Blue Dancer

Each Spring, I look forward to the return of many of the water birds in our area. But, the Great Blue Herons are my favorite. This particular heron photo is one of my all-time top captures. The light of the “golden hour” truly accentuated the shadows from the feathers in ts wings, giving it a stunning pattern along its neck. And, the stance made me see this heron as a beautiful blue dancer. I could honestly look at this image for hours. I hope you enjoy this amazing creature as much as I do.

Snowy Owl, Too

March of 2018 was my first time seeing a snowy owl in the wild and this close. A classmate talked me into coming over to central Wisconsin (an hour and a half drive from my home) at sunrise to find one to photograph. So, I was up at 4am to make the drive to get there when the sun came up and wait for the snowies to start their hunt. We stood in the cold with our cameras and tripods, watching this female Snowy. An hour or so after sunrise, I was able to capture her in flight as she swooped off her perch, and back around. I have two shots I normally show side-by-side. I couldn’t think of another name, so they became Snowy Owl, and Snowy Owl, too.

Snowy Owl

Owl See You Later

On a hike through a local wetlands, this little Barred Owl fledgling became quite curious about me and my camera. When I first noticed it pop its head out of the nest, I intended to simply snap a couple of photos, then move along, so as not to disturb it too much. As I headed down the path to leave, this little one watched me the entire time. I turned one last time, snapped this photo, and told it to go back to bed before it fell out. I continued on my way, but looked back one more time to find it still watching me walk away. It was a moment in time I’ll never forget.

Owl By Myself

This Barred Owl adult was one of the parents to the little fledgling in another of my photos. As I hiked along the trail, the adult was standing guard over the nest, protecting its two young from another bird of prey that was hanging around. The owl chased it away, twice, while I was there. I stayed back, so as not to become a distraction, while it chased off the other bird. When it was done, I was able to snap a couple quick shots as stared after the culprit. It then swivelled its head toward me. I captured two more photos, said my goodbyes, and moved along the trail.

Egret Landing

Along the same area at our local dam, we have a variety of waterfowl, including cormorants, herons, pelicans and these graceful birds, the Great Egrets. This one caught my attention as it initially made a coupld of fly-bys over the area. It then proceeded to head for the brick wall of the building across the river from my spot. This image of it landing on the wall was my absolute favorite... hovering in mid-air, like a ballet dancer coming down from a leap through the air. It makes me smile each time I look at it.

Blue Contemplation

I saw this juvenile Great Blue Heron standing on a concrete slab in the middle of a local waterway, near my home. I was stunned by the pattern along its neck. The colors and details giving it an almost ‘tribal art’ look and feel. I still love looking at this image, seeing new details each time I do. While I know the pose was while it was looking for fish as they swam by, it still made me think of it more like it was contemplating something deeper in life. I think it’s why I’m drawn to it over and over.

Blue Watchers

This pair of juvenile Great Blue Herons were standing along a stone breakwall at a dam near my home. I stayed behind a tree to be sure to not disturb them as they watched for fish. But, as I took a couple of photos, something else interrupted their hunt. Another blue heron flew directly over them, causing them both to look upwards, to watch what it was planning to do. Does he dare to consider landing on their perch? Keep flying interloper and go find your own rock.

Nap Time

On a hike through one of my favorite locations, Heckrodt Wetlands Reserve, in Menasha, WI, I came across this Mallard drake “taking a nap” on a log just off the path. He watched me closely, without seeming too concerned. Then, I noticed what he was actually doing... he was watching over the female sitting on a nest just a couple yards away, hidden behind some brush. She wasn’t even noticeable until she moved slightly. He sat nicely while I snapped a couple of photos, then moved a.long to leave the two parents alone.

Blue Grace

I have become obsessed with these incredible creatures. To me, the Great Blue Heron is amazing to watch for it’s beauty, strength and grace. And, to know I can find them just minutes from my home is wonderful. I captured this one as it hunted along the shore in a nearby park. It made its way back and forth along the shore for twenty minutes, or so, before I had to leave. The gracefulness of its movements as it wandered up and down in search of its next meal was beautiful to watch. I could have stayed there all day.

Sleep Owl

I spotted this little Red Morph Screech Owl hunkered down in the hollow of a tree, about 20 feet up from the path I was walking on. This beautiful little bird was my first capture of an owl in the wild, which has led to a love of photographing birds of all kinds. It’s also become one of the favorite photos of many of my family and friends for its beauty and simplicity... and, for the fact that it’s absolutely adorable. Eastern Screech Owl resting in the tree, Heckrodt Wetlands Reserve, Menasha, WI, USA

Blue Hunter

Blue Silhouette

Honorable Mention (Digital & Photography) Fusion Art's 3rd Annual Animal Kingdom Art Exhibition - January 2018 https://fusionartps.com/animal-kingdom-art-exhibition-january-2018/

Barred Owl

Fat, Judgmental Squirrel