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.
Fish Dinner
Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
Perhaps not the most elegant or beautiful bird, but never the less interesting. I found this turkey vulture enjoying a fish dinner along the shore of Lake Kalamazoo in Allegan County, Michigan a few days ago. I notice turkey vultures often soaring high in the sky on windy Michigan days throughout the year.
Preening Display
Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
I was happy to find this Great Blue Heron preening its feathers in a nearby West Michigan wetland area. This type of bird is one of my favorites to photograph.
Moments of Reflection
Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
A Green Heron rested on a log in a wetland area of Zeeland, Michigan today while its image was reflected in the water. I used a Canon 200mm F-2.8 L lens with a generic brand 2X tele-converter and a tripod to capture the moment. The shutter speed was 1/1250 which helped to avoid camera shake with the aperature at F-4.5, ISO 400. If you would like a high resolution print or greeting card(s), please click on the photo link below:
Flying Blue
Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
I spotted this Great Blue Heron flying along a tree line yesterday in the Upper Macatawa Natural Area of Ottawa County, Michigan. The area hasn’t had any rain for over three weeks, along with temperature regularly reaching over 90 degrees and sometimes over 100. The result being many ponds and wetland areas are drying up making it more difficult for wetland wildlife to survive.
Big Blue
Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
With a wonderful palette of various shades of blue, Lake Michigan was a great subject to photograph from St. Joseph, Michigan yesterday. I spotted this boat out on the big lake which added an element of interest to the composition. I used a 200mm F-2.8 Canon L lens with a generic 2X convertor.
(Please click on any of my photos to see an enlarged, more detailed version)
Environmental Damage
Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
While exploring an area of wetlands in Zeeland, Michigan, I noticed this fledgling Robin struggling in a tree branch. As I looked more closely, I saw that it was tangled up in some fishing line and attached to a branch unable to fly. While making nests, Robins and other birds will often find fibrous material, which can include discarded fishing line. A friend of mine removed the fishing line carefully and released the fledgling. Its mother was nearby which will give it a better chance to recover. I have heard of such cases where someone’s trash has harmed wildlife, but this is my first direct experience.
Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
Here is a close up of the tangled leg of the Robin that was attached to the tree. It has a good chance of survival after being released. Luckily I spotted it.
