There is a black squirrel on a branch 2 ft. above. A moment later .... The chase was on. Composition

Luke and Bobby chasing the stick

Luke jumping for the stick

Flying thru the Air!

cool snappy morning, gives Marvin lots of energy!

Sami fetches and practices his hurdle jumping

My grand daughter in infrared (Les Filles - 14)

I passed up on this and stayed in the raft to take pictures. Of course the wife and the daughter also decided to stay in the raft, but fell out a short distance down the river when we entered the "Hell Hole on the Ocoee". I was able to pull my wife back in, but the daughter was picked up downstream by another raft. She did not think it was fun to ride the rapids without a raft. This was her 3rd trip and first time overboard. See my Album, "Our White Water Rafting Trip"

I was so lucky to have caught this shot from nearly right underneath him. It startled me that he took flight (although I was hoping he would) but I turned quickly and shot...this is right from the camera and not cropped at all...YES, I CONSIDER MYSELF VERY LUCKY.

Must hurry up, got some eggs to hide. Gotta go!

This was taking at Big Sur in California

Captured at a local BMX track.

Whitewater rafters create a big spray in New River Gorge National River in West Virginia. This view is from the Fayette Station Road loop and then climbing out on some rocks.

This image was created from 5 shots taken in continuous shooting mode @ about 3 frames/second. I used Photoshop Elements to pretty much cut and paste 4 shots of the rider into a background layer. The location is Whistler, BC, Canada.

Cougars are slender and agile cats. Adults stand about 60 to 76 cm (2.0 to 2.5 ft) tall at the shoulders. The length of adult males is around 2.4 m (8 ft) long nose to tail, with overall ranges between 1.5 and 2.75 meters (5 and 9 ft) nose to tail suggested for the species in general. Males have an average weight of about 53 to 72 kilograms (115 to 160 pounds). In rare cases, some may reach over 118 kg (260 lb). Female average weight is between 34 and 48 kg (75 and 105 lb). Cougar size is smallest close to the equator, and larger towards the poles. Although cougars resemble the domestic cat, they are about the same size as an adult human.The head of the cat is round and the ears erect. Its powerful forequarters, neck, and jaw serve to grasp and hold large prey. It has five retractable claws on its forepaws (one a dewclaw) and four on its hind paws. The larger front feet and claws are adaptations to clutching prey. Cougars can be almost as large as jaguars, but are less muscled and powerful; where their ranges overlap, the cougar tends to be smaller than average. The cougar is on average as heavy as the leopard. Despite its size, it is not typically classified among the "big cats," as it cannot roar, lacking the specialized larynx and hyoid apparatus of Panthera. Like domestic cats, cougars vocalize low-pitched hisses, growls, and purrs, as well as chirps and whistles. They are well known for their screams, referenced in some of its common names, although these may often be the misinterpreted calls of other animals. Cougar coloring is plain (hence the Latin concolor) but can vary greatly between individuals and even between siblings. The coat is typically tawny, but ranges to silvery-grey or reddish, with lighter patches on the under body including the jaws, chin, and throat. Infants are spotted and born with blue eyes and rings on their tails; juveniles are pale, and dark spots remain on their flanks. Despite anecdotes to the contrary, all-black coloring (melanism) has never been documented in cougars. The term "black panther" is used colloquially to refer to melanistic individuals of other species, particularly jaguars and leopards. Cougars have large paws and proportionally the largest hind legs in the cat family. This physique allows it great leaping and short-sprint ability. An exceptional vertical leap of 5.4 m (18 ft) is reported for the cougar. Horizontal jumping capability from standing position is suggested anywhere from 6 to 12 m (20 to 40 ft). The cougar can run as fast as 55-72 km/h (35-45 mph), but is best adapted for short, powerful sprints rather than long chases. It is adept at climbing, which allows it to evade canine competitors. Although it is not strongly associated with water, it can swim

Females reach sexual maturity between one-and-a-half and three years of age. They typically average one litter every two to three years throughout their reproductive life; the period can be as short as one year. Females are in estrus for approximately 8 days of a 23-day cycle; the gestation period is approximately 91 days. Females are sometimes reported as monogamous, but this is uncertain and polygyny may be more common. Copulation is brief but frequent. Only females are involved in parenting. Female cougars are fiercely protective of their kittens, and have been seen to successfully fight off animals as large as grizzly bears in their defense. Litter size is between one and six kittens, typically two or three. Caves and other alcoves that offer protection are used as litter dens. Born blind, kittens are completely dependent on their mother at first, and begin to be weaned at around three months of age. As they grow, they begin to go out on forays with their mother, first visiting kill sites, and after six months beginning to hunt small prey on their own. Kitten survival rates are just over one per litter. Sub-adults leave their mother to attempt to establish their own territory at around two years of age and sometimes earlier; males tend to leave sooner. One study has shown high morbidity amongst cougars that travel farthest from the maternal range, often due to conflicts with other cougars ("intraspecific" conflict). Research in New Mexico has shown that "males dispersed significantly farther than females, were more likely to traverse large expanses of non-cougar habitat, and were probably most responsible for nuclear gene flow between habitat patches." Life expectancy in the wild is reported at between 8 to 13 years, and probably averages 8 to 10; a female of at least 18 years was reported killed by hunters on Vancouver Island. Cougars may live as long as 20 years in captivity. Causes of death in the wild include disability and disease, competition with other cougars, starvation, accidents, and, where allowed, human hunting. Feline immunodeficiency virus, an endemic AIDS-like disease in cats, is well-adapted to the cougar

Superb cultural show for our arrival. Two men in that costume & very curageous to jump across to those small pads

Found enough wind to make a jump

Galloping horses of the Calvary at a Civil War Re-enactment

Photo taken in the deep recesses of the Prescott National Forest, near Prescott, AZ.

Third Baseman from Queensland, Australia, Zac Dogson, Makes the Play

"When you look into the abyss the abyss looks back at you? --Friedrich Nietzsche

Ardi was playing with Romeo, my Arabian gelding, who was feeling perky. They were running fast around the pasture.

We were exercising in the roundpen, they like to jump, particularly Romi.

Not my best photo but this cutie was at the back of our property so full zoom was in order

Spammy preparing to launch into the tree from the roof.

Flying long tailed weasel. Melakwa Pass 9/25/09. Rarely seen and even more rarely seen flying

Comin' atcha'

In Hells Canyon between Idaho & Oregon

So she jumped up and got it herself.

Watch Grandpa I'm flyin'... Did you see, did you see?

You can see a bit of the ball coming in to the frame as Danessa swings for the Fences.

Our Grand daughter Danessa catching for her fast pitch softball team.

The jump of a plucky girl in a waterfall near Fort William (Scotland)

I had a little fun photo editing this shot.

HIS LOOK AND BODY LANGUAGE TELL ME IT IS GOING TO BE A FUN DAY AT THE POOL.

These fountains are at the Belaggio Casino in Las Vegas. They dance to the music that is played.They draw thousands on a daily basis.

Kayak training for young sportsmen

Kayak training for young sportsmen

Serving Mint Tea in a Moroccan Restaurant

Just like the gals I know.

Crossing the Southern Alps, New Zealand.

Big Air on the motorcycle jn California.

Not so big air on the skateboard at the beach in California.

A jump off the short board.

Seems like a great idea

Gonna get wet!

In the water!

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Double Trouble

Ouch!!

Saint-Félicien zoo, Quebec, Canada

Blainville Qc.

Australian cattle dog

Hannah riding on a practice day with her new horse Mickey.

Due to the water gates being open at Pickwick Dam, the birds were flying over the Tennessee River to catch fish. Notice the birds sitting on the water.

The water gates were open at Pickwick Dam and the birds were flying to catch the fish.

Shachia loves to blow bubbles! Some of the bubbles lasted long enough to be carried by the air into the woods beside the house.

It is almost high tide at Cox Bay, and the surf is definitely "up".

Whether it be sea surf or salt spray, whether it be puppies on the safety of the sandy seashore or large dogs leaping right into the mighty waves, there seems to be a lot of jumping for joy. All images captured at Cox Bay on the Pacific west coast of Vancouver Island, October 2009.

So happy to see each other! - April 11, 2007

I'm not sure what he saw, but I feel sorry for it!

High hopes.

Their first competition ever.

Tis is what happens when the horse is so excited with its first competition ever that it jumps far too early :))

Bailey making the grab

Minty always wants to help in the garden. The first couple of months that I had him, it took me hours to do the simplest of things. Minty not only dug up the horse manure, he also ate it! Dear little man!

more of this series of photographs in the Jimmy Romps folder

Kitty was so fast all I could capture were the paws as he took off after his toy.

The Wild Turkey in a tree has just jumped from the tree limb and starting to open his wings. His feet are inches from the limb. I was trying to capture a turkey in full flight but I thought this was neat. A lucky shot in the right place at the right time.

It's a long way down!

Am I standing in a stupid place or what???

Testosterone on 2 wheels!

Hollyberry hunting quail

jump for joy!

Hungarian puli, Fuzzle, clears the agility jump

Here's my friend H with his two friends after his Bar Mitzvah. I love how they are all jumping, but are each in various stages of falling.

A friend asked me to photograph his wedding...the guys had fun with this one.

this woman looks scared!

Russian Wolf Hound siblings, Valentin and Kiska, kick up their paws at a Bay Area dog park.

Emil is the champion, the best

Super

He said if we took a picture, he wouldn't do it again. Riiiight! Hope he doesn't bite his tongue. This is kind of like a toddler learning to jump, the feet (or wheels) don't quite get off the ground, but the thought is there.

Spitting Cave is located in the Portlock area of O'ahu's east shore. It is a popular spot where tourists and locals alike jump off the cliff into the turbulent waters below. Many people have been killed performing this very feat. In fact, an ambulance crew treated two casualities just minutes prior to my photo session. Undaunted, Nalu was performing for the television camera crew that showed up. The video footage was later featured on the 10:00 local news.

Nothing like a fresh layer of powder to invoke a little motorized backyard fun.

Peyton and Roxy having a bit of fun.

A random squirrel running across our driveway. He must be brave to come up with all our dogs and cats around.

Attempting to block a field goal.

Sienna jumping for joy in the leaves.

Our vacation entertainment is watching everyone jump off the rope at Raystown.

While I took some shots, this Scorpion Fly was hopping from plant to plant and from leaf to leaf. This is probably the female, and under that one leaf the male one is lurking. (11757-815k)

Scorpion Fly - panorpidae communis. Here you can cearly see its compound eyes on the side if its head. Between their eyes their large filiform antennas start. (11745-883k)

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Taylor in Action at the Pool summer camp 2006 Pool at His Hill Bible Camp in Comfort Texas

The best effect of this Squirrel is in full size, it was taken from my Conservatory,

This is Daisie Mae a cat belonging to a very special friend Carol in Vancouver,Lily-Rose is looking on,

Nolan had just learned to jump, and loved it.

Nolan had just learned to jump, and loved it.

Even on the beach, Nolan jumps

Amazing what a few thin wires and a bit of cellotape can accomplish

Yoav wouldn't stop jumping again and again and I had plenty of time to take a lot of pictures in burst mode and in other modes. The only problem was it was not enough light for good captures in motion. - And now it took me plenty of time to make some kind of collage out of those motion pictures. I am sure there are other ways to do it better. I have a lot to learn.