velmafrantz.bsky.social - Profile | ThreadSky | a Reddit-style client for Bluesky

After noticing me snapping photos through a tunnel in the trees and assigning stern judgment, this house finch decided he had a better object for me to photograph. "Oh yeah?! Shoot this!" 😅🪶

submitted 1 day ago • 1 comment

This handsome mallard was swimming alongside a female, but when I arrived, he separated from her and began swimming back and forth in front of me. His show served its purpose, I was so distracted by him that I didn't even notice her disappearing act! I still have no idea where she managed to go. 🪶

submitted 1 day ago • 1 comment

I enjoy the temperament of mourning doves. They are much more tolerant than other birds when I am photographing, allowing me to get patient and personal shots like these. You wouldn't expect it, but these birds can fly up to 55mph! 🪶

submitted 1 day ago • 2 comments

I had the pleasure of spending some time watching this striking eastern bluebird today as well. It was nice to see the provided house getting used; peep the nesting material in its beak in the first photo. My local facility has gained conservation certification partly thru these bluebird houses. 🪶

submitted 2 days ago • 1 comment

It was an absolute treat to stumble across this turkey vulture pair this morning. I want to assume they are mates, as these birds typically partner up long-term and spend a lot of time with their mates, but given that turkey vultures are very social, I couldn't tell you that's the case for sure. 🪶

submitted 2 days ago • 0 comments

As previously mentioned, it was a W I M D Y day here. While the temps were "49°F" at the time of this picture, the wind was a steady 20+mph. This red-tailed hawk was gripping tightly to this pole and hunkering down to hold steady during the 37mph gusts. 🪶

submitted 2 days ago • 0 comments

Seeing a bald eagle so close never gets old for me. It was a blisteringly windy day here in Michigan, and this one was nestled into the trees at wastewater. It's always frightening when they stare straight into your soul, though. 🪶

submitted 2 days ago • 2 comments

Waxwings passing a seed back and forth and just being unreasonably cute #birds

submitted 9 days ago • 2 comments

Upon mention of how having a Bald Eagle stare directly at you never gets less intimidating, my kiddo had the timely idea to match up Spirit with the photo, and, prove me wrong.

submitted 2 days ago • 1 comment

My partner is a quiet person in a house of yammerers who tell four stories simultaneously (even the cat)

submitted 3 days ago • 0 comments

Surprise, surprise. The birds were exceptional again this morning. 😍🪶

submitted 2 days ago • 0 comments

My first close encounter with one of these little narwahls of the trees. What's more is he seemed totally undeterred by me and posed quite sweetly on several stumps & branches #birds

submitted 3 days ago • 1 comment

Lastly, in fulfilling my duties as the kestrel lady, I give you this male heading in for landing at their nest cavity. While technically not a sparrow, I recently learned that they are sometimes called a Sparrow Hawk, but this is a misnomer, as they are falcons, not hawks. #worldsparrowday 🪶

submitted 3 days ago • 0 comments

My next #worldsparrowday contribution was previously posted, but my favorite sparrow picture I've taken thus far. A beautiful little American Tree Sparrow shaking off the Michigan winter. 🪶

submitted 3 days ago • 2 comments

I hear it is #worldsparrowday and I have a few pictures for you! The first is this goofy little Savannah Sparrow taken at my local wastewater facility last summer. 🪶

submitted 3 days ago • 0 comments

Look I have zero excuses for this, but the idea popped into my head and now it's in your head, sorry

submitted 3 days ago • 254 comments

While not something I normally share on social media, I am officially down 85 lbs as of today! The recent steep drop has made me need to focus on my exercise and protein intake, but that should get easier as the warm weather comes. I am not “obese” for the first time in over a decade.

submitted 3 days ago • 1 comment

This panel is trying SO AGGRESSIVELY to walk back the shit they were talking about UNC before the game lmfao #GoHeels

submitted 5 days ago • 1 comment

I was jumping for joy when I saw that I had successfully snapped this pic this morning. The kestrels have been roosting in this pileated woodpecker cavity all week, and I had been hoping to catch a shot of one peeking out. I'm hoping to get shots of future babies at this same site! #birds

submitted 6 days ago • 4 comments

Despite the bright sunshine in this pic, this kestrel had floofed itself up and tucked in a talon, attempting to stay warm in the 21 °F morning temps today. It was perched near the cavity they have been guarding and roosting in, and I suspect they will nest in it this year. #birds

submitted 6 days ago • 0 comments

Oh, cool feed. #addBirder

submitted 6 days ago • 1 comment

did you enjoy creating it? did you have fun? does it make you happy thinking about it and sharing it? then that's it. you did it. you found the secret sauce. "was that a waste of time?" of course not, fuckface. expressing yourself creatively is always worthwhile. you're doing great

submitted 11 days ago • 59 comments

I have been hearing the bluebirds around my backyard for just over a week, and getting videos of them on my camera feeder, but every time I grabbed my camera and headed out in an attempt to snag a good pic, they wouldn't show themselves. This one hung around and posed so pretty for me on Friday.

submitted 7 days ago • 1 comment

I've been taking advantage of the rare warm temps by walking my favorite nature preserve. This red-bellied woodpecker and I hung out for a few minutes; it was steady at work on this birch tree. The red belly where this bird gets its namesake is usually hard to see, but it was kind enough to show me

submitted 7 days ago • 1 comment

This week, the kestrels began defending their territory near my house, where they had their babies last year. They have been mobbing the hawks that perch in the vicinity. This red-tailed hawk was in the middle of escaping harassment when it allowed me this great shot.

submitted 7 days ago • 0 comments

This early spring has been my most successful and exciting photographing birds. I cannot WAIT for spring migration to really be in swing. American Tree Sparrow

submitted 8 days ago • 1 comment

Both kids got scared by a flying monkey scene. It’s nice to know they’re still scaring children 86 years later. #wicked

submitted 8 days ago • 0 comments