Posts in Category: Kennebunk Plains
Maine! American Lady on Blazing Star
American Lady Butterfly on Northern Blazing Star: Kennebunk Plains Nature Conservancy, Kennebunk, Maine, USA, August 2024 — Both the Monarchs and American Lady butterflies are coming through southern Maine in big numbers the past two weeks. It is not a coincidence that it is also the height of the season for blooming Blazing Star which attracts both of them. As long distance migrants both need all the energy they can get. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC VXD zoom at 321mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Insect recognition auto focus. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Contrast
Northern Blazing Star and Goldenrod, Kennebunk Plains Nature Conservancy, Kennebunk, Maine, USA — It is Blazing Star season and, though not the best year in recent memory, there is a good crop on the Kennebunk Plains. It seems a bit dry this year. It is, of course, also Goldenrod season and I always look for Blazing Star and Goldenrod growing together for the color contrast. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC VXD zoom at 106mm equivalent. Program mode with my macro modifications. f10 for depth of field. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Making ripples
Northern Water Snake: Day Brook Pond, Kennebunk Plains Nature Conservancy, Kennebunk, Maine, USA, August 2024 — I saw the Water Snake swimming along the shore of the pond and got off a series of frames. I like the ripples in this one, and the light…and the sense of power that it somehow captures. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC VXD zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Fledgling Waxwing
Cedar Waxwing (fledgling): York County Maine, USA, August 2024 — Just as I was getting ready to leave, a flock of 30 or more Cedar Waxwings made a lightning raid on a choke-cherry tree where I had parked my eTrike while I took a walk out to the pond and back. They were popping and out of the tree, staying mostly hidden, and then flew off to shelter from the noon-day sun in depths of a young white birch clump. By then I had realized that at least 2/3s of them were this year’s fledglings. Must have been a productive year. I like the neutral grey plumage with the back, white, and yellow accents. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC VXD zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
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.
Maine! Drink your tea tea tea
Eastern Towhee: York County, Maine, USA, May 2024 — While out looking for Lady Slipper Orchids the other day, I head at least two Eastern Towhees singing their “drink your tea” song, and eventually spotted this one well inside the little woodland there. I could not get any closer so I used the 2x digital tele-converter in the OM System OM-1Mkii with my M.Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent, for a total reach of what amounts to 1600mm. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Studies in Cinnamon Fern heads
Cinnamon Fern (I think). While out looking for Lady Slipper Orchids in my secret spot here Kennebunk, I could not help but notice all the ferns somewhat past fiddle head stage. I love the ornate look of the coiled fern fonds. The two wider shots here are at 800mm with the M.Zuiko 100-400IS zoom on the OM System OM-1Mkii, for about a 1:2 magnification. The tighter shots are with the same set-up but with the 2x digital tele-extender added for a 1:1 magnification. Depending on the device you are viewing the photos on the close-up are probably life size or better. Program mode. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Lady Slipper Bouquet
Maine! Lady Slipper bouquet — Lots of Lady Slippers still along my secret slope. This clump was one of many within sight. OM System OM-1 with M.Zuiko 12-45 f4 Pro zoom at 26mm equivalent. Program mode. In-camera focus stack. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Lady Slipper
I went back to the woods to check on my patches of Lady Slipper Orchids here in Kennebunk, Maine. At least some of them have come out fully in the past 5 days and I spent over an hour on the slope where they grow. Others will still require another few days of warm sun. They are all somewhat small this year, maybe because of the peculiar weather we have been having…I don’t mean short, though most of them are…but the blossoms themselves seem a bit undersized compared to past years. This intentionally odd angle shot, an 9 frame in-camera focus stack, really shows off the bloom. OM System OM-1Mkii with M.Zuiko 12-45 f4 Pro zoom at 42mm equivalent. Program mode. Processed in Photomator.