The winner of the 2023 Mystic Aquarium photo contest is the Whale Breach! Darn I knew that was the one I should have submitted. I still like my iguana but the breach was a good one. Congratulations to Shannon Higgins-Millicker for the breaching whale photo.
In case you forgot which one I entered here it is again and also my whale breach photo that I didn’t submit.
Key Largo Iguana
Key Largo Iguana- Photo credit Deb Neumann
Whale Breach
Whale Breach- Photo credit Deb Neumann
Next One
That’s the hard part about photo contests. You never know what the judges are looking for. Sometimes they will say specifically that is must be a bird from the northeast or taken between July 4 and September 5. When they get specific its easier to narrow down the submission but when its wide open its anyone’s guess. Oh well. It was only to name a seal. No Money so maybe next year.
It was fun anyway. I’ll have to keep an eye out for the next one. Most are winding down for this year.
I haven’t been involved with a photo contest in quite awhile. I used to enjoy them but they can get expensive. Many have entry fees, sometimes fees per photo so it can get pricey. Anyway a friend sent me a link to Mystic Aquarium’s National Wildlife Day Photo Contest and suggested I enter. There was no entry fee and the prize, if you won, is the right to name a seal they are releasing. So its basically just for fun and that’s about the amount of effort I made. Just for fun.
My Entry
I didn’t even look at the competing entries, just made a quick grab for something from my archives. I kind of like my choice but since it’s from the lizard family it might not have a lot of universal appeal. Maybe I should have gone with a deer or a bird. Actually I was thinking about my whale breach photo but couldn’t remember where it was filed and didn’t want to take the time to look. So my Key Largo Iguana was it.
Key Largo Iguana- Photo Credit Deb Neumann
The 4 Finalists
It will be another week before the winners are announced but I didn’t even make the finals. Here’s the top 4 as it stands now.
If I had thought about it I have pictures for all 4 categories that made the finals and here they are.
Finalist #1- Puffins
I like Puffins. I could have submitted a Puffin picture if I’d thought of it.
Puffin 2016- Photo Credit Deb Neumann
Finalist #2-butterfly
Oh. I have so many butterflies but my favorite is on the sunflower.
Sunflower and butterfly 2018- Photo Credit Deb Neumann
Finalist #3 – Fox Kit
This one was a bit harder. I have a fox kit picture but I balanced the camera on the car window and never thought to shut off the engine so it wouldn’t be Photo Contest worthy. There was a little camera shake.
Red Fox Kit 2017- photo credit Deb Neumann
Finalist #4 – Whale
I’ve been on whale watches from Cape Cod to Maui. I have tons of whale pictures. Even some of whale breaches. Here’s one.
Whale Breach 2017- Photo credit Deb Neumann
That’s a wrap
I have so many more wildlife photos that I just didn’t think about. I have seals and Elk and Moose. Even some Grizzly Bears. And this post about photo contests wouldn’t be complete unless I shared the one that made it into a National Geographic Contest. It didn’t win but at least it got past the initial screening. I’m pretty proud of that!
Here’s a Merry Christmas trip down memory Lane from Christmas past.
I love this picture of Rocky. He was the best cat. He only let me get this one quick pic then he went after the costume to get it off.
Santa Rocky 2013 photo credit Deb Neumann
Meet the Snow Family. My little photo experiment.
The Snow Family – Photo Credit Deb Neumann
2014 Christmas House
Added a little Photo magic to the house in Taunton, Turned it into the 2014 Christmas House. All your favorite characters are visiting.
Christmas House 2014 Photo Credit Deb Neumann
A Christmas Fantasy
Here’s Rocky again in 2017 with his little friend, the Christmas mouse.
Rocky & the Christmas Mouse 2017 Photo credit Deb Neumann
Is That Santa in the sky?
Taunton- The Christmas City
My city is proud to have the nick name- The Christmas City . Every year they try to out do the previous year when the set up displays on the green.
Taunton Green 2013 Photo Credit Deb Neumann
A Merry Disney Christmas
Disney world 2016 – photo credit Deb Neumann
Christmas Present
Things change and life goes on. This year I’m trying to get used to my new life of retirement. Rocky passed over the Rainbow Bridge a couple of years ago and even though I swore no more cats I am once again living with two tiny terrors. No Christmas tree this year. The Kids are too young and would make short work of any tree or decoration.
Their names are Banner and Balboa and both are insanely funny, affectionate and royal pains. Banner is more of a gentleman than Balboa. Banner is sneaky in his destruction. Balboa is in your face. Banner steals my keys, my fit bit right off the charger and miscellaneous other items. But Banner is also willing to watch the birds out the window for hours and is content to sit near me, a quiet companion.
Banner Guarding the printer 2022 Photo credit Deb Neumann
Balboa has many aliases. He is Sir Talks A Lot, and Wreck it Ralph to name just a few. If he can’t find something to get in trouble with he will create it. I find cat toys in my bed. He likes the high road. Banner likes the floor. As frustrating as he can be, he makes me laugh because his antics are just over the top. This is just one example. It wasn’t “posed” I just hadn’t put the bowl away and I turned around to find he’d stuffed himself in it. You can see the “insanity” in his eyes!
Balboa 2021 Photo Credit Deb Neumann
Like I said, Balboa takes the high road
Balboa 2022 Photo Credit Deb Neumann
Christmas Future
Unlike the Spirits in Dickens, I don’t know what the future will hold. As the saying goes, nothing is certain except death and taxes. So as we head into 2023 I wish for good health and prosperity for all my friends and family. Maybe next year I can have a tree!
Santa at Busch Gardens 2018 Photo Credit Deb Neumann
It’s springtime in the lakes region of New Hampshire and the haunting warble of the loon’s call has returned too. That means it’s time for me to begin my quest for a decent photo of the common Loon. The Common loon once was plentiful in New Hampshire waters but now sits squarely on the endangered list mostly due to man’s disruption of their habitat and lead poisonings from fishing lures and sinkers.
I know finding the perfect photo is a lot of luck when it comes to wildlife photography. Wild Things don’t present themselves on demand! It took me years to get a decent moose photo and I had to go to Wyoming to get it.
Moose in Maine
Moose in Wyoming Grand Teton
But even with that photo I feel it could be better. But I’m giving moose a break and turning my attention to the Common Loon
So last year I took my first loon photos on Lake George. They weren’t very good.
Lake George Loon 2020
Gray and fuzzy but we all have to start somewhere. I’m going to try my luck at Squam Lake this year. It’s chick season now so I’m heading to New Hampshire.
On Golden Pond
Little Squam Lake was the filming location for the 1981 movie, On Golden Pond. It’s a beautiful lake. There are actually 2 lakes. Big Squam and Little Squam. Our Loon Cruise would take us into Little Squam where there are nesting platforms for the loons. It’s chick season now and I’d love to catch a glimpse of some of those little guys. When first hatched they can’t regulate their body temperature so they often hitch rides on their parent’s backs.
Loon with chicks- Unattributed from web- (wish it were mine)
But that behavior only lasts for about 2 weeks. Not much time to catch them in action
Little Squam Lake 2021
The Loon Cruise
I drove from my Home in Taunton to Squam Lake , about 2.5 hours one way, for a 90 minute cruise then drove home after the cruise. It was worth it. We had a naturalist on board who specializes in Loons. Her stories and tips really explained the behaviors we got to see.
We spotted 2 adult loons right away near the first nesting platform. You can see one of the adults on the nest here.
At the next stop there were 2 tiny chicks, just hatched. They were too small and too far away for me to get a picture but it was exciting. It was also at this spot that we saw a display of territorial behavior. The 2 adults were trying to send a 3rd loon away. They were splashing and flapping their wings. Right before they all took flight we heard them call. That was amazing. I love to hear the call of the loons.
The Eagle and the Cormorant
We stopped by another nesting site but it didn’t seem to be active. Still is wasn’t a total loss. As we pulled away we spotted a bald eagle.
Bald Eagle- Squam Lake 2021
We picked up speed to head back to the dock and right in front of us we spotted a Cormorant. So of course we had to slow down and watch him for a bit. Unfortunately I missed his take off when he decide to leave.
Cormorant – Squam Lake 2021
Not Done Yet
It had been a full trip with lots to see but we weren’t done yet. As we neared the end of the cruise we spotted a great blue Heron on a rock. It was being harassed by 2 loons who clearly did not want Mr. Blue in their territory.That was a great ending to a fun cruise.
So maybe I didn’t get that “Iconic” Photo but I got some good memories.
