Category: photography

Bear on the Adirondack Rail Trail

I was hoping to see some birds or other creatures from a rail trail in the Adirondack Mountains (Adirondack Rail Trail) that cuts through a wetlands type area before it turns into woods. Did not see many birds or dragonflies. However, on my return heading towards the parking area I saw this bear politely sauntering across the trail after a bicyclist passed by.

Bear on the Adirondack Rail Trail – The cyclist ahead of him had no idea the bear came on the trail right after him.

Down the trail in the photo appears to be Fowler’s Crossing trailhead and parking. It crosses route 86 between Ray Brook and Saranac Lake. My understanding is the trail goes between Lake Placid and Saranac Lake. From Saranac Lake it goes to Lake Clear, then Floodwood and on to Tupper Lake. Not all sections or the trail are open yet. I only walked a few miles and back. Check the websites related to the Adirondack Rail Trail to find out which sections are currently accessible.

This was taken on the fly with a regular lens. I did not have my zoom lens on the camera. Rats! Sometimes I think animals are more polite than some people. Have a great Friday! Get out and enjoy the outdoors!

Green Heron Catching Prey

I could not tell what this Greenie was trying to catch. Is it a feather, or some kind of bug? Is it something from a tree?

Green Heron Catching Prey
Green Heron Catching Prey
Green Heron Catching Prey

I think it was hoping for a dragonfly. Do you know what the object of his attention is?

Star Lake

I read somewhere this lake was private, but I found a state operated fishing access boat launch. This means you can kayak here.

Star Lake

This launch has a parking lot across from a gas station store off of route 3 in Star Lake, NY. There are a few parking spaces. I seemed to be the only one that was launching a boat. Others stopped to park there to eat lunch it appeared. It had at least one picnic table at the parking area. I did not see a privy/ outhouse on site.

Star Lake

Above is the road down to the launch. I walked my kayak down with the use of kayak wheels.The road was very affected by erosion and had ruts near the top. I am not sure if this area was affected by the storm that delivered 10 inches an hour or so north.

Star Lake

The lake had many houses along certain parts of it, some having boat houses. These are not as elaborate as the ones in the areas of Lake Placid and Saranac Lakes.

Wildlife

Star Lake- Heron

This heron flew into a tree branch on the shady side of an island.

Star Lake – Loon

There were multiple adult loons here sticking together when I was there. I think I saw 4. They were getting along and diving down in spurts. This was taken with a zoom lens at quite a distance and heavily cropped. The quality is not as good as the photos I get of the loons who swim up to my kayak.

Star Lake – Cormorant

There were two cormorants in a tree. This one had better light on it.

Star Lake

These signs are in the shape of the Adirondack Park. They had a few of these no wake signs up on the lake. All boats were slow moving that day. I was more concerned with the wind.

Star Lake

I did not take too many photos of the lake itself. The wind again concerned me. In addition there were many houses along parts of it and people in the water or on shore. I try not to take pictures including people when I can.

Star Lake

This is the boat launch from the lake. It was easy to get in and out of the lake here, the ruts due to erosion made it a little difficult to move your kayak down to the water. I rate it a nice lake to a canoe or kayak on a day trip.

If You Build it, They Will Come: Osprey

I believe in order to control where osprey build nests in different spots in New York they are building platforms on top of telephone / power poles etc, to attract their nest building to that location. I usually see these as active osprey nests once they are built.

If You Build it, They Will Come: Osprey. – It even has a pole to perch on.

This osprey nest had two osprey on it when I first saw it , but one flew away to an area with possibly a creek or river nearby. I assume this is an adult. I do not think I saw any young. I am guessing they fledged already.

It was a nice find. My GPS actually led me the wrong way to get to the nearby location I was stopping at. I’m actually glad it did. It had me backtrack and go a different way when I continued ahead after it readjusted. A mistake by the GPS worked out to be a good thing. Take advantage of these moments. Have a great week!

Barred Owl Basking in a Sliver of Light

I do not know how people get owls in great light. I never see barred owls especially, out in the open. They are usually hiding in a bush, within the dark part of the woods, or within branches.

Barred Owl Basking in a Sliver of Light – One eye open
Barred Owl Basking in a Sliver of Light – Eyes closed

Luckily I found this barred owl basking in a sliver of light. These are not recent shots. Enjoy your week!

People of London – Dean

I believe this was during my first day in London. I was walking in a posh neighbourhood admiring the architecture when this man who was waiting in a car and talking to another man stopped me. He asked me what I was taking pictures of and where I posted them. Then he asked me to take his picture.

People of London – Dean

Was Dean a driver, security, a tradesmen working on a nearby house, or did he live in the neighbourhood?

So here you go Dean! Have a great weekend!

The Horse and Guardsman Pub

The Horse & Guardsman, which  opened in November of 2021, is a pub worth visiting, not just because of its location, but its decor and food. The pub honours the King’s Horse Guard who are stationed nearby.

The Horse and Guardsman Pub – Pub Sign

Interior

This pub had a lineup waiting to get in. Because they had a full house, I did not take pictures inside of the decor or architecture. Unless there are not many people, I do not attempt inside pictures. The pub has lovely decor in honour of its namesake the Horse Guardsmen. There are paintings , photos, and other artifacts related to the King’s Horse Guards.

Exterior

The Horse and Guardsman Pub

I like the way they displayed the flag. Most pubs have the flag in some form outside or inside. It is also on the pub sign below.

The Horse and Guardsman Pub

Food

Some pubs may be more modern in terms of food choices, but many like this pub also will have some of the traditional British foods. This pub has some interesting savoury pies on the menu and also has gluten free items to choose from. They do roasts on Sunday. In my opinion their variety of menu choices should have almost everyone covered.

Location

The Horse and Guardsman pub is on Whitehall. South of the pub on the same street is the Royal Horse Guards and the Household Calvary Museum. Going north from the pub is Trafalgar Square. Across the street and not far is the street Great Scotland Yard, named for the police service.

Horse and Guardsman Pub – Royal Horse Guards down the street
Horse and Guardsman Pub – Royal Horse Guards down the street

If you are visiting Trafalgar Square, the Royal Horse Guards, or the Household Calvary Museum it is worth stopping at the pub for a bite to eat and to see the decor. This pub highlights one of the iconic things about England, the Horse Guards.

Mystery Bird

All you bird experts out there, I need your help. Can you identify this bird? I assume it is a duck, but I ran this through Merlin North American and Europe and nothing seemed to be an absolute match. I am far from an expert.

Mystery Bird

It appears to have red eyes and an orange beak. The colour on top of its head is a darker brown. I do not know if this is a juvenile or an adult. I saw this in one of the parks in London. That of course does not mean necessarily that it is native to Europe. What are your thoughts? Can anyone identify this mystery bird? Or could this even be a hybrid cross between two birds?

Chiloe Wigeon

I was lucky to see a lot of birds I have not seen before in England. The royal Parks and other parks in London were great places to view some of these birds. The chiloe wigeon was one of them.

Chiloe Wigeon

Appearance

With Chiloe Wigeons both male and female look similar, but the male may be brighter. It has rusty coloured sides. They have white cheeks and a white forehead. They also have a metallic green head. Chiloe wigeons are small ducks.

Diet

The diet of a chiloe wigeon includes water plants, crustaceans, and tadpoles.

Location

The chiloe wigeon is often found in wetlands, marshes, lakes, and along rivers. The chiloe wigeon gets along with other waterfowl, but more often seen near or on the shore shore, grazing in grassy areas. This bird is mainly found in the southern part of South America, but it is also seen in parts of Europe including England.

Don’t discount parks in cities, you may find a lot of wildlife you are not expecting.

Bath Telephone Booths

Bath, England has a rather nice city centre that is walkable. Several streets across from the train station are closed to most vehicle traffic. There are a lot of restaurants, shops, and pubs. One thing they do is decorate the telephone boxes and streets in the shopping area. Below are just a few of the Bath telephone booths that are decorated.

Bath Telephone Booths – This one is next to the train station. Warning this one was hard to get a picture by itself on a Saturday. It seems to have a full schedule of photoshoots with Instagrammers.
Bath Telephone Booths – An artist had fun with this telephone booth.

The photos above and below are made of Cotswold stone. Bath is at the edge of the Cotswolds.

Bath Telephone Booths

The British love flowers. I love it when towns do something different to spuce up their city centres. What do you think? Do you have a favourite?