RTY Photography Blog

After no sightings for over two months, one of the adult Barred Owls gave me a last look before I head back to NJ. It was so much fun following this family since May. Hopefully they will have some new owlets in the Spring.

Just some random shots taken recently in Acadia National Park.

Kings Creek

Jesup Path

Eagle Lake

I noticed a crowd of people out on the rocks at Jordan Pond. First thing I thought was maybe an otter. Well, it was no otter, but it was this guy. For some reason, this frog had everyone mesmerized.

I don’t shoot many flowers, but I stopped by Thuya Gardens one day. Don’t have a macro lens, shot these with my Nikon 200-500mm.

iPhone 8 Plus (Portrait Mode)

Just a few random sunsets on Mount Desert Island in Maine.

Hadley Point

Eagle Lake

Hulls Cove Sunrise

One day while I was following the progress of the Loon nest at Echo Lake, I came across two Mergansers that had come ashore to avoid the loon that was not on the nest. Loons will attack the mergansers, especially when nesting.  The loon made several passes and showed many aggressive poses, almost standing up and spreading it’s wings. After about twenty minutes, the loon swam away and these two went on their way.

Keeping an eye on the loon.

All clear, they go on their way.

The night skies up here in Acadia National Park are just beautiful. I have tried to catch the Northern Lights at peak several times, but have not been successful. Seems I’m always thirty minutes late. Some of my friends have incredible images of the Aurora this summer. My quest will continue for the next two months. These photos have been taken over the last month. You may notice, Jordan Pond is my go-to place when I receive an Aurora alert. A few of these were photographed under strong moonlight, almost like shooting in daylight. The end of peak season for photographing the Milky Way is fast approaching. It’s pretty cool, when you can see the Milky Way right outside your front door.

Star Trail over Jordan Pond

Eagle Lake

Loop Road

Moonlight 1 AM

International Space Station passes over Jordan Pond

Up until this July, I had maybe two photos of the beautiful Belted Kingfisher. It is one elusive bird, very timid and quick. A kingfisher normally doesn’t stick around if you are in the area. But thanks to a friend who gave me access to his property in Mariaville, Maine, that all changed. This wonderful stream, which runs through his land, is frequented by several Belted Kingfishers that patrol along the nearby Union River. I have spent many hours at this beautiful location over the past several weeks. These are some of the results.

Special thanks to my friend Ed.

Grabbed a Crayfish

This Cedar Waxwing stopped by.

This pair of Common Loons have touched my heart. I have followed them since July 1st. They abandoned their original nest after two weeks, probably the result of the resident mink. About two weeks later, the pair returned and proceeded to build a second nest in the same area. The hatching period is 26-28 days. On day 25, while the sitting loon was off the nest for a short period, the mink climbed into the nest. I was there to witness this as it happened. Eventually the mink was chased off. A week later, the mink was able to steal one of the eggs. The remaining egg proved not to be viable, probably due to all the trauma. The loons, who share time on the nest, continued to sit on the single egg an additional 10 days. At that point they both abandoned the nest. Hopefully they will return and nest here again next spring.

First Nest

Second Nest

Two Eggs

Mink in Nest

Finally gave up.

On the single egg.

Surrounded by flowers.

One of my vantage points, this is a public swimming beach.

Mergansers seek safety on land from the attacking loon.

Abandoned Nest

During July, the water lilies start popping up everywhere in Acadia National Park. I don’t photograph many flowers, but these are too beautiful to pass up. Most of these images were taken at Little Long Pond in the park.