Today’s photo is a House finch. check out the head of another finch further inside the bush:

365 photo #28

And, today we have two bonus photos – both taken on other days. There was a request for my squirrel photo from yesterday, so here it is, in addition to another taken a few days ago. I call them “squirrelybirds” because I suspect they wish they were birds so they would be more welcome on the feeders! They are cute, but would eat me out of seed if I let them! As always, click any photo to see it larger on my flickr site.

1. Squirrel photo taken yesterday on the patio as he surveys the seed that has fallen from the feeders.
2. Squirrel – peeking from behind the tree, as he comes down the tree.

I’m behind a day on my 365 photo posting, so here goes.

Yesterday it was amazingly warm for January, and it brought the alligators back into view.

365 photo #26

I’m not sure what they do in the colder weather of January and February, but when we get unseasonably warm weather, they appear for those days. This gator was seen lying on the sunny bank off to the side – and then swimming in the water, which is when I photographed him. It’s not a stellar photograph, as it was taken quite a distance with my full zoom (400 mm) in use. I hope to get a better one as the weather gets warmer. It is then that they sometimes take to lying on the bank right in front of our house, which tends to be a bit more shady. In cooler weather they prefer more sunny southwestern exposure banks of our lagoon. Of course when they’re this “up close”, it requires that I take good care to be at a safe distance, but I am also able to get a more close up photo with my 100-400 lens.

I have learned a few things about gators. They can run amazingly fast for short distances, especially when after prey, but only in a straight line, so one’s best bet is to be along side of them, but never in front. Run “zig zag” if you sense you’re in danger. However, basically alligators do not bother humans, unless harassed or they’re very hungry. In fact, I think they are scared of us, as I’ve seen them see me, and turn the other way when in the water. I’ve seen them scoot off the bank when they sensed I was around – and from quite a distance, I might add. It’s still best to take all precautions and to treat them with respect that a dangerous creature deserves!

Today I have a variety of photos to choose from: a crow, a squirrel, and a pretty photo of a palmetto bush with the sunlight streaming through it, kind of like a stained glass window. I love palmetto’s for that reason, and am drawn to taking pictures of them. So, today’s photo will be the Palmetto leaves:

365 photo #27

However, today I can’t resist posting a “bonus photo”. Crows are annoying. They are bullies to other birds and are loud. They eat the worst trash, and love dumpsters. They torment the ospreys, especially when they are nesting, as osprey eggs make a tasty snack for the crow.  I don’t often take photos of them, maybe because they are “always there”. Sadly – I think we contributed to the resident population of the crows when, back in 2006, we built an addition onto our house. The dumpster drew them close. Then, following ours, other houses have done renovations – so the dumpsters continue to keep them nearby.  Yet — they really can be pretty – as this photo shows:

Bonus photo: crow in our neighbor’s back yard

365 Photo #24

Today’s photo shows me that spring is truly on it’s way. Daffodils are a small reminder that winter will not last forever, contrary to how cold the weather may be at the time the first shoots appear. They are hardy flowers but their blooms are sweet! This year I missed photographing the little shoots when they first broke through the ground, but they haven’t been up for long. They are earlier this year than last, but last year was much colder.

365 Photo #25

This sign lives on the inside of our front door. We do not allow our cats to go outside – especially here in Hilton Head – because alligators live in the lagoon out back, and I don’t want my cats to be a tasty snack for them. I also don’t want my kitties going after my songbirds. I love them both, so they must stay separated. I worry about them getting outside by a visitor or contractor who comes to work in the house. Many people don’t feel the same about cats as we do, thinking they are meant to be outside pets, and will let them out, thinking they are doing nothing wrong. So … when we were at a craft fair a few years ago, we found these signs for sale at one of the booths. It seemed like a cute way of letting our visitors know to be careful with an open door in case there was a cat nearby ready to scoot outside! Not sure it always works, because contractors, in particular, are single minded to their task. Sometimes they simply leave the door open, and are blind to seeing hanging signs or cats who might get out. We still have to be watchful of our own kitties.

365 photo #23

Yesterday a photo friend and I went to the Savannah Wildlife Refuge. I had never been, and was not sure what it would be like. We arrived and found that it was about a four mile drive, with scattered places to park along the way so you can get out with your cameras and binoculars. I don’t know if there were paths for walking other than the road, but didn’t see any. Basically it’s a huge area of “lowcountry”: swampy land, trees, bushes, and basically pristine areas for birds and animals to live. I find it interesting that as you look over the flat marsh, you can see Savannah industry in the distance. I worry a little about the water quality, and I guess there are / have been issues.

As we were driving around, we bumped into a grouping of cars which turned out to be an Audubon group from Hilton Head. They all had their fancy binoculars and bird identification books, talked “BirdSpeak”, and had spotted lots of birds which I would have never seen without their help. Next time I go, I will have binoculars of my own! One of those things this group has spotted was a bald Eagle, which is my photo of the day for yesterday. He was high in the tree, and even with my 100-400 lens, it is not a close up. Plus – he was sort of hiding behind parts of the tree. But – I’m always thrilled to get a picture of one of these majestic birds:

365 photo #20

We soon broke away from the Audubon group to do our own thing. Besides the Bald Eagle, we also saw: (to become my bonus photos for yesterday. Click them to see them larger in my flickr account)

1. Great Blue Heron … becomes part of this branch!
2. Red Tailed Hawk (I think)

1. Ibis
2. Loggerhead Shrike – whose beauty gives little clues to his predatory behavior. As taken from Wikipedia: “The bird waits on a perch with open lines of sight and swoops down to capture prey. Its food is large insects and lizards . Known in many parts as the “Butcher Bird,” it impales its prey on thorns or barbed wire before eating it, because it does not have the talons of the larger birds of prey.”

1. duck – I do not know the kind
2. Coot (There were SO MANY of them!!)

Today Ray and I decided to go over to Beaufort – about a 45 minute drive from Hilton Head. It’s an historic southern town known for it’s antebellum architecture. The town is full of boutiques, although with the economy as it is, there are more empty stores than we remember in previous years. It’s also a military town with Parris Island and the Marine Corps air station not far away. Ray and I enjoy going over there — usually for lunch, and to walk around town, as well as the park behind the shops which abut the marina and river. I didn’t take too many photos this time, but the view of Main Street as we exited the parking lot in town is my photo of the day:

365 photo #21

Bonus photo:

On the way the kitties meowed – separately, and together in chorus. We put them into the car with their carriers facing each other so that they could give each other comfort – but I’m not sure that happened. Meow meow. Meow meow. Interesting to note when the two kitties meowed at the same time how much lower Misty’s meow is from Felix’ meow. It was good that we only had about 25 minutes on the highway with them.

The vet visit was short and sweet – just two shots for each – a quick check of weight and teeth and off we went – back to where we’d started. Felix is not overweight as I’d feared, but is simply a big boned kitty of 14 lbs.! Misty is wiry and petite coming in at a slim 8 lbs. Both both are fine for their body builds.

I thought the kitties would be exhausted for the rest of the day. Instead, they spent much of the afternoon squirreling and birding from the sliding glass doors, which brings me to yesterday’s photo of the day: Felix takes a break from birding to pose for the camera:

365 photo #18

And — here are two bonus photos:

1. Misty poses for me
2. Finally the cats curled up together – paws around each other, and licking each other’s neck. Sweet!

Today was crystal clear after a few days of clouds or mixed clouds and sun. It was a perfect day to go to the Whooping Crane Conservancy down the street. This is an area of woodsy marshland that has been designated to remain pristine in it’s original state. A boardwalk has been built so that one can walk through and be in the midst of it all. On the brochure that describes this conservancy, it says that it’s named for this endangered bird (that I love so much!) that may have lived here at the turn of the century. However, I’ve also read (and I can’t find where…) that people, who thought they were seeing whooping cranes, named it after that bird. However, in reality, they were seeing wood storks.

I made the decision to only use my 100-400 mm lens, which limits the type of photos I can take. My reasoning was that I wanted to be prepared for any wildlife shots, and walked through very silently so critters would not scatter. Not much was there, however. I saw a turtle, which disappeared in the water before I could get the camera ready – and a male Downy woodpecker, which is today’s Photo of the day:

365 photo #19

To give you more of an idea about this conservancy, here are the rest of the pictures I took in slide show form.  WordPress won’t  let me embed this – so here’s the link:

WHOOPING CRANE POND CONSERVANCY SLIDESHOW

Yesterday I took photos of various birds from inside the house that were hanging out in the camellia bush that’s right by our patio. Sometimes remaining inside is the best way to get close ups of birds there. The only trouble with these photos is that they go through the glass, and are sometimes victim of any dirt spots and / or reflections on the glass. Sometimes adding to the contrast and saturation helps these photos, but they are never the same as they might be if I took them from outside. When blooming, the camellia bush is a wonderful background for bird pictures. The red flowers give it great color! I cannot believe how blessed I am to be able to sit inside our house and watch these birds at such close up range. Today’s photo is of a tufted titmouse:

365 photo #16

Finally today there was a bit of wildlife on the lagoon, although it wasn’t much: just one Great Blue Heron over to the left side of the lagoon. I took a few photos from further away just to make sure I got *something”. Luckily he was very intent on his fishing, and didn’t move as I quietly crept up nearer to him to get some more close up photos. Great Blue Herons, in my opinion are not as skittish as some birds and it’s easier to get photos of them. They are so regal as they stand so still along side of the lagoon.

365 photo #17

365 photo 14

Today has been busy. I sang in the choir in both services at church in recognition of Martin Luther King’s Birthday. Ray and I then went out for our weekly Sunday brunch at the Plantation Cafe. Then I finally … FINALLY … I got Christmas down. It’s always sad for me to do that, and I procrastinate way too long getting to the task. But — it has to be done as it gets a little embarrassing to STILL have the decorations up should someone stop by (who wouldn’t understand that I secretly would like to leave them up – and enjoy the lights – for a portion of the winter!). Anyway … knowing I might not be done until it got dark, I went out take a picture of the view we have of our lagoon before I began this “de-Christmasing” chore. This will give you a clue as to why I love living here. The view we have from our back yard onto the lagoon is spectacular, whether there is wildlife around or not. We have four sliding glass doors that face the water – and sometimes I spend way too long drinking my morning coffee because I just want to take in the view.

365 photo 15

And — here’s a bonus photo. This is the view to the right of the picture above.

I’m always intrigued by the reflections I can see through the windows as I stand outside looking in. In this photo you can see both the objects inside, as well as the reflections of the lagoon, the patio furniture, as well as other back yard things where these windows face. Of course I made sure that front and center there was a kitty (Misty) inside looking out. Do I like the result? Uh – probably not enough to submit it! The photo seems a bit cluttered to me, like there is too much going on. I need to experiment a little more with it – or go another route. However, I’m making it today’s photo because this is what I was doing with photography today.

365 photo #13

On my desk is this clear lucite butterfly box, purchased from Cracker Barrel. It’s small — but the perfect size to put things like earrings, small pendants, or even some photo SD cards when in a pinch. What I like about this little box is that the top is held on more securely with a magnet. I find it interesting how often I come home with stuff from Cracker Barrel. I guess I’d call their merchandise a “cutsie slice of Americana”. I wouldn’t want my entire wardrobe to be entirely from Cracker Barrel, nor would I want my entire house decorated from there, either. I also don’t want my entire diet consist of their food. Yet — occasionally I find something that I really love:

365 #11

The weather was better today and I went out to see if there was some wildlife. Not much there, but I did find one stray Great Egret fishing on the side of the lagoon rather far away from me. There was an osprey fishing not long before, but I missed the photo. It might help if I put the SD card BACK in my camera… :-/

365 #12

Yesterday’s photo is one of my “squirrelybirds”, as I sometimes call them. They hang out under my bird feeders to catch stray seeds which make their way to the ground. I have managed to find some good quality squirrel proof bird feeders from Wild Birds Unlimited, so they don’t eat me out of house and home as they were doing prior to that purchase. These feeders work on an interesting concept. They design the feeder to accommodate the weight of the birds who will frequent the feeder. However, squirrels are – ironically – too heavy. Should they jump onto the feeder to eat from it, the metal “cage”, which allows for an opening at each feeder hole falls “down” – closing up those holes to the hungry squirrel. Once the squirrel leaves, the cage returns – via a “spring” – back to it’s normal position where the feeder openings are open for the birds.

I enjoy watching the squirrels, but there is no way I am going to feed them – at least out of the feeders! I know those who feed them – but they are quite the little piggies! Yet – I am glad that there are enough scraps from the birds to keep them coming around so I can enjoy them, and they clearly are not hurting for food!

365 photo #9

Today it has gotten cloudy as it’s preparing to rain – probably tonight and some of tomorrow. I went outside to see if there was any wildlife on the lagoon, and it’s so quiet. Where are my aquatic birds hanging out?? So – I went around to the front yard to take a photo of my favorite bush — a sego palm — planted in front of the house! There will be more photos taken of that bush during this calendar year for the 365 project, because macros of those branches appeal to me. This particular photo shows the palm “branch” intermixed with other bushes growing near it.

365 photo #10

To explain.

Up until about 2008 ultralight aircraft, which is used for these migrations, was unregulated by the FAA. However with the popularity of piloting them, the FAA has seen fit to regulate them as “sport / recreational” aircraft, and does not permit pilots to use them for profit or salary. The reason is logical – safety. They don’t want people opening up little businesses, for example, and taking people out on ultralight “joy rides” – which is clearly an unsafe use of these planes. Operation Migration pays it’s staff — including pilots, but doesn’t really fit into this category. So — from my view point, we’re talking about “spirit of the law” / “letter of the law” issues. Add to that, their safety record has been stellar during the over 10 years of doing migrations. Because pilots do so much else towards the care of the cranes, other than piloting, the FAA agreed with Operation Migration’s explanation that the pilots are donating their time, and their salary is based purely on the other tasks they do. And — with so many weather restrictions (flying conditions must be perfect on any flight training or migration day), actual flying time is a lot less than you’d think.

The chain of events are still sketchy for me, but around October a complaint was filed by a disgruntled former pilot of Operation Migration with the local Milwaukee office of the FAA, but they told Operation Migration it was ok to begin migration. However, in mid December a second complaint was filed, again by this same disgruntled employee, this time with the regional office. With that, all three pilots were sent a letter of investigation, and after some discussion, Operation Migration voluntarily shut themselves down so as not to be in non-compliance with the ruling. This came about during the Christmas break and they had hopes that it could be rectified before that was over, but it was not to be.

The motivations of this disgruntled employee are not worth getting into. Personally I do not want any more undue attention paid to him, and, instead, focus on the work of Operation Migration and especially the whooping cranes.

So — this left the 9 migrating whooping cranes stranded only a little more than 1/2 way through their migration in a pen in Alabama. They are being well taken care of, but the birds are the real victims of this mess! Time is of the essence for this migration. Operation Migration was working on some contingency plans for the birds in case this could not be resolved quickly which, thankfully do not have to be used.

I have been astounded at the outpouring of support for this organization – and for the cranes. And, it was not just lip service. It’s amazing what can get done when two or more are gathered together for a good cause! Facebook and communication via the internet took on a life of it’s own!

Throughout this week, things looked cautiously optimistic, yet I still worried because of some things that were said about how SLOWLY the wheels of governmental agencies work. There was talk that a ruling would not happen for 120 days or more? This would not be in time to save this year’s migration. Could a temporary waiver be issued just to get us through this migration?

So – - only a few hours ago – when I least expected it – the temporary waiver was granted and was finally posted on the FAA Facebook page. It lasts until March, giving ample time to finish this year’s migration.

“The FAA has granted an exemption to Operation Migration that will allow pilots to continue to aid the whooping crane migration. Normally, the FAA limits light sport aircraft and pilots to personal flights without compensation. Because the operation is in “mid-migration,” the FAA is granting a one-time exemption so the migration can be completed. The FAA will work with Operation Migration to develop a more comprehensive, long-term solution.”

I have faith that the FAA and Operation Migration can work out the details for a more permanent solution for future migrations.

For more information about Operation Migration, see their website:  www.operationmigration.org

And … to end, I think it fitting to include my favorite video of the whooping cranes. Listen to the words … they are compelling:

How they became so few in numbers is a direct result of habitat encroachment, as well as over zealous hunting. Humans caused this decline – so now – in my opinion – it is our responsibility to rectify this mistake. Organizations like Operation Migration are doing just that, and I’m proud to be supporting such a dedicated group of people. These people are working to save a species from what would most probably be extinction if left on it’s own. It’s my opinion that we “lose” when even one species is gone, and especially when it has been our doing that caused the demise in the first place.

Operation Migration is teaching them to migrate via ultralight aircraft, which originated in the movie, Fly Away Home, which is based upon a true story.

This video shows the evolution from the movie “Fly Away Home” to Operation Migration. They started with Canada geese, then sandhill cranes, then whooping cranes.

Whooping Cranes will not migrate unless first taught the route from their parents, so the ultralights have become – in essence — parental imprinting, and referred to, sometimes, as “yellow mama”! Once “the way” has been imprinted on them, they will return on their own, and be able to live in the wild as whooping cranes were meant to do. This “miracle” of imprinting is amazing and it has to be awe inspiring for members of Operation Migration, who have become a part of this phenomenon. Operation Migration is trying to reintroduce an eastern migratory route (Wisconsin to Florida) – one that ended many years ago. Should there be a catastrophe (such as disease or drought) in the more westerly migration (Canada to Texas), which is still in place, there will be a back up easterly migration flock of cranes.

Operation Migration does lots more than simply flying them south. Whooping cranes see no human face so their imprinting will not include humans. All who work with them – including interns, medical personnel, and pilots alike – are dressed in “costume” which are all white, shapeless “gown” – with a “helmet” like thing to cover the face, and a beak which is in one arm so that the crane chicklet will interact with that – thinking it’s mama crane. The handlers also wear black pants and boots to look like “crane legs” and to help them as they often must be wandering around in the muck along with the cranes! During the summer, prior to migration, all staff and interns takes part in the care and feeding of the growing chicklets as they take the role of their surrogate parents.

“Flight training” begins when the chick is still inside the egg, as they play recordings of the ultralight motor and their “brood call” for the unborn chicks. This allows the sound to be familiar and something they are drawn to hearing – and following! Then, as they grow over the summer, prior to migration, they are let out of the pen to follow the aircraft, first on foot, and then in the air as their wings strengthen. then in early October, they are ready to begin migration – following these ultralight aircraft south to their winter home.

This video shows – in short – a bit about Operation Migration, maybe better than all my words combined!

In my next entry I’ll be talking about a crisis which Operation Migration has just now averted!

I don’t know the actual name of the beach, but it’s on Port Royal Sound. It’s not the typical ocean beach with traditional ocean waves, and pristine sand. This beach is often littered with beach grass, a little pluff mud, oyster beds, driftwood and many assorted shells. This, for me, makes it more interesting than the average ocean beach. I have a photography friend who has the knack for finding bones, teeth and other artifacts on this beach. However, I don’t have an eye for those things, so when I’m alone, they’re lost on me. She and I have dubbed this beach “Boneyard Beach” because of her interesting finds!

Like the ocean, The tides affect this beach too, and there is always a line of grass showing the last high tide mark. There are also gentle waves, bringing the shells gently in and out. Often I see aquatic wildlife there — egrets, herons — hanging out in the tall grass grazing for food in the tide pools. But – there was nothing today except for a few sea gulls. So – I took pictures of the scenery

Today’s photo is of one shell that’s hung from a piece of driftwood. I’ve noticed on several beaches in the area that it’s become custom for beach walkers to sometimes hang shells from dead branches making the driftwood look like a very “beachy” Christmas tree! Sometimes red ribbon or other beach things like colorful seaweed is placed there which really adds a festive touch. Today I saw only this lone shell and thought it needed to have a photo taken of it….

365 photo # 8

However, I got one shot of a tufted titmouse high up in a tree. I was using my 100-400 mm lens, but the bird still is rather small. I didn’t crop it, but that might have been a good idea.

365 photo #6

Today’s photo was even more difficult to get. I never would have thought so, but ducks can be quite skittish, too. From inside the house where I’m well hidden, I can see them swimming close to the shore near the house.  I grab my camera, sneak as silently as I’m able out the door, and creep down to the lagoon’s edge. Meantime the scared little duckie has scooted under water. When I finally see him, he’s far out, and barely a spot on my camera lens. But — I took a few just to prove I tried…. Not sure what kind of duck this is….

365 photo #7

Wandering around the back yard with my camera can be quite the social experience. A few days ago Claire and I met up with some wildlife lovers who did not live nearby, but had come to check out our lagoon. They stopped to ask us about common bird and wildlife sightings by our lagoon. Today I had a nice chat with our neighbor while she was out watering plants, and it was nice to get to know her better. My friend, Claire and her husband, Terry have left for home. It’s kind of quiet here now…

This is little Misty (sometimes referred to as “Misty Moonlight”!) – all curled up on “The Black Bed”. She had a very watchful eye on me and my camera lens, as she is definitely not a fan of having the “black box” shoved in her face, just so that I can have a photo op. I have to be quick snapping the photo as it doesn’t take her long to turn her head, get up, yawn, get up and lie down with her back to me, or some other avoidance tactic.

365 photo #3

Today I did get outside for some picture taking so I’ll include today’s photo of the day. Across the lagoon from us is a golf course hole. In the very top of the tree right next to the hole is a huge osprey nest. We watch it each season we’re here as they build it, repair it, then they raise their babies in it. There are no eggs or baby ospreys now, I don’t believe. It’s still a bit too early. However for several HOURS, this osprey stood at attention in his / her nest. Not sure what he was doing, but I think he was “visually” fishing. I’ve heard that ospreys have amazing eyesight and can actually see fish under water from great distances. Sometimes I watch the golfers on that hole, and I have never seen ONE person notice the spectacular birds that live just above them while they are playing. Interesting to see how man and wildlife can peacefully co-exist.

365 photo #4

Yesterday I didn’t get outside to take photos and found myself at night with no photo taken for my photo of the day. Trust me — this will happen more often than I would like it to, as I’m quite the procrastinator – even when it comes to doing things I enjoy. However, when caught with little time, sometimes I find myself more creative than I might otherwise be. We have guests visiting us this week, and my friend Claire pointed out to me that my glass cat “nicknack” on the end table by the sofa was refracting the light from the Christmas tree. When we looked into the glass, you could see the Christmas tree upside down! I don’t know the scientific reason it appears that way, but I thought it to be an interesting photo. A few years ago Claire had taken a similar picture of their Christmas tree reflected upside down in the top of a glass jar. I thought I’d give that same type photo a try.

It was not an easy photo to take because the room was dark, with the only light in the room being from the Christmas tree. I messed with settings and took a number of experimental photos. Once I chose the best photo, I increased the levels and saturation and lowered the contrast and shadows in my photo editing program. And — by the way — the large lights above the glass cat head are blurred Christmas lights from the tree.

And — one more bonus photo, where I also experimented with settings, as well as some editing afterward:

This photo is of a neighbor’s house – across the lagoon from us. Besides the reflection of the houses on the water, our lagoon gives us the opportunity to see egrets, ibis, great blue herons, anhingas, cormorants, and other water birds. Occasionally we see ospreys, and two Christmases ago we saw a bald eagle catching a fish, and I caught a rather blurry picture of him doing so!

I love the reflections on a body of water, particularly when the water is still, which was how it was yesterday on our lagoon. I suspect many upcoming photos will include these kinds of reflections. However, it won’t be today, as the weather has made a dramatic change. It’s turned sharply colder with a gusty winds. Yesterday I was wearing sandals and a short sleeved shirt and today it’s a sweatshirt. The lagoon is also very different as the wind is blowing the water in all different directions, which is pretty in it’s own right.