Author Archives: birdsinmyviewfinder

The first new Piping Plovers are here. This youngster is already as big as his parents. But a parent is still watching out for him.

Momma Wood Duck leads her flotilla of ducklings.

At first glance, a Common Grackle is an all-black bird. But things change with the right lighting.

Northern Parulas are wood warblers that like mature forests so they skip southern New England as a breeding area. We see them when the ones heading for northern New England stop for a rest. This one is looking for a spider, caterpillar or other insect for breakfast.

I know from experience that Eastern Kingbirds, like other flycatchers, will often pick a branch or stick as a hunting platform and continuously fly out to snatch prey and return to their perch. So when I spotted this Kingbird perched fairly close by, I started capturing his movements knowing that he would often be inContinue reading “Feathered Action: Eastern Kingbird”

One of the many types of wood warblers that migrate through our area stopped feeding in the canopy just long enough to pose for a quick photo. Bay-breasted Warblers are uncommon sights as they migrate but are very numerous in their breeding areas in the forests of Canada. They will look completely different in theirContinue reading “Snapshot: Bay-breasted Warbler”

This rather primitive looking guy is a Common Snapping Turtle. It’s a relatively small one and eyed me a bit warily. They may look a little dangerous but my research into their behavior indicates that they are quite timid in the water. They can get aggressive on land though. It may not be able toContinue reading “Non-Avian Guest: Snapping Turtle”

A male Wood Duck in flight.

Scarlet Tanagers are definitely scarlet. These two males were easy to spot high up in the trees. Males are bright red with black wings and tail. A nearby female was almost invisible. She, like most female birds, has a much more subdued coloration. It doesn’t pay to be conspicuous when sitting on a nest.

It takes a Bald Eagle a few seasons to take on the iconic look of white head and tail with a dark brown body. This two year old eagle has the heavily mottled appearance for that age. Photographed at the Missisquoi NWR in northern Vermont. This is a good site to spot Bald Eagles sinceContinue reading “Snapshot: Bald Eagle”