Lift Off

Pictured is a Song Sparrow leaving a tree branch. I capture this shot occasionally by either holding the shutter button down for multiple shots or, as happened in this case, there is a time delay from the moment the shutter button is hit and the time the image is recorded. In any case, I like the shot with the light coming through the feathers,the bill pointed straight up and the feet pointing straight down.

Spring Wildflowers

Spring is a great time of year to get to the nearest woods and look for the explosion of spring wildflowers, mushrooms, and deer sheds. If you find the two I have pictured please give me a call as they would be a rare find for east central Illinois, but I guess after seeing a Black-necked Stilt here yesterday, anything is possible. Someone asked if I take all my own pictures. Well the truth of it is, I don't, my camera does!

Black-necked Stilt

Sunday I was informed of a rare visitor to Coles County. A pair of Black-necked Stilts had stopped at the Douglas Hart Nature Center wetlands. I was there in the afternoon and only one was left. Truly a very exciting bird to see with its long pinkish legs and needlelike bill. I was told this was the first time these birds had been seen in Coles County.

Varied Thrush

Pictured is a Varied Thrush taken at Mount Taber in Portland Oregon. I had never seen this bird before and was quite excited to see one. This is a very handsome bird whose numbers seem to be on the decline. A special thanks to my son-in-law who led me to this beautiful spot.