Pelagic birds are fun to observe. Jaegars are parasitic birds harassing terns and gulls into giving up their catches. These strong flyers are amazing while frustrating. Debate remains on which species Parasitic or Pomerine. #bird #wildlife #nature #photography #jaegar #pelagic

Another digital play - small sunflower profile and a b/w desaturation. Which do you like better? Frankly I like the black and white. #flower #floralphotography #nature #photography

Patterns. Something a little different. #photography #pattern #wavy #blackandwhite

A fond memory of what this Pink Spoonbill arrived up north. I had tried two previous times with no success to see this bird. On my third attempt I saw this beauty. I went back a couple more times graced with nice looks. #bird #spoonbill #birdwatching #nature #wildlife #photography

Coopers Hawk giving the stink eye having missed catching a bird for dinner. Long lens through the window. Bird had no idea I was spying on him. #hawk #bird #wildlife #nature #photography #birdwatching

Autumn starts next week and many of the peeps will leave for warmer climate. Safe journey to all and I will look forward to seeing you in spring. Juvenile spotted sandpiper and i believe semipalmated sandpiper - correct me if wrong. #spottedsandpiper ##bird #birdwatching #photography #wildlife

Sometimes you need to look down and watch your step. This fuzzy friend was crossing the sidewalk looking for a safe place. Seek called it an American Dagger moth caterpillar. #caterpillar #nature #wildlife #photography

The adult hummingbirds have left for winter and the youngsters are still around partaking of blooming tubular flowers and the sugar water I offer. Soon they too will leave for their long journey south. #bird #hummingbirds #wildlife #birdwatching #nature #photography

American Robins are collecting up in groups to migrate. I was told there are different populations. Some that summer in my area head south and a Canadian group that head into my area for winter. #bird #robin #birdwatching #photography #nature #wildlife

I missed them this year :( Orchard Orioles seem few and far between for me unlike their Northern oriole cousins. To me stunningly colored and a sweet tooth when not foraging for insects which are in sharp decline. #oriole #bird #birdwatching #wildlife #nature #photography

Celebrating my first mirrorless camera marveling at the images I have had greater success capturing. While the R6 is fewer on sensor pixels, I have learned a great deal more in how to photo wildlife. This Ruby-throated Hummingbird is a fave image. #bird #humminbird #wildlife #nature #birdwatching

Short-billed Dowicher works the mud for worms and other bits. Taken a few years back at my fave spot. Photographed from my car and using a long lens. #bird #nature #wildlife #birdphotography

Several years ago a western sandpiper visited. He blended right in with all the other peeps foraging the deep puddles and I had a hard time picking it out. Thankful to the other birders who helped. #bird #sandpiper #birdwatching #photgraphy

Baird’s Sandpipers are not common in my area. This was taken a few years back at a local fave spot listed as an Important bird area. Hung out in large puddles with Least Sandpipers, willets and both species of Yellowlegs foraging for the same kind of food bits. #bird #wildlife #photography

At a fave spot, the estuaries are full of Great and Snowy Egrets filling up on crustaceans, fish and more before leaving to winter elsewhere. This was an interesting shot showing the size difference between the 2 species. #bird #wildlife #birdwatching #photography #nature

There have again been some late season babies born as I heard from friends. This white-tailed deer brought her young buck to my habitat a few years back. I called her Big Momma as she was a large doe and her youngster White Butt for his markings. #deer #wildlife #animal #photography

Any jewelry makers out there? I made these with 20 gauge wire purchased from Michael’s. After a week the wire is already tarnishing. I would like to redo but need suggestions for a different wire to use. Help! #jewelry #crafters

I wrote this poem several years ago. It seems even more relevant today. Numbers of different species continue to decline as the human species continues to grow in numbers.

Terns amaze me with their flying capabilities. This is. Least tern - smallest species. Just clipped the wing tip but still a photo I love. #tern #bird #wildlife #nature #birdwatching #photography

Sometimes looking at things from a different point of view can help open the mind to other possibilities. I loved seeing the light shine through the petals here. #flower #photography #nature

Sheldon is such a good helper. Now 14, he’s a bit more clingy and ‘in your face’ jealous of his roommates. #cat #kitty #pets #feline

Pearl Crescents are smaller butterflies that frequent my habitat during summer. This one was particularly generous in sharing space so I could get some closer images. #butterfly #nature #insect #wildlife

You never know what may pass through your habitat. It’s commonplace for me to see White-throated Sparrows & Juncos during the fall and winter months. However a few years ago the mixed flock included some White-crowned Sparrows like this individual. Keep your eyes open! #birdwatching #birds #wildlife

Nature’s beauty up close. Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and Black Swallowtail hind wing macros. #macrophotography #butterfly #wildlife #nature

Eastern Kingbirds are larger insect eaters taking preference to hunt from a high branch. This one was observed along the drive down Parker Preserve in Massachusetts. #bird #birdwatching #wildlifephotography #nature #wildlife

Northern Waterthrushes obviously love water hence their name. Wetland habitats are where they can be found. Various insects, spiders and even salamanders make up their diet. This one was in my habitat a few years ago. A real privilege to see this shy bird. #bird #birdwatching #nature #wildlife

Who you lookin’ at? A male Osprey I named Oscar made frequent trip a to my habitat to roost and sometimes feast on the fish he caught. I knew him as he was pretty chill every time I went outside with the camera. #osprey #bird #natire #wildlife #birdwatching #wildlifephotography

Dogfight! The crows work together to send off a hunting Red-tailed Hawk. These aerial fights don’t end until the Hawk is well on its way. #bird #hawk #crow #wildlife #birdwatching

Great-crested Flycatchers are Blue Jay sized birds with a distinctive call and another insect eater. As we continue to negatively impact insect populations so it impacts bird species like these. My habitat is chemical free allowing birds like these to find food. #bird #birdwatching #wilflife #nature

This little friend is an ally in the garden. While some think of snakes as nope ropes and I get the fear, they are good for the ecosystem. Let them be. Garter Snake resting in the leaves I leave in the gardens. #snake #nature #wildlife #animals #wildlifephotography

Black Skimmers are a large tern species known for the lower mandible being longer than the upper. Used to skim the water’s surface to catch prey. These were photographed at the Edwin Forsythe Preserve in New Jersey and along Nickerson Beach in Long Island, NY. #skimmer #bird #eildlife #birdwatching

Several years ago I had the blessings of my habitat hosting a coyote family. For several weeks at dusk and sometimes during the day the pups would come out of the back woods to play. Such wonders of nature! Share the planet! #coyote #animal #nature #wildlife #wildlifephotography

Glossy Inis working the marsh grasses for food items like small crabs and worms. These stunning birds look awkward but are graceful. #ibis #bird #nature #wildlife #birdwatching #birdphotography

Caption this! A pair of nestling yellow-crowned night heron chicks huddle close. I always thought they looked like two kids with bad hair day/bed head! Have to use this for a greeting card. Taken on the walking path Ocean City Welcome Center, NJ. #heron #bird #wildlife #birdwatching #nature

The eastern seaboard has seen a marked increase in seal populations. This Grey Seal was giving the ole stink eye as he waited for the cast off from local fishermen. Why not hang out where easy free food can be had? Chatham, MA. #seal #animal #wildlife #nature #wildlifephotography

I’ve posted Tree Swallows before. These fast flyers will gather next month in large numbers to go south. A marvel all nature lovers should see. Metallic blue green upper parts, white bellies and blackish wings mark these beautiful insect eaters. #treeswallow #bird #wildlife #nature #birdwstching

Two loon species frequent my area - the Common loon and the Red-throated Loon. Bill and head shape are my go to traits to focus on for ID as I usually see both species in winter plumage. Here a common was closer to breeding colors and the RT in winter. #bird #loon #birdwatching #wildlife #nature

Sometimes the common birds offer to pose. Mourning Doves frequent my habitat enjoying fallen seed and resting spots. Although they tend to be the most targeted prey by the hawks. #bird #doves #nature #wildlife #birdwatching #photographt

With the chill in the night air I’m reminded winter is marching closer. Harlequin Ducks are some of the most colorful American ducks IMO. These boys were flying in. Beavertail Lighthouse, RI. #ducks #birds #birdwatching #wildlife #nature

What an experience in New Jersey admiring various birds at a known rookery. Glossy ibis chick glances out from the shrubs. #ibis #bird #wildlife #nature #birdwatching

Unfortunately my pollinator garden got away from me again so next spring it will be redone in total. From last year the bright red native Cardinal Flower was a huge draw for the hummingbirds. Plant native. It’s the best. #bird #birdwatching #nature #wildlife #hummingbird

I forgot to add this shot to yesterday’s post. The same heron along a walking path hunting in the flooded grasses for a meal. This was a close encounter and I was happy the bird was more interested in finding food than in me being there. #bird #heron #wildlife #nature #birdwatching

Fiddler crab for lunch. Yellow-crowned Night Heron nabbed this crustacean and I just managed to catch this shot as he tossed it up to swallow. This is where quietly watching and a FAST shutter speed wins the day. #heron #bird #nature #wildlife #birdwatching

Amazing memory from a few years back. Ocean City Welcome Center, NJ. Great Egret feeds youngsters - all 3 anxiously poking/pushing. A must see site. I thank a friend for taking me there twice. Hoping to get there again next nesting season. #bird #wildlife #nature #birdwatching #wildlifephotography

Hummingbirds are fierce fearless tiny birds that are amazing to watch. Their ability to hover and feed either at the flowers or sugar water feeders is awesome. Such power in a tiny package.

What a cool color combo - the bright yellow is a mammoth sunflower and the brilliant blue of an indigo bunting. Captured several years ago at Buttonwood Farm. #bird #bunting #nature #wildlife

Black-crowned Night Herons are another long legged wader that hunts in estuaries for crustaceans and mollusks and other invertebrates. This one was seen during a trip to the New Jersey shore and I still cannot decide which version I like better - vertical or horizontal. #bird #herons #birdwatching

A little bigger and more deeply colored than a Piping Plover, the Semipalmated Plover frequents the same areas however chose rocky areas and mudflats to forage for food. They can also be found in open fields and can swim short distances. #plover #bird #wildlife #birdwatching #nature

The smaller shorebirds are frequenting coastal areas this time of year. Birds like killdeer, sanderling, and sandpipers use their bills to hunt small crustaceans, insects, worms and mollusks. #bird #sandpiper #birdwatching #nature #wildlife