A Lot of Life In One Afternoon

I came across the top half piece of a big ol' catfish today.  Something must have dropped it from it's talons or jaws or just left it on the road in a hurry.

After being at home for a little while, it dawned on me that perhaps whatever deserted this meal might actually return to finish it!  I quickly got back into my car and drove to the spot, relieved to find it still there.  However, before I could even shift into PARK, I turned and saw this Great Blue Heron touch down to the ground right next to the fish!  It didn't hesitate for a moment--not even taking a nibble off of it--before it lifted off again, sensing my presence.  I wasn't quite ready, but I quickly grabbed my camera and snapped a few pictures.

Next, this crow came to investigate what the heron left behind.

He didn't stay long either.

A couple hours later and now a few miles from home, I came across this alert sentinal and a pair of birds (which I'm curious as to what kind they are.)  I wondered what their attentiveness was about.

Then noticed another crow in a nearby tree, devouring an animal.

Life, and it's cycles.....


The initial reason I decided to pull over at this other spot, was this carcass protruding from the side of the road.

And I got a kick out of seeing this!

Getting back to earlier, with the heron and catfish oh-so-close to my home....

I sat for a while waiting for the heron to return or--perhaps--an eagle--or whatever else enjoys fresh catfish, and from the comfort of my seatwarmer and an open window, I was bedazzled by the raindrops on branches and raindrops on the water.  What a wonderful way to pass the time today!!  And what a beautiful day it was!!

And to add a little more sweetness, these birds came into view from where I sat....

One of the things I've always loved about Blue Jays, is that they always seem to have their heads bowed, seemingly in prayer.

Returning home from an afternoon spent in harmony with nature, I saw out of the corner of my eye and through weeds, flashes of white from this pair of swans flying over a pond.  I did a drive-by of their fly-by.

Wow!  That's a lot of life (and death) to see in just a couple hours!  Having a little extra time on my hands this afternoon was timed perfectly for exactly what I needed today.

Glaura B!

Sweet Little Eastern Phoebe

This little bird accompanied me on my walk the other morning!  For about a full mile, this Eastern Phoebe stayed right with me as I meandored down the road, pausing each time I paused, posing for a picture before flying just a couple feet ahead of me, waiting for me to catch up and snap it's picture again...   then flitting off to yet another branch hanging over the edge of the road and looking back at me to make sure I was following...  Throughout the entire distance, I engaged in 'conversation', asking if it perhaps recognized me as the owner of the house it rebuilds it's nest on each spring.  ("You're the lady with the camera, it replied!")  Fantasy aside, I share a few of the shots I took of this bird on the various twigs, vines and branches it perched on along the way while I caught up to it.  Enjoy the sweetness!

Pheasants

I share the following colorful portraits I took of pheasants today.  I'm still in awe.  While they possess every color of the rainbow in all it's vivid hues, they still manage to almost completely disappear in the field.  I purposely included a few of those 'hidden' shots for you to see how well they do this.

A Snowy Day in March

A snowy day in March allowed for a beautiful ride into work yesterday.  Day broke under a gray sky and a steady snowfall, and the landscape took on a quiet, sparse air.

The afternoon precipitation didn't stop me from photographying the scenery as I drove through a horse farm later that day.

Buried Under Today's Snow

This throwback to winter and a wistful longing for spring made me want to share these recent landscapes.


Buried under today's snow is this quiet, peaceful resting spot along the river.
Sitting across from this scene, watching the river flow, by was soothing the soul.
This image will be included in my upcoming coffee table book.

                                                  Looking upstream from that same perspective.

             Earlier that day while driving in the southern part of the state, this scene captured my eye.

                                    I hiked this trail yesterday, and hugged a few trees along the way.

The Opulence of a Super Full Moon

                               As according to NASA, tonight's full moon was a "Super Full Moon"
                                 --the biggest, brightest, most beautiful moon in the next 18 years. 



A Different Pair of Bald Eagles

A friend told me about another Bald Eagle nest aside from the one I spent time observing last month.  I was able to locate that other nest last weekend, but did not see any birds in or around it at that time.  I drove away, deciding instead to photograph some waterfowl at one of my favorite places to visit.  To my great, unexpected surprise, no sooner did I park my vehicle on the side of the road and look out toward the marsh, the first thing I immediately saw was a pair of eagles--their piebald bodies contrasting vividly against the background scenery!  With a large lake between us, I got as close as I could physically get with my feet on land, however they were still quite a distance away.  I share a varitey of images that span a four-hour observation.