Eastern Phoebe

This Eastern Phoebe helped me find other birds. I was getting in my car from a bird walk when he flew a very short distance away. I sat there quietly hoping he would return. In a few minutes, he and two other species came within photo range. Thank you Mr. Phoebe.

House Wren

I wasn't expecting this House Wren to suddenly appear. I had never seen one before even though I have read they are common. He was only there about a minute. I got a couple of shots and then spent the remaining time just quietly watching this cute little bird.

Young White Ibis

It was overcast when I saw young White Ibises foraging, dipping their beaks into shallow water looking for lunch in the muddy bottom. They moved quickly, so it was a challenge keeping up with them as they rapidly worked their way down a narrow canal about seventy-five feet away.

Snowy Egret

It was overcast, and the sun was about to set when I saw this Snowy Egret in the water. I was losing the light but decided to try and get a photo. He didn't seem to mind as he slowly waded towards me. It was a peaceful moment at the end of the day.

Brown-headed Nuthatch

A pair of Brown-headed Nuthatches flew to a tree near me and seemed to be having a disagreement. They were chasing around the trunk and between limbs. I wasn't quite ready for all that action but did catch this one fussing at the other one.

Prothonotary Warbler

Spring migration and summer bring the Prothonotary Warbler. I remember the warm day with sunlight filtering through an otherwise dense canopy when this one landed in a nearby tree.

Cooper's Hawk

I was driving along a back road when I saw this Cooper's Hawk intently watching a large open area. My presence didn't seem to interrupt his concentration, so I got out and snapped this photo before continuing on my way.

Male Red-bllied Woodpecker

I was looking for birds when I noticed this male Red-bellied Woodpecker closely examining the crack in this post. He went from the top to the bottom and back up again. My guess is it looked like a crevice he or another bird might have hidden a morsel of food in for later.

Great Blue Heron

It was an overcast day with a patch of blue sky emerging when I accidentally flushed this Great Blue Heron along a lake bank. It was all I could do get my camera pointed and focused on him just as he passed by with a loud bark-like call.

Carolina Wren

When I sat down in the woods, all the birds flew away, but after about 30 minutes several returned. I was fascinated to watch this Carolina Wren. He was unusually quiet as other birds chirped softly. Later he did open up and sang his distinctive song louder than all the rest.

Male Northern Cardinal

When I saw this male Northern Cardinal land on bare branches quite some distance from the dense green foliage in the background, I knew everything else would fade away except this beautiful bird and his natural perch. That's when I clicked this shot.

Blue Jay

When Blue Jays are about, I'm always hoping I can catch one in the shade or under an overcast sky. Bright sunshine just doesn't bring out their colors like cooler tones. Just as I hoped this one landed in the most lovely light and really made my day.

Red-shouldered Hawk

I didn't get very close, and the light was horrid, but I love the intense expression of this Red-shouldered Hawk as he was looking for prey. I'm sure he saw me, but he never flinched. After I left, I looked back from even further away just in time to see him take off.

Carolina Chickadee

I was looking for birds when I came upon this cute little Carolina Chickadee. I love these little black and white fuzzballs, and this one just sat there looking left and right like he was checking to see if it was clear to cross the street. He left me smiling.

Field Sparrow

I was on a walk because we had warm sunshine on a winter day when I noticed this cute little Field Sparrow eating seeds. It made me wonder how many tiny seeds he would have to eat to live and how grateful sparrows must be for backyard feeders.

Female American Kestrel with Prey

This female American Kestrel had frustrated me for days, perching only on electrical wires and flying away if I got within 300 ft. I had dubbed her many unflattering names when I came upon her again with prey. She was reluctant to give up her perch and let me get within 150 ft.

Ruby Crowned Kinglet

I was photographing a couple of other birds when this Ruby Crowned Kinglet stole the show. He was zipping at blazing speed through the branches, and I'm pretty sure he completely ignored me the brief time he was there.

Great Blue Heron

I couldn't help but laugh at this Great Blue Heron. He would skate from place to place on the thinly frozen lake and peck at the ice. I'm sure he could see the fish below but couldn't quite work out how to get to them.

American Robin

Sometimes it takes the red breast of an American Robin to warm my day. It was a cold day in December when I saw this robin eating berries deep in a Common Privet, but I had to wait until he had his fill and came out on an open branch to get this shot.

Female Rose-breasted Grosbeak

I saw this female Rose-breasted Grosbeak in a bit of a run down garden. Even with long-empty feeders she had found a sunflower seed and immediately flew to this perch. With that look, I'm guessing that sharing it was just out of the question.

Red-shouldered Hawk

I followed this Red-Shouldered Hawk to 3 different trees before I got him in the open and in good light. My heart was pounding hoping he would stay long enough to get a shot. He didn't linger since he was on the hunt and soon moved on.

American Pipit

This American Pipit was exciting to me because it was the first time I'd ever seen one! She was challenging to capture, pecking the ground and often changing direction like a wild hen. It was all I could do to keep up, but I finally caught her in the warm afternoon light.

Swamp Sparrow

It's easy to lump sparrows into little brown jobs, but I love the often subtle differences. I hope to photograph as many species as possible, so I was excited to capture this Swamp Sparrow finally. There was a pair, but only this one came out of the dense brush at sunset.

Swainson's Thrush

I followed this Swainson's Thrush from perch to perch. Occasionally he would glance at me but was apparently more interested in looking around for insects. It resulted in some interesting poses, but I waited for one that really stood out. That's when I took this shot.

Male Northern Cardinal

This male Northern Cardinal was flying between a small clump of Cedar Trees. I positioned myself where I could see most of the open perches, hoping he would pick one where I could get a shot. It took a while, but he eventually landed on this branch.

Snow Goose in a gaggle of Canada Geese

I was photographing a gaggle of Canada Geese when this Snow Goose landed in their midst, wet from a nearby lake. At first, the Canada Geese moved away and paused with heads held high. That's when I got this shot.

Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird

This female Ruby-throated Hummingbird was feeding at flowers but didn't stay. Then she flew to perch on a limb but again didn't stay. I finally got this shot as she waited her turn at a feeder. Later I noticed the tiny red glint of the feeder's reflection in her eye.

Male Acorn Woodpecker

This male Acorn Woodpecker was foraging alone and flew a short distance every time I tried to approach him. I decided to stay further back and settle for this more distant shot because he was in such lovely light. Then he flew away to join another male.

Steller's Jay

The Steller's Jay is one of my favorite western corvids. These beautiful birds are common around picnic areas hoping for handouts, but this one was in the forest. I held my breath expecting her to fly away, but she was calm as I got several photos before she moved on.

Tufted Titmouse

The Tufted Titmouse is often less afraid of people than other birds, so I wasn't too surprised when this one landed on a nearby branch. I was curious when he seemed to ignore me entirely and focus only on something further up the tree.

Red-headed Woodpecker

My granddaughter (4), likes bird photos and is learning their names. Yesterday she went birding with me and saw several birds, including this Red-headed Woodpecker. She learned to be quiet and walk slowly towards the birds. This is the photo she suggested I share with you.

Carolina Wren

I heard the loud and distinct call of the Carolina Wren and followed it to his tree. These small birds can be difficult to find unless they are moving. Soon enough I spotted him and got this shot as he turned around mid-call to see what I was doing.

Male House Finch

I was taking photos of a female House Finch when the male landed in this lovely light on this open branch. He gave me a couple of quick glances before turning his attention to his mate and then moving along.

Immature Female Hooded Warbler

I could use some help with this beautiful bird. I don't know how to describe the color. It's not precisely yellow or tan. Would you call it gold? As close as I can come to identification is an immature female Hooded Warbler. I'm hoping a more experienced birder can help.

Carolina Chickadee

I loved the light on this Carolina Chickadee for the way it revealed his bold markings and fine feather detail. He was friendly and very curious, always seeming to select a perch where I could watch him, or more importantly, where he could watch me.

Male Red-winged Blackbird

This male Red-winged Blackbird landed and fluffed his wings a bit just after sunrise. Other males were calling, but he was surprisingly silent. He changed positions a few times, glancing at me occasionally, but seemed content to hold his ground as the sun rose higher.

Male Eastern Bluebird

The Eastern Bluebird can brighten even the dullest day. There was a pair in the area, and I was hoping this male would come out on a clear branch, but he was apparently comfortable where he was. Fortunately, there was just enough light on him to get this shot.

Male American Goldfinch

I had been watching this male American Goldfinch fly around the area, usually hiding in a tangle of small branches. He moved often and even more quickly when I raised my camera, but I was ready when he landed on this more open branch.

White-breasted Nuthatch

I've never thought of birds as being "snooty," until I saw this White-breasted Nuthatch. Not only wouldn't he give me a profile shot or show any of his back colors, but he also lifted his nose as if thumbing it at me, deciding this would be all I got, and then he was gone.

Cooper's Hawk

This Cooper's Hawk in sunset light and surrounded by feathers is a classic "Circle of Life" photo. I had to cross a ditch and hide behind bushes as I weaved my way to her. The last hurdle was getting close enough to get a shot without scaring her off.

Eastern Phoebe

This beautiful bird is almost certainly an Eastern Phoebe, but it has a warm colored belly. It was obscured by a tangle of branches, and there was no way to get a clear shot. Then he flew to this open branch, pausing long enough for me to get this.

Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Capturing this male Ruby-throated Hummingbird in flight was a challenge that took many attempts. Depending on the light and angle of view, his throat can appear various shades of red or even black, so I was happy to catch him in this light.

Male Indigo Bunting

Initially, this male Indigo Bunting flew away every time I pointed the camera at him but didn't go far. He eventually stayed put long enough to give me this over the shoulder glance just before taking off again.

White-crowned Sparrow

I love sparrows and still remember how taken I was on first seeing the White-crowned. This one seemed to be staring me down, but not showing any of his warm brown feathers until another bird landed nearby. The sun helped me get lots of details down to his tiny little fingernails.

Male Northern Cardinal

Sometimes I "think" a bird is watching me, but in this case, I was sure of it. This male Northern Cardinal landed behind one tree and then another, occasionally peeking out at me. It was brief, so at first, I wasn't prepared, but I was ready the third time and captured this shot.

Male Rose-breasted Grosbeak

This male Rose-breasted Grosbeak was part of a pair. I had been watching them interact when the female landed nearby, but in the dense brush where I couldn't get a photo. Then the male followed her, but landed in the clear, allowing me to get this shot.

Female Northern Cardinal

I noticed a few birds in a grassy area between trees. I decided to get low and see if I could get a good shot. After a while, this beautiful female Northern Cardinal hopped along into camera range. She was the only one that came my way, but I was thrilled she did.

Pine Siskin

I watched this Pine Siskin alternate between gleaning through the foliage and visiting a busy feeder 20 feet away. Her quick movement made it difficult to follow her with my camera, and I sensed that approaching her wouldn't work, so I waited until she landed on this open branch.