Svalbard

We are here in Svalbard, Norway for a long awaited adventure to explore the Arctic Ocean on a small boat with nine other photographers, led by the fabulous, Denise Ippolito.  We all got here a day in advance to ensure no snafus.  So before we actually take off tomorrow, Denise found us a catamaran to take a seven hour cruise around the islands of Svalbard and see what we could see.  The sun is bright and shines 24 hours every day this time of year, making it difficult for good photography, but here are a few shots from today just for fun:  Click photo for best viewing.

The Minke Whale

Seventeen Arctic Terns on a Ice Flow

The Arctic Ocean and Gorgeous Landscapes

Another Landscape

Snuggling Walruses

More Ancient Geology

 

Praying Mantises Have Hatched Once Again

I'm leaving for ten days in Svalbard, Norway tomorrow to hopefully photograph the polar bears.  As I was getting ready and watering the plants on our deck for the last time for a while, I was thrilled to find the praying mantises have hatched and one posed for me on our yellow pansy.  Here she is in all her glory. Click on the picture to see that wonderful face.

Puuluup - A Duo in Estonia

We were entertained by this marvelous duo in Estonia a few days ago.  They played ancient instruments with a sense of humor.  Folk meets rock.  I loved them.  Tom, not so much.

 

We're Home From the Baltic Sea!!

 

Tom and I just returned from two weeks circumnavigating the Baltic Sea!  Many photos to share and stories to tell, but in the mean time here is a photo of the calm, calm sea from our cabin.  It was about 11:00 p.m. and the light was still there.

Great Blue Looking Down Wins Second Place!! Betterphoto.com

 

My First Opossum!

 

How cute is this little critter!  I'm here in Kiawah Island with my eight besties from college.  I took the afternoon off to look for wildlife and this little cutie came out to play just down the road from our rented house.  Such a thrill.

Find the Macro Lens in his Eyes!!!

 First little jumping spider of the season.  Click on him and see the lens in his four front eyes. I dare ya!!

Ruby Crowned Kinglet

 I walked the path off of Ship Road through the woods this morning.  I could feel the birds along the path, but only got to see a few palm warblers.  Two were eating little bugs on the walk.  Got a few shots, but no good background.  Finally I heard the little click of the Ruby Crowned Kinglet.  I played his little sound on my phone and he came over, sat down and posed for the camera.  Love when that happens.

Palm Warbler

Ruby Crowned Kinglet

Morning in Charlestown Meadows

It always amazes me how different it is when you get up early and get that morning light.  I left for a walk in the woods at about 7:00 this morning.  It was chilly, but a good chilly.  I walked the back way past the gazebo and the bogs.  When I got to the woods there was a pair of mourning doves building their nest.  Picking up sticks right along the path and then flying over to the nest and putting the stick on the nest.  Then return and pick up another stick.  I had so much fun just trying to keep up with this dove.

Then after the dove I found two eastern phoebes - always the first to migrate through our area.  Here they are:  Click on the picture and look at those cuties.

The Peepers!!! Valley Forge

 It had rained for the last few days and I hoped the vernal pools in Valley Forge had formed and the American toads would be there doing their annual mating dance.  But when I got there, the pools had not yet formed.  Still too dry....  Darn.   I decided to take my long walk through the woods to the river walk.   I got through the woods and not a thing was moving, but then when I got to the big field I began to hear the peepers.  Oh, they were having a field day.  I had to walk all the way through the field to a path that would take me to the pools.  When I got there I just kept as still as I could be.  The peepers will all stop in an instant if they feel threatened.  I was just as still as I could be and had to train my eyes to actually see these teeny tiny little frogs doing their mating dance.  I found them and had the time of my life. They got used to me and let me take photos while continuing to go about their bubble blowing.   Not many spectacular shots, but a few that I liked.

Face to Face - If you look closely you can see my reflection in his blown up chin.

Tiny Peeper hugging a big green frog

The little peeper.  Can you see how little?  Look at the comparison to the frog and the leaf.  That is just a small three inch leaf.

Harrier Sticking the Landing two days ago in Valley Forge

I'm learning slowly to open up the lens.
 

Spring Has Sprung!!! Today in Valley Forge

 

Song Sparrow on Stilts - Valley Forge

 

Great Blue Looking Down

 

The Harrier

I found Mrs. Harrier today in Valley Forge.  I stayed with her for probably a good hour taking thousands of no good photos.  But here are a few culled from all the others that I kind of liked.

 

More Photos As a Result of Ray

I'm still going out almost every day, but my focus recently has been to follow Ray's lead.  Take off the teleconverter for a while and photograph more of the scene.  Sometimes that means the subject is smaller in the frame.  I have not had much of a chance to practice, but at least am conscious of the concept.  

 

Deer and Rainbow at Dusk

I'm still working on my classes with Ray and so have been going out later in the day to catch some good light.  Here are three of a herd of 20 deer in the meadow at Valley Forge two days ago and a lucky catch of a rainbow over Eastern College Pond at dusk last night.  So much to learn, but so much fun!! Click on the photos for FULL EFFECT!!

 

The Owl and the Deer in the Dark!!

 I searched again at dusk for the owl and found him yet again!!  And then on my way back to the parking lot through the woods, there was a little deer looking from the field into the woods where I stood silently and took her picture.  Oh so fun!!

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.