Great Horned Owl Fleeing My Camera

I went back to listen for the owl this morning in Valley Forge and lo and behold I heard him calling again. I took a million photos, none great, but here is one of him actually trying to get away from my camera.

New Classes with Ray Hennessey

For Christmas this year, Tom got me the greatest present known to mankind, six months of instruction with the Great Ray Hennessey.  I met Ray maybe six years ago.  Somebody told me about him when I needed someone to show me how do Lightroom and how to set it up.   He is a fabulous photographer, beyond compare, and knows more about Lightroom and Photoshop than even those who invented the software.  Anyway, I am taking pictures and trying to follow Ray's instruction.  Here are a few I've started with:

Harrier with Arms Up

Great Horned Owl at Dusk

Downey Woodpeckers Falling from the Sky

 

The Pileated Woodpecker - Valley Forge

 It was an overcast day in Valley Forge and the Pileated Woodpecker was in his usual grove of trees.  He knew I was there, but still posed for a great flight shot.  Love when that happens!!

Back in Gear

 Way back in November I had an appointment with my dermatologist and she found a few suspicious spots on my head and shin.  Biopsies were taken and the head spot was found to be a basil cell skin cancer. I had it removed and all healed well.  The shin spot came back negative.  However, the shin spot never healed correctly and I decided to go back to get it checked out.  A second biopsy  came back positive and was diagnosed as a squamous cell carcinoma (another form of skin cancer).  I had the spot removed by a procedure called Mohs surgery.  It required about ten stitches and also meant I could not do much of anything for about three weeks.  Well the three weeks are over.  The doctor said I was good to go. I went back to Valley Forge and there was the bluebird on a branch welcoming me back to the land of the living.  Thank the stars above.

Duet

 Carolina wrens singing in harmony at Eastern College Pond.

Yet Another Bluebird - They are the only ones who will pose!!

 

Country Road in the Fog wins Second Place in Betterphoto.com!!!!

We were sitting in the front seat of a bus traveling somewhere near Burgundy, France.  It was a foggy morning with a beautiful tree lined country road ahead of us.   I took the picture through the front window and it worked!!

 

Friendly Red Tail Hawk

I was walking down Gulf Road in Valley Forge yesterday, when I saw a hawk flutter down into the weeds to catch a little bird.  A few seconds later he flew up with his catch onto a nearby limb and devoured his prey.  I took a million photographs and followed him around as he flew from one tree to the next trying to get rid of me.  He finally settled down and I got very close.  Then he fluttered down again right in front of me in the weeds looking for more prey.  I got down on my knee and took this close up.  So much fun.....

The Woods off of Ship Road

 I didn't get out today until about noon, but still it was so darn good.  I walked the trail in the woods off of Ship Road to the end.  First I found the damselfly, then the wood frog, then the wrens discussing life, then the cardinal grabbing a berry, and finally a whole slew of cedar waxwing.  Oh the thrill of it all.