The World Series of Birding on 19 of May was a magical day for birth photography. The annual competitive birding event challenges birders to identify species. By the end of the day, I had identified 11 different bird species. That’s not a lot for many birders, but it was a lot for me. After weeks of challenging weather, I finally had a day that provided ample opportunity for bird photography. It was a sunny day and it seemed like all the wildlife had decided to show up.

On the trail to Charles H. Rogers Wildlife Refuge, Merlin ID heard an Eastern Wood-Pewee in the trees. I waited - waiting is something I do a lot when I go out for bird photography - and after several minutes, I saw the Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens) in the branches. This individual was cooperative, posing on the branch just where I wanted it.

After arriving at the Charles H. Rogers Wildlife Refuge I realised that I was not the only one out in Charles H. Rogers Wildlife Refuge. There were groups of birders and bird photographers walking about. It felt good to be surrounded by people who shared my interest in bird photography. For about four hours I walked around Institute Woods toward Charles H. Rogers Wildlife Refuge.

I walked around slowly from one area to the next. I found male and female House Finches in a tree, a female Purple Martin foraging for sticks for her nest, a Mourning Dove sunning on a branch, and an American bullfrog entertaining a small group of birders.

https://islandinthenet.com/eastern-wood-pewee-contopus-virens-2/

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Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe)

The Eastern Phoebe is a small, hardy flycatcher that is often one of the earliest migrants to return in the spring.

https://islandinthenet.com/eastern-wood-pewee-contopus-virens/

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An eastern wood pewee (Contopus virens) in Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in late May. These breed in the eastern part of the continental US. They hunt flies by flying out and grabbing them out of the air, then returning to the same spot.

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