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)
Diamonds in the Sky
Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
I was amazed by the sea of stars that appeared after I uploaded this image from my camera. I used a Sigma 10 mm Fisheye lens at F-2.8 ISO 800 for a 30 second exposure in Allegan County, Michigan last night. The conditions were perfect with a clear sky with no wind and no need for a jacket during the warm Spring evening. (Click on the image to see an enlarged version)
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
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.
Red Camouflage
Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
This Cardinal seemed to feel at home at it perched surrounded with red twigs today. I photographed the beauty in Zeeland, Michigan this afternoon.
Colorful Star(ling)
Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
This colorful European Starling was indeed the “star” bird of the day to my eyes, as it flashed its vibrant plumage during my outing last weekend. I found it at a local park in Zeeland, Michigan later in the afternoon as the clouds moved out revealing a blue sky. The sun was in just the right position to showcase the neon-like colors it presented. I had just a few seconds to compose the shot and capture the fleeting moment of beauty before it took to flight.
Peak a boo, Eye see you
Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
This little Screech Owl displayed its ability to hide in plain sight pretty well today as I photographed it peaking from inside a hollow tree trunk while it blended in with the bark patterns. This was one of many birds available to see for visitors to the Outdoor Discovery Center during the annual Winterfest which was held today.
Great Horned Owl
Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
I had the pleasure of photographing the resident Great Horned Owl at the Outdoor Discovery Center in Holland, Michigan today during their annual Winterfest celebration. Although there wasn’t any snow to be seen, there was plenty of fun to be had, especially for photographers.
Sunset Forest
Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
This stand of tall trees were lit up by a West Michigan sunset today. They seemed to glow an incredible scarlet for about a minute or so before fading. The photo is exactly as it looked to the unaided eye.
