WAITING FOR CUPID
Tom Caruso spied this female cardinal on a Bittersweet vine during a recent visit to Arthur Kunz County Park in his hometown of Smithtown. He writes, ‘I found the bird sitting on a branch looking at the barren trees around her as if she was reluctantly resigned to the cold, unforgiving months of winter to come. Although the park is small, it has a lot to offer as far as wildlife and scenery.
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A FLYING LEAP
Tom Caruso captured this fleeting moment on a recent trip to Caleb Smith State Park Preserve in his hometown of Smithtown. He writes, ‘It was a beautiful day. I wandered around the park and saw several deer grazing in an open field. I circled around the field to get a better look when a herd of deer came crashing out of the woods to my right and bounded across the field. I caught this deer in full flight and it was quite a sight.’
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REFLECTIONS OF AUTUMN
Tom Caruso snapped this peaceful scene at Caleb Smith State Park Preserve in his hometown of Smithtown on Nov. 13. He writes, ‘I found that the storms of the past week had blown most of the leaves off the trees, but I found this colorful scene on Willow Pond and couldn’t resist it.
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SUNSET FLIGHT
Tom Caruso of Smithtown snapped this awe-inspiring image on Aug. 30. He writes, ‘I went to Short Beach in Nissequogue to photograph shorebirds and the sunset. The sun fell toward the horizon and a flock of seagulls and terns took flight and flew right into the fiery colors of this sunset. I was lucky to capture this at just the right moment.
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SPLISH-SPLASH
Tom Caruso of Smithtown captured this scene at Frank Melville Memorial Park in Setauket on Aug. 7. He writes, ‘I was walking around the Setauket Millpond when I heard a lot of splashing. I found several Canada Geese flapping their wings on the water and caught this one spraying water everywhere. It was quite a sight.
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CATCH OF THE DAY
Tom Caruso was at Arthur Kunz County Park in his hometown of Smithtown on July 17 when he saw this osprey flying with a fish in its talons and captured the perfect shot. He writes, ‘It flew around for several minutes before vanishing into the woods with its prize.
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BLAZE OF GLORY
Tom Caruso of Smithtown snapped this beautiful photo during a walk in Stony Brook Village on June 16. He writes, ‘My wife and I were walking down the road leading to the water when I saw these Orange Daylilies blazing in the light of the setting sun. I shot this image with my cell phone and was amazed at the contrast between the flowers and their surroundings.
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CHARADRIUS MELODUS SIGHTING
Tom Caruso of Smithtown went to Short Beach in Nissequogue on March 13 and came upon his favorite shorebird. He writes, ‘I was walking along the beach when I caught something moving from the corner of my eye. After a few seconds I realized that it was this piping plover moving through the reeds that washed up on the shore. I followed it for a while and was able to snap several pictures of it.
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DRESSED FOR THE DAY
Tom Caruso of Smithtown sent in this incredible photo just in time for Valentine’s Day. He writes, ‘I recently installed a bird feeder in my backyard and I’ve been able to photograph some very beautiful birds. None is as beautiful as this male Northern Cardinal. This regal bird was taking a break from dining at my feeder when I snapped this picture. My camera was able to capture an amazing amount of detail in his feathers.’
By Ellen Mason, Stony Brook
A flash of brown and orange,
A dash of red and black,
The cardinals have returned.
I’m delighted that they’re back.
Nuts fall from the feeder,
The couple share a seed,
Then fly into my berry bush.
The male bird takes the lead.
He’s dressed in bright red plumage,
His eyes are sharp and bright.
He listens to the other birds
But keeps his mate in sight.
Chickadees and bluejays
Have mounted an attack.
Cardinals will not give an inch
And take the feeder back.
Have they come here for a reason?
With a message to impart?
Bringing solace, peace and comfort
To my sad and lonely heart?
Perhaps this is the moment
To reflect on life and love,
And thank the lovely cardinals
As they fly off high above.
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A FLEETING MOMENT
Tom Caruso of Smithtown snapped this photo of an Eastern Bluebird at Nissequogue River State Park in Kings Park on Feb. 17. He writes, ‘There was a flock of these birds flying through the trees and they took short breaks to rest on branches, but their rest was short lived. I was lucky to catch this little guy sitting still!
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