Another thing I miss about the warmer seasons are all the bugs. I miss sitting in the grass right by the lake, watching countless bees meander from flower to flower. www.copper.gay/widlife #wildlife #chicago #photography

Sometimes you capture what you want, and sometimes the heron has other plans #birds 📸 July 14, 2025 Washington Park - Springfield, IL

I love that this spunky little Carolina Wren has taken up residence in my front tree. So lovely to hear them singing! 📸 January 5, 2025 - Springfield, IL #birds #wildlife #photography

The elusive Northern Flicker, photographed for the first time! Arguably the greatest 'pecker of all. 📸 December 19, 2025 - my front yard - Springfield, IL #birds #woodpecker #wildlifephotography

Thank you Brennan Lee Mulligan for making a campaign themed around birds, I knew I could trust you. Really enjoying this @criticalrole.bsky.social campaign in Araman so much #criticalrole #criticalrolecampaign4 #crfanart #criticalrolefanart #araman #birds #rpgs #ttrpgs #dnd

I spent a week in Georgia, and met some very vocal Boat-tailed Grackles at the beach! 📸 November 5, 2025 - Tybee Island, GA #birds #birdphotography #wildlife

The moon in all her glory, waning after the full moon 📸 October 8, 2025 my front yard - Springfield, IL #photography #naturephotography #moon #astronomy

can I come over and stare at you like this www.copper.gay/wildlife #birds #wildlife #photography

Watching ducks forage through the mud is one of life's gifts to us all. 📸 September 20, 2025 Washington Park - Springfield, IL #birds #birdphotography #wildlife #illinois

My partner has a sharp eye, he spotted this Red-shouldered Hawk perch high above the pond 📸 September 20, 2025 Washington Park - Springfield, IL #birds #birdphotography #illinois #hawk

Lovely mallard had the boardwalk all to herself! 📸 September 20, 2025 Washington Park - Springfield, IL #birds #birdphotography #illinois

I can’t help it. The grackles are still here, and need to be photographed 🤣 The male Common Grackles usually take every opportunity to display, especially in the spring! But it’s Fall, and this male was displaying a lot! Apparently, he knows what he looks like🤣 #Birds #photography #wildlife 🪶

Captured a fascinating scene, this little crab spider nabbed herself a huge meal! 📸 September 7, 2025 Lincoln Memorial Gardens - Springfield, IL #nature #photography #illinois

A curious green heron, keeping one eye on me across the pond and the other on the young Cooper's hawks in the tree just above 📸 August 21, 2025 Washington Park - Springfield, IL #birds #photography #wildlife #illinois

Apologies, as these are not great but I have to share this Osprey sighting! Fall migration provided me the opportunity to see one locally, and the non-birders in my life don't understand my excitement over the sighting. 📸 September 7, 2025 Lincoln Memorial Gardens - Springfield, IL #birds

I got to show off my spark bird to my partner over the weekend! This juvenile Green Heron was very calm, hanging out in this little puddle by the lake 📸 9/7/2025 Lincoln Memorial Gardens - Springfield, IL #birds #birdphotography #illinois #nature

I really enjoy how spunky wrens are, this little one was talking up a storm along the trail! 📸 August 2, 2025 Lincoln Memorial Gardens - Springfield, IL #birds #birdphotography #wildlife #illinois #nature

I've never been one for studies but took some time to try sketching some of @peeksphotography.bsky.social work

"Business as Usual" New Print - Available now on artbytreycrim.com. This print, along with the original, and several other prints/originals will be with me at Mystic Art Festival in Mystic, CT 8/9-8/10. #art #birdart #penandink #inkdrawing #inkpainting #inkart #birb #bird #inkpainting #kingfisher

coyote & coneflowers #traditionalart #canines #coyote

A Killdeer giving a little screech at Mass Audubon's Allens Pond Sanctuary. #photography #birds #wildlife #birdphotography #nature #masswildlife #dartmouth #massachusetts #wildmassachusetts #naturalmassachusetts #massachusettswildlife

Ahh I'm so excited to have captured a killdeer for the first time! I've heard their calls and seen them fly overhead for my entire life, but today I happened across several! 📸 July 18, 2025 Southwind Park - Springfield, IL #birds #birdphotography #wildlife #photography #illinois

Beware of The Claw! Green Heron #birds

Belted Kingfishers. #wildlife #photography #nature #birds #kingfishers

Oh to be a Grackle, drinking from a cool fountain on a hot day 📸 July 13, 2025 Washington Park - Springfield, IL #birds #birdphotography #centralillinois #wildlife #photography

Another day, another heron! A smaller Great Blue Heron than I've seen before, this one was strutting along for all the walkers to see! 📸 July 14, 2025 Washington Park - Springfield, IL #birds #birdphotography #centralillinois #wildlife

This blog was something I wrote last year in a different context about how birding helps with the cycle of grief. I'm reposting it on this blog in the hopes that being honest about mental health helps in some way. #ukbirding #birds #mentalhealth

I had the absolute pleasure of introducing some family to the local Green Heron this morning. It was a great birding day out there! 📸 July 13, 2025 Washington Park - Springfield, IL #birds #birdphotography #centralillinois #wildlife

Barn Swallow at Skokie Lagoons Forest Preserve, Willow Road, Cook County, Illinois on June 26, 2025. #birds #birding #ilovebirding #bird #naturephotography #aves #birdphotography #birdsofbluesky #birdwatching #nature #ilovebirding

my child

A Green Heron on the hunt for a meal. #birds #nature #greenheron #heron #photography #birdphotography

The Canada Geese in Chicago are so much more comfortable than they are just a few hours south. Just as hissy, though! #birds #goose #wildlifephotography #photography #chicago 📸 June 28, 2025

Sibling squabbles don't need any translation! These little Canada Goslings were sassy with a late addition to the nap pile. #birds #wildlifephotography 📸 May 20, 2025

A Green heron's nest by the lake. Wanted to see how many eggs she has in the nest, but she only stood up half-way and for two seconds. 🪶 #heron #birding #wildlife #photography

Crest out, happy after a hearty bluegill #birds #centralillinois #photography #wildlife 📸 July 6, 2025

Birds are what usually draw my eye while I'm out, but the dragonflies have been out in force and are really entertaining to watch zip around! #wildlife #invertebrates #dragonfly #photography

#birds love this guys focus!

Overnight rain had this little creek flowing fast today, perfect for the Green Heron! Captured some hunting in action today, this bluegill didn't stand a chance! 📸 July 6, 2025 #birds #centralillinois #wildlife #photography

Green Heron. Post number 186 of daily reminders that there is still beauty in this world. #birds #wildlife #nature #animals #photography #sonyalpha 🪶

Great Blue Heron #birds #birding #birdphotography #photography #nature #outside

I fell in love with this Juvenile Red-bellied Woodpecker. He was spending his time trying to forage on his own but relied heavily on his father to feed him (photos to come). He was a noisy little bugger, making his way from tree to tree. 💕 #birds #birding #ilovebirds #femalephotographer #nature

A few more of that Barn Swallow. #swallow #birds #birdsky #wildlife #photography #nikon #minnesota

I've spotted this guy from afar as they survey the pond, but patience paid off today! A beautiful Great Blue Heron #birds #illinois #wildlife #photography

This was my first Green Heron sighting, a magical experience that may have sealed this photography thing for me #birds #heron 📸 May 17, 2025

they're releasing an album, but it's just a series of suprised squeaks #birds

I've taken time to showcase a few subjects from my Chicago trip, but here's a duckling much more local! #mallard #birds #duckling

This is my first clear red-winged blackbird shot, this gentleman sat nicely for me #birds

Pigeons, like all birds, are to be loved. Just look at this one showing off the iridescence of their feathers #bird

Nothing completes a day out birding with friends like seeing your favorite! Green heron seen in Lincoln Park, Chicago