Snow Geese
These photos of a couple of Snow Geese (Chen caerulescens) were taken before any snow was on the ground, and they were wary of that long lens even over the edge of this hill. Nevertheless they managed to smile for the camera…
Read MoreHummingbird Clearwing Moth (Hemaris thysbe)
Here we have the Hummingbird Clearwing Moth (Hemaris thysbe) to kick off National Moth Week (July 23-31), appropriately photographed yesterday in a gratifying yet frustrating experience. I found it feeding on Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) while watering in the morning, and because I was watering I did not have my camera (always a great tactic to ensure a good sighting). After running back inside and all the way around…yep, still there. Great. As usual with wildlife I approached it with caution, slowly, shooting while closing in on the moth. The species moves quickly while...
Read MoreCamera Blunders
During this time of the year, when bird migrations are happening, salamander eggs are growing and plants are budding, it doesn’t take long to kill a camera battery from lots of activity. And once that battery is dead, it doesn’t do any good when you are headed into the field once again! I discovered on Monday morning as RTPI Alex Shipherd and I were headed up to the Chautauqua County-Jamestown Airport, that my camera battery was done for. Alex’s camera was ready to go, and I at least had my phone and we took our field scope with as well. As you can see, we found Eastern...
Read MoreBobcat
Here’s a guest post from our friend Tyler Christensen, RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser’s partner in running the Nicoya Peninsula Avian Research Station (NPARS) in Costa Rica and a fellow researcher. Although they are more abundant in neighboring Pennsylvania and New York, Bobcats (Lynx rufus) are endangered in my home state of New Jersey. Lately I have been putting a lot of effort into trying to photograph bobcats in the northern part of the state. To accomplish this, I converted my DSLR cameras into motion-activated camera traps. For weeks this cat avoided my cameras, but nearby...
Read MoreMoon Craters
I took this shot of the Moon early Saturday night. It is not quite full yet, but with its current phase and a nice spot low on the horizon it provided a great view of many of its notable and named craters. I think it’s awesome that a camera in a backyard can take a photo of the Moon and show how rugged its surface is. As Galileo first discovered it is certainly not a perfect sphere. It was the first of many future 2016 nights that forced you outdoors to enjoy the temperate and inviting evening air. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read More
