Uploads from nancylynnfree

GBH in Flight

nobody@flickr.com (nancylynnfree) — Fri, 24 May 2013 03:06:18 -0700

I wish there was a way for me to see how much this post clogs up your screens this morning. Sorry!! Well, at least I'm not some stranger to you. And you get to see all 4 pics without having to jump through hoops.
I was pretty proud of myself getting this sequence of photos of this Great Blue Heron ------ finally ----- handheld camera and I wasn't even leaning on a tree or anything. Once again, he/she (I know there are a pair here) had surprised me while I was trying to photograph a new Dragonfly ---- flying up out of tall grass --- yes, still pretty far away -- I'd say 200 feet or more. And yes, these are stills, not clips from a video, which my new Nikon has the capabilities to do, but I haven't even gone there yet.
I used Big Huge Labs to create this "mosaic" but it's alot of extra time & work and I won't be using it alot it the future. Picasa just doesn't put together a string of pictures this way. But I wanted to make a point --- that if there is a will, there is a way. Flickr chose my post yesterday of the Belted Kingfisher for EXPLORE and I wasn't even very happy because 99% of the people who look at it won;t see the whole story -- that I spent over a month chasing these guys and had some "other" photos to show for it. I do like some of the new features, and there are ways to get around some of the undesirable ones, But all and all, I do not believe it is "user friendly" to the people who use the site the way it was intended to be used in the beginning. My Pro membership is due for renewal on July 1st and in the meantime, I am just going to hide and watch to see what comes about. Geez, that's what I spend MOST of my day doing anyway --- hiding and watching! (-:

Indignent Kingfisher

nobody@flickr.com (nancylynnfree) — Thu, 23 May 2013 04:18:55 -0700

nancylynnfree posted a photo:

I have been so patient and worked so hard to catch a good photo of this Belted Kingfisher over the past month. Although this lead photo is messy and he's mostly blocked by the big tree branch, I just love his "hair do"!! Once again, he was mad at me and made no bones about letting me know. I have never heard a bird that scolded SO loudly as it flies away from me
^%$*&@!*(&@*! does not even begin to tell the naughty language he uses as he chastises me for even daring to enter his turf. Very much like a Hairy Woodpecker that makes sure I'm aware that the suet feeder is empty and he's hungry --- only much louder.
I will continue to post more than one photo in most cases. To me, photography is about the "adventure" of catching the wonderful things I see. I live in a part of the world that most people only dream about and I LIKE sharing my little stories. I think there should be a place at Flickr that suits everyone's tastes. My biggest complaint to date is that once 3 or 4 comments are made, other folks don't see the follow up photos unless they know to hit "see more comments" cue. And if one is like me and does not have as interest in seeing a bunch of Group awards, that the folks didn't even bother to make a personal comment along with just the award logo, they may not bother and just post their own comment on the lead pic.
OH WELL!

Yea! The Insects Have Aroused!!

nobody@flickr.com (nancylynnfree) — Wed, 22 May 2013 03:46:33 -0700

nancylynnfree posted a photo:

I am convinced this is a Snowberry Moth, aka Bumblebee Moth --- but I have NEVER seen a clearwing this small. I would say it was 1/3 the size of the Bumblebees it was sharing these flowers with --- very TINY -- about the size of a Wasp.
Below is my first Damselfly of the year -- no ID --- but I do have my wonderful new book by Dennis Paulson, that I have yet to crack open: "Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East"
I need to do some work on jumping 10 megapixels in size on my camera on closeups. But I was a happy camper yesterday seeing alot of small creatures other than the trillions of Black Flies.

Damselfly pics below!

Variable Dancer

nobody@flickr.com (nancylynnfree) — Wed, 22 May 2013 03:46:33 -0700

nancylynnfree posted a photo:

Yes, I AM Upset!

nobody@flickr.com (nancylynnfree) — Tue, 21 May 2013 04:24:56 -0700

nancylynnfree posted a photo:

This was not the image I was going to use today, but it is more appropriate for how frustrated I feel having to deal with not being able to upload anything earlier this morning! I guess I will deal with the changes --- and I know I'm not alone in feeling a little betrayed by Flickr. I've never like "justified" showings --- makes everyone's photos look a little fakey & overly processed. Maybe it's my TV/monitor. I don't have time to fuss with it anymore this morning!

Late Arrivals?

nobody@flickr.com (nancylynnfree) — Mon, 20 May 2013 03:18:40 -0700

nancylynnfree posted a photo:

Apparently not for this area. I went back and checked and although I've taken a couple of photos in early May of the Ruby-throat Hummingbirds, usually I do not start seeing them in numbers until late May. There were at least 4 of them Saturday morning fighting for dominance over the feeders. I had placed 3 new feeders around the yard, away from the larger bird's area, but the only one they seemed interested in was the ugliest one under the pine tree out front. I am going to have to trim dead branches if I expect to get any good pictures in the future here, but for now, I'll just let them duke it out and hope they all get a belly full of the sweet stuff after a long journey and until some flowers start blooming that they like. It's really early in the year for Hummingbird pics, anyway.

Celebrating New Life!!

nobody@flickr.com (nancylynnfree) — Sun, 19 May 2013 03:55:35 -0700

nancylynnfree posted a photo:

My whole day yesterday was pretty much involved seeing and studying Canadian Geese -- from morning til late into the evening. Friday morning, I noticed that the pair of Geese that had stuck really close to shore at Burbee Pond for weeks now, were sporting new accessories --- 4 darling new Baby Goslings!
Now this may be "old hat" to alot of you, but this was my very first viewing of newly hatched CG babies and I was so happy! So I went back yesterday morning to see if I could get a closer look. I know now that the parents had decided to move their little family somewhere else, now that the youngsters could swim. What amazed me was that there was a whole entourage of "other" Canadian Geese that came across the pond and escorted them to the other side. I kid you not!! I watched the whole thing and have pictures to show for it!! When they were pretty much out of camera range, I left.
Last evening, I discovered that indeed the little family was relocated at another much smaller pond near by, one of many, connected through marsh to Burbee. I was very pleased as it is an area that I go to often and had even seen a family of Geese with older youngsters there 3 years ago. As I was standing on the banks clicking away, there suddenly appeared TWO Great Blue Herons flying over the mountain high in the sky. Actually the top photo was taken at 6:27pm and the bottom 2 at 6:31pm) The Herons landed pretty far away from this little pond, but I couldn't help but notice when I uploaded the pics, that this particular image showed one of the Babies already looking up -- perhaps for danger. The correlation was perfect, even if the photos aren't.
Since it was getting late in the evening, I decided to try my hand once again at another pond about 10 miles away --- where Jesse has several times seen Moose. No Moose, but once again I had a very exciting and unusual encounter with Canadian Geese and another Great Blue Heron. I'll only say this for now --- I felt like I was in the land OZ with the flying Monkeys filling the air --- I took lots of action photos, but wish now I had taken the time to learn how to use the video on my new camera. Hoping to put something together with the stills to show what an incredible experience it was sometime soon.

American Redstart!

nobody@flickr.com (nancylynnfree) — Sat, 18 May 2013 03:03:21 -0700

nancylynnfree posted a photo:

A "life bird" for me! I "think" I "might" have seen one before --- "maybe" 2 years ago -- but these little guys are really hard to see -- not because they aren't brilliantly colored, but they are excellent at hiding in the shadows of the tree's branches. I think I took at least 20 pics of this particular male, and only this one was even recognizable as a Redstart.
Below, is a lucky catch of of a Brown Thrasher -- another bird that is VERY good at hiding, that was within feet of where I found the Redstart. I discovered both, by first using my ears -- the Redstart is very loud for such a tiny bird, and the Thrasher was noticeable by the rummaging sounds in the deep thicket. I had to be very patient and sneaky with both these guys.
If anyone is interested, the map shows this spot --- where I now live. If you put it on hybrid and zoom in or out, you can see I am right along the river, surrounded by miles of woodlands, and yet almost right by a Route 30 which goes northeast past the dam and the eagles and Townshend State Park.
Yesterday, I stopped in at the Ranger's station run by the Army Corps of Engineers. The door was locked but this awesome Ranger named Donna invited me in and I spent 30 minutes in wonderful conversation with her. She said the back road to the Eagles nest would NOT be opened this year -- again - mostly due to damage from 2 years ago by Hurricane Irene. I was SO happy to hear that --- I had found new shotgun shell casings right across the river from the Eagles nest, and had wanted to report it to the Rangers. She felt it was most likely from someone hunting Wild Turkeys as the season opened May 1st. I have my doubts. As you know I have been walking the 3/4 mile into the nest several times over the last month, and there has never been a Turkey anywhere in sight.
We talked alot about the Eagles nesting around the State, and so far there are 18 confirmed live chicks -- "ours" are not hatched yet. She also gave me a photocopy of last year's 2 fledglings in the same nest taken by a member of the Audubon Society with a zoom web cam. I was thrilled to meet her and was invited back to visit anytime I wanted. As you all know, I tend to be like the Brown Thrasher -- avoiding human contact as much as possible. But I found I really liked this "human" and had made a new friend.

Red-bellied Woodpecker!!! (female)

nobody@flickr.com (nancylynnfree) — Fri, 17 May 2013 03:58:23 -0700

nancylynnfree posted a photo:

Yes, it's a feeder foto, yes, these were taken through my LR window, yes, the lighting is bad ----- but I was Jumping for Joy over these pictures yesterday morning! She's back! Two days in a row and I've been hopping up every minute or so to see if she returns this morning, too -- I sure hope so -- but if she's moved on I wouldn't blame her --- the Blue Jays may have driven her crazy. Although she did get respect, as far as I could see. But then even the Chipmunks and Squirrels get respect from the "supposed" Bullies -- the Jays. The last pic is of a Jay who waited a LONG time just above her until she was finished eating. And I love the tongue action on the first pic.
I have had the photo of the male Red-bellied as my thumbnail pic on my set of "Lifer birds" since the beginning of my quest to collect 100 pictures. I just can't tell you how much I Love these Woodies!! And since she's only the 2nd one I've ever seen, my heart has been longing for over 4 years to see another.
It is a little far North for them, even in Summer months, so I sure hope she decides to stay, but she's gotta find a mate for that to happen, I guess.
Hope everyone has a Happy Weekend!!

Lady Bluebird

nobody@flickr.com (nancylynnfree) — Thu, 16 May 2013 01:32:06 -0700

nancylynnfree posted a photo:

Funky lighting from the skies all day yesterday --- but what a phenomenal photo day! I don't remember having so much trouble choosing "which" bird to post but this pretty little Bluebird won Queen for a Day. Mainly because I have never gotten a decent pic of either the male or female, and up until this year had only seen ONE in my life that I know of.
I decided to drop by the nesting boxes in wetlands up the road and could see a bird sitting on top of #12. I did a couple of quick clicks and inched closer. All of a sudden a Male Bluebird flies up and into the trees. I couldn't find him so went down by the wetland area to see what I could see, all the time convincing myself that it was "Really" just a lighter colored Tree Swallow that I had seen. As I was walking back to my car, I spied this little lady sitting on the post and this time I could see SHE was not a Swallow. I circled round as to not disturb her -- pretty sure by then, that at least one of the boxes had been claimed from the Swallows by a pair of Bluebirds. She flew into the brush and sat so prettily on something natural (not a post) that I took one more photo, even though she was very far away. I am very happy how the top image came out. It looks like I used special effects to enhance it, but it is really only auto contrast on Picasa because the original was so dark.
I will save the rest of my day for a surprise, but just have to tell you this! I have a RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER coming to my suet feeder!!! At first I thought it was the Norther Flicker --- and that in itself was a Shock --- all day long --- I couldn't believe I could be so lucky as to have a Red-bellied here --- this far North. I'm not even sure if it's a boy or girl because I have yet to get a picture except through the window with the Sony. (head coloring fainter and really PINK - makes me lean towards girl) But she was back this morning and that makes 2 days --- and I hope that means ALL Summer! I LOVE these birds SO much!!! So what else is new, right?

Female Bluebird

nobody@flickr.com (nancylynnfree) — Thu, 16 May 2013 01:32:06 -0700

nancylynnfree posted a photo:

Female Bluebird #83

nobody@flickr.com (nancylynnfree) — Thu, 16 May 2013 01:32:06 -0700

nancylynnfree posted a photo:

Like Threading a Needle!

nobody@flickr.com (nancylynnfree) — Wed, 15 May 2013 03:56:16 -0700

nancylynnfree posted a photo:

I have NEVER heard a Baltimore Oriole singing before -- until last evening. I went out to listen to the Rose-breasted Grosbeaks -- I'd recognize their voices anywhere a mile away. But there was a competition going on between the male Rosies and another bird with just as awesome a voice as they had. And then I spied a flash of Orange in the high tree branches. Could it be? An Oriole almost right outside my door?!!? It was, it was! And this Handsome guy would have a bite to eat, sing a little song, fly to another branch, have a bite, and sing a song --- over and over again! I was in ecstatic with Joy -- bobbing and weaving trying to catch a clear sight of him in the last rays of sun as it was going behind the mountain. I know it looks like broad daylight from these images, but it was getting quite dark down below where I was standing. I would estimate these Oak trees to be about the size of a 4 or 5 story building. OK, I cheated --- I had to do some "googling" this morning to find out for sure what kind of Trees these were and IF Orioles liked to eat their flowers. They DO! And remember I have 2 Oaks right in my back yard, but didn't realize there were a whole bunch of really old ones all along the drive and river. I've been carting around a couple of Tree and Flower Field Guides for years, but still wouldn't be able to tell you much except what a Maple leaf looks like and ID a Birch tree when I see it's trunk.
Needless to say I am once again thrilled as I discover more and more birds and wildlife in my "new" world. It seems I've inherited a "natural" feeding environment where I live -- although with about a dozen or more Blue Jays eating me out of house & home at my feeders, there's lots of curious new visitors coming round them, too.
I always say this when I hear a new Song bird -- but I tell you, Baltimore Orioles have the most BEAUTIFUL voices I've ever heard. OK, a total toss up between them and the Rosies and it seems I've got them BOTH returning here for the Summer to raise their young. Yea!!!

Celebrating Tulips!

nobody@flickr.com (nancylynnfree) — Tue, 14 May 2013 03:10:33 -0700

nancylynnfree posted a photo:

Right across the road from my old Post Office, someone has planted lots and lots of individual flowers in raised beds. It is so obvious that they are the beginning of a glorious garden to be --- many of the plants look new -- single blooms from a single bulb, and surrounded by straw as mulch to ward off weeds. As I was admiring some of the prettier Tulips, 2 little girls under the age of 5 came out and were so pleased that someone like their garden. I asked them to ask their Mommy if I could take pictures, and they were running from flower to flower showing them off. I just knew their Mom was standing by the window, happy that someone else had noticed and appreciated her "fledgling" garden, too.

I promised a Dear Flickr Friend that I would "find" something RED to post this week in a tribute to the cause of finding a cure for MS. Here you go Dona!! What a wonderful community Flickr is.
www.flickr.com/photos/24549605@N04/8717770019/in/photostream

Did Anybody Think I Would NOT Post Pics of the Eagles Today?

nobody@flickr.com (nancylynnfree) — Mon, 13 May 2013 02:14:26 -0700

nancylynnfree posted a photo:

I threw my new Nikon into action yesterday, and although I took lots of photos of flowers and other things, I could not stay away from the Bald Eagles' nest, once I was pretty sure the rain had stopped long enough for the 15 minute walk in. Last time I visited was almost a week ago and the parents were in the process of exchanging places in the nest when I first arrived, but not yet in camera range. Whoever stayed -- Mom or Dad --- remained standing for over an hour --- so I assumed that the eggs had hatched, since there was no more sitting.
Twice yesterday, this Parent (I believe it was the female because she was Huge) would take off flying in a rather small soaring circle around her nest. The first time I was caught unaware, but the second time I had at least put my camera on the "action" setting, and was able to catch some decent images. These are cropped heavily -- the last pic shows straight off my camera with the 200mm at full extension. They really are far, far away --- thank goodness! There were people with their dogs, barking, yesterday, and that may have been why she was circling -- looking for danger to her chicks. I would NEVER take my dogs along that trail now that I know the Eagles are there.
Then again, maybe she was giving some preliminary flying lessons to her young ones. Some people may think I'm crazy, but how else would she teach them to fly if not by showing them how it's done first. I could see well enough to watch her get up on the edge of the nest, look back, and then take off. Perhaps she was saying in Eagle talk: "Now make sure you curl your toes so they don't catch on the edge, spread your wings way, way out, big like this, and then just jump" (-:

Broad-winged Hawk Display

nobody@flickr.com (nancylynnfree) — Sun, 12 May 2013 03:21:10 -0700

nancylynnfree posted a photo:

I could NOT believe my eyes (or fortune) when I spied this triangle shape way at the top of the trees yesterday driving along Windham Hill Road, and it turned out to be a Hawk flashing his wings --- not fluttering, but slowly opening and closing them for YES, almost 2 minutes while I photographed him from below. If you think about it, 2 minutes is a LONG time in Bird time!
It had been raining very hard just before -- was he drying his wings ---- or showing off for a lady nearby? Or was he a fledgling just practicing his wing moves? I don't know, but I bet some of my expert friends out there can tell me. And GET THIS --- a half an hour later and almost 3 miles down the road, I saw ANOTHER Hawk doing the exact same thing on a tall tree just across the road from camp. And a THIRD one another mile down the road almost to Route 30. Still doesn't solve the mystery -- I understand that Broad-wings will migrate and congregate in an area in pretty decent sized numbers. The only thing I'm pretty sure about is that it WASN'T the same Hawk following me down Windham Hill for almost 5 miles, and flashing his stuff. It's things like this that make life so much worth getting out there and living!!! I started out the day looking for Moose and ended up with 4 different Hawks gracing my eyes throughout the day instead --- AND I got pics of the Belted Kingfisher --- AND I haven't even taken my new camera out of the box!!! If it's still raining all day, it will stay inside --- I am determined to treat this Nikon with respect it deserves. (-: And this little Sony is doing a pretty good job, of at least Recording what I'm seeing, if not the best pics.

Two Wild & Crazy Guys!

nobody@flickr.com (nancylynnfree) — Sat, 11 May 2013 01:05:44 -0700

nancylynnfree posted a photo:

I couldn't help but think about Steve Martin and Dan Aykroyd on Saturday Night Live when I saw the tilt of these 2 little fellas' heads.
It's always a joy to see Goldfinch -- no matter what time of year, but especially when they are all dressed up in their classy & bright breeding colors.
Check out how that rusty wheel feeding station is "growing" --- I am a tag sale nut and the Bear wind thingy and little Birch bird house are new to me and were awesome finds for cheap, cheap, cheap!

I know this humor is probably "politically incorrect" these days, but geez ,was Saturday Night Live funny in the "old days" . . . .
www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPy1D-bsFDE

Tree Swallows

nobody@flickr.com (nancylynnfree) — Fri, 10 May 2013 05:28:04 -0700

nancylynnfree posted a photo:

I just can't get enough of these precious little birds!!! I was exhausted yesterday morning -- out of sorts, and already wanting to take a nap at 8:45 am -- but something made me slam on my breaks and just go down to take a peek at the nesting boxes just outside the Park. I came away so refreshed and energized just watching these Beauties swirl and glide and dive and soar -- an awesome way to lift one';s heart and spirits. They have paired up now, but I don't go close enough to the boxes to bother them or see inside. I figure I'll be able to see little heads poking out looking for food soon enough.
I forgot about a nap and did some work around the house. While I took a break in the meadow, a Baltimore Oriole flew by me. I couldn't find him in the trees, so I rushed home and found some pretty sad Oranges in the refrigerator. Picked the best of the lot, sliced it in quarters and spiked them on whatever I could find. I kid you not, within 15 minutes, I had one eating away. Not a great photo taken through the window, but I was thrilled anyway. I LOVE these birds and have only seen them twice in my life. This morning the orange pieces were almost demolished, but I had stopped and bought a fresh one on my way home. Life is Good!!

Northern Flicker Silhouette

nobody@flickr.com (nancylynnfree) — Wed, 08 May 2013 05:12:49 -0700

nancylynnfree posted a photo:

This is a little something that I don't usually do --- a larger and different size photo for my post. But I was so pleased with this Flicker's profile when I cropped it close. I spend so much time trying to compensate for the Sony's low light capacities (or lack of) by messing with the pics after the fact, that I thought I would just leave the pic "as is" except for the huge crop.
I have grown to LOVE this guy!!! I know he's playing games with me now -- hide & seek among the branches and ever growing leaves. He doesn't fly way, way, way away, like most birds, he just keeps trying to find another spot on the same tree or one close by, to keep ducking and tucking.
But I caught him this day in full view --- hop, hop, hopping up the side of a branch. The photo below shows the heavy use of exposure adjustment --- just to show that he was what he was --- a Gorgeous Woodpecker that lives and plays right along side the river by my house. Not only that, his "territorial call" (wik-wik-wik-wik) is LOUD --- if he is in a tree near by I can hear him like he's almost inside even if the windows are closed. I'd like to invite him in as I have a real ANT problem in my kitchen and can't bring myself to buy poison. (instead I am trying to keep the counters cleaner at all times so at least I don't have to see them) ANTS are his favorite food and I have plenty!!!
If you are interested in one of the sounds he makes here's a link:
www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/northern_flicker/sounds
I recommend turning your volume down on your computer if you listen to the territorial sound --- I had to -- he has a strong voice -- not unlike the Pileated Woodpecker.

Northern Cardinal!!!!

nobody@flickr.com (nancylynnfree) — Tue, 07 May 2013 03:49:41 -0700

nancylynnfree posted a photo:

Of course this title has lots of !!!!! --- Cardinals have been very challenging for me the very few times I've even seen one. And this guy, in particular, has been "hanging around" almost since I moved in over 2 months ago -- but always hiding or fleeing anytime I even glance his way. I am very pleased to have finally had him sit there way up on the tree top in the morning sun for a second or 2 -- even doing a little singing, before he did his fly away.
I have been having a wonderful couple of days -- walking many, many miles in the nice, sunny weather to check on the Bald Eagles, explore the pond's backside, and discover the nooks and crannies around here, too --- especially the meadow and West River not 200 yards away. But the Black Flies have begun to be Fierce --- surrounding me in literal "clouds" of tiny bodies looking for my blood & even following me into my car --- it's almost impossible to be near any fresh, clean body of water until the Dragonflies arrive and start feasting on them.
So, I may stick around and enjoy my "backyard birds" a bit more for the next few days.