Ode to a Clapper Rail. My editor in chief has nixed my more
lengthy photo exposes and said to keep it brief. Today's sky was grey and overcast as the prefrontal
stratocumulus clouds swept in over the marsh. There was a slight mist in the
air and yet a stillness I could not describe. Few birds were chirping save a
missive Yellow Backed "Myrtle" warbler in the tree by the back porch.
I decided to set up shop there and photograph what I call "Shirley
birds" named after my editor in chief.
The warblers were flitting and pecking on
some remaining winter berry pods for a bite to eat. A bluebird perched on the
fence and gave me the once over and decided to leave. As I looked over the
marshes muddy expanse I saw a small "Clapper Rail" venture out from
cover on the bank and try to make it to the other side as fast as possible to
the marsh grass. These illusive marsh birds rarely venture out in the open and
if they do it is only for a quick splash to wash off the mud or grab a bite to
eat. There was something foreboding about the way he moving. He was hauling
feathers if you know what I mean. About that time a Red Shouldered Hawk swooped
down from a live oak and pounced on the hapless fowl. I was too far away and
too low to photograph it from my vantage point. I grabbed a stool and fumbled
with my tripod to gain height and try to capture this poor creatures plight but
by the time I got safely on my perch the hawk had absconded with his
"meal" to the trees three houses away from my view.
I pondered what I
had seen and said there has to be something good here today. As I walked along
the pier I noticed them and they spoke to me. Life is about the footsteps we
take and the footprints we leave behind.Sometimes we get bogged down in life's muddy paths. Sometimes we walk
beside our friends. Sometimes we cross a path of another fellow walker and
share a moment. No matter what footsteps we take, eventually the tide of life
will wash them away but we will have left a lasting imprint on someones heart
hopefully. Be blessed. Harry
A beautiful waning moon was slowly fading into dawn this second day of the new year. The few clouds in the sky gave me hope of a good shoot. It was low tide with nothing but sheen on the mud so there were few if any birds about save for a pair of bluebirds waiting to meet the morning. I had thought about my New Years efforts to catch Spunky in her morning feed and hoped to try a new tactic today. I waited about an hour practicing on the limits of recognition with my new lens on the bluebirds. Soon the morning tide began to creep into the marsh with its influx of riches when Spunky showed up and chased away the bluebirds. Rather than "chase" Spunky with the camera I watched the water like she did for signs of activity with the shrimp and minnows and decided to focus in on an area I suspected she would see and wait for the bird to come to me. I used a higher shutter speed to catch the action and was rewarded with this series of her successful catch and my photo of the day. Enjoy and God Bless. Harry
Beautiful predawn waning moon with craters visible lower right,
Spunky's reflections seen lower right as she dives!
A MISS !
Ohh no you don't, Spunky tries again!
Gotcha this time...dang that water is cold though!
And I shall rise up...
As with wings of Eagles...and eat like one too!
Spunky's successful catch and my photo of the day!
Happy New Year! Today's efforts were met with hope for the New Year. It turned out to be a lesson in frustration and patience. The waning Moon was crisp and clear but clouds quickly converged giving poor light in the morning fog and incoming tide.
Three Hooded Mergansers showed up early but it was way too dark to catch a good photo. Spunky, the Kingfisher, was eagerly perched on the neighbors copula roof watching below for a morning meal. I decided to try and capture this event and learned it takes great patience and quick camera work to catch this bird in flight. I only captured a few shots and the lighting was not optimal and it seemed every time my eye went to the lens to focus that darn bird would choose that moment to dive and I was playing catch up to find her for a shot. The results were frustrating for me but Spunky did enjoy some fresh shrimp and minnows for breakfast. A sword of mallards swam up the muddy meanders towards my dock but alas the sun would not cooperate again. A fleeting ray of sunshine helped make my shot of the day on one of the hens. A Snowy Egret and a Tricolored Heron flew in for a quick look and left.
I hope your New Year starts out much better. There is hope each day. God Bless..
Waning New Years moon at dawn.
Mallard on the Broward. These are the most common duck in America. I usually only see these in the winter months. Males have a striking green head color with a white ring around the base of the neck.
