One last look at the chaos before the weekend. ✌️ Week: Done. Mood: Ready. Obstacle: That red car. This House Sparrow is already mentally checked out. #birds #housesparrow #wildlifephotography #nature

Hudson Valley Status: Frozen solid. ❄️ Goal Status: This Gull. He is melting into the beach. That is the look of a bird who found a patch of sun-warmed sand and decided, "I live here now." I am channeling this energy until the thermometer hits 70 again. #birds #ringbilledgull #wildifephotography

Cute now. Expensive later. 💸 He’s nibbling clover like a sweet little angel, but I know better. We had six babies on the property last year, and "groundhog-proofing" the garden was intense. Enjoy the clover, little guy, because you aren't getting into the vegetables! #groundhog #babyanimals #cute

"Excellent..." 👏😈 You say its "clapping." I say its rubbing his hands together like a cartoon villain who just located the entrance to my vegetable garden. That is the face of a baby groundhog who just learned where watermelon is growing. #groundhog #babyanimals #nature #wildlife #photography

Taxonomy vs. Eyesight. 👀 My eyes: "That is a Meadowlark missing its necklace." Science: "That is a Blackbird." The Bird: "I am just trying to eat this seed." The female Bobolink: The most confusing member of the Blackbird family tree. #birds #bobolink #femalebirds #nature #wildlifephotography

No mask, just snacks. 🐛 We saw the masked male last week (complaining about his name), but the female Common Yellowthroat has a totally different look. No black mask, just a subtle yellow glow and a very large lunch. #birds #commonyellowthroat #femalebirds #birdseating #wildĺifephotography

Peace through physics. ⚖️ The American Kestrel is ignoring the rabbits. The rabbits are ignoring the Kestrel. The Kestrel weighs as much as a stick of butter, and the rabbits... do not. He is scanning for something in his own weight class. #birds #americankestrel #easterncottontail

"Do you see me at every feeder? No." He is channeling his inner Nuthatch to highlight the hypocrisy of it all. Nuthatches are more common than Yellowthroats, but get respectful names like "White-breasted." No wonder he’s looking at us sideways. #birds #commonyellowthroat #notsocommon #wildlife

He takes the name personally. 😤 "Did you just call me basic?" This Common Yellowthroat seems to take real issue with his species name. He is staring me down like he’s ready to fight the entire ornithology department. #birds #commonyellowthroat #nature #wildlife #photography

A message from management. 📢 "I am migrating in a month, and someone better take care of this snow situation before I get there!" The Red-winged Blackbirds are coming back soon, and they have high standards for their arrival. #birds #redwingedblackbird #nature #wildlifephotography

"You good down there, little buddy?" ⛑️ There is something so endearing about this Northern Cardinal watching over the tiny Yellow Warbler at the puddle. He looks like the designated lifeguard on duty. Just two friends—one big, one small—cooling off on a summer day. #birds #cardinal #yellowwarbler

Manifesting warmer days. ☀️ Two feet of snow on the ground today, so I'm thinking back to green leaves and sunny afternoons. Here is a Grackle having a snackle to help get us through the freeze. #birds #commongrackle #wildlifephotography #nature #birdseating

I want this space to be a refuge, but today we need to be on top of our game. Be like this Eastern Kingbird claiming the highest branch: take charge. Please contact your senators and tell them to oppose the ICE funding bill. Then, we can all enjoy the birds. #birds #easternkingbird

Every spring, I am think I've found a new lifer. I see a large, streaky, mysterious bird in the reeds. My heart races. Is it a rare sparrow? A vagrant from the west? Then she opens her beak and shouts "I'M A RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD!" The female RWBB: A crusher of dreams. #birds #redwingedblackbird

Current Status: Out of Office. 🌴 While the Hudson Valley is locked in a deep freeze, the Eastern Kingbird is enjoying the Amazon Basin. They trade aggressive summer insect-hunting for a relaxed winter diet of tropical fruit. Honestly, I can't blame them. #birds #easternkingbird

Purple Martins are famous for their colonial lifestyle - they eat together, migrate together, and nest inches apart from their neighbors. Looking at this bird perched silently on the edge of the rack, I think we are witnessing a "social battery recharge." #birds #purplemartin #wildlifephotography

This Song Sparrow is holding it together... barely. She is the visual definition of my current workload. Technically "balanced," but one gust of wind (or one more "quick request") away from toppling right off this thistle. #birds #songsparrow #nature #wildlife #photography

And now, a moment of peace. 🌾 After witnessing that Eastern Bluebird eviction, we interrupt our regular programming for a Bobolink just minding his own business. No turf wars, no biting, no drama - just a bird balancing on a blade of grass. Nature isn't always a battlefield! #birds #bobolink

Nestbox Drama: The Epilogue The battle is over, and the Eastern Bluebird has successfully claimed the box. He is now perched on the roof, keeping a vigilant watch to ensure the Swallows don't return. Thank you all for following along with this saga! #easternbluebird #birds #wildlifephotography

Nestbox Drama: Part 8. 📢 "Don't even think about it." The Tree Swallow tried to circle back, but the Eastern Bluebird is guarding the door with an open beak. He is letting her know in no uncertain terms that the eviction is final. #birds #treeswallow #easternbluebird #wildlife #naturephotography

Nestbox Drama Part 7: King of the Castle. 👑 The Tree Swallow has made her escape, leaving the Eastern Bluebird to claim the prize. He’s looking out from the entrance with a very smug "mission accomplished" vibe. The Bluebirds have the box... for now. #birds #easternbluebird #treeswallow

Nestbox Drama: Part 6. 🥊 The aggression is relentless! She is trying to drop away, but he won't let up. The Eastern Bluebird is leaning out of the box, still snapping at the female Tree Swallow as she frantically tries to regain control of her flight. #birds #easternbluebird #treeswallow

Nestbox Drama Part 5: No Escape. 😱 Just when she thought she was free... The Tree Swallow tried to bail, but the Eastern Bluebird wasn't done with her. He clamped onto her wing as she escaped. #birds #easternbluebird #treeswallow #nestboxdrama

Nestbox Drama: Part 4. 🚨 She's out! Whatever happened inside the box was decisive. The female Tree Swallow is fleeing the scene with the Eastern Bluebird right behind her. The box is lost, but the escape is just beginning. See what happens next in Part 5! #birds #easternbluebird #treeswallow

Nestbox Drama: Part 3. 🚨🏠 He's going in! The male Eastern Bluebird has breached the perimeter. With the female Tree Swallow still inside the box, the confrontation is now happening in the dark. Things just got very real. Stay tuned for the aftermath in Part 4! #birds #easternbluebird

Nestbox Drama: Part 2. 🏠⚡ A male Eastern Bluebird has arrived to challenge the swallows. With the female Tree Swallow hunkered down inside, the Bluebird is sizing up the entrance. It's officially a standoff. This is just the beginning. Stay tuned for Part 3! 🍿 #birds #easternbluebird

"I think this is the one!" 🏠 This Tree Swallow couple has claimed their dream box. It looks like the perfect start to the season... ...but in the bird world, prime real estate always comes with drama. Stay tuned over the next few days to see who crashes the housewarming party. 🍿 #birds #treeswallow

Don't ignore the noisy blackbird flocks! 📢 Bobolinks often travel with their cousins (Grackles & Red-wings), but they rarely follow the dress code. Whether it's this flashy tuxedo or their buffy non-breeding look, they always pop against the sea of dark feathers. #birds #blackbirds #bobolink

"I'm not moving in, but I will be using the sundeck." ☀️ Red-winged Blackbirds have zero interest in the studio apartment inside—they prefer the "open concept" reeds. But this male isn't turning down the rooftop terrace. No lease needed for the best view in the marsh. #birds #redwingedblackbird

Caught in the act: Singing in the shower! 🚿 This Red-winged Blackbird paused his grooming session just long enough to belt out a song. Messy feathers, loud voice, zero regrets. #birds #redwingedblackbird #nature #wildlife #photography

Boy or Girl? How to sex a Monarch. 🔍 Next time you see a Monarch, check the hindwings! Males have a small black spot (scent gland) on a vein. Females—like this beauty from the Shawangunk Grasslands—have thicker, blurrier black veins and lack the dot. 🦋 #Monarch #Nature #photography #butterfly

If this bird were a human, he’d be a 19th-century general with aggressive sideburns. The key to identifying a Song Sparrow is the face. Look for those thick, dark brown stripes coming down from the beak along with that broad grey eyebrow. #birds #songsparrow #wildlife #nature

Me running toward the first day of Spring like... 🌿☀️ I know it's only January, but if I run fast enough, maybe the flowers will bloom sooner? This squirrel has the right idea: full speed ahead until we hit warm weather. #greysquirrel #nature #wildlife #photographylovers

If we swim slowly enough, maybe Monday won't find us. 🗓️👀 This pair is practicing the fine art of "Sunday Denial." They are keeping their heads low, enjoying the water, and pretending that tomorrow isn't a work day. I am fully on board with this strategy. #birds #greenwingteal #wildlife #nature

Me looking back at the New Year's resolutions I already broke. 🤷‍♂️ It took less than a week, but who's counting? This dove has the right idea: just keep walking forward, look cute, and pretend you definitely meant to eat all those cookies. Happy first weekend of the year! #birds #mourningdove

Happy 2026! 🥂✨ Kicking off the year with a Great Blue Heron and some very busy Barn Swallow friends. May your 2026 be full of focus, flight, and plenty of time in the great outdoors. 🌾🐦 #birds #greatblueheron #barnswallow #nature #photography

Ending 2025 with this Belted Kingfisher queen. 👑 That rusty belt tells you she’s a lady! This shot is from April—I’m still working my way through the year's archives. Plenty more to share as I close out 2025... in 2026. Thanks for being here. Happy New Year! ✨🐦 #birds #beltedkingfisher #newyear

Current status: Log-sharing only. Taking a cue from this crew and spending the final days of the year in total relaxation mode. No drama, no hissing, just good company and a nice spot in the sun. Hope you’re finding your own "log" to rest on this week. ☀️ #birds #turtle #canadagoose #wildlife

Current mood: The 'liminal space' between Christmas and New Year's. If your hair doesn't look like this Kingfisher's crest right now, are you even on holiday break? No thoughts, just vibes and leftover pie. 🥧✨ #birds #beltedkingfisher #wildlife #nature #photography

Me at 8:00 AM on December 26th digging through the fridge for the remains of the feast. This Red-winged Blackbird has the right idea: head down, ignore the world, and don't stop until you find that last bit of pie. Happy Boxing Day! 🎄✨ #birds #redwingedblackbird #nature #wildlife #photography

"Wait! Santa! Is that you? I still have a few more things for the list!" 🐢🏼 This Painted Turtle is watching the sleigh disappear over the horizon. He might be a little slow on the uptake, but his holiday spirit is at 100%. Merry Christmas to everyone still looking up! 🎄✨ #paintedturtle #wildlife

Current Status: This Belted Kingfisher’s crest. The universal look of realizing you forgot the batteries, the tape is gone, and "express shipping" just closed. We’re in the holiday home stretch. If your hair is this wild and your gaze is this intense, you’re doing it right. 🎄🐟

"I love you, but give me two feet of space." Canada Geese get a bad rap for being aggressive, but they are masters of clear communication. I don't recommend hissing at your Aunt when she brings up politics, but we could all learn from how clearly these birds draw a line. #birds #canadagoose

"Sorry, I can't hear you. I'm in weekend mode." This Goldfinch is turning its back on the work week and looking straight toward a weekend of doing absolutely nothing. We are officially resting up for the holidays. Do not disturb. #birds #goldfinch #nature #rest #wildlife #photography #animals

Me trying to hide from my responsibilities like... This Northern Flicker is doing his best to blend in, but hiding behind a bare branch is about as effective as me hiding from my emails. We see you, buddy. We see you. #northernflicker #birds #nature #wildlife #photography #animals

There is something satisfying about watching a Robin pull a grub out of the ground. It’s like watching someone win a claw machine game. Right now, the ground is locked up tight. I can't wait for the spring thaw, the dandelions, and the return of the Great Lawn Treasure Hunt. #birds #americanrobin

When you're trying to eavesdrop on a conversation at the next table without being obvious. This Titmouse is executing the "casual lean" perfectly. "Don't mind me, just inspecting this lichen... definitely not listening to your secrets." #birds #tuftedtitmouse #wildlife #nature #photography #cute

Trying to get through my last working week of 2025 by blending in and hoping to be left alone like this lil froggy. If I stay perfectly still and cover myself in duckweed, maybe no one will ask me for a status update. I am one with the pond. #frog #nature #wildlife #photography

Physically, this Robin is on the branch. Mentally? It is fully into the weekend. It has that relaxed, thousand-yard stare of someone who has already checked out. He's just absent-mindedly humming a happy tune while waiting for the clock to run out. #AmericanRobin #birds #wildlife #photography

The Turkey Vulture: No school, yet somehow holds a PhD in fluid dynamics and thermal lift. Me: Tried to fly with a big coat as a kid and immediately crashed head first into a floor-model TV. I'll stay on the ground and just take the photos. This guy is the real physicist. #birds #TurkeyVulture