Dinner Time

 I am definitely not doing a good job with my bird photography. As much as I like watching them and capturing them, I am not getting a clear picture of them.

Not sure what my problem is.

Could be old age.

Could be bad eyesight.

Could be unsteady hands.

Could be the excitement.

Could be ALL sorts of could be's.

Bottom line they aint sharp, but heck I will click!

On my walk home the other day saw this guy sitting under the bridge, through the chain link fence.

I saw him (naturally)...I stopped and positioned my camera throught the chainlink fence because I noticed he had caught something.

Obviously, I didn't focus on the "thing" he had caught and clicked.

Then I tried to be more diligent and focus on the "thing".

But if you know anything about birds....they don't wait for you to get situated....they do their thing and you have a 50/50 chance of capturing.

Of course I clicked...because something is better than nothing.

Within seconds that "thing" was down the hatch.

 And Mr. Anhinga sat around digesting that "thing" for a few minutes before taking off toward the next "thing".

And so goes my adventures in bird watching (clicking) in Florida.

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The Drop and The Fail

I am walking down Flagler Avenue and minding my own business, when suddenly out of the corner of my eye I spot this thing flying down, scooping something, and then flying up. 

I follow the up motion and aim my camera.

This thing lands and I shoot.

Of course, as you probably guessed from the above photo, I am not carrying my big boy. Hence, at 120 mm the only way I could zoom closer was to switch the camera from a full frame to a cropped.

And even so, this is as close as I could get.

I am squinting, aiming, and as to be expected, walking a little faster in order to get closer to the phone pole, when suddenly.......

Needless to say, in my excitment and haste in trying to quickly focus....I  miss a great shot. 

Whatever that thing had caught, was now on the ground while he was still perched on the pole looking down.

Two more clicks, because clicks are cheap and fun....

And then just like that the thing was gone, with me nowhere closer to him than before.

By the way, in case you were wondering National Geographic called my husband and said not to bother sending these photos in. 🙃😉

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Meet Our New Neighbors.........

  The Wrens!

 Since it's hard to tell the difference, this could be Papa Wren .......

........and this could be Mama Wren

But one thing for sure.......

This is Baby Wren 

 Close up of Baby Wren

Home location.......

nestedd behind the outdoor speakers.

 Don't dare turn on the speakers now....don't think Baby Wren would enjoy my tunes.

Ma and Pa are around all the time and enjoy singing a lot, so I guess my tunes can wait.

 

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New Neighbors

 Our new neighbors had some babies this week.

To be honest, I am not sure if they are new neighbors or ones that like this rent free area and come back each season.

I've tip toed while they built their new home.

I've tip toed while mama sat warming the eggs.

I've tip toed when they hatched.

I still tip toe while walking out onto the patio but I am not sure if tip toeing is needed.

I watch them... 

They watch me....

She watches them....

This is dad bringing the bacon home.

Close up of dad...

She watches until dad comes home...then she leaves and dad feeds the bacon and off he goes....

And then she comes back to check....

This has been the routine the last few days.....

Today all's quite in the western front....

Not sure what is going on.

No mom to check in.

No dad bringing home the bacon.

No movement.

Time will tell.

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Zoo Animals

 The Scoville zoo in Decatur Illinois has approximately 400 animals  spanning six continents and is located on a fifteen acre land. It is a stone drop from Springfield and while Springfield has its own zoo there is no comparison between the two parks.

Hence, a trip to the Scoville zoo was a must considering it had been years since I had visited the park.

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