Mile 55 Photography, LLC

05/27/2026

I had to drive in to Frederick today. Figured I'd bring my camera and stop by Ballenger Creek Park to see what the offering would be at the two small ponds they have.

I heard the unmistakable call of the Belted Kingfisher - at least two of them. (Sounds like a kid riding his bike with playing cards in the spokes.) However, they weren't being very cooperative. And then they left.

I spent some time there and as I was making my way around the pond to leave, I heard them again. I followed one as it landed on the far side of two trees. The plan was to make my way nonchalantly around the other side of the trees to try to get close enough for a good shot and around the branches for a clear shot, but on the way, I took the opportunity to shoot through a narrow opening through the branches of the two trees in case the bird took off before I could make it around to the other side or if she was spooked.

Good thing I did, because after a few shots, she took off. Fortunately, the end product was a naturally framed portrait of this beauty (it is in the eye of the beholder, after all).

My last half-way decent photos of a Kingfisher were 3-1/2 years ago. This one outdoes any of those. They're not easy to get due to how skittish they are. I am super fortunate to have had this one sit for me in that little window of opportunity.

05/26/2026

05/26/2026

Sunday afternoon break this past weekend on the campus of Messiah University. Took my camera out looking for whatever in the hour and a half until dinner.

I came across a split trail that had a large rock in between the two and saw a chipmunk dart across the path and into a hole at the bottom of the rock. When she came out, she ran across the path and stopped near a tree, watching behind her. Suddenly, she turned around and pushed down on a tiny head that had appeared from a hole in the ground. She pushed it like she was stuffing a pillow back into the casing.

The two were a mamma, youngster pair. The little one was old enough to go foraging with her into the woods, so probably seven weeks give or take.

They entertained me for a while. Here are a few of the photos I took of them running around and watching their tails for predators. Note in the first few photos, she's standing guard. The little one peeks in the second photo and sticks his head out in the third.

Quick reminder: if you haven't had your senior photos done, let me know and I'll take care of that for you.

05/23/2026

A few shots from the prom shoot I did earlier this month at Hillbrook Inn. Return customers – Her prom this year, his prom last year. Great looking couple!

05/15/2026

First set of photos posted on the Keys Pics page in seven years due to the stripping of the team's Baltimore Orioles affiliation in 2021 when the Minor leagues were reorganized and the Keys were part of the Draft League until this year, when they regained their High A status as an Orioles affiliate. They did not play in 2020 due to COVID, so their last year playing in Frederick as Orioles was 2019.

#54 Yeiber Cartaya, pitcher.

https://www.facebook.com/lovethemkeys

05/05/2026

Saw my first Wood Duck family of the season in the canal near the water treatment plant yesterday. Three ducklings.

On the way back, I noticed one of the Red-shouldered Hawks I've been seeing in the woods behind the MARC train parking lot. (I think there's a nest back there somewhere.) He was up in one of the bare-looking trees in the canal just sitting and watching. He wasn't that nervous of me and stayed long enough for me to get this and a few more shots. He was fairly close - this photo is not cropped.

When he did take off, he headed back towards the section of canal where the ducklings were. When I walked back, I saw that there were still three ducklings with the mother, so he either wasn't hungry or he found easier prey. (Mother ducks can put up a fight.)

05/01/2026

Back to Harpers Ferry yesterday morning to see if I could get some better Oriole photos than last week. I was surprised to find this Great Blue Heron close by when I went down to the canal by the footbridge and was treated to him treating himself for lunch.

04/27/2026

I was asked to participate in a "Bio Blitz" on Saturday to document wildlife with my camera along a local trail In Brunswick, Maryland. Here are a few resulting photographs.

While I was watching the Cedar Waxwing, suddenly a whole flock of perhaps 18 or so emerged from the tree.

I couldn't help photographing the lone Starling on the roof.

It's not easy being an invasive species.

04/14/2026

The six-year wait is over. The Frederick Keys will play again at Nymeo Field for the first time again tonight as Baltimore Orioles affiliates!

Time to resurrect my fan page: https://www.facebook.com/LoveThemKeys

Stand by for player-focused photograph-oriented posts to begin soon.

Pics and more on the Baltimore Orioles affiliate South Atlantic League High A baseball team the Frederick Keys. Brought to you by Mile 55 Photography.

04/07/2026

On a tip that the hawks were back at the harpers Ferry nest, I took a drive over there. Unfortunately, I didn't see any at the nest right away, so I moved on.

My Merlin app did pick up on a Yellow-throated Warbler and also on the way back as I walked through an area that I have seen Louisiana Waterthrushes in previous years. No waterthrushes, but I did run into that warbler.

Not all of the migratory birds are back, but if they're not back now, they will be very soon. The woods on Virginius Island at Harpers Ferrry should be full of Baltimore Orioles and a few Orchard Orioles by the end of the month.