nature photography – Page 8

Saturday Snapshot June 27: The Busy Beaver

It is on the face of our 5-cent coin, an emblem of Canada. And thanks to conservation and the lack of demand in the pelt hat, the Beaver – at one time endangered – is now safe in numbers.

However, we seldom see one, definitely not an everyday sighting. As for me, I’ve never seen one on land like the image on the coin, busy with its chore. But they are around; surely we can see the aftermath they leave behind. Here are evidences of their presence:

That’s why we have these:

I’ve had the chance of seeing a beaver recently at a pond, taking a break from its busy schedule:

Sure looks like a bear is swimming towards you:

A closer look and you can see its long and robust body:

Beaver

yet agile, diving in and speeds away underwater:

But what I find interesting are the ripples it makes. Look back at the above photos and below:

Or is it just me, watching out for ripples everywhere?

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Saturday Snapshot June 13: Birdspeak

Note: Click on the photo to enlarge for a better view.

Evening. Outside the home of the Starlings.

Junior doesn’t look very happy. I’m hungryyyy!

Now where is she? What’s taking her so long?

Here you are… fresh worms:

Now eat up, chomp, chomp, chomp:

What? You want more?! This is my third trip already.

After some time, Mom Starling finally comes back with more.

Ok, here you are, fresh worms! Now where did the monkey go?

You want me to bring it to your room?!

Get off the computer!

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Saturday Snapshot May 30: Of Birds and Men

Living adjacent to a Provincial Park, I’m always amazed at how tolerant and adaptable the birds are towards our human intrusions. Birds and men co-exist considerably well in my neck of the woods:

There’s even a vague resemblance between birds and man-made structures like in this photo, The Great Blue Heron and the Light Post:

And then there are the Canada Geese, who aren’t shy and actually quite imposing, never observe right of way’s, and never keep their voices down in public places. Since some of you in response to my previous Saturday Snapshot post were surprised that Canada Geese nest in tree trunks, here are a couple more photos for you. People just walk or bike by below these trees, as the Geese give birth to their young just above their heads; no, not in the water. How can you build a nest in the water anyway?

From afar, the Goose at her nest:

At the doorstep:

Of course, you’ll see them in the water once the Goslings are big enough. Here is a family outing:

Here’s a picture of co-existence in harmony… the sailboat was in close proximity to the Geese family, yet both parties took a nonchalant attitude, doing their own thing:

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Saturday Snapshot May 23: Birds Among Buds

While some of you are enjoying roses and rhododendrons, or harvesting your first tomatoes and zucchini, we’re finally seeing buds on our tree branches that were still bare just a few weeks ago.

Here are some photos of what you can see within our budding grove. Probably the most common and easiest to photograph are the Robins. They like to pose and they are not too camera shy:

For a few days I was trying hard to shoot the elusive Ruby-crowned Kinglet, for their calls are clear and distinct. Lured by their songs, I walked into a thicket of bushes and trees and lost my direction for a while in the forest. Love’s labour’s not lost. Here are some of the fruits of my venture off the beaten track. You can see two tiny dots of red on the crown of this one:

But trust me, I saw one flash out in red at the crown flapping his wings frantically from a short distance, but only for just a second. I didn’t even have time to lift my camera and it flew away.

Here’s another Ruby-crowned Kinglet. I must say the budding leaves are more appealing here.

Where do you see the Canada Goose nesting? Inside tree trunk cavities. Here’s one:

On a nearby trunk, the Northern Flicker tapping away, with calls you can hear from a distance:

Have you heard of the Happy Wren? Here he is, probably the happiest bird around at 8 a.m. He was on that branch for half an hour chirping away, loud and clear:

Remember the Great Horned Owlet? He’s grown quite a bit. Here’s a recent photo:

Don’t recognize him? Here’s looking at you kid:

Within the budding grove, birds come and go. Another spring, another generation. This owlet will soon fly away when spring comes to an end. But those eyes I won’t soon forget.

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Saturday Snapshot May 9: Spring’s New Babies

Spring ushers in buds and blooms, and in my neck of the woods, Spring brings new babies. For the past few years, Mama and Papa welcome two new owlets into their Great Horned Owl family every Spring.

The next time you wander into the woods, if you see two furry balls high on a tree, don’t pass them by.

Those furry balls could turn into two pairs of big eyes, inviting you to stay awhile. Fine, take some pictures. We love to pose.

They look cuddly as a teddy bear.

I can only imagine how those fluffy down feel to the touch. They’re nature’s babies; I can only admire from afar.

And what are they thinking, looking at us humans gathering under the tree?

Oh, humans? That’s what they are? Strange, with such huge and long noses. No? Telephoto lenses? They sure are curious and interesting creatures. Alright, let me give them a high five. That’ll make their day.

Ok… let me show off a little: here’s a wing:

and two:

Don’t think I’m just a cute li’l baby. I’m learning to be formidable:

Mama knows. She’s always watching nearby. She may have her eyes closed, but she’s alert and watching alright:

Happy Mother’s Day, Mama!

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Saturday Snapshot May 2: Big is Beautiful

It was a grey and overcast evening sky. I was driving away slowly, resigned that not everyday had to be a fruitful birding day. And then I saw it.

From afar, it looked mythical, like a miniature Loch Ness monster, still as a statue. I quickly and quietly got out of the car and made my way closer.

The Loch Ness monster doesn’t have a beak, does it?

Lock Ness 2

No mistaking now… I’d come face to face (almost) with a Great Blue Heron:

For the next few days, I went back to that pond and experienced some gratifying moments. I saw two Great Blue Herons the next day, albeit hard to get them both together in one frame. Here are some images:

I’m one who often plays down sheer size. I take pleasure in the small things I can find and not derive joy from how big a bird is. However, I must say, this time seeing the Great Blue Heron makes me see that sometimes size does matter. In comparison with the ducks, the Great Blue Heron distinctly stands out:

Aloof and stoic, the Heron is also very sensitive and camera shy.

Seeing me take a few steps closer, it quickly took off. In relatively slow motion, it lifted off with majestic poise. This is what I’ve found: the bigger the bird, the slower the flapping of wings, the more graceful it is in flight. I admit these are not the sharpest pictures, but they are the best shots I could get:

I call that a fruitful day.

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Saturday Snapshot April 18: A Whiter Shade of Spring

We don’t have green grass yet. Flowers, another two months. A hidden stream I saw a few days ago was still in ice. This is our spring. And I’m fine with it, for on a clear day, I can see for miles all the way to the snow-capped Rockies.

These photos were taken earlier this week. On that day, I had to stop my car and capture these sights. The sun was out in full force and the sky was magnificently blue, all clear for me to use just my point-and-shoot camera (mind you, one with a pretty good zoom I admit).

A whiter shade of Spring than most of you are used to:

Ah… the benefit of living right at the foothills of the Rockies:

The wide open space can cast away all claustrophobic wintry blues, and set your imagination free. Have you seen the pyramids of Giza covered in snow? Here they are:

Or flashback to the days when the sky, mountains and grasslands fuse with your homestead. Breathe in the scene; the firewood can wait:

By the next few weeks, these mountains will still be covered with snow (actually they are snow-capped all year). The icy stream will long have melted, colours will return. I’ll show you our birds and other living creatures. But right now, I look beyond the dry, brown grass up to the mountains, and soak in this whiter shade of Spring.

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Saturday Snapshot March 21: Welcome Back

We don’t have to wait for the official date. We’ve been enjoying unusually warm weather in the past few weeks. Creatures great and small come out to greet the early Spring; actually, many of them are here throughout the winter. The warm temperatures bring one creature out in particular, the birder.

Good to hear the Cedar Waxwings among the budding branches. Yes, I always hear their convivial buzz before seeing them:

The White-tailed deer, here all year round, but seldom do I see such a large party:

The curious red squirrel loves company:

I think I saw both the pinkish Common and the white Hoary Redpoll, sent here by Spring and instinct:

I’m always amazed to see our Great Horned Owl Mama and Papa coming back to the same spot to nest every Spring for the past few years. Every time, Mama will give birth to two Owlets in exactly the same hollow tree trunk.

Once they are fledged, the family will move on. Homing instinct will bring Mama and Papa back the next Spring. Where do the young ones go? Nobody knows.

Can you see Papa Owl in the trees?

Right in the middle. Here he is, eyes wide shut:

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The Rite of Spring: Goldeneyes Courting

From afar, I could only see their amusing act through my camera lens. The male Common Goldeneye would let out a sharp call, stretch his neck straight up, drawing attention, then quickly bend his head far backwards, touching his rump, then snap right back, overcompensating by kicking his orange feet out of the water.

Pardon the inadequate description above. Actually looking at them is hilarious, like watching a bunch of class clowns trying desperately to impress. Here’s the sequence.

A sharp call to draw attention:

Stretch neck straight up:

Bend over backwards:

Snap out of it:

Male synchronized swimming – courting en masse:

As for the females, looks like they are not easily moved, or maybe just feigning indifference:

No matter. Spring is at hand.

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If Winter Comes, Can Spring be Far Behind?

The English poet Percy Bysshe Shelley holds one view common with Balzac Billy, our Alberta Groundhog: an early spring is on its way.

Not to rub it in, but we’ve been enjoying a relatively mild winter, even a record high on Jan. 25, when the temperature reached 17C (63F).

These photos were not taken right on that day, but they all show how our ducks and geese shrugged off the icy river, spread their wings and echoed Balzac Billy’s prediction.

Here they are mass sunbathing:

The Mallards show their true colours:

Compared to the Mallards, the Buffleheads are smaller in size, and are distinctly more playful. Why wait for spring to make a splash?

or try walking on water:

The Common Merganser stands out among the crowd with their long, red beaks and eggshell white lower body with a yellow glow:

But my fave is the female Merganser. I like her roll-out-of-bed hairdo and natural mascara. For some reasons, she makes me think of Lucillle Ball:

Nature’s hourglass, every drip brings us closer to Spring:

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And Heaven and Nature Sing

In 2014, I’ve been very fortunate in capturing many wonderful sightings. Some may seem mundane, but once loaded onto my laptop, I was delighted at the results, everyone a unique experience.

Here are some I’d easily give 4 Ripples, like the glowing wings of Canada Geese overhead, flying into the sunset, or two dragonflies in their intimate moment, a squirrel in the morning rays, a Monarch sucking nectar, an Owlet spreading wings, a Pelican taking flight, a pure white weasel in the snow, or the very ‘ordinary’ sunset that recurs every twenty-four hours.

It has been a year full of natural beauty and exclamations. These photos were taken in different circumstances, some I’d to wait quietly for quite a while, others serendipitously, giving witness to the variance of life’s happenstance, the joy of seeing creatures that sing with their mere existence, and the awesome Creator that willed them all into being.

Pelican Takes Flight

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And To All A Merry Christmas!

Saturday Snapshot Dec 6: Porky and Wess

I met them just this week.

Porky the baby porcupine was a serendipitous sighting. He (I assume) was going in circle in the snow, apparently lost or disoriented. Poor guy, I wanted to go up there and give him a big hug but restrained myself. Instead, got these sequences of shots.

Porky from afar. See the circling tracks? They are all Porky’s:

A bit closer in:

So cute and cuddly:

Don’t you want to give him a big hug too?

As for Wess the weasel, we’ve been waiting for her appearance for days like paparazzi. Some set up their huge telephoto lens on tripod and stood in the cold for hours. Our perseverance were rewarded with a quick dash of a photo shoot:

Wess the weasel poking out of her hole:

Donning her designer fur coat. See her long, black-tipped tail? No wonder she’s officially called the Long-tailed Weasel.

Dashing through the snow:

And here are the shots that make us weasel waiters feel all worthwhile. Wess posing for us in her professional style on the white carpet:

Wess posing 2

There they are, Porky and Wess, warming every heart in the cold of day.

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