Pictures from 2012

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Big Sur, McWay Falls, postaday

The weather has been too cold and stormy to go out and take pictures. We escaped the snow, but yesterday temperatures went from 50°F (10°C) in the morning to 6°F (-14°C) in the evening, and the winds are still howling outside today, although with less urgency.

So I went through my archives and reprocessed some of my favorite photos from 2012 to display here. They are various views of McWay Falls in Big Sur, CA. It is one of seven places in the United States where a waterfall falls on a beach. Of the seven places, McWay Falls is probably the most famous and most photogenic. Enjoy, and keep warm!

McWay Falls.

McWay Falls.

McWay Falls.

McWay Falls.

Geese, Junco, Cardinal

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canada geese, dark-eyed junco, Edwin B Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, northern cardinal, postaday, snow geese

The weather has not been too nice lately. I went out to Barnegat Lighthouse, but it was very windy and cold, and there were no birds other than seagulls flying around. So I dug into my archives and came up with the following shots taken at the beginning of 2022.

Canada Geese.

Snow Geese.

Snow Geese.

I took these last two photos from our deck during and after a snowstorm.

Dark-eyed Junco.

Northern Cardinal.

Swans, Great Egret, Red Fox, Goldfinch

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canada goose, goldfinch, great egret, mallard, mute swan, postaday, red fox, Tundra Swan

Mute Swans live year round at the refuge, but in the fall and winter Tundra Swans stop by on their way to warmer spots in the Mid Atlantic region.

Two weeks ago, I saw one immature Mute Swan, with a bill that was not fully orange yet.

Immature Mute Swan.

Not far from it there was a Tundra Swan swimming with a Canada Goose.

Tundra Swan and Canada Goose.

At another part of the refuge, three adult Mute Swans could be seen preening.

Three Mute Swans.

Three Mute Swans.

Not to be outdone, a Great Egret was also showing its preening skills.

Great Egret.

Closer to home, in our backyard, a Red Fox was sitting comfortably at the edge of the woods, watching us from a safe distance.

Red Fox.

Much closer than the Red Fox, a Goldfinch in its winter colors was visiting the birdfeeder.

Goldfinch.

Buffleheads

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bufflehead, Edwin B Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, postaday

Buffleheads are the smallest ducks in North America. They have more often than not proved to be difficult for me to photograph. When they are close enough, lighting would not be coming from the right direction for a photo to show their eyes and faces. Buffleheads are also very shy and will fly away if one comes too close or makes any kind of noise.

A few weeks ago, I was lucky to see a group of Buffleheads at the refuge busy swimming around and diving for food. Somehow, they paid scant attention to me! So here are a few shots of them that day, taken from a good distance away.

Male Bufflehead.

Male Bufflehead chasing female Bufflehead.

Male and female Buffleheads.

Male Bufflehead.

Female Bufflehead.

Male Bufflehead.

Christmas Cactus Blooming

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christmas cactus, postaday

Our Christmas Cactuses began opening their flowers the day before Thanksgiving and have not stopped since. Here are a few closeups of some of the flowers in both red and white.

Red Christmas Cactus.

Red Christmas Cactus.

Red Christmas Cactus.

White Christmas Cactus.

White Christmas Cactus.

White Christmas Cactus.