Category: Birding

Being Watched

On By mvschulzeIn 2000's, Birding, Birds, Boating, Close-Up, Exploring, Florida, Nautical, Photography, Pondering, Travel, Vacation2 Comments


Some time ago we had rented a small boat near Little Hickory Island, south of Fort Myers, Florida. These two Pelicans remained perched, even though we were slowly approaching, giving me an opportunity for this image. I particularly like the sharpness of the nearer bird’s head, as he peacefully scrutinized our passing.

Thanks for viewing and as usual, comments are always welcome M 🙂

 

Osprey: Time to Fly – Today, July 29th, 2016

On By mvschulzeIn Birding, Birds, Fishing, New jersey, Photography, Science7 Comments

DSC_0467

Its time to fly.  Mom and Dad conceive, raise the young and teach!

Above,  Mom (left) sternly begins coaxing the kid to leave the nest, and fly. It happens every year. The mother will fly around the nest, carrying a fish in its claws, sometimes for days at a time, until the young one finally gets the idea – to eat, you must fly! The wordless lesson is priority one.

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Meanwhile, Dad waits patiently a few hundred yards way. 

As Usual, click on images for higher resolution, and comments are always welcome. M 🙂

Bald Eagle Talent Contest – Oct. 9th, 2014

On By mvschulzeIn Birding, Photo16 Comments

A few days ago, a pair of bald eagles appeared in one of the recently vacated osprey nests on the edge of Barnegat Bay, (Ocean County) New Jersey.  As seen from a few hundred yards offshore, they apparently were playing ‘one up-manship,’ although I have no idea of what their gender was. (?!) For the captions, the “wife” is initially in the nest, with the “husband” on the perch. 

Thanks for viewing, and comments are always welcome 🙂

This post contains 18 relatively hi res images, so you can click or finger stretch to see better, or if short on time, simply browse the images. 

2014-10-09 at 08-34-16
Wife:   “I stand in this nest facing south”
2014-10-09 at 08-34-39
W:   “And now, I’m facing north!”                         Husband:   “Boring!”
2014-10-09 at 08-42-55
W:   “And, Now, I’m facing west!!!”                  H:   “Whooo! Soo talented!!! Now, WATCH THIS….”
2014-10-09 at 08-42-56
                                                                           Wife:   “Ahhhhhh! ”                    “H:   “BOO!”                                                          
2014-10-09 at 08-42-57
H:   “First Step – ‘Walk this Way!’ “
2014-10-09 at 08-42-58
H:   “Second Step – ‘Ready for Liftoff!’ “
2014-10-09 at 08-42-59
H:   “Third Step – ‘Ahhh such form…!’ “
2014-10-09 at 08-42-59 (1)
H:   “Fourth Step –  ‘Touchdown with style!’ ”                    W:   “Jerk!”
2014-10-09 at 08-43-01
H:   “What did you say?”
2014-10-09 at 08-43-03
H:   “Like, you could do it BETTER?????”
2014-10-09 at 08-43-16
W:   “You’re an idiot!”
2014-10-09 at 08-43-32
                                                    H:   (Shocked!!!)           W:   (Looks away, unapologetically.)                                                                                                                                                              
2014-10-09 at 08-44-38
W:   (Planning her  response….)
2014-10-09 at 08-44-43
W:   “With graceful agility, I gently levitate.”
2014-10-09 at 08-45-06
             H:   (He looks away, pretends not to see.)          W:   “Yes, I NAILED IT!!“
2014-10-09 at 08-45-44
      H:   “Hmmph! ”        W:   (Takes a bow!)
2014-10-09 at 08-45-29
W:   (With the antics of the morning over…)   “…Who’s that guy out there in the boat?”