Beth's Photographs
Plain and Fancy
Osprey Guarding Nest
Osprey Guarding Nest
This Osprey flew in and perched to keep eyes on people walking the trail near its nest. The nest is located at the Marine Nature Study Area in Oceanside, Long Island, NY.
Northern Pintail Duck
The Northern Pintail is a winter visitor to Long Island, NY.
Earlier this month, I found an adult male in breeding plumage at a small, local duck pond. It was swimming with the local Mallards as if it was just one of the guys. I love the pattern and color of its feathers, particularly the white stripes on each side of its neck. And its bill makes me think of blue/black saddle shoes.
Yes, it’s no longer winter, but for this Pintail, it’s close enough for rock and roll. 
Northern Pintail, male, April 2013.
Northern Pintail Duck, male, 4/2/13
Northern Pintail Duck, male, 4/2/13
Northern Pintail Duck, male, 4/2/13
Back in January 2006, I photographed a female Northern Pintail at this same pond.
Northern Pintail, female, January, 2006.
Northern Pintail, female, January, 2006.
Irish Wolfhound Security
Irish Wolfhounds Shannon (l) and Declan (r) make sure the front yard is secure.
For those who might not know, Irish Wolfhounds are very large dogs. According to the Irish Wolfhound Club of America’s web site: “males usually ‘average’ around 34-35 inches and 140-180 pounds, bitches around 32-34 inches and 115-140 lbs.” At 6 years, Shannon (female) is fully grown. Declan (male) is just a year old, so he’ll be filling out about another 6 months. But you can already see how much bigger Declan is compared to Shannon.
Natasha the Cat, 21 Years Young
Natasha is a gift. She’s 21 years old and has been with me since the day she was born.
The patches of soft brown fur in her black coat show her age. She’s also been deaf the past two or three years. But she still jumps on beds and chairs, goes up and down stairs, helps me open and inspect boxes from the mail and stores, and is fascinated by yummy bugs that occasionally reveal themselves on walls and floors.
Natasha the Cat, 21 years old.
Photobomber “Ducks” In
“Dude! You’re photobombing me? And bubbles? Did you…ewww. Seriously?”
A fowl photobombing.
Travel Theme: Bridges
The Brooklyn Bridge, as seen from the opposite end of the Brooklyn Bridge Promenade in Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn, NY. This is my entry into Where’s My Backpack blog’s weekly Travel Theme: Bridges.
By the way, if you’re old enough to remember the Patty Duke Show (or seen reruns), you might recall the theme song’s lyrics: “but Patty’s only seen the sights a girl can see from Brooklyn Heights.” This is that Brooklyn Heights, right here near the Promenade.
Brooklyn Bridge Promenade in Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn, NY.
DUMP NO WASTE! DRAINS TO WATERWAYS
Dump No Waste! Drains to Waterways: iron sewer grate at South Street Seaport, New York City.
American Wigeon
Found this American Wigeon and several others on a small stream near a wooded trail. Here on Long Island (NY), Wigeons visit only during the Winter. Many ducks from cold, Northern climates spend their winters on Long Island. I watch them out in the Atlantic Ocean, as well as back bays and smaller bodies of water. These wintering ducks are among my favorites: I love the variety of bill shapes, as well as the colors and patterns of their feathers.
American Wigeon duck, Long Island, NY
