Sunday, May 31, 2009

Storm Clouds


We had a nice thunderstorm roll through last night. I wasn't able to catch any of the lightning bolts but the clouds alone were very interesting.

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Indigo Bunting


I've been after a good shot of the Common Yellowthroat and went pishing in the area where it has a nest. Much to my pleasant surprise this Indigo Bunting showed up along with the Yellowthroat!

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Common Yellowthroat Warbler


These birds are extremely hyperactive and difficult to photograph. It is very hard to focus on them since they are in constant motion and stay in thick brush. Finally, a lucky shot!


I found his nest and he was oh so ready to defend it!

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Newborn Fawn


This newborn white-tail deer fawn was only several hours old when I took the photo. My neighbor witnessed the birth in his pasture this morning.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Gosling


This Canada Gosling was dining on fresh spring flowers at the edge of Cassadaga Lake.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Happy Mother's Day!


Momma Blue Jay on her nest in a lilac bush. I had to be really stealthy to get this shot!

Caspian Tern


A Caspian Tern soaring above the Chadwick Bay Harbor in Dunkirk.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Coccinellidae


More commonly known as a ladybug. :-) Here's a bit of trivia for you, the ladybug is the state insect of New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Delaware, Ohio, Tennessee and New Hampshire. Seems to be a very popular little critter.

Friday, May 8, 2009

Grazin' in the Grass (is a gas, baby, can you dig it?)


It sure is mellow grazin' in the grass.
Grazin' in the Grass is a gas, baby, can you dig it?
What a trip just watchin' as the world goes by.
There are so many groovy things to see.
While grazin' in the grass.



Flowers with colors for takin'
Everything outta sight in the grass.
Grazin' in the grass is a gas, baby, can you dig it?



The sun beaming down between the leaves
Grazin' in the grass is a gas, baby, can you dig it?


And the bir-ir-ir-irds dartin' in and out of the trees
Grazin' in the grass is a gas, baby, can you dig it?


Everything here is so clear, you can see it.
And everything here is so near, you can feel it.
And it's real, so real, so real, so real, so real, so real...
Can you dig it?
Whooo-oooh!!!
Can you dig it baby?

(Lyrics borrowed from "The Friends of Distinction")

For those of you who are too young to remember this song (circa 1970), click here.


I took some of these photos last summer since it's not quite this green in Western New York, yet...

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Rose-breasted Grosbeak


It looks like this immature male is going to be a "regular" in the yard this summer. I have been seeing him every day at the feeders.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Starling


A male Starling (Sturnidae) in full breeding plumage sits at the top of a pine tree. He was singing a lovely gurgling type song that I had never noticed before.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

They're Back!!!!!


I saw the first hummingbird of the season at my window feeder this morning. I am always so impressed by their migration each year. These tiny jewels spend the winter in Central America and manage to make it all the way back to western New York State during the first week of May without fail. Incredible, truly incredible!

Spotted Sandpiper


Caught this beauty walking along the edge of Cassadaga Lake yesterday evening.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Red Tailed Hawk


I had the pleasure of watching a pair of Red-tailed Hawks this evening. They were soaring high but managed to get a halfway decent shot of one of them.

Red Squirrel


This little guy is a regular visitor at my bird feeders. Some people don't want squirrels at their bird feeders but I really enjoy watching them and their antics.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Red-breasted Nuthatch


There is a nesting pair in the pine tree on the west side of our house. They seem to be getting used to me with the camera and are becoming very bold.



Saturday, May 2, 2009

The Orioles are Back!!!


The Orioles have returned to their northern nesting ground. I heard them calling before spying one on the patio table waiting for an orange. Welcome back guys!

The Original Workaholic


Snapped some shots of this beaver hard at work in a pond just before dark last night.

Friday, May 1, 2009

Snow Squall over Lake Erie