Mary Gemignani
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marygemignani.bsky.social
Mary Gemignani
@marygemignani.bsky.social
21K followers 770 following 8.9K posts
Data Professional. Photographer. I try to put birds and all of nature in a good light. 📷

All posts are copyright my own unless noted otherwise.
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marygemignani.bsky.social
Mary Gemignani @marygemignani.bsky.social · Nov 13
Great Blue Heron.
#birds
A large blue and white bird with yellow eyes and yellow beak stands on a log in a pond. The background of the image is of water lilies in the pond.
marygemignani.bsky.social
I also saw about 200 Sandhill Cranes up near the Wi River last weekend. I am hoping for more this weekend.It was a dark day and the birds were deep in a farm field.They were a tad far for good pics, but here's a 100mm and a 500mm shots of what I saw.Warms my heart to see so many!
#birds #Sandhills
A large farm field with many Sandhill Cranes scattered about the fields. They are passing through on their migration South for the Winter. A little closer shot of a few of the 200+ birds that were scattered in the fields. There is a junior Sandhill coming in for a landing with it's legs hanging down n the far right of the frame.
November 15, 2025 at 12:39 AM
marygemignani.bsky.social
They mostly were yards behind #BEKI, but 4 or 5 #crows were harassing Mr. BEKI and it was a very high speed chase. BEKI mostly stuck to trying to fish and it was great karma when BEKI slowed and dove for fish and the crow got to experience "which way did it go?" as it flew through the splash.
#birds
A crow, a large black bird is chasing a belted kingfisher just above the water. I am not sure why they were chasing, but I think these were some young adult crows practicing territory defense. The kingfisher has been fishing here for years, so she wasn't having any of it. The crows were just a nuisance while he was fishing. Another shot of the crow chasing the kingfisher, a blue and white bird that is a master fisher. The kingfisher is showing a nice wingspread as two crows lag behind chasing it. The kingfisher dives for a fish sending a large splash of water. The crow flies through the splash and looks shocked as it pulls up with wings and tail spread. Young crows got a lesson in Belted Kingfisher that day.
November 14, 2025 at 11:50 PM
marygemignani.bsky.social
Got some difficult news about one of my older sisters last night. She was given 3-5 yrs with pulmonary fibrosis.It's likely due to all the other illnesses she survived which included radiation therapy.In her 50s beat lymphoma and open heart, 60s beat breast cancer, now this..+she's so sweet! Ugh! 😢
November 14, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Reposted by Mary Gemignani
secondnaturemb.bsky.social
I really need to get to bed, but I just poked my head out the back door again. This is the view from my deck. All of this is looking south. When the geomagnetic storms are like this, the oval overshoots me and stretches into the US, which is why so many are seeing it tonight. #aurora
A bright red glow reaches up into the darkness, illuminating the silhouettes of tall slightly scraggly, spruce trees Swirls of green and red light sweep down from the sky, lighting up the forest and contrasting against the Stark silhouettes of trees Dramatic swirls of green and red light swirl down from the middle of the sky, starkly contrasting against the bear of Poplar, tall Spruce trees. Still more dramatic curtains of light sweep down from above in sheets of green and red. The tall bear poplars and spruce spires our starkly silhouetted.
November 12, 2025 at 5:16 AM
marygemignani.bsky.social
On Wed I saw a pair of Sandhills that I don't see often. The female has spent her last two summers sitting on a nest and the eggs never hatch. She sits there even when it seems her health is in jeopardy. She's off the nest and they look healthy. Ready to migrate! Male(L),Female(R)
#birds #Sandhills
A male Sandhill Crane, a large gray bird with a red skin patch and amber eyes is standing on one leg resting in the shade at a local park. There is a large mature pine tree in the background. A female Sandhill Crane, a large gray bird with a red skin patch and amber eyes is floofing her feathers. She is in a grassy area in a local park.
November 11, 2025 at 1:04 AM
marygemignani.bsky.social
Had a good day birding Sat. Not many pictures tho. 200+ Sandhills across one farm field up by the WI river, but too far for pics. In town, I captured some crows harassing a belted kingfisher. BEKI ignored them and left them looking foolish. I hope the pic of the chase turned out. Pics when I can.
November 11, 2025 at 12:35 AM
marygemignani.bsky.social
There was another fisherman at the pond as well, Mr BEKI. Here, he was looking up watching the gull making fishing passes. He had just made a run himself and was resting on a branch.
#birds #BeltedKingfisher
A belted kingfisher, a blue bird with a white breast and one thick blue stripe across it's chest is watching another bird make fishing passes at a local pond.
November 8, 2025 at 1:51 AM
marygemignani.bsky.social
Had the afternoon off Wed for my mandatory flu vax for work. I was out of fresh pics, so I stopped a few places in town. It was a beautiful day and a Ring-billed Gull was fishing at the pond. He was tiring to watch....up and down the whole time I was there. Goldfish were on the menu.
#birds #Gulls
A gull is fishing at a local pond for goldfish. A red autumn tree is in the background. The bird is in flight and looking down at the water in preparation for it's next dive.
November 8, 2025 at 1:46 AM
marygemignani.bsky.social
A similar shot of this Great Blue Heron getting out of the water with water running off the bird and back into the marsh.
#birds #GreatBlueHeron
A Great Blue Heron stepping up on a log at the marsh. The bird is using his wings for balance and lift. Water is running off the bird's back into the marsh.
November 6, 2025 at 12:44 AM
marygemignani.bsky.social
#ThickTrunkTuesday. The oaks grow big around here. This trunk was more than 5 feet in diameter. It's nice to see them reach maturity.
#oak
A large Oak tree having a diameter greater than five feet. The picture is of the trunk.
November 5, 2025 at 1:24 AM
marygemignani.bsky.social
Oh it's good not to be on-call! I have just a few pics and need to get out birding to get some images. It's supposed to rain this weekend, but I'll try and make the best of it.

Here's a #GreatBlueHeron jumping up on a log giving a beautiful wingspread during a break in steady rains.
#birds
A Great Blue Heron jumps up out of the water onto a log of a downed tree. It's wings are fully spread showing it's great wingspan. The image was taken at a local arboretum. It was raining shortly before the photo was taken.
November 5, 2025 at 12:06 AM
marygemignani.bsky.social
Almost back to the land of the living. A few more days of on-call left. I may need a nap today after the 3:30am page today. I used this time away from the camera to squeeze in a little reading time about clouds and weather. We have great clouds in Wisconsin and it was a great to do a little reading.
November 1, 2025 at 3:57 PM
marygemignani.bsky.social
Just stopping in briefly while I am on on-call rotation. 5 of 14 days completed. Hoping to see a scene like this again soon. This was a few years ago in a farming area right near the Wisconsin River. Thanks for all your kindness while I have been offline.
#birds #SandhillCranes
Several hundred Sandhill Cranes gather in a Wisconsin farm field. The crops have been taken in and the birds are looking for some seed, bugs, or worms before they settle down for the night and roost on the sandbars on the river.
October 24, 2025 at 11:11 PM
marygemignani.bsky.social
Long neck day!
#birds
A long-necked white bird, the Great Egret is wading in a small urban pond that has many water lilies and lily pads. His long legs are immersed in the water and he's standing with his neck extended straight up.
October 19, 2025 at 9:33 PM
marygemignani.bsky.social
It rained alot yesterday and last night. No birding for me this weekend. Quiet weekend went fast. I will be on-call for work the next two weeks and will probably be offline most of that time. I won't have new pics prob until after that. Crane migration after on-call!!!!!!

Have a beautiful new week!
A dried plant. In the background about 400yds away was a large stand of beautiful birch trees. The birch made the nice white-ish stripes in the background. Fall is beautiful.
October 19, 2025 at 8:40 PM
marygemignani.bsky.social
A Goldfinch from back in July.
#birds #Goldfinch
A male Goldfinch in bright summer colors of yellow and black is hanging off a tall weed eyeing some thistle below. A male Goldfinch is landing on some purple thistle.
October 19, 2025 at 8:34 PM
marygemignani.bsky.social
Great Blue Heron. Those wings.
#birds #GreatBlueHeron
A large blue bird, a Great Blue Heron in flight. The wings are outstretched straight a a board. The setting is a local arboretum. The background is greenery on the far shore of the marsh channel.
October 17, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Reposted by Mary Gemignani
gettoknownature.bsky.social
If you click through and hit follow on this Starter Pack you’ll automatically follow a bunch of photographers who will fill your timeline with birds, bugs, flowers and more. #birds
October 16, 2025 at 1:22 PM
marygemignani.bsky.social
I also saw this beautiful Wild Turkey on Saturday as well.
#birds #WildTurkey
A Wild Turkey is foraging at a sports field. Big thick dark body feathers and blue and red skin on the head and neck. The bump on their nose is called a snood. The red skin flap under the chin is called a wattle.
October 15, 2025 at 12:19 AM
marygemignani.bsky.social
Perhaps a little better image of one of the Great Blue Herons I saw on Saturday.
#birds #GreatBlueHeron
A large blue bird in flight. It's left side is shown as it flies across marsh waters. Great Blue Heron.
October 15, 2025 at 12:14 AM
marygemignani.bsky.social
Another of the Great Blue Heron in flight.
#birds #GreatBlueHeron
A large blue bird in flight at a local marsh. It's facing the camera and it's wings are straight as a board.
October 15, 2025 at 12:11 AM
marygemignani.bsky.social
The squirrels here are having an acorn party in Wisconsin. I have been seeing squirrels everywhere frantically gathering and burying and eating acorns.
#mammals #EasternGraySquirrell
Eastern Gray Squirrel has an acorn in it's mouth and stops for a second to look at the photographer. An Eastern Gray Squirrel is enjoying an acorn while sitting atop a large granite(?) rock.
October 14, 2025 at 12:32 AM
marygemignani.bsky.social
I have never seen a Great Blue Heron wingspread quite like this. So fun to catch a side view of a wingspread while the bird was launching into flight.
#birds #GreatBlueHeron
A large blue bird, a Great Blue Heron is launching into flight from a downed branch in the marsh waters. It is really spreading it's primary flight feathers as it takes off and is leaning into flight.
October 14, 2025 at 12:26 AM
marygemignani.bsky.social
There were 4 Great Blue Herons at our Arboretum Saturday. I think 2 were migrants and they were fun to see. They all got excited when the other two flew in. Talking to each other. Following each other up and down the far shoreline of the marsh. Here's a nice in-flight shot.
#birds #GreatBlueHeron
A large blue bird with a yellow beak is flying over a marsh area. The wings are up and the legs straight back. It's long neck is tucked close to it's body.
October 14, 2025 at 12:22 AM
marygemignani.bsky.social
Well, lots of cussing today. Accidently deleted the crane pics from Saturday. About half my pics from that day. Oh well. Trying not to get too upset, dammit! Shit happens on Mondays. No worries, we do still have Great Blue Heron pics.
October 14, 2025 at 12:15 AM