Maine! Mealworm for breakfast
Eastern Bluebird: York County, Maine, USA, December 2024 — One of this year’s fledglings coming to the deck early for freshly put-out mealworms on a cold December morning just as the first sun brushed the deck. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di3 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds and wildlife modifications. Taken through the double glazed window of the deck door. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Parking attendant
Raven: Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park, October 2024 — Another parking lot/roadside pull off attendant Raven. Sitting on the pull out sign waiting patiently for car jockey to empty their cheeto bag onto the ground. Or someone to leave the lunch cooler unattended in the back of a pick-up. Can’t have that you know. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400Di3 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! unexpected Savannah
Savannah Sparrow: York County, Maine, USA, December 2024 — I have been seeing these sparrows skulking in the brush along a trail through the marsh back from the mouth of the river for a couple of weeks…and just assumed they were Song Sparrows since I could not get a good look, let along a photo. This week on hopped up where I could see it, and, lo and behold, it was a Savannah Sparrow. Now I assume they were Savannah all along…which is, I think, pretty late in the year for Savannah in Southern Maine. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400Di3 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Roadside Bison
American Bison: Hayden Valley, Yellowstone National Park, October 2024 — On our first several visits to the Hayden Valley we saw none of the usual Bison. They were evidently still up high. On this swing through the valley though we saw numbers, and by the next day there were herds all along the river. This bison was right beside the road. These shots are at 178 and 444mm equivalents…so you can only imagine how close. Shot out the open window of the car, of course. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400Di3 as above. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! The backside of the bluebird of happiness (during a snowstorm)
Eastern Bluebird: York County, Maine, USA, December 2024 — We had our first snow in the yard yesterday. It is all gone by now, but the Bluebirds had to learn about snow all over again, and they were not thrilled to say the least. This one had found a branch to shelter under. The snow may not have made the Bluebird smile, but this Bluebird shot puts a smile on my face. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400Di3 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Papa Moose
Moose: Upper Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park, October 2024 — The young bull disappeared into the willows at one point, and we all heard a mighty clashing of antlers, so we knew there was another bull in there somewhere, and sure enough, eventually he emerged at the east end of the willow stand. He was not the largest moose you will ever see, but he was impressive, with an impressive rack. Good enough for me! Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400Di3 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife medications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Great Blue December
Great Blue Heron: York County, Maine, USA, December 2024 — Here we are in the first week of December and there are still at least 3 Great Blue Herons in the marshes along the river near its mouth. This was the closest of the three and still aways away. I guess they are waiting for the first serious snow to head south. 🙂 Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400Di3 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! More morning moose
Moose: Upper Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park, October 2024 — We were still photographing the two cow moose when this feisty young bull, maybe with his first set of antlers, crossed the road west of us a ways and came up the other side through the valley, and finally came around to cross the road east of us and join the two cows along the edge of the willows. He might not have had much for antlers, but he made up for it in attitude. And he was, as they say, the picture of health…well built and solidly muscled. Fun to watch as he pranced his prance trying to impress the ladies. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400Di3 at 600 and 500mm equivalents. (The final shot is only at 500mm so you can figure how close he was.) Program mode with my birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Pumpkin Squirrel
Grey Squirrel: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, November 2024 — Carol brought home one of the decorative pumpkins from the church Thanksgiving display and I broke it open for the squirrels and what ever else might like it. I was doubtful that the squirrels would like it, but I was certain something would. Turns out squirrels do like pumpkins. Going out to the car with my camera in my hand, this one was having a grand old time. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400Di3 at 493mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator. Gotta love smashing pumpkins anyway. 🙂
Yellowstone! Cow moose in the morning
Moose: upper Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park, October 2024 — People had been telling us for a few days that they were seeing moose by the Pebble Creek Campground, and we had looked for a few days on our way back and forth from our lodging in Silver Gate, but to no avail. We got out early this morning and drove directly there in hopes of catching one. We caught them just leaving the meadows behind the campground and headed up over the hill to the west. As we were leaving though there was a car off the road down the way the moose had been going, and sure enough there was a cow moose grazing at the edge of the willows just barely 25 yards from the road. As we were photographing her, another cow came out of the willows just a way back toward the campground. This one was obviously carrying at least one calf, and maybe two. It was a great encounter. And it only got better. Stay tuned. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400Di3 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.