What is This???

Do you know what this is?  Maybe if you are good, I will tell you tomorrow.  In the meantime, feel free to take a guess!

A White Egret and a Blue ???

After leaving Sagamore Hill, the water was on our right and we saw a little marshy area near the shore with a couple of birds.  Here is a view of the birds and the water.  I knew the white bird was an Egret, but I never saw a blue one before!  I looked it up, and there certainly is a blue egret, but I'm not quite sure if that is what this one is.

Water view with enhanced color

Well, I certainly did quite a job of spreading the photos from one day over a whole week!  Just shows how great a day it really was!

Sagamore Hill

Sagamore Hill was the home of Theodore Roosevelt and you can read more about it here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagamore_Hill_(house)

It was a very short drive from the sanctuary and cemetery to Sagamore Hill.  Unfortunately, by the time we got there it was very late in the afternoon so the museum was closed and there was not enough time to explore the trails leading down to the water.  We did get to walk around the grounds for a few minutes and it was a tranquil and beautiful space.  We definitely want to go back!  The main house is closed for renovations for the next two years though.  According to the staff, the house is being refurbished from top to bottom.  Here are several shots from Sagamore Hill.

Old Orchard Home which is now the museum

Feather stuck in the fence that I couldn't resist

Theodore Roosevelt's home which is currently closed for refurbishing

President Theodore Roosevelt's Resting Place

The following are unretouched photos of President Theodore Roosevelt's resting place.  The cemetery is right next door to the nature sanctuary.  We learned that relatives of Theodore Roosevelt bought the land next to the cemetery and donated it.  Besides providing a protected environment for songbirds, it also ensured that the land adjacent to the cemetery would not be developed.  You can check out the following link for more information:

http://ny.audubon.org/CentersEdu_TRoosevelt.html

The grave site is actually totally fenced in and locked, but the bars were wide enough apart that my camera lens fit through.  That is why you don't see any bars in the foreground.  It was noted that you could see the bay from this spot.  We did not see it at first when we turned around.  We just saw all the trees that were probably much smaller 93 years ago!  When we looked to the left beyond the trees, we did see the bay!

Theodore Roosevelt Nature Sanctuary: Part V

Here are two more birds from the nature sanctuary.

I am gaining a new sense of admiration for my feathered friends.  

Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary: Part IV

Yes, this topic is going on for a while, but the sanctuary was awesome, and I have so many pix that I want to share.  Today I have just some general pix of the grounds.

Teddy's likeness on a tree...cute!

I first learned about these 'tree bumps' from our guide at Muttontown Preserve.  You can read about them here:

http://forestry.about.com/od/foresthealth/p/disease_burl.htm

The pond above had this weird green layer on top of it.  It almost looked solid, so we poked it with a stick. It gave way easily to the water underneath.  There were 3 ponds just like this.  One other pond next to this one had regular looking water.  With Google, mystery solved; I think it is duckweed.

http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/duckweed.htm

Theodore Roosevelt Nature Sanctuary: Part III

Little chipmunks were scurrying around the sanctuary.  This one posed for us on a tree before taking off for the top of a woodpile.  His pose on the tree reminds me of the squirrel that I recently took photos of at Eisenhower Park.  When I 'Googled' chipmunk, I leaned that they are actually small, striped squirrels.  They are tiny enough to fit in your hand and just too stinkin' cute!

You can learn more about chipmunks here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chipmunk

Theodore Roosevelt Nature Sanctuary: Part II

Here is the Great Horned Owl...what a beautiful bird!  Owls just look so intense and pensive.  Their eyes are so phenomenal and expressive.

I took 371 pictures yesterday!  This is not uncommon when I am out shooting for the day.  I'm so thankful for digital since I would never be able to afford the film and processing for that amount of photos.  Also, not all of my shots are winners.  I am still playing with going out of Auto at times as well as working through issues with focus, lighting, etc.  I definitely will have winners like the above photos though given the volume of shots that I take.  The lesson here is to just keep experimenting and taking pictures...lots of pictures!


Update: I just had to figure this out.  A low ball estimate of film and processing for yesterday's outing would have been a minimum of $150.00!!!

You can read about the Great Horned Owl here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Horned_Owl

Thanks to Cindy for the correction.  I had this owl listed as the Barred Owl, but it is in fact the Great Horned Owl.

Theodore Roosevelt Nature Sanctuary: Part I

Cindy and I had the most awesome day.  We started with brunch at the Norwich Country Kitchen followed by The Theodore Roosevelt Nature Sanctuary, Theodore Roosevelt's resting place right next door, Sagamore Hill, dinner at Mama Theresa's and a little food shopping to top things off.  Of course, my photos will skip the dining and shopping (lol)!  I have so many photos to get through and as it is getting late, just a couple of photos tonight with the rest to follow over the coming week.

Kestrel

Kestrel

Follow this link to learn more about the Kestrel:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kestrel

Was Woody Here?

There are times that I've heard the sounds of a woodpecker outside my window, but I haven't seen him.  The other day I was looking at something in the yard and I noticed these almost perfect circles in one of the trees.  I wondered if the holes might be from a woodpecker, so I Googled it, and yup, they are definitely from a woodpecker.  I will see you one day, Woody!

Tree on Fire!

Well, not really, but when I passed this tree I did have to do a double take.  The way that the bark was peeled back and the sunlight was shining through, it did look like the color of a flame.

Mill Pond

Saw these guys at a local pond this past weekend.  I thought that they were both ducks, but I consulted my trusty bird book and labeled them accordingly (I hope!)

Mallard; The most abundant duck in the world!

Canada Goose

Windmill and a Bird

I took this shot on Sunday at the Levy Preserve.  There was not an abundance of wildlife around that day despite the South Shore Audubon Society folks that came out hoping to see some birds.  I did catch this bird though right as he passed by the windmill.  It was a beautiful day; hard to believe we are under tornado warnings today!    

Alone in the Breeze

I just love how this shot came out.  When I was walking along the trail by the Wantagh Parkway the other day, this lone weed stood out from the group.  You can see its stalk and leaves being blown in the direction of the gentle breeze.  I did some post production to amp up the colors and the contrast. You can see the original shot in my 9/15/12 post.

Hand Eye Coordination?

I originally saw this on YouTube, and since I am trying to teach myself to use photo editing software, I just had to try it for myself.  Creepy, yet fun at the same time.  My son was a willing model.  I need to work on my skills, but oh, the things that can be done with photo editing!

Cedar Creek Park

Today's venture was to Cedar Creek Park in Seaford.  This park has a lot to offer, although I must admit, I was primarily interested in the path from the park to Jones Beach.  When I was a kid, I always wondered how the bikers and joggers got to the path that led to the beach.  Now I know!  The paved trail originates in Cedar Creek Park and extends approximately 4.5 miles to Jones Beach.  The path runs close and parallel to the Wantagh Parkway which can be a little unnerving since there are no major barriers between the path and parkway.

The weather was picture perfect today and the path was in full use.  There were joggers, runners, roller bladers, and cyclists.  The cyclists had every seat and contraption available for hauling kiddies making it a true family affair for them.  I was the only Nordic walker!  That's okay though.  I really enjoy my Nordic walking poles and don't plan on running unless I'm being chased...which I hope doesn't happen.

I couldn't resist bringing my camera with me today, but it was a bit difficult using walking poles and trying to manage the camera.  I kept my camera stowed on the trip out and put it around my neck for the walk back.  I did a little over 3 miles.  I would love to go back and up the mileage.

Click on these links to learn more about the park and the path:

http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/parks/wheretogo/active/cedarcreek.html

http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/JonesBeach_5602.asp

Here are some pix from today...all natural today with no in camera effects or post production.