Author Archives: birdsinmyviewfinder

The Yellow Warbler is one of the warblers that migrates to my area of the US instead of through it on its way north. The prominent black eye and those distinctive rusty streaks on its breast are its notable characters, although females don’t have noticeable streaking.

New arrivals this spring: Canada Goose, Mute Swan and Mallards.

The difference between a bird’s plumage during breeding season and during the rest of the year can be quite striking. This is a male Long-tailed Duck in non-breeding plumage that I photographed this past winter. And this is a male that I photographed recently in Maine that is in its breeding plumage. We don’t oftenContinue reading “Long-tailed Duck – Plumage Swap”

One of my favorite warblers. The Common Yellowthroat has a dashing look with that black mask. Typically flitting around deep within the low shrubs and other vegetation, they come out to show off once in a while.

This handsome warbler breeds here in Massachusetts. They nest in open woodlands in much of the US and Canada. They winter in Central America, northern South America and the Caribbean islands. They are very active insectivores, constantly flitting and hopping through the trees in search of prey. It’s a real challenge for the photographer. TheContinue reading “American Redstart”

The Tricolored Heron gets its name from the combination of blue-gray, purple and white plumage. The white on the neck and underside are just visible in this photo. The little white plume on the back of the head is an elegant touch.

This common, but elusive, thrush spends most of its time deep in the forest. Like most thrushes, it is more often heard than seen. Unlike other brown thrushes, the Veery has faint or indistinct chest spotting. The name is derived from its rich, liquid song: veer, veer. I always manage to get a few sightingsContinue reading “Snapshot – Veery”

The Red-headed Woodpecker’s solid red head is the stereotype for woodpeckers in popular culture. But of all the woodpecker species in North America, only it and the Red-breasted Sapsucker have an all red head. Other species only have some red in the head plumage and sometimes only in the case of males. A few speciesContinue reading “Red-headed Woodpecker”

A pair of beach bums strolling among the beachgoers and looking for any unguarded treats.

I was photographing Terns and Ospreys in a wetlands along a river in South Carolina when I caught a movement out of the corner of my eye. I just managed to get a quick shot of this Green Heron as it was landing in the reeds. It’s a bit blurry from the motion but IContinue reading “Feathered Action – Green Heron”