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

---

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

Hot visit with a cardinal

It’s been a while since I posted a photo of a cardinal. I have seen a couple since we returned from the beach, but have not been able to photograph one (this week). This guy was just looking for a cool spot. I took this photo during one of those hots days in late August while hiking near Piqua, Ohio. He was patient with me, and allowed me to get this great photo.

Have I mentioned that Cardinals are by far my favorite bird .. but they are all my favorite.

~ Rick

---

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

Playful gulls

I really enjoyed watching these seagulls. I think they were playing ‘king of the hill’. The winner didn’t mind letting everyone know. I’m going to call this a Herring Gull. It most fits the description anyway. Feel free to give me some feedback if you have some other thoughts.

We are heading to Myrtle Beach and I hope to get some photos to share from there over the next few days. Have a great week.

~ Rick

---

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

Warbler on the go

Teresa spotted this Black-and-white Warbler while we were on a butterfly walk this week. It looks a lot like the blackpoll warbler! This is a migratory bird, and they are currently heading south for the winter. This bird was feeding to collect the energy for the long flight.

Yesterday’s video included footage from the butterfly walk we participated in this week. ​

~ Rick

---

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