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Faheem Ijaz

@fbfaheemijaz

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Dallas, Texas | Software Engineer | Nature Observer
@singularityvoyager

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The Moon Has Seen It All

I went to Lake Lavon to photograph the full moon, but when I arrived, I noticed how far the water had receded. After weeks without meaningful rain, the exposed lakebed had become dry and deeply cracked. I changed my original plan. Instead of making the moon the only subject, I used the moment to portray the contrast between the harshness of the earth and the quiet hopefulness of the moon.

The moon has followed the same cycles for countless generations. It has witnessed civilizations rise and great dynasties collapse, yet it continues to return calm, luminous, and almost smiling. Below it, the lake was shrinking and the earth was breaking apart, but above it all, the moon still rose.

It was a fascinating and emotional experience. I tried to express that feeling through this photograph, though I still wonder whether an image can ever fully capture what the heart perceives in a moment like this.

Nature creates and destroys life without prejudice — Devdutt Pattanaik

The August full moon is traditionally called the Sturgeon Moon. It was named for the lake sturgeon once abundant during this season in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain.

August 2026 Lake Lavon, Texas | Sturgeon Moon | Canon 5D Mark III + Tamron 28-75mm

Note: My apologies for publishing this photo late. I'm a slow guy, so it took me a while to process this photo and publish it late.

#SturgeonMoon #LakeLavonTexas #FullMoon #CrackedEarth #NatureCycles #TexasLandscape #NaturePhotography #Moonlight #Texas #Nature taken in Lake Lavon by @fbfaheemijaz

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2 months ago

The Green Anole — A Living Reptilian Relic

This was a fascinating encounter while I was sitting outside in my backyard, when I noticed a Green Anole slowly coming toward me. At first, his color was more brownish, but as he got closer, he gradually turned green. I had my 200–800mm lens with me, so I tried to capture different moments of this quiet interaction and preserve them in my memory.

For post-processing, I initially considered keeping the wider frame, but later decided to crop tighter to create a more intimate close-up of this beautiful creature. I also enhanced the colors slightly to give the images a more vibrant feel while still preserving the atmosphere of the moment.

The most beautiful part of the experience was witnessing the transition from one color to another. I’m sharing a few photos that capture that transformation.

The last photo is included solely to provide context for this small backyard observation project.

In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks — John Muir

Dallas,Texas | April 2026 | Canon R50 + 200–800mm

@canonusa

#GreenAnole #Anole #Lizard #Wildlife #Nature #Texas #DallasTx taken in Dallas, Texas by @fbfaheemijaz

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5 months ago

Cedar Waxwing - A Passing Visit

I noticed some new birds in my backyard last week. It was very early in the morning, but I still took the photo. They were perched high on thin branches, making it difficult to capture them from the right angle—but I tried.

They flew away shortly after, and I haven’t seen them again since. Because of the low light, the image had more noise and less detail, which gave it a soft, almost painting-like feel. I spent time refining the photo, focusing on these two birds so I could preserve the moment in my memory.

Research:
I learned they are Cedar Waxwings. They migrate through Texas and often move north during the warmer months.

My observation:
They don’t feel native to Texas, yet they share a visual resemblance to the Northern Cardinal. However, biologically, they are quite different. I observed that they have a calm, gentle presence, something I tend to associate with migrating birds.

Cultural Symbolism:
- They are considered omens of good fortune and joy, often seen as spiritual messengers.
- Symbols of deep social bonds, and sometimes as "spirit messengers" representing joy.

April 2026 | Canon R50 + RF 200-800mm

#CedarWaxwing #BirdPhotography #TexasWildlife #TexasNature #Backyard #Texas #DallasTexas taken in Dallas, Texas by @fbfaheemijaz

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6 months ago

Great Horned Owl

After months of searching for an owl in my neighborhood, noisy crows unexpectedly led me to this majestic Great Horned Owl.

I shared the video earlier; here’s a photograph from that encounter. I tried to keep the colors and feel together. I don't think a photo can do justice to what I experienced. I also avoided making it a portrait by adding more environmental elements.

Richardson, Texas | October 2026 | Canon R50 + RF 200–800mm

#GreatHornedOwl #Nature #Texas taken in Richardson, Texas by @fbfaheemijaz

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5 hours ago

A Thousand Songs, Twice Told

I had a surprising encounter early in the morning at the local park. This bird is new to me, but after research, I found its name: 'Brown Thrasher', which is unique as well.

It gets “brown” from its reddish-brown plumage. “Thrasher” likely refers to its habit of sweeping its bill through leaf litter, tossing leaves aside to find food.

Another interesting fact: it can sing over 1,000 song types, often repeating each phrase twice.

Richardson, Texas | October 2026 | Canon R50 + RF 200-800mm

#texas #nature #BrownThrasher taken in Richardson, Texas by @fbfaheemijaz

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2 days ago

A Blink of Majesty

A Red-tailed Hawk caught mid-blink, with its protective third eyelid briefly covering its eye.

I took this photo in my neighborhood and almost deleted it. Later, I looked again and thought, why not try something different? The blink and the way the hawk grips the wire make this moment unique (at least in my collection).

So I decided to keep it and work with colors.

Richardson, Texas | August 2026 | Canon R50 + RF 200-800mm

#nature #texas taken in Richardson, Texas by @fbfaheemijaz

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2 days ago

A Little Walk 🦫

Beavers are nature’s engineers, creating wetlands that shelter wildlife, store water, and support biodiversity.

Hagerman, Texas | October 2026 | Canon R50

#Beaver #BeaverLife #Wildlife #Texas #Nature taken in Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge by @fbfaheemijaz

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4 days ago

Who could guess their patience?

In a world that moves so fast, a heron’s stillness feels almost miraculous. Watching it wait can make you aware of your own impatience.

But look closely: its subtle movements reveal how carefully it watches the water. That quiet moment holds so much attention, and perhaps that is what makes it worth pausing for.

Texas | October 2026 | Canon R50

#texas #nature taken in Texas, USA by @fbfaheemijaz

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4 days ago

Moment of Light

An image evolves, often from a single strand of visual interest, a distant horizon, a moment of light, a held expression — Sam Abell

October 2026 | Richardson, Texas | Canon T3i + Sigma 17-50mm EF-S

#texas #nature taken in Richardson, Texas by @fbfaheemijaz

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5 days ago

I’ve been hoping to find an owl in my neighborhood since April, but I haven't had any luck. With the dense summer foliage making it hard to spot one, I decided to wait until winter.

Today, a group of noisy crows unexpectedly led me to this majestic Great Horned Owl. As I approached the tree to see what had caught their attention, there it was.

I recorded a short video and took a few photos, keeping the encounter brief to avoid disturbing it. I’m still mesmerized by how beautiful these birds are.

This video is a close-up. I hope to share another showing more of its surroundings, along with the photos, soon.

Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts - Rachel Carson, The Sense of Wonder

Richardson, Texas | October, 2026 | Canon R50

#GreatHornedOwl #Owl #Wildlife #TexasWildlife #NorthTexasBirds #Nature taken in Richardson, Texas by @fbfaheemijaz

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6 days ago

Eastern Phoebe - A Little Hunter

These ordinary moments are what I love about photographing nature. So much happens around us when we slow down and look.

Richardson,Texas | October 2026 | Canon R50 + RF 200-800mm

#nature #texas taken in Richardson, Texas by @fbfaheemijaz

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7 days ago

A Little Magic in the Ordinary

It was a hazy morning during an ordinary visit to the local swamp, with little clearly visible. I noticed two tiny dots in the distance, and when I zoomed in, they turned out to be two beautiful egrets.

The light was very low, but I chose to keep the photograph in color to preserve the soft mood of that morning.

Everything placed by nature; I was just there to capture it.

Wyile, Texas | October 2026 | Canon R50 + RF 200-800mm

@canonusa

#texas #nature #magic taken in Wylie, Texas by @fbfaheemijaz

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9 days ago