Author Archives: John Randell

GBH at Blackstone Valley Canal

Found this Great Blue Heron hiding in a tree along the Blackstone River Canal while on my morning walk at the Blackstone bike path in Millbury, MA.  It wasn’t very skittish, you can tell it was used to the foot traffic on the bike path. Luckily for me I was able to get a nice close up and enough time to get my settings set perfectly.

American Oystercatcher, Fort Desoto Beach

Let me just say that I had high expectations when I went to Fort Desoto. I heard so much about the variety of birds and the nature trails in the park and I had hoped to capture a shot of the painted bunting which was rumored to have been seen here.  This is now one of my favorite stops in the Tampa Bay area.  While I still haven’t seen the painted bunting, I have seen some really great first time birds here. This busy little American Oystercatcher was walking back and forth along the shore looking for clams, oysters and other shellfish.

Red Fox Hunting

I took this picture last spring on Fitzpatrick Drive in Sutton, MA, I just love the bushy tail on this fox . I watched it come across a field and hunt for its dinner. It jumped up and dove head first and sure enough came up with a small rodent in his mouth. It was very entertaining and I was happy to get this shot.

Juvenile Red Headed Woodpecker

This was taken at Millenial Park in West Roxbury, MA in February.  I had heard that they were there so I took a ride out. It was a very dog friendly park which was good since Kendra came along for the ride. My first walk through I didn’t see it, however one thing photography has taught me is patience. (Kendra is not quite there yet)

I saw some movement in the back of the swamp and sure enough, there it was.  It was collecting acorns and storing them in a dead tree. We sat there for quite a while watching it fly back and forth packing that tree full of acorns and if it wasn’t busy enough it was being harassed by a couple of blue jays.  This was a hard working woodpecker.  It was exciting to see and definately worth a little patience.

 

 

Frozen Shore

Joppa Flats in Newburyport, MA

I was on my way to Plum Island on one of the coldest days of the year hoping to get there in time to set up for a beautiful sunrise on the beach. Well I was running late and missed the sunrise, however I had to pull over in Newburyport just before the last turn onto Plum Island when I saw this breathtaking view of a pink and orange sky with streaming clouds over the frozen shore of Joppa Flats. I was laying down on the ice and sandy shore to get this shot. I guess timing is everything and sometimes the shot you settle for is the best shot of the day.