Maine. Special edition, White Admiral
The other day out at the Kennebunk Plains Nature Conservancy here in Kennebunk, Maine, there were at least three different species of butterflies that I saw. The White Admiral is one of my favorites. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC VXD zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds and wildlife modifications. Insect subject recognition auto focus. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Prairie
Prairie Warbler: York County Maine, USA, July 2024 — We don’t really have any prairies in Maine, but we do have sand plains, and evidently that is close enough to attract the Prairie Warblers. This is only the second one I have seen in 20 years in this location, but that does not mean that they do not nest there every year. This one is showing off all its field-marks. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Animal and Bird subject recognition and focus. Processed in Photomator.
New Mexico! Honey
Honey Bee: Randall Davey Audubon Center, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, July 2024 — The plantings at Randall Davey attract a wide variety of pollinators, including, of course, the Western Honey Bee. I like the way the bee is framed here, and the dramatic lighting. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC VDX zoom at 313mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds in flight and action modifications. Insect subject recognition and focus. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Transition
Least Tern (chick transitioning to feathers from down): Kennebunk, Maine, USA, July 2024 — This is one of the oldest of the Least Tern chicks from this year’s hatch at our local beach, already transitioning from down to adult feathers, and looking pretty natty doing it. This bird will be flying and feeding itself in another few weeks. For now the adults are keeping close watch and feeding it several times a day. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent (and cropped heavily). Program mode with my evolving bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
New Mexico! Siskin in the shade
Pine Siskin: Randall Davey Audubon Center, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, July 2024 — Sitting on the bench by the water fountain in the gardens at Randall Davey, this Pine Siskin flew in and posed nicely in the dappled shade of the bushes across the way. A beautiful bird in a subtle way. And, technically, I am impressed by how well the Sony a6700 handles the dynamic range here…maintaining good detail in both light and shadow. Shot with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my evolving bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Terns away
Common Tern: York County, Maine, USA, July 2024 — Common Terns were actively feeding at the river mouth the other day and I had some fun trying to catch them as they dove. I was surprised, when I got home, to see how many I had actually caught. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my flight and action modifications. Tracking auto focus and Bird subject recognition. Processed in Photomator and assembled in FrameMagic.
Colorado! Mouthful
American Robin: Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, Commerce City, Colorado, USA, July 2024 — The Visitor Center at RMANWR is new since I last visited and I was impressed. Lovely building and displays, and the children’s room is an exceptionally good idea. They have a little native plant garden out back, with some feeders and water, and this American Robin was active in the area…and as you can see from the photo, successfully hunting down a meal. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my evolving bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! If I stand up on this rock I can almost see where the fish come from
Least Tern (chick): Kennebunk, Maine, USA, July 2024 — We were gone for 10 days, visiting granddaughters in the west, and the Least Tern chicks, just hatching as we left, have grown up some. This one is no longer a little ball of fluff. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent (and a heavy crop). Program mode with my evolving bird and wildlife modifications. Bird subject detection. Processed in Photomator.
Colorado! Bison
American Bison: Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, Commerce City, Colorado, USA, July 2024 — The Bison herd is, of course, what draws folks to RMANWR. I have seen Bison roaming outside the Bison area of the refuge, most appear to be in the confined area…what you might call the Bison Farm, and are easy to see from the road…too often through the obstructing fencing. Still, there is no such thing as a tame Bison. 🙂 Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my evolving bird and wildlife modifications. Animal subject recognition. Processed in Photomator and TouchRetouch (to remove elements of out of focus fencing).
Colorado! Swainson’s (for the moment)
Swainson’s Hawk: Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, Commerce City, Colorado, USA, July 2024 — This was taken out the window of an idling car so not as sharp as might be, but still, such a majestic hawk. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my evolving bird and wildlife modifications. Bird subject detection. Processed in Photomator.