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
Category: Street photography
Talkin’ More Bird Photography
Happy Independence Day, America! And am I grateful to be living in the "the greatest country on God's green earth." Green Heron Nestling Some of you have seen this bird photo before. I took it on 7/1/20 at what has now become one of my patches: Lakeside Park in Chesapeake, VA. My main patch continues … Continue reading Talkin’ More Bird Photography
Birding Unites Us
These are the opening lines of an old Noel Paul Stookey/Michael Kelly Blanchard song: And in these days of confused situations And in these nights of a restless remorse When the heart and the soul of a nation Lay wounded and cold as a corpse I thought of those lines this morning. Then I got … Continue reading Birding Unites Us
A Few Words About Birds
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. "We've mentioned the passing of Caroll Spinney and our love for Big Bird, but … Continue reading A Few Words About Birds
We Love Our Birds
As my wife and I are planning a move and have crisscrossed the state of Virginia, now, several times, I've spent very little time lately thinking about the blog and considering what to write next. Instead, I've been spending my time considering things like lot size and square footage. So this will be an abbreviated … Continue reading We Love Our Birds
Birds and Bird Photography, Cont’d
Where do you go when you've written "A Few Thoughts on Birds and Bird Photography," followed by "More Thoughts on Birds and Bird Photography"? Do you title your next article on birds and photography, "More and More Thoughts on Birds and Bird Photography"? I don't think so. You puzzle over what to do, and you … Continue reading Birds and Bird Photography, Cont’d
An Ode to the Green Heron
My last blog, "An Ode to a City Park," was an ode not just to a single 11-acre city park in Chesapeake, VA, but really to all city parks (and by extension, all natural places that have been built/preserved/restored). These parks are critically important for wildlife and also for people—especially neighborhood people (see below!). Research … Continue reading An Ode to the Green Heron
Bird Photos and Photo Tips at Midyear
It's midyear 2019—or thereabouts. And as always, I have a bird photo backlog. So I thought it'd be a good time to trot some of them out and display them. I'll also be highlighting a few photos taken by others and a few "other wildlife" and people photos, too. And I'll include some of my … Continue reading Bird Photos and Photo Tips at Midyear
The Killdeer Saga
The last couple of blogs on the Osprey were writing marathons. They took a lot of time and effort to put together. And they were lengthy. This, the first of several blogs on the Killdeer, will be more like a 5K fast walk instead. But before we get down to business and begin to consider … Continue reading The Killdeer Saga
Birds Provide a Bridge
We've covered some ground here. Thank you so much for reading. And thank you to those who have told me personally (Marjorie, Rebecca, Larry, Steve, Mickie the Master Naturalist, the two Sarah's, Bob S., CBG and others) and through your comments (Abby, Glenn, Phil, Marlene the nature writer, Katiegirl, Dii and others) how much you're enjoying the blog. I realize this is a well-worn expression, but this is a labor of love. I love doing this. And hopefully the labor is yielding results. Now, cue the trumpet fanfare. Ladies and gentlemen...this photo's for you (a newly fledged Purple Martin hawking insects over Pardise Creek Nature Park in Portsmouth)!
Elizabeth River Bird Blog 