Pic of the Day

Tree Swallow, Tachycineta bicolor:  Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, Ohio

    Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge is a 6,500 acre remnant of the once 1,500 square miles Great Black Swamp that bordered the southern coast of Lake Erie.  Ottawa, along with Magee Marsh, Crane Creek, and Black Swamp Bird Observatory, is a vital part of the habitat so important to migratory birds as they travel north and south.  It is also important to resident and breeding birds that make these sanctuaries home.

     This Tree Swallow is one of thousands that nest in Ottawa NWR.  I found it perched on a limb adjacent to a nest box in which it was building a nest.  Tree Swallows are one of my favorite subjects.  When shooting is slow I can always count on a Tree Swallow being near the many nest boxes in the refuge.

     This little guy was more than happy to pose for the camera, and a little gust of wind provided the opportunity to get a shot with open wings as it tried to balance itself in the breeze.

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f4, 1/100 second @ f8