Camera Critters Cardinal

With our area blanketed in a thick layer of heavily crusted snow, finding sufficient food is difficult for many species of wildlife. Birds are flocking to feeding areas in great numbers.

This morning with the thermometer dipping to 11 deg F I decided to visit with my brother Willard and shoot at his feeding/observation post. This male Cardinal was nice enough to pose for his portrait.

After shooting a while, I headed to a local building supply store purchasing some lumber and screws for my afternoon project building Blue Bird nest boxes. I found some nice plans at The Bird Report blog and intend to give it a try.

For more Camera Critters visit our friend Misty’s Camera Critters blog

SkyWatch: Daybreak on Sideling Hill

The first light of a cold January day brightens the eastern sky on what was to be a cloudy gray day. In the valley the lights of farms and homes can be seen with the bright cluster visible in lower center being that of the Sideling Hill Plaza of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

This photograph was taken from a scenic overlook along the Bark Rd south the Lincoln Highway (US Route 30).

For Sky photos from around the world visit the Sky Watch Blog

Frozen

The winter storm that crossed much of the nation deposited a layer of snow and ice on the new cranes.

Not only are these cranes frozen by the weather but also by the economic crisis that is gripping the world. Sitting idle the machines wait at the factory for a thaw in the economy.

Loggerhead Shrike

A small bird for a change

For the past month most of my posts are of the “glamour” bird species I encountered during my Florida vacation. Today’s post is of a much smaller bird, the Loggerhead Shrike.

Although the Loggerhead Shrike’s range includes nearly all of the continental United States this encounter at Joe Overstreet was my first. I found through internet research that this bird has been listed in Canada as an endangered species since 1991.

Red -Shouldered Hawk

The Red-shouldered hawk is once again another of my Overstreet captures. I first spotted the hawk sitting on a fence post near Lake Kissimmee. Soon it flew a short distance towards me settling down on a fence post standing among the high reeds. The mid-afternoon lighting was all wrong but the situation improved when the hawk once again took to the air.

Ibis Silhouette

While shooting at Joe Overstreet one morning, a flock of Ibis flew past the rising sun and landed in a grove of trees.

Of the images captured shooting continuous drive mode, this shot stood out above all the rest.

I usually keep my camera’s drive set on low-speed continuous drive. This setting fires three frames per second and works very well when shooting moving situations. I have come to prefer the low-speed drive as it allows me continuous fire when the situation requires it yet is slow enough that one can only fire single exposures if desired.

Soaring on High: Bald Eagle

A Bald Eagle watches me intently as it soars past on mighty wings.

While reviewing this photograph I noticed that identification bands on each of the Eagle’s legs (click on the photo to see). Much effort and money has been spent on this previously endangered species.

I captured this photo along the shoreline of Florida’s Lake Marion. During my visit to this region Eagle sightings were a daily occurrence.

For more Camera Critters visit Misty’s Camera Critters blog

Eastern Meadow Lark

I recently read an article in the Pennsylvania Game News describing some of the issues surrounding our grassland bird species of which the Eastern Meadow Lark is one.

The article stated that many grassland species have become much rarer with some having suffered eighty percent population declines. The article went on to mention intensive mowing/haying and pasturing as being part of the problem since these birds require the grass to stand throughout their nesting season.

I have observed the occasional Meadow Lark but not until my Florida trip did I have the occasion to capture a photograph. While driving back Joe Overstreet road one foggy morning I spied this pretty little songster singing in a pasture field.

Notice the height of the grass, this field certainly does not suffer from over grazing as do many of the pastures in my home area.

SkyWatch: Florida Sky

Fog hangs close to the ground before the sunrise on this beautiful warm winter morning.

This image was captured along Canoe Creek Rd, not far from the intersection of Joe Overstreet. With the cold weather we have been having here in Pa these shots are looking better to me every day.

For more Sky Watch and to join in visit the gang HERE

Tagged

I was tagged by Fishing Guy

The game is to open the 4th folder and post the 4th photo. Well I got lucky. My 4th folder, the 4th photograph was this shot of a flock of Scaup in flight. This photograph was taken March 29, 2008 while the early spring migration of waterfowl was passing through my area.

Photographing these birds is only a spring game for at that time the lake is quiet except for a few fishermen. During the fall migration the waterfowl hunting seasons are in full swing with a number of hunters with decoy spreads working the lake shore.

With the cold weather we have been having lately I find myself beginning to yearn for the open water and the first flights of spring travelers stopping by.