[ultimate_heading alignment=”left” el_class=”album-description”]By far, the most heavily studied class of animals, birds offer much insight into changing environmental conditions (such as those influenced by climate change), based upon changing migration patterns, and their ability to quickly move from one area to another.  This album features a slew of mostly smaller birds such as warblers, finches, wrens, swallows, and counting.  These tend to be among the most agile, jittery, and difficult to photograph of all birds!  Many are seed or insect eaters.  Some of these species are so agile as to routinely snag tiny insects, mid-flight.  Allowing native vegetation and trees to grow on your property will encourage visits from these beautiful bug banishers![/ultimate_heading]

Posing Prothonotary

Named after the golden-yellow robes the early Roman prothonotaries used to wear, these beautiful warblers spend their days foraging and defending brushy territory, often bordered by water.
These were among the birds I most hoped to see while exploring Southern Georgia. After several days of paddling the canal banks with only brief glimpses and songs, I felt pure joy when this fellow burst into the open. He conspicuously showed off gorgeous plumage for several minutes before yet again disappearing. Prothonotary Warbler photographed in Okefenokee NWR, GA, USA

Indigo Bunting

After years of salivating over the locally abundant, yet oh so elusive indigo bunting, the Universe finally provided! Interestingly enough, and like most brilliant gifts, we are rewarded only after the seeking ends, when we are in a place of receptiveness. I cannot fathom how many indigo buntings I had previously met from very far away in the meadows of Central PA, but one fateful dusk hike in the mountains of NC brought Brittany and I to a tranquil hilltop meadow. As golden hour quickly transitioned to dusk, several of these small, stunning, songbirds made themselves visible atop nearby trees. Chimney Rock, NC.

Prothonotary Warbler

These were among the birds I most hoped to see while exploring Southern Georgia. After several days of paddling the canal banks with only brief glimpses and songs, I felt pure joy when this fellow burst into the open. He conspicuously showed off gorgeous plumage for several minutes before yet again disappearing.
Named for the golden-yellow robes of the early Roman prothonotaries, these beautiful warblers spend their days foraging and defending brushy territory, often bordered by water. Prothonotary Warbler photographed in Okefenokee NWR, GA, USA.

Finches in the Thistle Patch

Goldfinches, dispersed amongst the pasture thistles. They seemed to be quite fond of the seeds! If you want more lovely finches to visit your yard, perhaps convert a small portion into wildflower garden?
Not only will this draw in more butterflies, but finches adore the seeds of cone and susan flowers.
Photographed in Michaux State Forest, PA, USA.
Purchase This Print

Simplicity

If you want more lovely finches to visit your yard, perhaps convert a small portion into wildflower garden?
Not only will this draw in more butterflies, but finches adore the seeds of coneflowers and black-eyed susans.
This goldfinch is perched atop a thistle stalk. Photographed in Michaux State Forest, PA, USA.
Purchase This Print

Screaming Swallow

These common, yet beautiful birds are the bane of many a barn or shed owner, owing to their unusual habit attaching their mud nests to the sides of support beams. Swallows are, however, brilliant insect control! They fly at high-speeds, picking off untold numbers of mosquitoes, gnats, and flies. If you didn't get bitten by a mosquito today, perhaps thank a swallow? Even if you did, thank him/her that you weren't bitten by more! Photo taken at John Heinz National Widlife Refuge, PA, USA.

Purchase This Print

Eastern Bluebird

A fan favorite, this shot was taken at the edge of a cow pasture, in late autumn.
Although some never leave their cold northern homes in winter, many bluebirds do.
Naturalists often see them as an indicator of springtime's approach.
Photographed in Winfield, PA, USA.

Purchase This Print

Swallow Profile

A close-up “profile” shot of the beautiful American Tree Swallow. Already a lovely bird, the bright sunshine really helped to intensify his gorgeous coloration. Swallows are, however, brilliant insect control! They fly at high-speeds, picking off untold numbers of mosquitoes, gnats, and flies. If you didn't get bitten by a mosquito today, perhaps thank a swallow? Even if you did, thank him/her that you weren't bitten by more!
Photo taken at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, PA, USA.
Purchase This Print

Blue-Crowned Motmot

One particularly special morning meander through the rainforest brought me to these keel-billed motmots almost immediately after venturing onto the trail. At first, only one was visible, proudly displaying the fuzzy caterpillar clutched within his beak. For the first few minutes, he was cautious toward my presence, sticking within the even darker shadows of the rainforest undergrowth. As I sat a respectful distance away, careful to avoid sudden movements, he became progressively more comfortable, hopping to more exposed perches. Soon, his "friend" (likely a rival suitor, seeking the affection of a lady hidden nearby) also began to conspicuously show off the beetle within his beak. They put on a spectacular show, occasionally swapping perches and singing. Eventually, the caterpillar carrier even chose a perch within a small, nearby clearing where his brilliant colours were beautifully accentuated by the morning light. I never did see the lady motmot, but suspect she chose the beetle bringer as that motmot disappeared, the other fellow shallowing his caterpillar in short order. Curi-Cancha Reserve, Costa Rica.

Motmot Mouthful

One particularly special morning meander through the rainforest brought me to these keel-billed motmots almost immediately after venturing onto the trail. At first, only one was visible, proudly displaying the fuzzy caterpillar clutched within his beak. For the first few minutes, he was cautious toward my presence, sticking within the even darker shadows of the rainforest undergrowth. As I sat a respectful distance away, careful to avoid sudden movements, he became progressively more comfortable, hopping to more exposed perches. Soon, his "friend" (likely a rival suitor, seeking the affection of a lady hidden nearby) also began to conspicuously show off the beetle within his beak. They put on a spectacular show, occasionally swapping perches and singing. Eventually, the caterpillar carrier even chose a perch within a small, nearby clearing where his brilliant colours were beautifully accentuated by the morning light. I never did see the lady motmot, but suspect she chose the beetle bringer as that motmot disappeared, the other fellow shallowing his caterpillar in short order. Curi-Cancha Reserve, Costa Rica.

Moody Motmot

One particularly special morning meander through the rainforest brought me to these keel-billed motmots almost immediately after venturing onto the trail. At first, only one was visible, proudly displaying the fuzzy caterpillar clutched within his beak. For the first few minutes, he was cautious toward my presence, sticking within the even darker shadows of the rainforest undergrowth. As I sat a respectful distance away, careful to avoid sudden movements, he became progressively more comfortable, hopping to more exposed perches. Soon, his "friend" (likely a rival suitor, seeking the affection of a lady hidden nearby) also began to conspicuously show off the beetle within his beak. They put on a spectacular show, occasionally swapping perches and singing. Eventually, the caterpillar carrier even chose a perch within a small, nearby clearing where his brilliant colours were beautifully accentuated by the morning light. I never did see the lady motmot, but suspect she chose the beetle bringer as that motmot disappeared, the other fellow shallowing his caterpillar in short order. Curi-Cancha Reserve, Costa Rica.

Pine Grosbeak

If anyone tells you Minnesota has pleasant wintertime temperatures, do not trust them! Despite the sub-zero temperatures, there was magic to be seen everywhere in this land of frigid beauty. Featured is a pine grosbeak. They have a uniquely-shaped bill which allows this cold-tolerant birds to crack hard nuts and seeds with relative ease. Sax-Zim Bog, MN. Prints of this image are not currently available for sale. Please check back for future availability!

Common Redpoll

Unlike this common redpoll, my human body lacks the appropriate insulation to survive temperatures of -30. It never ceases to amaze me how such a tiny creature can endure such a hostile environment! Common redpolls are considered "irruption birds," meaning that a variety of environmental factors will sometimes motivate them to migrate south from Canada in extensive numbers. My encounter with this beautiful fellow was on such a wonderful winter. Sax-Zim Bog, MN.
Prints of this image are not currently available for sale. Please check back for future availability!

Black-Capped Chickadee

Chickadees are fascinating birds with a complex communication style. The oh-so-familiar "dee dee dee" of their song, based on pitch and the number of "dees," provides other chickadees with all sorts of local news such as a potential predators, the threat-level of this predator, food abundance, and no doubt countless other details we have yet to explore! Sax-Zim Bog, MN. Prints of this image are not currently available for sale. Please check back for future availability!

Red-Legged Honeycreeper

On many occasions, I have been asked "How do you find all of these incredible animals?" It's really quite simple. For starters, place yourself in nature. Any vegetated habitat will have some creatures who call it home, the more intact the better! Next, engage all of your senses. Admittedly, this can be quite difficult if you're surrounded by human noise. Connect to the area as deeply as possible. Listen to all the sounds, smell the fragrances, gently touch the plants (perhaps even feeling the earth beneath your feet), and of course, observe every tiny detail. Be as present as possible. Any obtrusive thoughts from elsewhere will sap your energy and only act as a distraction from the wonderful experience you are having. The more able you are to connect with the land without an agenda (and the longer you stay), the better to observe every living thing around.
This beautiful, tiny fellow is called a red-legged honeycreeper. Curi Cancha Reserve, Costa Rica.

Yellow-Faced Grassquit

Hence their appropriate name, grassquits literally "quit" grass seeds. In addition to grass seeds, they thrive on a diet of small berries and select insects. Monteverde, Costa Rica.

Gnatcatcher and the Seed Pod

While watching and snapping pictures of this blue-gray gnatcatcher, I had no idea why it kept hopping closer and closer, until a gnat flew into my eye. I then suddenly realized that I had brought a smorgasbord of buggy snacks. Photo taken near Richmond, VA, USA.
Purchase This Print

Mouthful of Fluff

An eastern kingbird proudly displays a mouthful of likely nesting material before flying far from sight. Lake Lure, NC.