Author Archives: birdsinmyviewfinder

Male White-tailed Deer grow new antlers each summer after shedding the old ones over the winter. The new antlers have a velvet covering as they develop. This male is prepping for the upcoming mating season.

A female Yellow Warbler with her catch.

I like to capture birds in action and this Least Tern action caught my attention. It was walking toward the edge of the water. It dodged an incoming wave and then dropped back into the water to splash around for a little bath. These Terns relax on the sand and nest on the sand. MyContinue reading “Feathered Action – Least Tern”

Green Herons are a short, stocky member of the heron family. They are quite colorful and have a very long neck which is usually retracted. They are relatively common but can be hard to spot on occasion as they lurk in the vegetation close to the water’s edge while stalking fish. They are known toContinue reading “Green Heron”

Male Gadwall in flight. Interesting factoid: Gadwalls are a bit piratical and steal food from Coots and sometimes from other ducks. Totally outclassed by gulls though. They steal from everyone, including each other.

Newly fledged birds are making their appearance. This is a young Downy Woodpecker. Only the youngsters have a red cap. Downy Woodpeckers are North America’s smallest and most widespread woodpecker.

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”