Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Blackbirds in the Grass


I left Valley Forge Park this morning a little dejected as I couldn't find anybody to photograph. It was cold and rainy and everybody was in hiding. I stopped at the Gateway Shopping Center to get a few groceries on my way home and there on the grass by the 202 entrance ramp were two beautiful American Blackbirds. I balanced my camera and long lens on the roof of my car and got a few good colorful shots. Click on the birds to see how beautiful they are.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Art Morris and Denise Ippolito

I spent Friday, December 16 with two of my all time heroes - Art Morris - one of the greatest bird photographers of all time and Denise Ippolito - probably his most accomplished student and a world class photographer as well. You couldn't meet two kinder, more down to earth people. We spent the day on the Jetty at Barnegat Light, New Jersey. In the early morning the winds were up to 50 miles per hour on the jetty, but they calmed down and the three of us lugged our long lenses down the beach and up onto the jetty and got some shots (see below) of the Harlequin Ducks, Purple Sandpipers, Dunlin Sandpipers, and Rudy Turnstones. Life does not get better.



Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Fighting Starlings


I was watching a little starling taking a drink from a hole in a big tree in the forest at Vally Forge. Another starling showed up and couldn't wait his turn. This was the result.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Tinsel Left Out In The Cold


As you my know if you are a regular reader of this blog, we had been entertaining a beautiful "grandcat" named Tinsel. She came over every day and we would let her come in and get lots of love, but no food or bathroom breaks. Then we would put her back outside to go home to whomever her lucky parents were. Then about a week ago a little gem of a kitten named Totoro (Toto for short) came into our lives after being abandoned in the rain. We tried to introduce Tinsel and Toto a few days ago, but it was World War III. I am afraid it is curtains for Tinsel, as Toto has taken over command of the inside of our house.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Toto


This little kitten showed up at our door last night in the rain. She was cold, wet and hungry. We brought her in and fed her and she never stopped purring. We looked for her family today, but none of our neighbors have claimed her. We just may have to add her to the family as she has stolen our hearts. Yumiko has named her Totaro or Toto for short.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Eagles at Conowingo Dam




I ventured to the Conowingo Dam in Eastern Maryland this morning. It is one of the best places in the United States to observe Bald Eagles. It is right on the Susquehanna River and the Eagles were plentiful. The only problem is my 400mm lens is just a little too short to really do these beautiful birds any justice. I even put on my 2X extender, but still the pictures are a little fuzzy. Just for fun, here are a few from today's adventure. If you click on the photo, you can get a better view.

Friday, November 4, 2011

Incredible Creatures Two



Photographs of Ins...
By Kitty Riley Kono

Well after too long, I've put together another bug book. This one has a little text to it as well as pictures. Go ahead - click "Book Preview" above and take a look and if you like what you see, please make a comment in the comment box.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Ring Billed Seagull

I came across a ring billed seagull sitting on the fence top at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge yesterday. He was so tame and let me get so close. I took a million shots, but here is just one. Click on the bird to really get a good look.

White Throated Sparrow