Lee's Photoblog
Splish Splash
Posted by Lee (Fort Frances Ontario, Canada) on 17 May 2009 in Animal & Insect and Portfolio.
Woke up bright and early yesterday morning to find 1cm of snow on the ground. Temp was -3 degrees C. Still went on my excursion. Was not as rewarding as I hoped. However, I maged to fill a couple memory cards with images. Still have not finished downloading. Am doing so as I post this image.
This post is a Wilson's Phalarope, a bird I know very little about. I do know they never hold still, they are always flitting here and there. I also know they spin in circles like little tops. The book states this is a way of creating a whirlpool and bringing food to the surface. I wish I had a video camera to record these guys spinning. The book also states this phalarope is confined to inland habitats and restricted to the western hemishere.
Thank you for your comments. I do appreciate them. I will catch up with you later in the week. It is late right now and the morning comes to early.
Take care. Enjoy your day.
Thank you for visiting my site. I consider myself to be lucky living where I do. Everyday I wake up to a wealth of interesting visual scenarios. Most of my pictures are Wildlife and Nature taken from around the area. The area specifically being Fort Frances Ontario on beautiful Rainy Lake. Feel free to comment on what you see. I look forward to hearing from you. If you like what you see, please rate it. Better yet, bookmark the site and drop back often. I will be posting daily.
All images are copyrighted by Lee Oelke Photography. They cannot be reproduced, electronically, or by printing without my written consent. Should you be interested in any of my images, please contact me.
@r00t: Thank you. It was not easy.
Lylou & Roland from Besancon, France
I like the movement of the water in front of this nice bird !
17 May 2009 6:23am
@Lylou & Roland: It was rather windy. That splash was a stroke of luck.
@Onlymehdi: Thank you, sometimes luck is on my side.
Yochai from Kochav Yair, Israel
nice shot. beautiful the way it freezes the moment.
17 May 2009 7:50am
@Yochai: Thank you very much. Please visit again.
@Didier DE ZAN: Thank you.
Hidalgo from Herunen, Finland
Quelle capture! Le movement de l'eau, c'est très apaissant. Chouette!
17 May 2009 8:39am
@Hidalgo: Merci Beau coup! That's about as far as I can go in en Francais.
jamesy from christchurch, New Zealand
beautiful lee love the water that is coming up of his chest
17 May 2009 8:48am
@jamesy: Thanks Debiie. That splash is a stroke of luck.
@Loner: Thank you Sonja. These little guys are quite interesting to watch.
Veronique from Sarrouilles, France
"couple memory cards" only in one day ? You'll never finish astonishing me......... I'm going out today and try to fill one up
17 May 2009 9:07am
@Veronique: Trying to shoot scenes like this use up a lot of memory. No-one sees the non focused blurred shots.
Linda from Riga/Sigulda, Latvia
a wonderful photo, so beautiful shapes of "frozen" water
17 May 2009 9:22am
@Linda: Thank you. It all came together here. The details are pretty good.
Elora from Genoa, Italy
The splash that you captured frozen in time is fantastic - makes this image unique. I wold love to see these birds spinning around, it would be fun!
17 May 2009 10:05am
@Elora: Thank you Elora. They spin at a rapid rate. Like I said, they look like little tops. They never hold still. Almost impossible to capture clearly.
@zOOm: Thank you Florence.
@Lorraine: Thank you. It was just luck that this splash got captured.
Evelyne Dubos from Le Mans, France
Nice capture, especially the water splash on its body who makes the shot.
17 May 2009 11:25am
@Evelyne Dubos: Thank you Evelyne.
@roentarre: They sure do love the water. They literally live in it. They dive for their food. They nest on it. They can't survive without it.
Viewfinder from Bradenton, FL, United States
Really good capture; I like the freeze on the water splash.
17 May 2009 12:29pm
@Viewfinder: Thank you very much.
@Alun: Thanks Alun
Kathe from Marquette, Michigan, United States
What a neat looking bird! Great shot, Lee. Can't wait to see what else you got from you excursion!
By the way, it snowed here yesterday as well. But it was more like freezing rain, so none stuck to the ground.
17 May 2009 1:48pm
@Kathe: Thanks Kathe. Just trying to get caught up now. A lot of downloading and sorting. The weather has been the pits fpr this time of year. Rest assured I will be posting anything worth viewing. Take care.
Shannon from Fort, Canada
You are both stalwart and hardy, my friend. It was a nasty day out there. I hope you brought some hot beverages and toe warmers along with you.
This bird looks 'furry', like it would be very soft if he/she stood still long enough to pet. I also like the 'fountain' next to it. We're chock-a-block full of ducks here; you should come out today!
17 May 2009 1:54pm
@Shannon: Why Thank you, Thank you. Just my luck, Lots of ducks and I'm not even around to take pics. Story of my life. Gladly take a rain check for next time. Let me know when and where.
Baby Sis from Canada
Awesome shot, love the splash. Have a great wknd. You keep the snow your way, thanks.
17 May 2009 2:08pm
@Baby Sis: Thank you. I did have a great weekend. Hope you did too.
Susan from Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States
I have actually just checked google maps, to see exactly where you are......Yikes, snow in late spring......must be some big system up north....i just spoke to a jeweler friend in NJ, working an outdoor show.....a week before Memorial Day, the "official" start of summer, and she's wearing mittens and wool socks today!!
You managed to get a wonderful shot of this bird, even with his movement....and no video is needed, cause the wake he has caused in the air tells of his actions wonderfully!!! Look forward to more from your excursion.....
17 May 2009 2:14pm
@Susan: Thank you Susan. Our summers are rather short compared to other places. We make the most of it though.
B. Thomas from Arlington, Texas, United States
Love the way you caught the water!
17 May 2009 2:19pm
@B. Thomas: Thank you very much.
jeff (aka dogilicious) from Millerstown, PA, United States
Nicely captured! Keep the snow in Canada-please!
17 May 2009 2:22pm
@jeff (aka dogilicious): Thanks for the compliment. Can't guarantee we'll keep the snow though. We Canadians like to share with our neighbors.
john4jack from Corvallis, Oregon, United States
Outstanding lighting and detail. Incredible the way you captured the water. Bravo.
17 May 2009 4:59pm
@john4jack: Thank you Jack. It took several shots, but I lucked out.
LauraS from Chico, United States
Great shot. Interesting bird. Not sure I've seen that one before. Love your narrative.
17 May 2009 6:42pm
@LauraS: Thank you Laura. I have not seen these birds any closer than the very western edge of our province. They are a western species.
Ajay from Pune, India
WOW!!! You've just frozen the time and the action here. Just lovely.
17 May 2009 6:53pm
@Ajay: Thank you very much.
dkc from Xanthi, Greece
So beautiful bird here and great timing with the weather! Great overall!
17 May 2009 8:01pm
@dkc: Thank you Dimitris
@JanW: Thank you.
@Veronelle: Thank you. I appreciate your compliment.
@Mariana: A princess for sure. They are quite lovely. And yes this is the female.
Magda from Vancouver, Canada
Gorgeous! Nice capture with the splash! The colour and detail are always outsanding in your photographs!
18 May 2009 3:06am
@Magda: Thank you ever so much.
@bluechameleon: Thank you. Yes it was making waves alright.
Craig@Random Ramblings from Herts, United Kingdom
Superb shot, I love that jet of water caught mid air, it really adds meaning to you description.
18 May 2009 6:33am
@Craig@Random Ramblings: Thank you Craig
mats from Texas, United States
'love that frozen water movement, when the plane was over the snow mountain tops from Minneapolis I was like, I wonder if Lee is somewhere this area trekking down those birds...and others :-)
18 May 2009 6:06pm
@mats: Thanks Mats. Yes I was out there somewhere. Have a great trip.
@Sarah: Thnak you Sarah
