Animal Bloopers

Lens-Artists Challenge #349: The First Thing I Thought Of…

Who’s It Foolin’?

I did a double-take when I first saw this scene at the Leonabell Turnbull Birding Center (Port Aransas, Texas). Does the duck think no one sees it? Well, maybe so, as I almost missed it.

Watching animals can sometimes be lots of fun. So, when I saw Tina’s challenge about the first thing I thought of when capturing photos, I had some recent images in mind. Half of the photos you’ll see here were captured this year, such as the opener. Be sure to visit Tina’s post, get the scoop on the challenge, and enjoy some good laughs.

Room for Another?

I honestly cannot say with certainty how many turtles there are in the photo above. In Brazil, a common belief is that you can always add more water to the beans when unexpected guests arrive. Do turtles think space is unlimited?

Diva in Training

Speaking of Brazil, when we were there for my youngest niece’s wedding in 2020, we went to an art exhibit at the Instituto Ricardo Brennand. At some point, we heard this strident scream and couldn’t figure out what it was. When we looked around, we saw a Red-Legged Seriema. The bird is about 30-35 in (75-90 cm) long, weighs about 3.3-4.9 lb (1.5-2.2 kg), and has one of the loudest and most irritating song calls I’ve ever heard. Wikipedia references H. Burmeister in describing this bird’s call as “a cross between ‘the serrated bark of a young dog and the clucking of turkeys‘.” Add to that many, many decibels!

Morning Stretch

This is another capture from the Leonabell Turnbull Birding Center. I totally related to this American Coot’s stretch when I spotted it. It was not even 9:00 AM yet!

Wait! Is the Coast Clear?

Closer to home, the Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve peacocks are a sight visitors enjoy. This couple made me immediately think of something illicit that might have been going on in the bushes.

Did I Forget to Put on Deodorant?

The last image was captured just at the beginning of the month. The photo caption shows what I immediately thought of when capturing the photo. This was on a bike ride along Brushy Creek, where there are always plenty of wildlife and wildflowers.

Switching gears now, it is time to extend a warm welcome to the newest member of the Lens-Artists team: Beth of Wandering Dawgs. I’ve been following Beth’s wonderful posts and photos for some time now. It will be great to have her collaborate with the whole team regularly. Also, in other team’s news, you may have missed some of Patti’s regular contributions. Since breaking both of her wrists, Patti needs more time for a full recovery. She’s still on the schedule for future posts, but not as regularly.

I want to thank everyone who took the time to share serenity in last week’s challenge. Your photos were just what I needed. I’m sure everyone else also enjoyed the beautiful images posted in the blogosphere.

This week, Tina gives us the opportunity to share what we think about when we capture some photos. I’ve already seen some hilarious posts and excellent photography. Keep ’em coming! Don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag when creating your post so we can easily find it in the Reader.

Next week, Anne will share a new challenge on her Slow Shutter Speed site. It will go live at noon EST in the USA. Tune in to find out more about the challenge then. Please see this page to learn more about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history.

That is the story behind the shots. If you liked this post, you might also be interested in others featuring the American coot, Brazil, Brushy Creek Regional Trail, Great Egret, Lens-Artists, Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve, Parks, Texas, Turtle, and Wildlife. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.


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47 Responses

  1. SoyBend
    | Reply

    Very funny, especially the last one. 😀

  2. Steve Schwartzman
    | Reply

    The turtles seem to be red-eared sliders (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-eared_slider), which are common in the Austin area.

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      Yes, that’s right. They’re all over here. I featured one in another recent post.

  3. PR
    | Reply

    Love them! The duck was really hiding well 😀. I had to look 3 times to find it!

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      LOL They hide well, I see. Thanks for the comment.

  4. Pepper
    | Reply

    These are hilarious. Thanks for the laugh. 😆

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      So happy you liked them, Pepper. Thanks for writing.

  5. Writing to Freedom
    | Reply

    These are such fun photos and captions Egidio. Thanks for the laughs. I particularly like your diva, turtles, and sneaky peacocks!

  6. restlessjo
    | Reply

    Brilliant response, Egidio. Good to see your fun side xx

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      I’m a prankster at heart. Don’t let my posts here fool you. This post was more up my style. I’m thrilled you liked it.

      • restlessjo
        | Reply

        That’s such a nice thing to know xx

  7. Dawn M. Miller
    | Reply

    Wow, these are great!

  8. All images are great, but I’m especially drawn to the turtle. Great response to the challenge, Egidio!

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      Thanks, Donna. I’m glad you liked the response.

  9. photobyjohnbo
    | Reply

    I have a similar photo of a group of turtles trying to use the same rock. It must be a characteristic of the species. >grin<

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      You know, you must be right. Thanks for the feedback.

  10. sandyjwhite
    | Reply

    Fun, Fun, Fun! Loved the stack of turtles.

  11. JohnRH
    | Reply

    HA! Good ones!!! 👏

  12. What a great post, bravo. Great photos and captions. Did I Forget to Put on Deodorant? yes I can relate to that.

  13. Leanne Cole
    | Reply

    Great images Egidio and I like how you have approached the challenge, not sure which is my favourite, maybe the peacocks, or the duck.

  14. norasphotos4u
    | Reply

    Your images are beautiful – all taken with great timing

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      Thanks, Nora. I appreciate your kind words.

  15. Wandering Dawgs
    | Reply

    Your captions to your beautiful images all made me laugh. I have to confess I didn’t see the duck at first. My favorite is the one of the peacocks. I love the second one peaking out from the bush.

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      Beth, the duck does a good job in hiding. Thanks for your feedback.

  16. Sofia Alves
    | Reply

    Absolute joy, Egídio. Your photos are beautiful and your captions funny, what else could we want 😀

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      Sofia, your feedback is wonderful. Thank you. So glad you liked these photos.

  17. Toonsarah
    | Reply

    These are great fun 😀 I really like the turtle shot (I make it eight on the rock plus two more in the water, though I may well be wrong), also the egret and peacocks! And I had a similar thought to Vicki when I saw the coot 🤣

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      I’m really glad you liked these, Sarah. Thanks. I tried to count the turtles, too, but wasn’t quite sure. I see 8 heads, too, but there could another facing the other direction and obscured. The coot also reminded me of a skater.

  18. Tina Schell
    | Reply

    Excellent Egidio!! The peacocks are really funny and I loved the caption with the egret. I must admit I had to look several times at your opener and finally saw the interloper in the midst!

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      Thanks, Tina. This is a great challenge. I’m loving every response I see. There were several areas in the birding center with a similar scene. I guess the duck feels safe “hiding” in that crowd.

  19. niasunset
    | Reply

    They are all amazing and great photographs. Thank you, Love, nia

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      Nia, I’m happy you liked them. Thanks very much.

  20. margaret21
    | Reply

    I loved every one of these. But the deodorant one was my favourite.

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      Thanks, Margaret. Yes, that was also my favorite. I have another similar shot taken here in the backyard but with a heron.

  21. Anne Sandler
    | Reply

    Great fun post Egidio. Favorites are the turtles and peacocks.

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      Thanks, Anne. I’m glad you liked the post and shots.

  22. Vicki
    | Reply

    Wonderful captures.
    The captions really put a smile on my face and made me realize how many similar bird shots I had.
    The Coot image made me think it was a dog having a pee against an invisible fence post.

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      LOL That would be a great caption, Vicki. Thanks for writing.

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