Monthly Archives: July 2023
Eastern Amberwing
Eastern Amberwing Dragonfly: Roger’s Pond Park, Kennebunk, Maine, USA, July 2023 — One of the smallest of the true dragonflies, the Eastern Amberwing is not much bigger than a large bee. I was a long time seeing my first one in Maine, but there have been a few at Roger’s Pond this time of year for the past several years. There were three males at one end of the pond and at least one more at the other. I can only assume there were females somewhere, but I did not see them. OM Systems OM-1 with 100-400mm zoom @ 1600mm equivalent (2x digital converter). Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Pixelmator Pro. ISO 250 @ f5.3 @ 1/640th.
Maine! Cedar Waxwing
Cedar Waxwing: York County, Maine, USA, July 2023 — I was photographing dragonflies along the Bridle Trail near home when three Cedar Waxwings flew into the tree above me. And then one of them hopped a branch closer, right over my head. I literally pointed and shot off a burst. This is pretty much the full frame at 800mm equivalent on the OM System OM-1 with the 100-400mm zoom. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Pixelmator Pro. ISO 320 @ f6.3 @ 1/640th.
India: Asian Openbill Stork
Asian Openbill (Stork): Chambal River, Rajasthan, India, March 2023 — We saw several Openbills on our travels but these, from the boat on the Chambal River, were by far the closest. I am not sure if this is a youngster begging or adults courting?? Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Pixelmator Photo and Apple Photos. ISO 100 @ f5 @ 1/800th.
Maine! — Halloween Pennant
Halloween Pennant: Forever For All Preserve, Kennebunk Land Trust, Kennebunk, Maine, USA — The newish Forever For All Preserve has turned out to be a very good spot for dragonflies and damselflies over the past few years, beginning in the overgrown meadow next to road and all the way down the hill to the stretch of meadow along the Mousam River. The Holloween Pennant’s coloring and the exceptionally wide wings, its relatively large size, and its habit of “posing” on the tip of an exposed stalk, all make it a stand-out dragonfly. OM Systems OM-1 with 100-400mm zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds modifications. Processed in Pixelmator Pro. ISO 200 @ f6.3 @ 1/800th.
India! Gharial
Gharial: Chambal River, Rajasthan, India, March 2023 — When I looked up this strange member of the crocodile family this morning, it turns out that it is among the rarest of its kind, residing in only a few rivers in India and Nepal. It is endangered throughout its range. I assume that like most crocodiles, the open mouth posture is for heat regulation. It uses that long snout with all those teeth to hunt fish in the deep pools of the rivers. Sony Rx10iv at 135-600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Pixelmator Pro and Apple Photos, and assembled in FrameMagic. ISO 100 and 125 @ f4 @ 1/500th and 1/640th.
Maine! Eastern Kingbird
Eastern Kingbird: York County, Maine, USA — On one of my trike rides during our last day spell (rare this summer in Maine), I took this portrait of an Eastern Kingbird on an only post in the marsh from the seat of my trike. I carry my OM-1 and 100-400mm zoom on a Cotton Carrier on my chest as I ride, and I am, with practice, getting quick on the draw 🙂 1600mm equivalent (2x digital teleconverter). Program mode with my custom birds modifications. Processed in Pixelmator Pro. ISO 200 @ f6.3 @ 1/800th.
India! Black-headed and Glossy Ibis
Black-headed and Glossy Ibis: Chambal River, Rajasthan, India, March 2023 — After a morning Tiger drive at Rathambore (again unsuccessful) we took a drive to the Chambal River. We had already had a boat tour on the river further downstream, and, honestly, after that, we did not have high hopes for this tour…but it turned out to be completely different. Lots of birds, gars, crocodiles…a throughly enjoyable hour and half on the river, cold and hot drinks in the shade on the shore when we got back. And a camel in fancy dress! What more could you ask for. And that was the Chambal River redeemed 🙂 This is a Black-headed and a Glossy Ibis in the same frame, which gives you a good idea of just how big the Black-headed is! Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Pixelmator Pro and Apple Photos. ISO 100 @ f4.5 @ 1/1000th.
Maine! Hummer at the beach.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird: York County, Maine, USA, July 2023 — I went down to the local beach yesterday…our first sunny day after several of steady rain…to see how the Piping Plovers and Terns are doing. I did not find any Piping Plovers, but they are well away from the nests now and it is a big beach 🙂 The terns were apparently fishing the marsh pools…or another river outlet. On the way back to my trike, however, I walked up on this Ruby-throated Hummingbird sitting on the top strand of the protective fence on the back side of the dunes, facing into the wind. I suspect it is a first year bird, on the way south already, stopping to rest up for the next leg of its journey. It was not in any hurry to move, and I had to walk around behind it to get to my trike, so, of course, I took some photos. An hour later, I saw two more hummers fly by, while photographing Egrets and Cedar Waxwings deeper in the marsh up along the bridle path parallel to the river, which, rightly or wrongly, reinforced the idea that at least some Ruby-throats are already headed south. OM Systems OM-1 with 100-400mm zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Pixelmator Pro. ISO 200 @ f7.1 @ 1/1000th.
India! Grey Francolin
Grey Francolin: Rathambore Tiger Reserve, Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan, India, March 2023 — Of course we saw lots of birds at Rathambore as well. Though the Grey Francolin is the most common of the quail-like birds in India, these were our first for the trip. Feeding where two tracks crossed, very near the roads. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Pixelmator Pro and Apple Photos. ISO 1250 @ f4 @ 1/500th.
Maine! More Great Egret in flight
Great Egret: York County, Maine, USA, July 2023 — Two more shots from the sequence of the Great Egret coming in from far out in the Little River Marsh. Elegance personified. OM Systems OM-1 with 100-400mm zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my evolving birds-in-flight modifications. Processed in Pixelmator Pro. ISO 2000 @ f6.3 @ 1/4000th. +.7EV.