Color me Jay

I photographed this bluejay at Garbry Big Woods. She looks very young and had tons of energy. Life is still mostly in front of my feathered friend (well, maybe she does not consider me a friend, but I sure admire her colors).

I received word today that a good friend passed away. The picture below was taken at CES in Vegas this past January. I so enjoyed visiting with Kevin. We talked frequently by phone, on twitter, or by text. He was always so positive and full of energy. He always had these great one-liners, and there was always a story. I will truly miss Kevin. RIP, my friend.

Life is so frigile. It was a year ago this week that I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Today I am clean, but you never know. Enjoy the moments my friends. Hugs.

The vlog below is from our hike at Charleston Falls. Enjoy!

~ Rick

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Check out our vlog, which includes more pictures and video on YouTube at tales.photos. Remember to subscribe!

Prints are available for many of the photos on this site on canvas, metal or glass. They are stunning and you can purchase them for a wall at home. Click the link or the ‘prints and such’ tab.

©2018 Rick Cartwright

A Sunbathing turtle

Or a surfing turtle?

We saw this turtle while hiking Tawana Park in Sidney, OH. She was stretching and taking in the warm sun. I missed the good shot but a few inches. The reflection was as good ast the real deal. Sometimes I rush things, and miss something even better. That is how life works too often.

The video from this hike is great too .. I inserted it below, or. you can click on it, and go to YouTube to view it. Enjoy!

~ Rick

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Check out our vlog, which includes more pictures and video on YouTube at tales.photos. Remember to subscribe!

Prints are available for many of the photos on this site on canvas, metal or glass. They are stunning and you can purchase them for a wall at home. Click the link or the ‘prints and such’ tab.

©2018 Rick Cartwright

A duck, but not a ‘common’ duck

I took this photo at Grand Lake St Mary’s. This is a Common Merganser. Yes, I could be wrong, but I know its not a duck that we normally find around here. Look at the hooked bill and how it sets in the water.

This is a ‘diving duck’. It will dive, going completely underwater while looking for food. We show it dive several times, and for a long time. Very cool!

~ Rick

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Check out our vlog, which includes more pictures and video on YouTube at tales.photos. Remember to subscribe!

Prints are available for many of the photos on this site on canvas, metal or glass. They are stunning and you can purchase them for a wall at home. Click the link or the ‘prints and such’ tab.

©2018 Rick Cartwright

Yellow here, and yellow there.

Yesterday I posted a photo of a Indigo Bunting. The Bunting is a finch! This photo is of an American Goldfinch. I have seen a dozen or more to them in the last couple days. Actually, I think I saw at least that many in one spot today. They migrate too, so it may be that they are passing though in large numbers right now.

The American Goldfinch nest very late, staring in late June and into early July. This time of year they seem to be more jumpy, and it’s more difficult to get a good photo. Their yellow and black color seems fitting for the fall, as well as for the spring.

I posted our latest video yesterday, and posted the link below. This one is from a hike at Goode Prairie Nature Preserve. It’s not a large preserve, but it’s a nice combination of wooded area and prairie. Of course, the Still Water River runs by it. Very nice for a walk, and if it has not been raining, photography.

~ Rick

Migration in the dark!

Yes, this is an Indigo Bunting. Over the past few months I have taken several photos of this species. They are such a beautiful bird. They also sing so beautifully. I have not seen one in a few weeks. I was thinking about this while walking the trail near the river (between mosquito bites).

The Buntings have migrated south now. Oh, you didn’t notice? Well, that is because they migrate at night. They use the pattern of the stars nearest the North Star to navigate. Amazing! (Details from the iBird app).

~ Rick

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Check out our vlog, which includes more pictures and video on YouTube at tales.photos. Remember to subscribe!

Prints are available for many of the photos on this site on canvas, metal or glass. They are stunning and you can purchase them for a wall at home. Click the link or the ‘prints and such’ tab.

©2018 Rick Cartwright