Maine! Common Yellowthroat
Common Yellowthroat: York County, Maine, USA, May 2024 — Not an easy bird to photograph most of the time as it loves to stay tucked in behind the leaves or reeds. This on was at the forest edge in a wet meadow, and though I could hear it just fine, getting a line of sight that showed more than a piece of the bird was very challenging. 🙂 I went home not really convinced I had gotten anything, which is the generally the result of any encounter with the Common Yellowthroat. At least in my experience. OM System OM-1Mkii with M.Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Biggest Week in American Birding: Blackburnian Song
Blackburnian Warbler: Magee Marsh Boardwalk, Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, Oak Harbor, Ohio, USA, May 2024 — Looking back through my photos from the Biggest Week in American Birding, I have, actually, quite a few shots of Blackburnian Warbler, one of my favorites, even though I am pretty sure I only saw 3 individuals. Here he is in full song. OM System OM-1Mkii with M.Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator. The Blackburnian, by the way, is one of the birds due for a name change, since it was named after a person, Anna Blackburne, an English naturalist. And it is one of those birds for which I can not imagine a better name 🙁
Maine! Red-eye
Red-eyed Vireo: York County, Maine, USA, May 2024 — This is the first Red-eyed Vireo I have seen in Maine in a while. Maybe I have just not been looking in the right places. I heard it calling before it came close enough for a photo. OM System OM-1 with M.Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Biggest Week in American Birding! Memorial Day Eagle
Bald Eagle: Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, Crane Creek State Park, Oak Harbor, Ohio, USA, May 2024 — A pair of Eagles has nested over the parking area at Magee Marsh Wildlife Area for many years now. Last year there were at least 2 other nests in immediate area, but this year only the original nest seems to be active. The Eagles are very present, and a big draw for the tourists who get tired of looking for, and even at the small warblers along the boardwalk that have all the birders so excited. I mean an Eagle is an Eagle! And what better day to post an Eagle than on Memorial Day, when our thoughts go out to those who have served and died. OM System OM-1Mkii with M.Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. I had switched to Program mode with my custom birds in flight and action modifications just in cast the Eagle flew…which it was showing signs of doing. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Drink your tea tea tea
Eastern Towhee: York County, Maine, USA, May 2024 — While out looking for Lady Slipper Orchids the other day, I head at least two Eastern Towhees singing their “drink your tea” song, and eventually spotted this one well inside the little woodland there. I could not get any closer so I used the 2x digital tele-converter in the OM System OM-1Mkii with my M.Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent, for a total reach of what amounts to 1600mm. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Biggest Week in American Birding: Veery
Veery: Magee Marsh Boardwalk, Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, Crane Creek State Park, Oak Harbor, Ohio, USA, May 2024 — It is not all warblers at Magee Marsh, of course. There were, besides Robins of course, several different thrushes showing along the boardwalk, different days during the Biggest Week. This Veery was almost under the boardwalk, only a few feet out in the dense tangle between the boardwalk and the channel at the east end. Seeing it as no problem. Photographing it took some effort to find an open line of sight. OM System OM-1Mkii with M.Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Stream Cruiser
Stream Cruiser: For All Forever Preserve, Kennebunk, Maine, USA, May 2024 — The For All Forever Preserve of the Kennebunk Land Trust is becoming more accessible as they improve the access road and paths and install benches, etc. It is a great spot for early dragonflies and dragonflies that I generally don’t see elsewhere in southern Maine, like this Stream Cruiser. It is not my first Stream Cruiser, but I saw my first almost in the same spot several years ago. There were also a few Common Whitetails, lots of teneral Lancet Clubtails and both Eastern and Fragile Forktails. OM System OMM-1Mkii with M.Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Florida! Spoonbill hop
Roseate Spoonbill: Blackpoint Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Titusville, Florida, USA, January 2024 — Nothing quite equals Florida light and nothing quite equals a Roseate Spoonbill…especially one showing its wings while taking a short hop over the water. Right place, right time, and ready! OM System OM-1 with M.Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 372mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds in flight and action modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Biggest Week in American Birding: Palm
Palm Warbler: Magee Marsh Boardwalk, Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, Crane Creek State Park, Oak Harbor, Ohio, USA, May 2024 — Still photos of the Palm Warbler never do it justice as its primary “tell”…the thing that allows you to recognize it as Palm and not something else, is the constant tail bobbing. Still, it is an attractive warbler whenever seen and however recognized. OM System OM-1Mkii with M.Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Studies in Cinnamon Fern heads
Cinnamon Fern (I think). While out looking for Lady Slipper Orchids in my secret spot here Kennebunk, I could not help but notice all the ferns somewhat past fiddle head stage. I love the ornate look of the coiled fern fonds. The two wider shots here are at 800mm with the M.Zuiko 100-400IS zoom on the OM System OM-1Mkii, for about a 1:2 magnification. The tighter shots are with the same set-up but with the 2x digital tele-extender added for a 1:1 magnification. Depending on the device you are viewing the photos on the close-up are probably life size or better. Program mode. Processed in Photomator.
