



Our Crocus only got to bloom for two days before being buried in the April Nor’easter’s six inches of snow and ice. We will see if there is anything left by the time the snow melts. I doubt it. These are all hand-held focus stacks with the OM System OM-1 and the M. Zuiko 12-45 f4 zoom at 90mm equivalent. The last 2 closer shots also use the built in digital tel-converter for an equivalent focal length of 180mm and a 1:1 image ratio. Processed in Photomator.


Eastern Bluebird: York County, Maine, USA, April 2024 — Our backyard bluebirds (male and female) are getting brighter as the days lengthen into April and the sun climbs higher in the sky. Of course that was before our 4 inches of snow and ice over the past 24 plus hours…but that won’t slow them down for long. The storm did inspire many of the other backyard birds to use the mealworm feeders…and drew in a couple of Starlings (not happy to see them eating the bluebirds’ mealworms). It will all work out. The bluebirds are singing now…sweet and faint…and that is always a good sign. OM System OM-1Mkii with M. Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Red-bellied Woodpecker: York County, Maine, USA, March 2024 — Just barely in March, on the last day, this Red-bellied Woodpecker came to visit while I was sitting out in my ghillie suit waiting for birds. We occasionally see it at the suet on the deck, but rarely under the pines. This one was only showing me pieces of itself. OM System OM-1Mkii with M. Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator and assembled in FrameMagic.


Eastern Phoebe: York County, Maine, USA, March 2024 — This Eastern Phoebe just barely made it back to Maine in March…last day of the month. A wave of them must have come in, as this is not the only one I saw…just the closest. OM System OM-1Mkii with M. Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Song Sparrow: York County, Maine, USA, April 2024 — April 1st and the Song Sparrows are finally singing from the tree and bush tops. This one sat long enough to catch its song several times, and even for a short video. OM System OM-1Mkii with M. Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Eastern Grey Squirrel: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, March 2024 — The other day I got out for a walk around the neighborhood with my camera, and found quite a few of the local squirrels having a rodeo in a large open lot up the street. There were at least a dozen of them, chasing each other across the yard in close pursuit, round and round the big pines, and high into the branches, juggling buried acorns from last year. It looked like fun, and was certainly fun to watch. OM System OM-1Mkii with M. Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications (works for small mammals just as well). Processed in Photomator.




House Finch: York County, Maine, USA, March 2024 — I have never seen the courting behavior of the House Finch before yesterday and it is really quite something to see. It certainly appears as if the ability to look ridiculous might improve the breeding success of male House Finches. This one certainly thought it did, though I can’t say the female looks like the display is putting her in an amorous mood. He went on like this for quite some time, doing his best to strike the most ridiculous pose. And noisy too. OM System OM-1Mkii with M. Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Northern Cardinal: York County, Maine, USA, March 2024 — Before my Cardinal after the March snow and ice event encounter slips too far into memory I need to share at least one more photo. 🙂 OM System OM-1Mkii with M. Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.


Song Sparrow: York County, Maine, USA, March 2024 — The recent snow and ice event here in southern Maine had the birds sticking close to the feeders for two days and we had our first Song Sparrow of the year in our yard. I saw my first in York County a month ago (though that was a really early bird) and saw a flock of them out near a local pond two weeks ago, but this is the first of the year in the yard. The ice adds a touch of interest as well. OM System OM-1Mkii with M. Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Eastern Bluebird: York County, Maine, USA, March 2024 — Another shot from our frozen Monday here in Southern Maine. Bluebird and iced Maple buds. OM System OM-1Mkii with M. Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.