Greater Yellowlegs
Greater Yellowlegs, Kennebunk, Maine, USA — It is Yellowlegs season here on the southern Maine coast. Neither Greater or Lesser Yellowlegs breed here, but we see them in fair numbers coming north and going south, spring and fall. And, of course, I am always happy to see them. These were at the mouth of Back Creek where it comes into the Mousam River behind the dunes. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos.
Getting close to tom…
Wild Turkey, Wells, Maine, USA — I find the shattered glass structure of the turkey’s feathers fascinating. And then the range of textures, from the hair like chest beard to the glossy regularity of the shoulder feathers…the subtle iridescent highlights playing over the rich brown of the body…all set against the improbable skin of the head…it makes quite a study. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos.
The humble Mourning Dove
Mourning Dove, Kennebunk, Maine, USA — Either I don’t remember correctly, or we have a lot more, and a lot more regular, Mourning Doves in our yard this year. They are here every day, foraging under the feeders, both below the deck and under the trees. They are, in a subtle way, a very pretty bird…I also don’t think I had ever really looked at one until this spring, and I have come to appreciate them more and more. Sony Rx10iv at 432mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos.
Turkey time all over
Wild Turkey, Wells, Maine, USA — I don’t ever remember seeing so many turkeys as we are seeing this year. There are several large flocks that are out and about daily between my home at the south edge of Kennebunk and the north edge of Wells. And they seem particularly fearless this year…foraging in yards and along side the road…not paying much attention to passing humans. I stopped for three of these birds I saw on one side of the road, and then just stood and waited for the rest of the flock to come to me and cross the road close enough to where I was standing so that I could not get the whole turkey in a 600mm frame. Of course they are big turkeys…all big Toms in this particular flock. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos.
Pickerel Frog
Pickerel Frog, Old Falls on the Mousam River, Lyman, Maine — I went looking for a bridge to play my low whistle under (for the acoustics, just for fun), and while at Old Falls on the Mousam River, I, of course, went for a walk down the river looking for dragonflies and birds. Not may of either around, but there were little Pickerel Frogs all over the place. Beautiful little creatures, with their rich colors and interesting patterns, and great light. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos.
I see you…
Tufted Titmouse, Kennebunk, Maine, USA — Most of the birds that work the feeders by my chair blind do not seem to know I am there…and, of course, the Chickadees simply do not care…but occasionally a bird will obviously indicate that it has seen me. or seen something where I a sitting inside the blind. It might be just a flash of light reflected from my lens, or they might actually see me. This Titmouse certainly seems very aware of my presence…suddenly aware…and very interested. It only gave me a moment of its attention before deciding, apparently, that I was no threat and getting on with its foraging. This is a good thing. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos.
White-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch, Kennebunk, Maine, USA — The Red-breasted Nuthatches have been getting a lot of attention lately, but of course the White-breasted, which are much more regular at our feeders, are still around. The trick is catching them away from the feeders. 🙂 Patience and persistence. I don’t believe in luck, but I do believe in being in right place at the right time and ready. In this case, in my chair blind and with my camera in my hand. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos.
Titmouse at the fountain
Tufted Titmouse, Kennebunk, Maine, USA — I spent a few hours in my chair photo blind yesterday. Some days it is all about chickadees, but yesterday was all about titmice. There were at least 3, and they were very active…much more than usual. This one came into my bucket water fountain for a drink a couple of times while I watched. The water feature is only about 5 feet from where I set up the blind. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos.
‘nother Nuthatch
Red-breasted Nuthatch, Kennebunk, Maine, USA — Okay, they are just too cute. Irresistible photo subjects. Another shot from my chair blind in the back yard. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos.
Big Tom
Wild Turkey, Laudholm Farms, Wells, Maine, USA — Yesterday it was completely overcast all day, so I did not take my “real camera” with me when I went out for a purely exercise bike ride…and, of course, I saw over 40 Wild Turkeys in 4 different flocks…two flocks of Hens and Janes and chicks, and two flocks of Toms and Jakes. This is one of two mature Toms strutting their stuff along the road in to the Laudholm Farms (Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve). Taken with my “back-up travel camera”, a Panasonic Lumix ZS-60, at about 400mm equivalent. Program mode: ISO 125 @ f6 @ 1/100th. -.3 EV. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos.