Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge - Merritt Island, Florida
January 2nd, 2024
Getting this capture was a real treat. I watched this spoonbill repeatedly dip the tip of its bill into the water, then carefully run the bill down each flight feather, taking great care to clean each one individually. Over and over, the bird would repeat this process until each flight feather was clean. I loved that I was able to capture this angle of the bird and show the beautiful colors of the bird and how the flight feathers under its wing would fan out as the bird worked. Roseate Spoonbills are an amazing bird and so interesting to observe.

Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge - Lipsec, Delaware
October 9th, 2022
In my many visits to Bombay Hook, one of my wishes has always been that some wildlife would be available for this scene so I could capture the beautiful colors with wildlife as a major subject. As my wife and I were sitting in our van at this scenic view, and right after I told her of my years long wish, this young male Northern Harrier showed up. We watched as he hunted back and forth in the area looking for a late afternoon meal. Then, all of a sudden, he made his way towards this 'wish' scene and started hunting right over the bush, mid scene. I snapped off some images and was able to capture this scene. It was my favorite capture of the day and such an amazing treat to see.

Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge - Lipsec, Delaware
July 31st, 2020
I was watching two mating pairs of Eastern Kingbirds, back and forth flying through the waterside foliage. The pairs were bantering back and forth, giving warnings or quick fly-byes. I was able to grab this capture of one mating pair, in synchronization warning the other mating pair to keep their distance. These song bird battles are always fun to experience.

Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge - Lipsec, Delaware
May 26th, 2022
I was watching a mating pair of Canadian Geese and their offspring in the early morning sun as they moved throughout some long grass in search of breakfast by one of the Bombay Hook pools. I got down low, on my belly and went through a series of shots as these goslings foraged for food. I was able to grab this capture showing the goslings and their adorable nature.

Huntley Meadows Park - Alexandria, Virginia
May 24th, 2019
I love the detail in this Great Blue Heron portrait. On this day, the sunlight was strong in the morning hours and this great blue heron was perch very nearby on a log sitting in the Huntley wetlands. I got down low and captured this image. The direct sunlight shows the incredible beauty of these amazing birds.

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge - Merritt Island, Florida
January 5th, 2024
I was able to get this capture, on the very last morning of our weeklong trip to Merritt Island refuge. My wife and I were at the last water pool on the refuge driving trail, just minutes before we were leaving for home when a large pod of White Pelicans came in to feed in the morning light. On this capture, I watched as this pod of about 25 pelicans just floated along, feeding on the pools grass bed. The pelicans would dip their heads deep into the water and pull up mouthfuls of grass to feed upon. Using some foreground bushes for depth, interest and to create a base for the image, I was able to grab this capture. I tried to time the image as best I could to ensure as many of the pelican's faces were above the water line. I was really happy with the end result.

My Own Backyard - Mechanicsville, Maryland
May 16th, 2020
Every year, around May, a flock of Cedar Waxwings make their way north and pass our home in Southern Maryland. They hang around long enough to pick our trees clean of berries before moving on. This guy posed nicely for a great framed shot. I love the fore and background branches in this shot as they give the capture such depth.

Captiva Beach - Captiva Island, Florida
March 30th, 2022
I was out with my family walking the Captiva Beach after just arriving in Sanibel for a family vacation. I spotted this Willet walking the beach in search of small crabs and other small bits of food for a late afternoon meal. He was chasing the water in and out and hunting the ground as the water receded to the ocean. I got down on my belly in the soft sand and grabbed this image. I love the softness of the shot and how the Willet extended his legs wider for a better stance as the waves of foam came in around his legs.

Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge - Lipsec, Delaware
May 1st, 2020
Finding Red-Winged Blackbirds at Bombay to photograph is never difficult as these birds are in high numbers at the refuge year round. Every now and then, these birds will land on a bush, small tree or grass area that creates a beautiful scene for their songs to be heard. I was able to capture this scene of the even lengthen grass and this male blackbird singing his song for all to hear.

Huntley Meadows Park - Alexandria, Virginia
April 29th, 2022
Wood ducks are one of the most ornate and beautiful waterfowl that you can see within the United States. As this male Wood Duck swims through the young swamp grass of Huntley Meadows, you can see the strong and beautiful colors of its feathers, eyes and bill. Wood Ducks are an example of how beautiful our feathered friends can truly be.

Oriental Road Overpass - Oriental, North Carolina
August 22nd, 2015
I walked up the Oriental Road overpass in hopes to get a sunset shot of the Neuse River as the sun dipped below the horizon. Since the clouds were not cooperating on that side of the sky, I decided to cross the overpass traffic and move to the other side for an Oriental Marina view. The clouds, the late day sun and the beautiful scene allowed for the capture you see here.

Magruder's Ferry Landing - Patuxent River, Maryland
October 31st, 2015
A fellow photographer told me about Magruder's Ferry and the amazing sunrise shots that are possible. On Halloween day back in 2015 I made the trip out there. It was a heavy foggy day so taking pre-sunrise pictures were not possible, so I waited for the sun to rise. I rearranged the picnic table a bit to create a better composition and was able to grab this capture. This is still one of my favorite sunrise shots.

My Own Backyard - Mechanicsville, Maryland
May 17th, 2020
While trying to capture some Cedar Waxwing shots in my backyard, I saw this American Robin come flying in to join in the berry feast. While shooting from my belly, I was able to capture this shot. The low angle of the capture creates a softness in the bokeh colors that I absolutely love.

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge - Merritt Island, Florida
January 2nd, 2024
Now that the bath is done and we have stood in the sun and looked pretty for a short while, it is time to do some detailing. This is a different angle of a Spoonbill doing some flight feather cleaning by dipping its beak in the water and then using it to individually clean each feather. I could watch these birds all day.

Craggy Gardens - Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina
July 5th, 2014
While hiking the trail of the Craggy Gardens overlook on the way to the pinnacle, I came across this 'twisted tree', an example of the many rhododendron that cover the slopes and trails. I took this shot and then converted it to black and white to emphasize the many lines and sharp contrast of the tree, rocks and mountain slope.

Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge - Lipsec, Delaware
September 2nd, 2023
This was such a fun image of a young Red Fox to capture. The Bombay Hook refuge path was busy with wildlife fans and photographers as we watched this Red Fox work his way through the roadside foliage. He was just down the embankment, slowly working his way toward myself and the other patrons. I decided to move ahead of the fox and move down the embankment myself to try and get low and match the fox’s level. He was crouched low, almost walking with his belly grazing the ground. He stopped suddenly, then slowly raised his head and body into the morning light. I was able to grab this capture as he rose into the light.

Venice Rookery - Venice, Florida
February 12th, 2020
This image was the first of single fly by series of a Great Egret at Venice Rookery. It was late in the day, nearing sunset, and the light was soft and warm. I like the symmetry of the bird’s wing position in this shot and how the angle of the bird’s neck adds to this balance. The bokeh background adds to the softness of the shot.

Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge - Lipsec, Delaware
May 19th, 2023
I love taking pictures of young Bald Eagles as the marbling of their colors is so interesting and not the typical strong white head and yellow beak most recognize. I followed this Eagle as it flew past me over a Bombay Hook water way with the green and yellow fields as a backdrop. Eagles are so fun to see and photograph.

Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge - Lipsec, Delaware
October 11th, 2019
Avocets were in high numbers at Bombay this particular day. I was watching them eat, preen and rest in one of the refuge pools as other bird species flew overhead. Following this Tern with my camera, he passed by this row of Avocets and I was able to snatch a capture with the tern centered over the Avocets. I love the background reflections of the distant tree line and the nice composition of the Tern and Avocets.

Alligator Farm - St. Augustine, Florida
April 8th, 2022
On my first trip to Alligator Farm in St. Augustine Florida, I was taken aback by the amount of bird wildlife at such a close distance. Birds have been coming to Alligator farm for years as it is a safe sanctuary for them to breed and raise their young. I call it a Portrait Paradise for photographers. I was able to capture this Cattle Egret just resting on a branch backlit by the early morning sun. I love the light accents of the surrounding evergreens and how they frame the bird so nicely. The backlit glow around the bird creates a nice light element and the hard glow of his beak really complete the shot.

Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge - Lipsec, Delaware
September 4th, 2021
This is a Yellow Warbler, one of the beautiful song birds you may see in your own backyard. We, my wife and I followed this song bird down one of the Bombay Hook paths as it traveled from one piece of foliage to another along the waterline of one of the Bombay pools. Once it stopped long enough, I was able to grab this capture. While taking the shot, I noticed some foreground yellow flowers, so, getting as low as I could I tried to shoot through the flowers. It worked out well as it created a nice foreground bokeh of yellow fire that really adds interest to this image.

J.N. 'Ding' Darling National Wildlife Refuge - Sanibel Island, Florida
February 13th, 2020
I had spent a good part of our trip to Sanibel trying to get some interesting shots of Roseate Spoonbills. Unfortunately, on this trip not many Spoonbills were at the refuge. Since the light this late afternoon day was directly behind the birds, I change my angle so it was more side light, got down as low as I could and was able to grab this capture.

Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens - Washington D.C.
July 23rd, 2014
Having just started taking pictures with my first major camera purchase, I was thrilled to get this capture of a lotus and bee at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. I was walking through the gardens looking at the sea of lotus flowers on a hot July day in D.C. when I saw a bunch of bees visiting this one flower, rising high above its neighbor lotus. With my camera mounted on my tripod, I took a series of shots and was able to capture this image.

J.N. 'Ding' Darling National Wildlife Refuge - Sanibel Island, Florida
March 21st, 2022
I was trying to capture some images of this Reddish Egret fishing for a meal. Their energetic movement accompanied with their unusual wing movement can make for very fun captures. Unfortunately, this particular Egret was on the wrong side of the refuge for the best light. Before he left the area, he did take flight and fly towards and past me. I was able to grab this capture as he approached. I like the light effects over his wing and across his beak and face caused by the direct light of the late afternoon sun, and his flat wing position.

Alligator Farm - St. Augustine, Florida
April 8th, 2022
The Great Egret full plumage courting dance was always on my bucket list of images to capture. While on a trip to Alligator Farm I was able to capture this image in the early morning light. It was very early in the day and the early morning glow coming through the Palmetto Palms created a wonderful background to complete the image nicely. This was my favorite shot of the day.

My Own Backyard - Mechanicsville, Maryland
May 17th, 2020
Scarlet Tanagers make their lengthy migration trek every Spring from South America to Eastern North America and as far north as Canada to their breeding grounds. I was able to capture this image as this Tanager decided to stop in my yard for a quick berry meal. It was a delight to get this capture as these birds are not seen often in Southern Maryland.

Huntley Meadows Park - Alexandria, Virginia
September 9th, 2019
Great Blue Herons were in numbers this day at Huntley Meadows and with large numbers, sometimes these birds will get in some territorial battles. After a scuffle with two other blue herons, this Great Blue Heron came in hard, wings fully spread for a landing. These birds have wing spans that can stretch more than 6 feet and I love when I get a capture with them fully extended. Still one of my favorite birds to photograph.

Airlie Gardens - Wilmington, North Carolina
May 9th, 2019
Tri-colored Herons are one of my favorites as these birds colors and feathers can change so much throughout the year. I spotted this heron from the other side of the Airlie pond as he made his way across the pond, passing right in front of me. I grabbed this capture in flight, showing off his beautiful plumage.

Venice Rookery - Venice, Florida
February 12th, 2020
Though nocturnal, sometimes you can get lucky and get a flight shot of a Black Crowned Night Heron in the morning hours. I watched this particular night heron fly about the rookery, trying to anticipate his flight path. I was able to grab this capture of this guy as he came out of the shadows and into the light. This beauty was a favorite capture of the day.

My Own Backyard - Mechanicsville, Maryland
April 13th, 2019
On a mostly cloudy day, I decided to setup my camera and see what birds decided to pay a visit to my backyard feeders. This male Brown-Headed Cowbird decided to pay a visit. The diffused light of the sun made the iridescent colors of his feathers just pop with color. A very pretty portrait.

Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge - Lipsec, Delaware
July 5th, 2019
Red Fox are fairly common at Bombay, and on this particular day, this young fox was heading right for us down one of the refuge paths. I had my wife and fellow wildlife fan steer our car hard left so I could get this capture from the rear of our vehicle as he approached. I was so pleased as he licked his snout as he stared us down wondering what our intent was. Just to get some captures our young wildlife friend.

Alligator Farm - St. Augustine, Florida
April 8th, 2022
While walking through Alligator Farm I came across this Roseate Spoonbill on the other side of some palms. I changed my position so that a palm was in the foreground on one side of the image. I love how the palm and the Spoonbill have similar shapes and lines. Creates an interesting visual element in the image and adds depth.

J.N. 'Ding' Darling National Wildlife Refuge - Sanibel Island, Florida
February 8th, 2020
Seeing this common stance for a White Ibis, I was able to capture this Ibis with his beak tucked in his back feathers as he rested in the late afternoon light on a log. The dark background drew me to this shot as I love the dramatic effect it creates along with the extreme contrast with the white bird.

Venice Rookery - Venice, Florida
February 12th, 2020
Any parents out there might be familiar with this feeling. The loud commotion coming from the large chicks was very audible and while taking a series of shots, I captured what looked like a Great Blue Heron parent expressing feelings of frustration and exhaustion. Of course, it was just a good, timed shot but the effect looks the same.

Airlie Gardens - Wilmington, North Carolina
July 15th, 2015
While at Airlie Gardens, I was able to capture this Mute Swan as he took a rest while floating in one of the Airlie ponds. I love the dramatic nature of the image as the dark areas intersect with the hard white of the swan. Trying to shoot at the swan's level, I took this capture and composed the swan at the top of the image to allow the slowing fading rippled reflection to be part of the image and an element that leads the eye to the main subject. I have always loved images that have subjects that are in contrast of their surroundings.

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge - Merritt Island, Florida
January 1st, 2024
As the sun was setting on New Year’s Day, 2024, my wife and I were heading out of the Merritt Island NWR down the long road that leads to the refuge exit. About halfway down, we spotted this small animal foraging along the roadside, and it did not take us long to recognize it was an armadillo. I got out of the car, carefully moved ahead of him on the opposite side and took a series of shots. This was my favorite.

Huntley Meadows Park - Alexandria, Virginia
June 6th, 2020
This is a cute capture of a single male Mallard, standing in shallow water, one legged with the distant lush green trees reflected in the water. The expression on the duck’s face appears as a smirk, like he knew something I did not. The morning sunlight really brought out the colors of the duck and the water’s reflections.