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
Category: Bird watching
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
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
God Bless the Child
Before we talk about kids, I'd like to return to the theme of the last blog: the unsung, underappreciated female bird. Several readers wrote me and told me they wished I had included more birds and bird photos in the piece. They made a good point. So, here are a few more birds and bird … Continue reading God Bless the Child
The Joy of Discovery
I began "A Few Words About Birds" this way: "A recent opinion piece in The Virginian-Pilot, Virginia’s largest daily newspaper, began with the words: 'First of all, thank you for reading.' I’d like to begin, here, the same way. First of all, thank you for reading. I mean that, sincerely." That was followed by a … Continue reading The Joy of Discovery
New Beginnings
We ended "A Late Winter's Tale" with a joke book recommendation. BTW, I hope some of you ordered Wayne's book. We'll begin this one with an edited/accessorized version of a photo that appeared at the end of "Finding Humor, Finding Birds." One of the wonderful things about digital photos is that you can alter them. … Continue reading New Beginnings
Finding Humor, Finding Birds
One of the things that keep us going is our ability to find humor and to laugh. It might not be a survival need (like writing), but sometimes it sure feels like it. How many times have you heard someone say, in response to something funny, "God, I needed that!" Speaking of things funny, here's … Continue reading Finding Humor, Finding Birds
The Scuffletown Creek Hunters
Scuffletown Creek, an Elizabeth River tributary in Chesapeake, VA, was a mess. I wrote about it in "The Same River Twice." Dave and Lindsay, two old-timers who grew up nearby, remember houseboats in the creek, homes with outhouses lining the creek, and sewage and diesel fuel flowing into the creek. They remember tapping the creek … Continue reading The Scuffletown Creek Hunters
All God’s Critters
Many of you enjoyed the European Starling photo and what I wrote about starlings in "Bird and Photograph Locally." Here's that late November photo again. Ann, a VMD and blog follower, wrote: "I just had to tell you that I agree totally with you about the vilified starlings. They can be quite handsome birds especially … Continue reading All God’s Critters
Elizabeth River Bird Blog 