Category: egret

Part II, Cameras I Have Known: Olympus EM Series

I started with the EM10 beginning in late 2019, during my early days. Although this camera had raw capabilities, I didn’t bother with raw files back then. The jpgs it produced were. . .not bad, really. Besides, I dreaded postprocessing, which I knew nothing about. Besides, it was something (I thought) jpgs didn’t need, not when my Olympus did most of the work for … Read More Part II, Cameras I Have Known: Olympus EM Series

(In and) Out of Africa

Africa is beautiful! Kenya, to be specific. It was a truly unforgettable experience in many ways, not the least of which was the sprawling Maasai Mara and the incredible diversity of the wildlife it sustains. I left the Olympus cameras at home. We really wouldn’t be doing much walking, so lightweight gear was not a consideration. Instead, I used the full-frame Nikon d850 and … Read More (In and) Out of Africa

Wild Wings Day 4: The Star

The Star of the Day today could have been the pelicans, which were quite photoworthy. Or it could have been any of the number of small waders that ran along the shore and entertained us by pestering each other. But The Star of the Day was none of these. It was definitely the  wood stork. And not just *any* wood stork. It was THIS … Read More Wild Wings Day 4: The Star

Sony a7ii

I really love my Olympus gear, but I can’t ignore the full-frame fuss any longer.   So, I took the plunge and bought a (used) Sony — not the latest model and certainly not the most expensive — but one that Digital Camera World recommended as a very capable and affordable full-frame, as long as you don’t do video (https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/buying-guides/best-full-frame-mirrorless-camera). Although still a relative newbie … Read More Sony a7ii

Montezuma Waterfowl Refuge?

If current practices persist, this name change would certainly be warranted. For the past three years (2018-2021) each of the pools here have been groomed for a single purpose — to create a habitat for ducks — as well as geese and swans but primarily ducks.  And only geese and swans but primarily ducks. So, in early spring the pools are drained down to … Read More Montezuma Waterfowl Refuge?

Feeding the Waterfowl, An Update

Well, this blog has definitely been seen, because Ms. van Beusichem has now issued a brochure, Draining the Main Pool, Feeding the Waterfowl, which is available without charge at the MNWR Visitor’s Center. Nice try, but in my opinion it warrants no cigar.  She merely repeats the glib arguments that we have already heard, albeit with a bit more cheerfulness.   “The Montezuma National Wildlife … Read More Feeding the Waterfowl, An Update

A Good Day of Fishing

  (published July 30, 2020)

West Shore Trail

West Shore Trail is in the northern part of the Montezuma Wetland Complex.  It’s rather isolated; nobody seems to go there much except me.  That’s too bad because now that the simulated drought is over, the water levels at West Shore have risen even higher than those at the main pool in Seneca Falls, and the resident wildlife is even more varied here than … Read More West Shore Trail

Wildlife Drive Is Open, No Foolin’!

Probably the most visited part of the sprawling Montezuma Wetlands Complex is Wildlife Drive, a 3.5 mile loop that allows visitors to take a hike from the comfort of their own cars. And today, April 1st, the gates were opened to welcome birders (and photographers) to the 2020 observation season.  Even CoVID-19 could not prevent this long-awaited event — in fact, it’s one of … Read More Wildlife Drive Is Open, No Foolin’!

They’ve Got Bette Davis Eyes

Well, not exactly Bette Davis.  Or Greta Garbo, either.  But they do have eyes that are expressive, bright, and sparkly. (published December 15, 2019)

‘Bye-bye Birdies!

Traffic has resumed on the Atlantic flyway as fall migration begins. The songbirds have been gone for a few weeks now — the blackbirds, marsh wrens, and kingbirds have all left the watersides, leaving only tree sparrows behind.  The osprey nests are empty, and just the hardiest egrets and herons remain, stalking the waters of Montezuma for fish and frogs.  And there are a … Read More ‘Bye-bye Birdies!