I wrapped up my early morning adventure in Charles H. Rogers Wildlife Refuge. It was almost 10 AM so it was no longer early. I started walking back toward the trail entrance that would take me back to IInstitute Woods but didn’t get very excited when I saw the Eastern Cottontail hopping in the grass at the side of the gravel road. I love the way the light flowed across the body. He must have noticed me because he stood still and his ears perked up. I wanted several seconds for the rabbit to calm down. He went back to eating.

https://islandinthenet.com/eastern-cottontail-sylvilagus-floridanus/

#CharlesHRogersWildlifeRefuge #EasternCottontail #InstituteWoods #Rabbit #SylvilagusFloridanus #WorldSeriesOfBirding

When I was ready to leave I turned around to see a small group of birders talking excitedly and staring at the ground. I asked if they were looking for the bullfrog I had heard earlier. They answered yes and pointed at the large pool of water. I had walked by, heard the bullfrog, but I was so focused on birds that I did not notice him in the puddle.

The Charles H. Rogers Wildlife Refuge provides an excellent habitat for American bullfrogs with its open marsh, diversity of food sources, and proximity to Stony Brook. The refuge's wetlands, ponds, and natural water drainage system create suitable aquatic environments for bullfrogs to thrive and reproduce.

https://islandinthenet.com/american-bullfrog-lithobates-catesbeianus/

#AmericanBullfrog #CharlesHRogersWildlifeRefuge #LensArtistPhotoChallenge #LensArtists #LithobatesCatesbeianus #WorldSeriesOfBirding

Purple Martins were not the only birds I found at the southwestern edge of the swamp marsh at Charles H. Rogers Wildlife Refuge on World Series of Birding Day. I saw a few doves sunning in the trees. I got some up-close shots of the birds, but when I turned around I saw this one bird sitting on a branch of a tree much farther away. I like that composition more.

The Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) seems gentle and friendly. I often see them foraging in pairs or small groups, primarily eating seeds from the ground. Their soft, mournful cooing is calming. Their call sounds resemble human mourning sounds. During courtship, males perform display flights and gentle cooing. They build simple nests in trees or shrubs, sharing parental duties equally.

The Charles H. Rogers Wildlife Refuge is a great spot for observing Mourning Doves. The diverse habitats, including open areas with bare ground and scattered seeds, provide perfect feeding spots. The nearby water sources and wooded areas offer drinking and nesting sites.

These two doves were sitting on a branch doing absolutely nothing. I think the darker one is a male dove. I think they were resting. Both doves occasionally closed their eyes.

https://islandinthenet.com/mourning-dove-zenaida-macroura/

#BirdPhotography #BirdWatching #Birding #CharlesHRogersWildlifeRefuge #MourningDove #WildlifePhotography #WorldSeriesOfBirding #ZenaidaMacroura

After the overcast days of the past few weeks, I was happy to see some sunshine. It was early morning, and Institute Woods and Charles H. Rogers Wildlife Refuge were full of sun, bird watchers, and photographers for the World Series of Birding Day. I walked around the outer edge of the swamp marsh at Charles H. Rogers Wildlife Refuge to the southwestern edge. I saw the Purple Martin before I heard it. I don’t think it made any sounds.

I identified this bird as a female Purple Martin by uploading it to iNaturalist. While Merlin ID can identify birds by sound and visuals, what makes iNaturalist appealing is that other app users can confirm the identification. This gives me confidence that the identification is correct.

The female Purple Martin (Progne subis) has a greyish-brown upper body, a lighter, pale belly, and faintly streaked underparts. This muted colouring provides camouflage, helping her protect the nest and young from predators. Female Purple Martins collect twigs and other materials to construct sturdy nests. Twigs and softer materials like grass and leaves ensure the nest is well-insulated and comfortable, maintaining a stable temperature for egg incubation and chick development. A sunny morning is perfect for starting a twig collection. Dry materials help control moisture, preventing mould and bacteria growth.

Charles H. Rogers Wildlife Refuge offers Purple Martins an ideal habitat with open wetlands, dedicated nesting structures, and abundant insects. The diverse ecosystem, proximity to water, and managed environment provide excellent conditions for these aerial insectivores. Ongoing conservation efforts ensure the refuge remains a suitable home for Purple Martins.

https://islandinthenet.com/female-purple-martin-progne-subis/

#BirdPhotography #BirdWatching #Birding #CharlesHRogersWildlifeRefuge #LensArtistPhotoChallenge #LensArtists #ProgneSubis #PurpleMartin #WildlifePhotography #WorldSeriesOfBirding

I moved away from the groups of bird watchers and photographers who were also in the Charles H. Rogers Wildlife Refuge on this sunny World Series of Birding day and walked around the edge of the swamp marsh.

I was enjoying the sun, the scenery, and the sounds of birds when I heard what sounded like excited chittering near the trail entrance at the southern end of the swamp marsh. Just a few seconds later, I saw them—a group of House Finches in the leafy branches of a tree.

Some of the finches flew away as I approached, but a male and female stayed together. I took a few photographs before putting the camera aside to observe their behaviour. The male, with his bright red plumage, stood out against the green leaves, while the female, in her more subdued brown tones, remained close by. They seemed to be foraging and communicating with each other.

I spent the next four hours walking around, photographing various birds. The refuge was teeming with life, each bird species presenting its unique challenges and rewards for photography.

https://islandinthenet.com/house-finch-haemorhous-mexicanus-2/

#BirdPhotography #BirdWatching #Birding #CharlesHRogersWildlifeRefuge #Finch #HaemorhousMexicanus #HouseFinch #WildlifePhotography #WorldSeriesOfBirding

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/

#BirdPhotography #BirdWatching #Birding #CharlesHRogersWildlifeRefuge #ContopusVirens #EasternWoodPewee #InstituteWoods #WildlifePhotography #WorldSeriesOfBirding

Happy #WorldMigratoryBirdDay and #worldseriesofbirding . I celebrated the day by seeing how many species I could see in 12 hours from my bedroom window. Ended at just under 40 species! While observing, I kept thinking how the different species all make a “rainbow!”

Clockwise from top left: Northern Cardinal, Baltimore Oriole, Yellow Warbler, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow and (middle) Common Grackle.