Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Red-winged Blackbirds


A male above and a female Red-winged Blackbird taking food to her nestlings in the photo below.


Sunday, June 21, 2015

Happy Summer Solstice!

Scarlet Tanager


As the Sun spirals its longest dance,
As Nature shows bounty and fertility,
Let all things live with loving intent,
To fulfill their truest destiny...

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

American Goldfinch Pair



A pair of American Goldfinch (male above, female below) feasting on wild grass seeds. I consider this tiny bird to be my perennial favorite.  They are in our region all year round and brighten the day in any season.


Monday, June 15, 2015

American Kestrel


An adult male American Kestrel caught and flew off with a rodent that was near a brush pile on our property.


Saturday, June 13, 2015

Friday, June 12, 2015

Veery

I think the Veery has the most beautiful song ever.  They migrate all the way from South America to breed and sing in our northern forests during the summer month.  If you've never heard them sing, click on this link for a video  of them singing


Photo taken in the Canadaway Creek Wildlife Management Area in Arkwright, New York.

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Painted Bunting



The Painted Bunting is considered to be a "near threatened" species. They are being abused by humans who trap them illegally to sell as cage birds. Conservation efforts are being made which includes the study of their migration patterns and many are banded as can be seen in these photos taken at Huntington Beach State Park in South Carolina.


Monday, June 1, 2015

Red-cockaded Woodpecker



The Red-cockaded Woodpecker is listed as a federally Endangered Species in danger of extinction.  I was fortunate to find and photograph this bird in the Carolina Sandhills NWR in South Carolina. These birds require old-growth pine trees (preferably long-leaf pine) that are at least 60 years old as a suitable habitat to survive.  Intense logging of southern pine forests has destroyed the majority of their native habitat.


Snow Squall over Lake Erie