Cuttidad's Showcase

Sometimes the weather is against you, and this week I have not been able to get out. The rain has soaked Northern Illinois for days, so... to post something fresh, I am spotlighting Cuttidad, my partner in crime. She is co-pilot on some of my excursions, & when opportunity arises on her side of the car, I hand her my camera:


Black Squirrels seem to be popping up, in otherwise, gray and fox squirrel territory at Kankakee State Park. I have run into a few of them farther east a bit, but now it seems they are migrating their way west...




Black Squirrels are smaller than your typical fox squirrel. We found this guy playing with a pine squirrel, but couldn't capture them together.




There were Mallards in a large puddle one day, and Cutti really loved how the males head was reflecting the light, so she took some shots.




I talked her into getting down to their level and snapping off a few for a different perspective...




I was really impressed with this one! Cutti is the perfect "buddy" when going on a long adventure. She is just as excited as you are, and even though she doesn't normally look through a camera lens, she appreciates everything she sees, and sometimes takes video. She loves to talk about what we saw that particular day, and asks lots of questions about their behavior. I am beginning to want to take her everywhere, even though I am usually a "Lone Photographer". It is exciting to watch someone else be so curious and excited...

Wordless Wednesday-Where's the Creep?

(Click on photo to find the Brown Creeper)

Tuesday's Potpourri

Todays post is a bunch of random offerings from the past week of shooting. The recent days have been gorgeous, but I haven't found any GREAT photo op's, so I offer these:


I don't know what type of ground squirrel this is, but to give the size some perspective, it is about a 1/4 larger than a 13 stripe ground squirrel. Answer given by Richard over @ At The Water: Pine Squirrel, Red Squirrel or Chickaree!





I also asked-"Can anyone I.D. this squirrel for me?" -and the response I got was from Richard who thought it was a Pine Squirrel, or sometimes called a Chickaree, or Red Squirrel. My preference is Chickaree cuz its fun to say...





Blue Winged Teal - My only shot of the Blue Wing revealed.





I hid behind a tree for way too long in an awkward position, waiting for them to come closer. They swam within 50 feet, and my body was glad they left. (They never saw me, so it was worth the pain)





It was an overcast day, but despite the gloom, I found some cooperative Cedar Waxwings.





Normally, cedars are not people birds, and will not stay for the photo shoot, but these guys were pretty social, and I walked away without disturbance.





I witnessed the courtship of the Hairy Woodpeckers, as 3 of them were competing for mates. They were weaving and bobbing their heads...

Hannibal's Heron

As I was walking the path to find the previously posted Barred Owl, I noticed a Great Blue Heron on the bank of the canal. I was taking some scenic photos of him when a couple walked past me. They stopped when they understood what I was focused on. I told them to go ahead, that I was done with the shot, and was waiting for the fly off shot. They continued on and passed the heron, coming within 8 feet of him. I was amazed he didn't take off. Herons of Illinois are very shy, so seeing this was highly unusual. I've never gotten within 25 feet of one, before it would spook.



I thought I would give it a shot and approached slowly. I took some shots, checked the settings, and stepped a few more...



I thought about sitting down and hanging out with him while he hopefully caught a fish, but my encroachment was too much. He flew to the other side of the canal...



When I walked down the path a bit, he flew back to his original spot. I was just 8-10 feet from him when I took the top photo. What a beautiful bird!

Barred Owl Best & Last

I went back to find the Barred Owl at its day roost location, because the day was PERFECT. It was 50 degrees, sunny, and very little wind. I had to try out my new lens (400), verses my old (300) one. He was at his usual branch, so finding him was easy. I wanted to get in and get out without disturbing him too much. If I could get my shots and leave without a fly off, the day would be a total success, because I always feel bad when I disrupt ANY animal's day. I would feel horrible if this owls interpretation of his own safety led him to find a new roost. I could no longer enjoy his beauty, although I hoped today would be my last time shooting him.

I found a decent angle with the fewest branches obstructing his face and took some shots. I stayed there for a good 15 minutes, before I decided to leave, and when I saw him close his eyes and take a nap, I knew he had to be O.K. with my presence.



I left in the opposite direction and continued on my way, looking for migrants. As I left that area, a few people with RC cars were racing their way towards the woods. I wondered if the noise of these things would disturb my owl.



I made my rounds through the forest, keeping my distance from all the noise and eventually headed back to the car. As I put my equipment away, I thought that the guys were too close to the woods, so I thought maybe I could go back with my equipment, hopefully causing them to move out, thinking they would think THEY were disturbing me. My plan worked. They left that part of the park, and since I had my tripod with me, I thought maybe I could get some really sharp shots with this "perfect day" opportunity. I didn't want a reason to come back to shoot him again, I just wanted to leave him in his peace. As I entered the woods, I knew immediately that he wasn't there. Those noises must have flushed him to a quieter area. That was O.K. with me, because I got the shots I already had without flushing him, anyway. As I walked around looking for birds, he caught my eye again in another tree on the far end of the forest. This tree was much better for photos, because the limbs and branches were not obstructing everything. I set up, got my shots, and walked out again, without flushing. It was a GREAT day!

Wordless Wednesday-Raspberry

Even though this happens to be Wordless Wednesday, it also happens to be my 100th post, which causes me to rebel and cheer! I chose to use words for my personal celebration, and save the silence for next week... The deer chose to blow a raspberry, but did not speak. He followed the rules, but it WAS kinda rude...

First Photos

Monday was rainy, windy, and just plain rude...I recieved my new lens (Canon IS 100-400mm) via UPS, and had the fever for a photo op...My options were slim...As soon as I put in my 8 hours on the clock, I prayed the rain would let up enough for a few trial shots. Maybe a reflection puddle, or a foggy horizon, or a lucky migrator...I came across a few Killdeer...One was faking a broken wing as I approached...and another posed for a bokeh...good enough for my first day's shoot...I went home, and was amazed with the speed of the focus as I tracked some pelicans flying, and the crisp view through my eyepiece, compared to my Canon IS 75-300mm. So far, I am a fan of the new lens...