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.

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!

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!

Blue Jay

Doe Eyes

Memorial Day Sunset

Gray Squirrel

Female Hummingbird

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.

Resident Rabbit

There's a squirrel in the house!

The birdhouse that is...

The Duckling Rescue

I love this!!!

Goniatite Fossil

Approximately 400 million years old!

Eastern Bluebird

Standing Guard over the Babies

Gosling

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

Yellow Trout Lily

Dinnertime

Elegant Petals

...on an orange gerber daisy

Splendid Sunset

There was a splendid sunset on this very chilly evening in May.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Pine Drops

Finding beauty on a dark and rainy morning.