From Las Vegas, the Entertainment Capitol of the World, Tammy Espino shares this whimsical short tale proving that Tammy is every bit as entertaining as her city! You'll just have to read this little story to know what I'm talking about! Have a great time, and enjoy the photos.
http://dremchser.redbubble.com/
http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/2019534
http://fineartamerica.com/featured/land-of-fire-tammy-espino.html
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Michelle Alton
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THE DRAGONFLY INCIDENT: (A prickly situation)
It’s the first week of June, and things are really starting to heat up here in Southeast Nevada. In summer the times to be out shooting Nature and landscapes are limited to the break of dawn and then again at sunset-- unless you’re a trained Navy Seal!
My morning started out frustrating today, as I was trying to purchase plane tickets online, and could not find any seats for the times I needed them. Since I had gotten a late start because of the plane tickets fiasco, I would have to rush because the temperatures were already rising quickly.
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| Land of Dragonflies |
My first stop was the Henderson Wild Bird Viewing Preserve (BVP). BVP is becoming one of the best places in southern Nevada to watch birds. Desert species, water birds, wading birds, shorebirds and insects of all shapes, sizes, and colors can be abundant here. Paved and dirt walkways run on dikes that divide the area into 13 brush-lined ponds that provide many vantage points for viewing birds. But I was going there to shoot dragonflies!
I did not realize that BVP had switched to summer hours and would close in less than an hour. Just my luck!
I met a nice older gentleman right off, and the two of us carried on together to Pond #9. A few American avocets buzzed us and then some Killdeer feigned broken wings for our cameras. Their babies must have been close by. I managed to click off a few quick shots, but the dragonflies were not cooperating today. None would be kind enough to sit still for me, so I was out of luck for now. “I WILL be back,” said I in my best “Terminator” accent.
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| Worth a Scolding by Security |
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| Little Pollen Face |
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| Cactus Garden I |
While taking a brief rest on a park bench, I saw in rapid succession: A woodpecker, a hummingbird, a quail with about 14 babies (I’ll come back to find them again; they got away quickly), several lizards and some new cactus blooms.
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| Another Bloomin' Cactus |
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| There's More to See than just Cacti |
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| At the entrance to Cactus Garden |
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| Wild Flowers are all through the Garden |
Well, I guess I have always had a propensity for breaking rules…especially silly ones and particularly when I’m on an important mission. Visitors are supposed to stay on the sidewalk and trails, but today I was in my “Rules are made to be broken” mode. After taking an owl’s eye gander around to make sure I was out of eyeshot of Security Officers and other tourists, I slowly and carefully maneuvered onto the dirt path between some cacti. And I got my shot of the fresh blossoms!
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| Cactus Garden II |
And just as if to say “You were WARNED, Dummy,” the cactus thrust its needles at me, and as I’m writing this tale, I’m still smarting -- in a very sensitive spot!
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| Sharp and Unkind, Cactus Needles Come Out in Clumps |
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| Got me Again! |
Well, except perhaps for my sore bottom, it had turned out to be a great day, and I was only scolded by a Security Guard once! In his most stern voice, he yelled harshly, “Get away from the trees!” And that was it! Under my breath, of course, I was muttering, “I will go anywhere I want as soon as you’re not watching me!” And then I made friends with him. Some of my best friends are the police and security officials who are out there to thwart my photo shoots! I can’t figure out why I’m so conspicuous! Perhaps my three cameras, five or so lenses and my trusty tripods and my deer-stalker’s cap are the dead giveaway!
Dragonflies:
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| Avocet Party |
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All photography by Tammy Espino
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TAMMY'S BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
I have been a photographer for most of my life. At first I shot mostly family and vacation photos.
In high school I was on the year book team so most of my friends appear in the book. That was back when photography was film cameras and dark rooms (gives away my age!!)
A few years ago I became a member of a very popular online photo sharing site. I’ve learned a lot and keep on learning from so many nice people; and have expanded my collection of camera and photo gear. My photos have appeared in the local newspaper, in Times Square in NYC, on local television. in art shows and photo contests. I have a book of flowers at Bookblubs; and though I love nature photography best, photography, in all of its forms, is my passion.
P.S.: The Quail family keeps getting away from me this year, they are faster than me and my camera I will get them though :)
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Tammy's Bonus Shots:
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| Curves |
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| City Girl Encounters Wild Animals |
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| Wild |
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| Top Guns |
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| Vegas Wetlands |
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| Huntington Morning |
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| Pier 77 |
*** I Need Your Story! *** { I'm Serious!}I f you have a story to post on this theme, contact me, please! We have zero stories on tap and I shall have to resort again to posting my own work! Please consider sharing your tales of Relentless Pursuit! And I'd be appreciative if you also take a look at my Photography site. I'd love to hear from you!
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Michelle Alton
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