I’ve started to watch and take photos of a male Belted Kingfisher. He's laid claim to the farm pond I visit and is there now every time I show. The Osprey family that took up residence nearby has moved on and headed south, but the kingfisher is going nowhere—at least for the time being. And … Continue reading The Kingfisher and I
Osprey Time, Part Two
This is the second and final part of a story about a south central PA Osprey pair. I believe they were new breeders. The nest they built was certainly new. They could have chosen a site anywhere along the Atlantic coast or the Chesapeake Bay, but they chose one here—in an area where they aren't … Continue reading Osprey Time, Part Two
Osprey Time
Some of what I'm about to share may be familiar to you. I've been telling the story of the Osprey pair for a while now. It's an interesting one because so few of these birds nest in south central PA (though that may be changing). It's interesting, too, because I've been given access to property … Continue reading Osprey Time
Two Days in August
A quick note to readers. This blog is mostly about birds and bird photography. It isn't particularly technical, but I never rule the technical out. Though each post stands alone, I tend to build on or expand upon previous ones. For example, this one builds on what I've written about a local greenspace and its … Continue reading Two Days in August
Privileged Time With Some Area Birds
I continue to be amazed at the number of people who visit here and read "A Green Heron Colony." After "A Game Changing Bird Photography Camera," a piece about the then-new Canon EOS R5 full-frame mirrorless camera, it's my most-read post. I've written a lot about other species of birds, like the Osprey and Killdeer, … Continue reading Privileged Time With Some Area Birds
Going, Knowing, and Seeing
Let's begin with a photo of a Gray Catbird. I made the mistake of writing in an earlier blog that these birds are hard to find out in the open. Not true. This adult was doing what so many do this time of year: it was gathering food to feed its young. But it was … Continue reading Going, Knowing, and Seeing
Photography and Art
This isn't an essay on photography and art (by any stretch), nevertheless I touch on both here and hope you find what follows interesting and helpful. Before we get underway, here's another female bird we can add to the "pantheon." This is a female Wood Duck—a perching duck, as you can see. Here, she was … Continue reading Photography and Art
Nature Encounters
A few days after my encounter with the Northern Waterthrush, an occasion I described in "Photos and Commentary," I came face to face with a red fox. My wife and I had just gotten out of our car and were busy watching the Osprey nest (and one I'm now monitoring for the Pennsylvania Game Commission). … Continue reading Nature Encounters
Photos and Commentary
Robin, a blog reader, sent me this after reading "Hooded Bliss," "Wonderful photos and commentary. You taught me new things about the hoodies. Thanks so much for sharing!" I always like it when readers tell me they learned something from the blog. I also like it when they provide me with good ideas for titles! … Continue reading Photos and Commentary
Hooded Bliss
This piece is dated, but not by much. What's recounted here took place on 4/1. From time to time we have subject birds, and the subject bird this time is the Hooded Merganser or "Hoodie." It's North America's smallest merganser and the only one that breeds and winters here. It's a species that's described as … Continue reading Hooded Bliss
Elizabeth River Bird Blog 