Fox Den in Suburbia

I received a phone call from Tom Revis, A gentleman I met while Photographing  A Great Horned Owls nest in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

We got to talking and exchanged pleasantries discussing life and photography in general while visiting the Owls nest. Turns out he visited my website and liked what he saw.
 As later I received a phone call with him asking me if I knew of Art Wolfe Photography.  I mentioned I knew of him and admired his work.
He then proceeded to tell me my work was every bit as good if not better. " Not sure about that" But I was really flattered.

He then proceeded to tell me about a Red Fox Den boarding under his neighbors shed, offering to meet me there and gain me access through the neighbors property to photograph the pups.
I ended up meeting him that next morning and began 4 days of photographing the pups in mornings from about 6:30 am till 10 am.  During this time frame the pups were somewhat active.

However I found shooting conditions challenging with few shot opportunities due to the light and the man made obstacles such as landscaping  etc.
 However with time and patience I did manege a few  rustic and wild looking images of the pups as they ventured into there surrounding environment.

This first Image is 1 of the pups at the Den site the shed behind him is home, there living underneath it, the gravel piled up over the timber is gravel dug out from beneath the barn area making more room for a den site. there were 4 pups total, never could I get all the pups together, so solo shots were my only opportunities.

These next 3 Images are of a Pup as he ventured out and away from the Den site getting into some morning light, this was the only opportunity I had with the pups in some descent lighting and somewhat in the open, the area was pretty thick and did not allow many shot opportunities.

This last Image is almost as if saying goodbye, One of the last times I seen them as they ventured further and further from the den site, I wish I knew of it sooner, but am thankful for the opportunity to spend with them and mother Nature, Many Thanks to my Friend Tom Revis for bringing these to my attention., I am forever grateful!

Allegheny State Park Warblers and more!

 I joined Matthew Studebaker for a Solo day of shooting, This time in New York's Allegheny State Park and Forest, Thanks again Matt for the Invite.

The weather and timing could not have been better with the trees just starting to emerge in there lush spring green plumes. The rolling countryside, many rock laden creeks with mixed conifer and deciduous forests make for a dramatic landscape which offers up a pleasure filled shooting experience.

Within the first half hour we were on a cooperative Pine warbler, Both Male and Female, The female gave us some really great looks. Typically the males are what were after as Photographers, but It ws great to see the female and have an opportunity to photograph her in some terrific early morning light.

Female Pine Warbler

Male Pine Warbler

 After a fun filled time photographing the pine warblers we were off looking for others, Next was a Cooperative Blackburnian Warbler, likely the most abundant Warbler in the park, pretty much every stand of Conifers has a breeding Blackburnian in its midst.

Blackburnian Warbler

We shot around at a few other areas which Ill get edited and add later, but as light got harsh we broke for Lunch, after I drove around the park with Matt as he showed me around, Osprey have taken up residence at many different areas and are utilizing man made nesting structures.
We tried to locate some Common Mergansers but did not have much luck.  Later we met back up with the group and shot till last light. we were able to photograph Ovenbird and Magnolia Warbler, Magnolia Warbler are extremely difficult so I am especially proud to have captured that species.

Ovenbird

Magnolia Warbler

After shooting we had a Great Dinner at a Local Steakhouse before making the 2 1/2 hour drive back home. All in all a terrific trip, I was able to add 2 new species Blackburnian and Magnolia Warbler bringing me to 250 Species Photographed.  meet some new friends and shoot with one of the Best Avian Photographer's around and good Friend Matthew Studebaker.

Southern Ohio Warblers ~ Shawnee Style

This Spring allowed me 2 separate trips to Southern Ohio for Warbler Photography. I was joined on the first trip by Jim Buescher and on the Second Trip by Jim Chagares.  I enjoyed there Company and we shared some good laughs as well as times in the field.

We stayed at Shawnee Lodge and Photographed around the Forest, The Timbering thats going on is sinful, The State has CLEARCUT Thousands of acres of land. stripping the land bare, These are our State Forests and Lands. who gave them this right to Clearcut the land. Another blunder by Sate Goverment.

The first trip comprised 2 1/2 days of shooting, whereas the second trip comprised 1 1/2 days of shooting. Birds were fresh on territory and unlike last year the leafout and Springs progression was much more on pace this year than last. This certainly made seeing and locating warblers much easier.

A few species we Photographer were Pine, Black and White, Kentucky, Prairie, Northern Parula, Yellow Throated Warbler, Ovenbird and Louisiana Waterthrush. We also photographed White Eyed Vireo and Yellow Throated Vireo as well while there. All in all a successful trip with Incredible weather and awesome friends...

Pine Warbler On Redbud Just before sun crept over the Horizon

Pine Warbler just after the Sun had set over the Horizon

 

Black and White Warbler

 

A Blue Gray Gnatcatcher in the Appalachian region of Southern Ohio Located near the State Forest.

A Northern Parula also from the Appalachian Region, These can be found along the River area.

Northern Parula in harsher light on a Redbud

White Eyed Vireo

 Yellow Throated Vireoo

Prairie Warblers were once Thin, Now very abundant along the entire State Forest and Appalachian region.

 

A Yellow Throated Warbler, These are tree top dwellers and can be difficult to get down, we had some luck though as this bird cooperated nicely for us.

 I wanted to capture a Louisiana Waterthrush in a creekebd in its habitat, we were fortunate to succedd with this lil guy.

Along our travels we encountered these in several areas as well American Redstarts.

We did not see any on the first trip down, But on the second trip with Jim Chagares we found the Kentucky Warbler, my first time photographing this species.

We also located a rather friendly Ovenbird, Pound for Pound these lil guys can belt out a song.

 And last but not least we seen many Butterflies in our travels and made a lil time to photograph a few, seen here is a Tiger Swallowtail.

We were fortunate to have had  Great weather, The leaf out was also on par with the warblers return which also helped greatly, all in all a tremendously successful trip and one I look forward to every year, Until next year! Hope you Enjoyed!!!!

Arizona- A Birding Meca

Arizona- The best way I can describe Arizona is Florida on steroids, I think of Florida I think of wading Birds, When I think of Arizona and Texas, I think of songbirds and Hummingbirds and plenty of them.

On this particular trip I joined Matthew Studebaker for an 11 day Trek throughout Southern Arizona, I was most appreciative of this invite as he asked me to help assist him on this trip as a research assistant. I had always wanted to see and photograph birds in Arizona, So I jumped at the chance.

 We based ourselves in the Green Valley Area, South of Tucson, The first several days of the trip was a scouting mission, where our goal was to locate various Owl species that inhabit this area in preparation of the arrival of a client from the Dominican Republic.

 Matthew had done thorough research on the area and through friends and others we had a good idea of where to look for target Owl species once we got there, Upon arrival we hit the ground running with target areas to check out, Days were long  at 14-18 hours in the field. but we were rewarded with 5 Owl species and countless songbirds and Hummingbirds.

Upon the arrival of Matthew's Client, we had procured good opportunities at a Great Horned Owls Nest in Saguaro Cactus, Thanks to Randy Wiley, A Gentleman who winters in the area and had knowledge of a particular GHO's nest, Thanks again to Randy for his sharing this opportunity with us, Randy was kind enough to actually meet me and guide me directly to the nest area.

This 1st Image is a pre sunrise Image where the Mother had just returned to the nest with the Owlets, there are actually 3 Owlets but only 3 can be seen here.

 This was taken shortly after sunrise and from the backside of the nest, The Owlets are pretty much non visible with mom taking precedence from this angle of view.

This image was captured after the sun had set with both parents actively calling to the Owlets from the field behind the Owls nest,  Mom is on the right and dad to the left.

Other species we photographed were Western screech Owl, seen here at dusk before leaving its home in a Saguaro Cactus

An Elf Owl  we located as well also in a Saguaro cactus,  but this one was out actively hunting in the area and photographed well after dark.

We traveled to the Miller Canyon area in far Southern Arizona where we were able to photograph the rare Spotted Owl, after a long drive and hike up the Canyon, Here at the higher elevations we encountered sleet and some snow.

We also spent an Afternoon at Bill Forbes place in Madera Canyon  where we photographed several varieties of hummingbirds and other species coming into feeding stations. The after noon light was amazing here, A very pleasant place to Photograph. Seen below is a Black Chinned Hummingbird

  A Broad Billed Hummingbird

  

A Magnificent Hummingbird

Rufous Hummingbird

Other species seen and Photographed at Bill Forbes place in Madera Canyon were The Acorn Woodpecker

As well as the Arizona Woodpecker

Black Headed Grossbeaks

Mexican Jays

Scotts Oriole

 

We also photographed at Bill Forbes place at Elephant head in the lower Madera Canyon area, there we seen species like Gilla and Ladder backed woodpecker, Gambell's Quail, Pyrlaxia and White Winged Dove as well as many others.

Towards the end of our trip we met up with Jim Burns, Jim was Instrumental in assisting us with locations all throughout our trip as well as meeting and guiding us to some  specific locations for unique species such as Elegant Trojan, Red Faced and Olive Warbler. Jim was an amazing person to be around his knowledge of the area was immnese and he greatly added to our success. Although we missed on the Red faced and Olive Warbler, we did manage several of our other target species... Thanks allot Jim, It was allot of fun.

We Photographed a Variety of other species in our travels as well, Ill include a few of them below.

Cactus Wren

Black Throat-ed Sparrow

Swainson's Hawk

It was an amazing trip. I believe I seen 49 new species and Photographed well 32 of them. I trip I will forever remember. Matthew Studebaker will be hosting workshops there in the future starting in 2014, anyone Interested should contact him, It will be a trip you will forever remember, He can be reached here matthewstudebaker@gmail.com

All in All Arizona was one of my most memorable trips in Avian Photography, Not only for the Birds I seen and was able to photograph but time with friends. A terrific experience, One I will forever remember!