Great Blue Heron

I went to the lake last night to try to get the light of the sunset on the red wing blackbirds. Of course it was cloudy so the light wasn't very good.



But as I was walking back to my car I saw this Great Blue Heron. He was about 20 feet away from me, closer than I have ever been to one. He is standing in what is not the most beautiful spot, what with all the garbage around his feet, but at least he was close.



I had good timing here, but a slow shutter speed (1/125) made this one a little blurry.

More from the Fourth

Ducklings at the Lake.

I saw this Red-tailed Hawk being mobbed by birds as I was driving home, so I pulled over just in time to see him eating a pigeon. Notice the foot sticking out of his mouth.







A female Red winged Blackbird

Fourth of July weekend

I spent the Fourth of July weekend like many traditionalists, by renting a camera lens and disappearing into the woods. It was the Canon 100-400mm lens, and coupled with the 2x tele-converter it enable me to get some good close-ups. Click on the photos to see the full size.


I really enjoy the call of the male Red-winged Blackbird.


This Loggerhead Shrike posed on a sign reading, "No trespassing"

An Indigo Bunting.


A House Finch putting its beak design to good use.