Posts in Category: backyard photo-blind
Maine! Bluebirds in spring
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.
Maine! Red-bellied peak-a-boo
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.
Maine! Song Sparrow on ice
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.
Maine! Bluebird in frozen Maple
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.
Maine! Carolina Wren far from home?
Carolina Wren: York County, Maine, USA, March 2024 — not so long ago this Carolina Wren in the icy branches after our weekend storm would indeed have been far from home, but their range is extending north and they are now becoming regular in York County (and breed as far north as Orino and Ellsworth). A few winter over. We have had one in our neighborhood for the past 2 years as a regular visitor to our feeders for mealworms and especially the mealworm crumbs the Bluebirds drop. OM System OM-1Mkii with M. Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Practice makes perfect
Eastern Bluebird: York County, Maine, USA, March 2024 — I am not sure what this behavior is? I am almost certain that this is last summer’s chick, well able to feed itself, and not begging that I saw. And I am pretty sure this is our full adult male, who has raised 8 broods (at least) while we have watched over the past 4 years. Maybe he is just getting in practice for this year’s first brood. And maybe he is just a provider by nature, which is why he has had so many successfully fledged off-spring. I was photographing the young bird and was very surprised when the male edged into the frame. OM System OM-1Mkii with 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Mottled Finch
American Goldfinch: York County, Maine, USA, March 2024 — It is that time of year when the male Goldfinches begin to color up. We have a few Goldfinches all winter, off and on, so we get used to seeing them in their drab winter colors. It is easy to forget how bright they get by early summer. This is the awkward time when they just look unfinished…enough yellow to remind you of their summer splendor but only just. Still, it won’t be long now. OM System OM-1Mkii with 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Just Robins
American Robin: York County, Maine, USA, March 2024 — The American Robin does not get the photographic attention it deserves because it is so common. They are here in York County year around and underfoot all summer in our yards. It really is a beautiful bird though. OM System OM-1Mkii with 100-400IS zoom. Program mode with my custom birds modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Titmouse Song
Tufted Titmouse: York County, Maine, USA, March 2024 — There is perhaps no birds song or call that is a carrying, one might even say, piercing as the Tufted Titmouse in the spring. Common in both yard and forest they certainly make their presence known in season. I caught this one in full voice and you can see the effort going into the call. They are quick and agile and not easy to catch in a photo, at least around our yard. OM System OM-1Mkii with 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Not at home, at all.
House Finch: York County, Maine, USA, March 2024 — The House Finch only reached Maine in the early 1970s…it was originally a bird of the Southwest, but has slowly but surely extended its range to cover most of the US (with a strange gap in the center of the continent). Our habit of feeding birds has probably encouraged that extension, as it is among the most common feeder birds wherever it lives. I still can’t convince myself it is at home here though, though it was in Maine well before I got here. OM System OM-1Mkii with 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.