Snow bird visitors

Had some interesting views of birds visiting today on Jay Miller.

Pileated woodpecker and Carolina wren

Mourning doves

Pileated woodpecker foraging

First Snow 2016

Birdbath in the garden, first snow of the year, Jay Miller Drive. Photo © J. Larry Golfer

We had a bit of an adventure this evening in this first snow. Carole slid sideways down the first hill coming down Whispering Lane earlier this evening before coming to a perpendicular stop across the road. Other cars did the same but thankfully did not hit her. I came to the rescue and inched the car safely over to Oakwood but facing the wrong direction next to a curb. Will have to retrieve the car once the streets are safe to drive on. 

Cars coming down Jay Miller were sliding all over, too. We met a new neighbor from Tallwood who had to leave her car in front of our house because of icy conditions.

Nevertheless, the first snow was pretty looking out our door once safely home. 

Drive in your low gears and avoid quick changes if you need to be out there early, and you should stay safe.

Larry

Last of the Fall Colors, Lake Barcroft 2015

So we were given a wonderful warm day this past Friday to get out and enjoy the lake and many of us did. Barges and kayaks, hydrocycles and bass boats, I saw them all.

I took the kayak out for a last look at our fall colors and shot these photographs for everyone's enjoyment. 

Let's hope winter stays away as long as possible.

Birds in the Garden

Before all the rain, photographed some songbirds in the front garden enjoying the day, including the birdbath.

Here's a Carolina wren in the birdbath:

A chickadee patiently waiting his turn:

Bluejay about to go for a drink:

Chickadee with a big seed: 

Nuthatch in a typical pose:

Hairy woodpecker:

And, if you didn't have a chance to see this video, here it is again. This is a very rare pairing, to me: a black-throated blue warbler and a female redstart visited the birdbath. It happened so fast, it was all I could do but grab my iPhone and take a quick video.I've loaded it below but you can also view it at this link: https://vimeo.com/140829886

New Architecture and Property Photography Website Going Live Soon!

If you hadn't noticed, I've been shooting a lot of architecture and interior photography the past two years and just created a new website: DazzlingPropertyPhotography.com.

I hope you will take a moment to look at it and let your friends and colleagues know about my work. I'm taking assignments for the fall to help realtors, agents, builders, interior decorators, stagers, kitchen and bath designers, and remodelers reach more customers and display new listings, new construction, remodeling projects and more through Dazzling Property Photography.

Late Summer: Wildlife on Lake Barcroft

A late summer morning kayak excursion on the lake...although a wide variety of wildlife was not evident, I did capture some interesting behaviors of the creatures I did encounter. 

Blue dasher dragonfly

Great blue heron stalking its prey

Turtle love

Smiley face turtle

 A friend, Marilyn, sent me a smartphone image of these two buddies, below, and we thought it was a unique shot...until weeks later, I came across this scene, and there they were again:

Pals

Great blue heron staredown

Treading carefully....

What was that?

Darn, missed it...

Great blue landing

This next set is a series of a great blue heron preening. He was standing in this positions for quite a while, burying his head deep in his feathers at some points, then, suddenly, started to cough and whip his tongue back and forth. I assumed he had feathers caught in his throat from the sound of it. 

Finally caught one! Looks like a small large mouth bass.

Early Morning Kayaking for Wildlife

Out on the lake at the crack of dawn, 6 a.m. (gasp!) with friends and tour leader Kevin to enjoy tranquil Lake Barcroft before even the wildlife is awake. But they were out there finally.

Here are the results: green heron capturing dragonflies, beaver, great blue heron, kayakers on the lake, barn swallow, sunrise clouds, morning moon over the lake, and more.