Next Lap of the Circle of Life

Spring is a great time of year.  Wherever you look there are the signs of new growth and new possibilities.  That is certainly true at the refuge.  If you look closely (and not so closely) you are bound to see nature begin the next lap in the circle of life.  Animals can be see conceiving, awaiting, giving birth to, and raising the next generation.

People like a nice home, in a quiet area; animals are similar.  Often they will find a well hid spot adjacent to our popular walking paths.  If you are not observant, you probably would walk right by without noticing.  Lord knows, I have.  Thanks to those of you who helped point out some of these locations.

Here are some images from the start of this year's lap.


Oriole's next along the Upper Impoundment near the river


Grackle sitting on a nest near the Boat Ramp


Yellow Warbler hiding right under our noses (if you are standing on the tower)


Of course you have to thread the needle to be able to see the nest


Downy Woodpeckers changing shifts just before the Cross Dike trail crosses the impoundments. (Exiting bird is taking out the trash)


Assuming this Song Sparrow is feeding someone, otherwise wouldn't it just eat them one at a time


Mother Mallard guides her chicks


Mother Wood Duck stretches while her young cluster nearby

Sometimes when the weather is gray and cloudy the water looses most of its color. It can be a challenge to take an interesting photo in those sort of conditions.

As I was taking this image, the scene was really speaking to me. With a couple of adjustments in Photoshop, I turned the water completely white. When printed on matte paper, it looks like a pen & ink drawing rather than a photo. Sometimes you can capture not only what you saw, but also what you were feeling at the time.

Gone Fishing

I am gone for a couple days, but I thought I would leave you with these images to tide you over until I return.

Today's Special - Warblers

It's going to be a busy weekend and I just needed some "me time" before it got busy. So rising with the sun (metaphorically speaking, I actual slept in another 30 minutes), I headed to Great Meadows to see what the day had in store for me.

I knew it was going to be a good day when I noticed this Flicker in front of the parking spot I pulled into. While I got out it was content to drill on the tree. It continued as I set up my tripod, camera and lens. As I shut the lifgate I was certain it would fly, but it continued unphased. After warming up my shutter finger on the Flicker, I headed into the refuge.

It was a quite, misty morning. Down by the river I encountered a few warblers.

Palm Warbler


If like me you don't immediately know this warbler from the front


When it turns around there is no mistaking a Yellow-rumped Warbler

After walking along the Upper Impoundment, I was on my way home to tackle my long "Honey-do" list, when I say Joan Chasan ahead busy photographing something along the trail near the kiosk. I cautiously approached, to discover that she was busy shooting a female Yellow Warbler. Well that was another first of the year bird for me, so chores would just have to wait.

Even with the warbler's constant movement and unpredicatble behaviour, it was tough not to get a few shots that were in focus without branches or leaves blocking the bird. I was almost ready to head home, when I noticed some more warblers along the edge of the parking lot.

By this time I really had shot enough warbler photos, so I started to get piggish. Just another warbler shot would no longer suffice, instead I waited for the warblers to visit some of the flowering trees along the lot's edge. I'm glad I did. A male Yellow Warbler danced among the white and pink flowers. My favorite is the first one which reminds me of a Japanese watercolor painting

If you are not excited by warblers, I did see a few other things as I walked around including.

A different Flicker near the Upper Impoundment outflow canal to the river


A ubiquitous Red-winged Blackbird. I was struck how this photo catches all the detail in all those black feathers


This male Wood Duck's eye looks like a toy glass marble eye


Who can resist photographing a Song Sparrow when the background is this perfect


I dare not try to identify this bird, but it is nesting high in the trees down near the "Poison Ivy" bench