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.