THE KISS

Posted on September 11, 2016 by bilyreid

Greta Zimmer Friedman has died at the age of 92.  She was the subject in perhaps one of the most iconic photos of the last century.

the-kiss-1THE KISS

Statue of the “Kiss” in Sarasota, Florida.

 

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PERUVIAN HUMMERS

Posted on September 2, 2016 by bilyreid

A few pictures of some Peruvian hummingbirds that I was fortunate enough to spot on my recent hike through the Andes.

Giiant Hummingbird-1GIANT HUMMINGBIRD

VIOLATEAR-1SPARKLING VIOLATEAR

TRAINBEARER-1GREEN-TAILED TRAINBEARER

 

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MACHU PICCHU RUINS

Posted on August 19, 2016 by bilyreid

 More images from my recent trip.

Machu Picchu Best HDR-1MACHU PICCHU RUINS

 

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BIRDS OF PERU

Posted on August 16, 2016 by bilyreid

While my recent trip to Peru was  not a birding trip per se, I was able to find some time at the end of each day just before dark and therefore in poor light to pursue some bird photography. Images below are more for “identity” rather than quality as our hike did not allow the weight penalty of better telephoto lenses nor did group dynamics allow much time for the necessary patience  for this endeavour. Many, many life birds for me were spotted but will have to remain etched in my memory. I have attempted to identify the birds as best I can.  Please feel free to contact me with any errors or omissions. PERUVIAN SPARROW-1PERUVIAN OR RUFOUS-COLLARED SPARROW

unknown-1 MOUSTACHED FLOWERPIERCER

PERUVIAN PLOVER-1ANDEAN LAPWING

unknown-1-2WHITE-TAILED HAWK

Bare Faced Ground Dove-1BARED FACED GROUND DOVE

UNKNOWN 4-1 CHIGUANCO THRUSH

UNKNOWN 5-1STRIPE- HEADED ANTPITTAS

MOUNTAIN CARACARA-1-2MOUNTAIN CARACARA 

During our hike Machu Picchu, as many as 20 immature Mountain Caracaras could be seen at one time swirling above our heads.  

FLAMINGOS-1 FLAMINGOS

Flamingos at nearly 12,000 feet elevation!

WHITE-TUFTED GREBE-1WHITE-TUFTED GREBE, LAKE TITICACA

ANDEAN SEAGULL-1ANDEAN SEAGULL, LAKE TITICACA

PUNA TEAL-1PUNA TEAL, LAKE TITICACA

CHESTNUT-WINGED CINCLODES-1CHESTNUT-WINGED CINCLODES

kingfisher Macchu Picchu-1 KINGFISHER, MACHU PICCHU

Were the Inca’s interested in bird imagery? Try and spot the depiction of a Kingfisher in the stonework of a wall at Machu Picchu. This artistic effort would have taken hundreds of hours of cutting and polishing with crude stone tools. Lucky me, I only have to polish pixels with Photoshop!!

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PERUVIAN PANORAMAS

Posted on August 10, 2016 by bilyreid

Some panorama images from my recent expedition to Peru.

Inca Terrace-1INCA TERRACE, PISAC, SACRED VALLEY

Inca Agricultural Terrace-1AGRICULTURAL TERRACE

Major food source for Machu Picchu which is a three day hike up the mountain.

Campsite Three-1CAMPSITE THREE

Last rest stop before final push up to the Lost City.

First Light Campsite 3-1FIRST LIGHT

Homer’s “Rosy-fingered” dawn caresses a mountain glacier at first light. With images like this waiting outside your tent flap, no need for coffee to kick-start your day!!

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INCA TRAIL TREK

Posted on August 4, 2016 by bilyreid

I survive the Inca Trail trek to the lost city of Machu Picchu!!  Did I flinch before Dead Woman’s Pass (elevation 13, 700 ft). Hell, no!! Did I crumble on the ancient stone staircase they now call the “Gringo Killer“.  No!!!  (But I did crawl up on all fours!!)

Machu PicchuMACHU PICCHU

Four days of exhilarating, exhausting adventure in the high Andes. Glad to have put that one into the books. Won’t be doing it again.

 

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GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER

Posted on July 4, 2016 by bilyreid

Great Crested FlycatcherGREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER

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BOEHM’S CHAPEL ANNIVERSARY

Posted on June 26, 2016 by bilyreid

 Today is the 225th anniversary of the Boehm’s Chapel in Willow Street, Pennsylvania. The Chapel is the fourth most historically significant centre of Methodism in America. The Chapel was built on land donated by my Boehm ancestors who had received the original title directly from William Penn.  Celebrations will be on-going throughout the day by the Boehm’s Chapel Society which is dedicated to the preservation of building and the spreading of the knowledge of its unique role in the history of faith in America.

BOEHM'S CHAPELHISTORICAL MARKER

BOEHM'S CHAPEL 2 BOEHM’S CHAPEL

MAN IN BLACKMAN IN BLACK

Boehm’s Chapel and the Boehm homestead was a point of refuge for many of the famous American Circuit Riders who carried their faith to the remotest corners of the American frontier. Many have found their final resting place in the adjoining historical cemetery.

LOYAL

The Boehm’s Chapel Society has acquired a copy of my book for their library, “Loyal She Began”,  and will have it on display during the celebrations. The book tells the story of the Boehm migration to Canada in the aftermath of the American Revolution. 

Copies of the book are available from the publisher here.

Best wishes to the Boehm’s Chapel Society for a very successful event!

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LADY SLIPPERS

Posted on June 17, 2016 by bilyreid

Tis the time of year for wild orchids.

Lady Slipper GroupGROUP OF YELLOW LADY SLIPPER ORCHIDS

 

YELLOW LADY SLIPPERYELLOW LADY SLIPPER

Pink Lady Slipper-3PINK LADY SLIPPER

 

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CANADA WARBLER

Posted on June 10, 2016 by bilyreid

Finally had some luck in what has been a spectacularly uneventful spring migration. A bird that has eluded me for years.

CANADA WARBLER-2CANADA WARBLER

 

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