Monthly Archives: December 2020
The last landscape of 2020
Even without snow it is clearly winter in Maine. This was only just after 2 in the afternoon on a late December day, and look at those shadows. We are looking out over the Little River Marsh…or one of many Little River marshes up and down the coast of Maine. This one is Laudholm Farms. There is another “Little River” as close as Goose Rocks, 10 miles up the coast, and many more as you travel north. If you look closely my shadow is among the trees. And so Pic for today says goodby to 2020. Sony Rx10iv at 24mm equivalent. Program mode with auto HDR. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos. Nominal exposure: ISO 100 @ f4 @ 1/500th.
No really, show me your best side!
Bald Eagle: Kennebunk, Maine, USA — Is it really vanity if you have something to be vane about? We associate the Bald Eagle with the power and majesty of our country at its best. (So, okay, most of the time I think Ben Franklin might have been right, for lots of reasons, in proposing the Wild Turkey as the national bird, but that ship has sailed and we are accustomed to the Bald Eagle). This one, posing in the late day winter sun, was certainly as handsome a bird as you are likely to find. Sony Rx10iv at 1200mm equivalent (600mm optical plus 2x Clear Image Zoom). Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos. Assembled in FrameMagic.
Waxwing showing off…
Cedar Waxwing: Kennebunk, Maine, USA — sometimes you are just pointing the camera in right direction when something happens, and sometimes the focus on the camera is quick enough, and sometimes you get the shot. Sometimes. Not often. Sometimes. I was photographing this Cedar Waxwing on a branch when it decided it had had enough of me, or enough of the berries, and took off. Actually the whole group of them exploded out of the cherry trees at the same instant and headed back across the river. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos. ISO 100 @ f5 @ 1/1000th.
“Yes, son, I am talking to you!”
Bald Eagle: York County, Maine, USA — I went to the spot where I check for Eagles regularly, mostly without success…and there was one there! A very stern bird! A very serious bird! A bird that could see right through me and knew I was up to no good! A bird that had me shaking in my boots. It was all I could do to keep from laughing right out loud. But then I always smile (or maybe even grin) to see an Eagle, more or less in my back yard. Not something I could do until these past few years, and I always feel blessed, and a bit light-hearted (light-headed?), on any day I see one. If I were a fish, on the other hand, I would not want to be the subject of that stare! Sony Rx10iv at 1200mm equivalent (600mm optical and 2x Clear Image Zoom). Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos. ISO 100 @ f4 @ 1/500th.
Assertive Bluebird
Eastern Bluebird: Kennebunk, Maine, USA — I am tempted to create a “all the moods of the bluebird” book…I am sure I could find a bluebird photo to represent every shade of human emotion. This one, for instance, seems to be saying “get out of my face!” in no uncertain terms. Despite the snowstorm and my generous supply of mealworms. No respect! Honestly. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos. ISO 800 @ f4 @ 1/500th.
Another Cedar Waxwing
Cedar Waxwing: Kennebunk, Maine, USA — The fine feathering on a Cedar Waxwing is always a challenge to capture. Good light is essential. (And a good camera lens as well, of course…but mostly good light 🙂 You can view this shot as large as you like, and the feather detail just goes on and on. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos. ISO 100 @ f4 @ 1/800th.
I heard the ice bells on Christmas Day
So far we have not had ideal conditions for ice bells on the Mousam River here in town, but I did find these while out looking for Eagles the other day. 🙂 And they have a festive look for Christmas morning. A very Merry Christmas again to all. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos. I used TouchRetouch to remove an obtrusive foreground branch. ISO 160 @ f4 @ 1/500th.
Special Christmas Edition
My best Christmas wishes to you all. May God bless your holidays, and the coming year.
Merganser
Common Merganser: Kennebunk, Maine, USA — As soon as there is ice on the Mousam River below the rapids we are likely to see Common Merganser (and, vary rarely, Hooded). This is my first of the season…a lone bird, pushing its way up against the current. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos. You can just see the orange feet under the bird in the clear water. ISO 640 @ f4 @ 1/500th.
Thanks for all the mealworms!
Eastern Bluebird: Kennebunk, Maine, USA — Do a little dance! Mealworms in the snow storm. Nourishment for the nor-easter. Or maybe the perch was just too cold. As I have said before, bluebirds make it easy to project whatever we might be feeling. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos. ISO 800 @ f4 @ 1/500th.