Wild Delmarva

The sun had set and only the last orange glow of twilight reflected in a small island of open water as this Great Blue Heron tossed back the fish it caught yesterday.

Photograph by Kevin Fleming

It has been a tough couple of weeks on Delmarva’s wetlands for wildlife. Cold temperatures have frozen much of the shallow, protected water making it difficult for wildlife to feed. This afternoon warmer temperatures melted some of the thinner ice so the ducks concentrated there. Competition was tough for what food was available and these Northern Pintails were fighting for what was there.

Photograph by Kevin Fleming

Ponies have been living wild on Assateague Island since perhaps the 17th century. No one knows for sure if they were put there by early settlers or maybe they survived a Spanish shipwreck off the the coast.

Photograph by Kevin Fleming

Could one of these wild ponies be Misty of Chincoteague? Probably not as author Marguerite Henry penned that famous true-story book back in 1949 – more than 60 years ago. But Misty was a pinto with coloration similar to three of these ponies on Assateague Island. No one knows the origin of these unique wild ponies. One legend is that a Spanish galleon wrecked off the island and the ponies swam to shore. A more likely theory is that 17th century colonist let their animals loose on the island.

Photograph by Kevin Fleming

I’m very happy to find Northern Shovelers back on Delmarva for the winter. These colorful and distinctive ducks spend the breeding season mostly north and west of Canada’s Hudson Bay and winter here on the peninsula. They use their unique, spoon-shaped bill to filter food from the water.

Photograph by Kevin Fleming

Yesterday was a cold and snowy day here on the peninsula so this Delmarva Fox Squirrel used its thick, bushy tail to keep warm. Similar in color but larger than the common Gray Squirrel, the Delmarva Fox Squirrel has been on the federal endangered species list since 1967.

Photograph by Kevin Fleming

Only a winter visitor on Delmarva, the Yellow-rumped Warbler breeds to the north in New England and Canada. Most warblers feed on flies, beetles, wasps and spiders so they leave Delmarva for the winter but this handsome bird survives the winter eating our fruits and berries.

Photograph by Kevin Fleming

I don’t know who was more startled, me or the Great Blue Heron. We surprised each other yesterday morning and the heron took off and I had time to take just one shot.

Photograph by Kevin Fleming

This quintet of Tundra Swan broke into a chorus of hooting kloo klooos yesterday afternoon. These beautiful and graceful birds get their name from their nesting area on Canada’s tundra. Similar to the larger Trumpeter Swan the yellow spot on their lores near their eyes distinguish them.

Photograph by Kevin Fleming

Come to Rehoboth Beach on February 6th for a great day of photography. Starting at 9:00 a.m. you will learn how I photograph portraits, landscapes, action and aerials. We’ll discuss lens settings, shutter speeds and how to use your camera correctly.

I’ll do a presentation of my Heart of America and Wild Delaware book photographs.

After a lunch break at the Big Fish restaurant you will spend several hours learning how to do Photoshop the right way. My assistant Autumn and I will share our Photoshop secrets we use to make images look their best.

Price of the all-day seminar is just $150 (lunch not included) and you will receive an autographed copy of The Heart of America and Wild Delaware (a $100 value).

This seminar is for photographers with some experience who want to improve their skills. To get the most from this class you should be using a digital DSLR camera (not a point and shoot). Class size will be limited to 20.

To register call 800-291-7600 (11:00 a.m – 6:00 p.m.) or email Autumn@dmv.com

Come spend a day at the beach and you will be a better photographer!