White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) in it’s beautiful winter plumage. Wilson, NC #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots

Just like the Bayberry candle light on Christmas Eve and then again on New Year’s Eve, the bluebird also symbolizes hope, happiness, love, renewal and good fortune. I love and am happy when I see an Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis), such as this beautiful male. #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots

I saw at least 4 of these little heavily camouflaged birds working the trees yesterday. Sibley says they are uncommon this time of year. Someone should tell that to these adorable Brown Creepers (Certhia americana). #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots

One lone (wayward?) Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus) visiting our local lake this morning. I don’t know if this is a common visitor to our county here or not. Maybe someone can assist me. #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots

This morning on the way to church, there were at least 30 Black Vultures (Coragyps atratus) right along the road and in the nearby tree. On the way home from church, they were still there. So I went home, changed and grabbed my camera. #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots mybirdshots.pixels.com

#bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots #Christmas #MerryChristmas

Another shot of the beautiful little “butterbutt”, the Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata). #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots mybirdshots.pixels.com

As cold weather settles in, I don’t get out to do birding as much as I’d like, so I’m going through my 2025 pics to highlight the year. This beautiful Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) visted our local park in February. #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots mybirdshots.pixels.com

Inquisitive Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots mybirdshots.pixels.com

A pair of Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) swimming along. The sun accentuates the beautiful colors. #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots mybirdshots.pixels.com

“Strike a Pose”. Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) doing it’s best over-the-shoulder model pose. #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots mybirdshots.pixels.com

Our Winter resident, the Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) bouncing from tree to tree with little resting in-between makes for challenging photography. #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots mybirdshots.pixels.com

Here’s a blast from the past. Two “Tom” Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) that lived to see another Thanksgiving. Happiest and blessed Thanksgiving to all. #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots mybirdshots.pixels.com

I love the antics of the Nuthatches. They love to cling upside down to trees as they go up and down and all around search of food. White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots mybirdshots.pixels.com

One of many little birds which rarely stay in place more than a second, which challenges me to have faster reflexes. However I still have hundreds of pics of bare branches and “blurds”. The adorable little Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Corthylio calendula) which winters here in NC. #bird #birdphotography

This is the bird that started my journey of love with birding. Its beautiful songs attracted my ears as I followed the sound to the source. I haven’t looked back since. Beautiful Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia). #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots mybirdshots.pixels.com

The beautiful Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) are year-round residents here in Eastern North Carolina. They are one of natures “clean-up” crews. #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots mybirdshots.pixels.com

A Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) with a large nut. It did get it open if you’re wondering. #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots mybirdshots.pixels.com

Conversely to yesterdays post about zero cropping, this was heavily cropped as Belted Kingfishers (Megaceryle alcyon) such as this female are pretty aloof for me. I’ve gotten better shots, but hey - I’ll take this. #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots mybirdshots.pixels.com

This Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) thought it was hiding well from me. This is taken with zero cropping involved. #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots mybirdshots.pixels.com

The White-throated Sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis) have returned to winter here in North Carolina. They are such a beautiful bird! #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots mybirdshots.pixels.com

Happy OWL-oween again! #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots mybirdshots.pixels.com

Happy OWL-oween! #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots mybirdshots.pixels.com

With recent rains and much colder weather, the Egrets and most Summer birds have migrated. But the Winter residents have started to arrive. This cute-as-button Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) was the first to get me this morning. #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots mybirdshots.pixels.com

Great Egret (Ardea alba) basking in morning’s first light. Set as a beautiful wall art. You can see this and more by visiting my gallery at: mybirdshots.pixels.com #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) headed my way. #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots mybirdshots.pixels.com

Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) resting long enough for me to get a few shots. #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots mybirdshots.pixels.com

If there is a silver lining to the draught, where our local lake was full of water but is now a bog - is the diverse birds taking advantage of the situation. A lesson for us humans. Wilson’s Snipe (Gallinago delicata) at Lake Wilson. #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots mybirdshots.pixels.com

Green Heron (Butorides virescens) with what looks like a fat polywog for lunch. #bird #birdphotographer #mybirdshots mybirdshots.pixels.com

I was happy to find a Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) that stopped by our local lake to rest on its long migration journey. #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots mybirdshots.pixels.com

I think this bird ranks really high on my list for the cutest face. Curious and handsome Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor). #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots mybirdshots.pixels.com

Another willing participant to pose nicely for me, this Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) was captured just after sunrise. I love the vibrant colors reflected in the water. #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots mybirdshots.pixels.com

A beautiful Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) posed so nicely for me. #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots mybirdshots.pixels.com

Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) clinging to the side of a tree while looking a little worse for the wear. Nevertheless, a cutie. #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots mybirdshots.pixels.com

A Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus) was flitting about in the trees with other bird species. #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots mybirdshots.pixels.com

This beautiful bird was scampering pretty quickly and was further away than I typically like to shoot, AND is cropped pretty tight. Nevertheless, this Green Heron (Butorides virescens) with a bad hairdo is a lifer for me. #bird #birdphotographer #mybirdshots mybirdshots.pixels.com

I was both surprised and happy that this beautiful little Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum) decided to stop at our local lake in Wilson as it is migrating south for the season. #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots mybirdshots.pixels.com

Birds sing after a storm; why shouldn’t people feel as free to delight in whatever sunlight remains to them?” – Rose Kennedy A beautiful Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) scampering up and down the trees. #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots mybirdshots.pixels.com

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) resting on a rock just after sunrise. Birds conserve body heat by tucking one foot up close to them. They will also switch from time to time to relieve stress. #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots mybirdshots.pixels.com

A beautiful little singer, the Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) perched with a beautiful dark green background. #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots mybirdshots.pixels.com

Birds are so beautiful. They are my balm and make me forget what the rest of the world is doing. They calm my troubled heart. All things (especially birds) denote there is a God to me. Great Egret (Ardea alba) posing perfectly for me. #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots mybirdshots.pixels.com

The last time I photographed a Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla), I traveled 40 minutes from the house. This time, they were photographed 5 minutes away from home. #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots mybirdshots.pixels.com

Great Egret (Ardea alba) with an audience of three (two turtles and me). #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots mybirdshots.pixels.com

Another look at the Juvenile Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea). This time it entertained me with several fly-by opportunities. #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots mybirdshots.pixels.com

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) just grabbed a quick bite to eat. #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots mybirdshots.pixels.com

Throwback photo of a majestic Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) in flight. Symbolic of strength and freedom, a spiritual bird in Native American cultures, wisdom, truth, new beginnings, and perseverance in the face of challenges. #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots mybirdshots.pixels.com

Another look at the charming little Blue-grey Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots mybirdshots.pixels.com

A beautiful Male Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) posing pretty. #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots mybirdshots.pixels.com

Juvenile Little Blue Heron (lifer) looking at an adult turtle who is looking at an adult dragonfly. All of them are uneatable or out of reach to eat. Lake Wilson yesterday. #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots #myothershots mybirdshots.pixels.com

The Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) are gathering and what seems like a frantic foraging dance is just their normal nervous behavior. They are starting their wintering quarters. #bird #birdphotography #mybirdshots mybirdshots.pixels.com