Pileated Woodpeckers

Two male Pileated Woodpeckers at my feeder a couple hours ago.

December 30, 2013.

Nikon D7100 | Nikon AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IF-ED

Red-bellied Woodpecker - Wings

A Red-bellied Woodpecker coming in for a landing on a backyard bird feeder.

February 2011.

Nikon D300 | Nikon AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IF-ED

Carolina Wren - Snowy Branch

A little Carolina Wren sitting outside my sun-room window.

April 2013.

Nikon D300  |  Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 APO DG OS

White-tailed Fawn - Eagle Creek Park

This White-tailed fawn appeared to be as interested in me as I was her.

Eagle Creek Park, Indianapolis. November 2013.

Nikon D7100 | Nikon AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IF-ED  

Mule Deer - Garden of the Gods

Caught this doe and her fawn at the Garden of the Gods.

Now those are some serious mule ears!

Colorado Springs, Colorado. August 2013.

Nikon D300 | Nikon AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IF-ED

White-tailed Deer - Indianapolis

This female White-tailed Deer was observed in the 555 acre Crown Hill Cemetery, in the heart of Indianapolis. For those of you who are interested, you can compare these images to the Mule Deer in the previous post. Notice the white around her eyes and how her tail differs from the Mule Deer's tail. July 2010.

Nikon D300 | Nikon AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IF-ED

Mule Deer - North Rim Grand Canyon

Male Mule Deer
North Rim, Arizona. August 2013.

Though similar in appearance to the White-tailed Deer, you can tell this is a Mule Deer by noting several characteristic features. This male has a white rump and white tail that terminates with dark dipped appearance. The White-tail Deer, on the other hand, has a mostly brown top-side of tail terminating in white which wraps around to the under-side of the tail. When raised in alarm the white underside serves as a nice, bright flag to warn other deer of nearby threats. You see this most frequently when they are running from danger, which ironically makes them much easier to spot in the woods. The face on this Mule Deer is a fairly consistent brownish-gray shade around the nose and eyes. White-tail Deer have characteristic white markings around their eyes and nose. The male Mule Deer has bifurcated antlers, which means they fork rather than branch off from a single trunk as they do on the White-tailed. The bifurcated antlers on this buck are clear in the photo. The Mule Deer was so named for its large mule-like ears. In North America the Mule Deer predominate in the western states and the Rocky Mountain region. White-tail are most common east of the Rockies.

Nikon D7100 | Nikon AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IF-ED

Mountain Goat - Mt. Evans

A mountain goat on Mount Evans.

Colorado 2013.

Nikon D300 | Nikon AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IF-ED  

Coopers Hawk

A Coopers Hawk lurks in the shrubs near the backyard bird feeders.

Nikon D300 | Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 APO DG OS

Yesterday afternoon, I heard a loud thump against my sun-room window. I knew it had to be a bird, so I ran to the window to see if it needed help or if it was going to be okay. I looked high, I looked low. I looked in the bush, I looked in the tree. All searches came up empty. As I was about to give up, a fluttering of feathers caught my eye. I quickly opened the window and stuck my head out to see beyond the bush. There in the snow, on her side, struggling to right herself, was a wounded Mourning Dove. Being the bleeding heart I am for all critters, especially birds, I really thought she looked like she needed help. At that moment, a Coopers Hawk flew into a nearby tree. Feeling certain that was bad news for the wounded dove, I jumped into my sneakers and rushed out the door to save her. Just as I was bending down to scoop her up in my hands, the dove righted herself, fluttered to life and flew right past me. Hearing the fluttering of its wings, the hawk flew to the wounded dove and whisked her away in its claws. I personally think the  little dove would have been better off in my hands... but then again, who's to say the hawk didn't rush her right over to the veterinarian.

Snowy Egret

A Snowy Egret, Utah Park, Aurora Colorado.

September 2013.

Nikon D7100 | Nikon AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IF-ED

Clark's Nutcracker - Rocky Mountain National Park

A Clark's Nutcracker - Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Colorado.

July 2013.

Nikon D300 | Nikon AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IF-ED

Ice on the Rocks

It was a mere 18 degrees this morning when I went for my hike. Crossing a shallow riverbed, I noticed these wavy lines in the ice and thought they might make for a nice composition with the rocks. I will spend the rest of the day wrapped in a warm blanket, defrosting in front of the fireplace!

Photographed with IPhone5

The American Robin

An American Robin eating berries one early morning in the woods.

Nikon D7100 | Nikon AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IF-ED

Golden-Crowned Kinglet

I set out on a morning hike Wednesday to photograph this particular bird. I saw the golden-crowned kinglet for the first time last February when one flitted through my back yard and sent me scampering for my bird books. I was pleased to have captured three or four somewhat blurred shots of him back then just to be able to get a positive identification. I have looked for him without luck since then. To my pleasant surprise, I stumbled across the kinglet again one morning this week and vowed to return with my camera the following day. This bird flits around so fast it is difficult to get a good focus on him. I may have gotten a couple of quasi-decent photos, but I will definitely need to return for a better photo-op in the near future. Until then, here's the best shot I got. Enjoy!

Hendricks County, Indiana. November 2013.

Nikon D7100 | Nikon AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IF-ED

Yellow-Bellied Marmot - Mt. Evans

The yellow-bellied marmot, though sometimes called a rockchuck, woodchuck, whistle pig, or ground hog, is actually a large ground squirrel.  But, no matter what you call it, it is still a rodent!  When threatened by predators the marmot chucks, whistles and trills to warn its colony. Yellow-bellied marmots spend much of their time sunbathing on rocky outcrops, socializing and grooming. Unlike their neighbor, the American Pika (previous blog post), marmots hibernate during the winter. To prepare for hibernation, they fatten up in the warmer months to ensure their survival until the emergence of vegetation in the spring. 

Mount Evans, Colorado. July 2013.

Canon EOS 50D | Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM 

American Pika - Mount Evans

A Pika (sometimes spelled Pica) at approximately 14,000 ft. elevation on Mt. Evans. I found this little critter scurrying about in and out of the rocks as I was photographing his neighbor, the Yellow-bellied Marmot (photos coming soon). The cute, short eared herbivore was busy foraging for food, which it stores in caches beneath the rocks for the winter months when vegetation is scarce.

Mount Evans, Colorado. July 2013.

Canon EOS 50D | Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

Cedar Waxwing

This Cedar Waxwing kept a close eye on me as I maneuvered through chest high weeds and briars to get this shot. Notice the cedar red, waxy tips on the wings that give this bird its name. Hendricks County, Indiana. November 2013.

Nikon D7100 | Nikon AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IF-ED

Eastern Bluebird Pair

Found this pair of Eastern Bluebirds on a quiet path earlier this week.

The male (right) is brighter than the female (left).

Nikon D7100 | Nikon AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IF-ED

Autumn Day - Eagle Creek Park, Indianapolis

A colorful selection of photos from my Saturday afternoon in the park.

Eagle Creek Park - Indianapolis, Indiana.

November 2, 2013.  

  

  

  

Nikon D7100 | Nikon AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IF-ED

Downy Woodpecker

A Downy Woodpecker, from a morning hike one day last weekend.

Hendricks County, Indiana. November 2013.

Nikon D7100 | Nikon AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IF-ED

Grand Canyon - North Rim at Dusk

A view of the Grand Canyon from the North Rim at dusk.

Bright Angel Point, North Rim, Arizona.

August 2013.

Steller's Jay - Bright Angel Point

A Steller's Jay at the Grand Canyon Lodge, Bright Angel Point, North Rim. August 2013.

Nikon D7100 | Nikon AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IF-ED

The Heart of Nature

I was pleasantly surprised to find this heart shaped flower in a random travel file. I don't remember seeing the heart shape at the time I took the photo because had I realized it at the time there would certainly  be many more photos in the file than just this one. I'm guessing Mother Nature gave me this surprise with a little gust of wind just as I snapped this photo. It still amazes me to see this photo and as simple and silly as it is, it just makes me smile. I think I'm fortunate to be able to extract so much joy from such a small gift from nature, but I hope you enjoy it too!

Nikon D300|Tamron SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro Lens

Wild Bison - North Rim, Grand Canyon

A pair of bison calves sparring along Arizona Route 67 near North Rim.

August 2013.

Nikon D7100 | Nikon AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IF-ED

Broad-tailed Hummingbird

A Broad-tailed hummingbird rests in a tree.

Westminster, Colorado.

July 2013.

Nikon D300|Tamron SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro Lens

Bryce Canyon - Lightning

My first attempt at photographing lightning. I did not want to get caught in this storm at nearly 9,000 ft elevation, so I left the tripod in the car. Without the tripod, long exposures are impossible and while I've always wanted a lightning trigger release - I still do not own one. For you non-photographer peoples that means this was a damn lucky shot! A special "thank you" to my wonderful friend who waited patiently enjoying the storm (in the drizzling rain), while I got lost in my photography. For your endless smiles, support, encouraging words, kindness and patience; for driving more than your share and last but not least; for being my lucky rabbits' foot (even tho you have yet to embrace that affectionate title) -This one's for you! Bryce Canyon, Utah. August 2013.

Nikon D7100 | Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X 116 PRO DX II.

American Kestrel

An American Kestrel (male) sits on a wire above a field in southern Indiana.The American Kestrel is one of my absolute favorite birds (I know I say that about a lot of birds), but I never get tired of this one. I have been known to sit and watch (even chase) this bird for many miles and many hours. I've even had vivid dreams of this colorful bird. Their slate blue wings contrast beautifully with their bright rusty brown backs.The two black facial lines are its best identifying marks. From this perch, high above the field, the Kestrel can easily spot small prey (rodents, insects, reptiles, bats and smaller birds) before swooping in for the kill. While often referred to as a "Sparrow Hawk", the American Kestrel is not a hawk at all; rather it is North America's smallest falcon. Linton, Indiana. October 2013.

Nikon D7100 | Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 APO DG OS

American White Pelican - Wings

American White Pelican just off of Route 40 near Granby, Colorado. 

July 2013

Nikon D300 | Nikon AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IF-ED

Carolina Wren - Black and White

A Carolina Wren waits its turn near the backyard feeder.

Nikon D300 | Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 APO DG OS  

Pileated Woodpecker

A female Pileated Woodpecker drops by for a snack at my suet feeders. Keeping a good mixture of fruit an nut suet is always an invitation for peckers.

January 2013.

Nikon D300 | Nikon AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IF-ED

Great Blue Heron - Goose Pond

A Great Blue Heron drops in during a recent trip to Goose Pond.

Linton, Indiana. October 2013.

Zoomed in on head.

Nikon D7100 | Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 APO DG OS  

Zebra - Fresh Cut Grass

A zebra at the Indianapolis Zoo enjoying the smell of fresh cut grass.

June, 2009.

This may just be wild speculation, but I think the zebra is evidence that 1) God is a master doodler; 2) Horses can make excellent canvases for art; and 3) God has a sense of humor!  

Nikon D300 | Nikon AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IF-ED

Bryce Canyon, Utah - Hoodoos

Bryce Canyon, Utah. August 2013.

A wide angle view of hoodoos and sky.

Hoodoos are columns of weathered rock.

Nikon D7100 |  Nikon AF-S18-55 f/3.5-5.6G DX VR

A storm moving in.

Bryce Canyon was an unexpected surprise on this trip. The variation in color combined with the various geological formations of Bryce Canyon will amaze you. Really my photos don't come close to capturing the true beauty of this natural wonder. Given the chance, I will return again someday.

Except as noted above, all photos shot with:

Nikon D7100 | Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X 116 PRO DX II.

Black-capped Chickadee

A Black-capped Chickadee in the Beech Forest, Provincetown, Massachusetts.

October, 2012.

I know some of you are still awaiting my recent travel photos. I've been a real slug since returning home, so be patient - I'll get those posted...eventually.

Nikon D300 | Nikon AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IF-ED