Sunday, May 31, 2020

He Got a BIG Fish!

 






The heron goes to the same spot on the pond in Elizabeth Park every day.  
I think I am developing a heron habit.

Saturday, May 30, 2020

Blue Flag Iris


At the Elizabeth Park pond in West Hartford.

Friday, May 29, 2020

No Fish Today

I went looking for the great blue heron yesterday.  He was in the same place, across the pond.






He took off again, but this time he left without catching a fish.




I kept firing as he flew across the back edge of the pond and out of sight.  I might have had
 15 - 20 good, sharp photos of the heron in flight.  How to choose?



"With difficulty" is the answer.

Thursday, May 28, 2020

Heron and Fish


I watched a great blue heron across the small pond in Elizabeth Park, too far to photograph well.  
He dove, grabbed a small fish, and circled the pond to show me his meal.

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Springtime


Azalea


Dogwood


Rhododendron


Japanese maple


And elephant leaf magnolia

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

West Hartford is Grateful






Many of the houses I see in West Hartford have a "heart" or "Thank You" sign outside.
I particularly like the hand-made ones.


The most common signs are mass printed "Thank You" signs.

Monday, May 25, 2020

Memorial Day


Why, yes, I have left southwest Florida and am back in New England.  How could you tell?

Today is Memorial Day, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.  Veterans Day (in November) honors those who served in the U.S. military.

Sunday, May 24, 2020

Sandpiper



The beaches are open again in southwest Florida.

Saturday, May 23, 2020

Ducks


"What do I have to do to get your attention?"

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Starling


A starling sat on a birdhouse, sometimes peeking inside, sometimes chirping.

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Duck


This duck and three others in its family never move from their spot.

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Royal Poinciana Tree


It is a pleasure seeing the royal poinciana trees bursting out in their deep orange blooms this spring.

Monday, May 18, 2020

A Very Big Bug

While I was standing on grass under the osprey featured for the last two days, I felt something on my leg.  Looking down, I saw a VERY big bug, maybe 3 inches long.  I shook it off and it lay stunned. 

I am not certain what it is, but it might be a black lubber grasshopper.
 In Florida one encounters lots of exotic things.

Sunday, May 17, 2020

More of the Osprey


When you are close, you realize that ospreys are very big birds.


And their glare is ominous.


And sometimes professorial.


When they bow their heads it is tempting to think they are praying,
but they are probably just looking for ticks.

Saturday, May 16, 2020

Osprey




In nearly half an hour of watching, the osprey wouldn't fly away,
but sometimes it flapped its wings for exercise.

Friday, May 15, 2020

Thursday, May 14, 2020

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

A Meal for an Anhinga


It wasn't clear to me what the anhinga was trying to get down its gullet, but it was working hard at it.
I love it when I find wildlife eating or flying or preening.  Yes, photographs of a bird standing still and posing for me are fun (and easier), but I get more excited when they move and I catch the action.

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Osprey


Two small birds chased an osprey right past me.

Monday, May 11, 2020

A Fly-In


An ibis was jealous of the attention the roseate spoonbill was getting.