A Morning with the Eagles

Although they are present year-round, this is the time of year when the eagles are most easily observed on the Delmarva Peninsula.  In Spring nests are active with newly hatched chicks and fishing is good in the marshes of the Chesapeake Bay and Delaware shore.

     Eagles are amazing birds of prey that have come back from near eradication in the 1970s caused by the use of DDT pesticides which impaired the egg development of the eagles and other birds. Since the federal DDT ban in the 1980s, the eagle populations have made a remarkable recovery. One current danger for eagles is lead poisoning from the illegal use of lead shot used to hunt other waterfowl. Eagles are scavengers and can be poisoned by lead shot in a carcass.

       Adult bald eagles are distinguished by the pure white plumage on the head. It takes about five years for the juveniles which have brown mottled feathers to develop the white head of an adult.

       One of my favorite places to photograph eagles is the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Delaware. When arriving at sunrise I have recently encountered as many as twelve eagles perched in a single tree overlooking creeks of the tidal wetlands. I typically don’t have to wait long for them to start peeling off to begin fishing.

Circling high above, the eagles look down to focus on prey in or out of the water. The eyesight of an eagle is about eight times more acute than a human and this allows them to spot prey like a rabbit as far away as two miles. An eagle diving for a fish is the model of intense concentration. Using their formidable talons, they scoop up the fish close to the surface and carry it to a safe feeding spot or the nest. Catching the fish is not always the end of the effort as other eagles will often challenge each other by trying to snatch the fish away in midair. I have seen eagles struggling for possession of a fish high above and to the point that neither is successful, and the fish drops back into the water. All in a day’s work.

The Foxes of Bombay Hook NWR

One of my favorite photography locations is the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Delaware. I travel to this location at least once a month and on many occasions, I have been fortunate to see foxes in different seasons and situations. Arriving just before sunrise is important because it is the first two hours after sunrise and before sunset that the birds and other animals are the most active. All my encounters with the foxes have been fortuitous and unplanned as they seem to pop up when I least expect them and the frequency of sightings in the refuge suggests a very healthy population.

When foxes are spotted in the refuge near the wildlife drive, you can always tell because of the collection of cars pulled over to the curb and the photographers start jumping out with tripods and long lenses. Because I go during weekdays and early in the morning, I have been lucky to avoid this display most of the time.

     The images shown in this essay were all taken within the last year, and show foxes in different and interesting situations. The photo of the four fox kits was taken just last week and I titled the image “sibling portrait”. There were eight kits all together playing and romping around a dead log just ten yards from the road. I was very lucky to get these four in the split second when they all stopped to look at other siblings out of the frame. The parents were nowhere to be seen, but I am sure mom was close by.  

    Foxes are predators of small animals and unwary waterfowl. One image shows a young fox moving toward the edge of the water and seeming to be unaware of the egrets that are just feet away. Hopefully his hunting skills will improve. Another photo shows a fox with what appears to be a severed goose foot in his mouth. I spotted this fellow from some distance down a road. As he was heading toward me, I couldn’t see what he was carrying in his mouth, but as he came closer, I could see it was part of his (or another’s) recent kill. As I was taking his picture, he darted into the bushes and quickly hid his prize. Later I saw him peeking out to see if I was gone.

     Although I go to Bombay Hook primarily to photograph birds and waterfowl, I am always happy to see what new things the foxes are up to.     

Hummingbirds in Belize

Within a few minutes of arriving at the Black Rock eco-lodge in the western district of Cayo in Belize we were immediately aware of the variety of birds flying in and out of the surrounding foliage. Three Collared Aracari (a smaller Toucan) fussed with each other as they competed for pieces of fruit left on a feeding platform. It wasn’t long before a variety of hummingbirds made their appearance.

   In Maryland we see only one species of hummingbird, the Ruby Throated, but Belize is home to over twenty-five different species. Many, including the Ruby Throat, migrate to Belize from North America during the winter months. At home in Annapolis, we typically see the Hummingbirds return to our feeders and gardens in late April.

   Hummingbirds are truly unique. Their wings beat more than 80 beats per second, and they are the only birds that can hover or fly backwards. They have no sense of smell but are very sensitive to colors. They can migrate long distances alone and they do not travel in flocks

   Here are images of two species of Hummingbirds that frequented the area around the eco-lodge. First are two photos of a male, White-necked Jacobin which appears blue and green with a white belly. Apparently, the name is derived from a small white streak behind the neck. This bird is a year-round resident of Belize with a range stretching through Central America to Northern Brazil. These birds feed on nectar and small insects. Like many hummingbirds they can be highly territorial and aggressive with each other.

   One of the most unusual hummingbirds I have encountered is the Long-billed Hermit shown here feeding at a flower. Noted for its long curved bill and tail streamers, these birds also have a distinctive call which the males employ to attract females. Males can compete for female attention by gathering in groups(leks) and by using their calls, showing off their beaks and wiggling their long tail feathers. I didn’t see any of this but was just glad to get a shot of this interesting bird.

   I could watch hummingbirds for hours and I am anxious to try attracting them this Spring as they return to our area. Perhaps from Belize.

The Wild Dogs of Luangwa, Zambia

It was 6:00am and we were just getting into our jeeps at the Muamba Safari Camp in the South Luangwa National Park, Zambia.  Suddenly there was a loud commotion in the bushes just twenty feet away.  Turning around, I caught a glimpse of an animal leaping full speed into the bush and away from the group. Our guide, Chappie, ran behind the bushes shouting, “wild dogs!!” as we tried to follow.  Out of our sight a clamor of yelps and growls followed before all fell silent again. Chappie quickly returned to explain that a small group of wild dogs had cornered an Impala behind our camp. When the chase began, the dogs and the Impala ran head on into a group of sleeping lions across a dried creek bed.  Hence the yelping and growling, but no one was hurt, and we were now wide awake. This was my first, but not the last encounter with the African wild dogs.

      Often led by the alpha male and hunting in packs, wild dogs are some of the most formidable apex carnivores in the African bush with almost 80% of the hunts resulting in a kill. Lions average 18-20%.

Because they are generally nomadic during the dry season, we were not certain we would see them.  After days of searching, we encountered a small group within minutes of bringing down a Puku (a small antelope).  As they alternately looked out for scavenging hyenas or lions, the dogs stripped the carcass within minutes. The hunters can hold over twelve pounds of meat in their bellies which they later regurgitate to feed the pups who are held back by protective monitors. Maintaining the health of the pups is the highest priority in the pack. Less than half of the annual litter will survive as they are a target of lions and Hyenas.

      We caught up with a dog pack resting under shade bushes after a successful hunt. The pups had been fed so all were subdued and needed to rest before moving on and preparing for the next hunt. As I watched I thought about the difficult existence of these animals and how they had successfully adapted to their environment through cooperation, cunning and shared care for their young.  Amazing creatures.

The Bee-Eaters of Africa

We had been at the bush camp in Zambia for a few days when we had an opportunity to see a colony of Carmine Bee-Eaters. As we entered the blind near the shore we could see over a hundred of these bright red birds flying to and from their nesting cavities on the steep river bank. In the early morning light the birds became more active and congregated in groups. Individuals would fly away and then return with insects to feed the young inside the nests. Our guide explained that the birds knew exactly where to dig the nesting holes to avoid being swamped when the river level rose. The chattering activity of these crimson birds was mesmerizing,

A close relative of the Carmine is the Small Bee-Eater. With green, yellow and red markings, these colorful birds were often seen in small groups on low-hanging branches near water. While watching them one morning I was lucky to photograph one going “off menu” as he snatched a dragonfly that came to close.

The Lion Cubs of Hwange

In September 2023 we were fortunate to return to “the Hide” safari camp in the Hwange National Forest, Zimbabwe. After settling into the camp we began our daily routine of rising at 5:30am, quick coffee, and then into the jeeps for the game drive. September is toward the end of the dry season in Zimbabwe so the animals are not far from the remaining water holes called “pans”.

Early in the morning the temperature is still comfortably in the seventies (F) and the lions are beginning to wake and move about before the mid-day heat which sometimes reached over 100 degrees. We found a pride of two females, one large male and three cubs. While watching these magnificent animals I was struck by the playfulness of the cubs and the patient affection of the adults. We were sitting in our jeep less than 20 yards from this group. As the male lion lay down to rest, a cub decided it was time to “wake up dad” causing dad to put on his “don’t mess with me” face - no harm was intended. Mom was also contending with a quarrelsome child while the third cub decided to pose for me next to a dead tree trunk.

The Egrets of August

In late summer Egrets and Herons often congregate in the tidal marshes on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay. When I approach the small pier with my cameras as quietly as I can, I invariably scare a few away from the shoreline. In the early morning light the birds appear like dancers as they wade in the shallow water fishing or waiting their turns on an overhanging branch. They are majestic and remind me of their prehistoric origins. I is always a pleasure to spend time with them.

Something on the Horizon

Late one morning while in the Hwange National Preserve in Zimbabwe, I was with friends and our guide Sean, looking for wildlife near a “pan”, which is a large shallow watering hole. These are prime places to see a variety of animals in Africa. When we arrived, not much was going on, so we unloaded some folding chairs and decided to wait and see what developed. Sean said to watch the baboons as they are always on lookout and sensitive to the presence of predators (like lions).

Soon there was a noticeable agitation in the baboon troop. As we scanned the horizon, we saw a long black line forming. Something big was coming over the rise. The line quickly became bigger and wider. We could see dust being kicked up as it moved in our direction. Through the binoculars we saw the leading edge of a huge herd of Cape Buffalo heading to the water. When the first buffalo reached the water, the rest were still coming over the horizon. Sean estimated 600-700 head of buffalo.

The Cape Buffalo is listed as one the “Big Five” animals that could pose the greatest risk to humans in the wild. They are huge, powerful and unpredictable. On this occasion they were also thirsty and so reaching the water was their only objective. From a safe distance, we started to relax and just enjoy the scene that was unfolding before us. So did the baboons.


Images of the Elephants

Recently my wife Sharon and I, with our good friends Max and Cathy Hall traveled to Botswana and Zimbabwe for safaris to observe and photograph a variety of animals and birds.  For me as a wildlife photographer, this was a trip of a lifetime. Each day we started out at sunrise to take advantage of the best time and early light to see the animals being active in their natural environment. Over the next weeks I will share some of my thoughts and images taken on this trip. My hope is to convey some of the unique stories that evolved through our experiences with the animals and birds of Africa. Starting with the elephants.

  Elephants appeared almost every day. We watched as they came to watering holes to drink and cavort in group mud baths. We saw them in small family herds ambling through the landscape and as individuals swimming slowly across a river while holding their trunks high for air. One early evening when we were driving back to camp, a bull elephant stepped into the dirt road and presented a warning stance that clearly told us we were too close to his family group. We got the message.

I was struck by the strength, intelligence and grace of these magnificent animals. They showed a strong bond to the herd and to each other. Through these few black and white images, I am trying to show some of these traits.

Hanging out with the Snowy Egrets

During the past weeks, I have returned several times to the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center in Grasonville, Md. to photograph an unusually large grouping of egrets, herons and other types of shore birds. This summer, the water level in the wetland pond there was very low, allowing these birds easier access to fish and other food. As the Snowy Egrets congregated in groups of 40-50 birds, I was able to get very close to observe their comings and goings and interactions in close quarters. Sometimes I just put the camera down and watched. These are beautiful and interactive birds and I was grateful for the opportunity to spend this time with them.

Hummingbirds and water lilies.

On a recent visit to the North Tract of the Patuxent Research Refuge I had no particular goals in mind - just hike around and see what happened. The hummingbirds were back and the male Ruby Throats were showing off. These birds are always fun to photograph, but require high shutter speeds and ISO to catch their movements. Later in the morning a short hike up the fire trail to a pond revealed a cluster of water lilies. Even though it was well past the morning golden hour, I was able to use the high contrast conditions to isolate the lilies and the pads. No wind, quite still and alone with the subject - perfect. Nature will always offer what you need. I am still learning how to wait patiently so as to see it.

Inside an Osprey nest

Recently I was fortunate enough to accompany a group of photographers on a pontoon boat tour of Osprey nests at the Jug Bay Nature Preserve in Maryland. As the naturalist approached the nests we were able to get very close to the developing chicks. One aspect of their story grabbed my attention:

Ospreys are formidable birds of prey, but when they are less than two weeks old they are completely helpless. Upon hearing a parent’s warning of nearby danger, the chicks sink to the bottom of the nest and remain motionless - except for one eye open.

Some usual suspects at Thomas Point Park

This Winter I discovered Thomas Point Park which is located at the end of a small peninsula on the Chesapeake Bay near my home in Annapolis Md. During my visits I saw a variety of waterfowl that pass through during the Winter migration. I began to notice how a number of species of ducks and geese would all share the same small cove - particularly when the winds were blowing hard on the Bay. Here are images of some of my new friends: A preening Tundra Swan strikes a pose; A Long-tailed duck grabs a meal and a Bufflehead Duck just shows off.

Some cool looking dead stuff!

In this lockdown year, I have been trying to get out 2-3 times per week to the local parks and wildlife refuges. As the leaves fell and the plants have gone into hibernation, I began to notice dried seed pods, frost melting on grass and other cool looking dead stuff. A whole new genre!

Beginning Experiments in Macro Photography

I have not written a post since the Covid-19 lock down started in March. Trips to the Galapagos, the Ecuadorian Amazon and a much anticipated African safari were all rescheduled to next year (hopefully). Like most everyone, we had to deal with sheltering in place and severe limitations for travel and social events. I decided that this might be a perfect opportunity to learn more photography skills and focus on the small things close to home. I am really taken with macro and close-up photography. It is a challenging endeavor and I have much to learn. The possibilities are endless and it is the perfect discipline to slow down and learning to see often missed details. My photographic journey has now brought me to concentrate on birds and botanic macro. Most importantly, I am having fun!

Something about the eyes.

When photographing birds and wildlife, I am trying to get clear shots of the eyes. As with human portraits, a view of the eye gives us a glimpse into the “soul” of our subjects. The eagle shown below knows I am about 50 feet away and under the branch from which he is taking off. I have the same view as his latest prey. What is he thinking? The snake probably can’t see me on the other side of the aquarium glass, but his unblinking eyes are taking it all in - very sensitive to any movement.

Eye contact is a connection, and connections make for better stories and photographs.

Swans, Herons and Eagles

This week I returned to Blackwater NWR, one of my favorite places to photograph birds. The light was good and the wind was down. On this day I would concentrate on trying to capture the variety of birds in their habitat. For me, the image of the wading swans with the herons flying overhead was a striking contrast. It was also a good day for seeing eagles as they are now busy building nests. A good day.

Geese on the Ice

One of my favorite photography locations is the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center near Grasonville, on the Maryland Eastern Shore. I was alone on a chilly morning last week, just walking around the lake seeing what I could see.

You can hear the Canada geese before you see them. Around the bend, a small group was on the shore testing the newly formed ice. They were determined to get out on the lake and the rather thin ice was not going to stop them. Of course, incessant honking was part of the effort. After several flailing attempts, some were able to stand on the ice and walk-scoot in a unified direction. I suppose flying would be too easy and not as much fun.  Upon reaching the small island, all caution was abandoned and one appeared to show off with a one-legged nap on the ice. 

Glad I was there with my camera to share this simple adventure.

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Shoreline at sunrise

On my recent family trip to Corolla, N.C. I made a point of getting up early and walking the beach. Many times I have photographed sunrise on the ocean and each time there is a difference. Lately, I have been trying spend a little more time just taking in the immediate scene and trying to find what more experienced landscape photographers call the “scene within the scene”. On this particular morning I became memorized by the play of early light on the waves as they broke on the shoreline. It is a timeless and beautiful ritual. It was fun to imagine that this rhythm of waves and sand has been repeating for millions of years before any amateur photographer roamed the beach to notice.

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Bird on a rock

On a recent early morning shoot at Sandy Point Park near Annapolis Md., I arrived at 5:00am to set up for some landscape images of rocks on this Chesapeake Bay beach. Over the past year, I have been trying to find a theme for my photography that makes me happy. I really like landscapes and nature -particularly bird photography. When I am out looking for birds I typically carry my long lens and I try to concentrate on all the tips I learned about composition, and catching the action and “mood’ of the birds. Coastal landscape shots require a different set of skills. Today was a day for landscape work until……

After setting up my camera and tripod for some images of rocks on the beach, a lone Sandpiper flew in and positioned himself on a rock right in the center of the composition. He stayed there for about 30 minutes, staring at me from “his” rock. I suppose the lesson is - “put some birds in your landscapes dummy”. Anyway, here is what we came up with that morning. - Bill