It was puking warblers today.

So, in the snow sports world, it is common for a snowboarder or skiier to say " it was puking all day brah" which refers to heavy snow, a good thing. I would like to apply this cool/hip term to birding. So I would like to announce that today it was in fact puking warblers.

All these photos were taken within a half hour or so and I missed many species that just moved to fast.

American Redstart Female

Northern Paula

Prarie Warbler?

Blackburian Warbler

Chestnut Sided Warbler

Magnolia Warbler

Black Throated Green Warbler

Black Throated Green Warbler

Surf and Turf

 2 for the price of one!

At the time I took these images earlier today I had no idea what I captured. Once
I opened these photos up on my computer I noticed this Blue Heron caught a frog AND a crayfish in once bite. As the high speed shots continued,  the crayfish shook free and fell into the water. The frog became lunch. After watching this heron for about a half hour he ate an amazing 6 frogs!

Action shot

Here is a video clip from today, I still have a lot to learn about video, somehow it got cropped in to much and you loose the heron a bit. Still cool to watch!

Light

 Old equipment barn at Woodmont Orchards, Hollis NH

I've never been so obsessed with light as I am these days. I realized this the other night when the National Weather Service warned of impending doom "frequent lightning and quarter-sized hail". It was a Monday night which I planned to keep it chill and relax after a long, hot day at work. Plans changed. I had already flipped the TV on and plopped down on the couch for a particularly funny episode of Two and a Half Men when I peered to the window and saw the sky evolving into an abstract set of colors and light. Right there I decided I need to go and find the tallest hill with a nice open skyline that was close to my house. I immediately  thought of an old apple farm called Woodmont Orchards. These orchards are part public land, part rundown apple orchards and part land that is about to be leased for agriculture in a creative way to save it from development.  The following photos are the result of walking around for 2 hours till sunset with no mission other than to wait for moments of particular beauty and try to capture them. While the true storm missed us to the south it was a surreal, almost dreamlike experience non-the-less.

-Bill

 The old abandon farm house

 Lightning off in the distance

 Old orchard in desperate need of pruning and love

Red-Tailed Hawk watching the approaching storm

Variety is the spice of life.

Yellow Rumped Warbler, Hollis NH

With all the cold, windy weather I have not been out with the camera for a week or so. This morning was a nice break, sunny, warm and calm. I headed out to the Hollis/ Brookline Highschool where spring break at the school makes for a nice peaceful setting to stroll around. I was very, very happy I went there. When I first got out of my truck I was blown away by a flock of about 40 Yellow Rumped Warblers ( one of my favorite little birds, they are beautiful!), I was shooting some pictures  of them when a coyote ran out into the field right in front of me. As if this was not enough, after the coyote ran off I walked a little further and noticed a duck that seemed different, I took a few shots and realized this was a new one for me. I identified it as a Blue Winged Teal. The on the way back to my truck I spotted a pair of Killdeer doign the hanky panky. Not bad for a half hour before work!
-Bill

Eastern Coyote, Hollis, NH

Eastern Coyote, Hollis, NH

Blue Winged Teal, Hollis NH

 Mating Killdeer, Hollis NH

Nashua Osprey Nest

It was great to see this pair of nesting Osprey working so hard to construct their nest Wednesday morning. Its even better that I can drive right past here on my way to and from work to track the progress, with a  little luck we will see some baby Osprey soon! A few shots.
-Bill