Here’s a close-up view of a round-lobed hepatica blossom found up on the Camel’s Hump Nordic trails. I was finding that the younger blossoms—the ones just opening up—tended to have this lovely purple-pink blush to them, while the older blossoms were mostly a pure white (like the one I posted a couple of days ago).
Sony A7II, Sony 90mm macro lens, ISO 800, f/13, 1/400″ exposure.
This morning I heard a bit of bird chatter over by the brook. The chickadees were making their alarm calls, and the pair of hairy woodpeckers nesting in the poplar snag by the brook were alarmed as well. Looking about, I finally noticed the cause of all the tumult—a broadwing hawk in a dead elm above the brook. It was quite patient, allowing me to get some good shots from the balcony on the second floor of our house. After a few minutes, a robin flew in and chased the hawk into the woods.
Panasonic GX8, Lumix 100-300mm lens @ 200mm, ISO 800, f/5.6, 1/200″ exposure.
With nearly 2″ of rain in the past 36 hours, warm temperatures, and copious snowmelt, many area streams are at flood stage this morning. Fargo Brook running through our back yard is roaring loudly.
Panasonic GX8, Lumix 14-140mm lens @ 55mm, ISO 320, f/6.3, 1/30″ exposure.
Cold temperatures make for fanciful ice formations in Fargo Brook. It’s interesting to ponder the process that creates these lovely little ice bells that are suspended from a rock and hover just above the water’s surface.
Panasonic GX8, Lumix 14-140mm lens @ 61mm, ISO 400, f/8, 1/640″ exposure.
While walking a trail behind the dunes on Montauk Point State Park, I almost stepped on this critter. She was the perfect coloring to match the dried grasses and sand that we were walking on. If she hadn’t have moved I would crushed her. She was quite big too—easily 5″-6″ long. I’m glad she stuck around so I could get a good shot!
Panasonic GX8, Lumix 14-140mm lens @ 50mm, ISO 800, f/8, 1/300″ exposure
We’ve had a pair or two of bluebirds visiting over the past couple of days and feeding on the bright red berries of the magnolia in our back garden. This fellow posed nicely for me on the roof of our woodshed. The fall colors at peak make for a nice background.
Panasonic GX8, Lumix 100-300mm lens @ 300mm, ISO 3200 (hence the grain…) f/5.4, 1/320″ exposure.
The morning glories that Robin planted in window boxes by our back patio seem to be slow and somewhat reluctant bloomers this season. However, what they lack in enthusiasm, they make up for in beauty…
Panasonic GX8, Olympus 60mm macro lens, ISO 1600, f/8, 1/5000″ exposure.
We paddled several miles upsteam on Otter Creek yesterday from its mouth at Lake Champlain towards Vergennes. We saw several ospreys (along with other critters) including this juvenile who was perched in a maple above the bank and relentlessly shrieking as we passed by. I took several shots including ones that made the kiddo look pretty noble, but I kind of like the goofy look on its face in this one. We joked that it was hollering for mom or dad to come feed it—”Mom! Dad! Where’s my dinner?”
Panasonic GX8, Lumix 100-300mm lens @ 300mm, ISO 800, f/8, 1/1600″ exposure.
While looking for critters and flowers to photograph today, I spied this spider and its meal lurking under a black-eyed Susan. When I turned the flower over to get a better look, the spider conveniently climbed to the top of the flower to pose for a shot. Kind of like a hunter posing with its kill… Not sure of the butterfly ID—perhaps a pearl crescent or a checkerspot?
Panasonic GX8, Olympus 60mm macro lens, ISO 800, f/13, 1/500″ exposure.
John Hadden Photography 