Maine! Regal Red
Red-tailed Hawk: York County Maine, USA, September 2024 — This is the last of the perches from that day when I saw this Red-tailed Hawk in three different trees…this time high in a very tall tree at the edge of the marsh. A group of noisy crows drove it around the corner of the forest there and up into this tree, and it waited for me as I walked up the path. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed, cropped, and up-scaled in Photomator.
Maine! Band-winged Meadowhawk
Band-winged Meadowhawk: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, September 2024 — There were lots of dragonflies patrolling the a yard and an overgrown field in Kennebunk on a bright September day, but the only one that lit for me long enough for a photo was this Band-winged Meadowhawk. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my action and flight modifications. Insect recognition auto focus. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Chickadee on the rail
Black-capped Chickadee: York County Maine, USA, September 2024 — Just a simple portrait of a common backyard 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! September marsh
There may not be as many birds around now that September has arrived in Southern Maine, but the cooling days almost make up for it in the beauty of the landscape. This is along the Bridle Path in Kennebunk, Maine, just on the sea side of Rt. 9. Sony a5100 with the E 10-18 f4 zoom at 15mm equivalent. Superior Auto with Landscape Scene Mode. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Eagle on the river
Bald Eagle: York County Maine, USA, September 2024 — It is rare to see the Eagle down near the water like this…still way too far away, but a more interesting angle than where it usually sits, high in pine on the steep slope above the river. This angle really brings out the size of the beak and the talons! Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird and wildlife modifications. Highlight metering in very difficult light (Eagles are about the most difficult bird to expose). Heavily cropped and processed in Photomator with some retouching of highlights in TouchRetouch. Someday I hope to see this bird on my side of the river 🙂
Maine! Turtlehead and bumblebees
We have good sized stands of Turtlehead in our yard, all descended from a few plants donated by one of my wife’s friends. They are in bloom right now and being tended by a host of bumblebees. I find it interesting that I have only ever seen this particular species of bumblebee around the Turtleheads. They are just the right size, and apparently have enough strength (and determination) to force their way into the open mouths of the blossoms to gather the pollen inside, and to pollinate other flowers as they gather. It is not easy. It sometimes takes them several tries before they find just the right angle to wriggle inside…where they completely disappear for severe seconds before managing to get back out to move on to another flower. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 105mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird and wildlife modifications. Insect recognition auto focus. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! caught tail up
Red-tailed Hawk: York County Maine, USA, September 2024 — The Red-tailed Hawk that hunts the edge of the marsh along the coastal road is very comfortable with passing traffic and, since there is a popular dog walking/jogging trail just there, also with people on foot. Comfortable enough to do some tail preening even though it clearly knew I was watching it. 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! First touch of fall
The very first touch of autumn’s brush along the edge of the marsh in Kennebunk, Maine. Definitely fall in the air. Sony a5100 with the E 10-18 f4 zoom at 15mm equivalent. Superior Auto with Landscape Scene Mode. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Red-tail on the prowl
Red-tailed Hawk: York County, Maine, USA, September 2024 — Are you getting tired of this adult Red-tailed Hawk that hunts the marsh along one of my frequent trike ride/walks? I have seen it there at least a few times a week since mid-August, and, very likely, it is the same bird that frequented the area in spring. For a while there were at least 2, the adult and one or more immatures. Yesterday I saw this adult three times. Once from the road and once on each side of the road on a trail I like to walk, and was able to get photos each time. I like this one with the patchy clouds against the sky behind. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Heron Ornimental
Great Blue Heron and Goldenrod: Kennebunk Bridle Path, Kennebunk, Maine, USA, September 2024 — The heron standing way out across the water meadow among the Goldenrod that boarders the little unnamed tidal creek that cuts the marsh looks more ornimental than functional…a landscape accent more than the subject of the photo…and that is exactly as intended. (It was too far away for a portrait anyway.) Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.