The name is not pejorative from me at least. This little guy was at church, the Tumacacori Mission in Southern Arizona. He was in the walled garden, a really pretty place with small shade trees and stunning flowers. The Lesser was a new bird for me on the trip last spring.
Bird Week IV - Curve-billed Thrasher /
This little guy (juvenile -note yellow eye) was quite chatty. We were on a hike in the Organ Pipe National Monument and he popped up on this cactus and scolded us for a couple of minutes. It was a new bird for me, this area was full of birds I had never seen that are mostly local to southern Arizona.
Bird Week IV Cedar Waxwing /
This shot was taken in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the southeastern corner where the elk herds are being restored to the area. We were watching elk that afternoon and then took a short walk along a stream. I saw several of these birds, they usually flock together, eating berries. They would then fly over to this tree and rest and then back to the berry tree. I think this is the best songbird photo I have taken and of one of my favorite birds to watch. Cedar Waxwings have great color. It is with the Fuji X-T2 and the 100-400 zoom at about 310.
Bird Week IV White-winged Dove /
I was able to see and identify several of these birds - the first one was in Arizona at Fort Bowie. However, the best photo I got was this one at our campground in Nevada near Great Basin National Park. There were two of them and one was flitting about while this one seemed to be stuck on this branch, hardly moving.
Could It Possibly Be...? /
Indeed, the long awaited Bird Week IV is here. (Please note the classy use of Roman Numerals just like the Super Bowl.) First up is the female Ruby-Throated Hummingbird. I caught her at the Thuya Gardens in Northwest Harbor, Maine.
Stark /
These birch trees grew in this area after a devastating fire mid-1900's. The birch were quick to grow and took over several areas. Now, as the taller trees fill the canopy the birch are dying. This area is filled with stark white trunks and tall ferns that turn the color of cinnamon in the fall.
"Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow." Psalm 51:7 NLT
Really! /
Thought we left this stuff years ago. Welcome to Raleigh in the winter of 18.
Wild /
Beautiful flowers on Mt Dessert Island along the shore in Tremont, Maine near the harbor. Tremont is a small village with one of the more popular lobster piers.
Bird Week IV Red-tail /
I am not the best at identifying hawks that don't fit the precise model in the bird books. And most don't. If I could see a flash of red on the tail, got it, banded tail, got it but usually it is a variant because the change with the seasons and regions and maturity. However, I really think this is a red-tail hawk. It was soaring over the NC Museum of Art. And it was lovely to watch.
Little Hunter Beach /
Not much of a beach as in lay in the sand and soak up the sun but a really cool little pebble cove that has a stream feeding into the ocean that adds a nice touch to the scene. This is a portion of the beach toward Otter Point. If you are here at low tide you can *barely* make your way beyond the outcrops and find deep cuts where you discover star fish, barnacles, mussels, super colors and much more.
Cadillac Mountain Sunset /
Sunrise is the preferred time for Cadillac Mountain as your view to the east in unobstructed and one of the first places, at least some of the year, for the sun to peak out at the east coast. Sunset is not quite as popular because it is not as easy to get a great view to the west. However, it has the advantage of not happening at 4AM!
Otter Cliffs /
One of my favorite shots in Acadia National Park. You get the flash of red only for a very short time, this morning less than a minute. This shot is about 15 seconds after another one I posted a couple of years ago.
Bridge /
On the trail to Hunters Beach is this bridge out of some sort of fairy tale. Needs a few trolls underneath to be complete. Hunters Beach is a pebble beach that is close but not many visitors come here. Partly because the parking area only fits about 4 cars. We love it, usually see eagles nearby and once saw a mink! The sound of the waves receding through the rocks is unique.
Morning at Witch Hole Pond /
Located in the north of Acadia National Park you get to this by hiking a carriage road that connects to Duck Bridge Road. It is about 2 miles to the pond, at least from where this photo is taken. We left about 4AM to get to the spot before the sun rose. Worth giving up the warm bed! You can just barely make out Venus still in the night sky.
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne. I am the bright morning star.” Revelation 22:16 NLT
Red /
Welcome to "I miss Acadia National Park" week. The pond is called Bubble and is a deep and narrow lake at the foot of Cadillac and Pemetic Mountains on either side.
Just a Stream /
Somewhere near Boone, NC. Not sure if I knew the name but I don't recall it now. Cool spot in the summer, must be neat to see if frozen this winter.
Yates Mill #5 /
This is similar to the shot I posted a several days ago but with ice! Lovely place.
Old State House /
This is part of the Boston National Historical Park that has several buildings and sites associated with the American Revolution. Just in front of this building, about where I am standing for the shot is the memorial to the Boston Massacre that I posted a few days ago. Couple more of these sites to come.
The Marimba Man /
"So, play "Stardust" for me again."
It winter, so what do you do? You play around in a dark room with light painting. Try number one. If this is too far afield, there is a new "Eats!" today and a new campground yesterday. Regular programing resumes tomorrow.
Yates Mill #4, the Frozen Years /
Took another quick trip to Yates on Saturday. Was so cold. My gloves were useless. Did two thirty minute shoots but that is all I could stand. I did like this shot of the mill wheel, the ice, the dam and the rainbow. Did you see the rainbow. That means summer will come! Oh, and welcome to the Monday thaw.
