I shared a photo recently that turned out to be pretty popular. It was a portrait of an adult Red-tailed Hawk, another bird species that has adapted well to being around humans. Here's the photo. And here's the description that followed: "The payoff for being still. This adult Red-tailed Hawk landed on a utility pole … Continue reading Fieldcraft
Category: Birds
Coexisting
In my last blog, "More Bird Notes," I referred to the Common Yellowthroat, a New World wood warbler, as the "raccoon warbler." I also referred to the Brown Thrasher as the "chirpa chirpa bird." I received a few questions about the name, "raccoon warbler," since I'd presented a photo of a younger female that bore … Continue reading Coexisting
More Bird Notes
Birds—especially small birds—are often obscured by stuff in the field. That makes it tricky for both bird watchers and photographers. I'm reminded of Gilda Radner's "It's always something," or my friend Betty Sue Cohen's "There's always a stick, or a twig, or a leaf [in the way]." Natural Stuff Below is an adult female Northern … Continue reading More Bird Notes
Bird Notes
No doubt, some of you have Green Heron fatigue. I understand. But I need to share a few more photos with you. Please bear with me. This is a young bird getting ready to leave for the winter. As I understand it, the bird is headed for a small lagoon in Punta Cana. The bird … Continue reading Bird Notes
End of Season Bird Photos and Photo Tips
Maybe we should just call this the "Green Heron Blog." I continue to devote a lot of space to that popular bird. I continue to devote a lot of space to photography, too. Stan, an 8th-grade teacher (and doing God's work), left a comment after reading "Birds Are Markers." Here's some of what he wrote: … Continue reading End of Season Bird Photos and Photo Tips
Birds Are Markers
Prior to his death in 1801 at Montpelier in Orange County, Virginia, James Madison Sr., the father our 4th president, James Madison Jr., kept a weather journal. He and other family members added garden observations in the margins. According to Hillary Hicks, who wrote "'A Paradise of Roses': Flowers at Montpelier," those observations were recorded … Continue reading Birds Are Markers
A Green Heron Album
This post is a continuation of "A Green Heron Colony." Many thanks to those of you who read it and enjoyed it. Not that long ago, the words "Green Heron Album" might have conjured up a 33 1/3 LP, a paper sleeve, and a compelling, if not enigmatic, album cover. Not anymore. What follows isn't … Continue reading A Green Heron Album
A Green Heron Colony
Douglas, a fellow FM Forums member, just posted some awe-inspiring Green Heron nestling photos. He took them 15 feet from the birds' natal tree—one of many trees that line a Maryland lake. A few of the photos feature a nestling being fed by a parent, a spectacle everyone should see at least once. Karl's comment, … Continue reading A Green Heron Colony
Anatomy of a Photo Shoot, Part Three
We all need to laugh, maybe now more than ever. These 3 young Green Herons have just seen their first round-tripper and are watching the baseball as it exits the park. Having just finished listening to a sometimes-impassioned discussion, this young Mallard is feeling better about returning to school. Let's Resume This is the third … Continue reading Anatomy of a Photo Shoot, Part Three
Anatomy of a Photo Shoot, Part Two
Most of what follows is a continuation of my earlier piece, "Anatomy of a Photo Shoot." I'd encourage you to take a look at it if you haven't done so already. Laugh Loud This might not make much sense, but I'm a little embarrassed by the personal record-breaking success of my last post, "Laugh Loud." … Continue reading Anatomy of a Photo Shoot, Part Two
