This meadow fritillary was nice enough to sit still for an iPhone photo during this evening’s walk, so I figured I may as well post it.
Fritillary cooperates for photo
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For the Birds: Blue jays need to eat too
It’s no secret that Facebook is rife with links to a lot of really dumb articles. Many of the links are either clickbait or gateways to completely useless drivel.
I learned a long time ago to not even bother clicking on the links because they inevitably lead to disappointment. But, I came across an article on Facebook the other day that I just had to click on. The headline for the post read, “Why You Should Avoid Inviting Blue Jays into Your Yard.”
I know some people have issues with blue jays, but I had never seen an article devoted to keeping blue jays out of people’s backyards. I’ve seen plenty of articles on how to keep squirrels, bears, house sparrows and grackles away from feeders, but never blue jays.
Blue Jays are strikingly beautiful birds and native to the U.S. Why would anyone want to keep blue jays away from feeders?
Continue readingRose-breasted grosbeak after meal
This male rose-breasted grosbeak must have just finished eating berries. It must be hard to eat and not make a mess with a bill like that.
A few more veery shots
Here are a few more shots of the veery I encountered on a recent walk in New England. Here is the original For the Birds post.
Catbirds delight
Catbirds always brighten up a spring, summer or fall walk. Here’s a brave one I came across singing his heart out a few weeks ago.
Photo by Chris Bosak – Gray catbird, May 2024, New England.
Incidentals about on bird walks
Birds aren’t the only animals you encounter during walks in the woods in New England. Squirrels, including red and gray, are a common “incidental” sightings.
Photo by Chris Bosak – A squirrel finds a meal in New England, May 2024.
For the Birds: Strong kick off to spring migration
Note: This article was originally published in early May and the story is based on a walk taken on April 29.
It was one of those “quick walks” that ended up being a three-hour birding journey.
I hit the trail shortly after sunrise and was immediately greeted by the awesome cacophony of bird sounds that can only happen during spring migration. The loud voices of cardinals, robins, and Carolina wrens were the dominant sounds. American crows cawed in the distance and red-winged blackbirds belted out their “conk-a-ree” songs from a nearby field. That was all good stuff, of course, but the real auditory treats came from birds with less conspicuous songs.
The softer calls of field sparrows and savannah sparrows emanated from the field, and a high-pitched, nearly inaudible, song came from the top of a maple tree near the parking lot.
It was a warbler, but which one? Since it was the beginning of spring migration and my warbler song identification skills are rusty, it took me a few seconds to realize it was a prairie warbler singing up there.
Continue readingIt wouldn’t be April without a few towhee shots
Well, it’s April and that means we are awaiting the arrival of warblers. It also means taking lots of photos of eastern towhees while we wait. Here are a few of this year’s shots. Their large size and awesome coloration belie the fact that towhees are members of the sparrow family.
A few early spring photos
Just a few random shots of birds I saw last month. Spring migration is upon us and gaining speed every day. Be sure to be out there to enjoy the show.
Song sparrow doing his thing
It may not be the most technically sound bird photo (none of mine are really), but I kind of like the composition. Song sparrow.
