Holiday Hookey

July 5, 2026

June 25, 2026 - an angel with a big heart and her arms outstretched to hold us.

I have a confession. While I was supposed to be writing this post, I was sitting on a stool on my deck watching two ruby-throated hummingbirds chase each other around. I could have come inside, I suppose, but it was so much fun to watch.

One of the beautiful combatants.

In case you’re not familiar with male ruby-throated hummingbirds, they are like Joey from the TV show “Friends” - they DON’T SHARE FOOD! They will not be around long; by the end of July, they will leave for their winter home. So, I have to take advantage when I can!

He looks fierce, doesn’t he?

I was also playing with my new camera, which I am just learning how to use. My trusty Nikon D500 DSLR, the third one I have had over the past 11 years, finally decided it was done. The shutter count was well over 400K on a camera rated to 250K, so it had a good life. I’ve avoided moving to mirrorless for at least 5 years now, dreading it, if truth be told. I loved my D500. I’m not the only person who would say it was the best DX DSLR ever made. But all good things come to an end, and it chose now.

My D500 has been such a good friend!

This is where I loudly thank each and every one of you who has supported me financially at any point in this journey. Replacing the best camera friend I’ve ever had is not inexpensive, and every contribution really helps!

I love dragonfly eyes! (Eastern amberwing)

Learning the new system will take some time. Even though it’s Nikon-to-Nikon, it is quite different. So many new options, settings, and capabilities to try out. It’s already proven better at some things like birds in flight, but not as good at others, like focusing on dragonfly eyes. It might be the settings. It might be that I’m still using my trusty old lens on top of a converter. Or, I may have to learn entirely new techniques.

Missed the focus and discovered when I came in that all of my photos got shot in JPEG instead of RAW. So much to learn. BUT, a heart shaped leaf and that glowing throat in the background is still fun to capture!

It’s a good time to learn, though, as this is the time of year when I take the fewest photos, believe it or not. The ticks are extra bad this year, so that is further limiting my photo opportunities because even walking through the cut grass with protective clothing on isn’t the sure bet it has often been.

The new camera can catch a dragonfly coming straight towards me, which was nearly impossible before!

I did, however, get through a lot of the June photos in the last week, so I have so many new ones to share! Hence, today, I am taking a bit of a holiday. Playing hooky as it were, and letting the photos do the rest of the talking!

Eastern kingbird hunting bugs.

Without further ado, here is their story:

First year male orchard oriole practicing his songs.

Mr. orchard oriole will eventually be this color!

Prothonotary warbler singing as loudly as he can! “America, the beautiful…”

And there he goes.

Northern parula showing off his song too.

AI is giving me three different identifications for this month, so I’m not sure what it is. But it is really cool! Maybe a wooly bear moth, or maybe a fall webworm?

This guy is a blue dasher, I’m sure becuase he’s so dashing!

The lovely red hairstreak. I just love their snouts!

Pollinators pollinating and such a happy yellow tree!

Imagine having wings you could move that fast! This was taken at 1/1000th of a second.

May we all be as happy as a goldfinch on thistle.

May your week ahead be full of ease and kindness.