Sightings

April 21, 2020

A much warmer morning got us to the river around 7:10 AM. About as much sun as yesterday with no breeze. Temperature was 43. Really a pretty event free morning. I saw what I refer to as the “Big Three” – Great Blue Heron, Osprey and Cormorant but in all cases they were really too high up to lend themselves to good photography. As proof of that statement I offer today’s featured picture as evidence. One odd thing today was the total absence of Canada Geese. However I did add a new bird to my all time list of sightings….

0
Sightings

April 20, 2020

A warmish morning (I thought) got Whisper and I out for our patrol at 7:05 AM. Much more sun than yesterday but a slight breeze made the 39 degree temperature seem pretty cold. There are a couple of things I like about hitting the trail early. With the sun just coming up there is plenty of low, dramatic light that really pops the detail in the tree bark, leaves and underbrush. The early hour also gives me hope of spotting an owl hanging on in hopes of getting one last field mouse before turning in. This morning I got the…

0
Sightings

April 19, 2020

Once again we made it to our favorite spot before 8 AM. Today’s 42 degree temp felt much colder than yesterday due to the near total lack of sunshine. That shiny yellow ball makes a big difference. Pretty quiet walk with only a quick Deer sighting that resulted in the photo on the left. Sightings:Birds: Canada geese, Starlings, Robins, Violet Green Swallows, Osprey, American Kestrel, Crow, Western Meadow Lark, TurkeyCritters: Mule Deer, Squirrels

0
Sightings

April 18, 2020

Today’s outing got underway just before eight this morning. Temperature was 37 and there was no wind. As we get deeper into Spring there are three birds that I am hoping to see. They are Northern Oriole, Western Tanager and Western Grebe. They did not make an appearance today, unfortunately. Sightings:Birds: Canada geese, Starlings, Robins, Flicker, Violet Green Swallows, Barn Swallows, Osprey, Wood Ducks, Mallard Ducks, American Kestrel, Belted KingfisherCritters: Mule Deer, Squirrels Gear: Nikon D5100, 55-200mm lens

0
Sightings

April 16, 2020

Got an early start this morning. Arrived at the park a little after eight with only a slightly uncomfortable temp of 40. I was surprised to see very few Swallows after yesterday’s extravaganza but my disappointment was overcome by an abundance of Osprey actively fishing the Arkansas River. I saw at least five of them. Sightings:Birds: Canada geese, Starlings, Robins, Cormorant, Flicker, Violet Green Swallows, Osprey, DucksCritters: Mule Deer Gear: Nikon D5100, 55-200mm lens

0
Sightings

April 15, 2020

After three days trapped indoors by crappy weather and a deadly virus, Whisper and I made it to our normal spot a little after nine this morning. Weather was very clear and calm with a temperature in the low forties. The excitement came when I saw that the Swallows have arrived back from their Winter travels. I am pretty sure they are Violet Green Swallows and there were a bunch of them soaring and darting all over the sky. I tried to grab a picture of one in flight but had no luck. One bad aspect of their return lies…

0
Birds Galleries Wildlife

Fishing with Osprey

One of the benefits of my method of nature photography is that I occasionally just bumble into some amazing situations. That happened last October while walking along the Arkansas river at Lake Pueblo State Park. I just happened to look up and saw an Osprey literally hovering over the river setting his sights on a promising meal. Fortunately I had everything preset, as is my practice, and all I had to do was raise the camera, set focus and fire away. Of course by the time I did all that I had missed the details of the incredibly rapid dive….

0
Process

Modus Operandi

I am not the typical nature/wildlife photographer. Often when I am out shooting I am also walking my dog, Whisper. Since I keep him on a leash at all times my left hand is completely occupied. As a result of this self-imposed handicap I am forced to shoot using only one hand. Not only is shooting a bit tricky (I am completely dependent on my camera’s auto-focus and image stabilization features) but the very idea of trying to change lenses or set up and use a tripod are not options. Whisper’s other contribution to keeping my outings productive is that…

0
Sightings

April 11, 2020

We got out early this morning once again. Started our walk around 7:40 AM with a temperature in the mid forties. Sunny. Because of the early start saw a large flock of Wild Turkey on the trip out. Sightings:Birds: Canada geese, Starlings, Robins, Cormorants, Mallard Ducks, Kestrel, Starlings, Turkey, Flicker, Blue JayCritters: Mule Deer, Cottontail Rabbit______________________________________________________________________ Gear: Nikon D5100, 55-200mm lens

0