The Martin Van Buren house in Kinderhook, NY has a square tower that provides a unique look to an 18th century home. Our eighth President was the first one born as a US citizen and loved his home, his gardens and his books. Leaving them even for a short time was a trial for him. Great tour at this site. The house is built on the Albany to NYC road so it was a frequent stop for many famous politicians and a few not so famous. Washington Irving also once lived here as a tutor to the Van Buren children.
Two More Orca Photos /
Missed these when I posted the week of large animal. So, two more orca shots.
Sunday Post: Photo is from Alaska of Denali partially obscured by the clouds. /
Stealth Bird Week .6 /
This is a Horned Lark. This is not a very rare bird and can often be found on wide open fields like at an airport or large farm fields. Except for me. I tried to see one of this birds for years. Went to places where they were common or just seen in the spot, nothing. Finally, I was in a parking lot next to a large wildflower filed in Missouri when I spotted this fellow singing his heart out. Since then I have seen them two or three times but still a very stealthy bird - for me.
Stealth Bird Week .5 /
Another semi-common bird in certain areas but hard to see is today’s selection, a Savannah Sparrow. From sources: the Savannah sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) is a small New World sparrow that is the only member of the genus Passerculus. It is a widespread and abundant species that occupies open grassland habitats in North America. This one was photographed in the Yukon, Canada on the edge of a trail. The are 17 variations of this bird depending on its locale.
Stealth Bird Week .4 /
This tiny bird is a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. I photographed this one along a trail along the Blue Ridge Parkway. They like to flit through the undergrowth and thick shrubs so a clear shot is a good experience. The trail was along a lake and bordered by lots of rhododendron.
Stealth Bird Week .3 /
This beautiful Raven was photographed on the island of Sitka in Alaska. We were on a hike and across a stream this raven was perched on a tree looking intently at something. He was still there as we pushed on up the trail.
Stealth Bird Week .2 /
Another bird found in Denali National Park, the Willow Ptarmigan. This is summer coloration but in the winter it is almost entirely white. Occasionally called the Willow Grouse it is one of the strangest calls of any bird I have heard. I was thrilled to see this new species for me several times in Alaska. I would like to see one in the winter, unfortunately that would mean that it is also cold.
Stealth Bird Week (Don't tell Dennis - he won't notice until Thursday) /
Going through shots from Alaska and Florida - I am engaged in cleaning up, re-labeling and processing overlooks photos. I started with 2019 which includes the trip to Alaska and two to Florida so lots of birds. Hence 2026’s second and most welcome Bird Week. First up a beautiful little “understory” bird the Swainson Thrush. This bird was photographed in the eastern edge of Denali National Park.
Sunday Scripture: Photo from Southeast Virginia /
On a wing and a prayer /
Is a famous book and that is what we felt like in this plane and with this landing strip on our way to walk with the bears in Alaska. What an adventure. I called it our “Grizzly Taxi” though I am very grateful none of them climbed aboard.
Old Store /
This store is in Raleigh on the East side of town. I don’t recall the exact spot but I was out in the evening hunting for murals and signs when I ran across this one. It is a restaurant now but had been a grocery store for many years.
Pretty /
This delightful flower was found deep in the Corkscrew Swamp in Florida. I, of course, do not know what it is. However, my trusty iPhone ID service says it is a Water Hyacinth
Enormous Power /
Yellowstone Falls is a wonder in size and volume and sound. Not to be missed at Yellowstone National Park.
Tetons /
One of the very popular places for a photograph - there are thousands of these. However, did you note the bison? That exact bison in that exact pose is unique. Wow, coupled with the grass at that precise height equals a totally unusual photo presented today.
Craters of the Moon National Monument - last ones /
Well worth a stop if you are in south eastern Utah. A git out of the way for most trips but a unique place. That uniqueness includes one massive tree atop a dome of cinder in an arid land.
Sunday Scripture: Photo is from Alaska, near Haines on the Chilkoot Inlet, 11 in the evening late June /
Wild Animal Week .6 /
Just one more shot of the bears, a mom and two three year old cubs on their last year with mom.
Wild Animal Week .5 /
Steller sea lions are the largest members of the Otariid, or “eared seal,” family. Female sea lions average seven feet in length and about 600 pounds. Male sea lions, slightly longer at nine feet, weigh more than twice as much as females at an average of 1,500 pounds with “beach masters” reaching up to 2,400 pounds. Our ferry captain sailed close to this one, a well-known sea lion that is seen here most of the time. He even had a name for this massive seal but I don’t recall the name, perhaps, Jabba the Hutt. Two smaller harbor seals are sharing his perch.
Wild Animal Week .4 /
Orcas. We were traveling back from Juneau to Haines by ferry late in the evening. thanks to the long days we could still see a bit even though it was well past ten. As we traveled we saw a pod of Orcas, five I think. And they stayed abreast of us for more than 30 minutes or in photo-speak, 200 shots. These were not the only Orcas we saw in Alaska but by far the best and longest viewing time. What a treat.
