Monthly Archives: June 2022

Bobolinks are a member of the Blackbird family. Breeding males are black with a buffy patch on the back of the head and white areas on their backs. Some refer to the pattern as a “reverse tuxedo”. As with their cousins, Redwing Blackbirds, the females look nothing like the males. They are mostly light brownContinue reading “Bobolink”

These are two birds that visit the New England area all the way up into Maine. I took these photographs while on a visit with family in Maine, topped off with lunch at a local brewpub of course! The Snowy Egret is a medium sized wader that is probably the most elegant of the wadingContinue reading “Summering in Maine”

There are a number of birds that nest and forage in and around the reeds that line the waterways here and elsewhere. Some of them can be hard to see since they tend to stay in those reeds. So it is a treat when one of them steps out, even for a quick look. MarshContinue reading “Among the Reeds”

I needed a break from sitting at the computer while working on a couple of projects so I grabbed my backup camera and camping chair. Rather than sitting at a computer, I sat in a semi-concealed spot near the birdfeeders and recorded some of the visitors. A House Finch is looking over the buffet. ThereContinue reading “Backyard Birdwatching Break”

The eastern population of the Willet breeds in the salt marshes along our coast in the summer. It’s a large shorebird with a long bill, long legs and a short tail. Unlike the smaller shorebirds, Willets are often alone when they are hunting for crabs, worms and other prey. They are constantly making their “pill-will-willet”Continue reading “Willet”

These are some photos of migrating Short-billed Dowitchers, along with two traveling companions. Long-billed Dowitchers, which are hard to distinguish from the Short-billed, are not very common here. A smaller Stilt Sandpiper joins the Dowitchers to forage for food. In the next photo, two Dowitchers are resting the background while a Black-bellied Plover does someContinue reading “Dowitchers”

Sea Ducks only winter here in Massachusetts. However, many fresh water ducks breed here with Mallards probably being the most numerous. One of our other local breeding ducks is the Gadwall. This is a male displaying the small white patch on the wing. Mute Swans, on the other hand, are an invasive species. They wereContinue reading “Waterfowl: Local, Invasive and Rare”

I like to take photographs of birds in flight. It’s fun and challenging. But more often it is just a necessity. Birds aren’t out there trying to pose for me after all. Here’s a few examples starting with a Belted Kingfisher. I heard the chattering call coming closer and was hoping it would land somewhereContinue reading “Early Summer Birds – Part 2”

Sharing some recent sightings as migration slows and the residents settle in for the summer. This is a Cedar Waxwing carrying nest materials. People really like the soft colors with a couple of bold accents, the yellow tail tip and the red wax on the wings. The crest and black mask are a final touch.Continue reading “Early Summer Birds – Part 1”