Posts in Category: backyard photo-blind
Happiness
Eastern Bluebird: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, May 2025 — I am in the section of my Costa Rica photos where I was photographing frogs and snakes, and, being Sunday, I do not want to post a photo that I know will make some of you uncomfortable…so I offer this lovey, always faithful, bluebird from our back yard. 🙂 Sony a6700. Tamron 50-400 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Pine Warbler
Pine Warbler: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, April 2025 — We have at least one bright male Pine Warbler and several duller female or young male Pines hanging around the yard the past week or so. We saw some, surprisingly, in February, briefly, but these are becoming regular. This one was out under the pine where I have a feeding station. They really like suet and mealworms. Sony a6700. Tamron 50-400 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Carolina in the brush
Carolina Wren: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, April 2025 — I spent another hour in my blind by the feeding station under the pine, and this time got to see our Carolina Wren pair in their natural environment. I see them on our deck at least once a day, or sitting on the clothes line, but is somehow better to see them in the leaf litter doing what they do most of the time, even if the brush gets in the way. 🙂 Sony a6700. Tamron 50-400 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Cardinal visitation
Northern Cardinal: York County, Maine, USA, May 2024 — Now that I am back from Ohio and the Biggest Week in American Birding, it is time to catch up on some Maine birds. Our neighborhood pair of Cardinals came for a visit just before I left. OM System OM-1Mkii with M.Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.
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! Head and shoulders
American Robin: York County, Maine, USA, April 2024 — If I sit very still in my camp chair, the Robins, most common of yard birds here in Southern Maine, will come right up to me. These two shots are at 1600mm equivalent, using the digital tele-converter in the OM Systems OM-1Mkii with the M.Zuiko 100-400IS zoom, so I was not as close as it looks. Still, pretty close for a wild bird. Late afternoon light picks out every feather detail. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Most Purple!
Purple Finch: York County, Maine, USA, April 2024 — Even though I am skipping over many memorable photos from the extended neighborhood here in Southern Maine from the last few days (and weeks), I feel it is only fair to celebrate the most purple of Purple Finches who came and posed so nicely in the late day, last of the sun, in the backyard, just before supper time. I have been waiting for the male Purples to arrive, and for an opportunity to photograph them away from the feeders. Only fair to share. OM System OM-1Mkii with M.Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 1600mm equivalent (using the 2x digital tele-converter in the camera body). Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator and Apple Photos. (And no, this is not an exaggeration. In the soft sun of early evening in the spring, the Purple Finches, or at least this Purple Finch, do (does) look that purple 🙂
Maine! More of that bluebird attitude
Eastern Bluebird: York County, Maine, USA, April 2024 — The male Bluebirds are getting bright and a bit feisty as breeding season starts here in Southern Maine. They are a bird that always shows a lot of attitude. This one is pretty obviously full of itself and all puffed up. OM Systems OM-1Mkii with M.Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Titmouse attitudes
Tufted Titmouse: York County, Maine, USA, April 2024 — The Tufted Titmouse is at our feeders every day, all year long. There is a pair nesting somewhere close by. They are particularly perky birds, with their little crest, and show a lot of attitude. Always fun to watch, and if I sit still enough they will come quite close. 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.
Maine! Wet Bluebird
Eastern bluebird: York County, Maine, USA, April 2024 — The tail end of the April Nor’easter brought a pretty constant cold drizzle all day yesterday, but that does not fully account for how wet this Bluebird is. I suspect it was bathing somewhere. I can only hope it found some warmer water. It also appears to have been half blow-dried, but that might just have been the fitful wind and its own attempts at preening. I would, of course, have preferred not to have the foreground branch, but does not quite spoil the shots for me and perhaps adds context to the distinctive attitude of the bird. OM System OM-1Mkii with M. Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.