Mr. Parker, Parkerus robisonii

Photo taken on my recent trip to the Tennessee Aquarium.

Spending the day with Parker was the best part of the aquarium experience.

Pic of the Day

     

     Western Grebe with chick – Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge; Brigham, Utah:  When I arrived at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge I was quite shocked.  I had called the week before and was informed that the water levels were not as high as last year at this same time.  I was expecting low water, but not what I found.  Last year held extremely high water, and the birds were everywhere, nesting right-up to the road.  This year the water is extremely low.  Areas that held nesting stilts and avocets last year are dried and cracked.  However, Impoundment 2 holds lots of water and lots of birds, so shooting is very good.  Also, birds are more advanced in nesting and age of young this year.  Last year I saw no fledgling grebes, but this year they are everywhere. 

     I shot this image of a western grebe chick hitching a ride on mom’s back this morning.  Birds are not as quite as close as I like, but with a little patience the birds will eventually come quite close.  I will work here another day or two and then head toward Nevada.

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 500mm f4, 1/1,600 second @ f6.3, ISO 400

Pic of the Day

     Kirtland’s Warbler on Jack Pine – Grayling, Michigan:  After flying from the Bahamas this fellow went right to work establishing a nesting territory among the Jack Pines in the upper part of lower Michigan. 

      Jack Pine Warbler, is another name for the Kirtland’s, as the Jack Pine ecosystem is the only habitat this bird uses to nest.  The bird is a ground nester and prefers trees that are about 4 to 20 feet in height to nest under.  This bird was in perfect Kirtland’s habitat with trees 8 to 12 years old and 4 to 10 feet tall. 

      The nesting grounds of the Kirtland’s is closed to the public so I had to take the tour to have any hope of getting shots of the bird on it’s nesting ground.  This is the fourth time I have driven to Graying to see the bird and this time was the first encounter that left me with some nice photos of the bird.   After shooting a male singing in a deciduous tree I came across this bird singing while perched in a Jack Pine.  This bird put on quite a show and gave me the opportunity to shoot a lot of images.  I went on the tour 3 more mornings, but none gave me better shots.  I’ll post a few more Kirtland’s over the next few days.  


Nikon D7000, Nikkor 500mm f4, 1/1,600 sec. @ f5

Pic of the Day

     Great Egret – Saint Augustine Alligator Farm; St. Augustine, Florida:  I shot this image on the fly (no pun intended) as the bird approached its nest.  I happened to see the bird flying-in and swung my tripod mounted 500mm toward the bird.  I got two shots that were sharp.  I liked the wing position in this one the best.

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 500mm f4; 1/2,500 second @ f5.6

Pic of the Day

     Roseate Spoonbill – Saint Augustine Alligator Farm; St. Augustine, Florida:  Roseate spoonbills have been nesting at the Alligator Farm for a few years.  This spoonbill had built its nest within ten feet of the boardwalk, making the birds easily accessible.

     A cypress branch obscured most of this bird, and that was what sparked my interest.  The branches in front of the bird lent an intimate view.   I took many images as the bird preened its gorgeous pink plumes, but it was not until the spoonbill tucked its beak under its wing that the image achieved its full potential. 

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 500mm f4, 1/4,000 sec. @ f5

Pic of the Day

     White Ibis – Fort Myers Beach, Florida:  The ibis was photographed at Estero Lagoon during a feeding frenzy.  The image was shot in February when South Florida wading birds are in prime breeding plumage.  This White Ibis sports the deep red face and legs that white ibises obtain during the breeding season, which makes this bird picture perfect.