Tamron

My Name Is Zorro!

June 9, 2015 — 29 Comments

Cedar Waxwing

F/6.3, 1/250, ISO 1600.

Cedar Waxwing

Day 160 / 365

“I hear trouble over there it’s time to fly”.

Interesting Fact: Because they eat so much fruit, Cedar Waxwings occasionally become intoxicated or even die when they run across overripe berries that have started to ferment and produce alcohol. The name “waxwing” comes from the waxy red secretions found on the tips of the secondaries of some birds. The exact function of these tips is not known, but they may help attract mates. ( http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Cedar_Waxwing/lifehistory )

Who’s That Meowing In The Tree?

June 7, 2015 — 17 Comments

Gray Catbird

F/6.3, 1/1000, ISO 560.

Gray Catbird

Day 158 / 365

I thought there was a kitty cat stuck in the tree, but that bird definitely tricked me.     🙂

Interesting Fact: Their calls include the catlike meow call that gives them their name. Gray Catbirds are able to recognize their own eggs making them less susceptible to brood parasites such as the Brown-headed Cowbird.( http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/557/overview/Gray_Catbird.aspx )

Hey! Where did the water go?

June 6, 2015 — 14 Comments

Black-crowned Night-Heron

F/6.3, 1/800, ISO 800.

Black-crowned Night-Heron

Day 157 / 365

Why did the heron cross the road?
To prove he wasn’t chicken.

Interesting Fact: The Black-crowned Night-Heron is a patient hunter. It will often stand still and just wait for a frog or other small animals to pass by. They may also hunt by vibrating their bills in the water to lure prey into investigating the disturbance.  ( http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/24/overview/Black-crowned_Night-Heron.aspx )

New Yoga Pose?

June 5, 2015 — 31 Comments

Killdeer

F/6.3, 1/1000, ISO 720.

Killdeer

Day 156 / 365

At first I thought she was doing yoga, and I was going to join in. Then I notice she might have a broken wing, but all of it was just an act. Very convincing broken-wing act, I would give her an Oscar for outstanding performance.

Interesting Fact: Killdeer exhibit a clever “broken wing display” in which they appear to be struggling with a broken wing while leading the predator away from their babies. ( http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/101/overview/Killdeer.aspx )

 

Come Fly With Me, Let’s Fly, Let’s Fly Away

June 4, 2015 — 10 Comments

Great Egret 1

F/6.3, 1/500, ISO 1400.

Great Egret

Day 155 / 365

What kind of bird can carry the most weight?
The crane

Interesting Fact: Though it mainly hunts while wading, the Great Egret occasionally swims to capture prey or hovers (somewhat laboriously) over the water and dips for fish. ( http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Egret/lifehistory )

GO! It’s Your Turn!

June 3, 2015 — 10 Comments

monopoly

F/6.3, 1/60, ISO 100.

Day 154 / 365

Nobody ever reads the rules for Monopoly except when an argument breaks out.  🙂

Interesting Fact: Charles Darrow was from Philadelphia, and he first developed the Monopoly game in 1933.  The first pieces were made from materials from Darrow’s home.  A piece of oilcloth covered the board, the cards were handwritten, and the houses and hotels were made from wooden scraps.  The shiny pieces were inspired by Darrow’s nieces.  The first Monopoly die-cast tokens were metal charms from the girls’ charm bracelets. ( http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/25-facts-monopoly-80-years/story?id=28405806 )

What Do Swallows Swallow?

June 1, 2015 — 16 Comments

Barn Swallow

F/6.3, 1/250, ISO 1600.

Barn Swallow

Day 152 / 365

What bird is helpful at dinner?
A swallow!

Interesting Fact: An unmated male Barn Swallow may kill the nestlings of a nesting pair. His actions often succeed in breaking up the pair and afford him the opportunity to mate with the female. ( http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Barn_Swallow/lifehistory )

 

Do I Look Like A T-Rex? Grrrrr !!!

May 30, 2015 — 19 Comments

gosling

F/6.3, 1/125, ISO 1600.

Day 150 / 365

What do geese do in a traffic?

They honk!

Interesting Fact: Canadian geese can travel more than 1000 kilometers in a day while migrating. The circumference of the world is 40008 km. This means that they could fly around the world in approximately 40 days! ( http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2009/beckwith_kayl/Interestingfacts.htm )

It’s Cupcake O’clock Somewhere!

May 28, 2015 — 21 Comments

cupcake

F/6.3, 1/60, ISO 200.

Day 148 / 365

Today I bought a cupcake without sprinkles. Diets are hard!     🙂

Interesting Fact: The world record for eating cupcakes in one sitting is 29 cupcakes in 30 seconds. ( http://cucpake.weebly.com/fun-facts.html )

To All Soldiers “Thank You For Your Service!”

May 25, 2015 — 8 Comments

Memorial Day

F/5.6, 1/1600, ISO 400.

Day 145 / 365

Fleet Week New York, now in its 27th year, is the city’s time-honored celebration of the sea services. It is an unparalleled opportunity for the citizens of New York and the surrounding tri-state area to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as witness firsthand the latest capabilities of today’s maritime services. The weeklong celebration has been held nearly every year since 1984. ( http://www.fleetweeknewyork.com/fleetweeknewyork/ )

Interesting Fact: The holiday began after the Civil War, and at that time was known as “Decoration Day.” While it was originally founded to honor the soldiers who died in the Civil War, today, Memorial Day is a day to honor all of the Americans who have died in military service. ( http://www.quotery.com/lists/25-glorious-memorial-day-quotes/ )