Sunday, May 2, 2010

Matty behind the lens...

Matty and I were in the kitchen when our beautiful Red-bellied Woodpecker flew up to the suet feeder. The day was overcast and grey, which seemed to be the perfect weather conditions for glowing red feathers. At first Matty and I just watched him, mesmerized by the intense red-orange, then Matty grabbed the camera and took a few photos. He didn't know if they would turn out because it was his first time to shoot. I think he has a pretty steady hand and good eye! He was shooting through glass too... Way to go, Matt! I LOVE them!





...and down below, two Mourning Doves were hanging out being sweet. They caught Matty's eye too...

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46 comments:

  1. Midmarsh JohnMay 2, 2010 at 4:45 PM

    You have some stiff competition there Kelly. Great shots Matty.

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  2. AnonymousMay 2, 2010 at 4:46 PM

    Great photos of the infamously hard-to-see red belly?

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  3. AnonymousMay 2, 2010 at 4:48 PM

    Oops - that should have ended with an exclamation mark, not a question mark. Curse my poor typing skills.

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  4. KellyMay 2, 2010 at 4:58 PM

    ...Thanks, John! I think I'm going to have to keep my eye on the camera!

    ...Thanks, Rebecca! I told Matty the same thing...great red belly! He was pretty happy.

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  5. holdingmomentsMay 2, 2010 at 5:14 PM

    Well done Matty. Great shots.
    A very talented family Kelly.

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  6. RoyMay 2, 2010 at 5:23 PM

    Great shots, especially for a first timer shooting through a window.

    Ah, Kelly, you would have loved to have been where I was this morning. This was bird walk Sunday (it happens biweekly), and we ended up at Miantonomi Park on the north end of Newport; the park is Migratory Warbler Central in May, and the whole bunch of us came out with bad cases of Warbler Whiplash. We saw and heard: Northern Parulas, Yellow-rumped Warblers, a Nashville Warbler, Palm Warblers, Eastern Towhees, Phoebes, a Great Crested Flycatcher (or maybe two), a Red-tailed Hawk, and a Turkey Vulture. There were other groups of birders from all over RI there as well (the word went out yesterday that the park was hopping), and from them we heard about sightings of a Prothonotary Warbler, a Summer Tanager, Scarlet Tanagers, and an Orchard Oriole. What with the usual cast of Cardinals. Chickadees, Robins, Blue Jays, and Tufted Titmice, the place was an absolute cacophony of birdsong!

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  7. GainaMay 2, 2010 at 5:48 PM

    They are amazing photographs, well done Matty! :)

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  8. mickMay 2, 2010 at 5:51 PM

    Those are great photos and the red on the bird is spectacular.

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  9. Linda YarrowMay 2, 2010 at 6:13 PM

    Lovely pictures, lovely brightly coloured Woodpecker:)

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  10. ElaineMay 2, 2010 at 6:25 PM

    Matty, supurb shots! You'll have to grab the camera more--or start lobbying for your own camera.....

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  11. Dawn FineMay 2, 2010 at 6:27 PM

    Well done Matty! Awesome shots! great composition.

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  12. Wanda.....May 2, 2010 at 6:33 PM

    Maybe Mattie needs his own camera now, Kelly! Loved his photos!
    ...Wanda♥

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  13. JeniMay 2, 2010 at 6:58 PM

    Great Pics Matty!!!!!

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  14. HeatherMay 2, 2010 at 7:23 PM

    Awesome work, Matty! You have your mom's eye for a good shot!

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  15. TonyCMay 2, 2010 at 7:34 PM

    This is so not fair!! How can there be soooo much talent in one family!! LOL!! seriously though, Great shots Matty.

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  16. eileeninmdMay 2, 2010 at 8:31 PM

    Gorgeous shots of the red bellies woodie. Can't miss that red belly. Awesome capture!

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  17. Cicero SingsMay 2, 2010 at 8:44 PM

    Great shots! Way to go Matty.

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  18. ShySongbirdMay 2, 2010 at 9:09 PM

    Goodness! The talent runs in the family...superb shots!

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  19. pennyMay 2, 2010 at 9:32 PM

    Kelly,
    Matty did a wonderful job of capturing the beauty of this gorgeous Red Bellied woodpecker.
    Brave and well done, Matty... I see a new camera in your future :)

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  20. MaryMay 2, 2010 at 9:56 PM

    Looks fantastic to me! Steady hand and some great shots!

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  21. Busy Bee SuzMay 2, 2010 at 10:14 PM

    I am totally impressed with his shooting skills!!! Great job Matty!

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  22. Betsy Banks AdamsMay 2, 2010 at 11:19 PM

    Wow Kelly----Like Mama like son, huh???? Think he may pass you up sometime with his photography skills????? Hmmmmmmmmmmm....

    Great shots, Mattie.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  23. Bill S.May 2, 2010 at 11:46 PM

    Fantastic pictures. Those are some very great capture by Matty.

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  24. ValerieMay 3, 2010 at 6:20 AM

    I love it when I get shots like this! Nice job. Beautiful pictures!

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  25. JayneMay 3, 2010 at 6:41 AM

    I don't think I've ever seen a Red-bellied with THAT red of a belly! Geat shots Matty!

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  26. Susan EllisMay 3, 2010 at 7:09 AM

    Well done Mom and son! and lovely woodpecker shots!

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  27. AnonymousMay 3, 2010 at 7:17 AM

    Absolutely fabulous shots of the Woodpecker Kelly.

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  28. EMay 3, 2010 at 8:57 AM

    Wonderful pics, 10/10 ! Matty, like mother like son, :) Congrats, color, clarity,pose, birds, beauty, light , all perfect. Hugs to all.

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  29. Wai YienMay 3, 2010 at 10:37 AM

    as usual, these photos are simply gorgeous.

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  30. Kathy A. JohnsonMay 3, 2010 at 10:37 AM

    Yay, Matty! Like mother, like son. Beautiful shots.

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  31. Janice KMay 3, 2010 at 10:42 AM

    Way to go Matti...Not only is the red head glowing, but great shots of the belly too!

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  32. Warren BakerMay 3, 2010 at 11:54 AM

    ....and I bet Matty paints as well as you too. :-)

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  33. Laure FerlitaMay 3, 2010 at 5:30 PM

    Way to go, Matty!

    Apparently, photography skills run in the family!!

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  34. AllisonMay 3, 2010 at 7:32 PM

    I especially love the little striped pantaloons around the legs when he is upside down. Great shots Matty!

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  35. KellyMay 4, 2010 at 12:24 AM

    ...thanks, everyone for your kind comments. Matty was amazed so many people liked his photo. --I think I had better keep my eye on the camera. I know the lure of the lens--once you start there's no turning back! (That camera used to belong to Rick, but he snoozed just a little too often, and suddenly it was mine!)

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  36. FABMay 4, 2010 at 6:52 AM

    Excellent shots, particularly through the window...WELL DONE Matty. Look forward to seeing more from the budding naturalist. FAB.

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  37. Hilke BrederMay 5, 2010 at 6:56 PM

    Kelly, I have never seen a RBW with such a red belly! Great photos. The ones that I see here are usually much paler.

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  38. Hilke BrederMay 5, 2010 at 6:58 PM

    P.S. Good start, Matty. You are going to be an excellent photographer if youi keep it up!

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  39. LarryMay 6, 2010 at 12:15 AM

    Beautiful shots of the Red-bellied Woodpecker Matty! Keep up the good work.

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  40. oldcrow61May 6, 2010 at 8:32 AM

    These are wonderful pictures. Congratulations to Matty.

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  41. elvira pajarolaMay 6, 2010 at 1:33 PM

    COMPLIMENTS!!!!!!!
    These are just fantastic photos of an incredibly sympatic little woodpecker! MAGNIFICIENT!!!
    What a pleasure to visit your fabulous blog!!
    Have a great day!
    ciao ciao elvira from Tuscany

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  42. Sarah KnightMay 6, 2010 at 2:17 PM

    Those are stunning photos : )

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  43. Johnny NutcaseMay 7, 2010 at 1:29 PM

    these guys are so sweet - really love that first one!

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  44. AnonymousMay 10, 2010 at 10:33 PM

    Wow! Wicked shots of the Red-bellied woodpecker!! I am hoping that my trip to Point Pelee this coming weekend will offer me a gimps of this wonderful woodpecker.

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  45. myonlyphotoMay 11, 2010 at 2:25 PM

    Kelly your Matty and my Matthew should get together for birdwatching and photography too. This morning I spotted nice little bird on the fence, and he too tries to take photos. But I had to do it myself, as he still shoots in the air, lol. Excellent photo by Matty, Anna :)

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  46. AFTERMATHMay 13, 2010 at 8:15 AM

    LLllooooooooove the Red Bellies! We have them. They make great photo subjects. Nice captures!

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