"On the Waterfront" - Part 6

Wow, that was fun. I'm hungry. I sure hope mom soon brings lunch .......

This is where I set up to photograph the Osprey. In the morning, the sun is shining right in your face as it comes up over the Chesapeake Bay, so mid-to-late afternoon is preferable.

Oh Linth, they're all just spectacular! What a beautiful spot to set up that tripod. I've never seen any of our osprey ever sit idle in the water like these little guys did and I never knew they even did that. Thanks for the lesson. I'll watch closer next time.

I love that first closeup photo-it's just beautiful. And that flying right at you photo is really amazing.

Great photos, every one of them.

Thanks, duc. I don't see them in the water that often, either. So, it was a treat for me, also.

And, this is what I get at 500mm, without any cropping.

Edited to add: That little red thing in the water to the left is a Crab Pot Buoy. That way the Crabbers know where their traps are located. So each morning you can find them checking their pots. As I'm typing, my mouth is watering. Nothing beats a Maryland Steamed Crab. I think the last ones we had were $50.00 a dozen, for large. At that size, I'm satisfied with four. Plus, I always start off with some Maryland Crab soup. Gotta go .....my keyboard is all wet !!!

This message was edited Jul 17, 2010 2:55 PM

Absolutely magnificent shots, Linth. The playing in the water shots are wonderful to see and the commentary, a hoot. What a perfect place to view the activity from.

Great picture's Linth and all are very sharp and crisp!! Yes that platform for viewing would be a nice touch for some of the places I visit...I seem to always fight off deer fly's where I shoot from. lol Don't have a favorite all are excellent shots!

Charlie... fantastic job on this most recent series! Beautiful images, especially the close-up in-flight shots! Wow! You need to put that first one on POTD!

Excellent shots Linth! The 2 juveniles look great and I love the close up and the ones in the water.

Thank you all for your nice comments. And, Resin, thank you for the ID on the Osprey. Actually, I thought only the female had the brown necklace but I just learned that, as juveniles, both sexes have the necklace on the upper breast.

I'll take a short hiatus from posting more Osprey photos and post a few other species recently encountered. For some, the Common Moorhen (formerly Florida Gallinule and later, the Common Gallinule) is probably quite common. But here in Maryland it is considered rare to uncommon. They are rarely seen because they are quite secretive and usually in thick vegetation. One had been sighted at Schoolhouse Pond in Upper Marlboro, MD so I thought I would take the 45 minute drive and see if I could locate it. It was like looking for a needle in a haystack but I eventually was successful. It has been hanging out with a family of Wood Ducks. I had hoped for a better photo but sometimes you have to accept what you get.

And, here it is among several young Wood Ducks.

And, here are a few Great Blue Heron photos also taken at Schoolhouse Pond.

Another Great Blue Heron photo ......

This is a photo of a 'Cattle Egret' taken at the Swan Creek wetlands area. He's sitting atop a large spool of electrical wire.

An in-flight shot of a Cattle Egret. It's a little blurred since I was shooting Aperture priority against a dark background. Sometimes you don't have time to change the camera settings.

While walking out of the Swan Creek wetlands and back to their vehicle, one has to pass through a small wooded area. On my last visit, I photographed this Yellow-throated Vireo high up in a tree.

Congrats on the Moorhen find. You're really were lucky to have been able to locate it.

I love that first Blue Heron photo-wow! That Cattle Egret sure is a pretty bird. That Vireo sure looked pretty with the blue sky.

Linth, thanks for sharing such fabulous photos. They're unbelievable, such sharpness!!!

All your shots are extraordinary, Linth. I especially like the one of the three young Osprey waiting for lunch. I was wondering if, in all your photo shoots, if you have gotten a good shot of a Swallow-tailed Kite? I saw one soaring high yesterday, first one in ages, and I have only gotten one faraway shot previously. They are a sight to see.

Thank you !!!

gardenpom, I have never seen a Swallow-tailed Kite. Although sighted here in Maryland, they are extremely rare in this region.

Last Sunday, in 95 degree heat I was again photographing the Osprey for about 4 hours. Although in the shade, it was still very hot. And, the Osprey were a lot less active. I probably will not go back to this location anymore this year.

I didn't get there shortly before they fledged but I'm sure that the nest was full when the parents were also on the nest. It looks like three's a crowd as it is.

This week none of them went swimming, at least in my presence.

A few more shots while they are at the nest .....

Another .......

An in-flight shot .......

This is my last posting of this family of Osprey. Bid them farewell as they will soon begin their journey south. They have provided me with some excellent photo opportunities as I have taken hundreds of photos.

Excellent shots Linth! They are such beautiful birds.

You did them proud Linth. I hope every family member survives to return to your area for more photo ops. Wonderful photos, all bright and so clear.

Superb Charlie! They are indeed beautiful!

Thanks .....

Here are a few photos of two local shorebirds, i.e. the Spotted Sandpiper and the Solitary Sandpiper.

First up is the Solitary Sandpiper.

Another photo of the Solitary Sandpiper .......

And, here is the Spotted Sandpiper ........

Another photo of the 'Spotted Sandpiper' .......

Final photo of the 'Spotted Sandpiper' .........

The variety of birds has dwindled over the last few weeks so I see a lot of repetitive species. Here is a photo of three Cattle Egrets and one juvenile Little Blue Heron. They were quite a distance away so the photo quality is not so good.

A 'Cattle Egret' in-flight ........

Always a lot of 'Great Blue Herons' around.

My biggest recent surprise was a 'Tri-colored Heron' .... first this summer.

Another 'Tri-colored Heron' photo .........

A few Osprey still remain .......