Kirtland Comes to Town

Thanks to local birders, had the opportunity to photograph the endangered Kirtland's Warbler - one of the rarest song birds in the United States with a population of less than four thousand.

Kirkland's Warbler

Yellow-Rumped Warbler

Kirkland's Warbler

Kirkland's Warbler

On Golden Pond

We were graced with a few minutes of sunshine this morning before the clouds rolled in again. 

Wood Ducks "On Golden Pond" Nikon D750 ISO 800 600mm f/9.0 1/1600 sec.

Green Heron Nikon D750 ISO 800 600mm f/8.0 1/160 sec.

Indigo Bunting Nikon D750 ISO 640 600mm f/8.0 1/640 sec.

Palm Warbler Nikon D750 ISO 1000 600mm f/8.0 1/640 sec.

Wood Duck  Nikon D750 ISO 800 600mm f/6.3 1/250sec.

Prothonotary Warbler Nikon D750 ISO 800 600mm f/8.0 1/250sec.

Blackpoll Jackpot!

Another day, another species. This time I spotted and was able to photograph a Blackpoll Warbler at Spring Valley Nature Preserve. So used to Carolina Chickadee, I almost overlooked this beautiful little guy.

Blackpoll Warbler Nikon D750 ISO 1250 600mm f/6.3 1/200 sec.

Acadian Flycatcher Nikon D750 ISO 1250 600mm f/6.3 1/200 sec.

Northern Parula Nikon D750 ISO 1250 600mm f/6.3 1/200 sec.

While the Blackpoll was awesome, below is the shot that got away. I thought I had gotten the money shot of the Northern Parula (a bird who spends most of his time in the tops of the trees), but his beak was obscured by a tiny leaf.  

Northern Parula Nikon D750 ISO 1250 600mm f/6.3 1/200 sec.

A Few of My Favorite Birds

This evening we had visits from two of my favorite birds - two Rose-Breasted Grosbeak and five Baltimore Orioles (two female and three males.)  

Baltimore Oriole Nikon D750 ISO 1250 600mm f/6.3 1/200 sec.

Baltimore Oriole Nikon D750 ISO 1250 600mm f/6.3 1/200 sec.

Baltimore Oriole Nikon D750 ISO 1250 600mm f/6.3 1/200 sec.

Rose-Breasted Grosbeak Nikon D750 ISO 1250 600mm f/6.3 1/200 sec.

Mary Poppins - The Broadway Musical

Bellbrook Music Department put on a wonderful adaptation of Disney's Mary Poppins this week. I had the pleasure to photograph the Friday and Saturday presentations.

Junior Prom

How quick they grow up. This weekend marked Junior Prom for my oldest, Lily. 

Too Early for Summer?

Thanks to Stefan Minnig's lead, we spotted a Summer Tanager at lunch today at Hills and Dales Park in Oakwood, Ohio. 

Summer Tanager Nikon D750 ISO 640 600mm f/6.3 1/500 sec.

Virginia Rail Return

The Virginia Rail have returned to Spring Valley Nature Preserve - nesting in the reeds and underbrush of the marsh near the boardwalk. Also spotted this morning, a Sora feeding in the reeds. Not feeling very photogenic today, the Sora hide in the reeds only popping its head up for a quick picture. Other sights this morning included Swamp Sparrow hopping about, muskrat swimming in the marsh and a snapping turtles slowly lingering around the reeds.     

Virginia Rail Nikon D750 ISO 1250 600mm f/9.0 1/320 sec.

Virginia Rail Nikon D750 ISO 1250 600mm f/6.3 1/640 sec.

Virginia Rail Nikon D750 ISO 1250 600mm f/9.0 1/320 sec.

Today - Another Great Day

Two stops today and some great opportunities. Started the day visiting Spring Valley Nature Preserve - a great assortment of warblers including Yellow, Prothonotary, Yellow-Rumped and maybe heard a Magnolia.  

Yellow-Rumped Warbler Nikond D750 ISO 800 600mm f/9.0 1/500 sec.

Lunch break was a quick trip to Woodman Fen in Kettering. I was really happy with the red-bellied woodpecker shot below, and then he did this... 

Red-Bellied Woodpecker Nikon D750 ISO 640 600mm f/11 1/1250 sec.

The red-bellied woodpecker pulled an egg out of a nest in the tree, took a couple looks around, and took off. Wow - never seen that before. 

Egg-Stealing Red-Bellied Woodpecker Nikon D750 ISO 640 600mm f/11 1/1250 sec.

Blue-Headed Vireo Nikon D750 ISO 640 600mm f/11 1/640 sec.

Lastly, spotted my first Rusty Blackbird. Thank you to Stefan Minnig for teaching me their call.

Rusty Blackbird Nikon D750 ISO 640 600mm f/11 1/640 sec.

Warbler Time of Year

The warblers have followed the warm weather north, and have invaded the Miami Valley. While I've heard Northern Parula several places, got my eyes and lenses on one this afternoon at the Narrows Reserve in Beavercreek, Ohio (along with my first Black and White Warbler of the season. The Prothonotary Warbler was back this morning in Spring Valley along with the first Palm Warbler of the season.  

Palm Warbler Nikon D750 ISO 640 600mm f/11 1/500 sec.

Prothonotary Warbler Nikon D750 ISO 640 600mm f/11 1/500 sec.

Palm Warbler Nikon D750 ISO 640 600mm f/11 1/500 sec.

Northern Parula Nikon D750 ISO 250 600mm f/9.0 1/640 sec.

Buttercups at the Narrows Nikon D750 600mm f/6.3 1/1250 sec.

Northern Parula Nikon D750 ISO 250 600mm f/9.0 1/640 sec.

Northern Parula Nikon D750 ISO 250 600mm f/9.0 1/640 sec.

Oh What a Beautiful Morning

Great morning before work. No clouds, early morning light and the first Prothonotary Warbler of Ohio. This patient bird stayed nearby for 13 minutes of photography - thank you!

First Prothonotary Warbler of Ohio Nikon D750 ISO 400 600mm f/10 1/640 sec.

Also as first for me, a decent photograph of a Ruby-Crowned Kinglet - showing off its crown. 

Ruby-Crowned Kinglet Nikon D750 ISO 800 600mm f/10 1/1000 sec.

Blue-Winged Teal Nikon D750 ISO 800 600mm f/10 1/1000 sec.

Prothonotary Warbler Nikon D750 ISO 400 600mm f/10 1/200 sec.

Finally

What a slow couple weeks, finally had a little luck today - even got the macro lens out at home to capture the first spider of the season.  

Tree Shallow at Nest Nikon D750 ISO 800 600mm f/11 1/2000 sec.

Northern Flicker Preparing Nest Nikon D750 ISO 800 600mm f/11 1/2000 sec.

Itsy Bitsy Spider <5mm Nikon D750 ISO 100 Reversed 50mm with  extension tubes f/11 1/250 sec. Image Stack of five+ images

Best Single Frame Nikon D750 ISO 100 Reversed 50mm with  extension tubes f/11 1/250 sec. Image Stack of five+ images

First Quarter Moon April 13 2016 Nikon D750 ISO 250 600mm f/11 1/250 sec.

MEPA Finals

Awesome job by Bellbrook Indoor Percussion Ensemble Saturday and Sunday at the MEPA Championships. I enjoyed spending time with the musicians, photographing behind the scenes, and video taping their performances. 

Feeling Blue

Blue-Winged Teal - that is. Our photo team sped over to Spring Valley Nature Reserve at lunch today for a 30-minute speed round.  

Blue-Winged Teal Nikon D750 ISO 500 600mm f/11 1/1250 sec.

Leaving Nikon D750 ISO 500 600mm f/11 1/1250 sec.

Before work, captured this early morning crescent moon.

Waxing Crescent Moon Nikon D750 ISO 400 600mm f/11 1/250 sec.

Early Morning Surprises

As we shift to a Wanning Gibbous Moon, I wanted to get up before sunrise and capture a few photographs before the morning sun washes of the sky. Apparently this got me in a good mood, so I head out to Spring Valley Nature Preserve and was in awe of an early morning juvunile American Bald Eagle.

Wanning Gibbous Moon 30 March 2016 Nikon D750 ISO 100 600mm f/11 1/160 sec.

Flight of the Eagle Nikon D750 ISO 800 600mm f/11 1/1000 sec.

Morning Shower (Canada Goose) Nikon D750 ISO 1250 600mm f/6.3 1/250 sec.

Golden Magic

The daffodils are crazy this year in our yard. This Golden Ducat daffodil (Narcissus) is a great example I brought into the studio. 

Golden Ducat Nikon D750 ISO 100 50mm f/11 6.0 sec.

Happy Easter

Wishing everyone a Happy Easter - from my family to yours.

Madeline, Lily and Emma - Easter 2016 Nikon D750 ISO 100 70mm f/5.6 1/400 sec.

Saturdays in Spring

Another chance to sneak over to Young's Dairy and Glen Helen Nature Reserve in Yellow Springs, Ohio.  

Emma Nikon D750 ISO 250 98mm f/6.3 1/400 sec.

Madeline ISO 100 86mm f/5.6 1/250 sec.

Young's Dairy ISO 250 24mm f/10 1/1000 sec.

Captive Cooper's Hawk ISO 250 500mm f/11 1/320 sec.