Mark R. Courtney
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mrcourtney.bsky.social
Mark R. Courtney
@mrcourtney.bsky.social
440 followers 210 following 140 posts
Software developer, photographer, sometimes writer. Best when wandering in nature.

Photos by me unless otherwise noted. Some prints available through https://photo.mrcourtney.com or by contacting me.

Based in Southern New England
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mrcourtney.bsky.social
Mark R. Courtney @mrcourtney.bsky.social · Mar 2
A moment of awkward self-promotion to mention that I sell prints of my photography. You can buy from www.markrcourtney.com or contact me there if something catches your eye.

You can also visit photo.mrcourtney.com to see my in-person events and find the places to follow my #photography.
A promotional image with the text "Mark R. Courtney Photography" and website address "markrcourtney.com" surrounded by five sample photographs: (1) a bank of fog and moored sailboats on the water, (2) an orange California poppy covered in water drops, (3) coastal water gently washing around small colorful rocks, (4) the flowering stem of a purple wild lupine, and (5) a brown bird splashing in golden-lit water.
mrcourtney.bsky.social
Crabapples adding a little color to the season
#Nature #NaturePhotography #Photography
Photograph of three small, red crabapple fruits hanging off a tiny stem along a larger branch. Many still-yellow fruits hang blurred in the background.
November 15, 2025 at 1:28 PM
mrcourtney.bsky.social
Went to rake some fallen sticks off the lawn before the season's final mow and discovered one was actually our friendly neighborhood praying mantis. Relocated her to a nearby bush where she could safely judge my yard-working skills.

#PrayingMantis #Mantis #Insects #NaturePhotography #Photography
Photograph of a praying mantis, mostly beige with green flanks, lurking lengthwise between blades of grass, its triangular head turned toward the camera. Photograph of a beige praying mantis facing the camera from where it's perched on a bush, its triangular head rising above the small leaves.
November 15, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Reposted by Mark R. Courtney
kristinwyatt.bsky.social
#birds #nature #photography
A tan Mourning Dove closes it's white eyelids as snow kicks up around it.
November 12, 2025 at 9:55 PM
mrcourtney.bsky.social
Ladybugs having a day out this past warm Saturday.

#Nature #NaturePhotography #Photography
Photograph of a small, orange-red beetle with black spots prowling downward on a grayed cedar shingle. Photograph of a small, orange-red beetle with black spots crawling up a darkened gap between grayed cedar shingles. Photograph of a small, red beetle with black spots brightly contrasting against the rough, dark surface of a grayed cedar shingle. Photograph of a small, red beetle with black spots crawling across the ridged surface of a grayed cedar shingle.
November 10, 2025 at 2:06 AM
mrcourtney.bsky.social
Providence, Rhode Island, from a distance

#ProvidenceRI #RhodeIsland #Landscape #LandscapePhotography #Photography
Photograph looking out over waves of autumn-colored trees to the skyline of Providence, Rhode Island, muted in the hazy distance.
November 9, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Reposted by Mark R. Courtney
silverglass.bsky.social
Control Weather

#spellbooksunday #pathfinder #dnd #spellillustration #traditionalart
Little goblin sitting in the rain
November 9, 2025 at 12:12 PM
mrcourtney.bsky.social
Leaves vs. chain-link fence
#Autum #Photography
Photograph of a thin, curled leaf hooked over a bit of a dark chain-link fence. It dangles like a gymnast in the diamond formed between the fence’s wires, though at a jauntier angle than expected of a gymnast. Photograph of a small, red leaf caught against a dark chain-link fence. The sides of the leaf are curled inward and tucked under a wire of the fence as if bracing with its arms to keep its head peeking over a bar while swinging out its feet. Photograph of a multi-pointed yellow leaf caught squarely centered in a diamond gap in a dark chain-link fence. The leaf looks like it was attempting to squeeze through the opening in the fence but couldn’t quite make it so is now resigned to its fate as a decorative splash of color on the dark fence. Photograph of a yellow maple leaf caught against the pole of a dark chain-link fence and held up by the crossing wires. Might have been a good hide-and-seek hiding spot for it, except that its bright color clearly gives it away against the dark fence. Or maybe it’s just up there to take in the view.
November 9, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Reposted by Mark R. Courtney
earwigplanet.bsky.social
Dilophosaurus enjoys the last colours before #StickSeason begins.

#DailyDilophosaurus #Dilophosaurus #Autumn #Fall #AutumnLeaves #Gardens #Dinosaurs
A green Dilophosaurus with brown spots hangs out in the canopy of a fire bush that is completely red in mid-autumn. A stray violet and green leaf sits to their right. Various bare branches are beginning to show as November advances.
November 8, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Reposted by Mark R. Courtney
sophiecarr.bsky.social
A little later the frost had gone but the light showed up :)

Vestrahorn, Stokksnes #Iceland
Intense golden hour light on a lagoon view with three large rocks in the foreground and a mountain with jagged peaks reflected in the lagoon. There are some patches of black sand visible in the distance with a few more rocks on them.
November 5, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Reposted by Mark R. Courtney
julia11.bsky.social
These guys are usually busy scampering about, so was happy to get a shot of one that was still. #chipmunks #wildlife #wildlifewednesday #wildlifephotography
A Chipmunk paused at the base of a tree.
November 5, 2025 at 11:18 AM
mrcourtney.bsky.social
For today's #BlueSkyArtShow theme of #Autumn
#Photography
Photograph at ground level of fallen leaves lit by the morning sunlight shining through a gap in the trees up ahead.
November 1, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Reposted by Mark R. Courtney
churchstreetimages.com
There aren't many oak trees around me but I found a couple showing off this year. #BlueSkyArtShow theme is #Autumn all day Saturday. Link to the feed in comments.
#photography #forest #nature
Oak leaves in bright orange and yellow against a background of pine trees
November 1, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Reposted by Mark R. Courtney
wildoutdoorsphoto.com
Early #autumn colors reflected in the calm waters of the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River.

#BlueSkyArtShow #photography #landscape #fall #pnw
Trees and bushes, tinted with early autumnal color, lean over calm river waters, the setting sun catching and highlighting the mosses on branches. The calm water reflects the bursts of color above.
November 1, 2025 at 1:31 PM
mrcourtney.bsky.social
Cool light on this scene earlier this week after a heavy rainstorm moved through.
#Autumn #Landscape #LandscapePhotography #Photography
Photograph of a wetland pond with morning light breaking through dark clouds to illuminate swaths of the dried, golden grass around the water. Trees beyond are dressed in various autumn shades of red, orange, and yellow mixed with some remaining green. Numerous white seagulls scatter across the scene, in both the water and the air.
October 26, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Reposted by Mark R. Courtney
mapcenter.com
Everyone look at this good dog I met off Anacapa today
A California sealion
October 26, 2025 at 4:30 AM
Reposted by Mark R. Courtney
timosborne.ca
It's nice when work takes you to places like this.

(Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada)
A scene of Lake Louise, Canada. Snow covered mountains frame an aqua-marine coloured lake. Trees can be seen on the edges of the water leading to the lake.
October 25, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Reposted by Mark R. Courtney
wjbphoto.bsky.social
Marty…our resident silent stalker.

#AlphabetChallenge #WeekQforQuiet #Caturday (first and last use of this #)
The image shows a black cat sitting in a patch of tall, dried grass and wild plants. The cat is centered in the frame, facing forward with bright green eyes that stand out against its dark fur. Behind the cat, the background is filled with autumn-colored vegetation in shades of gold, brown, and muted yellow, along with a few scattered rocks on the right side. The foreground features a strip of greenish grass, adding contrast to the warm tones of the background. The image has a calm, natural feel, with the cat blending into its surroundings yet drawing focus due to its striking color and direct gaze.
October 25, 2025 at 2:59 PM
mrcourtney.bsky.social
Great fall colors on the local sassafras tree this week.
#Autumn #Nature #NaturePhotography #Photography
Photograph of hanging sassafras leaves that transition from golden yellow near the stems to rich red at the tips.
October 25, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Reposted by Mark R. Courtney
srboisvert.bsky.social
I really like the edge glow on this long distance shot of a Red-tailed Hawk flying over the Bill Jarvis Sanctuary Bird Sanctuary this morning. 10.24.2025
#birds
#birdsofprey
Red-tailed Hawk soaring over head with its wing fully spread with a backlit glow around the edges of its tail and wings.
October 25, 2025 at 1:19 AM
mrcourtney.bsky.social
Today's action: Cooper's hawk vs. raven

#Birds #Wildlife #WildlifePhotography #WildlifeWednesday #Photography
Photograph of a brown hawk, wings raised, banking down and away from a black raven with wings spread out. Photograph of a brown hawk closely followed by a black raven. Both birds have wings spread flat and are banking to the left in near perfect symmetry. Photograph of a black raven with wings flared in flight as it surges above a brown hawk with wings lowered, dodging the raven. Photograph of a brown hawk alone in the sky having gained a bit of distance from the pursuing raven... at least for the moment.
October 22, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Reposted by Mark R. Courtney
tishamark.com
Tiny autumn babe 🎨

Tisha Mark ©2025, Autumn Mini No. 2504, oil on gessobord, 4"x4"

Original is available:
tishamark.com/product/autu...

#art #painting #bsnm #TraditionalArt
Original autumn landscape oil painting by Tisha Mark, "Autumn Mini No. 2504" 4"x4" oil on Ampersand Gessobord (2025). A tiny textured autumn landscape painting with a tree with red foliage in the center of a clearing with yellowish green grass, underneath a blue sky with lavender clouds and yellow sunlight.
October 22, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Reposted by Mark R. Courtney
kamakru.bsky.social
"The Cliffs of Moher in Ireland attract many visitors each year, but little is known about the dragon that dwells there. Despite the visitors, very few have claimed to have ever seen it, and so it’s existence has been considered simply a tale of the high seas."
-------
#watercolor #gouache #dragons
A painting inspired by the Cliffs of Moher, Ireland. View from the boat looking at the cliffs, and a red dragon is perched on top of a long tower of rock. Signed Katie Croonenberghs 2020, text in lower right is www.kamakru.com
October 20, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Reposted by Mark R. Courtney
emmasartworks.bsky.social
A misty morning last week on Sutton Bank, the western edge of the North York Moors - the view across Garbutt Wood to the limestone cliffs where the jackdaws live with Lake Gormire (Yorkshire’s smallest lake) on the right and the faintest glimpse of Hood Hill in the background. Watercolour.
#art 🪶
A very misty morning last week on Sutton Bank, the western edge of the North York Moors - this was the view across Garbutt Wood to the limestone cliffs where the jackdaws live with Lake Gormire (Yorkshire’s smallest lake) on the right and the faintest glimpse of Hood Hill in the background. This area was the site of the Battle of Byland just over 700 years ago, and is rich in myths and legends. The track which is now the Cleveland Way is an ancient drove road, and there are burial mounds and hill forts - now just bumps in the ground - along the way. The walk from the National Park Centre is very atmospheric whatever the weather, and great for wildlife and fungi spotting. Watercolour painting. (If you know the spot, you’ll see I’ve used some artistic licence to move the lake closer to the cliffs 😊)
October 20, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Reposted by Mark R. Courtney
churchstreetimages.com
Getting pulled into a tiny detail makes the world go away.
#MacroMonday #photography #red #rain
A hazy closeup of water droplets on red autumn leaves.
October 20, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Reposted by Mark R. Courtney
jmh53.bsky.social
#Photography #BlackAndWhite
Dead weathered trees still stand on a shore near the ocean. Taken near Charleston, South Carolina
October 20, 2025 at 11:38 AM