Monthly Archives: February 2024
Maine! Bye
Bald Eagle: York County, Maine, USA, February 2024 — I was surprised to find our local Eagle pair on their perch in the tall pine on the other side of the river late one afternoon. The sun was behind them and they were deep in the shadow of the pine. Still you have to try. Both sat for me for a few seconds after I saw them, but then one decided it was time to go. Not a perfect shot, but the best I could manage in the situation. OM Systems OM-1 Mkii with ED 100-400mm IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Florida! Dance a little dance
Reddish Egret: Blackpoint Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Titusville, Florida, USA, January 2024 — I have probably said this before, but one of my favorite things to do is to watch Reddish Egrets hunting. Such a wild and wonderful dance. Such intense purpose and such unlikely postures. This was my first Reddish encounter on my very first day at Merritt Island, before the Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival even began. OM Systems OM-1 with ED 100-400mm IS zoom at 614mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds-in-flight and action modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Robin at work
American Robin: York County, Maine, USA, February 2024 — Carol found the local flock of Robins yesterday, working the vines in the tall trees up the street, so I had to walk up and check for Cedar Waxwings…and take a few Robin photos. I like the delicate beak work here as the Robin harvested berries. I think these are crabapple, and there are quite a few trees in one neighborhood, so lots of Robins, when the berries have frozen and thawed often enough to concentrate the sugar. There were several Cedar Waxwings as well, but I was not able to get as close to them. OM Systems OM-1 Mkii with ED 100-400mm IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Costa Rica! Overhead
Scarlet and Great Green Macaws (and hybrids): Macaw Ranch, Sarapiqui Valley, Costa Rica, December 2023 — Of course not all the flying Macaw shots I took were at eye-level. The flock put on a good overhead show as well. Two Scarlets in the first shot, and the mixed flock in the second. OM Systems OM-1 with ED 100-400mm IS zoom at 300 and 200mm equivalents. Program mode with my custom birds-in-flight and action modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Stand and deliver!
Common Loon: York County, Maine, USA, February 2024 — This is a common behavior for Common Loons. This one did it 3 times while I was watching and the 3rd time I was ready for him. It is a whole production with the bird rising slowly out of the water and extending its wings several times before settling back. I am not sure what purpose it serves. It does not appear to be any kind of display, as this bird was all alone in the creek. Unless it was just practicing. I suspect though it has more to do with shaking the water out of the wings, or warming itself between dives. OM Systems OM-1 Mkii with ED 100-400mm IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Florida! Tricolor
Tricolored Heron: Blackpoint Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Titusville, Florida, USA, January 2024 — There are a two ways you can go on foot from the rest stop parking half way around Blackpoint Wildlife Drive at Merritt Island…or maybe I should say two ends of the big loop trail. You can go straight out, and a long way round, or you can walk out to the observation tower and back. I have only done the whole loop once, and was in some fear I might never get back, so I generally just walk out to the tower. I did not go to the Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival during Covid, of course, and they only got rekindled this year, but there was a Tricolored Heron sitting just exactly were I saw and photographed one sitting, just this side of the tower, 4 years ago. Maybe the same heron? OM Systems OM-1 with ED 100-400mm IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! See what I got!
Common Loons: York County, Maine, USA, February 2024 — The loons were having a productive morning. As I watched one or another of the 4 working within sight took a crab from the bottom of the inlet every 5 minutes or so. This one seemed proud of his catch…though it was not the biggest one I saw that morning. Maybe it is a he and a she and she hoped he was in a sharing mood? OM Systems OM-1 Mkii with ED 100-400mm IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Costa Rica! Cuteness
White-faced Capuchin Monkey: Macaw Ranch, Sarapiqui Valley, Costa Rica, December 2023 — Cuteness overload. This youngster must be reaching its last days of backpacking on mom. In fact it hopped off as she went up a tree trunk in search of food. OM Systems OM-1 with ED 100-400mm IS zoom at 200, 300, and 372mm equivalents. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator and Apple Photos.
Maine! happy couple
Red-breasted Merganser: York County Maine, USA, February 2024 — And here is the happy couple: Male and female Red-breasted Mergansers showing their fancy party hairdos. OM Systems OM-1 Mkii with ED 100-400mm IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Florida! Anhinga
Anhinga: Blackpoint Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Titusville, Florida, USA, January 2024 — Anhinga’s out drying. Female and male. Male entering breeding plumage. Called the “snake” bird for its habit of swimming with its body totally submerged and just its head and long neck showing above the water. OM Systems OM-1 with ED 100-400mm IS zoom at 800mm equivalent (female) and 454mm equivalent (male). Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.