Posts in Category: Kennebunk
Maine! caught tail up
Red-tailed Hawk: York County Maine, USA, September 2024 — The Red-tailed Hawk that hunts the edge of the marsh along the coastal road is very comfortable with passing traffic and, since there is a popular dog walking/jogging trail just there, also with people on foot. Comfortable enough to do some tail preening even though it clearly knew I was watching it. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! First touch of fall
The very first touch of autumn’s brush along the edge of the marsh in Kennebunk, Maine. Definitely fall in the air. Sony a5100 with the E 10-18 f4 zoom at 15mm equivalent. Superior Auto with Landscape Scene Mode. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Red-tail on the prowl
Red-tailed Hawk: York County, Maine, USA, September 2024 — Are you getting tired of this adult Red-tailed Hawk that hunts the marsh along one of my frequent trike ride/walks? I have seen it there at least a few times a week since mid-August, and, very likely, it is the same bird that frequented the area in spring. For a while there were at least 2, the adult and one or more immatures. Yesterday I saw this adult three times. Once from the road and once on each side of the road on a trail I like to walk, and was able to get photos each time. I like this one with the patchy clouds against the sky behind. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Heron Ornimental
Great Blue Heron and Goldenrod: Kennebunk Bridle Path, Kennebunk, Maine, USA, September 2024 — The heron standing way out across the water meadow among the Goldenrod that boarders the little unnamed tidal creek that cuts the marsh looks more ornimental than functional…a landscape accent more than the subject of the photo…and that is exactly as intended. (It was too far away for a portrait anyway.) Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Squabble on the beach
Semi-palmated Sandpipers: York County Maine, USA, September 2024 — The beach confrontations among Semi-palmated Sandpipers can get pretty vigorous, with lots of high jumps and leg action and flapping wings. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Sanderlings
Sanderlings: York County, Maine, USA, September 2024 — The first early migrant Sanderlings reached us here in Southern Maine late last week. They were only here briefly and then off further south on a favorable wind. Looking up Sanderling, it turns out this is the Sand Plowman, based on the Old English name and their habit of pushing the beak through the sand ahead of them in search of prey. If you enlarge the second image you an actually see what it is about to eat. It takes a lot of critters that size to fuel a migration. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Another face off
Semi-palmated Sandpipers: York County, Maine, USA, September 2024 — Last time I checked the beach, two days ago, all the Semi-palmated Sandpipers and Plovers were gone…headed on south on a favorable wind…and I never did figure out what these beach standoffs were all about. Interesting behavior. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. My action and flight Recorded Settings (programed to the AF-On button: 1/2500 with wide tracking, Animal/bird auto focus). Processed in Photomator.
Maine! More Ghost Flower
I found this small stand of Ghost Flower, or Indian Pipe, in the forest along the Bridle Path in Kennebunk, Maine, where the majority of the flowers had not curled over, giving a great view of the inner parts. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 75 and 105mm equivalents. Program mode with my macro modifications. Program shift to f10 and f11 for depth of field. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Herring on the edge
Herring Gull: York County Maine, USA, September 2024 — The contour of our local beaches was radically altered by the storms of this past winter and spring. Our local beach has developed a sharp slope at least 8 feet tall at the tide line dropping off to sand flats only exposed at low tide. This Herring Gull was resting just at the edge of the drop, overhanging the drop, and seemed quite comfortable there. Surveying its domaine. It allowed this eye-level shot without my getting down in the sand. Gulls are not my favorite birds, and Herring Gulls are not my favorite gulls, but even I have to admit this is a handsome bird. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Spot-winged Glider
Spot-winged Glider: Kennebunk Bridle Path, Kennebunk, Maine, USA, September 2024 — Earlier this summer we had more Wandering Gliders than I have ever seen in Southern Maine, patrolling mostly on the back side of the dunes along the seashore, and up the tidal creeks. I was surprised then to see, when I got to processing this shot from a few days ago, that this is a Spot-winged Glider. I have seen a few here over the years, right along this same stretch of trail through the tidal marsh beside the Mousam River, but this is the first one in a while. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Insect subject recognition auto focus. Program shift to f13 for depth of field. Processed in Photomator.