Monday, February 27, 2012

Warning: Avoid Deleting Your Images

I had a little problem this past weekend when I mistakenly deleted a lot of my images on the computer when I was attempting to transfer them to an external hard drive.

The Black-necked Stilt above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in May 2011.

I advise you to be sure not to make the same mistake noted in this rare "random" post. If you have a similar mishap, be sure not to add any additional files to the computer unless absolutely necessary as it may result in over-writing image files that will then be impossible to recover. It was with my good fortune that I thought the problem through expecting that there had to be a solution to my dilemma. Using a few choice search words in my browser, Google came up with a link to a company known as Recuva.com/ After downloading Recuva's free software program I was able to salvage about 95% of the deleted images which I transferred directly to the external hard drive. Of the about 50,300 images recovered, most of which I haven't had a chance to look at closely yet, a handful are presented here with a great sense of relief.


The Long-billed Curlew with Willet above was photographed at Fort De Soto Park in April 2011.


The Snowy Egret (with a desperate need on my part to learn how to add "canvas" or better yet improve my panning technique) above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in May 2011.


The Red-breasted Merganser above was photographed at Fort De Soto Park in April 2011.


The Snail Kite above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in March 2011.

3 comments:

  1. Whew, don't we have a love/hate with these machines. I am absolutely fascinated with your pictures. The snail kite is a shelling buddy. They drop apple snails all over Lover's Key for me. Take good care.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Kaybe, for your interest in my wildlife photography at my blog. I am approaching the fifth year of wildlife observations and my hobby here in SWFL.

      I found your comment about the Snail Kite at Lovers Key especially intriguing. If you are referring to the state park which I have visited nearly a hundred times, I would like to note that I have never seen the Snail Kite there. My observations of the species have occurred at Harns Marsh most closely to the park, and further inland at STA5 and Devil's Garden.

      If you are finding Apple Snail shells at LKSP, I would speculate that they are there perhaps most likely from fill dirt brought into the park when it was slated for residential construction and/or possibly being washed onto the beach via the drainage canals around the kite's preferred freshwater habitats.

      Apple Snails are considered an invasive species with their egg casings recommended not to be moved to a new location. I don't recall the indigenous snail that is being displaced. The kite prefers the Apple Snail however which has been a boon for the kite's presence in the area.

      Your additional thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Congratulations on your participation in the shelling Guinness Book World Record.

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  2. Hello! I have been looking and looking for a lovely scrub jay picture for my business card. I am a professional private naturalist who provides environmental education programs for children (mostly!) I found the one you took with the jay sitting on a branch with red berries and a whitish background. I can't find your email address anywhere. I would LOVE to use your photo. I obviously will not be making money directly from your photo, but it fits in so nicely with my idea. May I?????
    Karen Puracan
    Ocala Flda.
    MrsPbio@gmail.com

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