Series: Take A Moment and Enjoy A Sunset
After a few days of rain, our skies began to finally clear late yesterday afternoon. And then, after arriving to South Carolina a week ago, our first gorgeous, dramatic sunset unfolded over the lake for our enjoyment.
A sundog even appeared to the left of the sun itself (between the two trees in the foreground).
It was a moment of reflection, a moment of thought.
And a moment of thankfulness to the Artist above for our new chapter in life.
Sunset over Lake Greenwood from our RV lot
Ahhhhh…..life is good!
Back to Birding and Nature
I knew I’d have to take a couple weeks’ break from blogging, and I had hoped to post my intention; but, well, our plans to hit the road came a few days sooner and there was no time.
We’ve been out west and picked up our new RV that finally finished production. Yay! After a return trip to Maryland, we packed it up and headed to Lake Greenwood in South Carolina, in search for warmer weather.
And it is most definitely warmer here than the mid-Atlantic! I’ll be in SC for several weeks, working out the bugs and learning all the gizmos and gadgets on the RV. And getting back to my passion…..photographing birds and being one with nature.
Here’s a sampling of what I’ve already captured in less than an hour around our campsite. 🙂
Northern Cardinal
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Northern Mockingbird
Northern Mockingbird
Great Blue Heron
I can already tell I’m going to have a lot of fun getting back to birding and nature!
Thanks for catching up with me, I will soon be by to catch up with all of you. 🙂
Turkey Vulture Silhouette
Sharing a bird silhouette I thought appropriate for Halloween…..
Turkey Vulture
Chesapeake Bay Sea Nettles – Water Ballet II
I previously shared photos and information on Chesapeake Bay Sea Nettles that had suddenly appeared in large numbers in Cambridge Creek back in September. (previous post here)
Most of the Sea Nettles didn’t stay but a few days before the tides carried them away to new destinations. Luckily a few big ones remained for a week or more, so I continued to photograph them when they were gliding at the top of the water near me.
Shade and overcast days worked best, as well as early morning when the water was usually calm.
I hope you enjoy another photo series of “Sea Nettle Water Ballet”.
Chesapeake Bay Sea Nettle photographed in direct sunlight.
“Avoiding Collision”
“Surfacing”
Chesapeake Bay Sea Nettle (processed B&W)
Chesapeake Bay Sea Nettle (processed B&W)
Chesapeake Bay Sea Nettles “Water Ballet”
I thought this next especially large sea nettle with 6-8 foot tentacles gave an appearance of a bride. What do you think? 😊
“Here Comes The Bride I”
“Here Comes The Bride II”
“Here Comes The Bride”
Barn Swallows
Our area Barn Swallows are long gone for the fall/winter, having migrated to Central and South America.
Any time I was over at our marina this past summer, the small colony that lived beneath our dock were always flying around or perched on boat lines. Even on top of our bimini, where they loved to sit and poop, much to my husband’s dismay.
Here’s four more of my favorites from this past summer not shared previously.
Barn Swallows
Barn Swallow
Juvenile Barn Swallows
Barn Swallow
Incoming Canada Geese
Our skies and waters are beginning to show the early arrivals of the thousands of migrating Canada Geese that will come to spend the fall and winter on Maryland’s Eastern Shore farms and marshes.
Canada Geese
Did you know?
Canada Geese pair up and mate for life. That’s goose commitment!
Cambridge Creek Turtles
Two turtles that co-habitat together in Cambridge Creek. As the season begins to change, they will both bury deep in the mud to hibernate and reappear in the Spring.
Diamondback Terrapin
Diamondback Terrapin
Diamondback Terrapin
Diamondback Terrapin
Diamondback Terrapins
Snapping Turtle
Snapping Turtle
Snapping Turtle “Curious Big Boy”
And the turtles, of course…
All the turtles are FREE
As turtles and, maybe,
ALL creatures should be.
— Dr Seuss
A Cormorant & The Fish That Almost Got Away – Action Sequence
Cormorants have an impressive fishing technique of diving and chasing fish underwater using their powerful webbed feet and awesome underwater vision.
Once they hook a fish with their beak, the Cormorant returns to the surface to toss and swallow it.
After this Cormorant resurfaced with its catch, it missed the toss! The fish tried desperately to get away; but the Cormorant was too quick to let that happen.
(click on the first photo to run through the action!)
A Cormorant surfaces with a fish.
Time for the toss to swallow…
Oops! The Cormorant misses and the fish gets away!
There’s the fish, where’s the Cormorant?
Ah-ha! The Cormorant resurfaces with the fish but should he try tossing it again?.
“Hmmmm….you’re a slippery one…”
Cormorant contemplating his next move…..
….and decides no tossing this time…..
GULP!!
Double-crested Cormorant working hard for its meal
One Perch – Two Hours – Three Big Birds
My last post featured a Bald Eagle captured in flight as it went up and down Cambridge Creek.
There was more to the story…. 😉
It’s possible mate was on the Osprey nest platform. (Oh, Osprey Bella would be so upset if she knew!)
Bald Eagle
Because there was no fighting or aggression between the two Eagles over the fish meal, I suspected they were mates.
Bald Eagle with a fish
The Eagle in flight did leave the area after flying past me, leaving this Eagle to finish its meal.
Eagle cleaning its beak alongside the wood.
Eagle cleaning its beak alongside the wood.
Eagle cleaning its beak alongside the wood.
After the meal was gone, the Bald Eagle cleaned its beak alongside the wood
Did you notice the leg band above? I discovered it when I downloaded my photos! I unfortunately could not make out any numbers or letters.
Finally, a great Eagle profile when the sun shined.
Bald Eagle showing off its leg band
I checked a half hour later to see if the Eagle was still on the platform. It was gone.
But look what I found in its place.
Great Blue Heron
Well, that was a pleasant surprise!
Great Blue Heron
The Great Blue Heron was just hanging out in the breezy conditions. Nice! I watched it off and on for a few minutes.
Great Blue Heron “one-legging it”
Less than a half hour later, I did a quick look; the Great Blue Heron was gone.
Oh, but now look what I found perched!
Turkey Vulture
While the Eagle was eating its fish, there was a Turkey Vulture soaring overhead, I’m sure keeping an eye on the platform and any possible leftovers.
But then that Great Blue Heron showed up after the Eagle departed.
Finally, with the Great Blue Heron gone, the Turkey Vulture could land and clean up the platform.
Turkey Vulture eating the remains of the fish
Turkey Vulture
This two-hour experience has me back to glancing at the platform more often, who knows what I might see on it next time!
An Eagle In Flight
A few days ago, my husband shouted, “Eagle!” I was out the slider door and onto the balcony with my camera in-hand lickity split! 😉
I spotted the Bald Eagle flying down Cambridge Creek, make a U-turn, and head back my direction. As it closed in, the Eagle then turned again and flew directly in front of me.
Bald Eagle
(no crop, only ‘sized’ for this post)
Bald Eagle
(since I caught him at the bottom of my frame, I cropped this shot)
I will never tire of the majestic Bald Eagle making a surprise appearance!
Bay Photos by Donna 