A mature and immature American Flamingo standing next to each other
CategoriesWildlife by

American Flamingo – 2024 Summer Florida Trip

Line of flamingos standing in the water some immature exhibiting gray plumage.
In July I took a few days to head to Florida to do some photography with a friend. During the trip, we photographed a group of fascinating American Flamingos. Below is some interesting facts about Flamingos and their history in Florida, plus, some photos from my trip.
 
The American Flamingo (also called Caribbean Flamingo) once flourished in and around the Caribbean, Galapagos Islands, West Indies, Yucatan Peninsula and Southern Florida. They are still present in all these locations, but at the turn of the 20th century, numbers were in a free fall.
 
Much of the Florida’s 1800’s population of Flamingos were in Southern Florida and what is now Everglades National Park. In the 1900’s Florida’s Flamingo population hit an all time low between 1940-1950. In the mid 1950’s small pockets emerged as well as some captive groups in South Florida.
 
More recently hurricanes have scattered individuals as well as small groups around the Eastern US and as far away as Wisconsin. Hurricanes have played a roll in dispersing the American Flamingo back into Florida and other parts of the United States. In 2023 Hurricane Idalia pushed many groups of Flamingos from the Yucatan Peninsula and Caribbean Islands into Florida once again.
American Flamingo with wings spread running through the water
American Flamingo stretching one wing and one leg
American Flamingos are hatched white and become mostly gray for the first two years of life. In the 3rd year they start getting some pink plumage and are slowly becoming sexually mature. They usually look to breed by year 5 and their plumage has the beautiful pink coloring that we know. Individuals are 4-5 feet tall and weigh 5-6 pounds. The call of a Flamingo is a goose like honking.
 
Most people believe that American Flamingos eat only shrimp. Although shrimp is a staple in their diet they also eat other crustaceans, mollusks, worms, insects and larvae, small fish, grass seeds, algae and even decaying leaves. Such a diverse diet helps when these birds bounce from area to area especially after being pushed by storms from their original breeding grounds.
Immature American Flamingo exhibiting grayish colored feathers especially on head and neck

It was an amazing experience photographing these unique birds in Florida. On this same trip I additionally photographed swallow-tailed kites, sea turtles, and rhesus macaques. My next Florida trip will be February 4 – 8 for the 2025 Florida Owl and Bird Workshop. If you love owls, raptors, and photography, join us on this small group workshop!

References: Wikipedia contributors. “American flamingo.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 22 Jul. 2024. Web. 4 Aug. 2024

Whitetail buck jumping fence in Cades Cove in winter.
CategoriesLandscape, Wildlife by

Quick Tips: Winter Photography

Photography in the Spring and Summer offers amazing opportunities for subjects such as wildlife rearing their young, lush green landscapes, wildflowers, and full rivers and streams. But don’t put your camera away in the Winter. The frosty air and barren landscape may not seem like a photographer’s paradise, but you may be pleasantly surprised. So put on your coat and gloves, and let’s look at some Winter Photography Tips.

There are many benefits to getting outside in the winter to do some photography. In areas, such as the Smoky Mountains, that are heavily visited the rest of the year, the winter can provide some amazing solitude. Wildlife may not be located as easily, but what is available will be less pressured by visitors. The underlying structure of trees and other plants slumbering for the winter provide endless opportunities for artistic photography. Plus, when you have snow or ice the entire landscape is transformed into a wonderland. So here are a few tips to improve your photography in the winter.

Individual tree standing in field dusted with snow.
The Old Champion in Winter, Cades Cove

1. Be Prepared

First, be sure to be prepared for the unpredictable weather of winter. If you are not familiar with an area, research the weather carefully and prepare for any outdoor adventure with proper winter clothing and gear. Utilize a guide who is trained and skilled in outdoor winter photography and activities as needed. Second, consider how your gear will react in the cold. Batteries will drain quicker in the cold, so have extra batteries. You need to acclimate your gear to the cold before shooting. You can place it in the vehicle 30 minutes or an hour before shooting to minimize fogging. Keep the temperature in the vehicle low while driving to also reduce fogging of the camera lens when exiting the vehicle to shoot. Since you are already dressed warmly, you should be comfortable with the lower temperature in your vehicle.

2. Winter Lighting

Lighting in the winter can be challenging. Low light during winter storms, however, can provide unique monochromatic effects. This barn has a black and white feel that enhances the bright painting on the side. It resembles selective coloring that advertisers often use. The lighthouse image is also a style of selective coloring that has a dramatic effect because it has the feel of a winter monochromatic image until you see the pops of color from the flag and light. The image was taken in a heavy winter storm with very low light. So look for interesting contrasts, patterns, and textures plus pops of color even when the winter sky looks dreary. Plus, don’t forget winter sunsets. I captured a rare alpenglow in Cades Cove on a wintery evening. It only lasted a few moments, so being there and being prepared for the unexpected allowed me to capture the unforgettable moment.

Barn in snowy field with colorful quilt pattern on side.
Townsend barn with quilt pattern.
Lighthouse in snow storm with colorful American Flag.
Selective coloring.
Mountain peak in Cades Cove with rare pink alpenglow during golden hour.
Cades Cove alpenglow with "The Old Champion" in the foreground.

3. Winter Wildlife

Winter photography offers opportunities to get great wildlife shots. Birds with sparkling ice crystals, deer with frost on their backs, and coyote hunting in snowy fields are just a few possibilities. Early morning is the perfect time to get animals such as deer with frosty fur when they first get up from bedding down overnight. Animals and birds are hungry just like we are after a night’s sleep, so they will be actively feeding in the morning. Also, look for shots of birds and other animals with frosty breath. When it is actively snowing, use manual focus when photographing wildlife. Otherwise, the camera will focus on the snow flakes instead of your intended subject.

Perched song sparrow surround by twigs with hoar frost ice crystals.
Song sparrow surrounded by ice crystals.
Coyote hunting in field during snow storm in Cades Cove.
Coyote hunting in snow storm in Cades Cove.

4. Winter Landscapes

Even if the ground isn’t covered with snow, winter offers unique landscape opportunities. When conditions are right, a hoar frost will form on grass and trees. These white ice crystals create a jewel covered landscape. Look for shots where the hoar frost covered grasses contrast with the surrounding landscape. Do close-up photography of the ice crystals on different surfaces. And capture the crystal covered trees highlighted by the sun. Also, look for unique patterns and textures created by trees, snow blown onto structures, and ice. Dramatic textures and skies can create amazing black and white landscape images.

Frosty grass and trees in Cades Cove with blue mountain backdrop.
Frosty morning in Cades Cove with beautiful color contrasts.
Hoar frost coating trees in Cades Cove with ice crystals.
Hyatt Lane in Cades Cove with hoar frost.
Barn coated with snow with snowy trees in background.
The structure of the trees and leaning barn make a wonderful black and white image.

Experiment with these tips to capture great winter landscapes and wildlife. Learning nature and wildlife photography is like learning to play a musical instrument. It takes consistent practice and honing of your skills. So don’t wait for the Spring thaw to get out and enjoy some photography.

CategoriesLandscape, Wildlife by

Quick Tips: Photography Composition

Have you ever looked at an image that grabbed your attention and held your interest as you gazed at it? Did you wonder how the artist went about creating that visual experience? There is a good chance that some basic rules of composition were used in creating the image. In addition to knowing how to use your camera, learning a few basic composition techniques will greatly improve your images. We will cover 4 quick tips to improve composition in your photography:

  1. Rule of Thirds
  2. Leading Lines
  3. Color Bokeh
  4.  Natural Framing

1. Rule of Thirds

The “rule of thirds” refers to dividing an image into thirds horizontally and vertically. Placing subjects or strong lines of an image at the intersection points of the lines or along the lines themselves creates a balanced, visually pleasing composition.

Compare the two images below. In the first image, you will notice that the subject is placed according to the rule of thirds. Also, the lines of the rocks and mountains are roughly dividing the image into thirds. In the second image, the subject is more centered. The first image is more visually pleasing and has a more dramatic feel.

Image 1: Rule of Thirds
Image 2: Rule of Thirds not utilized

2. Leading Lines

Leading lines are lines in an image that lead the viewer’s eyes from one part of the image to another. Frequently the line or lines will lead towards the main subject or focal point of the image. Leading lines in landscape photography add depth and perspective to an image making a scene more three dimensional.

In this black and white image, notice how the leading lines of the fence and the road lead you into the field towards the mountains. The leading lines draw your eyes into the image creating a sense of depth and perspective. Also, note how the rule of thirds is utilized in the scene.

“The Road”. Example of leading lines and rule of thirds.

3. Color Bokeh

Bokeh refers to the out-of-focus areas of an image. Bokeh can be used to create a pleasing background effect for subjects. It can result in an image where the subject appears to pop off the page. The basic technique for creating bokeh is to be as close to the subject as possible with the background at a significant distance and shoot with a shallow depth of field (large aperture). It is also important to pay attention to the colors, highlights, and shadows of the background to ensure optimal placement of the subject. 

Notice in this image of a ruby-throated hummingbird how the background is blurred creating a soft, complementing background to the bird. The bird and flower appear almost 3-D. 

Ruby-throated hummingbird with soft color bokeh.

4. Natural Framing

Natural framing is when an element within the image such as tree branches or an architectural element frame the subject of the image. This draws the viewer’s eyes into the photo and serves to highlight the subject. Natural framing creates a strong composition emphasizing the subject.

Cantilever Barn with a walnut tree used for natural framing.

In this barn image, notice how the walnut tree in the foreground is used to frame the subject. The eyes are drawn into the center focal point of the picture.

Lastly, keep in mind when composing your photographs in the field to leave room in your image for later cropping during post processing. When reviewing your images, you often will see a way to compose an image that you did not see when shooting it. So having room in the image to crop it will be important. With a little practice these compositional techniques will become second nature when you are viewing a scene and will improve your photography. 

CategoriesWildlife by

What Do American Black Bears Eat?

The American Black Bear is the iconic inhabitant of the Great Smoky Mountains. No visit is complete without picking-up a bear souvenir and trying to site one while driving a scenic byway. But have you ever wondered what the bears are doing while you are looking for them? Most likely, if they are not sleeping, they are busy foraging for food. This is particularly true for female bears who are nursing their cubs.

Five bear cubs playing

 

So, what are they eating out there in the woods and fields of the Smokies? Black bears are omnivorous, meaning that they are opportunistic feeders who will eat a variety of things, including vegetation and meat. In the Spring when food is scarce, bears may eat grasses, inner tree bark, insects, and insect larvae.  They will tear apart rotting logs and overturn rocks looking for invertebrates. Bears will also feed on carrion that they come across. They will follow the food sources that become available throughout the year such as blackberries, cherries, acorns, and walnuts. 

Black Bears are the smallest North American bear, but they have the keenest noses in the park. Bears rely on their sense of smell for finding food.  It is thought that they can smell a food source over two miles away! Because of this it is always important to follow proper food storage protocols when hiking and camping to help minimize human and bear interactions.

Bear cub in cherry tree

 

While you enjoy your visit to the Great Smoky Mountains, don’t forget to respect the wildlife and the wilderness around you. Bears and the other inhabitants of the area are wild animals and approaching them is dangerous for both humans and the animals. Photographs and videos in this article were taken with appropriate telephoto/zoom lenses while maintaining a safe distance from the subject.

Video of black bear digging up a yellow jacket nest to eat the larvae.

References:

https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/american-black-bear.htm 

http://www.bearconservation.org.uk/eastern-black-bear/

https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Mammals/black-bear

https://www.chesapeakebay.net/discover/field-guide/entry/american-black-bear

CategoriesWildlife by

Albino and Leucistic Wildlife

If you are lucky, you may one day see an animal or bird lacking pigment in fur or feathers. A loss of pigmentation caused by a genetic mutation that interferes with the production of melanin is called albinism. Melanin produced in an animal’s body is the main pigment that determines skin, fur, and eye color. A true albino animal will typically have pink eyes. Albino animals are rare in the wild. They do not survive very long due to their conspicuous color and poor eyesight. Other forms of partial pigmentation loss such as leucism occurs more frequently.

Leucism does not completely eliminate pigment and can result in a variety of patterns. Leucistic animals will have some pigment in their fur, eyes, feathers, etc.  A leucistic deer can vary greatly. In some instances, they may have some white splotches. In other cases, they may be half brown and half white or nearly all white. Piebald is a term used for mixed brown and white animals. Leucism in deer is a recessive genetic trait found in about 1% of the population. 

Leucistic Squirrel

White leucistic squirrels are a tourist attraction in several U.S. cities. As with other animals, fur color in squirrels varies widely, and true albinos are rare. Even though most white squirrels are leucistic, the town of Olney, Illinois has a colony of albino squirrels. Approximately 12% of Olney’s squirrels are true albinos.

Leucistic and albino turkeys are also observed in the wild.  There are several different color phases of turkey, such as the smoke-phase, which is much more common than leucistic or albino. The smoke-phase has a significant lack of brown pigments, and appears more gray or smoky looking. The majority (approximately 95%) of smoke-phase turkeys are hens. 

Smoke-Phase Turkey Hen

Regardless of the cause of a rare color variation in nature, it is always an exhilarating experience when one has the opportunity to photograph it. 

References:

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/albino-animals

https://www.birdsandblooms.com/birding/birding-basics/albinism-in-birds/

https://blog.nature.org/science/2016/02/03/white-deer-understanding-a-common-animal-of-uncommon-color/

https://www.wideopenspaces.com/white-wild-turkey/

https://blog.nature.org/science/2021/10/11/whats-up-with-white-squirrels-and-black-squirrels/

CategoriesWildlife by

Piping Plover

The Piping Plover population of the USA has been in trouble for a long time now. Thankfully conservation actions were started to protect the beaches along the Atlantic coast where they breed. There has been a slight boost in the population (numbers now range in the 5-10 thousand) in recent years as a result of these actions of conservation. Their breeding range is from south Newfoundland to northern South Carolina along the Atlantic coastline. There is also a small population in the midwest, south and west of the great lakes. 

The Piping Plover gets its name from the bell like whistles used in its call and is often heard before it is seen. The adult is about 7 inches long and has a bright yellow beak as well as yellow legs. Despite that bright coloration, they blend in remarkably well to their beach habitat. They can stand still for long periods of time and then suddenly run for a burst 20-30 feet before stopping motionless again. They feed on small insects and vertebrae found on the beaches. Piping Plover are often found breeding on the same beaches as breeding Least Terns. I will be posting the terns in future posts.

They winter in the Caribbean and US Gulf shoreline from September-March and breed April-August along the Atlantic shoreline. They can have several broods, and the 1st one in May usually produces 3-4 chicks with subsequent broods producing less. The chicks have to forage for their own food, and they do so as early as 1 hour after birth. This chick included in the post is only days old and about 2″ long. I included the seaweed in the image to show the details of its small size at such a tender young age. The images were taken on the last day of June. I witnessed a few 3 chick families but mostly 2 chick families at this location.

CategoriesWildlife by

Black Bears

Smoky Mountain Black Bears males average around 250 pounds while females are just over 100 pounds. This is an extreme difference and can sometimes be used to tell the sex of a mature bear. Some other physical appearance differences are the shape and size of the head and its parts. Adult females tend to show a more elongated face (more dog like) and longer taller ears. An adult male’s head and face has more round like features, and their ears have a more squatty appearance. Both males and females can run up to 25-30mph if they have to. They are extremely strong and able to lift 300 lbs. with a single lift of a front forearm. What is more amazing is the dexterity they have along with that strength. They are able to use their paws and claws to do the smallest and most difficult precise movements when foraging and feeding. They hear and see better than humans, but their most amazing sense is smell. They can smell 7x better than a domestic dog. Females can breed as early as 3 years old, and American Black Bears live on average to be 18 years old in the wild.

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Red Foxes

Today’s post is on the Red Fox. Hopefully between description and photos when you are done reading my blog you will have a better understanding of the differences between the Red Fox and Gray Fox which I blogged on yesterday. The two foxes are distant cousins to each other as we discussed already. Both are common to the US with the Gray Fox being the dominant fox West of the Mississippi and the Red Fox the dominant fox East of the Mississippi.

The Red Fox is only slightly larger than the Gray Fox. Its overall color is an orange brown and the tip of its tail is white. Different to other foxes it has black legs called stockings.

It is also different than the Gray Fox because of where it lives. The Red Fox has only a small presence in the actual territory of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Fearful of another canine, the Coyote, it chooses to rather live in outlying areas buffering the heavily wooded national park. It can be found in towns and even cities which have greenbelt areas and county parks. It also enjoys living around golf courses and country clubs. Those locations are surrounded by wooded areas in which they hunt and the grassy fairways are like their highways to get from one hunting ground to another.

Because they do live in close proximity to humans, Red Foxes may be seen when they are moving from one area to another. They are seen even more in late winter and early Spring when males are searching for females. Females and kits are seen frequently in late spring. One of the reasons for this is that female Red Fox have to hunt and provide for their kits. They also have a tendency to move their kits from one den site to another. Sometimes the first spot is very small or very close to human activity. As the kits grow more space and privacy may be required, so she moves them during the night time hours. If this occurs she will move one kit at a time until the whole family is secure in the new location. Red Fox usually have 1-7 kits sometimes called cubs. It is common for a female to have a litter of 4 or 5.