Best of 2019

I dedicate this collage to the last year of a decade. I hope you had a great 2019. Here are a few top images from my year. This year brought many, many changes. I welcomed all of them with open arms. One can't survive in this world without accepting change. I hope you enjoy a look back. ENJOY!

Wildlife Walk, Radnor Lake State Park

Come hike with me as I walk the lake trail at Radnor Lake State Park today. Did I mention we will get to visit with some of the local wildlife as we take a walk on this bright sunny day with temps hovering in the high 60's. Radnor Lake is in the middle of metropolitan Nashville surrounded by large neighborhoods, so it gets a lot of visitors.

After about a mile into the lake trail, I turned toward the aviary trail and hiked another quarter mile into the woods. To my surprise as I neared a clearing in the woods, a huge bird flew up from the clearing and perched in a nearby tree. I have never seen an Owl in the wild, until today! A gorgeous Barred Owl sat perched in a tree perfectly positioned for picture taking. Every now and then he would turn his head all the way around and stare down at me. I was about 200 yards away on the path. You suppose he knew he was the star of my show! Did I mention this is a Life List Bird!

The trail to the opposite side of the lake cuts through the lake and a swamp. As I walked I peered into the water and saw something swimming parallel with the trail. A Muskrat swam past me and disappeared into the deep water carrying a large stash of vegetation. Lunch!

As I peered into the depths of the swamp, a huge Turtle swam by. He didn't seem to mind the company at all.

The Turtles were out in force sunning themselves on downed branches in the lake close to the shoreline.

There were various species of Turtles sunning themselves. I hope they put on sunscreen.

As I turned to make my way to the aviary, I snapped this image looking back at Radnor Lake. It's a beautiful lake and quite large. The perimeter lake trail, if you choose to hike it all the way around, is three miles. I did the entire hike on my first trip here to Radnor Lake in 2016.

I wished I could contain my excitement at seeing my first Owl in the wild. Needless to say, when I checked out my images in Lightroom, I had some fantastic photos of the Barred Owl. He had a sleepy look on his face as he sat motionless lazily sunning himself. His perch was the perfect spot for me to capture quite a few pics of him. I doubt he knew he was the star of my show!

Hopefully, you've enjoyed this hike around Radnor Lake. It's a beautiful park and very flat surfaces to walk on with half of the lake trail paved. I want to go back soon to see if I can capture the Barred Owlettes. Word is they fledged, but perhaps they will come back to the nest. The nest was on the opposite side of the lake from where I hiked, so I didn't make it there on this visit. Have a wonderful weekend all. ENJOY!

Tracking Sandhill Cranes

Every year as Fall and Winter approaches, I am reminded of one of my favorite bird species flying the friendly skies over the Midwest and South. As they fly over cities and towns and farmlands, you may not always see them at first, but you will definitely hear them coming as they sound off with their unique sqawk.

This first image I had never posted. As I prepared this post, I wanted to share an image I hadn't previously.

The Sandhill Cranes begin their journey farther north in Canada each Fall and slowly travel thousands of miles south along the eastern edges of the Mississippi Migratory Flyway. Many eventually end up in Hiawasee Wildlife Refuge in southeast Tennessee.

In this image, it was a sky blue day and late afternoon sun was highlighting the beautiful tips of the Sandhill's wings.

However, they stop multiple times along the way to rest and feed in plowed cornfields in the Midwest. The Sandhill Cranes are a beautiful majestic bird standing some 5' tall and spanning a width even longer.

Almost devoid of color, the late afternoon sky was pale white as the Sandhill Cranes flew over. Only the slightest hint of warm sun highlighted their wings.

One of the many resting places each year on their annual journey south, finds them in the thousands in Ewing Bottoms, just west of Seymour, Indiana. Here they rest, feed and continue their mating ritual dances in an effort to attain a forever life mate.

One of my favorite images of all the photographs I have captured of the Sandhill Cranes. I love the detail you can see in the feathers and the body of this majestic bird. Best of all when you capture an image and can see their beautiful red eyes clearly. That's the best.

They move around the cornfields in Ewing Bottoms and near the river bed foraging and flying in and out daily. They may rest here for several weeks, but they always move on flying further south to warmer climes. I captured these images and many more over a two year period honing my skills in phohtographing the Cranes in their natural habitat.

Their red foreheads, long, sleek legs, gray feathers, dotted with rusty spots, are all characteristic of their appearance. If you decide to track the Sandhill Crane, know these birds have rights too. I hope you will respect that as you attempt to photograph them. Always keep your distance. You will know if you are too close, as they will slowly walk away from you. Knowing this, you can get some wonderful photographs if you know when to snap.

From mating rituals to foraging to landing and liftoff. I hope you enjoyed this look back. I hope to be able to visit Hiawasee in southeast Tennessee this January before the Sandhill Cranes move back north. We shall see. I'll be back soon.

Photographer's Note: I met with a Wildlife Resources Officer for Tennessee today at Old Hickory Lake. He confirms the Sandhill Cranes are now moving north back to their breeding grounds. A tad early albeit, but case in fact.ENJOY!

Happy New Year!

The American White Pelicans are such gorgeous, graceful looking birds. They are spending the Winter months on Old Hickory Lake again this year.

I thought I would begin the New Year with some images of these beautiful birds. There are about 100 or more Pelicans living right off one of the rookeries that sits in the middle of the lake. At any time of the day you will find groups of Pelicans swimming and feeding around the tiny inlets and coves that make up Old Hickory Lake.

It's interesting to watch them as they feed because they synchronize their diving maneuvers. And as one goes down for a catch, the others follow suit.

This particular image is my favorite shot. I would have loved it if the water wasn't rippled, but it's a huge lake right off the Cumberland River and the chances of that ever happening are slim to none.

I have been battling bronchitis for nearly a week, but am starting to get well. I sleep at odd hours as the coughing keeps me up most of the night. I trust everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year's Eve. I watched the ball drop in New York's Times Square from my living room and then watched the Music Note in Nashville drop from my bedroom. I wish all of you the best wishes for the upcoming year and hope this one proves to be your best. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Winter on Radnor Lake

Ring Necked Ducks migrating south make a stop at Radnor Lake to hang out for a few days. Radnor sees a plethora of migrating birds throughout the seasons. This is a beautiful lake situated just south of downtown Nashville with a gorgeous state park surrounding it.

The trail around the lake is approximately three miles in circumference. I walked the entire path on an uncharacteristically balmy winter's day. I discovered Ring Necked Ducks on both the south and north side of Radnor.

I wonder where these Ducks will be off to next on their journey south.

Not much sun on this winter's day, but a treat to see these Ring Necked Ducks. Have a wonderful week all. ENJOY!

A Wattle and A Snood

As I drove around the Elk and Bison Prairie recently, there were flocks of wild Turkeys foraging in the meadows. Most were off in the distance, but several were close enough to photograph. I cropped one image that caught my eye. I don't know why but a Turkey's brightly colored head has always been fascinating to me. His wattle, the fleshy skin that grows under his throat, is pink and bright red at the end. I read blood pools in the wattle when a Tom wants to attract a hen.

I read that Turkeys are a form of pheasant. I also read that the Tom's gobble while the females make a clicking sound. Also, that fleshy skin that grows above their forehead is a snood and also pools with blood when Tom is on the hunt. It appears from my photo, that Tom is definitely on the hunt for a lady. A new week is upon us, and need I say it, a new season is around the corner. Oh, Fall where art thou. Please bring us cooler temps soon. ENJOY!

Drive the Refuge

Come along as I drive the Duck River Unit of the Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge, a birder's paradise. Here's a collection of images as I made my way into and out of the refuge.

The refuge is home to birds in all shapes and sizes and colors and in all the varying habitats within the refuge. A twist in the road and you scare up a large wading bird who takes flight from the intrusion. You don't mean to intrude, but with the grasses along the road obscuring what lay on the other side, and the swamps adjacent to the road much lower, it is inevitable. A few of the birds I encountered:

Great Blue Heron, Great White Egret, Mallard Ducks,
Eastern Kingbird, Indigo Bunting, Dickcissel, Bobolink, Yellow Headed Blackbird

I hope you enjoyed the drive and would love to know if you have a favorite photo.

If you are in the Eastern United States, we're in the throws of a full blown heat wave, so be careful out of doors. Have an enjoyable weekend all. ENJOY!

Great Blue Heron, Old Hickory Lake

I captured this image last year on a beautiful, sunny day on the small peninsula where the Heron Rookery sits along Old Hickory Lake. I haven't visited the Rookery this year as the land it was setting on was sold and an absolutely humongous house is being built on the property. I had permission from the old owners to frequent the Rookery, but I will need to gain permission from the new owners. Perhaps in the Summer or Fall I'll be able to do that. Right now the house is under construction. I loved this image as it was the perfect profile shot of the Heron. I hope your weekend is going well. Weekends seem to fly by these days. Very hot day and storms tonight here. Perhaps tomorrow it will be a tad cooler. ENJOY!

Boblink, Life Bird #2, Duck River Unit

The Duck River Unit of the Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge is a huge haven for birds who love grasslands, reeds and endless fields of wildflowers. Yesterday, I captured this beauty along the side of the road where the grasses were a tad taller. As I neared him, he would fly off obviously. He was accompanied by four or five other Bobolinks. This is a second life bird in one day for me!

Sorry for the very cropped image and horrific background, but I had to share as this Bobolink's markings are so unique. A yellow backed head and white wings. I read Bobolinks breed in the north central and north east areas of the United States. They migrate to the Southern states. The Duck River Unit would be a perfect habitat for them to breed. No doubt why they chose to stop over here. When I can't identify a bird in the field, I snap images and crop tightly in my software to identify them. This was the only descent image worth posting and I only post it as it's a life bird. I couldn't help myself. My bird life list is growing. It's a scorcher today if you are in the Midwest and especially the South in the States, so hydrate. ENJOY!

Dickcissel, Duck River, TN National Wildlife Refuge

Say hello to the Dickcissel. He is a life bird for me. I hadn't anticipated finding a new species today on my visit to the wildlife refuge. I visited the Duck River Unit of the Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge today. This little bird kept flying from stalk to stalk. When he got close enough, I stopped to snap these images. All the while I sat and snapped away he sang to me a beautiful song.

Dickcissels migrate from the Deep South north and and generally breed in the Midwest. With the many grasslands in the Duck River Unit, I venture to guess this little fella could make this his home. Many of the roads were closed for the season, in late 2016 when I last visited here, but they were open today, so I was able to drive deep into the refuge.

I encountered many species of birds today including Great Blue Herons, Great White Egrets and Cormorants. I'm fairly certain I even caught a glimpse of a Yellow Headed Blackbird before he flew away.

We are in the throws of a heat wave here in Tennessee and the South. The next three days will be sweltering and will no doubt reach the 90's. I had planned to travel to Gibbs Gardens this weekend in northern Georgia. I opted out of that trip as the heat wave isn't conducive for walking two or three hours in the hot sun taking in the gardens. Perhaps it will cool off in a few weeks and I can get there. Stay cool out there. ENJOY!

Yawn, Great Blue Heron

The fisherman stands sentry on an old worn tree stump near the shoreline patiently fishing for his next meal. Many a Great Blue Heron fish Old Hickory Lake up and down both sides of the peninsula every day here in Hendersonville. Today, I headed out briefly and happened upon this Heron perched on this old stump at the park. There wasn't much sun this afternoon, but I managed to catch a few images of him in what little bit of sunshine there was, before heavy cloud cover began to move in.

We have had every Winter accessory it could bring us here in Tennessee this year. Snow, ice, sleet, rain, rain and still more rain. Darn if the groundhog didn't see his shadow and announced six more weeks of Winter. UGH! As I snapped photos of the Heron, he looked my way and yawned. It was as if he echoed my thoughts on Winter. Speaking of, there is a front coming through in the early evening as I write this post. Thankfully, it's been too warm for the precipitation to stick, but still there it is. Spring has been on my mind a lot lately. I hope wherever you are, you have had a wonderful weekend. ENJOY!

A Gaggle of Greylag Geese

There are many different species of waterfowl that call Old Hickory Lake home and some who pass through during migration and others who overwinter here like the American White Pelicans. Hendersonville is a designated bird sanctuary and it's no small wonder why. All along the lake and its many insets you will find many species of birds. There are Great White Egrets, Great Blue Herons, Black Crowned Night Herons, Canadian Geese, American Coots, Pied Billed Grebes and Mallard Ducks to name a few.

On the day I photographed the American White Pelicans, I captured these images of a gaggle of Greylag Geese. Their color varies from white to grey to tan and anywhere in between. They come from Euroasia and at one time were bred for their meat. While these Greylags are wild and live on the lake, they are so domesticated that I literally walked right up to them as they were preparing to go for a swim.

After a few of them had a drink, they eventually headed onto the lake for a swim. From time to time they would bicker with each other. Although I'm not sure about what they were bickering about.

This gaggle of Greylag Geese stayed close to the shoreline as they floated not far from the Pelicans. It's a gloomy Saturday here in Hendersonville, albeit a tad warm. ENJOY!

Fishing, American White Pelican

The late afternoon sun spotlighted this beautiful American White Pelican as he was fishing on Old Hickory Lake Sunday. He intently eyed the water under him and then his bill and head would disappear as he dove in to grab a fish. It's amazing how graceful these large birds are even when they are fishing. Back soon. ENJOY!

The Pelican Brief

I know what you're thinking. I used a play on words. Well, you would be right. You see I spent a brief time today photographing the beautiful American White Pelicans that finally made their way back to Old Hickory Lake along the peninsula where I live. There are two peninsulas in Hendersonville where the lake runs up both sides of those peninsulas for several miles.

In this first image, the late day sun was shining right on the Pelicans as they floated along the lake. This is one of the best images I have ever gotten of the American White Pelicans. I wished there had been a little more light but I like the way the sun is shining on the birds.

It's not easy photographing these birds on Old Hickory Lake as most of the background is going to be the back yards and docks from the houses directly across the lake. This image seemed somewhat noise free for the most part. Basically, there were Pelicans up and down the entire lake along this peninsula everywhere. I suppose you could say they have made themselves at home here on the lake.

Leaving the Pelicans, I ran errands, and afterwards before going home, I stopped for a few more minutes to snap photos of the birds. The sun was shining a tad more too. The wind had picked up making the water choppy, but I captured a couple more photos in spite of it.

We started out in Tennessee this week with sub zero temperatures. It was minus 1 degree last Sunday night. Monday brought an ice storm and later in the day snow. We averaged around 2-3 inches total with about an eighth of an inch of ice under it. It made for hazardous driving and tons of school closings. Fast forward one week to today. It is 65 degrees and balmy. The flu is ravaging every state across the U.S. and Canada too. This H1N2 strain is the worst one and apparently that's what most people are getting. I hope wherever you are you are warm and healthy and the sun is shining brightly. I'll be back with a few Duck images in a few days. Have a great week. ENJOY!