Halloween Butterflies

Since they are all sporting a bit of orange today seems like a good day to share my butterfly images.  These were taken in Cape May on my recent trips.  They are the Painted Lady, Common Buckeye, Monarch, and Red Admiral.

Blue Flags

I can't remember the last time I was so overwhelmed with things to do.  But then it is rapidly closing in on birthday and holiday time.  Despite the rapid pace I am, more or less, managing to accomplish most of my tasks.  I arrived, after a frantic drive from Aston to Springfield blocked at every turn by lollygaggers, just in time to see the show.

Wildlife Diversity

Cooper's Hawk

Veritical Views

Fungus Time of Year

It's probably time for me to learn to identify fungus although I wish I could be the one to name them.  I'm told that first one is not actually a "candy corn" fungus which I can only assume is because the original namer (there's a word for this that is escaping me now) was not familiar with candy corn.  Such a shame. 

Heinz

Some of the glories of my favorite refuge in the Fall.  It will be awhile before I forgive the government for those 16 days shutdown.  But luckily I didn't miss everything.

Back to the Refuge

I couldn't wait to get back to Heinz NWR when it finally reopened after the government shutdown.  I did have to wait until after I taught my morning class, sigh, but when I finally arrived around 11am these were the sights that greeted me, untrammeled paths and a boardwalk that the "waterfoul" made good use of in the absence of humans. 

Ducks at South Cape May Meadows

In addition to the beautiful meadows South Cape May Meadows offered some great duck views.  This was my closest view of Wigeon (top photo.)  I'm planning another visit soon so hopefully I'll see (and identify-cause I'm stuck on that with a few of these) even more ducks.

South Cape May Meadows

This was my first visit to the South Cape May Meadows which is so close to Cape May Point State Park that I hadn't made the effort to visit.  What a mistake.  This is a great little place.  The trail is fairly straightforward and surrounded by these beautiful meadow plants. 

Clusters

I'm so happy to have my 300mm lens back even for images like these.  Although with all that time apart I have gotten to learn more about the differences between what the 200mm and 300mm lens can do.  The 300mm, for example, is great for those soft focus backgrounds that make it easier to appreciate the subtle beauties of the isolated plant forms.

Cape May Point State Park Fall

Swamp Sparrow

Marching Moments

Photographing a marching band show is tricky.  I usually employ the more or less indiscriminate fire-away technique.  Sometimes quirky, funny, surprising, or beautiful images result. 

Hawk Watch

Cape May Point State Park was filled with hawks on Monday.  It was absolutely amazing.  The Harrier (top photo)  flew right past my face and a juvenile Peregrine Falcon flew into a tree very close, but unfortunately remained obstructed by branches and leaves.