I took the kayak out a few minutes after sunrise this morning and found a pair of common loons enjoying some early morning rays!
- View this project’s Flickr photo stream. (click upon images to view at full size)
Days 208 & 209: Photographing in the fog and rain
Taking bird photographs on dark gloomy days is at best difficult. The combination of rain, heavy clouds and fog dramatically limits the available light. Given birds tend to move around quickly, not being able to use fast shutter speeds is a real handicap. My only solution is to find birds at rest … surprisingly today’s bird was a hummingbird … one of the most active birds around! You can tell just how dark it is by looking at the ruby-throated hummingbirds throat. Although it is ruby colored, the available light (or lack thereof) made it look black.
- View this project’s Flickr photo stream. (click upon images to view at full size)
Day 208: Great Blue Heron
———-
Day 209: Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
Day 207: The Peregrines of Palisade Head
My continuing series of “Duck for Breakfast“!
Starting at 5:30 am this morning I took a 50 mile bike ride along the North Shore of Lake Superior and inland (hwy #1 up to Finland, and then a sweeping downhill via Lax Lake Rd to Beaver Bay). Near Palisade Head around 6:45 am I heard some incredible screeching. Recognizing the sound as a bird of prey which had just made a kill, I got off my bike to investigate. After walking about 15 yards down a path I suddenly found the peregrine falcon family. The two kids were feasting merrily away on a mallard. The parent was up in a tree surveying me and the scene. I was careful to monitor the parent for signals I was too close. I did not want to get dive bombed at 200 mph by an angry peregrine falcon!
I like to start my rides early because one always sees much more wildlife. Scenic 61 was deserted on an early Sunday morning … my own private bike lane!
- View this project’s Flickr photo stream. (click upon images to view at full size)
The peregrine falcon kids feasting
———-
The parent peregrine falcon surveys the scene
———-
The hungriest peregrine falcon chick continues to eat
