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Ann

@stellarpics.net

1.3K followers 430 following 200 posts

Retired computer engineer. Now an enthusiastic photography hobbyist that enjoys imaging wildlife, birding, astrophotography and travel. All photographs are my own unless reposted. No DMs

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Ann @stellarpics.net · Jan 24

This is a timelapse I created at our annual astronomy club's star stare in 2023. #astrophotography, #milkyway, #colorado

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Ann @stellarpics.net · 1d

LOL

Ann @stellarpics.net · 2d

Yes they eat black mambas as well as other venomous snakes. It was an awesome experience to see them in their native habitat.

Ann @stellarpics.net · 2d

Thanks so much. Funny you should say that about SD zoo. I just went to the zoo website to find out how the bird got its name. They were amazing to see. I also posted a video that showing the bird hunting. Plus I included what I learned from SD zoo on names.

Ann @stellarpics.net · 2d

What's in a name. #Secretarybird named in the 1800 after male secretaries that wore gray tailcoats, dark knee-length pants and carried goose-quill pens behind their ears. Sorry for the video shake. Happens when you are in a jeep with a bunch of excited birders. #birds #Kenya #Africa #wildlife #Nikon

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Ann @stellarpics.net · 2d

#Secretarybird -- This bird is on the endangered list so really excited we were able to find and image. This is tall crane-like terrestrial raptor. It hunts for reptiles and small mammals which it stomps with its powerful legs. #birds #Tanzania #Africa #wildlife #Nikon

Secretarybird is shown walking with long strides. It has a hooked, gray beak, red face, and dark, quill-like feathers in a crest on its neck. Its tail has two long central feathers that trail behind its gray and black body.

Secretarybird captured spotting possible prey. Black crest of feathers on neck are flared out.

Secretarybird bent over looking for possible prey. Image shows red face and dark, quill-like feathers that form the crest on the back of the neck. Body of the bird is mostly gray and black.

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Ann @stellarpics.net · 2d

Thank you. These little guys were so fun to watch and photograph.

Ann @stellarpics.net · 3d

Oh yes we saw lots. These were just two of the many pictures I took.

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Ann @stellarpics.net · 3d

Little Bee-eater for today. Another 'I hope I see...' bird. This is the smallest of all Bee-eater species in Africa. #birds #Kenya #Tanzania #Africa #Nikon

A close-up of a Little Bee-eater showing its vibrant green back and wing feathers, brilliant yellow throat and belly, and a striking blue/black eye stripe and collar. The bird is perched on a small branch and has a dragonfly clutched in its beak. Captured in Amboseli National Park, Kenya

Little Bee-eater Iin flight hunting for insects. Image shows the bird's brilliant green back and bright orange and black wing feathers.

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Ann @stellarpics.net · 4d

Working through 1000s of images from East Africa, and overwhelmed with what to share. Decided to start with #birds; specifically the "I hope I see..." list of birds. So starting one a day, first up Gray Crowned-Crane. I was hoping to see a few-- ended up seeing flocks of 100s. #Kenya #Tanzania

Gray Crowned-Crane with a slate-gray body and rufous and white tail feathers standing in a wetland. It has a striking crown of stiff, golden-yellow feathers, white cheeks, a small red patch above the cheeks, and a scarlet throat wattle.

A close-up shot of a Gray Crowned-Crane. Its head is topped with a spiky, golden-yellow crest, contrasting with its black forehead and the distinct red and white skin on its face with blue eyes.

A Gray Crowned-Crane, with its unique golden crown of feathers showing the range of feather colors including light gray, slate gray, white, and rufous. The crane is walking through a field and the leg is lifted to show a very large foot.

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Ann @stellarpics.net · 14d

It was for us also.

Ann @stellarpics.net · 27d

Just returned from an amazing safari trip to East Africa; #Kenya and #Tanzania. Lots of images to sort. Meanwhile, a video that I took in Ngorongoro Crater. It's a bit shaky since it was hand held telephoto and a lot of heat waves but still pretty cool. #nikon #wildlife #Lion

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Ann @stellarpics.net · Aug 29

I am loving it here. BlueSky people are awesome

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Ann @stellarpics.net · Aug 19

Thank you

Ann @stellarpics.net · Aug 18

Thanks Aaron. It was one of those magical nights under incredibly clear skies. One for the memory bank.

Ann @stellarpics.net · Aug 18

M27 Dumbbell Nebula. Taken in bortle 2 conditions. Skies were so dark and clear and the target so bright it did its own post processing. Astro modified Nikon D5300, RC6 (1370mm at f/9), ISO 1600, 5 min exps. Total stack 3.5 hrs. #Colorado #astrophotography

A vibrant image of the Dumbbell Nebula (M27), a colorful planetary nebula formed of glowing red hydrogen and blue oxygen. Two bright lobes resembling a dumbbell or hourglass shape extend from the center. Red hydrogen outlines the top and bottom of the circular shape and extends into the center forming an X. Object is shown against a backdrop of scattered stars.

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Ann @stellarpics.net · Aug 18

They are fun to see. I usually see only small ones. This one was the largest I have ever seen. Had to have been about 4 inches total in size.

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Ann @stellarpics.net · Aug 18

NGC 6559 nicknamed Chinese Dragon Nebula for the dark nebula next to the central star. For me, this was one of those targets where you keep coming back and tweaking. Calling it done for now. Nikon D5300a, RC6 (1370mm at f/9), ISO 1600, 5 min exps. Total stack 3.2 hrs. #Colorado #astrophotography

An image of emission, reflection and dark nebulae. Centered on the NGC 6559 nebula, also known as the Chinese Dragon or Loreta Nebula. Emission nebula is red/pink intertwined with bluish patches of reflection nebula and dark dust lanes known as Barnard 303. It is part of a larger star-forming region in the Sagittarius constellation.

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Ann @stellarpics.net · Aug 15

Thanks. It is one of my favorite summer time targets.

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Ann @stellarpics.net · Aug 15

Greater Short-horned Lizard (aka horny toad) from my hike today. Only had a cell phone so not the greatest picture. #Lizard #Colorado #reptile

A camouflaged Greater Short-horned Lizard blending into the rocky soil, its flattened, gray-brown body and short horns barely visible.

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Ann @stellarpics.net · Aug 15

Thanks!

Ann @stellarpics.net · Aug 15

Rufous Hummingbird perched in the shade of a pine tree. #Birds #Colorado #Hummingbird #cobirds

A Rufous Hummingbird with a long, slender bill, perched on a branch. The hummingbird has a coppery orange back and belly. Gorget is iridescent red in sunlight but in this image is looks green since the bird is in the shade.

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Ann @stellarpics.net · Aug 15

Another capture from June; Rho Ophiuchi. Captured with an unmodified Nikon Z6 and Rokinon 135mm f/2 lens on a star tracker. ISO 1600, 1 minute exposures. Total stack 3.5 hours. Bortle 2 skies. #Colorado #astrophotography

Wide field view of Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex. One of the closest star-forming regions to Earth. The scene features a mix of glowing red emission nebulae and shimmering blue reflection nebulae, interspersed with dark, dense dust clouds. The region is a dense field of young stars illuminating the surrounding gas and dust, and dark filaments of cosmic material obscuring background stars.

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Ann @stellarpics.net · Jul 27

Excellent image.

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Ann @stellarpics.net · Jul 27

Agree. Female or immature Broadtail.

Ann @stellarpics.net · Jul 15

Very nice.