Tuesdays Treasures

On Tuesdays we provide our Faculty an opportunity to feature the talented work of some of our students and friends. You may see a display of creative PhotoShop work, their beautiful photographs or an interesting story about an individual’s meaningful contribution to his or her community, country or the world.If you have memories, old or new, you would like to share, send them to me at mxw8110@yahoo.com.

EGRET TAKING OFF AT

CADDO LAKE

I am often privileged to have talented photographers join my Photoshop Elements classes at the college where I teach.

This image of an egret taking off at Caddo Lake, was taken by Tom Cheek, one of those photographers. I was delighted when he agreed to share the image, along with the interesting story of its creation, with us on our blog!

He tells us that, “Caddo Lake is the largest natural fresh water lake in the South. It covers 26,800 acres in Texas and Louisiana and includes the 13th Ramsar Wetland Site, which is considered a wetland of international importance. Caddo Lake contains a mature flooded bald cypress forest that supports a diversity of wildlife--some endangered or vulnerable--and contains indigenous fish that contribute to global biological diversity. The lake also provides a critical support to birds that migrate through the Central Flyway. Caddo Lake is a lake with a lot of history and a unique and mysterious beauty. Needless to say, this lake is a prime destination for nature photographers.

Last spring, a fellow photographer and I were taking a scenic tour of the lake on a crisp bright morning and had spotted a variety of birds and turtles. We turned into a portion of the lake known as Alligator Bayou, just off the Big Cypress Bayou watershed. We soon spotted three large white egrets about 100 yards away. We quickly turned off the outboard engine and used the quiet trolling motor to approach the birds. When we got within 25 to 30 yards of them, they looked like they were about to take off. Since I already set my zoom lens in the 400mm setting, I began taking pictures of one egret that was taking off. I probably took 8 or 9 shots of the egret before he disappeared behind a tree. I didn’t know until later that I had captured the egret with his wings in a type of an umbrella shape just as he was lifting off the water.”

Many thanks to Tom for sharing this marvelous image with us!

Mimi
http://www.cs4seniors.com/