Green or blue?

Saturday was a very cold spring day. Teresa and I stayed indoors most of the day, but later in the afternoon, we took a drive. After a short pass by the eagle nest just south of PIqua, we took a headed to Garbry Big Woods.

I have seen more variety of birds there this year than any time in the past. I don’t think there are any more species flying around the reserve. So what is going on? I think I am listening and watching more intensely. I am connecting with nature more deeply than before. Retirement? Maybe. Whatever, I am enjoying this time in my life. 

I was disappointed that there was some kind of social event going on and lots of noise. The birds were silent and out of sight. On they way out, we drove by this remote little pond. It’s not the one where everyone was fishing, and playing. I saw this large winged bird ... what was that. It looked blue, and graceful, flying over the water. I could not get a photo, and I felt frustrated. I drove a little further and started looking for it. Teresa was the 1st to spot him. I saw him, and focused my 600mm lens his direction. I cropped the image to get the above photo.

This is a Green Heron. Yes, green. I saw blue, but what can I say. I did learn one cool fact about this bird: They are one of the few types of bird that will use a tool! Yes, they often will drop bait on the surface of the water, then grab the fish it attracts. Cool. 

~ Rick

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©2018 Rick Cartwright

Fix it in post ...

This silhouette is of a cardinal. The original photo was not great, mostly because of the position of the sun relative to the cardinal, and where I was standing. I just went with what I was given. Much like life, sometimes you are not given ideal situations for that perfect photo. 

So, when life gives you what looks like a dud, take the shot anyway .. fix it in post:).  

Apps used to produce this photo: Snapseed

~ Rick

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 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 second chance

I posted a photo of two eastern bluebirds a few days ago. I went back to the same spot the next day, and the male bluebird was still there. This time, I was able to get a much better photo. He is beautiful and a real gift. Amazing. 

We don’t often get a second chance, but when given another shot, take it.   

~ Rick

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 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

Eastern Bluebird

I spotted these lovebirds while hiking around on a brisk spring morning. They are not actually ‘lovebirds’. They are just a couple of Eastern Bluebirds that happen to a ‘happy couple’. The male is very colorful, and they are both beautiful. 

Teresa and I were actually setting in her SUV, when I spotted him. At fist, I thought it was a sparrow, until I focused my camera on him. The photo is slightly out of focus. In fact, every shot I took of him was slightly out of focus. Not far from that spot, I took the photo of his mate (my assumption since the are monogamous). 

I read that the Eastern Birdbird Numbers are declining due to competition for nesting sites from field sparrows and starlings (iBird Pro). I love it. 

 ~ Rick

A Female Eastern Bluebird

The other half .. mail Eastern Bludbird 

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 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

Eastern Phoebe, maybe?

Identifying birds is difficult. Some species look like others, and lighting can make it more confusing. This photo is an example. I believe this is a Eastern Phoebe. It has a green tent to it’s belly, and all the right colors. That said, it’s feathers don’t look right, and maybe it’s a too big. When I first saw her, I thought it was a sparrow .. until I got home and looked at the photos. For now, it’s a Phoebe.  

~ Rick

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 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