Pic of the Day

Louisiana Waterthrush, Parkesia motacilla

Horse cove; Madison County, Alabama

    These beautiful warblers, a member oft family Parulidae, nest around my home in North Alabama.  I constantly see them along the creek bed, but some times they fly up the hill to the house and glean around my feeders.  With a dense population nesting along the creek, their beautiful song is a constant reminder of their presence.  I was so fortunate to get this shot, because they are usually hidden in the darkest parts of the forest.

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/5
1/200 sec. @ f/8

Pic of the Day

Northern Cardinal, Cardinalis cardinals

Marshall County, Alabama; USA

Just North of Guntersville Dam

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4

1/640 sec. @f/8

Pic of the Day

Prairie Warbler, Setophaga discolor

Marshall Co., Alabama

Prairie Warbler singing his hear out in Marshall County, Alabama last weekend.  This image was taken just north of Guntersville Dam.  Prairie Warblers nest here in North Alabama, but it has been years since I have seen one.  This bird was not shy at all, and seemed to be responding to the songs of Indigo Buntings,  and Blue Grosbeaks that were singing nearby.

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/320 sec. @ f/9

Pic of the Day

Common Yellowthroat, Geothlypis trichas

Magee Marsh, Ohio; USA

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm

1/200 sec @ f/8

Magee Marsh

 Kirtland's Warbler, Setophaga Kirtlandii:  Magee Marsh, Estuary Trail

Bay-breasted Warbler, Setophaga castanet:  Magee Marsh, Estuary Trail

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Polioptila cerulean:  Magee Marsh, Magee Marsh Bird Center

      I spent ten days at Magee Marsh earlier this Month photographing spring migrants.  This was not the best year for Magee migrants, but I was able to get a few good images.  Northeasterly winds hindered migration, and most days were cold and rainy. While birds were less numerous I did see 114 different species, about ten less than last year, but I did get a Kirtland’s Warbler!

Kirtland's Warbler - Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/320 second @ f/7.1

Bay-breasted Warbler - Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/800 second @ f/7.1

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/400 @ f/7.1

Pic of the Day

Green-backed Heron, Butorides virescens

      Over New Years I was at Merritt Island NWR.  I arrived on the refuge before sunrise and drove along Black Point Wildlife Drive looking for birds to photograph.  I found this Green-backed Heron perched on a shrub.  With the sun still below the horizon I increased the ISO on my camera to 3200.  This allowed me to increase my shutter speed to 1/250 of a second.  As I photographed the heron it turned its head, raised its crest, and stretched its neck into a perfect pose.  A wonderful start to the day.

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/250 second @ f/8, ISO 3200

Pic of the Day

Black-throated Green Warbler, Setophaga Virens; Magee Marsh, Ohio

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm  f/4, Exposure 1/1600 sec. @ f/8

Pic of the Day

 Blackpoll Warbler, Setophaga striata (Male):  Magee Marsh, Ohio 

 Blackpoll Warbler, Setophaga striata (Female):  Magee Marsh, Ohio 

         Warblers are one of my favorite species of birds to photograph, and I have just spent two weeks in one of my favorite places photographing these spring beauties.     During the month of May and untold number of warblers and other neotropical migrants pass through Magee Marsh on the south side of Lake Erie in the state of Ohio.

         Blackpoll warblers were a plentiful species this year. Along with Cape May and Tennessee Warblers all seem to have had an exceptional 2017 breeding season due to the spruce budworm outbreak last year.  In more than a decade of traveling to Magee Marsh, I have never seen so many Blackpolls at Magee.

         The Blackpoll Warbler is a champion long distance migrant.  Wintering in northern South America it travels north through the eastern United States to it reach its nesting grounds in the northern boreal forest that stretches from Newfoundland to western Alaska. 

         On its return trip in the fall most Blackpolls migrate east across the northern latitudes to the east coast and then turn south crossing the western Atlantic to South America in a non stop 3 to 4 day trip.  Blackpolls make the longest migration of all the warblers, some traveling as much as 16,000 miles round trip.   Nature is truly amazing!

Top photo:  Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f 4,  exposure 1/125 second @ f 8.

Bottom Photo: Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f 4,  exposure 1/200 second @ f 8.

Pic of the Day

American Bittern, Botaurus lentiginosus: 

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge near Titusville, Florida

     I have seen many American Bitterns over my birding career, but seldom have I seen them out in the open like this bird I found along the Black Point Wildlife Drive in Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.   Most bitterns I see are hidden or partially hidden within the reed beds.

       This image was taken just after sunrise, just as sunlight began to ripple over a water impoundment berm of the refuge drive.  As the slight glow of light on the bittern began to intensify it quickly turned and walked back into the mangroves to escape the brunt of the morning light.

       A beautiful bird, the American Bittern is created to blend into its natural environment.  It striations of white, cream, cinnamon, and browns make this species the king of camouflage.

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4,  Exposure 1/80^th second @ f/5.6

Pic of the Day

Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentals (male):  Causeway to Sanibel Island, Florida

      On a recent jaunt to Florida I stopped along the second island of the Sanibel Island causeway to photograph brown pelicans diving into the water.  There were more than a dozen pelicans fishing in perfect light.  This fellow, with is 6 1/2 feet wingspan has just made the turn in its stoop to dive.  I happened to capture the pelican with wings extended and head in perfect profile.  What a beautiful, symmetrical pose. 

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/2500 second @ f/7.1 on tripod

Pic of the Day

Forster's Tern, Stema Forsteri:  Fort Desoto State Park, Florida

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/5000 second @ f/9

Pic of the Day

Wilson's Warbler, Cardellina pusillanimous:  Magee Marsh, Ohio

    As the days shorten I look forward to the arrival of winter bird, but can't keep the warblers out of mind. I so look forward to their return in the spring.

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4; Exposure 1/60 second @ f/8