Monthly Archives: June 2024

Newly fledged Tree Swallows continue to beg food from adults as long as they can get a response. They call, flutter their wings and open their mouths to stimulate the feeding instincts of the parents. The parents eventually lose interest over time and the youngsters have to fend for themselves.

I had an audience while I was standing on a platform to photograph in a marsh in the Missisquoi NWR (northern Vermont). A newly fledged Tree Swallow sat on a branch about 15 feet away from me and watched me intently when it wasn’t loudly trying to beg food from the parents. He (or she)Continue reading “Snapshot – An Audience”

Song Sparrows are a very common year-round resident in their range. They are abundant throughout the US, Canada and northern Mexico. Their name calls to mind their oft repeated and distinctive song. I like this photo because it shows that even the most mundane subject can provide an interesting shot when you catch the birdContinue reading “Feathered Action – Song Sparrow”

Female landing on the feeder to load up on sugar water. I rarely see males once migration and mating have finished. The females do all the nest building and rearing while the males disappear right after the mating. These little birds are very solitary and aggressive. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds will fight over flower beds, feeders andContinue reading “Snapshot – Ruby-throated Hummingbird”

Mother Killdeer on the nest. Killdeer often nest in fairly exposed areas but this mom was really bold. She is nesting in the gravel area in front of maintenance buildings at the Parker River NWR. The refuge people put up orange traffic cones with yellow tape surrounding the nest to make sure people or vehiclesContinue reading “Snapshot – Killdeer”

Marsh Wrens are small birds that nest and forage deep in the reeds and other thick vegetation in marshes and near ponds. They are almost always heard but not seen. This view is typical for the few occasions that you do see them. You only get quick views like this if you wait patiently forContinue reading “Marsh Wren”

Barn Swallows nest in the nooks and crannies of the maintenance buildings at Parker River NWR every summer. They commonly use human structures for their nesting sites and are welcomed because of their appetite for flying insects. It has a worldwide distribution and is probably the most widespread passerine in the world. This is aContinue reading “Snapshots – Barn Swallow”

Male Least Terns will offer a fish to a female in hopes of attracting her attentions. It’s the Tern equivalent of flowers, candy, jewelry. This poor guy apparently struck out. That’s okay. There’s more than one Tern on the beach!

A flock of Ruddy Turnstones flying along the shore of Plum Island Sound, Massachusetts.

A female American Kestrel at the entrance to her nest as she brings home a fresh kill. The nest is in an old woodpecker hole in a very tall electrical utility pole.