photography – Page 3 – Sharon's Iconic Travel Photography Blog

Bufflehead

Some birds that are native to North America, I have not seen in North America. One such bird is the Bufflehead. I saw this bird for the first time in London, England.

There are sightings in England and Europe for these on All About Birds. I was kind of thrown off in identifying this diving duck. I am far from an expert and the colouring listed online for a bufflehead female appears to be brown, but in these images the duck appears to be black. I will have to look through my pictures more, but I do not think I captured a male. This female was on a pond on a cloudy day. The pond was mostly well shaded by trees hanging over it creating an even darker situation.

In multiple images not taken in consecutive order it appeared maybe a hook was in its beak. I could be wrong, but to be on the safe side I contacted the entity responsible for the pond and they were going to check it out.

Again, I would like to emphasis that sometimes what many think is not the best lighting can still create nice lighting for your images. Don’t discount the cloudy days.

Surprise! A Great Horned Juvenile

I have heard crows complaining on hikes. Sometimes it is good to check it out as it might be a bird of prey that are fussing about. Surprise! A great horned juvenile was there.

I knew it was a great horned, but a friend messaged me it was a juvenile after I took a picture with my phone of the back of my camera. It is still fuzzy on the head and the ears are not quite like an adult’s ears yet.

Surprise! A Great Horned Juvenile – mobbed by crows

It was unexpected for a few reasons, but I was happy to spot it. It was dark in this part of the woods and it was before sunset, so I could not increase the shutter speed, hence the crows are blurred a bit. This is the first time I have seen a juvenile great horned owl after it fledged. Expect the unexpected.

Busy Osprey Family

I went to check on the Osprey family this weekend. Parents were flying in and out of the nest, which is a good sign the baby or babies hatched.

I was hoping to see a parent bring in a fish, but not this time.

I only got a few pictures that included a baby osprey. This is one of them. I do not know if this is the only one.

Busy Osprey Family – Feeding the young fish

I do not think the parent was feeding herself here. They seemed to be handing off low to a baby in the nest.

Busy Osprey Family – Reinforcing the nest

I did not witness a fish being brought in, but saw one of the parents bring in a stick, Considering there is visible in this picture a big hole in this nest, it is probably a good idea. Were you busy this weekend? I hope you had time to relax.

Downy Woodpecker Family

I see and hear various woodpeckers in my area. There is only one kind I have been able to catch the babies peaking out of the tree hole of the nesting tree. It is the Downy woodpecker.

I usually can at least find the tree the babies are in because I heard them making sounds begging for food. It does not always mean you will be able to catch sight of the hole. Sometimes by the time you hear the babies start making the sounds, the hole may be well camouflaged by leaves.

The parents are usually fairly close by pecking at trees for bugs. Sometimes they even look for food on the nest tree.

I have no idea what kind of food they caught in either of these pictures. Our woods is full of bugs due to all the rain we have experienced the past year, so they won’t go hungry.

Downy Woodpecker Family – Mom feeding baby

I believe the babies have fledged from this particular tree, but I know of at least three other trees in the same woods where the Downy babies were still in the hole. This pictures were before sunset, taken from a distance, and heavily cropped.

If you go to All About Birds the babies sound kind of like this in the woods when they are in the tree, but soon to fledge. I usually start hearing them right before they fledge.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Downy_Woodpecker/sounds

Walk slow and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. What woodpeckers do you see along your journeys?

The Gray Ghost

What do you think of when you hear the term “gray ghost?” For some it brings to mind the football player, Tony Canadeo, who played for the Green Bay Packers many years ago and earned his place in the Hall of Fame. Some people think automatically of of Bruce Wayne’s hero in Batman. Others think of Confederate soldier Mosby who led raids on Federal supply lines during the US Civil War and was known for his ability to appear, disappear, and blend in with locals. But did you know there is a hawk that is known as the gray ghost? The male northern harrier has that nickname.

Males have different colouring than females. All the pictures shown here are male northern harriers.

The Gray Ghost It flys just above and among the tops of the tall grasses.

Diet

Northern harriers eat small rodents such as mice and voles. The location of these pictures appears to have many mice and voles. Amongst other things they eat small rabbits and other birds. They say many farmers like northern harriers because they eat mice that damage crops. Harriers are sometimes called “good hawks” because they pose no threat to poultry as some hawks do.

The Gray Ghost – The one above has blood on its claws from the last catch.

How they Hunt

Northern harriers hunt by flying low to the ground in open areas during the daytime. I frequently see them flying in the late afternoon before the owls come up. When hunting, harriers circle an area several times listening and looking for prey. They can hover and make sharp turns. When they spot prey, they swoop down and grab the prey with their sharp claws. They will also steal prey from owls, which I have seen them try to do at the location pictured.

Native American Symbolism

According to Texas Parks and Wildlife some Native American tribes believe that seeing a hawk on your wedding day is a sign of a long, happy marriage.

This bird has been ghost like and elusive to me. This is the first year I have seen it up close enough to get good shots. Maybe it was tired of the attention the owls were getting. Have a great rest of your week.

Fishkill Doors

I found some more doors! This time in Fishkill, New York. Many of these doors may be newer ones, but they have character. They also have nice wreath displays.

Fishkill Doors – this family totally renovated this old house over the past few years

Fishkill Doors- the Old Dutch Church built in 1725. It was used as a prison during the Revolutionary War

Fishkill Doors -I believe this house had several nice things as a part of the display spread out across the porch. The husband came out and said the wife does these displays herself.

Fishkill Doors – These doors look original.

Fishkill Doors – more likely a modern one

Fishkill Doors – cemetery chapel I am not sure how old this building is.

It is very hard for me to pick a favourite. They are all good in their own way. The first four are a four way tie first place for me. What do you think?

It was another dark and dreary day in a sea of dark and dreary days. Still trying to get out regardless. The walking trails in the woods are far too muddy to traverse. Don’t count out days that do not cooperate weather wise! Have a happy and safe New Year!

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!

Christmas Baby

Have you ever tried to try something you have not done before? Have you tried to expand your horizons? I have used backgrounds and lighting before, but I yet to take a class in lighting or portraits. Here is my first foray into baby pictures.

What I have learned

You have to have a lot of patience to do a baby picture shoot. The parent needs to as well. Be prepared to stop for feeding, pacifier breaks, and diaper changes. Occupy older siblings to handle props. It will help them stave off boredom and make them feel a part of the experience. Its better if you allocate a large time block. This one involved two hours.

It was good to try something new. It helps to expand your horizons. Have you tried something different lately?

Tag: photography

Bufflehead

Surprise! A Great Horned Juvenile

Busy Osprey Family

Downy Woodpecker Family