Invading the Invasive

The bright buzzing bee tickles the chicory flowers as she moves from stem to stem in the abandoned, wild garden.  In the background, a red winged blackbird sings its' sharp screech while perched on a low branch.  The moment of making the big decision of the morning arises.  Do I use my telephoto for the audaciously loud blackbird?  Or, do I stay with my macro to capture the bees?

Sweet sweat bee enjoying some morning Chicory
Nikon 600, 105mm

Both wild and cultivated gardens have flowers, insects, birds and other natural gifts offering a changing pallet for the photographer.  The natural order and food chain that provides this pallet needs to be protected and preserved.  Our understanding of how native plantings, compatible plantings and invasive plants impact nature's gardens is necessary for balanced environments.

Native plants are adapted to the combination of water, soil, temperatures and nutrients.  As a result, they are energy efficient, require less maintenance and enhance the food chain.  Natives easily fill gardens, fields, roadsides with color that returns year after year.

The Lady Bird John Wildflower Center site has a quick guide to finding out if your favorites are considered native along with other event and conservation information.

Red-winged Blackbird
Nikon 7100, Sigma 150 - 500mm

Invasive plants do just the opposite.  They consume more water.  They require chemicals and potentially radical methods to destroy.  They can become aggressive and destructive weeds to the local habitat and ultimately, nature's order.  Natives are basically choked out of their habitat.  Invasive plants' resistance to local bugs and insects cause insect decline or disappearance.  When local insects decline, sadly, other's in the food chain follow.

Our call to action: invade the invasive plants and take them out of our gardens, landscapes by the roots!

Information and warnings of invasive plants can readily be found on the internet.  Check out Cornell University's Ecology and Management of Invasive Plants Program to see a listing of invasive plants and the research work Cornell is performing.

Going "native" does not mean that you get rid of your beautiful, well-tended compatibles. Compatibles coexist nicely with our natives.  Rose bushes, hydrangeas, hostas, annuals and other plants while require a commitment for care, do not tear down native habitats.  It's important to understand your non-native plants behavior before planting.

Today, more nursery's are carrying more native plant inventories.  A nursery that is leading by example is Four Season Nursery in Traverse City, Michigan.   They are very active members of organizations that promote native planting habitats including Saving Birds Thru Habitat.

So whether we are gardening, birding or capturing images...knowing and nurturing our native plants and what they attract will protect and enrich our environment.

Happy Shooting!

About the Birds and the Bees....the Pollinators

The 'birds and the bees' and the 'flowers and the trees' can have multiple meanings, depending on who you ask.  For nature photographers (and gardeners), they represent amazing wonders to be shared.

Lunching Goldfinch image
 Nikon 5100 55-300mm

Let's start with our birds.  They need protein-rich foods that come from seeds and insects.  When we plant native flowers and trees we are supporting and sustaining their food chain.   Learn more about Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants through the website and informational book.

The female goldfinch pictured to the right efficiently uses the thistle-seed for nutrition and the thistledown (soft fibers) for nesting material.  Thistle flowers are a beautiful, vibrant purple and their downy material provides wonderful, artful interest in the fall.  If you like goldfinches - plant thistle in your garden!

You and the birds will be rewarded with a frenzy of cheerful, colorful activity.  Since their food and nesting source blooms later in the season, you may also have another round of bird families in your own personal habitat.

Little bluebird of happiness, Nikon 70 - 300mm

Eastern bluebirds enjoy insects and
invertebrates. 2/3 of their diet comes from grasshoppers, crickets, katydids and beetles.  The other 1/3 is made up of wild fruits.  Pesticides, insecticides can take away their food sources quickly.


For additional insight into habitat trends and planting native plants visit Saving Birds Thru Habitat, where Kay Charter and the volunteer group live by example in "Helping to improve habitat for migrating birds one backyard at a time."

And now for our precious, life-sustaining bees.  There are many described species of native bees that pollinate wildflowers and crops.  The bad news is that the population, the honey-bee in particular, is on a serious decline.  The global impact to crop growers and ultimately consumers is and will continue to be costly.  National Geographic's article The Plight of the Honeybee shares our current state and actions being taken.

Honeybee savoring breakfast on spring morning
Nikon 105mm

There's a website where you can learn more about these colorful pollinators and how you can help including planting native plants in your garden and neighborhoods:  www.pollinator.org Also, check out 18 different species of bees on this Identifying Native Bees Poster.

Sweet Sweat Bee enjoying a native Chicory flower
Nikon 600 105mm

Nature photographers have the privilege of sharing birds, animals and insects in action.

Skills of patience, discipline, creativity and anticipation of the 'next move' are crucial for images that pull the viewer in to the environment.  

Before we capture an image, the fundamental element, our environment must be managed and protected by all of us.  Let's all do our part and plant native plants this summer and fall.

Protect It....and They Will Come...Back...

Pure Sweetness , a Piping Plover photo by Sheen's Nature Photography on Flickr.

Nature photographers love to get up close and personal with their subjects. In addition to lighting and location there is one crucial element that has to happen before we even get started. The thriving and surviving of our subjects' habitat.

Many articles, documentaries and environmentalists have so much information that it can be overwhelming. Throughout all of their research there is a common thread - awareness and protection.

Let's take the precious Piping Plover which has been on the Michigan endangered list since 1986.  Natural predators are foxes, crows, gulls, etc. combined with human disturbance.

Additionally, to quote Kay Charter, founder of Saving Birds Thru Habitat "It's not only humans that cause problems, an increase in many other species that predate on these ground nesters take an incredible toll. We can all help by giving them their space and by keeping our pets away from their nesting and foraging areas." The Piping Plover's protection is their camouflage - with their nests being on the ground they are exposed to many hazards. If disturbed too much, they will abandon their nests.

The Piping Plover has not been seen in the Northern Leelanau Michigan area for 8 years. Yet this year there are 2 families about 5 miles apart with chicks being born just last week.

Nap Time - Piping Plover Chick,  Sheen's Nature Photography 

So what brought them back? Hopefully, it's the optimal environment for breeding for sustained livelihood on the peninsula!

For many years, dedicated organizations like The Leelanau Conservancy are intentional about every action they take with regard to protecting land and the environment.  Over the course of time they have forever protected 10,000 acres of spectacular views, sensitive wetlands and working farms.

Members of  The Leelanau Conservancy have also been communicating frequently with Saving Birds Thru Habitat and the Department of Natural Resources on the recent return of the Piping Plover. It takes multiple organizations and individuals partnering to document activities, safeguard their environment to bring future returns.                                                                                                                

These little juveniles have a 30% chance of survival to adulthood - they need a lot of help!

Proud Papa Piping Plover, by Sheen's Nature Photography