truth be told, I need to go back to my files because my wife may have taken this one. I'm not sure. I need to look at the EXIF to know for sure. She and I were both taking pics at this time, but I think this one is mine. :scratch :huh :dunno If this is hers, I will probably have to fork out money for a "real" camera for her. :D

What a scary thought! :rofl

I think this photo would be even stronger if you cropped it about one inch to the right of the dolphin looking at your son. Just a thought!

[Ric Grupe]

Knowledge prevents ignorance and promotes understanding.

We don't realize how much we need something until we don't have it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/maestros/Family/Wonderment.jpg

I love this one, Stephen.

I raised three sons...the middle son turns 30 today. Cherish these times.

[Maestro]

Whoa there Ric. I'm nine years older than your oldest. You could have been my daddy. What am I, a youngin' around here? :thumb Hey and thanks for the comments. I am certainly cherishing these times.

[Maestro]

What a scary thought! :rofl

I think this photo would be even stronger if you cropped it about one inch to the right of the dolphin looking at your son. Just a thought!

Actually, if I actually am the one who took it :wink , I remember trying to compose the shot like that putting my son and the dolphin in the lower third of the pic, but I probably did leave too much negative space to the right. I don't believe I cropped this at all.

[jwear]

last one is a classic :thumb

[Maestro]

last one is a classic :thumb

Thanks so much Jwear.

[Maestro]

Good shots Stephen especially the last. When I visited the Georgia Aquarium I found that my best shots were of the people watching the fish rather than of the fish.

I certainly can understand why that would be the case. What I really like about the last one is the dolphin looking at my son. Dolphins, being so intelligent, I can easily imagine the dolphin thinking about my son as well.

[bfjr]

Nice Walk glad ya took me :D

Like others dig the last, that Human Connection I think :thumb

[Maestro]

Nice Walk glad ya took me :D

Like others dig the last, that Human Connection I think :thumb

Thanks Benjamin. Looking at the last one some more, I really did not want to cut his feet off, but oh well. At least I did not cut the head off. :D

[kitvan]

Nice set Stephen, but I *really* like the first and the last :thumb

here here. :D

[spechtal]

Lovely Photos Stephen. Your walk took me into a warm wonderful area (which is great because it certainly is very chilly where I am at). My favourites are of your son and the dolphin and the otters.

Thanks for sharing

[kdog]

Very nice series, Stephen! Great action shots on those dolphins, and love the one with your son. :thumb

Corpus Christi, huh? We're going to be in South Padre Island this spring for a week. I think we might have to make a side trip to Corpus to this marina. How's SPI for birds, btw?

Cheers,
-joel

[Maestro]

SPI is great for birding! I plan on going back this summer which is isn't the best time to go but even then you see quite a bit. Depending on when you go, hopefully early spring, you will catch migration time which is fantastic. SPI is very small so it is no problem getting around. Stop by the SPI Convention Center. There is a fantastic nature trail there with nice viewing areas. Then go across the bay to Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. It's about 30 minutes from SPI. There were more golden fronted woodpeckers than I could count! But I didn't get a decent pic of one. You will see crested caracaras, Harris's Hawks, a possible peregrine, tons of pelicans, ospreys, plain chachalaca, groove billed anis, green jays, kiskadees and much more.

For more info go here (http://www.worldbirdingcenter.com) You will not be disappointed!

[Maestro]

Lovely Photos Stephen. Your walk took me into a warm wonderful area (which is great because it certainly is very chilly where I am at). My favourites are of your son and the dolphin and the otters.

Thanks for sharing

Thanks Angela.

[Maestro]

here here. :D

Thanks KitVan

[kdog]

SPI is great for birding! I plan on going back this summer which is isn't the best time to go but even then you see quite a bit. Depending on when you go, hopefully early spring, you will catch migration time which is fantastic. SPI is very small so it is no problem getting around. Stop by the SPI Convention Center. There is a fantastic nature trail there with nice viewing areas. Then go across the bay to Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. It's about 30 minutes from SPI. There were more golden fronted woodpeckers than I could count! But I didn't get a decent pic of one. You will see crested caracaras, Harris's Hawks, a possible peregrine, tons of pelicans, ospreys, plain chachalaca, groove billed anis, green jays, kiskadees and much more.

For more info go here (http://www.worldbirdingcenter.com) You will not be disappointed!
:huh Really? That sounds awesome!! :ivar:drums:beer

We'll be there in early June. We'll probably miss the bulk of the migration, but it sounds like there will still be plenty to see. It's actually a family vacation that we won at a charity auction. We really knew very little about the place other than it sounded interesting. Wow, it really sounds good. :nod

Thanks for the info!
-joel

[riddim_maker]

Very nice set Stephen :thumb
You really captured the moment in shot #3
:clap :clap :clap

[Maestro]

:huh Really? That sounds awesome!! :ivar:drums:beer

We'll be there in early June. We'll probably miss the bulk of the migration, but it sounds like there will still be plenty to see. It's actually a family vacation that we won at a charity auction. We really knew very little about the place other than it sounded interesting. Wow, it really sounds good. :nod

Thanks for the info!
-joel

Make sure you check out that link. It gives a good checklist of what you can find at that time. I was there in early June and got some nice birds, spoonbills, black-necked stilts, orange skimmers, brown pelicans, yellow-billed cuckoos, golden-fronted woodpeckers, couch's and tropical kingbirds, clapper rails, moorhens, harris's hawks, ospreys and if you take a day trip to Brownsville, you may be able to see green jays and great kiskadees.

[Maestro]

Very nice set Stephen :thumb
You really captured the moment in shot #3
:clap :clap :clap

Thanks Russ, much appreciated.

[ShepsMom]

Great shots Stephen!! And i love the rubber duck too :D:D:D

[Maestro]

Great shots Stephen!! And i love the rubber duck too :D:D:D

Those dolphins sure love their toys! :D

[dallas]

Very nice detail, clean images...........I like them all. :thumb :thumb :thumb

[Maestro]

Very nice detail, clean images...........I like them all. :thumb :thumb :thumb
Thanks William. I appreciate it.