Sabino Canyon in Morning Light

Most of the desert scenery was bathed in full sunshine, but as I hiked into to the shadows of the canyon wall, I noticed this striking scene with rim lighting on the Saguaro Cacti. As I set up my tripod, I noticed the way the backlit layers of yellow and green desert shrubs framed the foreground in the lower left. “This will be my best photo of the day,” I said to myself.

This is a photo of the early morning light on the canyon: backlighting in the shadows cast rim light on the saguaro cacti.

This image also succeeds with its limited color palette. The interplay of yellow and shades of green unify the image, don’t you think?

Vermilion Flycatcher in Tucson

This brilliant red bird was busy feeding its chicks while I observed in Tucson, Arizona. I had never seen the Vermilion Flycatcher before in my life, since its habitat is primarily Mexico and reaching over the U.S. border to portions of southern Arizona. The adult male exhibits this brilliant red color on the body, with gray and white wings.

Vermillion Flycatcher feeding two of its young in Tucson, AZ, May 2023.

Vermillion Flycatcher seen in profile with its young on a nearby branch, Tucson, AZ in May 2023.

Male Vermilion Flycatcher takes flight from a high branch in Tucson, AZ in May 2023.

Tucson Tones

During my week in Tucson, Arizona I practiced some Macro photography, using a special lens that will focus on objects very close to the lens. My eye was attracted to the shapes, patterns and subtle color hues of the agave plant.

Macro photograph of an agave plant in Tucson, Arizona, May 2023.

I can visualize a large print of this image (40″ x 60″) hanging in a home or office with contemporary decor.

Summer to Spring

In Naples, Florida in late April the weather was hot and sunny every day; temperatures would typically climb to 88 degrees Fahrenheit. Somedays, the heat and humidity were annoying.

So we drove north for two days to our Western Pennsylvania home and voila — the weather here is cloudy and rainy with temperatures in the mid-50s. This Spring weather can be kind of annoying too, especially when it’s time to walk the dog.

The silver lining of this “time travel” from summer heat to spring rain is the blooming dogwood. Our home is surrounded by four dogwood trees, blooming now in pink and white blossoms. In between rain showers, I took a few photos.

When the pink dogwood blossoms first open, their color is darker and more vibrant.

I’m trying out my Macro lens, since I’m going to be taking a class in Macro Photography next week. I’m on my way to Tucson, AZ in a few days for the North American Nature Photographers’ Association Summit Meeting.

Almost Ready to Fly

These two Great Blue Heron juveniles have grown tall and are almost ready to fledge. They were watching anxiously for parents to come deliver food (no luck), and the brave one was trying to jump and fly.

Young Great Blue Heron’s attempt to jump and fly. One chick keeps trying. Venice, Florida 2023.

Juvenile Great Blue Heron tests its wings, hoping to take flight in Venice, Florida 2023.

Like the Bald Eagle, the Great Blue Heron grows to nearly full size before it can fly and catch its own food. I find this stage fun to observe, photograph and share.

Anhinga in Black and White

Next month I look forward to a portfolio review with Ron Rosenstock, a very gifted landscape photographer, at the NANPA Summit (North American Nature Photographer’s Association). Doing my prep work, I have been studying his work, admiring many of his black and white images.

With just that ounce of inspiration, I found a recent photograph that I captured in Florida and decided to process it in black and white. My eye was attracted to this Anhinga bird because of its texture and feather pattern. (I also have taken dozens of photos of Anhingas, so they aren’t new to me. I will only take more photos if I think I can create a new look.)

Male Anhinga preening his feathers. These large birds swim under water to feed on fish, and then dry their feathers by the water’s edge. They are not shy and don’t flee from a pedestrian.

Great Blue Heron Mating

A young child near me asked, “What are they doing?” Without taking my eye away from the camera, or my finger off the shutter button, I replied, “Making new Great Blue Herons.” I cannot not tell you how lucky I felt in that moment, to photograph this very special scene.

Great Blue Heron pair mating in Venice, Florida, 2023.

This photographer was ready at the right place, the right time feeling very grateful to make my favorite photograph of the season in Southwest Florida. If you are interested in owning a print, please contact Cathy Kelly at cathykellyphotography@gmail.com.

Great Blue Heron, Ready to Mate

Observing a Great Blue Heron pair in Venice, Florida, I witnessed some special body language. It was an hour before sunset in March when this scene unfolded.

Great Blue Heron pair on the nest preparing to mate in Venice, Florida, 2023.

Intimate moment between Great Blue Heron pair in Venice, Florida, 2023.

In the next blog post, I will share some rare photographs of the pair mating. I was super excited to be ready to capture this moment with my camera mounted on the tripod with all the right exposure and focus settings, ready to click.

Great Egrets, Hatched and Hungry

“I’m hungry, Mama!” seems to be the universal cry of the baby. Just look at those big yellow beaks on the young American Egrets in the nest. I just love their scruffy appearance as the new feathers develop. They are neither elegant or silent yet — characteristic of the adults.

Young American Egrets call out from their nest in Venice, Florida, 2023.

Family of three American Egrets (Great Egrets). Baby egret spreads its developing wings, while the parent guards the nest. Venice Florida, 2023.

These baby egrets have not fledged yet and depend on the parents to deliver food. They seem to be getting restless as they wait for their feathers to develop. It is exciting to witness the dynamics of nesting season in Southwest Florida.

Ice Water for a Hot Day

It’s going to be a scorcher in Southwest Florida today — record breaking 92 degrees in the first week of April. What a perfect time to enjoy the frozen waterfall Skogafoss in Iceland — where I shot these photographs in January.

Be sure to scroll down to enjoy all four photographs. The last one may be your favorite.

Icebergs at the foot of Skogafoss in the fading light of sunset, in Iceland in January 2023.

Icicles cling to the cliff alongside Skogafoss in South Iceland, January 2023.

Ice patterns alongside Skogafoss in Iceland just before sunset, January 2023.

Photographer who trespassed beyond safety boundaries provides scale at the foot of Skogafoss in January 2023. All images are copyrighted, but also for sale as prints.
Contact Cathy Kelly at cathykellyphotography@gmail.com for prices and options.