I was out to Sidney waterfront last evening by the Anecortes ferry , set up to get some photos of the supermoon eclipse.   I am always on a large learning curve with new adventures and this one was challenging.   One thing I learned was that in order to get a relatively sharp image of the moon, one needs a shutter speed of 1 second or less because of how quickly it travels.  Amazing to see the blur and star travel after a 3 second exposure.
Anyway.. just one image today , as I'm sure there are many more interesting shots out there onlie.  Last evening it seemed like the whole world was out to view this eclipse.   I thought that was pretty neat!!! Have a great week... Terry :)

Lately I have been workshop bound, while trying to complete  a large project and this afternoon with full sun streaming through my window , I'd had enough &  bolted  to Tonolli's for tea and a dessert  then off to my Magic Pond. :) 
The pond is now jam packed with whistles and chuckles (wood ducks make the most unusual calls)  and abundant with living colour... Those beautiful  Ducks are now back in full Fall force.
 They put on quite a show for me , but  I struggled to make quality photos  with high ISO's and a wide range of  conditions.  My poor Canon got a workout as I changed settings around like a madman...... Most of my photos hit the trash , but I did manage a few that seem worthy. I hope you enjoy these and I promise to go back again soon and concentrate on getting the best Wood Duck images I can.  Thanks for looking ... Terry :)

Another sure sign of fall... return of the Varied Thrush's today  

I don't unfortunately know my Blackbird species... so this little gem from the cattail marsh will go unidentified for now.  Please chime if you know??  I can tell you that these photos were taken around 8AM today under very cloudy skies and at an ISO of 3200....  Have a terrific weekend... September is nearly a thing of the past... Terry :)

***  Several songbird experts have confirmed this sweety is a female RWBB Red Winged BlackBird... Thanks everyone for your assistance!  Terry :) 

September is a great month to watch the bears @ Katmai Alaska on the live cams!!!  Here are a few screen prints from yesterday and this morning. Yesterday AM  , I was thrilled to have a large  bear eating a salmon right in front of one of the cameras, then have a nap afterward, using a river rock as a chin pillow!!! 
This morning's highlight is the female with 4 cubs ..All enjoying a salmon breakfast!
Click the green button to watch live & have a great week!!!  Terry :)

Today I was out at a local farm taking some fall photos .... The highlight was when a hawk I was trying to photograph  suddenly dove into the brambles and sat there spreadwing for about 30 seconds.  I heard some squeaking and thought he had grabbed a small bird. When he finally got free from the blackberry bushes, I noticed a long tail hanging down ..... and realized it was a rodent.  Quite the excitement! 
***  as always to enlarge the small images below ... click on them individually ***

Today for the first time in months , a good sized group of robins visited the "outback" and what a scruffy bunch they were.  Obviously still completing their annual summer moult , they hopped about in search of food and amongst them were a few late hatchlings .. still heavily spotted!
Lately as well, there have been a number of Flickers coming and going.. adorned in their polka dot shirts and barred coats.  I'm not good with the colour red, so it was an eye opener to see these bright red spots on either side behind the bill!  I'd never noticed this before...
A small and pale looking nuthatch was digging treasure in the derelict old Wheat Pool elevator bird feeder. As I clicked she found a couple ants  which became snacks instantly!
Of course then there were also the Usual Suspects... Stellers Jays, Red Squirrels and Cottontail rabbits...

Have a happy and peacelful long weekend everyone

Terry  :)

Dad Pileated was losing his patience as "the kid" pressed him for food.  The reaction was a hop towards the lad... rather hastily and make a few threatening swings at him with his beak!  
The young fella jumped back, but moved in close again and knocked off chunks of bark while waiting for the snack.  He eventually got his meal... But not till Dad was good and ready!  :))

While the Pileateds hogged the peanuts, nuthatches, chickadee's and brown creepers waited patiently.

Not so patient were a pair of Downey Woodpeckers who made distressed squeaks as they waited for their turn!