Charles Schmidt Photography

My Midyear Virtual Trunk Show is open, and "What are You Looking At?" is one of the works worth a second look during this time.

Use code TRUNKSHOW for 30% off available artwork in my collection.

https://www.cschmidtphotos.com/warehouse-open-edition-prints/art_print_products/what-are-you-looking-at

As I let our dog out into the backyard a Red-tailed Hawk flew into our backyard and landed above us. It definitely was checking us out. Another hawk was making noise nearby, but I could not see it through the trees. This hawk then flew and at the other hawk scaring it away. Enjoy!!

I wanted to share a moment from Virginia’s wetlands: an osprey, talons out, folding into a tight V as it dives toward the water. The late-afternoon light warms its plumage, and the mirrored surface carries soft greens and ambers. A small turtle on a log gives a quiet sense of scale. See it here: https://www.cschmidtphotos.com/warehouse-open-edition-prints/art_print_products/eyes-on-the-prize-osprey-s-precision-dive

Anatomy of a successful Osprey dive. I watched this Osprey as it looked for fish while perched. It spotted a fish in the marsh and dove into the water and grabbed the fish. Enjoy!!

Take offs and landings! Different Osprey and different days but great examples of these awesome raptors taking off and landing!! Enjoy!

Red-winged Blackbird at Huntley Meadows. Captured on 20 July 2026.

Our beautiful neighborhood fox caught on our trail camera!!

Did you know that dragonflies are one of the top predators on Earth? They have up to a 97% hunting success rates according to research. Their unique eyesight is one reason for their success. They have two large compound eyes that have up to 30,000 tiny lenses (we have one in each eye) that give then a nearly 360-degree view. In this photo you can see some of the individual lenses in the green compound eyes. They also have three simple eyes that help stabilize themselves during flight. They can process about 200 images per second making their world look like slow motion. They may also be able to see in ultraviolet light and in more colors than humans.

Nature is awesome!!!!

I noticed a young fawn peeking through a tangle of green leaves, ears upright and dark eyes cautious and curious. Warm russet tones sit against the cool leafy backdrop, and a soft highlight catches the fine hairs around its muzzle and the wet shine of its nose. Close cropping and diagonal stems frame the face so you feel almost close enough to spot the tiny whiskers. The light stays quiet and directional, giving a calm, alert mood to that brief stillness. See it here: https://www.cschmidtphotos.com/warehouse-open-edition-prints/art_print_products/white-tailed-deer-fawn-hiding

Female Ruby-throated Hummingbirds at Huntley Meadows Park. These Hummingbirds really like the willow trees yesterday! Enjoy!