Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Ruby-throated Hummingbird


"Teach us to live like Hummingbird.  Optimally, energetically, with sweetness and patience, fierceness and longevity.  When we become Hummingbird, we map the great journey and we learn to master time.  When we do this, everything, every moment becomes sacred.  If even for a moment in an otherwise hectic day you create sacred space to honor the Hummingbird within, you will notice very quickly that the journey carries more sweet seconds to it than it did before."  ~ from "Becoming Hummingbird" by Jane Galer

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Rain Squalls at Sunset


The setting sun lit up rain squalls over Lake Erie this evening.

Proud Momma


This is one of the female Hummingbirds that is bringing her little ones to our flower gardens and feeders.

Fledgling Hummingbirds


There are three fledgling Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in the yard today, learning to eat from the feeders.  They are still quite clumsy and cute to watch.


Checking out the Coneflower, but it doesn't have the nectar they are fond of.

Friday, July 26, 2013

The Rare Monarch Butterfly


This is the first Monarch Butterfly that I've seen this year.  Experts are saying that their numbers are down by 80% this summer because of the drought and excessive heat that occurred during the summer of 2012.  Only 60 million of them wintered in Mexico compared to the average of 350 million.  How many have you seen this summer?

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

The Green Flash


The elusive green sunset flash appeared this evening over Lake Erie while I watched from my back yard.  Unfortunately, I didn't catch it with the camera but it was the first time I had ever seen it.  The top rim of the sun flashed into a bright emerald green color for a brief second or two.  If you've never heard of the green flash before, here is a good article that explains the phenomenon:  http://www.universetoday.com/47607/green-flash-sunset/

The buildings visible on the horizon in this photo are in Nanticoke, Ontario.

Savannah Sparrow


The Savannah Sparrow is a southern bird that migrates north to breed in grassy areas on farms, in swamps or any place that provides them with low vegetation.

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Tiger Swallowtail


Butterfly populations are very low this summer.  I was very happy to see and photograph a Tiger Swallowtail this morning.

Friday, July 19, 2013

Cumulonimbus


Cumulonimbus thunderhead clouds building in the southern sky this evening.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker


A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker spread out on a branch and panting in the near ninety degree heat.

Monday, July 15, 2013

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Chestnut-sided Warbler


This is one of the more common wood warblers to be found in the area around our residence.

Friday, July 12, 2013

Clearwing Hummingbird Moths


The Hummingbird Moths made a late appearance this year but they're finally out and about!

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Grasshopper Sparrow


This guy was a real treat for me to find since they are listed as a species of "special concern" by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.



He was quite talkative too!


Tuesday, July 9, 2013

American Avocets


Three American Avocets on the beach in Dunkirk this afternoon.  They are hundreds of miles out of their normal range but are great wanderers and known to show up on the Great Lakes at times.


Friday, July 5, 2013

Veery


In my opinion, the Veery sings one of the most beautiful songs that can be heard in the northern forests during the summer.  They have two voice boxes, like all songbirds, but can make some very special sounds.  If you've never heard it, listen to their song at the following link:  http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/veery/sounds

American Redstart


This sweet little wood warbler is slightly smaller than a Black-capped Chickadee.

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Honey Bee on a Daisy


Bees are in trouble due to pesticides and genetically modified organisms in our environment.  Albert Einstein is quoted as saying "If the bee disappeared off the face of the earth, man would only have four years left to live."  I don't know if that would truly be the case, but it is my humble opinion that pesticide use needs to be scaled back and replaced with organic farming methods before it's too late and we have to find out the answer the hard way.

Snow Squall over Lake Erie