" Its a Sea Gull"

Even before arriving at your chosen seaside you often see the flying antics of a "Sea Gull" announcing the immediacy of your chosen destination.. However, most people would be hard pressed to identify the species of the Gull announcing the attainment of the sought goal. Within the 50 US states there are some 27 species of gulls. Of course not all species are represented at every seashore. For the East coast the two most prevalent gulls are the Laughing Gull and the Ringbilled Gull which is represented in the photo provided. While most often seen on the coast gulls often move inland during the winter months. You may see them at local lakes or even on large paved parking lots where they gather in large numbers. Who hasn't enjoyed feeding gulls leftover bread pieces by tossing them up in the air on the beach or from the bow of a boat on the open water. Gulls are very adept at making in flight catches. At times I have felt threatened by the mass of gulls that sometimes accumulate during this feeding process. It just wouldn't be the same without gulls at the beach.

Snagged

This image is of a Tri-Colored Heron. It was taken from inside my car on a drive through Black Point Drive in Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The snag was right by the road. I slowly moved the car to within 10-15 feet of the snag and then framed and focused this keeper. I had many opportunities such as this on my drive through the refuge. I have now made two trips that met with similar photographic success. There were other opportunities for photography in the area such as Blue Heron Wetlands back in Titusville. The sunsets in this whole area were absolutely fabulous. At the wetlands I had two Sandhill Cranes stick their heads inside the van. I later learned they had been born at the wetlands and had never seen fit to migrate. Plenty of wildlife viewing available in the Titusville area. 

"Its not all about Birds"

"Its not all about Birds" is a quote borrowed from my favorite Bird photographer Arthur Morris ( Birdsasart.com) . While birders and bird photographers may at times seem focused only on the bird population its not nescessarily so. As for myself, I have an interest in the whole of Nature. I photograph not only the birds but any other wildlife that might present itself for a portrait session. Butterflies are one of my favorites. They are however more difficult than birds. I have chased them from one end of a field to the other and back. I have also encountered much frustration when just as I am ready to press the shutter button my prey is off to the next appealing nectar reservoir. Actually many of my images are just blurs as the prize subject flutters away in the middle of an exposure. And then you have the wind to further complicate matters. So you finally have a stationary subject but its resting place is waving gallantly like a flag. Not for the impatient is this butterfly photography. The photo at left is of a Black Swallowtail. One of my favorites but not one to spend much time at leisure. As I write there are 6 to 8 Tiger Swallowtails fluttering around the multitudinous blooms of our Lilac bush , tempting me to a test of nerves. 

Prehistoric?

I remember the first time I saw this prehistoric creature. Actually there were about 20 of them checked into a small roadside pond. My son and I stopped on the roadside sending them all skyward. They circled elegantly above us with outstretched white wings that were tipped in black. In small groups they slowly returned to the black muck of the pond. We were able to get good looks at them and their large prehistoric looking heads. It was several years later that I had this opportunity to put a specimen of the Wood Stork on film. I had seen several at a pond in Titusville Florida and managed a stop by one afternoon. This lovely fellow along with several others were present. The sun and clouds were playing hide and seek. I kept the Stork in my sights and when the sun shone on him I had the image I desired. The Wood Stork is a beautiful sight from the neck down. The rest takes some getting used to. Even with its prehistoric look the Wood Stork is one of my favorite birds to see in the Southeast. Perhaps, the reason is that they are slowly disappearing due to habitat loss. Who will deliver the babies then?

Bird on a Wire

Birds just seem to love sitting on a wire. Fences and powerlines seem to be favorite perching sites especially of the smaller birds. When I took this photo of a Yellow Rumped Warbler I was actually chasing a Blue Bird down a fence row trying to capture it on film. It turned out that the Blue Bird was an uncooperative subject on this Fall day. I had given up the chase and was about to walk away when the Yellow Rumped flew up from the grassy ground onto the barbed wire. This took me totally by surprise and it seemed a long moment before I slowly raised the camera to frame this image. The shutter snapped, and the Warbler was off for greener pastures leaving only this evidence of its wire sitting. Fence post are another favorite perching site as will be seen in a later posting. The Loggerheaded Shrike has devised an inventive use for barbed wire fencing. It will impale its prey on the barbs before partaking of a tasty meal. Just a interesting tid bit, so to speak.

Flapping in the Breeze

One of the first things that attracted me to birding was ducks, wild ducks. Seeing them for the first time through binoculars and then a scope I was amazed at their variation of colors, shapes, and sizes. Part of the challenge of bird photography is getting close enough to get a recognizable image of your subject. Often this is pure luck. Other times you get your desired image due to good planning. In the image at left of a Lesser Scaup it was kind of a combination of the two. I knew Scaup sometimes were present on a small pond in a recreational park in Titusville, Florida. I planned a stop there during a time of day when the lighting was good for photography. The luck was that a Scaup was present and that it was close enough to the shore that I could get a decent closeup image. The additional luck was that he was in a mood to lift himself up out of the water and flap his wings allowing more of an action shot . When the lighting is right the head is a glossy purple . The eyes are bright yellow and the bill is a cool shade of blue. I have always thought "blue-billed duck" would have been a better name. These ducks are often seen in large floating groups called "rafts". The Lesser Scaup has a slightly larger cousin called the Greater Scaup. For many, it is often difficult to tell them apart. There are differences, such as head shape. A study of your field guide will be useful in making the proper ID. I can only wish that all photo subjects would be as cooperative as this Lesser Scaup.

Fort Travis

My wife and I made a trip to Houston Texas one spring spcifically for birding such locations as High Island, the Bolivar Flats, and Anahuac NWR. At the Western end of the Bolivar Penisula we found a treat in the Fort Travis Seaside Park. We had a picnic lunch while sitting on the seawall and oberving gulls, terns and ducks. We were extremely fascinated by one group of ducks that were unlike any we had previously seen. We studied the ducks and our field guides trying to determine the species. They turned out to be Fulvous Whistling-Ducks. We then turned our attention to walking the grounds of the old fort. There was a huge green grassy area that stretched from the fort to the seawall. We soon noticed a group of 3 long-billed birds meticuosly searching through the grass. I crawled on my belly through the grass to capture the above Marbled Godwit on film. For me, the time spent on the grounds of the fort was probably the most relaxing time of our whole trip. The Fort is just a few minutes away from Bolivar Flats where a short time later we were able to observe thousands of milling shorebirds. Got to get back to Texas.

Ding Darling

Ding Darling Natonal Wildlife Refuge is on the West coast of Florida on Sanibel Island just off the coast from Ft. Myers. In times past it has been a haven for large waterbird photography. In the past three years things have changed due to what some feel is mismangement of the refuge and damage from hurricanes. The number of birds utilizing the refuge has greatly dwindled. This of course has meant great disapointment for photographers. The photo at left is of a Great Egret in flight at the refuge. It is one of my favorites and the image was published in a book called "Sanibel and Captiva Island a photographic portrait". There were literally dozens of photographers on the little winding road that runs through the refuge. It was amazing to watch feeding White Pelicans, Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Roseate Spoonbills and more while at the same time positioning yourself for that great shot. I feel fortunate to have been there in its prime and am hopeful for its future.

Texas Scissors

The bird at left has long been one of my favorites. The first time I saw one I had no idea what it was. My wife and I were driving through a state park in Oklahoma with our three sons on a 6 week motorhome trip. A bird flew across in front of us and I asked "what was that?" My wife answered "A Scissor Tailed Flycatcher". This was years before we started birding and I of course did not believe her. After a little research it was determined that it was indeed the aforementioned bird. Once I started photographing birds the Scissor Tailed was on my want list. On a business trip to the Dallas/Fort Worth area years after my first sighting my wish came true. I was actually driving to the airport for my return trip to Tennessee. On a busy four lane highway I started seeing Scissortails sitting on the roadside fences. I pulled off the highway as soon as possible and got out the camera. There were several birds in that particular spot and they were cooperative with my photo efforts. Its not until those long tails are spread apart in flight that you visualize the scissors. I got so involved with the photo session I had to speed up my drive to make it to my flight ontime. 

Sleepy Time

I caught this Reddish Egret sleeping on one trip through the Black Point drive on Merritt Island. I have a couple of shots of him looking first to the left and then to the right before tucking in for the evening nap. I can honestly say I never thought of sleeping in this awkard looking position. When feeding, the Reddish Egret is actually a very active bird often chasing down its prey. While I do consider myself an avid birder I also like to take the time to oberve behaviors. I do keep a life list and enjoy seeing it grow. More than the ticking off of a list I take pleasure in the surroundings and environment of the habitat. I may not see as many species of birds in a day as other birders but I am sure I could tell you more about the species that I saw than many other birders that do it for the LIST. I was never very good at drawing or painting. I was actually awful. It was not until I purchased my first camera that I felt I could contribute in an artful way. I first started with landscape and flower photography as well as a few weddings and environmental portraiture. It wasn't until I started photographing birds that I felt a true calling. I haven't shot anything in a couple of years but I am feeling the urge to get back among the avian world with my camera. Look out Florida, here I come.