wild birds

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By JL Neighborhood, 5 photos 8/23/2017

In between watching eclipses and aerobatic bald eagles, I have kept my eye on other interesting critters …
This is father osprey plowing into the lake for a fish.


A white-tailed buck very calmly glanced my way and then went back to browsing.


Something must have tickled this great blue heron’s toes – he sure made a spectacular leap and didn’t take flight!

It was great fun watching the pileated woodpecker stop his hammering just long enough for me to get his portrait.


The three brassy little skipper butterflies were sharing a button bush blossom.

By Bald Eagle Foot Check! August 20, 2017
Way, way, way across the lake
I watched a 4 year-old bald eagle just about drop its fish.
Being eagle, it simply stalled in mid-air
reached down between its feet
totally let go of the fish with one foot
rearranged the slippery critter
clamped both feet on the fish and headed for shore.
The mid air stall was impressive!

By Hershey
Hershey came by yesterday.
Gave me a gift: his majesty and artistry as he landed above me.
I am delighted to share it with you.
– please have your audio turned up –

By JL moment …
I know you have had that feeling: you just know you are being watched …
I slowly turned my head.
Less than 100 feet from me Hershey was perched.
The photographer was the one now being observed.
As I steadied my hands for a shot I was sure would not soon be repeated, 
a fisherman came down the slope behind me and Hershey glanced past me.
I pressed the shutter button and Hershey lifted off the branch and was gone.
Sigh.