Ric’s Nature Walks

Welcome to my world. When we moved to Crozet about 10 years ago we found a wealth of wildlife in our area. And Marilyn, being a gardener and bird lover found ways to lure some of these fascinating creatures near enough for me to practice my photography skills. I also take many walks through the woods looking for unique photographic opportunities. Here are just a few pictures I’d like to share with you. I will post more as I gather them. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. Click on the first picture to begin the slideshow, you’ll see a much bigger image. Exit to return to this page.

From our back yard last week: Red-shouldered Hawks are medium-sized, with broad, rounded wings and medium-length tails that they fan out when soaring. In flight, they often glide or soar with their wingtips pushed slightly forward, imparting a distinctive, “reaching” posture Blue Jays have a very similar call. Click on the image for a full sized view. Description From Cornell Labs All about Birds website. For more info click this linkhttps://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-shouldered_Hawk/id
Red -shouldered hawk in flight
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Scientific Name: Coccyzus americanus
I shot this photo on the path near a meadow. She’s holding a caterpillar. This was a lucky shot because they often stay hidden. I was alerted to her presence by her unique call. They allegedly make this call before a thunderstorm thus the nick names of rain crow or storm crow. If you are Tolkien fan you’ll remember that one of Gandalf’s Nicknames was Storm Crow. Click on the image for a full size veiw. More info:https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Yellow-billed_Cuckoo/overview
Licking Hole Basin where many of the photos are taken (Click on the photo for a larger, readable, image)
Latest offerings
  • This young Bald Eagle is one of two offspring hatched this year at Lickinghole Basin. This is one of their first flights.
  • These guys are hard to get a good photo of. They like dense foliage and so it is hard to get a good photo of the unique yellow and read chevrons on their wings. Beautiful song.
  • Taking off across the Basin
  • Diving for fish at the Basin. Just passing through probably headed to the coast.
  • Sometime called a Sea Hawk
  • This parent eagle is taking a huge Catfish back to the nest for the tow Juveniles waiting there for lunch.
  • These two have a little disipute of territory and are settling it the old fashion way.
  • Notice the second bird with a berry in its mouth below the first
  • A wading bird that likes tidal pools and Basins like our shallow Licking Hole Basin
  • Beautiful Egret came by for a visit to the Basin for about a week
  • A shy bird that landed on our deck one day. Marilyn sounded the alarm and thankfully the camera was nearby ad ready to go.
  • Warily peering through the bush at me.
  • Dramatic image of our Eagle against a gathering storm Shot April 13, 2020
  • Bald Eagle Landing Near nest
  • Red Bellied Woodpecker
  • Downy Woodpecker
  • Eastern BlueBird
  • Northern Flicker
  • Killdeer
  • Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
  • Black Swallowtail
  • Pipevine Swallowtail
  • Zebra Swallowtail
  • Great Spangled Fritillary
  • Wild Bleeding Hearts
  • RHODODENDRONS
Photos Ric has taken in our backyard and nearby trails

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