Saturday, November 26, 2011

Back Yard Birds... Goldfinch, White-brested Nuthatch, Black-crestedTitmouse, Chick-a-dee, Red-bellied Woodpecker and House Finch

It is always good to see so much activity. Especially with the variety that showed up at my feeders today. The Goldfinches are displaying their winter plumage and are not as dramatic as earlier in the season but quite incredible none-the-less. 


Goldfinches, Black-crested Titmouse, House Wren and Fox Sparrow...

Goldfinches, Black-crested Titmouse, House Wren, Fox Sparrow and White-breasted Nuthatch...
Black-capped Chick-a-dee...

Black-capped Chick-a-dee...
Fox Sparrow...

Red-bellied Woodpecker...
Goldfinch (fm) winter plumage...

Goldfinch (male) winter plumage...

Goldfinch (male) winter plumage..
Black-crested Titmouse...
Black-crested Titmouse...
Can't have a bird feeder without one of these guys, a Grey Squirrel...

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Whitetails Abound...

Another fulfilled afternoon and evening watching and photographing the Whitetail Deer. It started with the unfortunate demise of a deer and a fortunate meal for a Turkey Vulture. Then... Waaaay off in the distance I saw a piebald deer, a rare and exciting moment for me. I am hopeful to get more opportunities to photograph this animal. Another location near by I saw and photographed several doe skirting through a gully bottom. They seemed to be in a hurry, a couple did stop momentarily to check the surroundings. Late afternoon into early evening provided some exciting Whitetail events.

A Turkey Vulture doing what vultures do...

No... It's not a goat, it's a Piebald Deer...

Piebald Deer with two companions...
Two Whitetail Doe passing through...

Whitetail Doe, stopping, checking...
Young Whitetail Doe...
Nice Whitetail Buck with two doe...
Smelling scent on a hanging branch...
Must smell good...

Off to find himself a receptive doe...

Still needing to rub those antlers...
Signs of battle... This buck has lost his left antler in a fight for the ladies...
This young buck is giving me his best side...

You have to give this youngster an "A" for effort and an "O" for picking on someone a lot bigger than him...
Nice Buck looking for a mate...
Two large Whitetail Bucks refueling for more fighting and mating...

   

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

A Day Trip = R&R and a Bald Eagle...

My wife and I did an over-niter at a beach house near Colonial Beach, Virginia. It was a restful and relaxing time. We both took the time to take advantage of the opportunities given us. Mine of course was photography. The morning was incredibly foggy, no... I mean foggggy. Took a few pics and then waited a awhile; did some reading, did some work on the computer while sipping a cup or two of coffee and soon enough it was time to get out. I decided to take a short stroll on the beach and found some interesting sites. I always take my fishing rod with me when I believe I may have the chance to use it. So I'm on the dock casting my lures to no avail, I was having no luck at all. Then, off in the distance I see a Bald Eagle waaaaay out on a buoy across the water. He stayed there for a very long time. I was hoping to get him flying in toward shore. I figured I had time to make a quick trip to the house, which I did. Came right back out and he was gone. I missed the flight he made into a tree about a hundred yards away and landed with his back toward me. Anyway... Here are a few shots of the eagle. I always feel very fortunate every time I see a Bald Eagle, to me, they are so majestic.

Lots of fog, but a ripple in the water can still be seen...

An Egret! ... NOT...
I can't tell you what type of foot prints we have here but they were scattered all over a section of the beach...
Drift wood and Rocks...
Beach paraphernalia...
Beach Honeysuckle...
Beach roots and rock...
Products of the surf...
I saw this flower up and above the beach rubble. I'm afraid I don't know the identity of this beauty. I thought it a bit unusual for this time of year.
Here is the Bald Eagle way way out across the water...
Here he is, perched, with his back toward me. He was facing into the wind...

Lookin' right...
Taking flight...
Going going gone...
       

Monday, November 7, 2011

Whitetails and the Rut

It is always fun for me to see the changes in whitetail behavior this time of year, the rut is in. The bucks are out traversing the the countryside following their noses. Any doe that comes into heat is sure to gain a following and lead many suitors her direction. Here you will see the large and small, all having to compete for the prize. With the big boys dominating the challenge.

I'm sure we heard something...

Where did he go?...
Notice the abnormal antler growth on the left side of this bucks head... 

Unusual buck...
The small bucks want some action too...
Lookin' for the ladies...
Here is a buck adding his scent to a tree branch...
A nice 9 point buck...
I have my eye on you girl...

A great lookin' buck...
OK ladies, here I am...
A large buck inhaling as much air as he can get in order to find a doe...
I'm here...
I'm gone...