I am outdoors almost every day for at least an hour or two taking pictures. I never know what I’ll find, but there’s always something that captures my attention– even a common housefly, in the right light, makes for a beautiful picture!
An Ornate Snipe Fly and a Common European Greenbottle Fly This is a Botfly, also known as warble fly, heel fly, and a gadfly. I thought it was an interesting bug to find. Unfortunately, the larvae of the botflies are internal parasites of mammals.
An Eastern Pine Elfin Butterfly and a very tiny Eastern-tailed Blue Butterfly
I’ve taken thousands of pictures over the years, and I sometimes think, “What more can I find?” When I don’t go for a picture walk, though, I also wonder, “What am I missing? It’s that one burning question that drives me out the door every day– except for rainy days. I don’t go out on rainy days– unless there’s an interlude!
A beautiful male Pileated Woodpecker in our nearby woods
An elusive Green Heron and a stunning Scarlet TanagerEastern Kingbird fanning its tail
During one of those interludes the other day, I satisfied my need for taking pictures by standing under the overhang of our second story deck and capturing all the different birds near our feeders who didn’t seem to mind the rain as much as I did.
A very wet Blue Jay in our backyard!
Yesterday, the interlude was supposed to last from 7:00 to 11:00 a.m. So, I grabbed my camera and headed out the door– but not without a backpack full of rain gear just in case the weather forecast was wrong. It was. By the time the rains came, though, I’d already gotten enough pictures to keep me happy.
A Baltimore Checkerspot and a Common Buckeye ButterflyA Zebra Longwing photographed at the Sarett Nature Center Butterfly House in Benton Harbor, Michigan. The Zebra Longwing is native to South and Central America
A Julia Butterfly and a Malachite Butterfly, both seen at the Sarett Nature Center Butterfly House in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Neither the Julia or the Malachite are native to Michigan
A Great Spangled Fritillary on the left and an Essex Skipper Butterfly on the right both native to Michigan
When the weather cooperates, the possibilities are endless, but I sometimes have to remind myself of this fact; that no matter how many times I go out or how many pictures I take, there will always be something new or interesting to photograph. It’s mostly a matter of staying curious and being patient.
An Eastern Kingbird feeding a giant dragonfly to its baby and later removing the nestling’s fecal sac. A fecal sack is a floppy white bag of poop encased in mucous that the parent removes from the nest (or eats) to keep the nest free of feces.A baby Kingbird wanting more food!
Female Calico Pennant Dragonfly and a Male Eastern Pondhawk
A beautiful male Widow Skimmer and a Female Twelve-spotted Skimmer Dragonfly
Even if it’s the same dragonfly I’ve seen a million times, the location and the lighting will always be different. Even if it’s the same preserve I’ve been to every day for a week, a new bird or bug will invariably catch my attention. So, I keep going out every chance I get –but not when it’s raining!!
Unlike me, this handsome bullfrog LOVES a rainy day!!
I am a 76 year old retired teacher with an avid interest in hiking and photography. I am not a professional photographer, but spend almost every day exploring the natural world, taking pictures and honing my skills. When I review the pictures I have taken, I love researching information about the things I have found-- and then sharing my results with others. The time I have spent walking in the woods (including 4 months on the Appalachian Trail at 68) has always been somewhat therapeutic. When I added photography to the mix a few years ago, it quadrupled the therapeutic effect! Opening pictures on my computer at the end of the day is like opening presents. There are always surprises! It allows me to see so many details that were not visible to my naked eye! I have learned so many new things about birds and bugs, reptiles and mammals that I never knew before--and I have also found, that when I share with others, I invariably learn something new!
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10 thoughts on “Rainy Days”
Wow, you got some great nest shots too! Hope the Kingbird nest is close to you so we can see them grow up.
I don’t want to visit the hummingbird nest too often, it’s between 2 office buildings. Last visit was on a Sunday when I would not attract attention. Anyway, great job, I sure enjoy your photos and commentary.
Thanks, Jill. I went back to the next a few days later to check on the progress of the Kingbird nestlings and, sadly, the nest was empty. They were too young to fly, so I’ve assumed the worst. I was so disappointed.
That is sad. Nests are fun to watch. But it probably fed some other creature a meal. We once watched a hawk fight it’s way into our spruce tree for a dove lunch.
Better luck next time.
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These are great! I have become a fan of butterflies and those are great pictures.
Such beautiful images and I love learning about all the animals and insects. Thank you. May ask what equipment you use? My telephoto lens only goes to 200mm and I can never get decent bird photos. I feel like I may need a longer one.
Thank you! My camera is a Nikon D500 and the lens is a Sigma 150-600. I’ve been very happy with this combination. Because of the weight of the lens, and my age (74), I almost always have a lightweight monopod attached. It allows me to hold the camera steady for an extended period without killing my back. I carry the camera, lens and attached monopod slung over my shoulder with a comfortable strap and I’m good for hours at a time. I can get really good pictures of birds from a long distance (50 yards?? Long enough not to frighten them most of the time). Hope that helps.
Wow, you got some great nest shots too! Hope the Kingbird nest is close to you so we can see them grow up.
I don’t want to visit the hummingbird nest too often, it’s between 2 office buildings. Last visit was on a Sunday when I would not attract attention. Anyway, great job, I sure enjoy your photos and commentary.
Thanks, Jill. I went back to the next a few days later to check on the progress of the Kingbird nestlings and, sadly, the nest was empty. They were too young to fly, so I’ve assumed the worst. I was so disappointed.
That is sad. Nests are fun to watch. But it probably fed some other creature a meal. We once watched a hawk fight it’s way into our spruce tree for a dove lunch.
Better luck next time.
These are great! I have become a fan of butterflies and those are great pictures.
Thank you!
Such beautiful images and I love learning about all the animals and insects. Thank you. May ask what equipment you use? My telephoto lens only goes to 200mm and I can never get decent bird photos. I feel like I may need a longer one.
Thank you! My camera is a Nikon D500 and the lens is a Sigma 150-600. I’ve been very happy with this combination. Because of the weight of the lens, and my age (74), I almost always have a lightweight monopod attached. It allows me to hold the camera steady for an extended period without killing my back. I carry the camera, lens and attached monopod slung over my shoulder with a comfortable strap and I’m good for hours at a time. I can get really good pictures of birds from a long distance (50 yards?? Long enough not to frighten them most of the time). Hope that helps.
Beautiful walk..thank you!
Thanks! 😊
You’re very welcome!