Ceropegia's photos

Part of a migrating flock of a couple hundred birds massed together to drive fish close to shore to catch and eat them on the Coosa River near Godfrey's Marina, off Wharton Bend Road, on the Coosa River, Rainbow City, Alabama. I count at least 94 birds in this photo. (IMG_9965)

Part of a migrating flock of a couple hundred birds massing together to drive fish close to shore to catch and eat them on the Coosa River on a cold rainy day near Godfrey's Marina, off Wharton Bend Road, Rainbow City, Alabama. I count at least 44 birds in this photo. (IMG_0046)

This is the second brood on this nest this year. It is located under my deck on the intake/output pipe of my instant hot water heater. They fledged the next day. The first brood had 5 babies. Etowah County, Alabama (IMG_0901)

Under my deck on the intake/output pipe of my instant hot water heater. This is the second brood in this nest this year. Etowah County, Alabama (IMG_0856)

Under my deck on the intake/output pipe of my instant hot water heater. This is the first brood in this nest this year. They fledged the next day. Etowah County, Alabama (IMG_0586)

This photo was taken immediately upstream from a low head dam constructed for a Gulf States Steel pumping station that was abandoned in 2000 when the steel plant closed. These types of dams have been called “drowning machines.” As water goes over the dam, it creates a strong recirculating current, called a backroller or boil, at the base of the dam. The force of the backroller can trap boats against the dam and capsize them. People in the water can be trapped, pulled, and held under, even if they are wearing a life vest or personal flotation device. Since 2015 four people have drowned at this dam. Funds were voted to remove it in 2017, but it has yet to be removed. It is located in Attalla, Alabama on Big Wills Creek. Update, finally, in October 2022, the dam was removed.

At my patio door, Etowah County, Alabama

In my garden, Etowah County, Alabama It was about five feet long. Didn't move until I prodded it with a twig. Then it vibrated its tail, coiled up and struck at me. When I backed off, it turned and slithered rapidly away. (IMG_4972)

Brown Pelican, Orange Beach, Alabama, On the Gulf of Mexico (IMG_1068)

January 20, 2019

January 20, 2019

On my patio, Etowah County, Alabama (IMG_2271)

Argiope auriantia, aka corn spider, or writing spider. My favorite spider, on my patio, Etowah County, Alabama (IMG_1780)

On my patio, Etowah County Alabama (IMG_1790)

In my garden, Etowah County, Alabama (IMG_8872)

Argiope aurantia in my garden, Etowah County, Alabama (IMG_8485)

Neoscona crucifera on its web on my deck railing, Etowah County, Alabama (IMG_8815)

Looking across Big Wills Valley from my deck in Etowah County, Alabama (IMG_8466)