I woke up and peeked out the window. The sky was blue! I opened the window. The birds were singing so I quickly and quietly got dressed. The men folk were still sleeping so I grabbed my camera and slipped out the door to my new "happy spot." I have a project in the works but mother nature has to cooperate. I sat down by a small stream and waited for the magic to happen. Soon I was surrounded by tiny birds. Swamp sparrows foraged along the edge of the stream. A White Throated Sparrow made an appearance as did many migrating Ruby Crowned Kinglets. While photographing the speedy little Kinglets one kept getting closer and closer. Finally it was so close my lens could not focus. I moved it aside and to see the miniscule missile coming straight at my face! I ducked and quicker than a blink that Ruby Crowned Kinglet zipped back to its perch. I would have been crowned had I not ducked! The little bird looked shocked for a moment and then flew off. I had a great morning. I returned to the apartment to find the guys watching YouTube videos. I grabbed some breakfast and made the younger one get dressed. Then after lunch we set out for Pleasant Valley Nature Preserve. We had been there one other time and enjoyed the trails. It is mixture of field, swamp, ponds, Christmas tree farm, and Maple Trees set on a steep hillside. They do collect sap here so you have to be careful of all the sap lines. When we arrived we found the main trail flooded. This delighted our son as he got to test out his new used muck boots. They passed! As for my husband and I well we had to try to keep where it was shallowest. We all made it across. I stopped to survey the flooded swamp only to hear my son say, "Mama, look out there is a snake." I instantly backed away and saw the culprit. We then booked it up the trail. I did good and maintained my composure. I hate those awful creatures. I did encounter one other that day but managed to out run it! We entered the area of the Christmas trees and spotted sparrows in them. A grove of mixed hardwoods to our right were filled the bug catching Phoebes. To my delight I captured a few photos of the Phoebes with their mouths full! A robin perched on a branch above our heads. I spotted a small Reddish Bird high in the trees. I think it was a House Finch. We hiked the red and blue trails up the hill into the maples. I had forgotten how steep it was. My husband stopped ahead of us with his camera poised. I looked about but couldn't figure out what he was shooting. Our son and I clamored up the hill to join him. As stood next to him and raised my lens to look a around a pair of ducks flew out of a tree and into a another further down the trail but the view of them was obscured. He said he didn't know ducks sat in trees. I replied that I had seen them do it a few times but no many. And then I reminded him that Wood Ducks nest high up in hollowed trees. A little further up the red and blue trails split. I remembered how steep the blue trail was although very interesting I suggested we explore the red trail. The woods were peaceful and full of bird song. Thankfully the trail leveled out and we walked down a much milder slope which circled back around to the tree farm. We then carefully crossed the flooded swamp trail. We were going to check out the field where the Bluebird boxes were but our son caught sight of a frog in the water. So my husband and I parted ways. He continued on to hike the white trail and check out the blue birds while I went "frogging" with our son. He wasn't too happy with me when I wouldn't let him try to catch a few just out of arms reach in the swamp. I know him, he would have fallen in and completely soaked himself. He was happy with my first frog of the season photos though. When my husband finally returned he told me that he saw a Blue Bird chase a Tree Swallow away from its nesting box. Then he encountered another in a tree just around the bend. I doubted they would still be there but I asked if I could take a turn. He took over frog duty (not his favorite) and I slowly made my way to the location he had described. The nesting boxes appeared empty except for a few tree swallows swooping over. Then I spotted a bit of blue in a tree in the distance. As soon as I got close enough the blue bird took off far down the trail. I followed it a little ways but turned around. When I got back to the tree two more blue birds were occupying it. I took some photos. My spirit soared as they would strike a pose fly to another nearby tree and pose again. Sometimes one would go to the ground quick and return to the tree. I lost track of time and finally decided I had better return. I met my family part way down the trail excited to thank my husband and tell them all about the Blue birds. The sky was blue and I felt alive!
Are you intrigued by the title? Have I completely lost my mind? Perhaps, but have you ever seen those picture perfect photos of birds and squirrels in gorgeous light perfectly reflected in mirror like water. I've always wondered how they were so lucky to get the timing just right. Well, it takes a lot of work or at least a lot of creativity based on some how to videos on You Tube. Turns out the results are a mix of staging, knowledge of animal behavior and a small sprinkle of dumb luck. These photographers find a semi-rich areas where wildlife reside. Not all locations have water, so they build reflecting pools and surround them with dirt, rocks and vegetation.. They move and even tie off broken branches in just the right position to get a bird to perch and snag that perfect reflection photo. They often set up a store bought camouflage blind to camp out in or sneak out to just before sunrise. A few dress in camouflage and try to blend in with the surroundings. I suppose they get better results than I do heading out in my bright pink jacket and boisterous tag-a-long. Considering we rent an apartment I do not think it is okay to try to build my own little reflection pool or blind in the shared yard. For years I have tried to catch a great wildlife reflection in the pond. However you have to be quick and ready. The opportunities are rare because that water is often moving. I have photographed a robin reflected in a mud puddle before. Perhaps a shallower body of water would work. There is a hill in front of our apartment and at the base is a drainage ditch that often overflows with water. One day I saw a pretty little red squirrel take a drink out of the drainage ditch, I quickly grabbed the camera and as I searched for a section of glass lacking fingerprints it dashed away. After that I made sure to clean the glass door. It didn't last long with a very disobedient child. Then one calm sunny morning I noticed a sparrow looking for food next to the very still drainage ditch. To my delight the sparrow and grass were beautifully reflected! Hence, the title Drainage Ditch Delight! So if I can keep the kid out of the ditch maybe I will get to witness and capture more pretty wildlife reflections before it dries out while using the apartment itself as a blind. I also managed to catch a Robin in a snow storm reflected in the drainage ditch too. Have a wonderful day and don't forget to checkout our "Prints and Gifts." available through Fine Art America! Spring was officially here, when I grabbed the camera and set out for a walk around the pond. The muskrats were not out. Some geese had a quick spat on the pond. It didn't seem like there was much out that was photo worthy. Then suddenly out of the corner of my eye I saw a pair of Red Breasted Robins fighting or were they mating. In all appearances it seemed rather violent. I swung my camera up to my eye. In this instance, when the action is so fast and sudden all you can do is spray and pray! A few photos turned out but many were just slightly out of focus. Is this aerial snuggling or a bitter attack? I originally spotted them in the air but eventually the fight or heat of passion moved to the gravel mound left by the plow guy. My buffer filled. I had to wait a few seconds before being able to shoot. Their aerial antics were sure swift. Ahh, nature is this what we call love on the rocks? Yes, I believe so it is spring now so why not! While it was not much of an adventure for me and very brief, I am sure it was quite the adventure for these twitter-pated robins. Hope you enjoyed this little walk on the wild side!
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Julie MetottNature Photographer, wife, mother, lover of outdoor adventure! Archives
November 2022
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