Author Archives: birdsinmyviewfinder

Eastern Bluebirds rarely visit my feeders. Their nearest normal habitat is a community farm about a mile away. But the deep snow forced them to forage further than usual. Five Bluebirds took over a suet cylinder feeder. One of my resident Carolina Wrens was a bit perplexed. It eventually got a turn on the feederContinue reading “More New Snowfall”

I decided I would quickly do a new post even though I just posted a few hours ago. The first snowstorm of the 2023-24 winter here in Massachusetts was a whopper. After seeing nothing but a few flurries so far this winter, I received 14 inches (36 cm) of snow in 24 hours. Needless toContinue reading “First Snowfall”

We see the Willet here in Massachusetts where it breeds before heading south for the winter. It’s a large shorebird with a long thick bill. They are pretty drab looking, even in breeding season. But they show off a flashy black and white wing pattern in flight.

These two wading birds are quite similar and often seen in the same environment. Depending on lighting and distance, they can be confused with only a quick glance. The first photo is of a Reddish Egret. It has a shaggy, rust colored neck. The robust bill is pinkish with a dark tip. The legs areContinue reading “Egret and Heron”

Continuing through a backlog of recent photographs, this is a male Gadwall showing the intricate color pattern on the breast and the distinctive black butt.

Males showing off and practicing some of their courtship moves. It’s always fun to watch their antics. The females do some displaying as well.

I took this photo when the light was at the right angle to highlight the multiple colors caused by iridescence in the normally black appearing head of the male Bufflehead. There were also small water drops remaining on his head after he returned to the surface after a dive. These small wintering ducks are aContinue reading “Snapshot – Bufflehead”

This is one of those situations where a camera comes in handy. Maybe some people could sort out the five species of shorebirds in this flock in real time, but not me. I started doing bird photography for just this sort of help in identification. The birds in the photo are, from right to left,Continue reading “Shorebird Mix”

What is that little songbird with the nasty looking beak? The Loggerhead Shrike is a passerine that aspires to be a raptor. It preys on insects, birds, lizards, and small mammals. Lacking the talons of a true raptor, the Shrike impales its kill on barbed wire or thorns. This gruesome habit earned it the nickname “Butcherbird”.Continue reading “Found in the Clutter – Loggerhead Shrike”

White Ibis are virtually everywhere in the Gulf Coast area of southern Florida that I visited. You will see them in tidal pools, swamps, lawns, golf courses, drainage ditches, everywhere it seems. They are permanent residents of the Caribbean coasts of the US and Mexico, Caribbean islands including Cuba and Hispaniola, and the Pacific coastContinue reading “Snapshots – White Ibis”