Just time for a quick look through photos from yesterday’s hike. Had to get out despite the cool winds to get my mind off the building Constitutional Crisis. Was looking for new arrivals of Northern Parula (have been reported) and Blue-grey Gnatcatcher. Was trying to work with a. Blue-grey when this Ruby-crowned Kinglet popped up and started singing and flaring its crest. Had a wonderful time whistling to it and having is sing back in response for about 5 minutes. Eased the day.

Heavy volunteer day today, and down one chainsaw with an oiler problem. The oilers on these battery models are tough to repair - basically take it completely apart, so we may have to use one of the gas models (ick) until we can do surgery (ick).

Round-Leaved Ragwort (Packera obovata). One of the early spring flowering plants.

If I were posting my mood of the day it would be a combo of Hellbound Train (Savoy Brown) Highway to Hell (AC/DC) and 16 Shells from a 30-06 (Tom Waits). The flower is better.

#NaturePhotography WildflowerPhotography #500mm #AffinityPhoto

From yesterday’s walk at the Nature Sanctuary. Chickadees were very active and vocal. Also, Gayle helped with the ID of the unknown plant from a couple of days ago = Tree of Heaven, a highly invasive plant that we will have to work on to control.

Took a hike at the Nature Sanctuary to get away from the mind-boggling news this morning. Some of it, I just really do not want to believe at this point. A nice hike to inspect trails despite the stiff winds. We are starting to bloom out across the sanctuary, with early trees, bushes and vines, along with some early wildflowers. A known (Box Elder) and a hmm.

The Fore River Bridge, a vertical lift bridge, in the raised position, photographed from Buck Hill.

I have been up on Buck Hill a lot during the past two years, and yet yesterday was the first time that I have seen the Fore River Bridge in the raised position. I am sure those stuck in traffic did not enjoy this, but for me it was a rare treat.

The trail up was frozen over hard, very uneven terrain from the previous footsteps through the snow. It wasn't too cold, but wind gusts of 40mph and very turbulent air made for poor photography conditions. After photographing a couple of targets, I decided to pack things up. I brought along my camcorder to get some shots for a short film I am working on. That's when I noticed the bridge. I quickly ran back to get all the gear, setup as quick as I could, without extending the tripod, and got down on my knees in the ice and snow and managed to capture some images. Shortly after I started shooting, the bridge began to be lowered, so I just made it! The air turbulence is quite noticeable, but at least I got the shot!

Wind turbine farm (seven of them), Plainfield Pike & Shun Turnpike, Johnston RI photographed from Buck Hill. Yes, one can see three states from Buck Hill, though this one is very difficult to see. Between turbines five and six there are a couple of other things visible on the horizon. I am pretty sure the smaller one is the fire tower in the World War 1 Memorial Park, 365 Elmwood St, North Attleboro MA. The other tower might be associated with the RI State Police barracks in Lincoln RI, but I am not sure. The houses in the middle of the frame are on South Main St in Sharon MA.

More photos of this young buck

#Nikon #z7ii #Sigma #500mm #Wildlife #WildlifePhotography #Animals #AnimalPhotography #NikonPhotography #NikonArtists #NordicPhotos #Denmark #PhotoOfTheDay

Processed with #DarkTable and #Gimp

Last images from my backlog from the last couple of months. It's always interesting to go through pictures you completely forgot you took. I really should start going out now that Spring is here.

#Nikon #z7ii #Sigma #500mm #Wildlife #WildlifePhotography #Animals #AnimalPhotography #NikonPhotography #NikonArtists #NordicPhotos #Denmark #PhotoOfTheDay
Processed with #DarkTable and #Gimp

It's not a technically great photo, but how often have you seen a sleeping pheasant

#Nikon #z7ii #Sigma #500mm #Wildlife #WildlifePhotography #Animals #AnimalPhotography #NikonPhotography #NikonArtists #NordicPhotos #Denmark #PhotoOfTheDay
Processed with #DarkTable and #Gimp

Going through some pictures taken over the last few months that I never got a chance to really look at. First up a deer during a light snowfall.

#Nikon #z7ii #Sigma #500mm #Wildlife #WildlifePhotography #Animals #AnimalPhotography #NikonPhotography #NikonArtists #NordicPhotos #Denmark #PhotoOfTheDay

Processed with #DarkTable and #Gimp

#Landscape just after #sunset shot with a #500mm (~ 900mm FF equiv) prime lens shows nice effect of depth compression using such a long #telephoto focal length, making the #contrail of a very large but also very distant airplane appear as if it flew between much, much lower layers of #clouds. Difference in altitude between the airplane and the clouds is only apparent due to lack of Rayleigh scattering effect on the contrail whereas the clouds exhibit plenty of it.