Costa Rica! Celebrity
Red-eyed Leaf Frog: Selva Verde Lodge and Reserve, Sarapiqui, Costa Rica, December 2023 — One of the “poster” species for Costa Rican conservation, the Red-eyed Leaf Frog, in its more colorful Caribbean slope variety. They are easy to find right at the foot of the stairs going up to the dining hall at Selva Verde. Flash is not allowed on the Selva Verde grounds, but the frogs do not seem disturbed by led flashlights and even small video lights, and they often sit in one spot for ten or fifteen minutes, so they are relatively easy to photograph. I always use a long lens with close focus so as to disturb them as little as possible. OM Systems OM-1 with ED 100-400mm zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds and wildlife modifications. ISO 6400 @ f6.3 @ 1/200th. -0.7EV. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Bluebird attitude
Eastern Bluebird: York County, Maine, USA, February 2024 — I am amazed at the number of Bluebirds I see around home and around town, and on my walks further afield. I know of at least 20 nesting pairs wintering over just in the limited area I frequent, generally with last year’s young still hanging around. Quite a change in the going on 40 years we have lived here. However other species are faring with habitat reduction and climate change, the Bluebirds seem to be doing well. And they are always so interesting to watch. Such attitude for a small bird. OM Systems OM-1 with ED 100-400mm IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator and assembled in FrameMagic.
Florida! Tricolor portrait
Tricolored Heron: Blackpoint Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Titusville, Florida, USA, January 2024 — I have never seen as many Tricolored Herons at Merritt Island as I saw this year. They were pretty much everywhere around Blackpoint drive. This one was not disturbed by my presence, standing less than 20 feet away as I passed him on the berm. OM Systems OM-1 with ED 100-400mm IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Costa Rica! Toucan in the rain
Yellow-throated Toucan: Selve Verde Lodge and Reserve, Sarapaqui, Costa Rica, December 2023 — This used to be the Chestnut Mandibled Toucan…and it is still listed as the Chestnut Mandibled sub-species of the Yellow-throated Toucan. It is resident from Honduras to Columbia. In South America the two Black-mandibled sub-species become dominant. A handsome bird, but not a good neighbor as they like to raid nests for eggs and nestlings. Not as common this year as where we have seen it in past years for some reason. OM Systems OM-1 with ED 100-400mm IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications (ISO 25600!). Processed in Photomator and assembled in FrameMagic.
Florida! More Reddish dancing
Reddish Egret: Blackpoint Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Titusville, Florida, USA, January 2024 — More hunting dances poses from my favorite hunting dancer. Native Americans (and other cultures I am sure) celebrated the hunt with a dance. Egrets dance the hunt. It seems to work for them. OM Systems OM-1 with ED 100-400mm IS zoom, all right around 600mm (zooming to frame this very active bird). Program mode with my custom birds-in-flight and action modifications. Processed in Photomator. Assembled in FrameMagic.
Maine! Bye
Bald Eagle: York County, Maine, USA, February 2024 — I was surprised to find our local Eagle pair on their perch in the tall pine on the other side of the river late one afternoon. The sun was behind them and they were deep in the shadow of the pine. Still you have to try. Both sat for me for a few seconds after I saw them, but then one decided it was time to go. Not a perfect shot, but the best I could manage in the situation. OM Systems OM-1 Mkii with ED 100-400mm IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Florida! Dance a little dance
Reddish Egret: Blackpoint Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Titusville, Florida, USA, January 2024 — I have probably said this before, but one of my favorite things to do is to watch Reddish Egrets hunting. Such a wild and wonderful dance. Such intense purpose and such unlikely postures. This was my first Reddish encounter on my very first day at Merritt Island, before the Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival even began. OM Systems OM-1 with ED 100-400mm IS zoom at 614mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds-in-flight and action modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Robin at work
American Robin: York County, Maine, USA, February 2024 — Carol found the local flock of Robins yesterday, working the vines in the tall trees up the street, so I had to walk up and check for Cedar Waxwings…and take a few Robin photos. I like the delicate beak work here as the Robin harvested berries. I think these are crabapple, and there are quite a few trees in one neighborhood, so lots of Robins, when the berries have frozen and thawed often enough to concentrate the sugar. There were several Cedar Waxwings as well, but I was not able to get as close to them. OM Systems OM-1 Mkii with ED 100-400mm IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Costa Rica! Overhead
Scarlet and Great Green Macaws (and hybrids): Macaw Ranch, Sarapiqui Valley, Costa Rica, December 2023 — Of course not all the flying Macaw shots I took were at eye-level. The flock put on a good overhead show as well. Two Scarlets in the first shot, and the mixed flock in the second. OM Systems OM-1 with ED 100-400mm IS zoom at 300 and 200mm equivalents. Program mode with my custom birds-in-flight and action modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Stand and deliver!
Common Loon: York County, Maine, USA, February 2024 — This is a common behavior for Common Loons. This one did it 3 times while I was watching and the 3rd time I was ready for him. It is a whole production with the bird rising slowly out of the water and extending its wings several times before settling back. I am not sure what purpose it serves. It does not appear to be any kind of display, as this bird was all alone in the creek. Unless it was just practicing. I suspect though it has more to do with shaking the water out of the wings, or warming itself between dives. OM Systems OM-1 Mkii with ED 100-400mm IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.