I just can’t get enough of the brilliant pink Roseate Spoonbills, and most birders and visitors to our area feel the same way!The young Spoonie above was getting his bearings on a tall snag on a recent gloomy late afternoon. Looked like he was trying to figure out how to avoid the impending rainstorm.Four days later, this […]
Category Archives: Nature
What a thrill to get a glimpse of this beautiful, well-fed American Bittern. We were strolling along a boardwalk, when my husband suddenly spotted some movement in the tall marshy grasses . . . and then the Bittern emerged!Known for its solitary and elusive behavior, this ‘stout heron’ can be found in dense freshwater marshes (http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/american-bittern), and […]
This tiny little Blue-gray Gnatcatcher ventured out on a bare tree branch, and actually stayed still for more than a second or two – very unusual for these active little birds! I caught sight of him rustling around overhead on a recent walk at our nearby National Wildlife Refuge. “The energetic Blue-gray Gnatchatcher rarely slows […]
I watched this delightful Green Heron for the longest time, busily preening himself as he stood on the boardwalk railing.He periodically protested against the stiff breeze ruffling his feathers, and then finally asked . . . .“How do I look?”
Cattle Egrets are generally rather non-descript little egrets, but their color transformation at this time of year is astonishing!Most remarkable is the way their plain orange-y beaks turn a striking, deep reddish-orange, with vivid purple lores around their eyes!The Cattle Egret’s breeding plumage also highlights their beautiful peach feathers, and they often appear to be wearing spiked […]
I can sometimes identify a new bird using one of the many handy online sources that are so available these days. But this one was tricky. So, based on the recommendations of some birding friends, I posted this photo on both the Facebook page for the Sanctuary where we found it, and on the ABA’s What’s this […]
I nearly walked right past this pretty Purple Gallinule the other evening, but my husband caught sight of him peeking out from behind this Fireflag plant.What a treat! As we stood nearby on the boardwalk the Gallinule clambered up and down the narrow stalks to get at the tasty purple Fireflag flowers. He was no more […]
This lovely Roseate Spoonbill was just standing there, high up on a snag, the other evening. I didn’t manage to capture him in flight, or to capture any spectacular show of fluffing up his feathers. But that’s okay . . . just watching him rest there for awhile was enough to brighten my day~! To […]
There are lots of Red-winged Blackbird (RWBB) nests in our wetland at this time of year – and they’re easily recognizable. The females have expended enormous energy and time building these intricate woven baskets, slung between the upright branches of low marsh shrubs. Here is one of the busy moms sitting on her eggs – and […]
The close-up of the Green Heron featured above shows how sleek and handsome these small herons are as adults.But, when the young bird first begins to venture out from the nest, like this one, the Green Heron chick is a little ball of fluff, a vulnerable hatchling, covered with down. Even his eye doesn’t seem to […]
Birder's Journey 