Outdoors With Cameron and Robert Holt

26/07/2024

I am giving an overview of some of the birds you can see at Bois D'Arc WMA and why conservation efforts are important. This is the first video in a series of 4 highlighting conservation efforts in Arkansas and surrounding states and why we need to be a part of these efforts. I hope you will enjoy these series and learn something from them. These are raw and unscripted videos that I am doing and want you the viewer to know I am not a professional video guy. I just want to highlight the beauty and why conservation is important to us and our wildlife. Thank you for watching and let me what you think. Blessings

Giving an overview of all you can see at Bois D'Arc WMA and why conservation efforts are important. This is the first video in a series of 4 highlighting con...

14/05/2024

I call this the "The Big Triangle" Bald K**b NWR, Bois D'Arc WMA and Overflow NWR. An overview of what you can do in a day and a half. Included is one of my favorite places to eat in Hope, AR.

03/11/2022

So yesterday was another great afternoon of taking pictures. However, this one has me and a couple of us stumped. It was in a rice field and the colors are beautiful but at the same time a little weird. There is blue on the face but not really where it should be (could be a very young bird) and the eyes are true brown. So it is either a Glossy or a White Faced Ibis. Either way, it is a beautiful bird and one that loved to have its picture taken. It followed me along the bank about 15 feet out for about an hour.

28/10/2022

Have always wanted to capture an Elk or Deer crossing the Buffalo at Ponca Bridge. Right place, right time. Yesterday morning early. A Doe and her two little ones. Grateful for this beautiful place.

23/10/2022

I thought this was a pretty good picture of the Male Limpkin (looks like he is surrounded by a Christmas Wreath) and it reminded me of Christmas coming up. Wanted to get you guys in the mood.

23/10/2022

Good Morning, yesterday (October 22, 2022 10:00am) could have been the last time for me to see these two and be able to photograph them. Limpkins are fairly rare birds in Arkansas and I am thankful I found these two. I will have video of them tomorrow in this Bald Cypress along with several of the pictures I was able to take. If you have seen Limpkins this year, consider yourself very fortunate. I hope we will continue to see them here and this has not been a fluke year. Thank you for allowing this old guy the opportunity to share some of my adventures. Next stop is Boxley, AR. along with the other thousands of photographers...lol

17/10/2022

Yesterday I left to go out to see what I could see before the cold weather sets in. I went to a spot I am pretty used to in Hempstead county. Right as I got out of my car, I noticed a bird walking close to where I was and thought it was a Juvenile White Ibis. I followed it for a while until I could get a first shot. I began taking pictures and noticed it's beak was straight (the Ibis is curved). I had never seen something like this before. As I was taking the pictures all of a sudden another one appeared, long story short, to my amazement they were Limpkins. These are pretty rare in Arkansas (here is a link to read about them https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/limpkin). I have over 800 pics so here are 7 to begin with. Hope you enjoy them and know your are seeing something rare for Arkansas.

16/10/2022

This picture gives you a better look at the Dowitcher, it is the shorter bird in the picture next to the American Avocets. Information on the Dowitcher https://www.allaboutbirds.org/.../Short-billed.../overview
This was from the link above. This is why I bring attention to our birds: Short-billed Dowitcher populations declined between 15% and 50% from 1970 to 2015, according to estimates by Partners in Flight. The group estimates the global breeding population at 150,000 individuals. The species rates a 14 out of 20 on the Continental Concern Score and is on the Yellow Watch List because of its declining populations. Threats include hunting on the wintering grounds, loss of stopover and wintering habitat to development and sea level rise, and changes to breeding habitat resulting from climate change.

16/10/2022

The American Avocet. I love the colors of this bird. They are very unique in how they drink and look for food. I will hopefully have more tomorrow. The other bird in a couple of photos is a Dowitcher (very cool) here is some info on it https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Short-billed_Dowitcher/overview. Arkansas has some very beautiful birds. It was late evening when these were taken. The last pictures were a little lighter due to the Sun position.

13/10/2022

You always have to be prepared to stop to capture God's beauty. An American Turkey in an Arkansas Field

11/10/2022

Hello Everyone, I am back from vacation. I hope all are doing well. Went out yesterday for some Arkansas pictures. Here is the first of a series of different birds and other beautiful creatures I was able to capture. This beautiful Great Egret allowed me to take it's picture. As I approached it, I began to talk to it (I know, crazy right?) but, it worked, it did not fly off like they normally do. They are very skittish birds. This one was very large and beautiful. I got to capture it fishing.

12/09/2022

These guys are Monsters...myself along with a few other photographers were lucky enough to capture these guys. I am not going to say how large they are for the sake of arguing and armchair quarterbacks. But I will say over 12feet. Shawn and his wife who are photographers I met and Tim White and his wife were down at this location with me. We were all kinda of blown away by their size and how healthy they were. It is such a privilege to be with fellow photographers and to spend some time with the American Alligator in Arkansas. Here is some information from the Smithsonian's National Zoo:
Alligators will frequently lie on top of each other, Fortunately, both alligators seem comfortable with the arrangement for the time being. When alligators are comfortable, they flip their limbs backwards in a rather carefree manner, often stretching out their toes before they settle down. The aim of basking is to raise the body temperature up to their preferred level.
Alligators are ectothermic, meaning their body temperature is derived from the external environment. Their skin is specially designed to absorb heat and maintain temperature. When a Alligator is basking, or laying in the sun, it is raising its body temperature. When it wants to cool back down it can move out of the sun into the shade or a body or water. Another option for the Alligator is to open its mouth. This behavior is a way for the Alligator to release the heat from its body. It's similar to a dog panting to cool down. Basically, they can't sweat like we do to cool down. They have other methods of cooling, by opening their mouths and essentially sweating through their mouths.

11/09/2022

They are very skittish. This one got use to me even though I was about 25 yards away. He was fishing and when he caught one, I felt like he was showing me. Two of the shots show a fish in his mouth, one where he is holding it the other when he threw his head up and it was about to go down. You can barely see it in mid air between his upper and lower beaks. These are very graceful birds and are very easy to see in most low water areas of Arkansas. Great Egret

10/09/2022

Good Morning, here are some more various shots of the Roseate Spoonbills. So grateful they showed up. I hope they make this their home, that would be very cool for all of us who love wildlife. It is best to click on the picture due to the low light. These were taken about 7:15pm when the Sun was setting and the moon was rising.

09/09/2022

I will be posting several pictures of these beautiful birds. Roseate Spoonbills. In this picture, the male has a snail getting ready to go down. The snail is actually in mid flight in his mouth (black dot)The majority of the pictures are located in the same place but different poses and personalities that they show. Hope for the next few days you will enjoy as much as I enjoy taking them. I hope to have mine and Camerons calendar out very soon. It will be a Scripture Calendar. Blessings

09/09/2022

Yesterday evening I made a fast decision to go to a favorite spot to see if two birds were back. I also got to meet two follow photographers Tim White and his wife. What a sweet couple. I was asked last time if there was a pair of Roseate Spoonbills and there was not, but this time, male and female. What a rare and awesome sight to see these two. It was late and the sun was setting with the moon coming up (hence the reflection in the water to the right). To be able to film these is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me. I know there are several who have taken these before, but for me this is a bucket list. Partners in Flight estimates the global breeding population at 170,000 individuals around the world and as you know that is not a lot. I also was able to capture a Wood Stork. Looks more like a dinosaur. Wood Storks are uncommon in the United States. Their populations remained stable from 1966 to 2015, according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey. Partners in Flight estimates the global breeding population at 450,000. The Stork was high in the sky and had to crop pretty good to get see him. Their wingspan is 59-65 inches. I hope you enjoy learning about these beautiful animals.

07/09/2022

Little Blue Heron....when the Sun is just right, you can see so many of its colors. Love these birds.

06/09/2022

Here are more pictures from my awesome evening on Sunday. American Avocets, Roseate Spoonbill, and an American Alligator at least 14' long. The Snowy Egret underneath the Alligator is at least 2' tall and you can use that to measure for yourself. For me to be able to capture a Roseate Spoonbill with American Avocets is a true highlight of my photography outings so far. I have placed other posts on this site with information on the American Avocets and Roseate Spoonbill. If you need more info, you can go to All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

06/09/2022

When I saw this beautiful bird fly in, I almost fell out of my chair. I did capture him flying down (about 250 yards off). I will post a group of pictures of him in the next post. This is a Roseate Spoonbill, very rare in Arkansas. A couple of years ago, a man found a nesting couple on his property and the Arkansas Game and Fish did a big spread on this. I believe there are a few more Spoonbills coming to that area. If someone from the Game and Fish is on here and wants to know this location, message me.
Here is some information about the Spoonbill from Cornell Lab of Ornithology:
For most people, finding a Roseate Spoonbill requires a trip to the southeastern coast of the United States or even farther afield to Mexico or Central and South America. Look for groups of pink birds foraging in the shallows of fresh and saltwater, often with egrets and ibises nearby. They are usually busy foraging with their spoon-shaped bill under the water, so the bill might not be the first thing to tip you off. Unlike herons and egrets, they typically hold their bodies horizontally when foraging. This unique posture can help you pick them out from afar. If you don't catch them foraging check nearby mangrove, cypress, or willows for birds noisily roosting in trees.
Roseate Spoonbills nest and forage in areas that can be difficult to reach, so obtaining an accurate estimate of their population is difficult. The best available estimates come from the North American Breeding Bird Survey and Partners in Flight. According to the North American Breeding Bird Survey, their populations increased by nearly 6.5% per year between 1966 and 2019. Partners in Flight estimates the global breeding population at 170,000 individuals and rates them 10 out of 20 on the Continental Concern Score, indicating a species of low conservation concern.
Please, at this point I am not gonna say where this was and if you recognize it, please do not make a comment on this string. We do not want a lot of people going to this location and disturbing what could be a place for them to come. Thank you so much for understanding and being good stewards of our wildlife.

05/09/2022

Yesterday, (not to feel sorry for me) I had a friend to pass and I have not been feeling well so what do I do, I make myself go and take pictures of God's beauty. And He did not disappoint me. I guess He knew I needed a pick me up. So here is a tease from yesterday evening and I will post more later, especially a bird that has been on the decline and rarely seen in Arkansas. But this bird below is an American Avocet, American Avocets have been known to migrate through Arkansas but not ofter. They forage in shallow fresh and saltwater wetlands, salt ponds, impoundments, and evaporation ponds. Partners in Flight estimates the global breeding population at 450,000. The species rates an 11 out of 20 on the Continental Concern Score, which means it is not on the Partners in Flight Watch List and is a species of low conservation concern. (information used from Cornell Lab of Ornithology). There were 5 of these guys in my favorite bird place and they stayed there the whole time I was there.

30/08/2022

Good Morning, as most of you know I posted some pictures of one of Arkansas's beautiful animals (Arkansas Black Bear). This will be my last picture of this particular Bear.

Because there seem to be some individuals who think they know about bears, whether in Arkansas or in our National Parks I am going to try to make myself very clear. My Son and I are Wildlife Photographers. My Son is a professional Wildlife Photographer whom I have been by his side for over 20 years in the wilderness and 40 years experience hiking in the wilderness. As you can see the Bear in the picture looks very calm and he is because he cannot see me or smell me. I am over 100 yards away with a large lens and cover. This is NOT an animal to be fearful of, but it is one to give a great amount of respect to and a wide distance between you and him especially if there are cubs and or food close by. To my knowledge, there has never been an attack in Arkansas and we want to keep it that way. Due to the growth in our Bear population, we want to bring awareness of these beautiful animals and how to stay safe while hiking and camping in Arkansas and other areas in our Country with Bears. Here are some tips to keep you and the Bears safe:

1.When hiking, always check your surroundings and make noise as you are walking. Arkansas has more bears now and they for the most part will run when they hear you.
2. BE ALERT
See the bear before you surprise it. Watch for fresh tracks, s**t, and feeding sites (signs of digging, rolled rocks, torn up logs, ripped open ant hills).
3. DON'T HIKE ALONE
Hike in groups of three or more people.
4. DON'T HIKE AT DAWN, DUSK, OR AT NIGHT
Avoid hiking at dawn, dusk, or at night: during summer, that's when bears are most active.
5. MAKE NOISE
When hiking, periodically yell "Hey bear!" to alert bears to your presence, especially when walking through dense vegetation/blind spots, traveling upwind, near loud streams, or on windy days. Avoid thick brush whenever possible.
6. CARRY BEAR SPRAY AND KNOW HOW TO USE IT
Bear Spray is proven to be highly successful at stopping aggressive behavior in bears.
7. DON'T EXPECT BEARS TO SEE YOU FIRST
A bear that's feeding may not see you as quickly as you would think. Pay attention, and see the bear before it sees you...and before you surprise it.
8. STAY ON MAINTAINED TRAILS
Research has shown that people are more likely to be attacked by a bear when hiking off-trail.
9. AVOID CARCASSES
Bears will guard and defend carcasses against other scavengers or humans. Dead ungulates will attract and hold many bears near the carcass site. It is risky to approach a carcass; many bears may be bedded nearby just out of sight. If you find a fresh carcass, leave the area immediately by the same route you approached. Report all carcasses to the nearest ranger station or visitor center.
10. STAY WITH YOUR STUFF
Do not leave packs or bags containing food unattended, even for a few minutes. Bears learn new food sources quickly. Allowing bears to obtain human food even once often leads to them becoming aggressive toward people when they come back looking for more. Aggressive bears threaten human safety and eventually must be removed from the park or killed.
11. Never approach Bear Cubs. Back away slowly
Here is more information https://www.nps.gov/subjects/bears/safety.htm for you to read if you encounter a bear. Keep in mind this information is from the National Park Service but because we have more of these beautiful animals in Arkansas it is a good idea for you to read up on all you can so you and your family can have a safe camping and hiking experience.

29/08/2022

Many of you know I had a Bear encounter two years ago and I have been praying to overcome my fear of them. Well yesterday at my friends Duane and Betty Johnson's private property this happened. I was so blown away by him. He stayed there with me for about 45 mins. The heat was bad and the humidity was rising off the ground, but I was not going to not take pictures. Cameron Holt will go back with me on Wed to see if he can get a much closer shot with his camera. Please pray he will come back. This is a beautiful Arkansas Black Bear from the Ouachita National Forest. About 250lbs and very healthy. I have about 500 more pictures to go through so be ready for more...lol

28/08/2022

Cameron Holt and I went to my friends lake home to take pictures of Bears. We did not get any this time but I did manage to capture these guys (not as clear as I like due to humidity). The Mom Turkey (Hen) had 6 juveniles with her (a family of turkey is called a rafter or a flock). That tells me she is a great mother to keep them all alive and well. They all looked very healthy. Cameron and I are very grateful to my friends for allowing us the opportunity and for their friendship.

24/08/2022

I believe I am going to call this picture "Sunny" due to the spot on this Juvenile Common Gallinule's back. This little guy was lurking in the underbrush of the swamp in the early morning and the Sun was playing with him. They are very unique birds and have very unique feet that adapt to different environments. They can walk on Lilly pads, climb in trees, maneuver in water, and stand on floating plants and roots with ease. In Arkansas the two most common Gallinules are the Purple and the Common. This time of year are when the Juveniles are learning from their parents and will soon be on their own.

22/08/2022

Black-crowned Night-Herons spend most their days perched on tree limbs concealed among foliage and branches. They look for food in the evening and at night, in water, on mudflats, and on land.
Night Herons are social birds that tend to roost and nest in groups. Look for them in most wetland habitats across Arkansas, including estuaries, swamps, streams, lakes, and reservoirs. This is a Juvenile Black Crowned Night Heron and is unable to fly right now. It decided to come out and get some Sun.

21/08/2022

These two beautiful birds are Juvenile Common Gallinules. They both just took a bath and now they are preening. They learn to stand on this floating mass of roots, plants, and Lotus. I think they are about 5 months old. Swamp in Arkansas. The morning Sun was harsh in this area but tried to capture them as if you were sitting in front of them.

18/08/2022

Very early morning shot from Arkansas Swamp. This Great Egret had it's eyes set on an alligator that was not far away. Grateful for the moment I had with it. Have a Blessed Day everyone.

17/08/2022

Good Morning from Arkansas, Black Crowned Night Heron in a very early morning photography session. He had to stand perfectly still for me to capture this with a timer due to the light being so low. He did stand perfectly still for me.

16/08/2022

Cameron Holt and I are super excited to announce our Photographing Elk Class at the Herzfeld Memorial Library in Benton, AR. Aug. 26, 2022 from 6-7ish. We will have lots of great discussion about the Elk and some of the trails in Boxley, AR. Let me know you are coming and please share this. Thank you

12/08/2022

There are some pictures you just have to share by themselves. Juvenile Purple Gallinule looking at a Lotus Bloom as if to say, "I Am Waiting For You To Open" Only God can do this. Have a Blessed Weekend