Mark Mitchell

@trusttheroad-24

Retired from service in the fun foods snack wars. Motorcycle enthusiast. Just want to take pictures now, birds, bugs, and landscapes. Central Florida based. Critters and landscapes don't lie. Photos taken by myself unless noted otherwise.

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Bluesky

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Mark Mitchell@trusttheroad-24· 22d

Today Alan and Rob's #BirdOfTheDay is going back to basics with a theme of #Gulls, any. The Alt theme is #Paridae any of the species.” Self-appointed, perhaps, but nonetheless an important watchman, this gull is keeping an eye out on vacationers. #birds #photography #ECK #westcoastkin #nature

Seagull standing on the end of a dock piling, looking to it's right. Swimmers in the middle-distance, large cruise hip seen docked just beyond.

Laughing Gull, white under, gray back and wings, black beak and legs, very common. Blue-green caribbean waters, sunny sky, some whispy white clouds streaking over head the cruise ship. Disney colors of ship, Monica blue hull, Mickey yellow lifeboats, white decks, two red funnels. Seen here at Disney's Castaway Cay swimming area, with the Disney Treasure cruise ship docked.

Mark Mitchell@trusttheroad-24· 25d

For Alan & Rob’s #BirdofTheDay theme of #ScreenFiller, alt #Migratory, birds only seen seasonally. - Green Heron, balancing precariously on a branch in the breeze. #birds #ECK #birding #florida #orlandowetlands #westcoastkin

Green Heron, balancing precariously on a branch in the breeze.

Medium sized heron, Dark green feathers on top, so dark as to look gray or black. Under turns pale/ Orange long legs, reddish chest region. Breeze has ruffled the feathers of this one, grabbing the branch during the stiff gust of wind, feathers blown out a bit causing a ruffled look to this normally neatly combed bird.

Mark Mitchell@trusttheroad-24· 25d

Butterfly Week! Easier to participate in than is its cohort SHARK WEEK! Way less bitey! #BlueSkyArtShow #Macro #insects #ECK #MacroPhotography #naturephotography #BugLife #wildlifephotography #LifeInTheUndergrowth #BuzzLife #butterflyweek

Gulf Fritillary butterfly. Orange wings black lines and dots, perched on a bright red floral bloom with green leaves in background.

Monarch Butterfly. Orange backs of wings, pale yellow underwing. Black lines throughout forming white spots towards wing edges.

Mark Mitchell@trusttheroad-24· 25d

Just gotta stretch out wherever the mood suits... #squirreloftheday #nature #bluesky #ECK #westcoastkin @squirreloftheday.bsky.social

Eastern Grey Squirrel, stretched out on a horizontal wooden bar. Laying flat between two old-time glass telephone line insulators.

Mark Mitchell@trusttheroad-24· 27d

Rob and Alan's #BOTD is #SingersAndWingers Songbirds or birds with one or both wings open. Alt #RSVP birds that have any of these letters at the beginning of any part of their name. European Starling, singing and winging! A trifecta! #birds #photography #ECK #nature #seaside #westcoastkin

European Starling, perched on a wire, backlit by the setting sun. Smaller, round bodied bird, dark feathers with speckles throughout. Picture taken from an upper-flow hotel room, looking down at a stretched utility wire, with the beach below. Taken at Seaside Oregon in May 2023.

Mark Mitchell@trusttheroad-24· 28d

Rob and Alan's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #Birds&Flowers, birds standing with flowers. The Alt theme is #NewLife, any of this year's new broods. - Mottled Duck youngsters, and flowers, a TWOFER entry! Cuteness overload engaged. #birds #photography #ECK #nature #orlandowetlands #florida #westcoastkin

Four young Mottled Duck chicks seen at lake's edge while parent splashes nearby (off-camera), keeping a close eye on the shore. Duck chicks are less than half their full grown size, moving about in tall grass and small flowers.

Four young Mottled Duck chicks seen at lake's edge while parent splashes nearby (top right of scene), keeping a close eye on the shore. Duck chicks are less than half their full grown size, moving about in tall grass and small flowers.

Mark Mitchell@trusttheroad-24· Jul 9

Rob and Alan's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #BathTime, any bird taking a bath, the Alt theme is #Finches, any of the finch species will do. - Red-Shouldered Hawk - Eastern Bluebird #birds #ECK #birdphotography #ukbirding #naturephotography #BirdLife #nature #florida #westcoastkin

Red-Shouldered Hawk, standing in the shallow edge of a lake, no doubt considering the water temperature suitability for a quick bath.

Red-Shouldered Hawk, starting a bath. Seen in the shallow edge of a small lake, getting a bit of a splash on.

Eastern Bluebird, lightly splashing in a garden bird bath.

Mark Mitchell@trusttheroad-24· Jul 5

Summer bug. The heck izzat thing? {checks over shoulder for Spielberg presence}

Mark Mitchell@trusttheroad-24· Jul 1

Spielberg clouds at dusk. Gotta admit a bit unsettling.... #clouds #nature #kaiju #ECK #westcoastkin

Mark Mitchell@trusttheroad-24· Jun 29

We found a lovely display case and provided a lightsaber for their amusement. Just something for them to step on from time to time. These two Porgs are a welcome addition to our Porg flock and we are still amazed at the craftsmanship and artwork in making them! Thank you again!

Two Porgs, standing on a bit of grass near a lightsaber. The arrangement is in a glass display case.

Mark Mitchell@trusttheroad-24· Jun 29

Alan and Rob's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #BestOfJune26, whatever bird capture you deem your best from the month of June. Was lucky to have camera nearby when this visitor came by the backyard. #birds #photography #EastCoastKin #birdphotography #florida #westcoastkin #nature #ukbirding #BirdLife

Red-Shouldered Hawk. Perched on a branch, scanning for likely targets.

Mark Mitchell@trusttheroad-24· Jun 29

One of my favorite shots. Taken during a trip out west years ago. Gotta go back! #BlueSkyMonday #photography #ECK #westcoastkin

Brilliant blue skies, high plains range, road on left. Hilly ridges visible on horizon. Road safety sign on the right, designating Open Range caution and the presence of free-roaming grazing cattle.

Mark Mitchell@trusttheroad-24· Jun 28

Rob and Alan's #BirdOfTheDay themes today are #LifeInBalance, celebrating birds captured in precarious or unexpected positions. Alt is #LightAsAFeather, backlit feathers. Here's a Great Egret, looking for a bit of balance in the setting sun. #birds #ECK #ukbirding #naturephotography #BirdLife

Mark Mitchell@trusttheroad-24· Jun 28

That time where the wild turkeys tried to carjack us. #nature #ECK #westcoastkin #wildturkey #florida

Wild Turkey seemingly looking at person inside car holding cell phone camera up taking the picture of the turkey. Turkey image can be seen on the cell phone camera.

Image taken from inside a car, looking out the window. Two wild turkeys are next to the car, looking at and standing near the car door. They stood there a long time, one of them scratching the car, seeing it's reflection - spoiling for a fight.

Mark Mitchell@trusttheroad-24· Jun 27

Eastern Black Swallowtail flying in for #BlueSkyArtShow #Macro #insects #ECK #MacroPhotography #naturephotography #BugLife #wildlifephotography #LifeInTheUndergrowth #BuzzLife #westcoastkin

An Eastern Black Swallowtail, at rest on some low-lying vegetation. Black butterfly with white oblong shapes forming a line along outerband of wings.

Mark Mitchell@trusttheroad-24· Jun 27

Rob and Alan's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #Rotund, birds looking rather plump, the Alt theme is #BlueSkies, birds were you can see Blue Skies. Here's a Pine Warbler, a regular three-for-all as may be: #rotund, #BlueSkies, and #smallbirdsaturday #birds #photography #ECK #westcoastkin #nature

Pine Warbler perched on the end of a branch, in front of brilliant blue cloudless sky. Tiny bird,popcorn chicken sized. Mainly lighter green hues going from the brown side of green (back, head, wings) to the light yellower range of green (under).

Mark Mitchell@trusttheroad-24· Jun 27

Relax and cool off today! Get that leg dangle just right. #squirrel #nature #ECK #westcoastkin @squirreloftheday.bsky.social

Eastern Gray Squirrel, stretched out on a horizontal board, cooling off.

Eastern Gray Squirrel, having a nibble at a feeder.

Eastern Gray Squirrel, stretched out flat on brick, enjoying the cooler stone, back left leg stretched out over the edge of the brick.

Mark Mitchell@trusttheroad-24· Jun 26

Cormorant posting today? #cormorant #ECK #westcoastkin #nature #birds

Mark Mitchell@trusttheroad-24· Jun 26

Four cormorants in a foreboding image.

Mark Mitchell@trusttheroad-24· Jun 26

Rob and Alan's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #GreyDay and the alt is #ShowingOff. Here's a Double-crested Cormorant showing off it's natural guide skills, helpfully pointing the way out of the nature preserve. #birds #birding #wildlife #Scape #photography #nature #PointOfView #ECK #westcoastkin

Double-crested Cormorant, perched on the end of a tree branch. It's left wing extended as if to point the way.

Mark Mitchell@trusttheroad-24· Jun 23

Rob and Alan's #BirdOfTheDay themes are, #BirdsInTheirElement, Focusing on birds thriving within their habitat. The alt is #Feather&Light, showing the beauty of plumage in natural light. - Anhinga - Pied-Billed Grebe - Anhinga - Duck (Mottled?) #birds #photography #ECK #nature #westcoastkin

Anhinga, seen swimming in shallow water near shore. Neck and head above water, long black neck, eyes circled in a ring of brilliant blue turquoise. Shape of submerged body visible in the rippled water.

Pied-Billed Grebe, floating in water. Drop of water seen falling off it's beak.

Anhinga, standing with lower body partially submerged. Back to photographer, wings partly stretched wide, showing off the brilliant white stripe pattern on back of wings.Long neck gently curved, head looking to left.

Three ducks, nestled down in high weeds at edge of lake. Image is nicely lit, showing a bit of duck fluff in some of the feathers.

Mark Mitchell@trusttheroad-24· Jun 20

Some small birb entries for both "small" and "curve". - Junco - American Pipet - Yellow-rumped Warbler - Blue-gray Gnatcatcher #SmallBirdSaturday #birds #photography #ECK #ForJanet #BlueSkyArtShow #curve

Junco, seen sitting on a tree stump. Tiny round bird (ping-pong ball sized), plale whitish under going to gray and beige hues on back and wings, all black head and neck, like a hood thrown over it's head. Tiny pink beak.

American Pipet, tiny bird, pale light brown hues under, a bit darker brown in wings, a pale eye stripe.

Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, perched in dense brush, seen here peeking out from behind some leaves and a branch. Tiny bird, pale whites under going to various shades of gray at wings and back, sharp white circle at eye.

Mark Mitchell@trusttheroad-24· Jun 20

Alan and Rob's #BirdOfTheDay theme today is #Raptors, any raptor, the alt is #Passerine, lots of birds to choose from. Here's two for alt and two for main: - Eastern Bluebird - Mountain Bluebird - Snail Kite - Turkey Vulture #birds #photography #ECK #nature #westcoastkin

Eastern Bluebird. Seen here contemplating the early morning presence of the photographer. Perched on a branch, Blue back and wings, reddish under at chest, going pale white lower body. Black legs, short bill, black eyes.

Mountain Bluebird. Pale blue shades throughout. Pale white under on lower portion, blending to other light blue hues towards neck and head. Tiny black eys, short sharp beak. Perched on the vertical end of a small dead tree.

Snail Kite, flying by, left to right. Wings both up in classic "V" shape, tail and feet straight out behind, head level, hooked beak pointing down as the bird scans for a snack below.

Turkey Vulture, perched at the top of a cypress tree.

Mark Mitchell@trusttheroad-24· Jun 18

Rob and Alan's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #Black, birds with mainly black plumage. Alt is #Moments, a capture you consider to be an interesting moment. Some entries for the ALT today... - Anhinga - Osprey - Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - Eastern Phoebe #birds #photography #ECK #nature #florida #westcoastkin

Anhinga, caught while swimming along hunting for a snack. Looking directly at photographer, head tilted to camera right, as if to say "are you gonna be trouble?". Body of bird can be seen partially, just below the water line, long neck stretching above.

Osprey, checking out photographer, no doubt estimating if the intrusion is spectator or predator. White under, black back and wings, sharp talons, perched on a branch holding a fish for lunch.

Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, small bird, in a thicket of vegetation. Peering out from behind some of the plant to determine which way the intruder may be going. Full sun illustrating this contemplative moment.

Eastern Phoebe, seen here briefly paused, sitting on a fence rail. Contemplating the passing intrusion of the photographer, eventually judged to be no threat and just passing by.

Mark Mitchell@trusttheroad-24· Jun 17

Nichols, from 1971, starring James Garner

Mark Mitchell@trusttheroad-24· Jun 16

Rob and Alan's today's #BirdOfTheDay themes are #InFlight and #BlurBirds. A Great Blue Heron, in flight, about to land, looking a bit gangly as the landing is coming up quickly. Those legs! #Birds #Nature #Wildlife #Birding #BirdWatching #BirdPhotography #ECK #westcoastkin

Image of a Great Blue Heron about to land. Large wader, long legs, long neck, long sharp beak. Wide wings, flared in landing mode, as well as tail feathers fanned out in air brake maneuver.

Mark Mitchell@trusttheroad-24· Jun 15

Alan and Rob have arranged today's #BirdOfTheDay theme and it’s #YourChoice any bird capture. No alt. A Great Egret is my selection today, plumage blowing gently in the Florida breeze. #birds #photography #ECK #westcoastkin #nature #orlandowetlands

Great Egret, perched stop the stump end of a dead tree. Late afternoon lighting and a strong breeze make for a dramatic image

Mark Mitchell@trusttheroad-24· Jun 13

Alan and Rob's #BirdOfTheDay Theme is #Preeners&Scratchers, birds preening plumage or scratching, the Al Theme is #Black&White, birds with Black & White in their plumage. - Great Egret(s) - Snowy Egret - Little Blue Heron #birds #photography #ECK #westcoastkin #nature #florida #NikonP950

Great Egret, preening while perched in a tree. Large white bodied wader, long legs, long sharp yellow beak. Seen here using the tip of the beak to sort out a long strand of white feathers.

Great Egret, scratching an itch with the tip of it's beak.

Snowy Egret on a handrail. Medium sized white bodied wader, black legs, black long sharp bill. Seen here lifting one leg up to get a good toe scritch under the chin. As one does.

Little Blue Heron, Perched atop my car. Sometimes the bird does come to you! Seen one afternoon perched on my car, preening like it had nowhere else to be.

Mark Mitchell@trusttheroad-24· Jun 13

Rob Alan's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #Stripes, any bird with stripes in their plumage. The alt is #UnexpectedNeighbours - Anhinga - Red-Shouldered Hawk - Red-bellied Woodpecker - Black and White Warbler #birds #birding #wildlife #photography #nature #ECK #westcoastkin

Anhinga, wings spread, back to camera, head looking slightly to the right, beak pointing to 2 O'clock. Black bird, long narrow neck, long sharp bill. Long tail, spread wide to catch the sunshine's drying powers. Wings stretched wide, showing distinctive back pattern of bright white lines and dots.

Red-Shouldered Hawk. Shown here, back to camera, perched on the top of a street light pole, drying out in the sunshine after a recent downpour in the neighborhood. Alternating stripes of various brown shades and pale white can be seen in the broad tail.

Red-bellied Woodpecker, perched on the side of a tree. Back to camera, stretching the beak above searching for tasty tree based snacks. Black back showing the pattern of white stripes and dots throughout.

Tiny bird, at the widening root base of a tree. Beak down, hunting for snacks, tail in the air above. White stripes showing all around sides and back.

Mark Mitchell@trusttheroad-24· Jun 11

One for #WaterfallWednesday Shannon Falls, on the Sea-To-Sky Highway, British Columbia #hiking #AlphabetChallenge #WeekWforWater #photography #nature #EastCoastKin #scape #PhotographersOfBlueSky