Posts in Category: yard
Bittersweet
We have some of the biggest Bittersweet vines I have ever seen growing in the pines at the edge of our yard. I mean big! 5 inches in diameter near the ground, with shaggy, deeply patterned bark, and growing up the tree to the very top, 50 feet or more. The berries are way up there. In fact I did not identify the vines as bittersweet for many years, until I saw the berry cluster one day in the top of the tree. These ripe berries fell to the ground under the tree and I found them when putting up my photo blind for a session the other day. They make a striking still-life in the grass and pine needles. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent using Sony’s full-time macro. This is full frame…only cropped horizontally. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos.
Mind that tongue!
I spent some time in the photo blind the other day and was entertained by this chipmunk getting a drink from my pump and bucket water feature. The chipmunks are very bold. Twice now I have had them join me in the blind when I apparently set it up across one of their highways…or maybe they were just being friendly. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos.
Fall White-throated Sparrows
White-throated Sparrow, Kennebunk, Maine, USA — We had White-throated Sparrows foraging under our feeders under the big pines for several weeks this spring on their way north, and I saw the first of the returning White-throats yesterday. They are skulkers at the best of times, though in spring they got bold enough to come out where I could see them at least on occasion. This season they are still in deep skulking mode. I don’t know how long we will have them to enjoy on their way south, but I certainly enjoyed watching them yesterday. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos.
Chipmunk into the leaves
The thing about nature is, you just never know what you might see. I have never seen a Chipmunk “eating” leaves before, but this one was picking up dry leaves and mulching then into his cheek pouches. I suspect he was not after any lingering nutrition…they were the driest of the dry leaves at his disposal…but maybe planned to use them as winter insulation for his nest??? Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos.
Titmouse on the pump handle
Tufted Titmouse, Kennebunk, Maine, USA — The Tufted Titmice have remained active at the feeders since early this fall. We have a very distinct pair…the male being partially melanistic with a brownish, dark grey chest. The chick from this year is still hanging out with the parents. I think this might be the chick, as it was the only one that ever showed any interest in my water pump water feature. It was one of the few birds which learned to drink at the fountain. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos.
Nuthatch again
White-breasted Nuthatch, Kennebunk, Maine, USA — We have, of course, more chickadees coming to our feeders than nuthatches, but the nuthatches are just as faithful. They are there everyday, many times a day, and always fun to watch. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos.
Naughty Chipmunk!
I have discovered before this that “squirrel proof” feeders are not necessarily “chipmunk proof”. The chipmunk is often just light enough not to fully trip the squirrel protection. As this chipper has discovered there is just enough of a gap to give limited access to the seed…not enough of a gap to make it easy, but enough of a gap to make it possible. Fortunately there are easier ways to get food, and the chipmunks do not empty the feeder…only taking a few seeds at a time. Still, this one I caught in the act. Naughty chipmunk! Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos.
A bit of Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch, Kennebunk, Maine, USA — from my latest session in the chair blind by the feeders under the pines. Nuthatches are always such determined looking birds. This one is a bit fluffed in the chilly September weather we are having. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos.
Chickadee again
Black-capped Chickadee, Kennebunk, Maine, USA — Somedays this time of year there are only Chickadees at the feeders…other days we have Titmice, Nuthatches, and Chipping Sparrows…and the Downy Woodpeckers are always around. Of course, when there are only chickadees it is only a matter of patience before one will do something interesting enough for a photograph. 🙂 Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos.
Titmouse acrobatics
Tufted Titmouse, Kennebunk, Maine, USA — I like the pose here…lots of tension but also lots of grace. Birds get into the strangest positions. 🙂 Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos.