Autumn Ovenbird
This little Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) was a great little sighting a couple of weeks ago even though it was doing a typical Ovenbird thing – skulking around in the thick brush and staying out of sight. I was able to snap off this one photo before it instantly moved, and it would have been a wonderful shot if not for the dark conditions and the fact you can see the gray chain link fence that I was shooting through from afar. This was a migratory hotspot and not the middle of the woods! That was probably the best pose that any of the species has given me when not belting out a song....
Read MorePeregrine Falcon
Sometimes inclement weather conditions can create challenging or unique photographic ones, as was the case with this Peregrine Falcon. The bird flew over me unexpectedly, and I was certainly not at all ready with my camera as I had been shooting stationary sparrows in the dark brush – far different than a raptor soaring by in a turbulent, pale sky. Nevertheless, the gray conditions made it easier for me to swing up and hit it with a couple of shots, leaving me one decent photo. It looked rather bland so I turned it into a more striking black and white shot for the fastest animal on the...
Read MoreLincoln’s Sparrow
This little Lincoln’s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) made me a happy man early this morning as it gave me a look over for a couple of seconds while in the open. It has been around for a few days, avoiding me nonstop. I fired off eight shots and ended up with these two to show for it. The shy and sneaky species is an uncommon migrant that can most often be found in busy sparrow habitats in the middle of October. I hope a Vesper Sparrow will treat me this well sometime this week. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreNaturalists Love Flowers
We naturalists sure do love nature, including our flowers and all sorts of bright colors. I thought it was funny that RTPI Conservation Technician Elyse Henshaw and I were both standing by this arrangement before the Art and the Animal exhibition opening recently, cameras in hand, and also taking shots of the tiny flowers on some of the tables. Even during a party we are still unconsciously circulating to seeing and shooting the more natural aspects of our environment. This week I will post a new blog entry with many photos of the terrific Art and the Animal opening party featuring all of...
Read MoreMagnolia Warbler
This Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia) was not in the rain. The drops you can see on the branches of this white pine are from dense fog collecting on the tree. This is the time of year where those little twigs, tiny needles and growing leaves get right in the way of some good photos…grrr! Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
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