Solitary Sandpipers

Several Summers past, I ventured to the Eastern Shores of Maryland in search of saltwater marshes and beaches that stretch as far as the eye could see. A stop at Assateague National Seashore to photograph the wild ponies that make the island their home was on my itinerary. Rest assured I snapped my fair share of wild pony images, however, I also captured countless images of birds. There were birds everywhere from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island. These I believe are Solitary Sandpipers resting on the water's edge on Assateague late in the day. As I stood to capture this image, I was surrounded by salt marshes and water as far as the eye could see. It was heaven. ENJOY!

Summers' Past Series - Maryland's Eastern Shore

Looking back in my archives over the past decade at various outings taken in the Eastern United States,

I thought it only appropriate to take you along on a new series called Summers' Past Series. 

Let's travel to the quaint coastal towns of St. Michael's and Chincoteague along the Eastern Shore,

to the most captivating island of Nantucket, off of the coast of Cape Cod in Massachusetts,

to the seaside villages of Bar Harbor and Stonington in Down East Maine, and finally,

to several lakeside villages near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in beautiful Michigan.

Looking back at the beautiful Sunset across Kent Narrows, Kent Island, Eastern Shore, Maryland

Plein Air Artist and a Seascape, Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, St. Michael's, Eastern Shore, Maryland

Assateague Ponies grazing in the Salt Marshes, Assateague Island National Seashore, Eastern Shore, Maryland

Looking back at the Assateague Ponies in the Salt Marshes from a distance, Assateague Island National Seashore, Eastern Shore, Maryland

I hope you enjoyed this journey back to the Eastern Shore of Maryland taken over a two day period. As I traveled from the Chesapeake Bay to the east side of Maryland's Eastern Shore, I stopped at Kent Island, St. Michael's, where you can find the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, and finally to the beautiful Assateague National Seashore with its stunning salt marsh views featuring the beautiful Assateague Ponies. I might add that it was nice to have Lightroom to bring these images out of the shadows which isn't something I had at hand when I originally posted these images. Hence, the last image is new to you as I was able to work on it to bring it out of the shadows of darkness. It is beautiful. Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend everyone. ENJOY!

Ode to Spring

Winter harkens the darkest of days, with bitter cold and snow filled skies.

As Winter days bring sleet and ice, we dream of a warmer season.

A season filled with sunny days and warm wispy breezes.

Of misty raindrops that water each flower petal nurturing new life.

Of bright yellow Daffodils and pink and white Dogwoods in bloom.

We dream of Spring.

I captured this image on a warm Summer's day as I drove through West Virginia on my way home to Kentucky from a trip to the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia. A field of Poppy flowers greeted me at a visitor center there. The sun was shrouded by clouds, but the pinks, lavenders and yellows of the Poppies were so beautiful. ENJOY!

Barn, Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum

Several years ago I paid a visit to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and on my visit I captured several images of this beautiful old Barn sitting in Boat Yard #1 on the museum grounds.

I remember the day well. It was a sweltering 90 degrees, but the humidity wasn't painfully bad. And aside from the heat, wished I could be right there at the Maritime Museum taking in the Chesapeake Bay on the beautiful Eastern Shore of Maryland in the small town of St. Michaels. Before I leave you today, I wanted to mention I finally got around to changing my hometown on my profile. I guess you could say the transition is official, I'm a Tennessean. But you and I both know, I am Kentucky woman at heart. ENJOY!

Linking to the Barn Collective

St. Michaels, Maryland

Beautiful St. Michael's! If you ever have a chance to visit the Eastern Shore of Maryland, you must plan a stop in St. Michael's. The itinerary I planned for my Eastern Shore trip was the perfect mix of small town charm, bird and pony watching, beach walking and lots of photo taking. One of my main stops the day after arriving on the Eastern Shore was in St. Michael's where I spent several hours walking around the town checking out the shops and grabbing a bite to eat. Michael's is situated a short drive south of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge on the Eastern Shore, just across from Annapolis.

The best part of visiting this small town is how nicely it plays host to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum which is situated right in the middle of town within walking distance of the shops and eateries. The museum houses tons of beautiful exhibits depicting the history behind the bay area mariners and fishermen. While visiting St. Michael's, I soon became aware that the town was playing host to the Plein Air Arts Festival which drew open air artists from throughout the United States to display their wares for the week. It was such a treat to watch the artists in action painting the landscape. The water images were taken while I visited the maritime museum that afternoon. It's a great museum, but is all a beautiful place to visit too. I especially have a fondness for the beautiful Chesapeake Bay Lighthouse, which is a somewhat famous lighthouse often depicted on Eastern Shore tourism websites.

Here's the breakdown for the wintery mix received here in northern Kentucky so far this week. We received six inches of snow Monday, a quarter inch of freezing rain Tuesday evening leaving all things out of doors covered with a frozen glow and today we received two tenths of an inch of snow. Winter Storm Nika really packed a punch. Oh, boy are we having fun! ENJOY!

2013 Birds in Review

Looking back at 2013, I noticed that waterfowl and wading birds were dominate features in my photography. Investing in a longer lens helped to contribute to that, not to mention my trip to the Eastern Shore, where I photographed not only birds, but also the wild ponies. Reminiscing about all of the trips I have taken was fun. Places you might have found me were Goose Pond FWA, Mustatatuck NWR and Ewings Bottoms, all in southern Indiana. I also traveled to the Bluegrass Scenic Byway, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Chincoteague NWR, Chincoteague Island and Assateague National Seashore. Closer to home I visited Cave Hill Cemetery, the Anchorage Trail, Iroquois Park and Cherokee Park, all inside Louisville's city limits. I cherish every moment spent in nature as each one was precious and having the opportunity to photograph beautiful birds, wildlife and the landscape, I feel privileged.



Amazingly, I recounted the states I have traveled through and there were quite a few. Aside from Kentucky, I visited Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland and Georgia. That's a lot of traveling when you didn't even hop a single plane. The highlight was the Eastern Shore and discovering a birder's paradise. The image I share today features a few of my favorite bird photos taken this year. From left to right . . . a Glaucous Gull (I think), a pair of Sandhill Cranes in flight, Green Heron, Cattle Egret, Kildeer, Great White Egret, Neo Tropic Cormorant (very rare to see one in Indiana, but it was at Goose Pond), Yellowlegs (Common or Greater, not sure), Little Blue Heron in flight, Tri Colored Heron, Laughing Gull, American Oystercatcher, Mallard Duck pair, Great Blue Heron lifting off and a Herring Gull. Whew! What a year. There are eight life birds in the image that I got to add to my Life Bird List. 2013 was a good year all things considered and I had lots of fun in my travels, but I can't wait to see what the New Year will bring. Have a safe and Happy New Year's Eve. I'll see you next year. ENJOY!

Juvenile Mallards, Assateague Island

As an outdoor photographer, so often I take photos that my audience never see. These images never get posted to my blog. Perhaps it's safe to say these images never see the light of day. Yet, as I visit my archives from time to time, certain images tug at me for one reason or another. And I find myself revisiting those same images time and time again. All photographers possess an archive that contains these types of images. We all know which images I am referring to. This image is one of those.

What tugged at me each time I scanned my archives and passed this image and stopped . . . is the strikingly intricate detail and the soft variation of color in the feathers of these Juvenile Mallards that somehow I managed to capture when I briefly stepped out of my car that Sunday afternoon on Assateague Island National Seashore. There were five ducklings in all standing together having just gone for a quick dip in a teeny tiny inlet that led out to the bay on the west side of the island. However, these two Juveniles were huddled closer together and looking around as if they were contemplating, "what next". Every time I saw this image, I would always be 'this' close to choosing it to feature in a post. But then I didn't, until today. And today I stopped and asked myself the same question I asked myself every time I caught sight of this image . . . where else can you find such truly unparalleled detail as you find in the feathers of these Juveniles and what subtle variation of color. I ask you where? Only Mother Nature can create such an intricate, yet beautiful creature. ENJOY!

Gulls, Assateague National Seashore, Maryland

Here you'll find my attempt at remedying the situation of not posting Seagull images, other than the Laughing Gull images, from my summer trip to the Eastern Shore.

These Gulls were at Assateague National Seashore on the bay side around the marshes the day I photographed them. This first image is of a Greater Black Backed Gull. I've started to realize some of the traits that make the distinction between one Gull and another. Traits like the spots on their beaks or the bright rings around their eyes, or even that some have pink feet while others have yellow. The characteristic varying greys and whites and blacks of their colors serves as identifying features also. So I downloaded a chart which I hope will help to demonstrate the complexities of the situation.

This next image is of an American Herring Gull which I believe is displaying breeding plumage demonstrated by the distinct white head, neck and breast. I wished the sun hadn't gone behind the clouds when I took this image, but I still wanted to share it.

This chart will serve as my witness as to the degree of difficulty in identifying birds. You can find it on the National Geographic Animal webpage. There you'll find pages on Gulls in their various stages of life and cycles. Stages range from juvenile or fledging to adult with 1st year, 2nd year and 3rd year sometimes indicated on the charts. And let's not forget the breeding and non breeding stages where generally the color of the feathers is the differentiating factor. It's a crap shoot sorting out an identification, but I promise I'll continue to try if you bear with me. ENJOY!

PHOTOGRAPHER'S NOTE: While in college, I studied Science and Geology and simply loved it. Yet, I ended up majoring in Communications. And while Communications has served me in my profession, it's now a major factor in my blog. And now ultimately so is Science. Is that what they mean by full circle? Regardless, I love learning the distinctions about all of the mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, etc. in our world, not to mention the landscape we like to call Mother Earth. Thanks for stopping by.

Sunset, Kent Island, MD

As far as confessions go, I seldom make any. However, I will confess I seldom photograph sunrises or sunsets. In my earlier days as an photographer, I did make more of an effort. However, I believe sunrises and sunsets are best reserved for the gorgeous vista or an unusual moon like the Harvest Moon. Having said that, on my first day out on my trip to the Eastern Shore of Maryland, I arrived at my hotel fresh from dinner and realized that the sun was setting over the marina. So I grabbed my camera bag which was still in my car and ran for the patio at the hotel.

It was a very warm, humid Sunday evening on Kent Island. The hotel and marina situated on Kent Narrows, both sit on the north side of the main highway just after you cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. The first place you stop once you're over the bridge is Kent Narrows. It was a busy area with hotels, restaurants, the marina and the like. I snapped several images of the boats with the sun setting behind them to the west.

This particular marina is called Mears Point Marina. There was a fort that once stood on this island called Kent Fort which was the first and also the oldest English settlement in the state of Maryland. Surely being right across the bay from Annapolis, there's a ton of naval heritage here.

As the sun made a quick retreat in the western hemisphere, I turned to the north and saw this image of the saltwater marshes in the bay looking back at me. The serene blue waters seemed almost magical. I only snapped two images, but I'm glad I did because that blue water draws me in every time. This is also the first time on this trip that I saw the saltwater marshes, right here in this spot. Little did I know I'd fall in love with them. No matter where I found them, be it Assateague or Chincoteague, or here on Kent Island, they were beautiful. Hope your week is off to a great start. ENJOY!

Linking to Scenic Weekends

The View from Dog Harbor, Tilghman's Island, MD

It was a beautiful sunshine filled day with bright blue skies and just a hint of a heatwave as I headed out onto the Eastern Shore of Maryland one Monday morning back in mid July. I was filled with enthusiasm at the thought of not knowing exactly what my first day on the Eastern Shore would hold. After driving through the quaint village of St. Michael's, Maryland, I drove over Knapps Narrows and crossed the drawbridge which connects Tilghman's Island to the mainland.

This is considered the mid Chesapeake Bay Region with many a Maryland and Delaware Beach within an hours drive, but I wanted to see a little bit of Tilghman's Island before checking out St. Michael's. I had seen Tilghman's on maps and read about it as I researched my destination earlier in the summer, but wasn't sure I'd take the time to drive out to the island. However, I had gotten such an early start to the day that I decided to go for it. I pulled onto Tilghman's Island and stopped almost immediately at Dog Harbor to take a few images. It was pristine and beautiful as I looked out across the harbor at the beautiful bay. I learned since visiting Tilghman's that it is a true working waterman's village and is home to the last commercial sailboat fleet in North America, the skipjacks, which makes its home in Dog Harbor. I wished I'd taken some images of the boats, but there was only so many hours in a day and I had a full day planned ahead of me. I have more images from my trip to share and provided you aren't totally sick of seeing images from my trip, I'll be back soon with more. Have a fantastic weekend. ENJOY!

Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, St. Michael's, Maryland

Driving east towards the coast on a sunny Sunday a few weeks ago, I made my way to the Eastern Shore of Maryland stopping over in Kent Narrows at a hotel to spend the night. I awoke the next morning eager to head out to my first destination of the day, to visit the beautiful, quaint seaside town of St. Michael's, Maryland. Not only did I want to walk about exploring this adorable little town I'd seen so many photos of in tourist pubs, but I also wanted to pay a visit to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum.

It was a gorgeous sunny day with beautiful blue skies, although rather hot and humid. Walking around the museum grounds, I encountered displays of all sorts of maritime artifacts and equipment housed in various buildings. I also snapped a few images of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum's octagonal lighthouse which I'll share in another post. Off to one side of the museum grounds was a large building filled with artifacts. As I neared this particular building, I discovered an artist painting a landscape. I soon learned that St. Michaels was hosting an arts festival for Plein Air artists from around the United States and perhaps abroad later in the week. Luckily I was able to snap a few images of the artist intently painting her landscape with the beautiful harbor and grounds surrounding her. This is one of my favorite images from my trip. I so love the composition with it's surreal look and feel as the artist stands painting the blue skies, the fluffy white clouds and the boat moored in the harbor. I took several angles of this same image, but found I loved this one most because it shows the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum placard on the building.

After talking to the artist for a few minutes, while at the same time encountering a tourist who just happened to be from Louisville, I continued touring the museum and snapping more images. If I were to tell you how many times I have daydreamed about visiting St. Michaels, you surely wouldn't believe me. It is true though, as I have longed to visit this seaside town for many, many years. I promise to show you images of the town in another post very soon. Before I left the museum, I snapped this image of a lone sailboat moored in the bay near Waterman's Wharf. What is it about lone sailboats sitting idly out in the harbor that tugs at my heart. Perhaps its a deep longing to set sail and venture out into the bay, albeit very, very early of a morning when the fog is hanging close to the water's edge, or perhaps to view a beautiful sunset as I make my way back to the dock. A lone sailboat can conjure up such glorious thoughts.

Speaking of Waterman's Wharf, I fell in love with this beautiful old wharf with its clapboard boathouse and rusting metal roof. As I stood looking over at it and snapping photos, I wondered just what stories it could tell. I'll bet it has many stories of cold, blustery winter days, and of course, there are those stormy nights with the wind howling into the wee hours. Surely, there's a story or two of many a day spent watching the fisherman hauling in their catch, many a boat dropping anchor at day's end, and no doubt, many, many sailboats setting sail for the harbor to spend the day enjoying the cool bay breezes. As I walked towards the little town of St. Michael's, I knew much history was staying behind at the museum. Perhaps I'll visit again one day, but for now Assateague Island was calling me. So off I went for a quick trip into St. Michael's and then on to my next destination for the day. I truly loved everything about the Eastern Shore. It was a beautiful place to spend some time this summer. Have a fantastic weekend whether you are on the coast or on a mountain top or at the lake or in the big city. ENJOY!

Cattle Egret, Assateague Island National Seashore

While photographing the Wild Ponies at South Ocean Beach on Assateague Island last week, I noticed a large bird landing on a perch at the top of a tree nearby. I turned and snapped a few quick images, not even sure what I was photographing. And as I culled through the day's 'catch' that evening, I realized minor research was at hand to identify this beautiful bird. He had way too much color on his body to be a typical Egret. Low and behold, I soon discovered he was a Cattle Egret, a small white heron.

Isn't he gorgeous? I learned Cattle Egrets eat the grasses along roadsides and are often seen following behind tractors and farm machinery to munch on the insects they stir up. Hence, not the typical wading heron you normally see hanging out in lagoons and swamplands. Notice his reddish markings on the back of his head and on his feathers on his back. He also has a shorter, more sturdy bill, than a typical heron.

Did I mention I got to add this bird to my Life List. My trip to the Eastern Shore was worth every dime. The wading birds were everywhere and I enjoyed the fact that if you got a little close to them, they wouldn't fly off like they do here in Kentucky and Indiana. My guess, they're used to the many visitors to these areas off the national seashore. On a side note, today is sunny and 75 degrees with a cool breeze and no humidity. Yes, I'm talking about the Ohio River Valley in mid July. Unbelievable. I have a Canadian cold front to thank for this and I am happy to do so. ENJOY!

Wild Ponies, Chincoteague Island, VA

Spending the week on Chincoteague Island along the Eastern Shore of Virginia has been a real treat. On the eastern side of the island, sits Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge which I have discovered, undoubtedly, is one of the most important refuges for birds along the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia. The wildlife refuge is actually on Assateague National Seashore which begins in Maryland and runs south down into Virginia. Yesterday while getting a lay of the land, I discovered a small band of Wild Ponies on the northwest side of the island that were far easier to reach via car. They are also much closer in proximity which I loved.