"Say Ah"

Well it is feeding season or try outs for the chorus. I caught these 4 baby Barn Swallows with their mouths open and in seconds mom/dad was there to feed one. These pictures were taken with a 500 mm lens attached to my 1D canon sitting on a tripod. It was in the shade so I used a flash and since this happens so fast I used a remote release. When the parent, was close I fired away.

Prothonotary Warbler

Last Friday, we headed for New Harmony, Indiana and spent a couple of nights in a recently purchased motor home. There was an antique show on Saturday in New Harmony a very quaint, well-preserved town with many early 1800 buildings. I would describe this town as very neat and a definite must-see in the area. We decided on Harmonie State Park campgrounds to spend a couple of nights. This park is approximately 3000 acres with several great trails and the mighty Wabash River running threw it. I hadn't expected to do much birding even though I had packed my binoculars and camera. Well, as it turned out, the birding was very good. From my lawn chair next to the camper, I saw a pair of Summer Tanagers, Brown Thashers, Cat Birds, Yellow-billed Cuckoos, Yellow Warblers, Northern Parulas and more. In fact, one morning I witnessed a Yellow Warbler feeding a Cowbird juvenile. Now that was just wrong. Down one trail near the Wabash River, we first came across a Zebra Swallowtail nectaring on sweet clover. I had never taken pictures of the Zebra and since this gal seemed intent on feeding, I took several. Next, we came across a couple of Prothonotary Warblers. Diane noticed they kept flying back and forth from the woods to an old log sticking up out of the Wabash. Finally, we realized they were carrying materials to their nesting site, a hole in the old log. Prothonotary Warlbers usually nest over the water or next to it. It was a thrill to see the pair so closely and watch the cycle of life happening all over again. What a wonderful retreat this was. We highly recommend Harmonie State Park. It is absolutely beautiful. The humans are very quiet and peaceful. The wildlife, though, are hopping!

Bee Lunch

The Eastern Wood-Peewee, like other flycatchers, perchs on the middle to upper branches of trees. When an insect flits by, the Peewee flies out and grabs it. I saw this Peewee grab this bee then rap him a couple of good licks on the tree bark before swallowing him. Capturing the photo of the bee just as he is being swallowed takes great skill and pinch of luck (well, lots of luck).

Zebra Swallowtail

There are 6 swallowtails in the Midwest and by far the rarest and in my opinion the most beautiful is the Zebra Swallowtail. Its name comes from its black and white striping similiar to the Zebra. It has long tails and red bands on underneath side and red spots on top. This beauty was found nectaring on white clover just a couple hundred yards from the Wabash River. The Wabash River forms the west border of Harmonie State Park. I clicked off several shots and watched as she flew to a nearby patch of Pawpaw trees, its' host plant. She proceeded to deposit eggs.

Lark Sparrow

Two years ago, we planted over 40 acres of prairie. One field west of our old log cabin is 18 acres surrounded by woods. This reconstructed habitat is already attracting a myriad of wildlife. Last fall, we had two butterflies visit the prairie which had never been seen in Coles County before or at least hadn't been documented. Now, we have Grasshopper Sparrows and Lark Sparrows nesting in the prairie. The birds pictured are Lark Sparrows. Neither bird is common to this area. In fact, the Lark Sparrows have already successfuly hatched several eggs. The young are about half grown and trying to fly. The young birds are fairly hidden in the young prairie where the forbs and grasses are about 18 inches tall, but somewhat sparse. As you walk in the prairie, you hear a very loud "chip, chip, chip". You try to follow the sound and occasionally you catch a glimpse of the source of the chipping. It is a baby Lark Sparrow like the one pictured, hiding in the prairie grass. Another "chip, chip, chip" comes from the top of the tall grasses. The vocalizing is coming from the adults who have food for their young. Pictured are proud parents - one with a juicy meal, probably the male.

Purple Coneflower

In the past, I used to take mainly native plant pictures. Lately, my interest has been focused on birds. Well, the other morning I came across this gorgeous Purple Milkweed plant and decided to take a shot or two. Sometimes you just get lucky because at the same moment I decided to take a picture, a female Ruby-throated Hummingbird decided to take a drink. The Purple Milkweed is one of six different milkweed plants we have on our property and the Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only hummingbird species in this area.