Two Bald Eagles caught my attention at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge. One lifted off with a fish in its talons.

Great Egret tossing a fish into position before swallowing it whole at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge.

This Mourning Dove was busy carrying pine needles through my yard in Arkansas as it worked on a nest in one of my pine trees.

Great Egret Tossing a Dragonfly

A Bobcat walked straight toward me on the auto tour road at sunrise, calm and steady the whole way. It got within about 20 steps before slipping into the trees.

A quiet moment at the birdbath, this pair of Mourning Doves sharing the water and keeping each other close.

This American Robin looked like it broke into a full-on birdbath dance.

I photographed this female Downy Woodpecker perched on a small branch here in Arkansas.

A Pied-billed Grebe doing what grebes do best, catching and swallowing fish at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.

Mockingbird incoming. This Downy Woodpecker didn’t waste a second reacting.

This male Downy Woodpecker was waiting on me to bring out the suet feeder. The birds in my yard know my routine, and sometimes they start calling when I’m not moving fast enough.

I photographed this River Otter as it moved along the bank at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.

I photographed this Dark-eyed Junco perched on a rock in my yard here in Arkansas. It paused just long enough to catch the soft light, showing off its clean gray plumage and subtle detail.

That split-second when a Great Blue Heron lifts off and leaves the water behind.

First snake of the season for me. This Water Moccasin crossed the auto tour road at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge and gave me a close look before slipping off into the grass.

I photographed this white-tailed doe at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge a few days ago, and one thing stood out right away, one ear appeared partially drooped while the other looked normal. I’m not sure if it was from an injury or something she was born with.

I photographed this Great Blue Heron as it settled into a calm slough at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.

I photographed this male Northern Cardinal in my yard here in Arkansas. He stood out with his bright red plumage and black mask.

I photographed this female Northern Cardinal in my yard here in Arkansas. She paused on a weathered branch, showing off her soft tan plumage and touches of red along her wings and crest.

I photographed this Northern Flicker as it launched from a bare tree at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. The wings were fully spread just after takeoff, showing the pattern and color that often get missed when the bird is perched.

This female Northern Cardinal stopped just long enough for a photo… and I couldn’t help but notice those two little feathers sticking up on top of her head.

Gray Tree Frog Resting on Leaf - #Worldfrogday

Today is the first day of spring, and it also happens to be World Frog and Sparrow Day. #worldfrogday #worldsparrowday

Male Downy Woodpecker in my Arkansas yard. Small bird, but always busy and never still for long.

I photographed this Dark-eyed Junco in my yard here in Arkansas as it paused to eat a sunflower seed. These small winter visitors are common at my feeders, but they will soon migrate north, making moments like this short-lived.

I photographed this Dark-eyed Junco in my yard here in Arkansas as it paused on a weathered log. These winter visitors have been a regular sight around my feeders, but they will be migrating north soon. I always enjoy the last few chances to photograph them before they disappear for the season.

Mourning Dove Close-Up in My Arkansas Yard

I watched this Northern Flicker probe the ground in my yard, pull up a buried acorn, break it open, and eat the kernel inside. I’m pretty sure it found one a squirrel had hidden.

I photographed this female Eastern Bluebird perched on a small branch in my backyard here in Arkansas.

I photographed this male Eastern Bluebird perched on a branch in my yard here in Arkansas.

Northern Mockingbird flying off to chase another bird away from the area.

I noticed something unusual on one of my dwarf pear trees here in Arkansas. Neat rows of holes were circling the trunk. A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker had been busy drilling sap wells. When the bird returned, I was able to photograph it climbing the tree right beside those holes.

I photographed this Common Grackle perched on the edge of my backyard birdbath here in Arkansas.

I photographed this Common Grackle taking a drink from the birdbath in my yard here in Arkansas. Just as the bird lifted its head, a small drop of water fell from the tip of its beak.

I photographed this Common Grackle in my yard here in Arkansas on a quiet March morning. The bird paused on a small branch long enough for me to capture its sleek shape and the subtle iridescent blue and purple tones in its feathers.

I photographed this Mourning Dove from my deck here in Arkansas, and the soft pink iridescent color on the side of its neck really stood out in the morning light. It is easy to overlook that color until the light hits it just right.

Two American Robins settling a dispute.

Most people see American Robins as peaceful backyard birds. I’ve learned they can be some of the toughest birds in my yard. This fight was hard to ignore.

White-tailed Deer Swimming Reeve's Slough at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma

Two bobcats resting quietly in the tall grass at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge on a foggy morning.

I watched a female Eastern Bluebird checking one of my birdhouses a few days ago. That is always a good sign that nesting season is getting close.

Caption this photo. Two Canada Geese. One log. 😄 What caption would you give this moment?

This Carolina Chickadee has been checking out the birdhouse in my yard. What birds are starting to nest around your place?

White-tailed Buck Without Antlers Wading a Slough

A Red-headed Woodpecker prepares to stash a nut at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge. I watched this bird carefully testing cracks before hiding its prize.

An immature Cooper’s Hawk locked in on Red-winged Blackbirds at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.

I watched this Muskrat float and eat its morning meal at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.

This beaver swam straight toward me while I was sitting on the fishing pier at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.

Male Red-winged Blackbird perched on a corn stalk with a kernel of corn in its beak at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge. I always enjoy watching how they use the leftover cornfields this time of year.

Quick video of a Pied-billed Grebe at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma