Fluffing Feathers Furiously
Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
I caught the moment this Brown-Headed Cowbird was fluffing up its feathers today in Allegan County, Michigan. It is often difficult to get close to birds for more detailed photos, but this one allowed me to move in for a tight shot. I still had to use my Canon 200mm F-2.8L with a 2x generic convertor, but was happy with the result.
Reached 6,000 Followers this Week! THANKS!
Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
This week was a big milestone for my blog. I passed the 6,000 mark for registered followers! Thanks everybody! 
Let me say I really appreciate your interest and the time you take to check out my outdoor and nature photos. I also wish I had more time to respond to everyone personally, but please accept this note of thanks when you don’t hear from me at other times. The photo I’m posting now could be the same barn swallow in my previous entry, but there were so many flying at impossible speeds, turning on a dime in midair, that I lost track of the individuals. I felt very fortunate to get this one displaying its tail feathers momentarily before it flew off at high speed a second later. I shot this at 1/1300 of a second and F-9, and had to shoot at a faster ISO of 1600 under the available lighting conditions of the time. I used a 200mm F-2.8 lens. Enjoy! (Click on the image to see an enlarged version)
Liquid Flight
Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
I captured this moment today of a Barn Swallow as it sped over the water of a pond in Holland, Michigan. It was one of several that appeared to be hunting for insects as they zigged and zagged over the water tirelessly. (Click on the image to see an enlarged version)
Green Among the Green
Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
I found this Green Heron today in a West Michigan wetland area among green foliage and reeds. I’ve found this particular type of bird to be shy around people. They seem more at ease under cover and moments later this one was hidden from sight.
Great Blue
Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
This Great Blue Heron decided it was time to take off after it did some fishing today in an Allegan County, Michigan wetland area. This has always been one of my favorite types of birds to photograph.
American Goldfinch
Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
I spotted this American Goldfinch perched on a flowering tree branch in Zeeland, Michigan yesterday. Now that warm Spring weather has arrived in West Michigan, I’ve been seeing a large variety of birds and flowers arriving. I’ll do my best to share these scenes here
Spread Your Wings
Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
I found this Sandhill Crane flying over an Allegan County, Michigan wetland area this afternoon. I was fortunate enough that it flew fairly close overhead as the sun was shining through its wings. The end result displayed the detail of the feather patterns nicely.
On the Wing
Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
I found this House Wren last weekend in Ottawa County, Michigan. I captured a moment with it in the air near the remains of an old tree stump, using a Canon 200mm F-2.8 L lens with my shutter set at 1/1300 of a second, F-11, ISO 800. House Wrens can be found in most of the Western Hemisphere.
Dandelion Masquerade
Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
This little Yellow Warbler decided to become one with the dandelions today in Ottawa County, Michigan. I found the little bird masquerading as one of the yellow flowers as the sun came out this morning bringing yet another beautiful and warm Spring day to the area.
Upland Sandpiper
Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
I found this Upland Sandpiper in a large Southwest Michigan grassy field yesterday. It wasn’t too surprising to find it there since the habitat for this type of Sandpiper consists of tall grass. Normally spending up to 8 months of the year in South America, they come north to breed during the summer in such areas before they return south.
