no blogger for now

I have had this blog since December 2007. Now Blogger has decided I have used all of my available space and is not allowing me to post photos. Oh, sure I can buy more space. For now you can find me over at http://tmoorephotography.wordpress.com/

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Blogger is not playing nice ~ so until I figure out what going on . . . :(

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back home safe ~

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Last week a phriend and I made plans to meet up at “my” Osprey nest. Sunrise came early on this hot summer morning. Barely taking the time to brush my teeth, I grabbed my camera and ran out the door.

Upon arrival Papa could be seen flying over head with a fish in his talons. He flew to the nest and would land for only a moment before taking off again. This was the first time I had seen this behavior. We realized he was taunting his offspring to come chase him for their meal. They met his challenge and with all the awkwardness of a toddler learning to walk, they took off for the skies.
   

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Beside the biweekly meetings, our puppy club has a monthly fun outing. This evening was our annual boardwalk and ice cream palor trip. This is the newest "kid" on the block. Isn't she the cutest!!
 

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At my last visit to the Osprey nest, babies were testing their wings and almost ready to fledge. I am hoping to catch one of their first flights. This evening I made a quick visit. Upon getting out of the car into the thick humid air, I was swarmed by black biting and greenhead flies. I decided to brave it out and walked to the nest. Babies were busy testing their wings and getting some lift. I shot off rapid fire and captured a bunch of what I thought would be great photographs, only to come home, upload and realize I had the totally wrong settings and all of the photos were black! Yes, after all this time I still have days like this.

I did get this shot of a dragonfly and was able to play around with it.
 

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I don’t know if Papa is getting use to me, if it is the distractions of the boats on the busy bay, or just pure luck but as he sat resting on his chair, I was able to get about 20 feet from him. This allowed for some excellent up close shots.
 

visit other awesome creatures over @ camera critters

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My quest to capture new and interesting subjects, while participating in Project 365, has brought me to many of the local area which have long been on my must see list. B and I have traveled all round our state and are being to know the ins and outs of very town, large and small. We have visited all of the NJ lighthouses, battle fields, wineries J, and now I can check off all of our great boardwalks.

I had been to Asbury Park, Point Pleasant, Seaside, Atlantic City and Wildwood but had forgotten about Ocean City. How, I don’t know. Last week on our way home from Wildwood/Cape May, I took notice of exit 30, Ocean City and last evening B and I took a walk along their boards.

While each of the boardwalks have amusement rides and food, lots of food each has it’s own feel. Ocean City is a “dry” town (meaning no liqueur) making it a wonderful place for families and children. The boardwalk was full of fun; a freckle contest was taking place, several bands were playing, a hula hoop demo could been seen and of course, the usual magic man was performing.

It was the perfect evening to take in all the excitement of the youngsters, have an ice cream cone and to watch a yellow/orange sunset.

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Babies are about to fledge. Yesterday during my visit, I watched as they flapped and lifted a foot or so above the nest. At each of my visits Mama has always been perched keeping a watchful eye on her young and Papa is generally off fishing or sitting comfortable on his chair.

Yesterday I noticed two Osprey flying close together, I wondered if, now that the babies are larger, did mom and dad go to dinner together. But I observed the larger bird flying under and seemingly pushing the smaller one up into the currents. I wondered if I was watching a flying lesson??

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This afternoon I met up with a phriend by the osprey nest. I was disappointed for her as Papa was not on his chair however, shortly after we arrived he flew in, checked on with his family and went off fishing. He circled the water from high above, swooped down and skimming along the top of the water, dragging his talons along. We did not see him catch a fish, but moments later he appeared at the nest with one in talons. After the, now large babies, had a meal, they began testing out their wings. Each taking a turn at flapping until they lifted up several feet above the nest. I imagine it will not be long before they take their first flight.

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Early day at work today which lead to an early dinner. I checked the tide chart and perfect . . . low tide 5:30pm. Packed up Yellow Girl and her tennis ball. During our long walk in the sand we meet several new doggie friends and had a blast playing in the waves. On the way back to the mainland, we came across this fellow looking for a dinner time snack.

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At the moment mama sees me, she sounds the alarm and her babies duck low into the nest. It was no different yesterday, only now they are gaining the courage to peek over the branches and see what the danger is.

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Good Gravy! Was it hot today. I think we topped out at 103 (F) degrees. It was one of those days you didn’t mind being at work, only because it was air conditioned and you just knew you weren’t going anywhere or doing anything.

When my work day was over, I had planned on taking the puppies to beach for a swim but it wasn’t fit for man or beast. So I left the beasties at home and I went to check on the Osprey nest. Although the nest is on the water’s edge and generally has a very cooling breeze, today it was ungodly. It was not only hot but the humidity was so high my lens kept fogging over.

Just as my lens was becoming acclimated, a wicked storm rolled in. And as much as I want to watch this raptor family, I am not fond of being out in a lighting storm.
 

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on the boardwalk, down my the sea

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Oh deer! Look what we found hiding deep in the woods.

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Bushkill Falls Day 2 ~

With this shot I have made the decision to purchase a ND x400 filter. I like the shot but not happy with the blown out white spots.

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Bushkill Falls ~

We looked over the map of trails prior to starting our hike: green - easy, view only one of the falls, yellow - a bit more difficult and view several of the falls, red - recommended for the avid hiker, view all eight of the falls, 2 miles. Only 2 miles! Heck, we walk the 3 mile boardwalk at least once a week. We walk the beach, in sugar-soft sand, several times a week and both work at physical jobs. We’re going RED!

After the first flight of stairs, I break my “you want it, you carry it” rule and beg B to carry my camera case. By the second flight, I am certain I need bypass surgery; and by the third flight, I am reminding B I have several family members who have died of a heart attack.

What they neglected to say is that 2 miles includes 1267 stair steps. I thought I was in fairly good shape for a women my age, but with each time I raised my legs to make the move upward, I am feeling each and every one of my 53 years.

My legs feel like rubber this evening, but the awesome view was worth each step. I survived the Red Trail and B brought me a t-shirt stating as much.

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We're at the half way point of 365/Year II. Congratulations to everyone who has made it this far.

B and I are celebrating the July 4th holiday with several days off from work. Day 1 was spent taking a three hour nap, a long evening walk down the boardwalk and pizza at the Sawmill. As an added bonus, I left my camera at home so I could devote my attention solely on my husband. I did see a Cedar Wax Wing on the dunes, a stray cat playing in the beach plums and the Magic Men, all would have made for interesting shots.  But thankful for the time with B.

Day 2 ~ B and I spent 5 hours with our butts in our beach chairs listening to the sound of the surf pound the shoreland, while soaking up some summer time sun rays. This evening it's dinner at Longhorns and a relaxing hour in the hot tub with a pina coloda in our hands. I could so retire and spend each day like this!!

Oh, this is a female redwing black bird. I am not very good at identifing the small brown birds and was very surprise to find out the species of this little one.

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a sneak peek at the baby ~

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I've been heading down to the nest early in the morning in hopes of getting a few shots of the babies. Each time mama sees me she sounds the alarm and the little ones duck low into the bottom of the nest, hidden from sight. So for now it's papa again.

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Papa bringing home dinner.

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this reminds me of Dr Seuss, "are you my mother?"

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one of the fishing boats along the inlet ~ why do I never tire of seeing these?

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gave the Osprey a break today and headed off to find the black crowned night heron ~ success!

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an early morning visit to the nest,

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a quick stop at the beach before work ~

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Late this afternoon at the bay.

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I have read an Osprey can see a fish, in the water, from a 100 feet above.

 Makes me wonder what she sees when looking at me!

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Today was one of the days I have hoped for; the sun was shining, the air was still and I had an hour of extra time. After a long day at work, I went to my favorite spot on the bay to “renew my spirit”.

With my camera in hand, I headed off to the Osprey nest. Mama; although, not happy I was there and keeping an intense stare on me, remained upright in the nest. This, despite the fact I was beyond her comfort zone. Walking around the corner of the small peninsula, I could see Papa perched on his chair with a freshly caught meal. I snapped off a few shots and continued to walk closer. He remained on his chair. As I very slowly walked on, much to my surprise, he stayed in place.

I sat in the sand and snapped off a series of shots. Testing my luck, and scooting along on my bottom until I was within 25 feet of this awesome avian, I shot rapid-fire not wanting to miss a moment of this once in a lifetime, opportunity. 524 photos later . . .

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Great evening to be by the water.

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Now that I have a 500mm, there will be no peace for the Osprey.

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There is no such thing as a bad beach day,

but after nearly a week of rain,

I am ready to see the sun again.

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A rainy day drive up RT 35.

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Mama waits patiently for her little one.

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On the side of a very busy intersection stands a cell phone tower. It is the highest point in the area and for this reason, I surmise, a bald eagle family has chosen it as their home. A new generation was raised there last year and again this year. Today after purchasing a 500mm lens, I made B B drove me over to test out my new lens.

At first only a juvenile sat along the high rail but just as we were leaving an adult flew back to the nest. There she sat calling to the youngster, who was a bit hesitate to trust it’s own wings.

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I have been a bit remiss in keeping up with my, self promised, daily photo of Yellow Girl. I had a few extra minutes last week and jumped at the chance to borrow a 500mm. This being a wonderful lens to capture Osprey, they have become the focus of my attention and lens. With it’s return tomorrow, I am certain the now 5 month old girl will be my main subject once again.

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Aside from all the different avian seen at the refuge, there is abundance of flora. Year after year I find myself drawn to this musk thistle.

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I am so thrilled to once again have the pleasure of watching several families raise their young. Although I have not been able to capture the little one as of yet, I can occassional see their little heads bobbing about.

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I could watch these skimmers for hours.

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birds of a feather ~

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with a 500mm I can snap a shot of the lighthouse from "Osprey" beach ~

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With spring migration at a peak and hatchlings breaking out of their shells, I went down to my local Osprey nest. On the numerous occasions I had checked up on the nest I had only see one adult and was wondering the pair had made it safely back to their nest. I was happy to see the pair sitting together today. I can only assume they were warming and protecting their prodigy, although I saw no little beakers. My only indication was mama laying low.

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Happy Birthday Willow!!

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