Bird Photography – Page 18

Cooper’s Hawk

June 22, 2018 by Earthwatcher, posted in Bird Photography, Birds, Fujifilm Cameras, Photography, raptor, Wildlife

We have an active backyard. Several species of birds frequent our feeder and the ground beneath. My wife is always chasing squirrels from the feeder. This afternoon, we had an unexpected visitor – a Cooper’s Hawk. He was very gracious. He hung around for about 15 minutes and allowed me to photograph him. Interesting though, no birds came to the feeder, no squirrels came around. Not a tweet could be heard; not even from the baby starling that has been crying all week. It took about an hour after the hawk left for backyard life to resume.

Regards,

Larry

Note: Click on caption to see larger, higher resolution image.

Note: This and other images are available to purchase at my website: www.earthwatcher.us or by contacting larry@earthwatcher.us

Some Interesting Wildlife Sightings

June 14, 2018 by Earthwatcher, posted in Bird Photography, Birds, Photography, Reptile, Snake, Wildlife

Grey Catbird Defending Nest Against Northern Black Racer Snake — Gray Catbird Attacking a Northern Black Racer Snake

Last week, we made a visit to Cowans Gap State Park in central Pennsylvania. We were fortunate to get two rare and interesting wildlife sightings.

The first sighting was a grey catbird dancing around at the base of a tree. We watched for a few minutes, perplexed by what it was doing. When I got my camera and tripod set-up, I noticed a northern black racer snake curled up in the bush near the bird. As we watched, we learned that the catbird’s elaborate dance, coupled with pecking the snake’s head was really an attempt to chase the snake away. Though we didn’t see the bird’s nest, we surmised it was nearby. It was really fun to watch this activity live rather than a scene in a TV documentary.

The second sighting was of a very large porcupine. It was the first time I have seen a porcupine in the wild.

I hope you enjoy these images.

Regards,

Larry

Note: To see images in larger size and higher resolution, click on the caption.

Cowan Gap State Park, PA; JUN 2018 — Porcupine

Note: These and other images are available to purchase by visiting my website: www.earthwatcher.us or by contacting larry@earthwatcher.us.

Green Heron

May 31, 2018 by Earthwatcher, posted in Bird Photography, Birds, Photography, Wildlife

This week, I was blessed to be able to observe and photograph a green heron for 10 minutes. I see green herons from time to time but only one other time did I see one long enough to take a photo and one shot was all he gave me. This colorful bird is much smaller than its more familiar cousin, the Great Blue Heron. Why it is called the green heron, I do not know. I only see gray, blue, chestnut red and yellow. Regardless, they are beautiful. I hope you enjoy these images.

Regards,

Larry.

Note: Click on caption to see image at larger size and greater resolution

Note: These and other images are available to purchase at my website: www.earthwatcher.us or by contacting larry@earthwatcher.us.

More Common Views from Sacramento and Colusa National Wildlife Refuge

January 21, 2018 by Earthwatcher, posted in Bird Photography, Birds, Colusa National Wildlife Reserve, Duck, Fujifilm Cameras, Photography, Sacramento National Wildlife Reserve, Wildlife

Snow Geese, Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, JAN 2018

A few days ago, I shared some images of the less common sightings at these 2 major refuges on the Pacific Flyway. But, the usual suspects were there also. Today, I will share a few images from this set.

Regards,

Larry

Note: Please click on caption to see image in larger size.

Western Pond Turtle, Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge; JAN 2018

Western Meadowlark, Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge; JAN 2018

Great Blue Heron, Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge; JAN 2018

Whte Fronted Goose — White Fronted Geese, Colusa National Wildlife Refuge; JAN 2018

American Wigeon, Colusa National Wildlife Refuge; JAN 2018

An American Coot in High Key — American Coot in High Key, Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge; JAN 2018

Killdeer, Colusa National Wildlife Refuge; JAN 2018

Note: These and other images are available to purchase on my website, www.earthwatcher.us or by contacting larry@earthwatcher.us.

Less Common views from Sacramento and Colusa National Wildlife Reserve

January 18, 2018 by Earthwatcher, posted in Bird Photography, Birds, Colusa National Wildlife Reserve, Fujifilm Cameras, landscape, landscape images, Photography, Sacramento National Wildlife Reserve

Ring Necked Pheasant, Colusa National Wildlife Refuge, JAN 2018

Our visit to the Sacramento and Colusa National Wildlife Refuges found us in fog an low light. These conditions make photography more difficult but also present some interesting opportunities for unique and special images. Additionally, on this visit, we were treated to some birds that we don’t normally see. I hope you enjoy these images.

Regards,

Larry

Note: Please click on caption to see image in larger size.

American Bittern, Colusa National Wildlife Refuge, JAN 2018

Birding on a Peaceful, Foggy Morn — Birding on a Foggy Morn, Colusa National Wildlife Refuge, JAN 2018

Double Crested Cormourant — Double Crested Cormorant, Colusa National Wildlife Refuge, JAN 2018

Fading Into the Fog, Colusa National Wildlife Refuge, JAN 2018

Female Northern Harrier (aka Marsh Hawk) — Female Northern Harrier, Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, JAN 2018

Wilson's Snipe — Wilson’s Snipe, Colusa National Wildlife Refuge, JAN 2018

American Whimbrel, Colusa National Wildlife Refuge, JAN 2018

Pied-billed Grebe, Colusa National Wildlife Refuge, JAN 2018

Common Moorhen (Waterhen, Swamp Chicken, Rail, closely related f — Common Moorhen, Colusa National Wildlife Reserve, JAN 2018

Note: These and other images are available for purchase on my website www.earthwatcher.us or by contacting larry@earthwatcher.us.

A Visit to Yosemite

June 20, 2017 by Earthwatcher, posted in Bird Photography, Birds, Fujifilm Cameras, landscape, Photography, Yosemite

Image of Yosemite's Half Dome at Sunset — Yosemite’s Half Dome at Sunset

A few weeks ago, we spent an evening and early morning at Yosemite. Water was running everywhere. The Merced River was a raging snake of whitewater. The granite cliffs of Yosemite are amazing anytime but, when they are covered with ribbons of water falling 3,000 feet, it is really amazing.

I hope you enjoy these images.

Regards,

Larry

Note: Click on caption to see image at larger size.

Image of a tree stump reflected in a pond. Glacier Point Road, Yosemite National Park, MAY 2017 — Reflection in a Pond, Glacier Point Road, Yosemite National Park, MAY 2017

Yosemite's North Dome in mottled early morning light. MAY 2017 — North Dome at Sunrise, Yosemite National Park, MAY 2017

Yosemite's Nevada Falls at Sunset. MAY 2017 — Nevada Falls, Yosemite National Park, MAY 2017

Image of a Steller's Jay, Yosemite National Park, MAY 2017 — Steller’s Jay, Yosemite National Park, MAY 2017

Some Birds From A Recent Trip

May 19, 2017 by Earthwatcher, posted in Bird Photography, Birds, Fujifilm Cameras, Photography

Image of Tufted Titmouse — Tufted Titmouse – Cameron, OK MAR 2017

On a recent road trip, we got to see a number of interesting birds that we don’t get to see here in California. We also got to see some of the usual suspects.

Here are some interesting tidbits:

The typical vulture we see in the US is the Turkey Vulture. While the black vulture has a gray head, the turkey vulture has a red head. The black vulture is found in southeastern US.
The blue jay is found in the eastern half of the US. In the west, we have the scrub jay. The stellar jay and the gray jay are found in areas of the west with cooler temperatures.

Here are images of some of those birds. I hope you enjoy them.

Regards,

Larry

Note: To see the images at a larger size, please click on bird name.

These and other images are available for purchase by visiting www.earthwatcher.us or by contacting larry@earthwatcher.us

Image of a male cardinal — Male Cardinal – Cameron, OK MAR 2017

Image of female cardinal — Female Cardinal – Cameron, OK MAR 2017

Image of red-bellied woodpecker at feeder — Red-bellied Woodpecker – Port St Lucie, FL APR 2017

Image of blue jay — Blue Jay – Cameron, OK MAR 2017

Image of Carolina Wren — Carolina Wren – Cameron, OK Mar 2017

Image of a black vulture — Black Vulture – Port St Lucie, FL APR 2017

Image of sanderling — Sanderling – Port St Lucie, FL APR 2017

Image of a ruddy turnstone — Ruddy Turnstone – Port St Lucie, FL APR 2017

Image of Non-breeding male willet — Willet – Port St Lucie, FL APR 2017

Image of white ibis in Okefenokee Swamp — White Ibis – Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, GA APR 2017

Image of a pair of brown pelicans — Brown Pelican – Port St Lucie, FL APR 2017

Image of a pair of wind blown great egrets — Great Egrets on a Windy Day – Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, NM MAR 2017

Image of Bald Eagle in a nest — Bald Eagle – Western CO APR 2017

Winter Wildlife

January 2, 2017 by Earthwatcher, posted in American River Parkway, Bird Photography, Birds, Fujifilm Cameras, Otter, Photography, Sacramento

RIver Otter - Perspective 4 — River Otter – Perspective 4

It’s fun to be in Northern California in the winter. We are part of the Pacific Flyway, so we get many birds, primarily waterfowl, who winter over. But even in my backyard I see Oregon Juncos and a species of Goldfinch that spends its summers in the Sierra foothills. Though my passion is landscapes, photographing this wildlife is fun because watching them go about their business of living is fun.

I’ve been out twice in the last two weeks photographing and enjoying the wildlife. On one trip, I went to 2 of the wildlife refuges that have been built along the flyway. Some years ago, land was set aside as a safe haven for migrating waterfowl. Levees were built and fields flooded so they could live and eat. This helped farmers by keeping the birds off their cropland. A win-win situation, enjoyed by birders, photographers and duck hunters. On the day I visited the refuges, raptors became my focus. They benefit from the migrating waterfowl as well.

This past week, I got to spend an hour watching a River Otter and an Egret. They appeared to be helping each other feed. Otters always seem to be playing even as they feed.

I hope you enjoy these images.

Regards

Larry

Note: Click on image to view at larger size

Image of Juvenille Black Crowned Night Heron — Juvenile Black Crowned Night Heron

Image of Red Shouldered Hawk — Red Shouldered Hawk

Image of River Otter - Perspective 1 — River Otter – Perspective 1

Image of River Otter and Egret — River Otter and Egret

Image of Peregrine Falcon — Peregrine Falcon

These and other images are available to view and purchase at my website: www.earthwatcher.us or by contacting larry@earthwatcher.us.

Birds of South Africa

November 9, 2016 by Earthwatcher, posted in Bird Photography, Birds, Fujifilm Cameras, Photography, South Africa

Here is a sample of the birds we saw while in South Africa. There were many interesting, colorful birds. I was especially captivated by the Lilac Breasted Roller,the Purple Crested Turaco and the varieties of sunbirds and kingfishers. There are many more examples on my website (www.earthwatcher.us). I hope you enjoy the images. I encourage you to look at the others that are on my website because I know you will enjoy them also.

Regards

Larry

These images can been seen at a larger size by clicking on the image

Saddle Beaked Stork — Saddle Billed Stork

Purple Crested Turaco (Lourie) - Perspective 2 — Purple Crested Turaco

Orange Breasted Sunbird — Greater Double Collared Sunbird

Hornbills

November 5, 2016 by Earthwatcher, posted in Bird Photography, Birds, Fujifilm Cameras, Photography, South Africa, Wildlife

Image of Southern Ground Hornbill - Perspective 2 — Southern Ground Hornbill

One of the many species of birds we saw while in South Africa were hornbills. They are beautiful birds that cast a striking pose even when flying. I hope you enjoy these images I am sharing.

Regards,

Larry

Click on image to view in larger size.