bronze jockeys, a climbing spider and a surprise raccoon

[pjflan7]

I personally loved the detail in the bronze work of these jockeys.....you can even see the stitching in their goggles.



I wish the focus had been sharper here...I flat missed it



I don't particularly care for spiders...my son loves them and so we went out at 10:00 last night in the woods with flashlights and went looking for webs to take pictures of and we saw this guy trying to escape. Thought it was a cool shot of it in action.



While I was focusing on a web....my son very excitedly told me to turn around very slowly and this raccoon was staring me eyeball to eyeball from about 6 feet away. My turning caused the critter to scurry up the tree but it did not want to be there and so it kept trying to get down and of course it didn't know what to think with our flashlights blinding the thing while I was trying to get a shot (camera)off....When it tried to come down, I rustled my feet in the leaves and the thing went right back up...after about 15 minutes of this up and down. I got off a shot of it a bit worn out I guess. We eventually let it get down but it did not run off but immediately began nosing for food....I shuffled my feet again again just to see what would happen and the thing literally jumped 3 feet onto a tree trunk and then stared at me.....My son and I shared a laugh and then headed back to the house.

[bearly]

the bronze jockey is really cool but i personally like the raccoon the best... what a cute little face!!

[pjflan7]

Originally Posted by bearly

the bronze jockey is really cool but i personally like the raccoon the best... what a cute little face!!

I suspect that a number of people will like mr. raccoon best!

[toyvlle]

Well it sounds like you had a lot of fun getting these shots, That poor raccoon just got plain old worn out.
Great shots. The detail on the jockey is fabulous. The spider is great, (ewwww, spiders, moving spiders, even worse) but the raccoon is so cute. Are you both planning another "hunt" tonight ? Looking forward to what you boys find, wouldn't catch me in the woods at 10pm, not even with a flashlight, LOL. Nope, no thank you.

[Hayward Taylor]

Patrick - always a pleasure looking at your photos - never a dull moment .. is the bronze a tribute to any particular jockey? .. interesting stuff

[Chewys Dad]

Hi Patrick! I do like your Jockeys and the post from yesterday was great as well; but I really liked your Great story and the capture of the Raccoon! It's nice to have wildlife living around you like that. Here in Asia, if it came that close, someone would eat it!
Thanks for Sharing this
Michael.

[pjflan7]

Originally Posted by toyvlle

Well it sounds like you had a lot of fun getting these shots, That poor raccoon just got plain old worn out.
Great shots. The detail on the jockey is fabulous. The spider is great, (ewwww, spiders, moving spiders, even worse) but the raccoon is so cute. Are you both planning another "hunt" tonight ? Looking forward to what you boys find, wouldn't catch me in the woods at 10pm, not even with a flashlight, LOL. Nope, no thank you.

Yeah it was fun but as a Dad, I was a little nervous about critters dropping down my shirt and other stuff. Michael loved hacking away with his machete

Originally Posted by Hayward Taylor

Patrick - always a pleasure looking at your photos - never a dull moment .. is the bronze a tribute to any particular jockey? .. interesting stuff

God forbid a dull moment. I fear the day when I bore you folks to death.....alas that day may come...who knows? As for your question, check my post yesterday and you will see it is a park where it looks like a race to the finish with several horses and their mounts

Originally Posted by Chewys Dad

Hi Patrick! I do like your Jockeys and the post from yesterday was great as well; but I really liked your Great story and the capture of the Raccoon! It's nice to have wildlife living around you like that. Here in Asia, if it came that close, someone would eat it!
Thanks for Sharing this
Michael.

Yeah I could see that....in my area, they probably wouldn't eat it but they would skinning for a coon skin cap.....I just take pictures!!

[pjflan7]

Come to think of it Hayward, most recognition goes to the millionaire owners not the jockeys. The jockeys are but a necessary cog in the wheel but they are often used and then disposed of....That's why the Jockey Club was formed...to protect the jockey to some degree should he be disabled in the course of racing

[jakethepig]

I agree Patrick, the bronze work is amazing, and you captured it so well. ( again) lol. Great picture of the spider and nice detail. And finally wow, that is such a lovely moment to see the raccoon and capture him so well. That is excellent buddy. Another great set Patrick, its always a pleasure to see your work bud.

Dave.

[tycooder]

Patrick didn't you say you had no wildlife to shoot by you I guess the spider and racoon circus must have come through town LOL just kidding buddy nice assortment of work for 1 evening clear and crisp as usual