Posted on July 18, 2018 in Birds, Flowers, Nature
Trying to photograph hummingbirds is really really challenging! By the time you see one and try to focus, the bird is long gone! I definitely need more practice, but love the adventure of trying to capture these tiny birds in flight! Here’s a female Ruby Throated Hummingbird stopping by the Bee Balm for a snack.
Posted on June 20, 2018 in Birds, Nature, Wildlife
Every now and then I spot something while driving and have to immediately pull over to take a photo. This was one of those “Whoa Stop!” moments. It was somewhere in New Jersey, along the side of a busy highway. I’m lucky to have grabbed the shot before being swept off the side of the road by the traffic that was whizzing past me!
Posted on June 12, 2018 in Birds, Documentary, Nature, Wildlife
This is a follow up to yesterday’s post featuring nest building Osprey. This was prize construction material gleaned from the shoreline in New Jersey.
Posted on June 11, 2018 in Birds, Documentary, Nature, Wildlife
When I was in college I wrote a report on the comeback of the Osprey (“fish hawk”) in the State of Pennsylvania. Back in the early 1980’s, the Osprey was placed on the threatened species list due to exposure from DDT which suppressed their eggs from hatching. After the sale and use of DDT was banned, the Osprey started to make a comeback. To be removed from the threatened species list, there must be a minimum of 50 nests in the state and 10 nests in each of the four watershed-based population clusters, which include the upper Delaware, lower Delaware, upper Ohio-Beaver, upper and lower Susquehanna. Artificial nest platforms like this one are placed near water to encourage nest building. In this photo, the Osprey is bringing a large piece of grass into the nest. It was huge and he/she flew quite a distance to retrieve it and bring it back. The two Osprey then spent a while rearranging to see where it looked best in their nest! I was very excited to have had the opportunity to see and photograph the birds that I wrote about so long ago.
Posted on May 30, 2018 in Birds, Nature, Wildlife
I have been hearing some LOUD singing in the morning and evening in the area around our house. Today I had to investigate to try and learn who had the great voice! Turns out there is a Woodpecker nest in a dead tree in our neighbor’s yard. At first I thought Downy Woodpecker, but now I’m leaning toward Hairy Woodpecker – I could be wrong. When I came close to where I heard the singing, mom Woodpecker made all kinds of racket and then went near the hole where her baby is. The baby poked it’s head out and mom later brought some food. Look at how mom is clinging to the side of the tree with her feet. So cool to see!