Posts in Category: Maine
Maine! Crows
American Crow: York County, Maine, USA, April 2024 — It might be just my imagination, or my age related memory changes, but I don’t ever remember seeing so many crows in York County as there are this year. At least not in our neighborhood. There is something in the yard kitty-corner to us that has been attracting them over the past few days, and they are in the trees around us much of the day. And you cannot step outside without hearing them calling. While they are common and abundant, and not pretty by most any standard, I actually enjoy Crows. I always think they have a sense of humor and play (I might say mischief) that is uncommon among birds. They always appear to laughing at each other, and at me. With the tree branches still bare it is a good time to photograph them too. None of these were super close, but close enough for decent photos. OM System OM-1Mkii with M. Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.
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.
Maine! Crocus
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.
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! 1st of year Phoebe
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.
Maine! April’s sweet song
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.
Maine! Squirrel Rodeo
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.
Maine! Bluebird in the frame
Eastern Bluebird: York County, Maine, USA, March 2024 — As I have mentioned before, Bluebirds are pretty much everywhere you look in York County by now. I see them in my yard every day, no matter the season. This one was along a trail through fields and forest that I walk at least once a month, most months. I like the “frame” here, the way the branches curve around the bird, and the way the light wraps the bird. OM System OM-1 with M. Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Ridiculous Finch
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.