For the Birds: We can still enjoy the outdoors

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Photo by Chris Bosak An eastern phoebe sits on a sign near at the edge of Deer Pond in Sherman, CT, fall 2019.

Coronavirus may have robbed us of our schools, normal work routine, hand sanitizer and toilet paper, but it hasn’t taken away our enjoyment of the outdoors yet. Hopefully it won’t even as scientists and officials put additional regulations on our lives almost daily.

Not that I am questioning or making light of the regulations. I understand the reasoning behind social distancing and sheltering in place. It is important to not let the virus get even more out of hand.

Experts have said that being outdoors is fine and even encouraged during this time. They do suggest avoiding crowds and maintaining a six-foot buffer between you and the next person, even outdoors.

That is fine for birdwatchers. Many of us like to enjoy our hobby either alone or with only a few people anyway, so avoiding crowds and maintaining distance is not a problem. The coronavirus crisis may even lead more people into this great hobby Continue reading →

Birds to brighten your day: Part XI (Bonus edition)

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Photo by Chris Bosak Gray Catbird at birdbath.
Photo by Chris Bosak Gray Catbird at birdbath in summer.

In keeping with the birdbath theme, but expanding on it a touch, here is my For the Birds column from two weeks ago that I hadn’t posted here yet.

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Water is a vital part of bird habitat. This is true for backyard bird habitats as well. I will admit, however, that I sometimes get lackadaisical about keeping my birdbath filled with fresh water. My house and yard are set up in such a manner that I can’t have my feeders and bath in easy view from my back windows. The bath, therefore, got relegated to the side yard and I don’t often look out those windows.

Often, it’s a case of “out of sight, out of mind,” and the bath goes dry. Then the bluebirds came around and made me pay more attention. I know what you’re thinking: Oh boy, there he goes with his bluebirds again. I don’t have a good comeback for that other than to say: Yes, here I go with my bluebirds again. But I promise it’s not all about bluebirds this time. I walked outside the other day to throw some mealworms on the deck railing Continue reading →

Birds to brighten your day: Part X

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Photo by Chris Bosak A Blue Jay drinks from a birdbath in New England, spring 2016.

This is one of my more well-circulated photos. I used to work for Hearst Media and write my bird column for the company, which meant my photos were fair game for all their products. During a routine Google search, I found that this photo was used for the cover of a special section for the Houston Chronicle. It has also been used by other newspapers, with my permission.

(Repeat text from yesterday) With many of us working from home or otherwise “physical distancing” as we combat COVID-19, I will post a series of photos that are at least vaguely related to our dealing with the crisis. I’ve already done commingling species as a nod to social distancing. This week’s theme is birdbaths to highlight the need for handwashing. (Even though most birds in this series will be drinking and not bathing.)

Birds to brighten your day: Part IX

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Photo by Chris Bosak An eastern bluebird gets a drink from a birdbath in New England, March 2020.

Last week brought frozen temperatures back to southern New England. The birdbath was mostly frozen but a few industrious birds found the right spots to get a drink. Here’s a male eastern bluebird.

(Repeat text from yesterday) With many of us working from home or otherwise “physical distancing” as we combat COVID-19, I will post series of photos that are at least vaguely related to our dealing with the crisis. I’ve already done commingling species as a nod to social distancing. This week’s theme is birdbaths to highlight the need for hand washing. (Even though most birds in this series will be drinking and not bathing.)

Birds to brighten your day: Part VIII

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Photo by Chris Bosak An eastern phoebe visits a bird bath in Danbury, Conn., March 2016.
Photo by Chris Bosak An Eastern Phoebe visits a bird bath in Danbury, Conn., March 2016.

For the past week, as we’ve all practiced social distancing, I’ve posted daily photos of commingling bird species. Another coronavirus theme, of course, is cleanliness so I’m going to post pictures this week of birds in a bird bath The birds won’t necessarily be bathing (they may be drinking) but you get the picture.

With many of us working from home or otherwise “physical distancing” as we combat COVID-19, I will post series of photos that are at least vaguely related to our dealing with the crisis. I’ve already done commingling species as a nod to social distancing. This week’s theme is bird baths.

Birds to brighten your day: Part VII

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Photo by Chris Bosak
A white-winged scoter rests on the beach as a ruddy turnstone shares the area at Coastal Center at Milford Point on Monday, May 12, 2014.

The shore is a great place to find commingling bird species as shorebirds often congregate near the water. In this case, I got a ruddy turnstone and white-winged scoter together. White-winged scoters are usually found in large rafts off the coast. I’m not sure why this one sitting on the shore, but the shorebirds didn’t seem to mind its presence.

(Repeat text from yesterday:) With many of us working from home or otherwise “physical distancing” as we combat COVID-19, I figured I’d start a daily series of photos showing different bird species together. Why not? Maybe it will brighten somebody’s day to see commingling bird species each morning as we’re all stuck inside.

Birds to brighten your day: Part VI

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Photo by Chris Bosak A pair of Wood Ducks show their displeasure with a nearby Redhead in Darien in March 2014.

Admittedly, it’s not the best photo but how often do you get to see a pair of wood ducks scolding a redhead. Not very often, especially in New England where redheads are not very common. Hang in there everybody!

(Repeat text from yesterday:) With many of us working from home or otherwise “physical distancing” as we combat COVID-19, I figured I’d start a daily series of photos showing different bird species together. Why not? Maybe it will brighten somebody’s day to see commingling bird species each morning as we’re all stuck inside.

Birds to brighten your day: Part V

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Photo by Chris Bosak Pine siskins visit a feeder in Danbury, Connecticut, fall 2018.

Here’s a species commingling shot I took last year when pine siskins were eating me out of house and home. They hang out with goldfinches a lot so I did a post (and a video) and how to tell the two species apart. Below is the link to the post, which includes the video.

(Repeat text from yesterday:) With many of us working from home or otherwise “physical distancing” as we combat COVID-19, I figured I’d start a daily series of photos showing different bird species together. Why not? Maybe it will brighten somebody’s day to see commingling bird species each morning as we’re all stuck inside.

Here’s the link to last year’s post.

Photo by Chris Bosak Pine siskins visit a feeder in Danbury, Connecticut, March 2019.

Birds to brighten your day: Part IV

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Photo by Chris Bosak A Tufted Titmouse and White-breasted Nuthatch share a feeder during a snowstorm in Danbury, Conn., Jan. 23, 2016.
Photo by Chris Bosak
A Tufted Titmouse and White-breasted Nuthatch share a feeder during a snowstorm in Danbury, Conn., Jan. 23, 2016.

Bird feeders often bring together birds that would otherwise rarely be seen commingling. In this case, however, nuthatches and tufted titmice, as well as chickadees, are often seen together “in the wild” as they help each other forage for food. This is one of my favorite shots showing two or more bird species together. I guess I like the symmetry.

(Repeat text from yesterday:) With many of us working from home or otherwise “physical distancing” as we combat COVID-19, I figured I’d start a daily series of photos showing different bird species together. Why not? Maybe it will brighten somebody’s day to see commingling bird species each morning as we’re all stuck inside.

Birds to brighten your day: Part III

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Photo by Chris Bosak
American Wigeon and Hooded Merganser in Norwalk, CT, Feb. 2013.

Back-to-back mergansers today with a hooded merganser commingling with American wigeon. Yesterday was a common merganser with mallards. Ducks often form mixed flocks, particularly in smaller bodies of water.

(Repeat text from yesterday:) With many of us working from home or otherwise “physical distancing” as we combat COVID-19, I figured I’d start a daily series of photos showing different bird species together. Why not? Maybe it will brighten somebody’s day to see commingling bird species each morning as we’re all stuck inside.

Here’s a bonus shot of hooded mergansers with a redhead.

Photo by Chris Bosak
A flock of Hooded Mergansers swims past a Redhead at a Darien pond in March 2014.