Author Archives: birdsinmyviewfinder

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”

More often heard than seen, the Hermit Thrush typically lurks in the forest floor. This one perched in the open for a few moments and posed for a photograph. The reddish tail distinguishes it from other similar thrush species. It is noted for its beautiful flute-like song. A little factoid: it is the state birdContinue reading “Snapshot – Hermit Thrush”

The Pileated Woodpecker is the largest woodpecker in North America. The red patch in the “moustache” indicates that this is a male.

The Black-necked Stilt is an impressive looking shorebird. These photos were taken in a wetlands area where these birds were nesting. They make an incessant, loud yapping noise and were scolding every creature in the area, including me. The distinctive black and white plumage and rose colored legs give these birds an elegant look.

Painted Buntings are a Central American bird that breeds in the south-central and coastal southeastern US. I photographed these in South Carolina which is the northernmost of their range along the Atlantic coast. The male Painted Bunting is very colorful, as the name suggests. The females and young are a more practical bright green colorContinue reading “Painted Bunting”

Spring time is house hunting time. This is the reaction of a pair of Tree Swallows when another Swallow starts checking out the nest box that they had claimed.

Are this Anhinga’s eyes bigger than his stomach? Nope. Down goes the fish. This is what a whole Anhinga looks like. Anhingas are aquatic birds with a turkey-like tail and snake-like neck. They stalk fish by quietly submerging and pursuing them underwater. Their feathers are not waterproof so they need to sit on a branchContinue reading “Feathered Action – Anhinga”

Ducks in a tree? Yes. Wood Ducks are quite at home in the trees as you can see in these photos of a female (top) and male. Wood Ducks nest in tree holes, usually in those caused by a lost tree limb. But they will also use an old Woodpecker nest. The male is watchingContinue reading “Wood Duck”