Memorial Day: Remember and honor

Photo by Chris Bosak — Wild turkey in New England, April 2022.

“Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it.”

– Unknown

Red-winged blackbird, just because

Photo by Chris Bosak – A red-winged blackbird in New England, May 2022.

Red-winged blackbirds may be known as an early migrant into New England with their arrivals starting in February or March, but they are common sightings throughout spring and summer until their fall southward migration. I’m posting this now just because I got this shot the other day and it’s a cool-looking bird.

Hummingbird scratching video

Well, if he’s going to sit right outside my window on a rainy day then I’m going to make a YouTube video of him. First hummingbird I’ve seen this year (May 4, 2022, in Bethel, Conn.)

Turkey mating season

It’s mating season for wild turkeys. I’ve seen them several times in various habitats. I got this guy at an interesting location. More on that coming soon.

Crocuses are out; could it be spring?

Crocus, March 2022

There are many “first signs of spring.” Among them are crocuses, which are in bloom at my place of work in New England. I’ve also seen daffodils and a few other flowers that are beyond my identification skills. I don’t want to jinx it because New England weather can be goofy, but welcome to spring.

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A few more burrowing owls shots

I know it’s out of my turf, but I can’t post just one photo of the burrowing owls I saw during a recent trip to southwestern Florida. So here are a few more. Click here for more photos from Florida.

Redpolls and siskins north of the border

My friend Andrée from Quebec sent me a bunch of photos from her yard this winter. The siskin and redpoll numbers are staggering. The photos speak for themselves … Thanks Andrée.

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A few shots from a recent trip to Florida

Photo by Chris Bosak Burrowing owl in Cape Coral, Florida.

I ventured out of New England last week to visit my brother in southwestern Florida. Here are a few shots I got in my travels. Two of my brothers and I went to Marco Island to see burrowing owls, but came up empty. We arrived in the middle of the afternoon and they were all hunkered in their burrows. By chance, two days later I was in Cape Coral, which is the other hotspot for these beautiful birds. I got up early and found my target.

Thanks for looking and indulging me. Back to New England for my next post.

Anhinga, photo by Chris Bosak
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In honor of goldfinches

I often receive photos of birds from readers, but it’s not often that I get poems about our New England birds. Cyndy Martell from Peterborough, N.H., sent in this tribute to American goldfinches, which have been plentiful in her yard this winter.

Winter Goldfinches Galore

(A Phenomenon One Cannot Ignore)

By Cyndy Martell

Photo by Chris Bosak An American goldfinch perches on a coneflower head, Nov. 2018.

So many  Goldfinches

Clutching the feeders 

Is frustrating at best

To accurately calculate.

So many Goldfinches

Bouncing on branches

Of bushy trampolines

Ever ready to evacuate.

So many Goldfinches

Take flight impulsively 

Crashing into windows

Sadly sealing their fate.

So many Goldfinches

Studied by Chickadees

Who sit and just wait

But are seldom irate.

So many Goldfinches

Not in summer gold

But in winter’s green

Singing in sweet debate.