photoartflightSnow Geese Flight At Noon
Posted on February 12, 2019
As we were wandering around the Blackwater NWR looking for photo subjects I saw these Snow Geese taking off, but stayed low close to the water. The sun was really bright on the water so the white Snow Geese sort of disappeared against the bright reflections in the water, but I still liked the Snow Geese that stood out against the darker tree line.
Sleeping Mute Swan
Posted on September 23, 2018
I found this Mute Swan at a local nature area a while ago. While I was photographing this Swan you can see it opened its eye and was keeping an eye on me. Also photographed a few detail shots. After a few shots I moved on.
Black Skimmers FlyBy
Posted on September 6, 2018
A group of Black Skimmers flying by, heading to another area at the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge in Oceanville NJ. They were working an area farther out in the water when they changed direction and flew by me. They are fun to photograph when they go back and forth fishing an area, with their lower mandible streaking through the water. But this small group was just moving on to fish further out.
Blackwater Osprey Platforms
Posted on August 15, 2018
Along the Wildlife Drive there are a few Osprey Platforms close enough to photograph. If you are patient and have a long lens, you can usually get some good flight images as they fly in and out of the nests there. Usually in the morning or later in the afternoon. On this day they seemed content to just hang out there or fly away from where I was on the Wildlife Drive. The Ospreys in the platform closest to the entrance were busy fishing before the sun came up but it was too dark to photograph them. But it was nice to hear them screeching as they were flying around the Little Blackwater River area where I was waiting for the sunrise.
Great Blue Heron Flyby
Posted on August 8, 2018
While I was photographing a Great Blue Heron off in the distance, this closer one took off and flew by right in front of me. I was using a slower shutter speed because I had my lens stopped down more than usual because of the distance and wanted more depth of field, so the wingtips of this Heron show some blurred movement. Thought it was still interesting and liked the movement of the wingtips.
Great Blue Heron In field before taking flight
Great Blue Heron Takeoff
Two Ospreys – Tree Toppers
Posted on August 7, 2018
Towards the end of the Wildlife Drive at the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, there is a large strip of trees jutting out into the water, parallel to the end of the Wildlife Drive. Some of the trees are dead trees which act as very tall snags for the birds to roost. You can usually find a few Eagle nests near the top of some of the trees with leaves. Also Eagles seem to like roosting there. But on this day Ospreys seemed to like the tall trees. There are a few Osprey nests behind these trees plus one Osprey Platform in the water to the left of the trees.
The featured image is made from 5 horizontal images, stacked vertically, handheld, assembled in Photoshop, taken with a Canon 400mm f/4 DO lens with a Canon Series III teleconverter.
Osprey Platform in water to the left of the line of trees.
One lonely Osprey on treetop. again 400mm w/ 1.4x teleconverter, 5 shots handheld.
Kingbird With Dragonfly Meal
Posted on August 6, 2018
I was photographing a Great Blue Heron along the Wildlife Drive, when this Kingbird landed to the right of me. I noticed it had caught a Dragonfly for a meal. I think the dragonfly was an Eastern Amberwing. The Kingbird was not close so I tried to get a little closer and I managed to get a quick shot before it flew off.
Young Black-Crowned Night Heron
Posted on July 26, 2018
When we were at the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge I noticed this young Black-crowned Night-Heron along the Wildlife Drive. There are a few areas along the drive that seem to be a popular spot for them to usually be there to get a few photos. They are also one of my favorite birds to photograph, especially when they are searching for a meal. 
Blue Dasher Dragonflies Showing Signs Of Wear
Posted on July 17, 2018
These Blue Dasher Dragonflies (males & females) are showing signs of wear already this season. Their wings have tears and missing areas.
Widow Skimmers At Davidson’s Mill Pond
Posted on July 9, 2018
I am still going through my images of dragonflies I photographed at Davidson’s Mill Pond Park in NJ. It has been extremely hot here in New Jersey. That seems to make the dragonflies even more active. But seems to have the reverse effect on me! Here are two images of 2 different Widow Skimmers. Images focus stacked and assembled in Photoshop. Shot with a 400mm f/4 lens, extension tube then a 1.4x teleconverter to achive closer focusing on the dragonfly. It is fun to hunt for Dragonflies here because I am finding some I have not found where I used to live.
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