Surprised!

My photo wanderings this past week were sprinkled with surprises.

When the sun finally emerged mid-week, I was in the back yard trying to find an occupied spider web and got distracted by some interesting leaves. While trying to focus on them, I was surprised to see a ladybug buried deep in the plant – snug as a bug in a delphinium. After taking a mug shot, I left the sleeping ladybug lie …

Buried headfirst into some soft leaves, this ladybug was enjoying a good nap – and making me tired.

Last Friday we headed back home to Lanigan. For the first time in decades of driving that familiar highway I was surprised to spot two animals that looked suspiciously like moose. The happy coincidence was that this was also the first time I had my camera in my lap for that trip.

Unencumbered by any real knowledge, Dori and I decided these were yearling twin moose. Are we right?

I quickly pulled over and started firing away through my open driver side window. As the moose started to walk away, I was surprised to notice my shutter speed was too slow in the declining light! I tweeked my settings and quickly backed up the truck to stay in front of them. I reeled off a few more shots before they turned away and headed up a rise. I made a U-turn as they headed into the field. Fortunately I spotted a gravel road and turned right to see if I could catch another glimpse. This is when I was surprised to discover the image stabilization on my lens somehow was in the off position.

Just then the moose appeared at the top of the ridge. I leaned way over and rested my lens on the open passenger window ledge, aimed and fired off a few more shots. What a great view of these ungainly but beautiful creatures!