Archive for the ‘photography’ Category
Changing Seasons
A Great Horned Owl in the treetops . Looks like there will be no Owlets again this year as the nesting site has been empty for the last week after being occupied for weeks prior. Considering the lateness of the season and the evident unsuitableness of the nesting site it looks like a bust for Mama Owl.
Breeding season has just begun for the Great Egret in this area and the usual Rookery is filling up fast with hundreds of birds fighting for the best spot in the trees
In no time at all there will be little Egrets all over the place.
Morning on the River
Had the chance to take a canoe trip on the Lafayette River Saturday with a group of folks from and with the Elizabeth River Project . About 20 people gathered at the back of the Zoo by the old boat dock with a variety of watercraft’s and traveled along the River .
I am just posting a few of the photos from this trip. Enjoy.
Heading away from the Norfolk Zoo
A bit to much activity for this Osprey to stay put. At this time of the year Osprey are living along the Rivers fattening up for their trip south.
One of a pair of Snowy Egrets, recent arrivals taking a break to fatten up for their trip south
Getting a direction going ?
Marsh Exploration.
Disturbed Osprey moving out .
Nest Time
Seems like everywhere I look I see a nest being built or inhabited by future moms and dads or in the case of larger Birds babies in the nest or at least eggs to incubate and protect(lots of large crows around right now and they love an egg as much as a Raccoon does and are just as fast to snag one out of the nest given a chance.
Needless to say this nest is well guarded by these 3rd year parents. They are well past the type of rookie mistake that would allow an egg thief to succeed in anything but a painful reminder of the sharpness of those claws.
On the bad news side of things it looks as if the Great Horned Owls will not be having any little Owlets this year as it is very late and no little ones are calling out in the pine woods as of yesterday at sunrise.Both the Female and Male have been sited (by me)so there is no nest to guard and it is well past egg time . Perhaps next year. We will see. In the mean time I will be checking some other spots that look promising for new Mama Owls to call home on the off chance that there may be some young elsewhere spun off old Ma.
This is not a great shot but I happened to find this Bald Eagle in the pine woods awhile back chasing a squirrel for breakfast. He caught sight of me and got out of there before I was able to set up for a better shot. Still..
Wildlife on the Lafayette River
I was recently asked to give a slide-show and talk a bit about the critters living on the Lafayette River for a symposium on improving the condition of the water and river in general hosted by the Elizabeth River Project The Elizabeth River Project in southeastern Virginia. and held at the Norfolk Zoo.
Below is the link for anyone who might like to see the slide-show.
Wildlife On The Lafayette River
Killdeer looking fro a snack behind the Norfolk Zoological Park at low tide
Bald Eagle in the Pinewoods this morning while I was looking for the resident Great Horned Owl Mom to see if she was nesting. Seen chasing a squirrel prior to this photograph.
New Year New Conditions
Sometimes it’s hard to see that the things around us are slowly changing . Moving in one way or the other and when it comes to the River it tends to be more dirty and somewhat sad looking. I can not help but notice that the Lafayette River has the look of someone’s overflowing garbage can at this time of the year with many old tires, bikes and other assorted crud in the creeks and often right out in the river.
We can only hope that this will be the year that folks start taking better care of the local waterways and shores in the area. This goes for the Lakes in the area also as I saw plenty of trash strewn down the Airport road and trapped in the bushes along A.G. Road on a recent trip.
Night Heron on Old Post
Great Blue Heron on what is left of an old Pier with Boat barn reflected in the water.
Downy Woodpecker feeding on the dead twigs and reeds along the river.
Lets all remember to keep those feeders full as it is not the best food time for the local birds.
Back On The River
As beautiful and relaxing as Alabama was It is nice to be back on the river again at first light watching the local wildlife getting a start on it’s day. The sun is so fine when it is reflected in the water at dawn and the mundane is transfixed by the soft morning glow.
Nothing like a catch at first light even if a bit on the small side as fish go.
The sun finds it way up filtered by a tree on the water and the reflection from what is left of an old dock. Taken from the 26th St. Bridge
An Immature Heron searches among pilings long worn beyond use other than a hiding spot for small fish and crabs
Finishing with a Kiss.
Home again.
Summers Young Critters
Baby Racoon hang tight to each other in the absence of an adult. Considering the two adult Great Horned Owls in these woods it’s most likely a good idea for them to keep a low profile.I have seen these Owls consume an adult Possum. Not a push-over by any means.
A mess of Swallows living under a bridge are out in the morning enjoying the early part of the day and all the little bugs on the water for breakfast. Photographing these guys on the move is a true chore.
Hanging out in this cool spot under the main pine canopy on a scrub oak has become one of these young Owls favorite places to be. These youngsters are quickly getting their coloring but are less than half of adult size.
A quick stop along the way after being flushed from under a scrub oak. This Owl is about 5 months old .
This Immature Heron is fishing at low tide in a Gowrie Park creek off of the Lafayette River.
Young Owls Progress
I am amazed at how quickly these recently tiny Owlets have become grown and mature looking. Their flying skills have improved greatly their confidence in their capabilities are evident with every move.
Due to the overcast conditions this morning I was able to take them by surprise in the lower trees and bushes.
As soon as I was spotted the larger of the two youngsters was off heading for the top of as near by pine tree while the other one decided to wait me out and see what I might be about.
In the photo below the branch the Owl is on is about 5 feet off of the ground.
- Amazingly we still share the planet with these and many other animals ( at least in a few places). We each need a certain amount of room and the right environment to survive, but we are taking more and more from them at an alarming rate. As people destroy the last viable forested lands for raw materials and slash and burn rain forests for farmland, we’ll see fewer of these fantastic creatures, We have failed as stewards of the planet so far. Shame on us! I can’t help but think we can do much better than this.
Various Recent Shots
Seems like it has been some time and I am feeling a bit guilty for not being as consistent with keeping up this blog as I had told myself I would be in the beginning . No surprise to anyone who is a non-writer trying to keep up a journal or blog I am sure but still a bit more effort on my part is needed I am pretty sure if I am to keep this on the road at all.
This Egret was on Villa St. about 15 feet up a tree on a dead branch. Normally I find Osprey hanging out here so it was a bit of a surprise to find this critter instead.
This Osprey had just missed a fish and is shaking off the water from his failed attempt to catch a fish. I liked the way he was in mid-shake at the moment the shutter closed . An unusual photograph. Taken from the 26th St. Bridge
This Yellow Crown Night Heron was just hanging out on some dead wood in an inlet during high tide .
First thing on the 4th of July these Osprey in their nest off of Tidewater Drive near the overpass at Roland Park were being flushed out of the nest over and over by their parents for some early morning flight practice. Lots of fun watching them head back to the nest only to be rousted again by mom.
Anyway , more soon and as always if you want to use these or any of my photos please ask .
KennJ.
Owlet Update
After a few days of fruitless searching for my Owl friends I finally caught back up with the threesome today after wandering through the pines
feeding the Deer Flies for 30 min. or so and right before giving up for the morning. I sighted the Mother Owl of to my left heading away from some unhappy Blue Jays who had most likely been defending their nest from her.As is normal the Owlets were just a bit below her close together catching the early morning sunlight on a partially dead tree.
I had hoped to catch a few photos of these guys flying this morning but the Flies had there own ideas and my status as a meal finally caused me to throw in the towel for the morning and make plans to return with some protective clothing for a longer stay in the woods.
All photographs are the property of Kenn Jolemore. Please ask if you would like to use any of them.
Photos from Southside Virginia 
