Category: travel

Short-Eared Owls on the Hunt

What do you do on a day off? Besides running some errands I also went to see how close the short-eared owls would come today.

Short-eared Owl on the hunt – fly by
Short-eared owls on the hunt
Short-Eared Owls on the hunt. – This one flew over a trail you allowed on.
Short-Eared Owl on the hunt

It helped that is was a sunny day and not too windy. They came out at around sunset, so we all had a little bit of time to photography them. They were closer than I had seen them from early December through the beginning of February on Sundays, but not too close. These are all taken with a zoom lens and are heavily cropped. Squeeze in some time with nature and wildlife on your days off. Have a great week!

Hawk Opening Act

The main attraction at one place I visit is short eared owls. I usually can only go during the weekend. Too many people are there then, so the owls do not come close to the areas you are allowed to stand while visiting. Occasionally, on a weekday they may come close to the photographers. However, so far I have only been able to stop by on one day during the weekends. Luckily this hawk has started to entertain us. I think it either wants to know what the fuss is, or it is a diva. The hawk seems to be saying, “Look at Me!”

Hawk Opening Act

I believe it is a red -tailed hawk. It is obliging and lands on trees, buildings, and posts. Sometimes the opening acts are better than the main show. Don’t discount them.

Speakeasy Motors

A Speakeasy is a place where alcoholic beverages were sold illegally during the Prohibition years in the USA (1920–33). Some think the word came from speak-softly shops, which were illegal drinking establishments in England and Ireland in the 19th century. Since alcohol was illegal people needed to be secretive. Customers were expected to speak quietly while inside the establishments to avoid being found out. Speakeasies in the USA did not become well known until 1920, when an amendment to the Constitution outlawed alcohol. In New York City there were between 20,000–100,000 speakeasies.

Speakeasy Motors

Driving on a rural road, I came across this vintage vehicle being used for advertising. It is advertising Speakeasy Motors. I love finding repurposed old vehicles. How about you?

Red Hook Doors

I love old doors. I went on a short trip through Red Hook, New York and some of the old doors stood out to me with their Christmas greens. Included are a few I saw.

Red Hook Doors- My favourite- Unfortunately I could not get too close. I took this from the sidewalk and there was a bush in front of the view.
Red Hook Doors- single door
Red Hooks Doors- Houses with 2 doors had two wreaths
Red Hook Doors- Double Door Double Wreath

The weather has been very uncooperative this week. We have had dark skies and rain. Seeing the decorations has been a highlight. My favourite is the first one. Which one is yours?

Grinch House

Took some family on a ride on some streets in another county that were said to have good displays. One house stood out for me. It was the house that was made to look like Grinch. (I took the photo with my phone).

Grinch House

This Grinch House light display came complete with his dog. The windows are his eyes. The attic window is his hat. The door appears to be his nose. They are making him smile. Have you seen any unique decorations on your travels this year?

Christmas Sheds

These were taken on the NY – Connecticut border. I personally like the two darker colours, but that is just preference.

Christmas Sheds – Dark
Christmas Sheds – medium
Christmas Sheds – light

It seems as if I am seeing less decorations this year. The houses with children ten to have the blow up decorations. Some houses have wreaths, but to me it seems there are less. Maybe it is the sign of the economy, things costing more, and people having less money. How is it in your neck of the woods? Are there more, the same amount or less decorations than before COVID?

Gallery- Loon Photos

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to display these at two different galleries.

Loon Piggy Back

The photo on top was displayed in metal print at a gallery about 2 hours north of the city for a month. Only one piece or artwork could be submitted. The same image was also displayed in print form at another gallery.

Loon Door Dash

The image from on top and the image under were both on display in a small gallery in Manhattan for a short period of time this month. I submitted the prints for the show and someone else framed them. Not a big deal, but a big deal for me.

Carole A Feuerman Exhibit

The following were on display in Manhattan this summer/ early fall. I was on my way south from Grand Central and it was nice to see this on little strips of land between north and south board lanes. These are all phone photos.

There were others to see. I love the art that is viewable to all. Enjoy the rest of your week!

Port Hope at Night

I do not have the lens for this, but I thought I would try anyways. I made a quick trip up to Ontario, Canada during the Thanksgiving holiday. This is one little town I like to stop in. It is on the lake and has a river that goes downhill emptying into it.

In the late summer or early fall there is a salmon run going up the river. Fishermen line the river hoping to snag one. I hope you had a wonderful weekend. Here’s hoping the coming one is too!

Loggerhead Shrike

This bird seems to be a big deal in my area. Some have acted like it was a major tick on your bird watching list. We do not seem to be in its breeding or non breeding range, however, there are maps that show in huge swathes of areas that are breeding and non-breeding areas. I am told this is a loggerhead shrike, although it was far away and I could not get a clear picture.

I did see the tell tale signs along the trail. I saw low bushes with pointy branches with impaled insects on them. Oddly this reminds me of the shish kebab I ate last night.

I do not think I would have spotted this bird on my own. I have issues spotting the smaller birds at long distances. Luckily a few others spotted it in the general vicinity of the bushes I found, although not close, and closer to another taller bush with an insect impaled on it. It was quite a distance and I’m not sure my lens is working so great in the past coupl of months.

Regardless of the poor quality of the image I was happy to get the chance to see this bird. Is this bird really that rare to find? I’m sure other bird watchers have seen it.