Great Egret

Look Deeper

"Look deep into Nature, and then you will understand everything better." ~ Albert Einstein

Fawns

Their spots are nearly gone.

Green Heron

US Congress Attacks National Wildlife Refuges

From the Audubon Action Center:

The National Wildlife Refuge System, a cornerstone of bird and wildlife conservation in America, is facing unprecedented attack.  A new bill would halt any growth of the Refuge System, the world's premier system of public lands set aside for the protection of wildlife.

Please urge your U.S. Representative to vote NO on HR 3009.  Send the sample letter from the link below, or personalize it with your own words about why National Wildlife Refuges are important to you.

Click here to send a letter:
https://secure3.convio.net/nasaud/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1323

Heron Eating a Catfish

Long-tailed Duck

The Long-tailed Duck is another species that breeds in the Arctic Circle and crosses the Great Lakes during migration season.  I have also seen them in open water on Lake Erie during the middle of winter. Commonly known as the "Old Squaw" duck, they are the only living member of its genus left in the world and are considered to be a threatened species. Sadly, extinction is forever...

To view a photo of an immature Long-tailed that I took in January 2011 click here.

September Sunset

Whimbrel

A Whimbrel in the Chadwick Bay Harbor on Lake Erie in Dunkirk, New York.  This is a rare find for this area, even during migration season.  I saw four of them yesterday mixed in with a flock of Yellowlegs.

Yellowlegs

Migration season in full swing!

Pied-billed Grebe

Swimming in the Dunkirk Harbor.

Caught a crayfish.

Swallowed it whole.

Carpenter Bee

Large Carpenter Bee on Goldenrod

Ruddy Duck

Sultry Sunset

A sultry sunset to end a very warm day in the mid 80's.  Not unheard of for early September but certainly above average in western New York.

Buckeye Butterfly

Orange Sulphur Butterfly

Hibiscus Macro

Amazing Afterglow

Tonight's sunset was hidden behind the clouds but about a half hour later this amazing afterglow appeared.

Happy September!

Blue Moon!

This is the second full moon during the month of August 2012 which makes it a "Blue Moon!"  The next blue moon will not occur until July 2015.

Red-breasted Goose

This is an endangered Red-breasted Goose which originates from Siberia. They have been hunted to near extinction and are considered to be one of the most beautiful geese in the world. This photo was taken at the Gooseneck Hill Waterfowl Sanctuary in Delvan, New York which is the largest waterfowl sanctuary in the United States.

Elegance on Water

Hawk Eyes

An intense stare from this big Red-tailed Hawk.

The Swamp

One of my favorite birding spots this summer.

Between the Storms

The sunset was able to peek out for a few minutes between rain storms this evening.

Feeding Frenzy

Colorful feeding frenzy in a Koi pond!

Safe Travels

Our male Ruby-throats haven't been seen for a few days now. Only the females and young ones remain and they will be leaving at any time to return to Central America. After that, all we will see for the next few weeks will be a few migrants passing through that spent their summer further north. Safe travels my friends, you are amazing creatures!

Ruby Meadowhawk Skimmer

Great Blue Heron

Immature Green Heron

The camouflage on a Green Heron is amazing!  This guy was 20 feet in front of me for at least 10 minutes before I realized he was there.

Pink Cosmos

A late summer favorite!

Tonight's Waxing Crescent Moon

Pied Piper?

This squirrel chewing on a stick almost looks like he is playing a musical pipe!

Exact Moment

The exact moment the sun slips below the horizon.

Buckeye Butterfly

Buckeye Butterfly which is out of its normal range here in western New York State.  It is usually not found north of mid-Pennsylvania or east of Ohio.

Fleeting Beauty

The Aphrodite Fritillary Butterfly (Speyeria aphrodite) is a perfect example of "fleeting beauty" since it doesn't sit still for very long.  This photo has been included in the sightings record for the the Butterflies and Moths of North America organization (BAMONA).  You can view the record at the following link:  http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/sighting_details/732121 

Wild Peppermint

Wild peppermint is in bloom and the butterflies and bees love it!  This is a Pearl Crescent Butterfly visiting the mint blossoms.

Crisp Evening

Tonight's low temperature should be around 50 degrees.  Very crisp weather for August!

Hummingbird Moth on Buddleia Blossoms

First Sign of Fall

Monarch Butterflies

Plenty of Monarchs in the yard today.

Barn Swallows