Black-bellied Whistling Duck

#duck #waterfowl #birding #birds #birdwatching #birdphotography #birdsofmastodon #photography #wildlife #wildlifephotograph

Two bird learnings for today. I've had trouble identifying a couple of birds for a long while. Using a telephoto lens really helped.

1. There's a variety of little birds that have thrown me off for some time. I could never quite pin them down until today, when I finally got a good look at the back of their heads and realized they were Ruby-crowned Kinglets! I never had binos or a good lens on hand when I see them and, without the red crown flaring, I missed the subtle red dot. Mystery solved! (I'll include a meh photo I took today that shows the elusive red spot).

2. Turns out those dark little birds have been Dark-eyed Junco all along. I had presumed they would be larger, which I need to stop doing for birds. I was also getting confused by their variety in color. Thanks to their pink beaks and song, I think I finally have them down now. Another mystery solved.

#nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotograph #birding #birdphotography

The meadow looks fantastic with all of the fall colors. I was happy that this song sparrow perched in this spot!

#sparrow #photography #wildlife #birding #birdphotography #birds #birdsofmastodon #wildlifephotograph

A Snowy Egret strikes an interesting pose at sunset.

#birdsofmastodon #egret #birding #birds #birdwatching #birdphotography #birdsofmastodon #photography #wildlife #wildlifephotograph

I really like the three dead leaves and the way the sparrow fell into place. I hope you like my sparrow photos as there are plenty more where this came from!

#birdsofmastodon #sparrow #autumn #fall #birding #birds #birdwatching #birdphotography #birdsofmastodon #photography #wildlife #wildlifephotograph

I am looking forward to the ducks returning for the winter and getting out there for more photo opportunities. I never know what the season will bring or what luck I will have. This one is from a frigid but sunny February morning in 2024.

#bufflehead #waterfowl #birding #birds #birdwatching #birdphotography #birdsofmastodon #photography #wildlife #wildlifephotograph

I love the soft pastel colors that come out just after sunset. This Sanderling was feeding along the coast, running back and forth with the tide as they do.

#shorebird #sanderling #sandpiper #birding #birds #birdwatching #birdphotography #birdsofmastodon #photography #wildlife #wildlifephotograph

We have a lot of storms in the northeast US right now but last week I was able to get out and capture some of the fall colors. I really love the cool blue tones of the nuthatch against the fiery colors of fall. And that orange patch on its bottom end just tops it off!

#nuthatch #whitebreastednuthatch #birdsofmastodon #autumn #fall #birding #birds #birdwatching #birdphotography #birdsofmastodon #photography #wildlife #wildlifephotograph

A little artistic take on a Red-headed Woodpecker in action and snacking.

#birdsofmastodon #woodpecker #autumn #fall #birding #birds #birdwatching #birdphotography #birdsofmastodon #photography #wildlife #wildlifephotograph

Fall has become sparrow season for me and I am so happy to be back out there capturing these beautiful birds in the meadow. In this one I really like the textures and hint of the tree in the background.

#birdsofmastodon #sparrow #autumn #fall #birding #birds #birdwatching #birdphotography #birdsofmastodon #photography #wildlife #wildlifephotograph