Steven Thomas Photography

Steven Thomas Photography Spending time in nature, capturing images of all the beauty it has to offer.

Natural Stress Relief I headed out into the woods late evening yesterday in an attempt defuse from a frustrating day. I...
09/05/2026

Natural Stress Relief

I headed out into the woods late evening yesterday in an attempt defuse from a frustrating day. I remember seeing large Jewelweed blooms in a large clearing recently and wanted to see who they might attract. First to arrive were Northern Cardinals, then an Eastern Phoebe flew in, grabbing insects out of the air one right after another. All of the stresses of the day were gone, just like that, and then it got even better. Three Ruby-throated Hummingbirds charged in, and for the next hour I watched as they chased each other from flower to flower. They would eventually spread out and forage singly. This female stayed closer than the others, and I was able to grab some photos of her. It wasn't all about the photos, yet more about how peaceful the interaction was, and the smile on my face. I arrived with the days frustration, then two hours later, left feeling relaxed and content. Most of you will remember these orange flowers as "touch-me-nots", and I hope they bring back memories, like they did me.
If your feeling anxious, or overwhelmed, you can always find peace in nature.
Image captured along the Susquehanna River here in Owego, NY.
Get outdoors, and as always, thanks for coming along!

Peaceful Coexistence - Angry River A Great Egret and Great Blue Heron share a Black Willow tree as they wait out the f...
09/04/2026

Peaceful Coexistence - Angry River

A Great Egret and Great Blue Heron share a Black Willow tree as they wait out the falling rain. It's nice to see that they have found common ground and are peacefully sharing territory, although they did seem to refuse to look at each other.
The river is angry right now, swelling high onto the banks as it picks up more and more fast moving debris. This makes it hard for these wading birds to hunt. The shallow shoreline that they prefer isn't available until the river flows out and recedes. Most have retreated to smaller streams, ponds, and even fields where they can hunt for rodents. Yes, Herons do hunt rodents, especially while water sources are flooded.
Things will return to normal over the next few days and all of our long legged beauties will return to their favorite spots on the shores of the river. Although I personally am not a long legged beauty, I will also return to these shorelines when the river relaxes, and tours will resume. Until then we wait it out and try to keep our docks from floating away.
Waterman Conservation Education Center River tours will resume when it is safe to do so, and all ticket holders for this weekends tours will be rescheduled in a timely fashion. We all appreciate your patience!
Image captured on the Susquehanna River here in Owego, NY.
Get outdoors, and as always, thanks for coming along!

The forest was dark and damp this morning. I enjoy how quiet these morning are and the sounds of songbirds seem to have ...
09/03/2026

The forest was dark and damp this morning. I enjoy how quiet these morning are and the sounds of songbirds seem to have more volume, and clarity. When I began to hear the Northern Cardinals I tucked myself into the brush and waited. It only took a few minutes before this male arrived offering this photo. A very peaceful outing this morning.
Image captured along the Susquehanna River here in Owego, NY.
Get outdoors, and as always, thanks for coming along!

A Portrait of the Boss While I was docked, waiting for the Hiawatha hike to finish last Sunday, Cooper flew in and perch...
09/01/2026

A Portrait of the Boss

While I was docked, waiting for the Hiawatha hike to finish last Sunday, Cooper flew in and perched just upstream. Catching a stare from him hits different, and as usual, he didn't stay long. Things get awful quiet when the boss arrives, thats for sure.
Image captured from the Waterman Conservation Education Center tour boat on the Susquehanna River here in Owego, NY.
Prints are available for all of my photos. Send me a message!
Special thanks to those that have made purchases lately. You have no idea how much it helps.
For more details on our river tours, and to purchase tickets, go to watermancenter.org/events
Get outdoors, and as always, thanks for coming along!

A Wild Girl After Sunday's Hiawatha Experience river tour, Bill, from Wander & Ponder with Bill & Friends and I were hav...
09/01/2026

A Wild Girl

After Sunday's Hiawatha Experience river tour, Bill, from Wander & Ponder with Bill & Friends and I were having our after tour chat on the boat when this little girl flew in to greet us. This is one of my favorite hummingbird photos, partly because of it's clarity, but mostly because of how she arrived in the wild rather than leaving one of my feeders near the house.
Image captured from the Waterman Conservation Education Center tour boat on the Susquehanna River here in Owego, NY.
For more information and to purchase tickets, go to watermancenter.org/events
Get outdoors, and as always, thanks for coming along!

Hiawatha Eagles Mary, at left, sits with Cooper at the eastern tip of Hiawatha Island. Seeing them perched side by side ...
08/31/2026

Hiawatha Eagles

Mary, at left, sits with Cooper at the eastern tip of Hiawatha Island. Seeing them perched side by side after another long, successful nesting season was a very welcome sight yesterday. In just a few months the process will be starting all over again. My how time flies. They may not nest on the big island any more, but it will always be where they spend most of their time, making them the Hiawatha eagles for the rest of their days.
Image captured on the Susquehanna River here in Owego, NY.
Get outdoors, and as always, thanks for coming along!

So many photos, so little time.This young beaver was enjoying some Pennsylvania smartweed, otherwise known as Pink knotw...
08/31/2026

So many photos, so little time.

This young beaver was enjoying some Pennsylvania smartweed, otherwise known as Pink knotweed. As I drifted past he seemed to be enjoying the meal so much that my presence didn't matter, some of that due to age I assume. To get this close to these river beavers is an amazing experience. Based on size, I would say this one was born this year. The adults are three times this size, and not nearly as cooperative.
I have been so busy, that edits have fallen behind. I will make time tonight and tomorrow to get caught up and share all that I have seen lately. Stay tuned.
Image captured shortly after the Saturday afternoon Waterman Conservation Education Center river tour on the Susquehanna River here in Owego, NY. Thanks to all of you amazing people for joining us this weekend! Some of the best tours yet! For more information on our tours, and to purchase tickets, go to watermancenter.org/events
Get outdoors, and as always, thanks for coming along!

Muddy Toes My first Great Egret sighting came a bit early in comparison to the last few years. I don't normally see them...
08/27/2026

Muddy Toes

My first Great Egret sighting came a bit early in comparison to the last few years. I don't normally see them here on this stretch of river until mid September. The Great Blue Herons aren't quite as impressed as I am, showing some territorial aggression towards this new arrival. They will find peace over the next week or so, they always do. Last year I had at least six of them , and they stayed here for the better part of six weeks. I'm anxious to see how many arrive here on their way to warmer climates. I am also very excited to photograph these elegant angels over the next month or so, muddy toes or not.
Image captured on the Susquehanna River here in Owego, NY.
Get outdoors, and as always, thanks for coming along!

Tough Love Mary sits proudly, looking out over her territory in the early morning fog. She is perched on Hiawatha Island...
08/26/2026

Tough Love

Mary sits proudly, looking out over her territory in the early morning fog. She is perched on Hiawatha Island, not far from the tree she was tagged in as an eaglet 19 years ago. How she ended up with the territory she was born into will always be a mystery to me. It's not how this typically goes.
Life has slowed down for her and Cooper, and the juveniles, for the most part, have moved on. I still catch a glimpse of one of the triplets passing through, but they are now viewed as intruders, and are chased out. Part of raising apex predators, is forcing them to move on by showing them they are no longer welcome here. It feels harsh, but some tough love is critical to their success as they become strong, independent bald eagles.
Image captured on the Susquehanna River here in Owego, NY.
Prints are available for all of my photos. Send me a message for details.
Get outdoors, and as always, thanks for coming along!

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