Looking West, Capitol Reef National Park.

This view is just a few miles off the main road through Capitol Reef National Park. It was well worth the time. The view on the other side was not as nice. The clouds make a fine addition to the picture. Utah has some surprises in the vista department.
. # 0605-1 © Tom Stanley Janca.

Stilt And Two Yellow Footed Egrets

You have my attention too! It must be food or danger. It would be nice to be able to fly.

GREAT HORN OWL DBA SCREECH OWL SHIVERS.

SCREECH OWL SHIVERS: by Tom Stanley Janca

I heard the screech owl way over there.

It didn't scare me so I didn't care.

It was over there, then somewhere else,

calling in the night all by itself.

Then! "ssccrreeeecchh", It was so loud right next to me.

The night was so dark I couldn't see.

Then all of a sudden behind my back.

Another screech! I was certain of an attack.

Shivers went up my spine.

My hair stood straight out for such a long time.

I let out a yell to scare them away.

But they didn't scare me, no, not anytime no way.

. # © Tom Stanley Janca. .20 per sq.in.

Jackrabbits Complaint

Pardon me!! but could you be a little bit quieter You and your car makes so much noise I can't keep up with my safety concerns. You know that pack of coyotes that live across the road there. Did you forget the bobcats and their new kittens they are always hungry. What about the eagles, hawks, owls, foxes, and even mountain lyons we won't mention that even jaguars are sneaking around. My brother saw one last year. I think you should be a little more considerate, your noise pollution is going to cause our complete demise. and what is all that click, click click en.

I am just going to run and hide.

# © Tom Stanley Janca. .20 per sq.in.

SUNFLOWER DRAMA

SUNFLOWER DRAMA

I never met a sunflower I didn't like.

They are along the trails I like to hike.

They shine so bright and last so long.

I know I'll miss them when there gone.

But now they brighten my path the whole day through.

Morning and noon and evening too.

But night time came with wind and rain.

The stormy night could not be contained.

I thought the sunflowers would never be the same.

The sun came up. My eyes look out.

There was beautiful sunflowers all about.

# © Tom Stanley Janca. .20 per sq.in.

Blue Mesa Lake, Colorado

And you wonder why I go on my photo trips in the Summer. It's easy Phoenix 110+ Gunderson Co. 82-. The four corners area is my favorite area for summer trips lots of 14,000 feet peaks. Lakes, forests, animals, flowers, old mining building and rivers with crystal clear water are every where. Adventure waits at the end of the tiny roads that cris -cross the mountains. I must also tell you that there lots of places to stay and eat. Maybe I have been Lucky but I haven't had to camp out yet! I say that because I don't know what reservations mean. . # © Tom Stanley Janca. .20 per sq. in.

Prickly Pear Pads with Stickers

Some time ordinary things catch your eye as being interesting. I liked the green and brown colors and the dots of very fine stickers. There are several varieties of prickly pear and this is one that grows into a vertical plant. Its fruit are not the ones used for jelly.

#9809-1 © Tom Stanley Janca. .20 per sq.in.

Wildness Waits for an American Kestrel.

A Few Words From An American Kestrel.

"I want to let you know that I will be back in action. No big grasshopper will be safe. I was injured and now I am soon to be declared fit for wildness once more. Thank you all for the support."

Photo was taken at the Gilbert Riparian Park. A wild animal rescue person was showing this very beautiful falcon. I grew up calling them sparrow hawks but I never realized how beautiful they were until my photos were close and personal.

. # 4458-1 © Tom Stanley Janca. .20 per sq. in.

Afternoon Knap Demonstrated by Black Neck Stilts.

Life is good here in the Gilbert Riparian Park. All their Immediate need are met, full stomach, safe place to sleep no one bothering them. All of the photographers are far enough away.

I like to see them all in a row on one leg it kind of makes me want to take a Knap too.

. # 9542-1 © Tom Stanley Janca.
.20per sq. in.

Quick Action, Saves American Avocets Chicks.

The next best time for action at the Gilbert riparian park is after the nesting. All parents must be aware that many near by birds would be happy to eat their little ones. Up most diligence is a must to get your chicks up to the size where they can defend their selves. I have been chased off many a time. How you ask? They keep flying straight for you and keep making lots of noise. If you get too close they will treat you just like the egret in this picture.

. # 8692-1 © Tom Stanley Janca.

.20 per sq. in.

Scary Bird, A lessor yellow footed egret.

It was a stromy night in Scottsdale the water was flowing over the dam on mckellips rd. But the next day this yellow footed lessor egret was fishing on the top of the over flowing dam and caught a fair sized blue gill fish. He begain to strut about and then did a shake out your feathers dance. It was 12:00 o'clock.

© Tom Stanley Janca. .20 per sq. in. nf

Chat with a great blue heron.

Fishing was great today. I filled my belly by 11:00 a m and not one was too big. There was such a commotion over here I thought I would see what's up. I arrived and everyone left but you and you keep pointing your big eye my way. What's with that. How do you catch fish with that. See ya! I have to find a place for a knap. You don't talk much do you. Just click, click, click. © Tom Stanley Janca. .20 per sq. in. uf

Day of the Games, Great White Egret Day

Four great white egrets on a mudflat on a dry pond bed at the Gilbert riparian park. It's play time. Chase is the game, always fun even if you can steel a fish or maybe a feather or a leaf. No one could miss the action it was a very noisy game.

I often see a row of nicely mannered egrets spaced out properly fishing each one resecting the space of the others. However I like breeding time.

it is always more interesting when chase is played on land on water and in the air.

© Tom Stanley Janca. .20 per sq. in.

Little fawn big world

Big ears, big eyes, alert there is a good chance for this young fawn to grow up. The traffic may be his biggest challenge. I feel a kinship. He is curious. I am curious. Who am I? Who are you where do you live? Where do I live?. Can we be friends? I can be friends but I don't know about others. I raised a fawn in Oregon I loved him dearly. © Tom Stanley Janca. .20 per sq. in.

Mr.Brown Pelican

I would like you to meet Mr. Brown Pelican he became my friend. I was so disappointed when it was time to head back to Phoenix and I had no pictures of pelicans. I was standing on the pier and none was in sight. But then Mr. brown Pelican flew by and I waved my arms and yelled come on back. I want to take your picture. He looked at me and made a circle and came back and landed on the railing right next to me. We talked for a while and I took lots of pictures. He even did a little dance for me. I told him I was sorry for all the pelicans that died up in Oregon and Washington. He said I told them to go south for the winter. Well then he spread his wings and just as easy as he came he left.

Note: try standing next to the bait shop I think that will help you meet Mr. Brown Pelican. © Tom Stanley Janca. .20per sq. inch

Dragonfly on bolt.

I stuck a threaded rod into my flower pot in my back yard. Dragonflies were attracted to it like a magnet. It became the resting place for many different kinds. I set my camera on a tripod and took this picture. I edited it and printed it and I like it very much I have also sold a few that made me happy and also I could buy some more ink. © Tom Stanley Janca. .20sqin.

Red bud yellow flower Agave in Arizona.

I always like agave for my 4 of july trips. That's when the are in full bloom. They are usally found on hi mountain ridges and mesas. Don't you think they look a little like fireworks you know rockets bursting in air!

Well besides that they make good art pictures when the light is right and the back ground adds to the total scenery. This Agave is usally found at higher elavations and has a redish skin and red buds that open with yellow flowers.

© Tom Stanley Janca.

Colorado columbines below clear lake Silverton Co.

Sometimes columbines are hard to find and there are lots of other flowers everywhere. These flowers are high up on the road to clear lake near Silverton Co. After 12,000 feet It is like a cultured flower garden so many different kinds and colors stacked up and ready to grab you. © Tom Stanley Janca. .20persq.in. nf

Sandhill cranes at sunset

An art photo of sandhill cranes at the white water draw reserve near tombstone, az.. It was late and nearly dark and all the sandhill crane were down on the bank of the lake 20 to 30 thousand birds 300 feet wide an 1/2 mile long amazing to look at but too dark for any more pictures. So I headed back to my car. Then someone (not me ) shot a shotgun down the road on the east side of the lake and the sky was full of birds. Some flew toward the sunset and I got this shot..© Tom Stanley Janca.

An american avocet in breeding colors.

Have you seen the american avocet in your back yard. I have gone most of my life not knowing they existed. Thank you digital genuses ! Did you know they go swish-swish to eat instead of stab or peck. It is amazing to watch as they swish out their lunch. © Tom Stanley Janca.

Fishing buddies, a great blue heron and great egret

Gilbert riparian park is managed for the birds and the water.

The goal is to recharge the aquifer with high quality reused water and provide food and quality enviroment for local and migrating birds. I have learned of many species that I didn't know existed here in the southwest. I have been amazed by the birds at the park . Taking their pictures is a real thrill especially when they are close up are more than one in my picture. © Tom Stanley Janca.

Saguaro forest near four peaks, az..

I likes the way the saguaros fade to a blur so many and smaller and smaller as you look to the back of the forest.

Four peaks loom upward to 0ver 8000 ft. (can not see in picture) I have met many of these giants as I walk through and made a loop all the way back. It is an amazing walk. Spring time is my favorite, the yellow flowers of the paloverde tree are vibrant. © Tom Stanley Janca.

Oregon fishing boats, at home port.

I was thinking as I drove down the highway one could take a good art picture of fishing boats if you just stick the camera in the middle and pull the trigger. Look it worked ! See all the masts, deck, cabin, docks blue sky and water. I can not wait to get back for some more ocean pictures.

© Tom Stanley Janca.

Byrce canyon, Utah

It is morning and the sun shines on the cliffs at byrce canyon. Simply stunning, I went crazy of course and must have taken 200 such shots all different angle and places. I must be careful because with 20,000 unedited pictures it will take 5 years of solid 24 hr days to edit them at 1 minute each.

Its been 20 years since I hiked through those trails below but now I am happy to let my camera do the walking.

© Tom Stanley Janca.

Black neck stilt, Chicks exploring their new world.

So fast they grow from eggs to adult size in a couple of months. They have very attentive parents. Just get near and they make so much noise, very loud noise one would choose to leave the area.

Stilts are one of my favorite subjects their extra long legs and black and white body and the various poses and the reflection of the water make great art photos. © Tom Stanley Janca.

Real Snow birds. Sandhill Cranes

Can you believe that only a few years ago I learned that 30,000 sandhill cranes winter in arizona and have been doing so for 13 millon years. (proven by fossil remains) Some come from faraway Siberia. One image burned into my mind was one evening all the cranes and snow geese decided to just enjoy flying and the filled up the sky wave after wave after wave. The sound of all those birds was loud. © Tom Stanley Janca.

Goblin Valley, Utah

Summer

Summer is a nice time to visit Goblin valley. I like the colors and shapes and large cumulus nimbis hanging around filling up the wide blue sky.

In this case the colors and shapes were more interesting.

© Tom Stanley Janca.

Other world of the Great White Egrets.

My favorite time of the year, mating time that is when the egrets do more then fish. They chase each other all around the ponds. Gilbert Az. Riparian park is a find place to see this action in the early spring.

© Tom Stanley Janca.