Sunday, May 25, 2014

Ospreys

Every once in a while I'll spot ospreys.  Here are two, at two different locations.









 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Belted Kingfishers

I spent some time lakeside this April morning, noticing that except for the dozens of cormorants and the single bald eagle in the trees before me, all the birds around me were in pairs.  I followed these two Belted Kingfishers as they fished, perched, and danced and chattered with each other.  Typically I'll see one, so it was a fortunate treat for me to see the pair in action.


































The Sun Breaks Through a Heavy Fog in a Marshy Field

But first....   I stopped to snap this scene of Swartswood's Northshore House
 before I continued on to the marsh.
 
 














 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



































Daybreak at Plymouth Lake

April 12, 2014
 

(I Never Tire From Seeing) Bald Eagles










Portraits of an American Kestrel

I had my eyes on a pair of American Kestrels in April of 2014.




















































Sunday, May 11, 2014

An Eagle Came to Fish - Part I and Part II

 
Sometimes I search for Bald Eagles.  Other times, they just find me. 
 
After two weeks of extensive, successful "searching", I was out one morning with my guard down, photographing ducks, when this juvenile bald eagle came swooping out of a tree and circled over the lake.  I estimate this eagle to be around four years old, as this is the year it's mottled feathers begin acquiring the trademark white tail and head feathers and a yellowish tinge to it's beak.
 
 







 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 















After circling a few times, the eagle assumed the striking position and began to descend, talons first.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 





                                         The eagle skimmed the surface successfully, but....








      Oops!  It dropped it's fish!  In my favor, I knew it would circle once more to try again to catch it.
















 
 
 
 
 
 
 















                                This time, it caught it's fish, then flew off with it.









                                                                            Part II


After a few minutes, I left this spot and drove around the lake to another vantage point to photograph ducks.  Imagine my surprise when I noticed the eagle perched on a tree at this new spot!  And imagine my surprise when it took to the air again, flying directly in front of me!