Maine! Parula
Northern Parula: York County, Maine, USA, May 2024 — I went out to fill the feeders one last time before my trip to Ohio and the Biggest Week in American Birding, just as it started to rain, as it turns out. Not well planned that. But as I was out under the pines at the edge of yard, what should pop in but a Northern Parula. It took me a moment to work out what it was. I think it is maybe only the 2nd Northern Parula I have seen in Maine, certainly the first I have seen in many years, though I know they come through here and nest further north, and, of course, I see lots of them in Ohio, and will probably see lots next week. It worked its way up the berry brambles, picking leaf buds, probably for the insects inside, until it was only 3 feet from me. Of course I did not have a camera with me, not even my phone. I finished up what I was doing and went inside to get my camera, knowing full well that it would not be there when I got back…but I was gifted with the same bird in the same bushes, or, more likely a second bird following the same migration path as the other, and making use of the same resources. Such a treat! And good practice for next week. OM System OM-1Mkii with M.Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator. (I am posting this tonight as I will be in the air tomorrow when I would normally post. 🙂
Maine! Streeetttccchhh
Piping Plover: York County, Maine, USA, May 2024 — It is Piping Plover season again on southern Maine beaches, and I remind you (and myself) again to give them their space. Usual disclaimers here. I was further away than it looks from the photo and well outside the roped off nesting area. I do not approach the birds. Sometime they approach me, but when they do I do not move. Just another stump on the beach, me (although a stump with a camera). Occasionally they stretch. 🙂 OM System OM-1Mkii with M.Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Florida! Limpkin and company
Limpkin and Glossy Ibis: Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, Florida, USA, January 2024 — The Limpkin one of the birds folks go to Orlando Wetlands to see. A strange bird with a very specialized diet of snails (primarily the Apple Snail where it has not been forced out by invasive species…but fortunately the Limpkin does not turn its nose up at the invasive snails either). They are solitary birds. Its chance companion here is a Glossy Ibis, busy preening. OM System OM-1 with M.Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 454mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Ruby in the sun
Ruby-throated Hummingbird: York County, Maine, USA, May 2024 — After my rainy day encounter with supplemental light, I tried for hummers in the full sun yesterday. They presented their own challenge…and the gorget is never as deep ruby as it is in subdued light…but still very ruby. Next I will try increasing my minimum shutter speed from 1/2000th to 1/4000th to unblur the wings…though I like the blurred wing effect on hummers. 🙂 OM System OM-1Mkii with M.Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 584 and 652mm equivalents. Program mode with my custom birds in flight and action modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Florida! Spoonbills at Orlando Wetlands
Roseate Spoonbills, Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, Florida, January 2024 — Still early and overcast, but the Spoonbills were flying from the night roost to wherever they intended to start the feeding day. OM System OM-1 with M.Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds in flight and action modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Ruby Thursday
Ruby-throated Hummingbird: York County, Maine, USA, May 2024 — The neighbors had seen a hummingbird at their house so I got out and disinfected our hummingbird feeder. We had a couple of nice spring days with no sight of the hummer, and then it clouded over and rained for a day. I saw the hummer a couple of times and went out and stood and then sat on the back deck in the drizzle to wait. After an hour I gave up. That was Wednesday. Yesterday, after the rain stopped, I saw it come twice within 30 minutes so I got my camp stool and coat and hat and went out again to sit and wait. It came several times in the next hour and I managed a burst of shots each time. It was still very heavy overcast so I mounted my new Ulanzi Video Rechargeable Flashlight on the camera for supplemental light. It is a lot like any rechargeable led flashlight but is specifically made for photography and has a very even, high intensity beam, three color temperatures, and a tripod mounting hole. I have a little adapter for the hot shoe of the camera and it seems to work very well. Between the subdued natural and the supplemental light (set to cool daylight temperature) it certainly lit up the gorget on this male Ruby-throat, and shows off exactly where the bird gets its name. (I would guess this is 90% natural light at least. I could not actually see the flashlight beam, but I do think it made some difference.) OM System OM-1Mkii with the M.Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 436mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds in flight and action modifications (with give me 1/2000th at ISO 8000). Processed in Photomator.
Florida! Black
Black Vulture: Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, Florida, January 2024 — The Black Vultures were a bit overly familiar at Orlando Wetlands. They come and sit on the railings and gates of the new boardwalk and challenge your passage. It the end they always give way, but it is not always apparent that they will. It does make for some interesting portrait opportunities though. 🙂 OM System OM-1 with M.Zuiko 100-400IS at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Still very early in the morning with the sun not far above the horizon and still hidden by clouds. Processed in Photomator and Apple Photos.
Maine! Her Majesty in a pine
Red-tailed Hawk: York County, Maine, USA, April 2024 — Eventually the Red-tailed Hawk flew even closer to the trail and settled in a pine. Again, angles were difficult to find, but there she was, as close as I might like. OM System OM-1Mkii with M.Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Florida! Caspian Tern
Caspian Tern: Blackpoint Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Titusville, Florida, USA, January 2024 — Hunting Caspian Terns are, at least to my way of thinking, fun “birds in flight” targets…with just the right amount of challenge to success ratio. Given enough terns and enough time, you will manage to catch one. 🙂 OM System OM-1 with M.Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds in flight and action modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine Landscape
Trout Lily (Adder’s Tongue, Yellow Dog Tooth Violet), Emmon’s Preserve, Kennebunkport, Maine, USA. July 2024 — One of the first wildflowers of spring in Southern Maine. OM Systems OM-1 with M.Zuiko 12-45 f4 Pro at 40mm equivalent. Program mode with in-camera HDR. Processed in Photomator.