Sometimes The Bear Gets You

This morning I headed to Great Meadows to see what sorts of adventures awaited me. Though it was just a little past sunrise, there was already a car in the parking lot. It was one of those days where you might hear something, but you can't see it. If you could see it, there was something between you and it....or it moved on before I could get it in the the viewfinder. Enough of the complaining here is what I did see.


Female Downy Woodpecker






I was attracted to the unusual red color. It was only when I looked closely once I got home that I noticed the missing wing.


At the far end of the lower impoundment I scared a wood duck while crossing the bridge. I waited a while by the water control gate and they eventually reappeared.






The turtle didn't seem too bothered by the ducks...but he did disappear a little while later, so maybe he was waiting to make a dash to safety.


I've learned whenever water fowl start dunking to keep your camera ready because a stretch is coming up...I wish I had learned to set up my camera without reeds in the way.






The ducks weren't the only families out this morning. There were lots of human families also out enjoying a sunny Sunday morning. This was probably the largest group that I encountered.



I should have gotten a photograph of the group of birders I encountered, but I had the long telephoto on when I needed the wide angle. It was just the story of the day.

Something Different

Inspired by a lecture I went to an idea has been percolating in my head about trying to capture a complete day at Great Meadows. I spent time testing, planning, and building. Yesterday was the day for implementation. Starting a o'dark thirty I set up my camera and let it record all day long. So check out the video of yesterday at Great Meadows (Hint that bright light passing by at the end is a thunderstorm.) Click on the first photo to watch the video of the day.



Since I was at Great Meadows several times during the day, I did capture a few images along the way. The sunrise was spectacular, but brief. The sailor's red sky in morning forecast the evening's thunderstorm.



Getting bored of shooting the same type shots, I also spent some time capturing the interplay of early morning light and shapes.








I did find a couple of birds in the pretty light.





By the time for the afternoon battery / card swap arrived the temperature was in the 90s. Many animals were lying low, and there were few human visitors to the refuge. However, it appears that most insects prefer the warm temperatures.










These snapping turtle also decided that it was a good time to cross the road. I think it's funny how large its head is compared to its body.

Twins!

It was a busy holiday weekend, so I was up early to see what was new at Great Meadows. There were plenty of the usual subjects. This Common Yellow-throat was along the path from the parking lot.



The juvenile Red-winged Blackbirds were busily flying around the Dike Trail. This one proudly displays the dragonfly fly it caught.


Being the first person of the day, I had to run the goose gauntlet. I've noticed that Canada Geese often stand on one leg. Looking closely at this photo, I think I may have found the reason why. Even they don't like stepping on the stuff!


On the back side of the Upper Impoundment we could hear the Virginia Rail calling. In a little while it appeared on the path. It was quickly followed by two chicks (the twins). These chicks have grown significantly in the last 1 1/2 weeks. They quickly disappeared into the woods by the river. The chicks couldn't be seen, but the adult continued to forage in the muddy area near the trail.







I was attracted to this cluster of Daisy Fleabane. The ladybud is just the cherry on the top of that sundae.



As the sun rose in the sky, the temperature started to soar. As I headed back to the car, I noticed a mink by the side of the Dike Trail. Unfortunately, I was in the wrong place compared to the sun. I tried to race by and turn to take a photo. Having "too much" lens, I unfortunately clipped off its tail.



At Great Meadows squirrels are not among the most popular photography subjects. However, I couldn't resist photographing this squirrel eating unripened Blueberries.