Above freezing

As today was hovering just over the freezing level I took myself off to Middle Creek to see if I could see and hopefully photograph the 7 Sandhill Cranes and the Rough-legged Hawk that have been around for while. While there I met a friend from the Hawkwatch and together we went to end of the Tour Road where the Rough-legged had been seen recently. Damn it was cold due to the strong wind in our faces, it may have been over the freezing level but the wind chill definetly wasn't. Wasn't long before we saw it flying towards us and I grabbed my camera from the front seat but it had turned away. Bugger! After we went our separate ways I went up to the Visitor Center to check out the feeders and take a much needed leak. Lots of Sparrows, Juncos Cardinals and an aggressive Mockingbird but nothing worthy of a shot. I did take a scenic shot looking towards the lake though.

Frozen Middle Creek

Willow

To damn cold to go out for long so it's time to get the flash and find a cat. Here's one I prepared earlier.

Willow

Running Errands

 On the way to run a couple of errands this morning I stopped on my drive along the lane and I just happened to have my camera with me. The light was excellent and I was rewarded with not only the Horned Larks but Snow Bunting and Lapland Longspur. 

Horned Lark

Horned Lark

Horned Lark

Horned Lark

Snow Bunting

Snow Bunting

Snow Bunting

Lapland Longspur

Lapland Longspur

Snow Bunting

Winter Storm Fern

 It's only been snowing for a few hours and the snow is very fine, about another 12 hours to go according to the forecast. It's already over 6 inches deep and when the wind picks up it's going to create some awesome drifts.  Time to stick another couple of logs on the fire.

Fields during Winter Storm Fern

Fields during Winter Storm Fern

Lazerus Orchid

The other day;  Sunday I think it was, I didn't fancy going outside except to feed the birds and to bring in extra firewood. I decided instead to photograph my Orchid that bloomed again after following the technique I learned from watching something on YouTube.  This is a 50 frame focus stack, I also did a 50 frame focus stack combined with a 32 frame pixel shift for each regular frame. This of course equals 50 x 32 frames which for the mathematically challenged (basically any of the dumbasses born in the last 25 years) equals 1600 shots. I've processed these 1600 shots using Nikon NX Studio but haven't looked at it yet. 

A bit chilly today.

It's currently 19F (-7.22C), luckily theres no wind and bright sunshine.  I popped outside to top up my feeders and decided to nip up the lane to see if I could finally get to photograph a Lapland Longspur which has eluded me all season. Must be my lucky day as one dropped down right in front of me. I didn't stay long as I forgot my gloves.

Lapland Longspur

Lapland Longspur

Lapland Longspur

Horned Lark

Horned Lark

(from the other day)

Walking on Water

Don't worry,  I'm not growing a halo, honestly. The water was frozen at the time!

As it was a balmy 41F (5C) this afternoon I took myself off to Middle Creek stopping at Dunkin Donuts on the way for my favorite Large Hot Cappuccino with 1 sugar. Arriving at Middle Creek I had a scan around for the Sandhill Cranes without any success. Everything was frozen solid, there was a large group of Tundra Swans, Canada Geese and assorted duck way out on the ice off Willow Point and several Ice Fishermen trying their luck near the dam. 

Here's a few scenic shots from my afternoon visit.

Boat Launch Car Park

Boat Launch

Alder Tree

Alder Tree

a load of swans, geese and ducks out there on the ice

Tundra Swans, Canada Geese and assorted Ducks

Walking on Water

(not very far out sweetheart, don't yell at me)

the Dam

Ice Fishermen