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Capturing the magic of wildlife through photography
Advocating Responsible Wildlife Photography
Piping Plover photos are from my 2019 project on endangered species with Duxbury Beach Reservation as part of their Coastal Ecology Program. My thanks to all the DBR staff who made that project possible.
These and other available. Contact Stewart for print size and price.
No wildlife subjects were disturbed, threated or harmed during photography excursions.
Lenses: Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM and Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM
"I See You"
Salisbury Beach: Snowy Owl release.
The species rates a 13 out of 20 on the Continental Concern Score. Snowy Owl is a U.S.-Canada Stewardship species, and is listed on the 2016 State of North America's Birds' Watch List, which includes bird species that are most at risk of extinction without significant conservation actions to reverse declines and reduce threats.
The species rates a 13 out of 20 on the Continental Concern Score. Snowy Owl is a U.S.-Canada Stewardship species, and is listed on the 2016 State of North America's Birds' Watch List, which includes bird species that are most at risk of extinction without significant conservation actions to reverse declines and reduce threats.
"The Yawn"
Duxbury Beach: An adult Piping Plover yawning.
Yawning occurs in just about every vertebrate animal. Researchers have proferred a rich and varied slate of theories, all supported with varying amounts of evidence, about the precise reason that birds and animals yawn, but nothing is conclusive.
Experiments with Budgerigars indicate that yawning can serve as a thermoregulatory behavior; the birds yawned more frequently in warmer conditions. Experiments with rats seem to bolster the conclusion; their yawns may be preceded by spikes in brain temperature and are followed by cooler readings.
Yawning occurs in just about every vertebrate animal. Researchers have proferred a rich and varied slate of theories, all supported with varying amounts of evidence, about the precise reason that birds and animals yawn, but nothing is conclusive.
Experiments with Budgerigars indicate that yawning can serve as a thermoregulatory behavior; the birds yawned more frequently in warmer conditions. Experiments with rats seem to bolster the conclusion; their yawns may be preceded by spikes in brain temperature and are followed by cooler readings.
"Gimme Shelter"
Duxbury Beach: Piping Plover chick attempts to seek shelter under an adult.
Both parents brood young Piping plover chicks who rely on parents to shelter them from hot and cold temperatures, keep them dry in the rain, and for protection from predators.
Both parents brood young Piping plover chicks who rely on parents to shelter them from hot and cold temperatures, keep them dry in the rain, and for protection from predators.
Featured in NANPA’s Showcase 2020 Conservation Category: "The Beach Is Our Treasure, Not Your Trash Can"
Duxbury Beach: A Piping Plover chick standing next to a discarded plastic bottle.
Trash is sometimes discarded by beach goers or may be washed up on the beach after a high tide. Regardless of how the trash landed on the beach, plastic poses a serious threat to our environment.
According to the Container Recycling Institute, 100.7 billion plastic beverage bottles were sold in the U.S. in 2014, or 315 bottles per person.
57% of those units were plastic water bottles: 57.3 billion sold in 2014. This is up from 3.8 billion plastic water bottles sold in 1996, the earliest year for available data.
The process of producing bottled water requires around 6 times as much water per bottle as there is in the container.
14% of all litter comes from beverage containers. When caps and labels are considered, the number is higher.
Trash is sometimes discarded by beach goers or may be washed up on the beach after a high tide. Regardless of how the trash landed on the beach, plastic poses a serious threat to our environment.
According to the Container Recycling Institute, 100.7 billion plastic beverage bottles were sold in the U.S. in 2014, or 315 bottles per person.
57% of those units were plastic water bottles: 57.3 billion sold in 2014. This is up from 3.8 billion plastic water bottles sold in 1996, the earliest year for available data.
The process of producing bottled water requires around 6 times as much water per bottle as there is in the container.
14% of all litter comes from beverage containers. When caps and labels are considered, the number is higher.
"Reflections"
Duxbury Beach: Piping Plover chick foraging at low tide.
Piping plover chicks are precocial and leave the nest shortly after hatching. The plover chicks rely on both parents to lead them to food sources.
Piping plover chicks are precocial and leave the nest shortly after hatching. The plover chicks rely on both parents to lead them to food sources.
"Stretch"
Duxbury Beach: Adult Piping Plover stretching wings during preening.
Preening is a bird's way of grooming its feathers to keep them in the best condition. While preening, birds remove dust, dirt, and parasites from their feathers and align each feather in the optimum position relative to adjacent feathers and body shape. Most birds will preen several times a day to keep themselves healthy.
FEATURED VIDEO
Top 7 Bird Feeding Mistakes
The uropygial gland, or preen gland, is an essential part of preening. This gland is found near the base of the tail and produces an oily, waxy substance that helps waterproof feathers and keep them flexible. While preening, birds spread this oil to each feather so they are evenly coated and protected.
Extensive stretching helps provide space between each feather so the entire feather can be stroked and groomed effectively. Stretching or fluffing also helps birds align all their feathers after a section has been preened.
Preening is a bird's way of grooming its feathers to keep them in the best condition. While preening, birds remove dust, dirt, and parasites from their feathers and align each feather in the optimum position relative to adjacent feathers and body shape. Most birds will preen several times a day to keep themselves healthy.
FEATURED VIDEO
Top 7 Bird Feeding Mistakes
The uropygial gland, or preen gland, is an essential part of preening. This gland is found near the base of the tail and produces an oily, waxy substance that helps waterproof feathers and keep them flexible. While preening, birds spread this oil to each feather so they are evenly coated and protected.
Extensive stretching helps provide space between each feather so the entire feather can be stroked and groomed effectively. Stretching or fluffing also helps birds align all their feathers after a section has been preened.
"Skippy"
Duxbury Beach: Piping Plover chick in mid-stride.
Typically they run a few steps and then pause, then run again, pecking at the ground whenever they spot something edible.
Typically they run a few steps and then pause, then run again, pecking at the ground whenever they spot something edible.
"Whassup?"
Duxbury Beach: A curious Piping Plover chick investigating me, lying on the sand as I photograph it. Young chicks rely on parents to warn them of danger as they have not be previously exposed to predators and humans.
This is one reason for the deployment of shorebird monitors as these tiny birds often go unnoticed by the general public. The immediate danger is that chicks will crouch down and try to blend with their environment risking being stepped on.
This is one reason for the deployment of shorebird monitors as these tiny birds often go unnoticed by the general public. The immediate danger is that chicks will crouch down and try to blend with their environment risking being stepped on.
"Beach Angel"
Duxbury Beach: A Piping Plover chick stretches its wings to strengthen its wing muscles in preparation for fledging.
"Ballet"
Eastham: A Great Egret attempts to steal a catch from another creating a unique photo opportunity with their reflection and the light shimmering on the water.
"Tranquility"
Eastham: Sunset on the beach with a flock of birds in the background.
"Feed Us!"
Wrentham: An adult Great Blue Heron arrives on the nest accompanied by a cacophony of raucous squawking from hungry chicks.
"Poised To Strike"
Quincy: My car made the perfect bird blind to photograph this Great Egret poised to strike as it stalks its prey.
Lunch at Duxbury Beach
Duxbury Beach: Spring Migration 2021.
For most of the United States spring and fall is the time to see a Magnolia Warbler as they migrate to and from the breeding grounds in the boreal forest.
Warblers are a challenge to photograph as they seldom sit in one spot, flitting in and out of the foliage searching for insects. I was fortunate to get this opportunity!
For most of the United States spring and fall is the time to see a Magnolia Warbler as they migrate to and from the breeding grounds in the boreal forest.
Warblers are a challenge to photograph as they seldom sit in one spot, flitting in and out of the foliage searching for insects. I was fortunate to get this opportunity!
"Trio"
Sanibel Island, FL: a trio of Brown Pelicans.
I found a group of Brown Pelicans resting at an estuary during a trip to Florida. This trio presented themselves for a perfect picture.
I found a group of Brown Pelicans resting at an estuary during a trip to Florida. This trio presented themselves for a perfect picture.
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