April 16, 2016

I went down to Three Creeks Metro Park this afternoon and got a couple of shots. I have been trying to get a good picture of a red-winged blackbird this spring, while not a great shot it is the best I have taken, this will remain on my list as incomplete. I always like frogs for some reason and there was pretty nice light on them while I was there, I should have used a smaller aperture setting and perhaps the entire frog would have been sharp, nevertheless I am fairly pleased with the result. I caught this squirrel lounging on a branch and took a shot.

April 14, 2014

Another trip up to Delaware this afternoon. I got what I believe are some pretty good shots on the mallard and the blue winged teal. The teal were in flooded timber and never knew I was there; I was only about 25' from them! I had on a camo jacket and head cover which did the trick. I was able to get this muskrat that hung around very close and posed very nicely.

April 11. 2016

I have done some additional research and with quite a lot of input from a friend I have decided the identity of the shore bird in yesterday's post is a lesser yellow legs; a variety of sandpiper. The legs on the birds I shot were much more orange than the pictures that we saw online, but it is the closest match we could find. One of my best resources for bird ID has been the Cornell Lab of Ornithology link This website is easy to use and very complete; they also have an awesome YouTube channel to which I am subscribed. link

April 10, 2016

I made another trip up to Delaware Wildlife Area this morning anticipating good morning light; it was overcast again. I did get some more shots of teal flying that I am posting. I caught a wood duck hen up on a dead tree that is littered with holes, I suspect she may be nesting in one of the holes. I took some shots of these shore birds that I believe may be some variety of sand piper (no positive ID on them yet).

Due to the poor light I deleted many of the pictures I took. Species identified included blue wing teal, green wing teal, ring necked ducks, wood ducks, mallards, red heads, buffle heads, Canada geese, hooded merganser, coots, and grebes.

April 9, 2016

I went over to Blendon Woods late this afternoon. I took quite a few shots not much turned out due to the snow showers; its like shooting pictures in a fog. I got this shot of a wood duck that I liked. I also saw and photographed what I believe was a double crested cormorant, I am not 100% sure on this one as it was very far and the pictures did not turn out well. Among others that did not turn out so well were a pie billed grebe and a kingfisher. This is the second time I have shot a kingfisher only to have the shots not turn out well.

April 8, 2016

I finally got through editing the shots from yesterday. I spotted this goose and what attracted my attention was how she had flattened out over her nest. It was raining as evidenced by the water droplets on her back; I think she must have eggs to protect.

April 7, 2016

I made a quick trip to the marsh at Delaware Wildlife Area this afternoon. I think the egrets are absolutely beautiful and I love to shoot flying teal!

April 5, 2016

I made a trip over to Hoover Reservoir this evening, I hope you like these couple of shots.

April 3, 2016

I went over to the park at Hoover Reservoir this morning and was fortunate to catch a pair of wood ducks roosted in the trees along the creek. I have seen them in the trees before but have not had a camera on those occasions. I included the first unedited shot to give the viewer a perspective as to how high up these birds were; probably 30'.

I think the robins are ready to go on the nest!

April 2, 2016

I made a quick trip over to Hoover Reservoir this morning and shot these little birds along the creek. The Cooper's hawk was outside our living room window. I took the shot not only through the glass but also the blind was down; all this considered I am pretty happy with the picture.

 This little fellow is a northern flicker.