Some Recent Highlights
For this post I thought I would give you some highlights from 3 separate recent outings. I’ll start with the recent full Harvest Moon. I drove to Ashfield on a very cold and frosty morning in time to set up to see the Harvest Moon setting - it was stunning.
The grasses crunched under my boots because the frost was so heavy - just so beautiful. After I took my shots of the moon I made my way over to the little pond where I had seen the beaver recently. I set up and waited for the early morning light. I kept searching for the beaver and then some movement in the water caught my eye … and then I spotted him. He was heading over to the dam.
I was hoping he would stop for a moment and he did. This was the one moment I caught him sitting still and chewing away.
I knew that when the sun came up everything would be sparkling with frost crystals so I made my way to where I know there were some brilliant red leaves near the pond…
It was then time to head back. In Ashfield on my way back there is a spot that I pass that I always slow down at to look quickly through the leaves toward a swamp - I am convinced someday I will see a moose there. As I was approaching that area I saw a spectacular barred owl - right there not far from the road. I continued on past it until I could pull over off the side of the road. I grabbed my camera and walked on the opposite side of the road all the while hoping the owl would still be there. It was only about 12 feet off of the ground and clearly in hunting mode…. I made it just in time before she flew off - wow….
On another morning I went to Bullitt - another cold and crisp morning with full sun. I set up at an area where I was seeing lots of action. I kept creeping closer in order to see what all of the commotion was about. I scored…
Tufted Titmouse
I so love it when they are hanging upside down by their feet…
I looked to my right and I saw this precious Hermit Thrush.
I looked further to my right and in glorious light I saw this spectacular Bluebird put on quite the show.
And then this one took off -
I heard the Hermit Thrust again… and spotted him to my left -
He then flew right in front of me and sang… just incredible. I decided that was the perfect time to call it quits that morning.
My last shot is from this morning. I went to Edge Hill in Ashfield. I am enjoying exploring this new area. It was incredibly quiet this morning but it was good to walk around. After a couple of hours I was heading back to my car thinking that I didn’t even have one shot from the morning when all of a sudden I spotted some movement down on the ground in the grass in front of me. I was having a hard time figuring out what it was until it moved just right and I could see it - a beautiful Snow Bunting - perfectly camouflaged. It made it even more special that it was my first sighting of the season for one of these special birds. . I took my camera off of the tripod and got down on the ground on my stomach to take this shot. I knew that I could do that because this bunting was totally focused on eating and not focused on me - I am sure it was incredibly hungry from its long migration journey. I always think about what it takes a little bird to exist and it always gives me strength.