Maine! Most Purple!
Purple Finch: York County, Maine, USA, April 2024 — Even though I am skipping over many memorable photos from the extended neighborhood here in Southern Maine from the last few days (and weeks), I feel it is only fair to celebrate the most purple of Purple Finches who came and posed so nicely in the late day, last of the sun, in the backyard, just before supper time. I have been waiting for the male Purples to arrive, and for an opportunity to photograph them away from the feeders. Only fair to share. OM System OM-1Mkii with M.Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 1600mm equivalent (using the 2x digital tele-converter in the camera body). Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator and Apple Photos. (And no, this is not an exaggeration. In the soft sun of early evening in the spring, the Purple Finches, or at least this Purple Finch, do (does) look that purple 🙂
Costa Rica! Goodby Volcanos
Volcano Hummingbird: Paradiso Quetzal, Costa Rica, December 2023 — We generally stop at Paradiso Quetzal for lunch and hummingbirds on our last field day in Costa Rica, on the way back from San Geraldo de Dota to San Jose. This year the hummingbirds were sparse. According to our guide they just suddenly stopped coming to the deck behind the restaurant a few in October of last year. No one knows why. There were still a few (like two) Talamancas, and at least one Violet-ear, and a few Volcanos, like the one here, captured in flight near one of the feeders. And this is goodby to the photos from December of 2023. I have another trip half planned for next March…my first in the spring. OM System OM-1 with M.Zuiko 100-400IS at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds in flight and action modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine Landscape
Batson River, Emmon’s Preserve, Kennebunkport Land Trust. Spring spate. Shutter mode with LiveND. OM System OM-1 with M.Zuiko 12-45 Pro zoom at 24mm equivalent. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Song Sparrow again
Song Sparrow: York County, Maine, USA, April 2024 — Except for the Chipping Sparrow, of which there are thousands in Southern Maine, our most common Sparrow of spring and early summer just might be the Song Sparrow. They are certainly among the most visible, probably because they are so often drawing attention to themselves with their songs. We get them in our yard occasionally, but I know of several pairs on established territories just right in my area, and you are likely to hear and see them most anywhere you go. OM System OM-1Mkii with M.Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Florida! Uncommon Gallinule
Common Gallinule: Blackpoint Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Titusville, Florida, USA, January 2024 — Special light on these two Common Gallinules. The sun was still low enough in the sky to have a touch of warmth, and it was Florida light anyway, so, special. And the reflections help. I still struggle to remember that these are not Moorhens. 🙂 OM System OM-1 with M.Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine Landscape
A young maple undercut by this spring’s storm tides even 5 miles inland along the Mousam, but still in full flower. OM System OM-1 with M.Zuiko 12-45 Pro. Program mode with in-camera HDR. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Carolina Song
Carolina Wren: York County, Maine, USA, April 2024 — There is nothing quite like the song of the Carolina Wren. It is certainly enough to pierce any amount of lingering gloom, and let the sunshine in. This one was singing around the yard the other day, possibly looking for a nesting site. OM System OM-1Mkii with M.Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Costa Rica! Early morning flower-piercer
Slaty Flower-piercer: Savegre Mountain Hotel and Spa, San Geraldo de Dota, Costa Rica, December 2023 — Coming to the end of my Costa Rica photos from my trip last December. This is Slaty Flower-piercer from the gardens at Sevegre on the way to breakfast on our last day on the mountain. Flower-piercers make a hole a the base of the flower to draw out the nectar. That is what that specially adapted beak is all about. OM System OM-1 with M.Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Carolina on my mind
Carolina Wren: York County, Maine, USA, April 2024 — I thought for a while that a pair of Carolina Wrens were going to build a nest under our back deck, but apparently not. They are around most days at least a few times for mealworms, and are often singing from the maples above the house or from the peaks of the shed roofs next door on both sides. Such a cheerful, busy little bird. OM System OM-1Mkii with M.Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm plus the digital tel-converter for a 1600mm equivalent field of view. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Florida! Umbrella wings
Reddish Egret: Blackpoint Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Titusville, Florida, USA, January 2024 — Again with the umbrella fishing Reddish Egrets along Blackpoint Drive. Wings up and out to make a shadow on the water through which they can see the fish. Their success rate is not high which keeps them at it all day long. OM System OM-1 with M.Zuiko 100-400IS at 656 and 800mm equivalents. Program mode with my birds in flight and action modifications. Processed in Photomator and assembled in FrameMagic.