outdoor photography

Hermit Thrush This morning I dropped by Mead Gardens for a little while before work. It was fun to see two Louisiana Watherthrushes and possibly one Northern Waterthrush, though I didn't get a very good look at it, so I can't be sure. Palm and Yellow-rumped Warblers are still frequently seen, and many Norther Parula were singing all over the park.  I also saw a couple Common Yellowthroat and one Black and white Warbler.  Unfortunately, I didn't get good photos of any of these fun birds, but I did get photos of a Hermit thrush and a Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Louisiana Waterthrush This morning I dropped by Mead Gardens, and I had a pretty good time. Easily the biggest highlight was seeing two Louisiana Waterthrushes.  These are really fun warblers, and before this morning I didn't have any  presentable photos of them.  All these photos are of the second one I found, which was much more cooperative than the first.  You can tell it's a Louisiana Waterthrush instead of a Northern because if the white supercilium (eyebrow) stripe that is thick behind the eye, plain white throat with no spotting, bright pink legs, and less streaking on the chest. Louisiana Waterthrush Louisiana Waterthrush Louisiana Waterthrush Also fun to find were Northern Parula, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-throated Warbler, and many Yellow-rumped Warbler and Palm Warblers. There were many American Goldfinches near the feeders, and one of the goldfinches was nearly in fully breeding plumage. It was also fun to see a Hermit Thrush near the ...

Anhinga This morning I decided to visit Mead Gardens for a few minutes.  I haven't been visiting this park as much recently; traffic in the morning has just become ridiculous.   But I always enjoy the park after I arrive, so I try to visit from time to time.  There wasn't a lot here this morning, but it was fun to find a Hermit Thrush, Cooper's Hawk, Yellow-throated Warbler and a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.  And an Anhinga decided to pose nicely for a photo as well. Hermit Thrush Unfortunately, I blew the highlights of this Hermit Thrush, so you can't see detail in the chest feathers.  I was following it flying under tree cover, and it happened to land in the sun just for a second before disappearing back into the trees.  I didn't have time to adjust my exposure, but I like the shot anyway. Cooper's Hawk

Little Big Econ State Forest This afternoon I decided to drop by the Little Big Econ State Forest for a few minutes.  I've driven by this place many times on my way to Geneva WA and other places.  I don't know why I've never come here before.  Maybe it's because they couldn't decide if it was little or big.  But it was hard to believe how pretty this area is, and I'm kicking myself for not visiting this place sooner.  As pretty as it was today, I suspect it will be even prettier when the water level is higher on the Econ River. Little Big Econ State Forest Little Big Econ State Forest There were plenty of birds to be seen here as well.  I found White-eyed Vireos, Blue-headed Vireos, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Palm Warblers (including one "yellow"), a Pine Warlber and a Yellow-throated Warbler.  The biggest treat, though, was a Hermit Thrush--this is my first Hermit Thrush of the year. Blue-headed Vireo Palm Warbler (Yellow)...

Hermit Thrush I drove by Mead Gardens on my way home today.  I spent about 45 minutes there just to see if I could find anything interesting.  I only saw about 18 species there, but I did see my first Hermit Thrush of the year.  One of the Wood Ducks was out in nice light, a Barred Owl was out keeping watch, a Carolina Wren put on a little concert for me, and a Red-Shouldered Hawk flew by with a duckling in its grasp.  I heard at least one Northern Parula but never found it; I think it was across the stream on private property. Wood Duck Red-shouldered Hawk with Duckling It was also fun to photograph species other than birds today.  I got my first photographs of a Long-tailed Skipper, and a wonderful dragonfly I can't identify perched for me.  There were two Red-eared Slider turtles on a log that were in just the right light.  I see them there often, but they seem always to plop into the water when I get ready to take a picture. ...