Blue Moon!

This is the second full moon during the month of August 2012 which makes it a "Blue Moon!"  The next blue moon will not occur until July 2015.

Red-breasted Goose

This is an endangered Red-breasted Goose which originates from Siberia. They have been hunted to near extinction and are considered to be one of the most beautiful geese in the world. This photo was taken at the Gooseneck Hill Waterfowl Sanctuary in Delvan, New York which is the largest waterfowl sanctuary in the United States.

Elegance on Water

Hawk Eyes

An intense stare from this big Red-tailed Hawk.

The Swamp

One of my favorite birding spots this summer.

Between the Storms

The sunset was able to peek out for a few minutes between rain storms this evening.

Feeding Frenzy

Colorful feeding frenzy in a Koi pond!

Safe Travels

Our male Ruby-throats haven't been seen for a few days now. Only the females and young ones remain and they will be leaving at any time to return to Central America. After that, all we will see for the next few weeks will be a few migrants passing through that spent their summer further north. Safe travels my friends, you are amazing creatures!

Ruby Meadowhawk Skimmer

Great Blue Heron

Immature Green Heron

The camouflage on a Green Heron is amazing!  This guy was 20 feet in front of me for at least 10 minutes before I realized he was there.

Pink Cosmos

A late summer favorite!

Tonight's Waxing Crescent Moon

Pied Piper?

This squirrel chewing on a stick almost looks like he is playing a musical pipe!

Exact Moment

The exact moment the sun slips below the horizon.

Buckeye Butterfly

Buckeye Butterfly which is out of its normal range here in western New York State.  It is usually not found north of mid-Pennsylvania or east of Ohio.

Fleeting Beauty

The Aphrodite Fritillary Butterfly (Speyeria aphrodite) is a perfect example of "fleeting beauty" since it doesn't sit still for very long.  This photo has been included in the sightings record for the the Butterflies and Moths of North America organization (BAMONA).  You can view the record at the following link:  http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/sighting_details/732121 

Wild Peppermint

Wild peppermint is in bloom and the butterflies and bees love it!  This is a Pearl Crescent Butterfly visiting the mint blossoms.

Crisp Evening

Tonight's low temperature should be around 50 degrees.  Very crisp weather for August!

Hummingbird Moth on Buddleia Blossoms

First Sign of Fall

Monarch Butterflies

Plenty of Monarchs in the yard today.

Barn Swallows

Think of the Universe...

How small.  How rare.  How precious we all are!

Monarch on Buddleia Bush

Wild Turkey Poults

Cleaning up seeds under the bird feeder in our back yard.

Saying Goodbye?

It makes me sad to think that our hummingbirds will be gone soon.  Most leave this area of Western New York State and begin their migration south by Labor Day which is just a few short weeks away.  :-(

Fledgling Hummingbird

Another Brood!

Another brood of Wild Turkey has joined the original group that has been visiting our yard this summer.  The second hen has a brood of two younger poults for a total of ten little ones!

Cauldron in the Sky

Heavy clouds around the sunset this evening created a fiery looking cauldron in the sky.

Eight Left!

An update on our wild turkey brood:  As of this morning there eight of the original 11 little ones left.  This appears to be a very good survival rate for this point in the summer.  You can see how much they have grown by comparing it to the photos I took on July 14th.

Waning Gibbous Moon

Full Sturgeon Moon

The Native American fishing tribes of the Great Lakes area called the full moon in August the "Sturgeon Moon" since it is traditionally the best month of the year to catch them.