The Osprey are Coming March 13, 2022

Here's an osprey photo from March 2021 that I like to call Push Me Pull You. 

Today the local osprey nest had an eagle in the morning with some food.  An osprey didn't like it, probably complained, and the eagle left in a hurry.  The osprey was keeping an eye on the nest for a while, flying around overhead, but not landing on the nest.  

I'm never sure if the osprey visitors have picked out their nest, or are just trying out a few nests in the area, before the mate shows up.

Bald Eagles were Visiting

When a pair of bald eagles came to visit, they separated and one sat on the post while the other used the osprey nest.  To try to turn the photo into one subject, I waited till they were looking at each other, or at least showed some animation.

Oops, careful there.  Don’t fall off!

That’s better.

Recent Eagles September 2021

 The osprey have flown to South America or the south and the bald eagles  already came to visit.

An Icicle Day

From one of those storms on February 18th.  Notice how the eagle’s feathers are fluffed out to keep warm.  The icicles tell the story!

Camera Club Winning Photos for 2018

 Winning Photos from the monthly competitions at St. Mary's County Camera Club in 2018 (1st to 3rd prize).  These photos will be in the end of the year competition.  Do you like any of them?

Most of the photos were taken in the last 2 years except for Oops!(planes miss) and the flat car.

 Bubble Reflection-Theme Blue

Blue Curves-Theme Blue

 Flamingo Heart-Advanced

 Flamingo Takeoff-Advanced

 Eagle Takeoff-Advanced

 Concert Fire-Advanced

 Abbott Lake-Advanced

 Strike-Theme Weather

 Sunflower-Advanced

 Illusion-Theme Perspective

 Oops!-Theme Perspective

 

 Ballerinas-Advanced

 Cactus-Advanced

 Newfound Gap-Advanced

 Sit-Theme Letters

JHM-Theme Letters

 Wet Dog B-Theme Wet

 Wet Race-Theme Wet

Sewing-Theme Industrial

Flat Car-Theme Industrial

 Odd Turtle-Advanced

Pink Carriage-Advanced

Bald Eagles

I never get tired of seeing the bald eagles nearby.

#eagle, #bald eagle, #flying, #flight

Maymont Mansion and Gardens in Richmond

Check out my lovely Maymont mansion, wildlife, and garden photos from my May 7th Facebook post.  Gorgeous!  I couldn't imagine living in such splendor!  

Here's a few I left out.

https://m.facebook.com/CalmReflectionsPhotography

An Eagle Visit

 I haven't seen an eagle since someone put up a bird blind for hunting on both sides of our property in the water just before Thanksgiving.  A birder assured me they would probably come back, but I've been sceptical.  Here are 2 of my best shots of the bald eagle.  Two P.M. Is not ideal, but better than nothing!

I am rather disappointed, because I saw eagles every few days last winter, often a pair of eagles.  

A few weeks ago, I saw one great blue heron.  I miss photographing them.

The bird blinds have to be 150 yards from an occupied building.  They recently spent some time shooting at the cute little canvas back ducks I have on video on my Calm Reflections Photography Facebook page.  I think that's what they were anyway.  

There is very little I can do about the blinds, since hunting is very popular here, just hope for good luck.

My Winning photos from the End of Year St. Mary's County Camera Club

Last week we had our end of year competition.  The monthly winners are competed against each other.  I am still waiting for all the results because I prefer to congratulate everyone instead of just sharing my winners.  I will post all the winners names when I receive it.

For now, here are my winning photos.  

First Advanced Digital-Michigan Beach Sunset

Second Advanced Digital- Gerbera Daisy

Third Advanced Digital-Eagle Pair Flying

First Theme-Rosé Wine (Adult Beverage theme). All themes are competed together with advanced, intermediate, and novice all together). I can thank my sister for this one.  She gave me the black plexiglass for Christmas 2015.

Camera Club Winners

Here are my latest winning photos in the Advanced Digital St. Mary's County Camera Club Competition for February.  

     Bald Eagle Pair 2 1st place taken12/15

    Skyline Trail 3rd place taken 10/21/15

Photo Competition Winners for 2014

Congratulations to the 2014 competition winners of the St. Mary's County Camera Club for the end of the year.

* Novice Photographer of the Year - Deryk Lambert (90 points in 2014)

* Intermediate Photographer of the Year - Abhi Vootukuru (230 points in 2014)
* Advanced Photographer of the Year - Joanna Macaulay (145 points in 2014)

Previous 1st through 3rd entries competed for the year end awards:

Novice Digital
* Tonya Freed - "My Branch" - 1st Place
* Deryk Lambert - "Special Treat" - 2nd Place
* Kimberley Tomlinson - "Discovery" - 3rd Place
* Deryk Lambert - "Content" - HM

Intermediate Print
* Abhi Vootukuru - "Rise of the Machine" - 1st Place
* Abhi Vootukuru - "Headshot" - 2nd Place
* Paul Draheim - "Lily On the Pond" - 3rd Place

Intermediate Digital
* Paul Draheim - "Deep in Thought" - 1st Place
* Anh Nguyen - "Alabama Hill Nightscape" - 2nd Place
* Abhi Vootukuru - "The Banshee" - 3rd Place
* Abhi Vootukuru - "Trance" - HM
* Anh Nguyen - "Malachite" - HM
* Anh Nguyen - "Snowbound" - HM

Advanced Print
* George Taylor - "Peacock" - 1st Place

Advanced Digital
* Joanna Macaulay - "Two Bald Eagles Squawking" - 1st Place

* Rodger Strickler - "Teacup" - 2nd Place
* Beth Graeme - "Lights in the Vase" - 3rd Place
* Al Scheungrab - "Tags & Shoes" - HM
* Jack Goodman = "Spidermen" - HM
* Joanna Macaulay - "GreenHeart" - HM
* Joanna Macaulay - "Long Eared Owl C" - HM

Theme Print
* Paul Draheim - "Fall Corn" - 1st Place
* Anh Nguyen - "L.A. Night" - 2nd Place
* Abhi Vootukuru - "Angelo" - 3rd Place

Theme Digital
* Abhi Vootukuru - "A Stranger in the City" - 1st Place
* Joanna Macaulay - "First Flight" - 2nd Place

* Steve Thoman - "Peering Into the Past" - 3rd Place

* Abhi Vootukuru - "Sneak Peek" - HM
* Joanna Macaulay - "Purple Water Lily" - HM
* Katherine Norris - "Up in the Fun House" - HM
* Sandy Robbins - "Sailwinds" - HM