Tag: photography
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Birds of Winter, Part V (Early Spring)
Mourning Dove When I started birding about two years ago, I had assumed it would be a fairly “hands off” pastime. That is, I would hang a feeder (or two or three). The birds would eat, and I would observe from a distance. It didn’t occur to me that we would ever interact. That I…
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A Tale of Two Hawks
Red-shouldered Hawk I love to spend Sunday mornings outdoors, provided it’s sunny and not too cold. It’s a routine I’ve really come to cherish over the past year or so: coffee, a book, perhaps, or some music, and the birds. And this morning was just perfect for it. The sun is shining. There’s not a…
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Birds of Winter, Part IV
Eastern Bluebird (female) I’ve been going through a lot of bird seed this winter. When I say “a lot,” I mean about 55 lbs of seed per month plus suet. That may not be a lot for everyone, but it is for me. It’s almost double the amount of food I went through last winter.…
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Birds of Winter, Part III
Eastern Bluebird (male) There are four bluebirds who have been visiting my feeders all day everyday for the past few months. And they eat a lot. So much that I’ve gotten in the habit of refilling the mealworm trays before I go to sleep at night–in case I am not outside before sunrise to make…
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Birds of Winter, Part II
Ruby-crowned Kinglet I spent a good amount of time taking photographs this week. Among the most noteworthy here are the Ruby-crowned Kinglet (above), Blue-headed Vireo, and Brown Creeper. I have been waiting (not so patiently) since last winter to get acceptable photographs of both a Ruby-crowned Kinglet and a Brown Creeper. Both are winter residents…
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Birds of Winter
Red-bellied Woodpecker (male) Here is a new batch of photographs. Among the most noteworthy, for me, are the Red-bellied Woodpecker (above), a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, a pair of Purple Finches, and a Winter Wren. I spotted the Red-bellied Woodpecker in the woods yesterday morning, way up high in a tree. It was something of a zen…
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Birds of Fall, Part II
Northern Cardinal (female) It’s been overcast and rainy for the better part of the past week, so I haven’t spent much time outdoors taking photographs. This morning, however, I was able to get out for a bit, despite the cloudy skies. There was also a pair of Red-bellied Woodpeckers and a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker that were…
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Fall Portraits
House Finch (male) I love the light this time of year, just before all the leaves have fallen. It’s crisp and invigorating and, I think, perfect for portrait-style photographs. Luckily, the activity at my backyard feeders has also increased in recent weeks, so I have plenty of visitors to share with you. There is something…
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Pileated Woodpeckers
I encountered a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers yesterday afternoon, which was a rare and special treat. For those who aren’t familiar, the Pileated Woodpecker is the largest woodpecker in North America. They are 15.8-19.3 in (40-49 cm) long with a wingspan of 26.0-29.5 in (66-75 cm). They don’t typically visit bird feeders, as their diet…
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Birds of Fall
Hermit Thrush As I haven’t done a photography post in awhile, I thought it might be nice to share some photos of the birds who’ve been visiting my backyard lately. Some of these, like the Hermit Thrush above (who is also in several more photos here), are seasonal residents in North Carolina. Others, like chickadees,…
The Used Life 