Maine! Squabble on the beach
Semi-palmated Sandpipers: York County Maine, USA, September 2024 — The beach confrontations among Semi-palmated Sandpipers can get pretty vigorous, with lots of high jumps and leg action and flapping wings. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Sanderlings
Sanderlings: York County, Maine, USA, September 2024 — The first early migrant Sanderlings reached us here in Southern Maine late last week. They were only here briefly and then off further south on a favorable wind. Looking up Sanderling, it turns out this is the Sand Plowman, based on the Old English name and their habit of pushing the beak through the sand ahead of them in search of prey. If you enlarge the second image you an actually see what it is about to eat. It takes a lot of critters that size to fuel a migration. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Another face off
Semi-palmated Sandpipers: York County, Maine, USA, September 2024 — Last time I checked the beach, two days ago, all the Semi-palmated Sandpipers and Plovers were gone…headed on south on a favorable wind…and I never did figure out what these beach standoffs were all about. Interesting behavior. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. My action and flight Recorded Settings (programed to the AF-On button: 1/2500 with wide tracking, Animal/bird auto focus). Processed in Photomator.
Maine! More Ghost Flower
I found this small stand of Ghost Flower, or Indian Pipe, in the forest along the Bridle Path in Kennebunk, Maine, where the majority of the flowers had not curled over, giving a great view of the inner parts. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 75 and 105mm equivalents. Program mode with my macro modifications. Program shift to f10 and f11 for depth of field. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Herring on the edge
Herring Gull: York County Maine, USA, September 2024 — The contour of our local beaches was radically altered by the storms of this past winter and spring. Our local beach has developed a sharp slope at least 8 feet tall at the tide line dropping off to sand flats only exposed at low tide. This Herring Gull was resting just at the edge of the drop, overhanging the drop, and seemed quite comfortable there. Surveying its domaine. It allowed this eye-level shot without my getting down in the sand. Gulls are not my favorite birds, and Herring Gulls are not my favorite gulls, but even I have to admit this is a handsome bird. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Spot-winged Glider
Spot-winged Glider: Kennebunk Bridle Path, Kennebunk, Maine, USA, September 2024 — Earlier this summer we had more Wandering Gliders than I have ever seen in Southern Maine, patrolling mostly on the back side of the dunes along the seashore, and up the tidal creeks. I was surprised then to see, when I got to processing this shot from a few days ago, that this is a Spot-winged Glider. I have seen a few here over the years, right along this same stretch of trail through the tidal marsh beside the Mousam River, but this is the first one in a while. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Insect subject recognition auto focus. Program shift to f13 for depth of field. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Plover posturing
Semipalmated Plover: York County Maine, September 2024 — While the Semipalmated Sandpiper interactions this past week or so have seemed more like territorial disputes, the Semipalmated Plover interactions seem more like the kind of mock courting that goes on in the fall among many species, perhaps even forming pair bonds before the birds head south, or at least picking travel and wintering buddies. There was a lot of this tail up and flaring, head cocked action going on. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! the prize
Herring Gull (perhaps going into 1st winter plumage): York County Maine, USA, September 2024 — I am not at all sure what this young Herring Gull has fond, but it was certainly busy with it…picking it up and turning it and then repeatedly washing it a few steps into the surf. It does not look all that edible to me, but it seemed to be a prize for the gull. The gull was so busy with it that it let me get quite close. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Up, up, and away
Double-crested Cormorant: York County Maine, USA, September 2024 — This Double-crested Cormorant seems to have laid claim to a stretch of unnamed tidal creek in the marsh. It has been regular there for a couple of weeks now. Though you can’t tell from the photos, the creek at this point is only a dozen feet across, and varies in depth from 1 to 10 feet, depending on the tide. Cormorants are never going to win any prizes for deportment or elegance, but they get the job done…generally with a lot of splashing. Sony a6700 with my action and flight modifications. Animal/bird recognition auto focus. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Black-saddlebags
Black-saddlebags Dragonfly: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, September 2024 — I don’t ever remember seeing as many Black-saddlebags as I have seen this summer here in Southern Maine. Maybe I have just been more often to places where they are, but it certainly seems to me that there are more of them this year. And I have, with patience, certainly gotten more of them perched for me. 🙂 I had to wait 10 minutes for this one as it circled the path and the little stand of taller beach rose bushes many times before settling down. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Insect recognition auto focus. Processed in Photomator.