Natures Firework Colors – During the 4th of July fireworks displays, they end with what the call the grand finale.
This is natures grand finale for today’s 4th of July. Bright beautiful colors on display right outside all day every day. 🙂
Sandra J’s Photography & Fine Arts
Natures Firework Colors
He Needs a Bigger Condo, a heron likes to perch up high just like a cat. This one was watching us fish down below. It is a purple martin house and that isn’t a real one laying at the feet of the heron. It is a fake purple martin to attract the real ones. Short video of the heron below or click this link; Heron on a Bird House
I have a fake one on my purple martin house, but I have never seen a purple martin up there yet. It is the end of June and here is wishing everyone a wonderful month of July.
The warm summer days are ahead of us, they remind of being a youngster, enjoying the fresh green grass between your toes, the warm breezes brushing up against your skin. Just love it.
Have a great weekend.
Have a wonderful weekend. 🙂
He Needs a Bigger Condo
I Took a Lot of Photos of this bird, the Indigo Bunting, I was under the impression that being in the far south was the only place you would see this bird. But come to find out I saw it all the way up into Illinois. Now I know they don’t come to Michigan, that is a little to far north for them. 🙂
We were out for a walk one day and looked over to the right and here sat this large unusual looking bird. I had to look it up when I got back. Plus I had the bridge camera on this walk and it just does not do very well when you max out the zoom lens on it.
Anything over 400 mm with this bridge camera the photos will not be clear. But I still was able to get a photo of it to write down in my bird book.
It is called a Bobolink, I have never heard of it but it is quite a fascinating bird.
This picture below is from the internet, I did not take it, it is just to show you what it looks like.
I Took a Lot of Photos
Really Fast Birds the Foster Terns. Smaller than all the gulls, with thinner and more pointed bill. Distinguished from other terns by pale whitish wings and orange-based bill in summer, and isolated black ear patch in winter. Forages by circling and hovering over bays, ponds, and lakes, then dropping to snatch fish.
It was very difficult to follow these guys as they were diving. My camera was going all over the place.
They capture their food by plunge-diving from heights as low as a few feet to as high as 50 feet or more.
Really Fast Birds
Hanging Out at the Beach Kind of Day, I still have a few photos from down south, so I will be going back and forth with post as I get a chance to edit my backlog of shots.
The first two photos are birds you almost always see at the beach. I don’t know the exact species name but they run in the family of plovers I believe.
Video of Beach Birds below or here; Beach Birds
With a couple of Oyster catchers hanging out, the birds with the orange bills.
Hanging Out at the Beach Kind of Day
The Palm Warbler – Warblers are a group of birds in the family Parulidae. There are 100species of warbler in North America.
Identifying warblers, indeed any bird comes down to knowing some basic facts about the species and then observing it closely. With about 111 species in the family, this can be a challenge. A few species don’t look very ‘warblerish’, like the Ovenbird, Waterthrush, and Yellow-breasted Chat, but for the others, you’ll need some additional help.
Color and plumage patterns, voice, behavior, and habitat are the most important characteristics. Armed with the additional knowledge of a species’ geographic range, you will likely be successful. A good field guide is also invaluable.
This one below I believe is a fly catcher of some sort. But it is also in the group of just another Brown bird for me.
Can you see what is in this tree?
I was surprised to see a dragon fly land in a tree. I was looking at birds and here came this guy with its big green eyes looking for his little bit of fame here on WordPress. 🙂
The Palm Warbler
The Quintessential Early Bird, American Robins are common sights on lawns across North America, where you often see them tugging earthworms out of the ground.
I am also an early bird, the best time of day for me to photograph wildlife is during the warm morning sunlight. It is what I call directional light.
It will add depth to a photo by casting shadows on certain parts of the subject as well as lighting up areas to brighten the focal point. In this case the wings of these two robins who are determined to chase each other over territory.
Of course it is a 50 50 chance that the photo will turn out the way I would like it to with light and shadows. But to me that is the exciting part of photography. Being in the right place at the right time to capture wildlife in motion.
This by far is my favorite photo this year. It is what gets me out every morning with my camera in hand, enjoying nature at its best.
Have a great weekend.
The Quintessential Early Bird
Rare Sighting according to the information on this bird which is called a Bay Breasted Warbler. I spotted this one in Illinois when we stopped at a campground this spring.
This one is very common in the south, The Brown Thrasher, it literally trashes around on the ground foraging for food. Good name on this one. It is a very pretty brown as well.
Rare Sighting
Tiny Birds With a Touch of Color, here are 3 more birds I was able to add to my list. Thanks to the Merlin app to help me identify them. Sometimes these little brown birds all look like sparrows until you spot just that little bit of color that sets them apart from the rest.
I am not an expert on finding the names of these birds. So if it is not the right name, feel free to add what you know it to be.
Yellow Rumped Warbler,
Red Eyed Vireo
Northern Parula
Tiny Birds With a Touch of Color
Lots of Colorful Birds, I still have a few photos to go through that I took from our visit to the gulf coast, we stayed long enough to see the spring migration of birds coming across the ocean. At first I was just not seeing anything, we drove all over the place looking at the hotspots where other birders said to go in this area.
The last couple of weeks we were there, all of a sudden flocks of the most colorful birds were landing in the trees right in our campground. Eating all these dried seeds on this tree in the photos below.
Grosbeaks, orioles, tanagers and lots of warblers, it was a thrill to see them all.
The hummingbirds made it as well, such a long flight for all the birds. There are always stories of how the birds land on boats and gas rigs out in the gulf waters. So they can rest for a bit before making it to land.
Lots of Colorful Birds
My Art From the Island, we spent a few months at one of my favorite places last winter. Dauphin Island Alabama. The weather is mostly in the 70’s all winter and some humidity. But come April the song birds and water birds start to arrive.
My bird count went up to 217. I may have mentioned this before, I took some of my art work down to the art gallery on Dauphin Island to see if they would like to have some of my work to sell there. I am very pleased to say they like my work and took quite a few samples to showcase in the gallery.
This is a photo I took of the gallery there on Dauphin Island. I only have 5×7 prints on sale there and they are all digital oil paintings. Of some of the iconic places on the island and birds. People really like the Blue Herons on the island.
This is a sample print of mine hanging on a wall as a display.
I also made some postcards for the art gallery, this is something new for them. But they are doing very well in the store.
There are a lot of stores out there that are happy to hang your art work up for free as well. I just add my business card onto the print and it is a fun way to show your work besides just on the internet. A little footwork required. 🙂
Have a great weekend.
In Defense of the Grackle – In North America three grackle species occur: Common, Great-tailed, and Boat-tailed. All are generally similar in appearance, with males glossy iridescent black and females brownish.
Grackles, it turns out, do more than weigh down power lines, steal tortilla chips off your dinner plate and squawk in really loud voices. The gleaming black birds actually play a beneficial role in our society. (Well, besides cleaning up those food crumbs you dropped on the sidewalk.)
Grackles eat insects, for one. And that includes those you might not like crawling on you, such as wasps and spiders, and ones that damage crops, including moths, grasshoppers and beetles.
Video Below or click this link; Grackles Puffy Up at the Table
I get why people don’t necessarily like them, but I think they’re fascinating. They do eat insects, so that means fewer insects that are eating plants — or us. There’s also the argument that they’re part of a web of life — they’re part of the system.”
Along with the most amazing colors when they are in the sunlight. Just some of the reasons to like these birds as I do.
In Defense of the Grackle
We Made It Home – we are back home and enjoying the warm weather. The robins are scraping for territory. I just happened to have my camera with and these two just kept chasing each other around. So I upped my shutter speed to catch them dueling in flight.
Capturing birds in action like this is what makes photography so much fun. It is that one awesome shot that makes me want to go out and get more.
Camera settings are; 1/2500 sec, ISO 6400, f6.3 500 mm.
Needless to say, I have a backlog of photos to go through yet, which is good because I am in the middle of planting flowers for the hummingbirds and butterfly’s. Planting some garden as well. I will definitely enjoy going through the photos and sharing them with you here.
We Made It Home
Anything With Wings is allowed at the airport. I think this bird was watching the big planes with me here at this small airport. Maybe dreaming of flying high and fast like they do or thinking they need to get off his airport runway. 🙂
I don’t know what kind of plane this one is below. But they put on a great show for me on this day. They landed and took off so many times and the pilot waved at me here as I took his photo. Video below of this airport or click this link; Dauphin Island Airport
Plus a coast guard helicopter made a quick stop and then took off.
I was able to stand right next to the runway to get these shots as they flew right over me. I was using my 600 mm lens which makes them look very close.
We are travelling north again and spending time with family along the way. I have not had time to read all my favorite bloggers post as of late. But I hope you are all enjoying this beautiful spring weather so far and thank you again for all your wonderful comments. I appreciate it very much.
Have a great weekend.
Anything With Wings
The Osprey Nest – the osprey birds are picking out their nesting boxes. I photographed this one below at sunrise, as the osprey was perched on top of the man made nesting box.
It must be exhausting making their nest. I was watching these two one morning, the one bird is going back and forth bringing one branch at a time. But when I looked closer at the bird perched on top, its eyes are closed.
Trying to get a nap in while its mate is bringing in housing material. He is just going to rest a minute. Needs a quick cat nap. 🙂
Video below of the osprey hovering or click here; Osprey Hovering
The Osprey Nest
A Touch of Green and the sounds of spring await us as the earth awakens to new life after a long winter.
I love seeing things turn green this time of year, spring is such an encouraging month as the flowers emerge from the ground or ponds like these lilies.
The dried grasses in the fields return to their lush green colors, full of life for all.
Nothing says spring more than hearing the sounds of the Red Winged Black Birds.
A Touch of Green
Shore Birds Enjoying a Sunrise, spring is in the air. Multiple birds hanging out on the sea shore. Such a fun sight to see as they all are just enjoying a stroll on the beach together.
I came across these cute little sanderlings searching for food in a huge pile of broken sea shells. It looks like they are trying to climb a mountain but keep sliding back down all the shells. Video below or click here; Sanderlings and Sea Shells
Shore Birds Enjoying a Sunrise
Amazing Wings, big wings, little wings, man made wings. Wings in nature are a symbol of freedom. I often dream that I can fly, I have most of my life and that is probably from watching birds all the time.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Video of an Osprey Hovering in mid air below or click this link; Osprey Hovering
Amazing Wings
One of Those Mornings when the wind keeps messing up the feathers. Even birds can have a bad hair/feather day.
But when it is slicked back, it looks pretty cool 🙂
One of Those Mornings
The Early Bird catches the worm, as the old saying goes. I am defiantly an early bird and sometimes I go out and about without brushing my hair either.
Video below of the Great Blue Heron Shaking its feathers in slow motion; Great Blue Heron Slow Motion
Have a great weekend.
The Early Bird
Eyes of Blue, I think this bird is a cormorant, But I am not sure which one. As I type this I am adding the Merlin bird finding app to my phone. So now it should be easier to identify all these birds.
Someone was showing me the app and it will actually tell you the bird by listening to its call as well. Technology is amazing. So much better then having to get an encyclopedia out like the old days. 🙂
Eyes of Blue
In the Arms of an Angel, this photo reminded me of this song by Sarah Mclachian.
In the arms of an Angel, fly away from here, From this dark, cold hotel room, and the endlessness that you fear You are pulled from the wreckage of your silent reverie You’re in the arms of an Angel; may you find some comfort here
I have shared some poems in the past, written by a very talented writer named Daryl Madden. He has a blog page here on word press where he writes the most beautiful poems inspired by other folks post. I treasure the words he writes when he chooses one of my post to create a poem with. https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/23196989
I then like to add his words to one of my videos. The result is below or click this link here; IF I
In the Arms of an Angel
Nature Provides plenty of food for all species. Birds have a wonderful diet that includes some very healthy options
Fruit being at the top of the list, or at the top of the tree if you will. This Cedar Wax wing is enjoying some fresh mulberry’s to replenish its system after a long migration flight.
This beautiful Summer Tanager is eating some sort of bug, which I am happy about. There are always plenty of bugs that provide a great source of protein.
Along with some nuts and seeds for fiber, they are a great food source to keep the system running smoothly. This Brown Thrasher is enjoying his fill of these today.
Of course we cannot leave out the best choice of food for a lot of species, its fish. I have seen a lot of birds doing pretty good at fishing the last few weeks.
This Belted King Fisher is an expert fishermen when it comes to diving into the water to catch a tiny little fish like this one.
This gull picked up a fish floating on top of the water after a fishermen through it back in.
The Great Blue Heron loves fish. They can eat up to a pound of fish a day. We have helped them get their fill this month. When we catch small fish we will sometimes throw them to the herons who are always hanging about looking for a good meal.
Nature Provides
Coastal Birds, from the Osprey in flight to the Brown Pelican and Terns. There are always a variety of birds to be seen along the coast.
Coastal Birds
Walking on Long Legs can be a bit tricky at times. Looks like he is going to fall over or he decided to turn quick to go the other way around me.
Walking on Long Legs
The Last Piece, bird is looking intently at the other bird with a piece of food. Just willing it to drop so he can grab it.
This Jay looks like he is jumping off of a diving board into a pool to me. There is a small bowl of water on the ground I put out for the birds. That would have made a better picture if I showed that as well 🙂
The Last Piece
Birds Eye View, birds and fishing go hand in hand. Husband fishes and I photograph the birds coming around for a free meal. This blue heron was looking right at me as I took this photo. It is such a fun photo to have a bird look directly at the camera I think.
Birds Eye View
Sandra J’s Photography & Fine Arts
https://sandrajsphotographyfinearts.zenfoliosite.com/
Book a Photo Painting Here; https://sandrajsphotographyfinearts.zenfoliosite.com/book
The Magnificent Great Blue Heron, The great blue heron grows to 4 feet tall with a 6 to 7 foot wingspan. Despite its large size, its hollow bones allow it to weigh only 5 to 6 pounds.
You wouldn’t think this small bird would have wings this beautiful. They always take my breath away, especially when you hear them fly by.
Have a wonderful weekend.
The Magnificent Great Blue
Wildlife’s Picnic Table, This blue jay is stretching way up there to see what is on the table. Checking to see if maybe there is a better morsel of food than the one he already has.
Wildlife’s Picnic Table
Sandra J’s Photography & Fine Arts
https://sandrajsphotographyfinearts.zenfoliosite.com/
Book a Photo Painting Here; https://sandrajsphotographyfinearts.zenfoliosite.com/book
