Waxwing showing off…
Cedar Waxwing: Kennebunk, Maine, USA — sometimes you are just pointing the camera in right direction when something happens, and sometimes the focus on the camera is quick enough, and sometimes you get the shot. Sometimes. Not often. Sometimes. I was photographing this Cedar Waxwing on a branch when it decided it had had enough of me, or enough of the berries, and took off. Actually the whole group of them exploded out of the cherry trees at the same instant and headed back across the river. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos. ISO 100 @ f5 @ 1/1000th.
“Yes, son, I am talking to you!”
Bald Eagle: York County, Maine, USA — I went to the spot where I check for Eagles regularly, mostly without success…and there was one there! A very stern bird! A very serious bird! A bird that could see right through me and knew I was up to no good! A bird that had me shaking in my boots. It was all I could do to keep from laughing right out loud. But then I always smile (or maybe even grin) to see an Eagle, more or less in my back yard. Not something I could do until these past few years, and I always feel blessed, and a bit light-hearted (light-headed?), on any day I see one. If I were a fish, on the other hand, I would not want to be the subject of that stare! Sony Rx10iv at 1200mm equivalent (600mm optical and 2x Clear Image Zoom). Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos. ISO 100 @ f4 @ 1/500th.
Assertive Bluebird
Eastern Bluebird: Kennebunk, Maine, USA — I am tempted to create a “all the moods of the bluebird” book…I am sure I could find a bluebird photo to represent every shade of human emotion. This one, for instance, seems to be saying “get out of my face!” in no uncertain terms. Despite the snowstorm and my generous supply of mealworms. No respect! Honestly. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos. ISO 800 @ f4 @ 1/500th.
Another Cedar Waxwing
Cedar Waxwing: Kennebunk, Maine, USA — The fine feathering on a Cedar Waxwing is always a challenge to capture. Good light is essential. (And a good camera lens as well, of course…but mostly good light 🙂 You can view this shot as large as you like, and the feather detail just goes on and on. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos. ISO 100 @ f4 @ 1/800th.
I heard the ice bells on Christmas Day
So far we have not had ideal conditions for ice bells on the Mousam River here in town, but I did find these while out looking for Eagles the other day. 🙂 And they have a festive look for Christmas morning. A very Merry Christmas again to all. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos. I used TouchRetouch to remove an obtrusive foreground branch. ISO 160 @ f4 @ 1/500th.
Special Christmas Edition
My best Christmas wishes to you all. May God bless your holidays, and the coming year.
Merganser
Common Merganser: Kennebunk, Maine, USA — As soon as there is ice on the Mousam River below the rapids we are likely to see Common Merganser (and, vary rarely, Hooded). This is my first of the season…a lone bird, pushing its way up against the current. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos. You can just see the orange feet under the bird in the clear water. ISO 640 @ f4 @ 1/500th.
Thanks for all the mealworms!
Eastern Bluebird: Kennebunk, Maine, USA — Do a little dance! Mealworms in the snow storm. Nourishment for the nor-easter. Or maybe the perch was just too cold. As I have said before, bluebirds make it easy to project whatever we might be feeling. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos. ISO 800 @ f4 @ 1/500th.
Cedar in the shadow…
Cedar Waxwing: Kennebunk, Maine, USA — Difficult lighting but a beautiful bird, and perhaps a more striking shot because of the light. This required more than my usual “one tough preset” for processing (including some “luminance masking”). 🙂 Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos. ISO 100 @ f4 @ 1/1000th.
Wood Island Light
Wood Island Light guards the entrance to Saco Bay and the Saco River. This shot is from the East Point Sanctuary in Biddeford Pool where I was looking for Snowy Owls just before our Nor-easter. No owls, but a classic winter’s day photograph of the light. Sony Rx10iv at 24mm equivalent. Program mode with auto HDR. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos. Nominal exposure: ISO 100 @ f4 @ 1/500th.