The razorbill is the only species in the genus Alca. It’s relative, the great auk, went extinct in the mid 19th century. They are monogamous birds and spend the vast majority of their lives at sea, coming ashore only to breed. This mated pair appears to be doing just that. Photographed on Machias Seal Island off the coast of Maine. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/6.3 at 1/2000th of a second.
The camera trap has been quite silent for the past month. So here’s one captured back in September when it seemed like bears were showing up every few days or so. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 17mm) ISO 500, f/8 at 1/125th of a second, Cognisys camera box, trail monitor and remote flashes.
A northern green frog takes cover in the duckweed at Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge in Indiana. Northern green frogs are commonly sold as pets. I, of course, prefer them in their natural habitat. I took this shot before I owned a macro lens and instead used a close-up filter screwed to the end of my 70-200mm. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 200mm with Canon 500D close up filter) ISO 200, f/4 at 1/180th of a second.
Here’s another of the salamanders I found in the woods behind my house back in October. I had originally misidentified these guys as dusky salamanders, but they are actually red-backed salamanders, which can occur in several color phases, including a more grayish tone, mottled with just a bit of blue and red, known as “lead back.” Nikon D850 with Nikkor 105mm macro lens, ISO 800, f/14 at 1/125th of a second.
My deer friend came back for a visit during our snow storm a few weeks back. The camera was barely above the snow line for this one. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 17mm) ISO 500, f/14 at 1/200th of a second, Cognisys camera box, triggering system and flashes.
Short-eared owls fly low to the ground, scanning for any potential prey. I watched as this guy dove several times into the grass in pursuit of voles. Photographed at Boundary Bay, just over the US border in British Columbia, Canada. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 1250, f/5 at 1/1000th of a second.
The five acres that our home sits on have provided many photo ops this past year. Here’s to even more in 2021. Happy Holidays to all.
I took this shot the old fashioned way earlier in October. This is one of two cubs that were regulars in our yard (with their mother) for most of the summer and up until a few weeks ago. The cubs would quite often climb up and down trees as they passed through while Mom patiently waited for them to have their fun. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/200th of a second.
Although not quite as common as some of the other birds that visit my backyard, these Carolina wrens were quite active back in October when my camera trap captured this image. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 17mm) ISO 500, f/11 at 1/160th of a second.
White-tailed deer have taken over the back woods now that the bears have (for the most part) cleared out for the season. This young female has become a regular. I wanted to create a different perspective so I put my camera on the ground in one of her favorite spots. She walked past in the perfect position with her eye visible and in focus. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 17mm) ISO 500, f/14 at 1/160th of a second, Cognisys camera box, remote trigger and flashes.