Category Archives: Uncategorized

The Cedar Waxwing is a bird of many colors and this photo shows all of them. The base coloration is a tan head, crest and chest with a pale yellow belly, a gray-brown back and white under the tail. Accessories include a black mask, yellow tail tip and waxy red tips on some of theContinue reading “Snapshot: Cedar Waxwing”

Bobolinks nest in open fields like meadows and hayfields. They are long distance migrants that breed in the northern US and in Canada along the US border. They winter in southern Brazil. The males have a color pattern that has been described as a reverse tuxedo with white patches on the back and a yellowContinue reading “Bobolink”

A Willet almost skimming the water as he approaches the pond’s shore. The white on the wings and tail are only visible while a Willet is in flight. Otherwise they are a drab looking bird that is almost invisible in the brush.

This colorful warbler with a dashing look is working hard to help keep insect pests in check and feed his family. Good job.

One of our summer visitors here in New England is the Yellow-crowned Night Heron. It gets its name from the bright yellow forehead patch and plumes. It also has a prominent white cheek patch. Their primary prey consists of crustaceans like crabs and crayfish.

Proudly showing off his shoulder epaulettes. Male Red-winged Blackbirds flash their bright red and yellow shoulder patches as part of their territorial display, warning other males to keep out of their turf.

This wader is a somewhat rare visitor to Massachusetts, typically migrating no further north than New Jersey. Black-necked Stilts have a distinctive color pattern and very long legs. This was the first one I have seen other than in places like Texas, Florida and South Carolina. It certainly caught the attention of local birdwatchers!

This is what happens during nesting season when a Canada Goose strays into the territory of another Goose. A noisy kerfuffle ensues.

He took flight just as I was taking his picture so I ended up with an in-flight shot. The crest that gives this bird it’s name isn’t visible since he apparently pulled it in on take off. The identifying coloration is evident though: gray cheeks and throat, lemon yellow belly and a rusty band downContinue reading “Snapshot: Great Crested Flycatcher”

A proud fisherman.