Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Still Life on Mossy Log

What rolls down stairs alone or in pairs and over your neighbor's dog?
What's great for a snack and fits on your back?
It's Log, Log, Log...
It's Log, Log, it's big, it's heavy, it's wood.
It's Log, Log, it's better than bad, it's good.
Everyone wants a Log! You're gonna love it, Log!
Come on and get your Log! Everyone needs a Log!
     - Log, a fake commercial from Ren & Stimpy

As noted before, sideways trees and fallen logs make good sets. Not only can they be quite photogenic, but as interesting features of the landscape, they often draw in animals looking for food and shelter. I.e., if they attract your curiosity, you can bet they'll do the same for wildlife.

Up in Mariposa County, on our family's property, is just such a charismatic log. It rests by the seasonal creek, under a dense canopy of canyon live oaks and pondy pines...

mossy log

mossy log

I set the cam's post in one of the cracks along the log, and dabbed a touch of scentmark about 10 feet down from it. The rub-happy gray fox found it first, of course.

gray fox

gray fox

Brush mice and big-eared woodrats trekked the log too. Perhaps to go for water.

mouse

woodrat

This dainty, dilated bobcat also jumped up to check out the log and camera. Maybe looking for those mice and woodrats. Not sure the white flash excited her much, though - she showed that same "ouch - bright light" cringe that we get when someone surprises us with a flash in the face.

bobcat

bobcat

bobcat

bobcat

A gray squirrel, an opossum and some wild turkeys rounded out the show.

gray squirrel

opossum

turkeys

Log, Log, it's better than bad, it's good.

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7 comments:

  1. All great shots!

    Those turkeys on the log look like a calendar cover.

    Great set.

    What type of scent lure were you using?

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  2. Really cool. Especially like the first bobcat shot.

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  3. that is really cool how the moss GREENS up the place! great camera pix!!! love the bobcat!

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  4. Nice use of Ren and Stimpy :). The composition and color on those turkeys is fantastic!

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  5. I really enjoy your blog. I can never push the right buttons on my trail cam to get any photos off of it. Such a great idea.

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  6. Beautiful photos! What a menagerie you caught. Keep up the great work!

    JoEllen Arnold

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  7. Thanks much all. And I'm glad you guys like bobcats and foxes, cause I seem to get a lot of them... :)

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