Barred Owl: Emmons’ Preserve, Kennebunkport Land Trust, Arundel, Maine, USA, June 2026 — I went to Emmons’ Preserve to see if there were any early River or Ebony-Jewelwings (big damselflies). None. But along the path as I went in toward the river, an owl took off from eye level, crossed the path low, and soared out into the forest, weaving through the trees. It landed way off in an all but impossible (for photography) spot. I could just see a shadow that I only suspected was an owl because I had seen it land there, but I gave it a try anyway. What do you know! The camera found it and focused. Had to be the big eyes. I have seen Barred Owls before at Emmons’, in this same area. Makes me wonder if a pair has a nesting territory there. This is a heavy crop from the full frame, enlarged considerably before processing using the AI super-resolution feature in Photomator. Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 Contemporary at at least 1500mm equivalent field of view. Program with bird and wildlife modifications.

Least Tern: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, June 2026 — I caught these Least Terns bathing in a shallow pool in the sand back from the surf line. They would spend 7 or 8 minutes in the water preening and then hop up for the short flight to the bank of the pool where they would continue to preen until dry. Then they might hop back into the pool. Pool party tern style. (All kinds of puns in there for those who are sensitive to puns.) I sat on my little folding stool and watched them for 45 minutes—and took way too many photos of course. Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 Contemporary. About 500mm equivalent field of view (slight crop). Program with flight and action modifications. Processed in Photomator and assembled in FrameMagic.

Red Raspberry Slime Mold: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, June 2026 — I always have my eye out for fungi and other interesting grows. This is not a fungus though it has similar habits. It is not a mold either, despite its name. The slime molds are colonies of amoeba-like organisms that grow and move in what is called a plasmodium: or a super cell with multiple nuclei, spread thin, mostly under the bark of rotting logs. Eventually, the plasmodium transforms into these fruiting bodies which break out to develop and release spores. How wonderful! As are the colors and forms life takes. Sony a6700 on my little tiny tripod. Sigma 16-300 contemporary at ~ 70mm equivalent field of view. Aperture mode with macro modifications (the top photo is two images stacked for depth of field). Processed in Photomator and assembled in FrameMagic.

Lupine: Arundel, Maine, USA, June 2026 — it is Lupine season again in Southern Maine. Though many of us think of these mass displays of Large-leaf Lupine as quintessentially Maine, this plant is actually not native. It was introduced to gardens in the early 1900s or late 1800s and escaped into the wild—perhaps aided and abetted by well-meaning Mainers like Miss Rumphius in Barbara Cooney’s children’s book of that name. A display like this was rare even in the second half of the last century, and is only becoming common within the past 50 years. Still, it is a beautiful sight to see, and we will not stand on principle—have none to stand on, since we ourselves are incomers. Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 Contemporary at 450mm equivalent field of view. Aperture program at f18 for depth of field. Processed in Photomator.

Piping Plover: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, June 2026 — On many of our York County beaches right now, you will encounter nesting piping plovers (and perhaps their chicks). Piping Plovers are listed as endangered in Maine, and their nesting areas are protected. I discovered a while ago now that if, out on the open beach, beyond the protected area, you encounter one—if you stop before the birds show any alarm and stand still—the plovers will come to you. They are not necessarily wary of you so much as they are curious. It certainly seems like they are wondering what you are. This time I took a little folding stool with me and sat down. This plover came within 3 feet of me, close enough so he had to look up at me. More than aware—in wonder. 🙂 (And so was I!) I sat there until the plover moved away before I stood and picked up my stool to move on. Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 Contemporary at 450mm equivalent (full frame). Program with bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Least Tern: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, June 2026 — Whatever the Terns catch in the river, well out from shore, by plunge diving has just begun its run. I suspect, from what research I could do (AI), that they are Atlantic Silversides schooling near the surface. Until now, the Terns have been taking Sand Lance in the shallows. Plunge diving is much more interesting and much, much more difficult to catch. This shot, such as it is, is mostly luck—so much so that I did not know I got it until I was importing the photos for processing. (On the other hand, I will take credit for the trying.) Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 Contemporary at about 1000-1200mm equivalent field of view (cropped and enlarged using super-resolution). Program with flight and action modifications. Processed in Pixelmator. Hopefully, I will get more chances at this behavior as the waters warm and more fry and small fish inhabit the deeper waters of the river.

Bobolink: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, June 2026 — I often see the male Bobolinks up and singing along the road through the hay fields. There seem to be at least 4 pairs—maybe more—it is hard to tell. One nest is fairly close to the road—or at least one male disappears into the grasses there often enough to make me suspicious. It is a race against the farmer, as always. Will the young fledge before mowing? Only time will tell. This male does not seem to be worried about it much. Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 Contemporary. About 600mm equivalent field of view. Program with birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Laudholm Farms (National Estuarine Research Reserve at), Wells, Maine, USA, June 2026 — You never know what a walk at Laudholm Farms will turn up. We have an assortment here. A Lon Hobomok skipper butterfly, Blue-eyed Grass, American Copper butterfly, Forest Caterpillar Hunter beetle, Rhodora (a small wild rhododendron common in Southern Maine), and a big bumblebee in Lupine. Among other things, but these caught my eye. Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300mm Contemporary at various focal lengths for framing. Processed in Photomator.

Least Tern: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, June 2026 — another favorite aerial technique of the Least Tern — the hover. On spread and beating wings, the bird dances to stay still, suspended seconds at a time. They use it while hunting. They use it as a mating display. They use it as a threat. I always think it makes them look angelic. Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 Contemporary at about 800mm equivalent. Program mode with flight and action modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Least Tern: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, June 2026 — Terns are fast and agile and just predictable enough to be fun to photograph in the air—or to attempt to photograph in the air. When defending their nests, they will attack anything that moves, whether it is a threat or not. I do my best not to be a threat—staying well away from the protected area of the dunes where they nest and only making eye contact from a distance. And of course, I have never, ever, taken an egg or harassed a chick. You would think they would know that by now. And yet they are on me before I know it, coming in from behind. What I do not do is immediately retreat, at least until I get a few photos as they wheel around me and come back in at eye level, swooping up only at the last moment. A few shots, and then I do turn my back and move on. And not often, once a week at most. It is my deal with the terns. And each year, I get a handful of photos that catch just a bit of the energy and elegance of these amazing birds. Be kind to them if you share their beach, and you will be rewarded with their endless aerial acrobatics and the sense of living grace. Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 Contemporary at about 600mm equivalent field of view. Program with flight and action modifications. Processed in Photomator.