Thursday, April 30, 2009
This is a pair of Wood Ducks on the freshwater pond at David Weld Sanctuary. The males are so extravagantly colored that sometimes I don’t even see the females with them. These shots should have been better, especially since I had to lay flat out on muddy ground to take them. But the photo gods do not reward effort alone. They seek focus. Focus of mind, focus of purpose, and focus in the freakin’ lens. What can I say? My dog ate my homework. JK
Sunday, April 19, 2009
JK
Saturday, April 11, 2009
These photos show an Osprey giving fish rides. This rarely documented behavior was exhilarating to see. There is a small man-made waterfall and a fish ladder separating the Upper and Lower Carmans River. Fish ladders, while very accommodating, are still hard work. The Ospreys, sensing this, will often pick a fish up from the surface and ferry it upriver. These rides may not be entirely altruistic, however. Perhaps the birds know that the fish need to spawn upriver and that a little help now will reap benefits for the Osprey in years to come. The fish pictured here may be an Alewife but I am really not sure. My lack of knowledge doesn’t stop with birds. I’m not an ichthyologist either. JK
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
I saw this guy on the Carmans River on March 31. I saw two others afterwards. JK
Saturday, March 28, 2009
I was just as surprised to see this Great Blue Heron as he was to see me. Last Sunday was my first day back on the water. I came across this guy after only ten minutes on Carmans River. I hope that’s a good sign for the season. I was on the Carmans a total of three times this past week. It’s great being back on the water. I’ll post more shots soon. JK