Red-shouldered Hawk
An early morning capture of a Red-shouldered Hawk, hanging out on a wire, watching the ground below….taking a moment to put that eye on me for this profile shot.
Red-shouldered Hawk
Snowy Egret Lands To Fish
I still remember the wonderful experience with this Snowy Egret in breeding plumage that I photographed this past May back home in Maryland.
Snowy Egret coming in for a landing
Snowy Egret landing
Snowy Egret goes fishing
“Eye on the prize”
Snowy Egret misses the strike (and so don’t I!)
The Snowy Egret’s bare skin on their face changes color from yellow to reddish during breeding season
“Strike”
“Striking again”
“Another Strike”
“The Prize”
(for all that hard work and splash in the face!)
Hanging at the boardwalk, waiting and hoping for any bird to arrive……became well worth the wait for this beautiful Snowy Egret photo session. 😊
Snowy Egrets In Flight
A collage of Snowy Egrets in flight from this past winter, taken in Florida.
I couldn’t pick just one to share!
(click on first to enlarge and run through series)
Snow Egret B&W
Snowy Egret Flock #1
Snowy Egret Landing
Snowy Egret Flock #2
Snowy Egret Feet in Flight
Snow Egret Flight Along the Beach
Snowy Egrets in Flight
Which one do you like best if you could pick just one? 🧐 😊
Canada Geese – With Something to Say
The pair of resident Canada Geese drinking in unison in my previous post are also featured in this one as well. But this post shows what happened just prior to the drinking.
It was sweet, Mr & Mrs Canada Goose were taking a leisurely walk around the water, when a pair of newcomers dropped down from the sky and immediately started walking towards them.
The Newcomers
The Territory Owners
The Newcomers “The Showdown” The Residents Mr & Mrs
The male resident goose quickly got loud and stern, letting the newcomers know this was his turf. He’s so agitated, it even got the hair up on his neck.
Canada Geese
Canada Geese
Canada Geese
Canada Geese
Canada Geese
The resident male Canada Goose letting the newcomers know they are not welcomed
The newcomers made a change in their walking direction towards and into the water, leaving without incident or so much a squabble.
And residents, Mr & Mrs Canada Goose, continued their leisurely stroll, heading for that puddle of water to drink and celebrate in unison.
Canada Geese – Drinking In Unison
Photographing this pair of Canada Geese drinking water, I got lucky when they drank in unison. The reflections were a bonus.
Canada Geese
Canada Geese
Canada Geese
It is refreshing to see birds and other wildlife quench their thirst. 😊
An interesting fact, Canada Geese mate for life!
Sights Along The Biking Trails
Since the birds aren’t cooperating with any photo shoots on the biking trails (who can blame them when two bikes are headed right at them!), I’ll share a few photos I’ve stopped to capture in the last two months.
Biking trail
Tree roots reaching for the river
Lake Kekionga with pier
My e-bike, I love it!!
Biking trail along St Mary’s River
Lake Kekionga – an awesome place to take a break!
Historic Erie Railroad Bridge
RR Bridge Abstract
Historic Erie Railroad Bridge
We all know those birds are hiding from me in those photos. 😉
Lees Ferry, Marble Canyon
Lees Ferry is a historical site on the Colorado River in Arizona, about 7-8 miles from Page, Arizona. It lies at the start of Marble Canyon and is considered the official beginning of Grand Canyon National Park.
For hundreds of miles, the site of Lees Ferry was one of only two places where one could easily access the Colorado River from both sides. This site served as an important river crossing for the Anasazi, Paiute and Navajo peoples, followed by Spanish expeditions, and eventually as a gateway for the expansion of American settlement from Utah south into Arizona.
In 1873, John Doyle Lee (who the site is named after) launched his first boat to ferry people across at this site to improve crossing.
Ferry service continued until 1928 when the nearby Navajo Bridge was completed that allowed for the far more efficient automobile travel between Utah and Arizona.
Lees Ferry, Marble Canyon, Arizona
Today, Lees Ferry provides a campground and is one of the best launching points for whitewater rafting trips down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.
(Photo taken July 2016)
Flower Power – Another Hibiscus
Sharing a little ‘sunshine’ to brighten your day!
Hibiscus
Red-Bellied Woodpecker – Berry Good!
I am still in Indiana, although this was not as planned. Right now we should be in South Dakota, exploring the Badlands National Park and Custer State Park.
Our motorhome was scheduled June 8th for three weeks to complete warranty work. We are now in Week 7, and the manufacturer says two more weeks. We are frustrated to say the least. Two trip destinations canceled so far.
It’s been hot in Indiana along with the rest of the country, so birding has been limited. We’ve been bike riding, so stopping along a trail when you see a bird to photograph isn’t an easy task….they usually take flight with us coming at them!
I lucked out with this one at a break stop.
Red-bellied Woodpecker
We all have stresses these days, so my husband and I are putting what we’re going through into perspective. We’re making do and staying safe. Hopefully, we are back on the road in a couple weeks to make our next reservation in Montana for a month’s stay. Montana’s been a retirement dream trip for us for a long time.
In the meantime, if I cannot find the birds here in Indiana, you’re likely to see more of my Florida birds from the past winter (I still have so many not shared!) or from home in the mid-Atlantic, or even possibly photos from our 2016 summer trip cross country. I’ve been reminiscing through them lately. 😊
Green Heron – Preening
I get a lot of enjoyment watching a bird preen its feathers. They do it so carefully, so precise. With their beak, no less!
Of course, preening is vital to a bird’s survival. It is a maintenance behavior where a bird uses its beak to position feathers, interlock feather barbules that have become separated, clean plumage, and keep parasites in check.
This beautiful Green Heron was really giving its feathers a workout. Out of the series I shot, I liked these five photos, three of which show the Green Heron cleaning a specific feather.
Green Heron Preening
Green Heron Preening 2
Green Heron Preening 3
Green Heron Preening 4
“Can I help you?”
Green Heron preening
I think that last photo told me to move on…..which I did! 🙂
Bay Photos by Donna 