Hoodies Visit the Pond

Howdy Folks,

As usual, its been a long time since I’ve seen you here as I continue to share most of my photography on my public site, also Nature Frames, on Facebook. I thought today would be a great time to check in and share some images of a pair of hooded mergansers that have been visiting our pond over the last few weeks.

It all began over a week ago when I was in my turkey chair hide at the edge of the pond, waiting for wood ducks and other critters as the sun was just coming up. I couldn’t believe my eyes when a pair of hoodies dropped out of the sky and splashed down, right at my feet! By the way, their wings make a dramatic drumming sound as the pressure wave from their intense flapping just before touchdown reflects off the water. I never noticed it before when I hunted ducks many years ago.

Once the pair was on the water, the waiting game began as it was still much too dark to get a good shot. I tried not to move at all as I waited because our pond is only about a quarter acre in size so I was very close to my subjects. By the way, in 20 years of photographing ducks at the pond, this was the first time I had ever seen mergansers.

As I waited for better light, the male continuously put on a show for the female in an effort to stir her interest in mating. At first it was to no avail as she chased him across the pond, nipping at his tail feathers every time he tried to approach her.

After about 30 minutes, I finally had enough light to make some decent images and a short while later, the female finally allowed the male to mate with her. I think the male was as surprised as I was when they finally got down to the business of making more mergansers. And the light was perfect when the time finally came!

Both the drake and hen seemed happy to have done their part to continue the species as they jumped up on logs and began stretching, preening and napping.

This morning I was back at the pond when a lone hen merganser dropped out of the sky and splashed down with that wonderful drumming sound right before she hit the water. I waited for her mate but he never arrived. I don’t even know if it was the same hen, but she stayed around for about an hour. The final images are of the female as she approached my hide as close as any duck ever has before.

This is my favorite time of year as I try to juggle my effort among gobblers, warblers and waterfowl. Every morning has so many possibilities, I can hardly sleep the night before.

Love to all,

DB

Upcoming Presentation (Powder Valley Nature Center)

Hi Folks — I’ll be giving a presentation on August 19th at 7:00 PM in the beautiful theater at Powder Valley Nature Center in Kirkwood. The event, which is free and open to the public, is a collaboration between Missouri Nature and Environmental Photographers (MONEP) and the Missouri Department of Conservation. Doors open at 6:00 PM and MONEP will begin an abbreviated meeting at 6:30. Everybody is welcome to attend the meeting. My presentation will begin at 7:00. By the way, you can show up any time during the meeting if you like. Just walk in and find a seat.

In this presentation, I’ll be featuring several images I haven’t used in previous talks, but I’ll also include some popular shots as well. My plan is to present a balance between fine art images and shots that tell a story. I’ll also be giving photographic tips along the way for the photographers in the crowd, but I promise it won’t be too boring for the rest of the attendees.

This event is free but requires registration with MDC (see attached link). If you aren’t a fan of online registration, there is a phone number you can call. By the way, once you’ve registered it will be much easier to sign up for future events a Powder Valley.

As always, I’m looking forward to seeing both old and new faces in the crowd, and I’ll do my best to answer any questions you have afterward. I know I always say this, but I’m really looking forward to this one.

Love to all,

DB

https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/210344

Early-Spring 2025 (Gobblers, Meadowlarks, and Wood Ducks)

Spring brings some of my favorite critters into play, especially gobblers. The sheen of this young male at sunrise ranges from brassy above to burnt orange on the lower chest feathers. A gobbler in morning light is a joy to behold.

Every spring, wood ducks arrive at my pond to court, loaf and rest each morning. Their arrival results in gorgeous images, not only because the woodies are in colorful breeding plumage but also because the pond water is nice and clear from the winter. Yes, the drakes are spectacular but the hens are also beautiful.

The meadowlarks have been back for about three weeks now. I can watch them all day from my living room windows and I often head out into the prairie meadow where sometimes up to five of them fly around me. This year, I’ve been working on flight images.

The wide shot above denotes “Life on the Prairie Meadow” while the next image gives you a closer look at a meadowlark in flight. By the way, our beauties are eastern meadowlarks. They have a wonderful song but I slightly prefer that of the westerns.

It’s darn near impossible to record the catchlight in a meadowlark’s eye, especially in flight, so I was happy with the above close-up.

The final image of this edition is the classic singing shot of a meadowlark. This particular bird has a loose primary feather that will eventually fall off. Until it does, I always know which bird it is, a male who sings all day long.

Hey, here is some news of an upcoming presentation I will be giving at the Missouri Botanical Garden (MOBOT) on April 22, at 11:00 A.M. as part of their 2025 Member Speaker Series.

My presentation will feature images and anecdotes from all of the years I have been photographing wildlife at Shaw Nature Reserve. The presentation is part of MOBOT’s celebration of Shaw Nature Reserve’s 100th anniversary.

The presentation, which is free, is only open to MOBOT members and registration is required. I’ve posted a link to registration below. If you aren’t a member, consider joining as the garden offers a variety of great benefits, including free admission to Shaw Nature Reserve.

I’m looking forward to seeing everybody at the presentation, which will be at the Bayer Event Center. The room seats around 300 but I recommend registering as soon as you can to ensure a seat. Also, several of my photographs from SNR are on display in the concourse between the Jack C. Taylor Visitor’s Center and the Bayer Event Center. Don’t forget to check them out. Each print is 45 x 35.

Love to all,

DB

Link to Registration at Missouri Botanical Garden: https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/member-speaker-series-shaw-nature-reserve-wildlife-in-focus-2762

Snowy Morning Coyote

Hi Folks — Lately I’ve been enjoying some snowy mornings here in eastern Missouri. This morning was especially nice as I sat in a fresh snow listening to the serenade of a great horned owl well before daylight. About five minutes before sunrise, a coyote came up behind my hide in a line of cedar trees. It was only about 15 feet to my right when it cut through the cedars and entered the field in front of me. It was so close it startled me! As soon as it cleared the cedar line it stopped abruptly, cocked its head toward my location and flared its lips to taste the air. Yep, I had been winded, even though the breeze was from the north in both of our faces.

The coyote, now nervous, continued at a slow trot to the cedar line across the field, hung a right to the east and headed along the edge. I only snapped the shutter once, capturing the featured image in which you can see the coyote’s right ear “watching” me as it disappeared down the hill.

I sat for another hour knowing I wouldn’t see the coyote again but optimistic that I might see its mate. Eventually, the cold got the best of me and I headed back up to the house for coffee. It was another morning well spent.

Love to all,

DB

PS: I’m often asked if I use a coyote call. No, I never use a call. I tried one a few times back in 2007 and the noise was such an affront to my solitude that I never picked it up again. I just observe the patterns of our coyotes at the farm and try to position myself accordingly, always with wind direction in mind.

Happy New Year! 2025

Buddy the Barred Owl watches the sky for mobbing crows and pesky songbirds. It was so nice of our friend to make an appearance on New Year’s Day.

My introduction to 2025 began with a long sit in the woods at Shaw Nature Reserve. Yesterday during a hike I spotted a beautiful red-headed woodpecker perched on an interesting deadfall so I returned to the spot this morning, this time with my camera, in hopes of seeing him again. Although the woodpecker didn’t return to the deadfall, I was treated to a spectacular moment a little before sunrise.

It all began with a pileated woodpecker that had landed on a log in front of me to the right. Although it was hidden by brush, I could hear it thrashing around in search of insects, occasionally calling as pileateds often do. Next, a juvenile red-shouldered hawk landed right in front of me, maybe 30 feet away. I watched it for a while and carefully swung my lens around for a few images before it launched from its perch, straight for the huge woodpecker.

I didn’t see the moment of contact but it must have been close because the pileated began squawking like I’ve never heard one squawk before. Right after that, they both flew up and parted ways as they cleared the treetops.

As the woods settled back into peace I sat there thinking about how often it occurs that I begin with a plan and end up with something else, often better. A few hours later, around nine, I finally called it quits. Later, when I got back home, I opened the front door to the aroma of Joyce’s homemade cinnamon rolls coming out of the oven. Oh what a morning!

Later in the afternoon my day got even better as our resident owl, Buddy, showed up on one of his favorite cedar perches to hunt voles. I’m beginning to think 2025 is going to be a great year.

Love to all,

DB

Hummingbird Nest

About a week ago, I had the pleasure of observing and photographing a hummingbird nest near the home of some friends who live north of Hermann, MO. The nest, which was about the size of my thumb, was situated in an oak tree at eye level, about 20 – 25 feet off their deck. The featured image was taken a little after sunrise as we enjoyed coffee while the mama rubythroat brought breakfast, consisting of tiny insects, to her pair of hungry nestlings.

I had photographed a few hummingbird nests before, but as you can see from the images, this one was special. I was only there for one morning but my friends gave me reports every day thereafter until the nestlings fledged three days later.

In case some of you are wondering, I set my tripod up right in the middle of my friends’ covered deck and used my 500mm lens with a 1.4 extender attached to my Canon R5. The lens combination brought the nest in to nearly full frame. The mama hummingbird, as well as the 40 – 50 other hummingbirds swarming around feeders over the deck railing, appeared oblivious to my presence.

I don’t get out to photograph wildlife at the properties of friends nearly as much as I used to, but I couldn’t turn this opportunity down. It was a joyful experience that I will remember for a long time. And thanks again to my two friends for inviting me to their gorgeous hilltop home that they built themselves.

Thanks again to all of you who have already purchased tickets to my presentation on October 5. The venue notified me that they sold over half the tickets on the first afternoon! That was music to my ears. It is going to be a fun evening and I’m anticipating a full house. Below is the ticket link for those of you who are still thinking about attending.

Eventbrite Link

Love to all,

DB

Presentation Announcement (Fall 2024)

Hi Folks — I will be speaking at Liberty Hall in Washington, Missouri on Saturday evening, October 5, at 7:00 PM. My presentation, inspired by an upcoming feature story I wrote for “Missouri Conservationist,” will consist of images and anecdotes about the variety of critters and birds I have photographed over the years at our farm. Based on my previous presentations in Washington, I recommend purchasing your tickets sooner than later at the Eventbrite link below as seating is limited. We will begin with a reception at 6:30 PM with light appetizers and wine. I’m looking forward to visiting with everybody and spending a fall evening in celebration of Missouri wildlife.

Love to all,

DB

Purchase Tickets

It’s Fawn Season

Hi Folks — As the title says, it’s fawn season. I never get tired of photographing fawns in early summer. Baby whitetails are the cutest of all of the baby critters I photograph each year. They are a joy to watch as they chase each other in circles and explore their new world.

In case you weren’t aware, fawns spend most of their time alone during their first several weeks. Although the mama deer checks in as necessary to feed them, she keeps her distance the rest of the time so she doesn’t attract any predators to her vulnerable young. This is why you might occasionally see a lone fawn or twins or even triplets with no adult nearby.

I’m always happy to see twin fawns instead of a lone fawn. I suspect life is a little easier with some help from a sibling. Maybe that’s just a little anthropomorphism sneaking through on my part. Who knows?

This post represents my first use of a new template for my blog since I began blogging over 10 years ago. I hope it works for everyone. My old one was retired by WordPress. I’ve added a “Contact” page to this version so you won’t have to jump over to my Website Gallery to email me. By the way, if you are reading the blog on a mobile device, it’s best to tap on the Title to access all of the options at the bottom such as comments, contact, search and other options. Finally, don’t forget that you can click on any image to see it a little larger. Enjoy!

Love to all,

DB

The Season for Velvet

I was down at the pond before daylight this morning, hoping for a whitetail buck in velvet or at least a mama with fawns. A few minutes after sunrise, this guy came out of the woods so close to my position I could only photograph its head at first. As it sauntered across the field directly in front of me, along with three smaller bucks, it provided several photographic opportunities. Fortunately, a light breeze was in my face so it never knew I was there. As usual, I was in my turkey hunting chair and covered with cut-leaf camo. Enjoy!

Thanks to those of you who attended my presentation in Union last week. We had a full house and it was just a darn good time. I love sharing images and anecdotes when I get the opportunity and I appreciated Scenic Regional Library for sponsoring the event.

Love to all,

DB

Email me via my Contact Page: HERE

Upcoming Presentation

Hi Folks — There are still some seats available for my upcoming free presentation at the Union Library on Thursday, June 13 at 6:00 PM. Register at the link below (go to Events Calendar) or call the library to reserve a spot. I’m looking forward to sharing some of my favorite images along with a few stories. Also, I’ll stay afterward to answer any questions, technical or otherwise.

https://scenicregional.org/

On another note, I’ll be reconfiguring this blog as my template has been retired after all these years. Just a warning that it might be a mess for a while as I work it all out.

Love to all,

DB

Email me via my Contact Page: HERE