Friday, August 24, 2012,
Here are a pair of pics of a small flock of Canada Geese I encountered during a recent paddle on the Lower Carmans River. This was a hungry bunch, but there was always at least one bird that kept an eye on me while the rest were enjoying the tall grasses at the river’s edge. JK
JK
Friday, August 17, 2012
JK
Saturday, August 11, 2012,
I was kayaking on a freshwater pond in Maine last week and managed to capture these shots of a bee visiting a water lily flower. I’m sorry that at this point I cannot tell you the specific species of water lily represented here or even if its native to the area. Apparently, many water lilies are invasives and have been planted for ornamental purposes. On the other hand, upon entering the state of Maine, there are signs asking boaters to be sure that their boats are clean and free of any plant matter from other areas or states. so Maine is a state that is concerned with its ecosystem and that, dear reader, is a very good thing. It’s good for Maine and good for all of us. There are way too many invasive species wreaking havoc across the country.
Wait a minute. We’re looking a pics of a flower, right? Let me step down from this soapbox and let’s enjoy some pollination on the pond. These are really pretty flowers, and anything that attracts bees these days can’t be a bad thing. All across the world, bees are disappearing at a rather alarming rate. Oh, crap. There I go again. Way too many soapboxes to stand on these days, especially for us nature lovers.
Lets get back on topic anyways, okay? Here’s another shot of the same bee visiting that same flower. Gosh, I love reflections. JK
JK
Wednesday, August 8, 2012,
Now this is a very cool thing. Well, at least to a nature geek like myself. A couple of weeks ago I managed to take some decent pics of a Least Sandpiper on the Nissequogue River. These shots are of the same bird on the same chunk of mud taken only one second apart. In the second shot I captured the bird yawning. Check out its upper bill. How cool is that? I see these little guys on the river quite frequently but this is the first time I’ve been able to grab a shot like this. It’s one thing to read that many shorebirds have flexible bills but to actually see in it action is another. JK
JK
Sunday, August 5, 2012,
Here are a couple of Mute Swan cygnets. Ugly ducklings, if you will. This shot shows the two color morphs of these swans. Even their bills differ. Despite these very apparent differences both of these birds will eventually attain the all-white plumage of their parents. JK