This Rusty Blackbird blended into the background but as he twisted around poking in the stream his understated color scheme showed off a bit. A nearby maple tree had dropped a few turned leaves for a hint of color in the scene.
ID by Merlin Bird ID app
Bradley, ME
October 1, 2022
On my recent trip to Maine I was amazed to witness some warbler migration. I grew up near where these were taken and don’t remember ever seeing anything like the hundreds of birds I saw in the vicinity including a variety of warblers and finches.
The mowed lawn seen above was backed by a field of “weeds” that were bursting with all sorts of seeds and flying insects–a song bird buffet.
I had not taken my long lens on this trip and could not get close enough to most of them with the 18-200mm; this one fellow seemed a bit more curious.
This particular bird is much more colorful than the Palm Warbler I had photographed a few days before in Charleston, SC.
ID by Cornell Lab’s Merlin App
Penobscot County, Maine
September 16, 2022
I had seen this Palm Warbler skittering ahead of me down the trail and given up hope of photographing it in the thick underbrush. Then he landed in this dead tree.
He looked around…
Staying put for about 3 seconds in the spread leg position…
Then he was off…
The last I saw of him before he flew back into the undergrowth.
ID by Cornell Lab’s Merlin App
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
September 16, 2022
A new bird to me, I spotted a pair of Rusty Blackbirds foraging at the edges of a swamp.
After a short pause out in the open this one went back to exploring the mud.
They eat insects or seeds, so about anything in this little pool would be a good snack.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
December 23, 2021
A Palm Warbler was doing his thing in the lower vegetation at the side of a swamp.
As you may know, warblers of all sorts are speedy and are mostly photographed exiting the spot you noticed him. Fortunately for me, this one’s curiosity slowed him down.
Then he gave me a jaunty pose.
He heard something, gave it another look, then dove into the underbrush.
ID by Cornell Lab’s Merlin App
Magnolia’s Audubon Swamp, Charleston, SC
October 18, 2021
This Northern Mockingbird flicked his tailed or might not have seen him nestled up to the Spanish Moss.
After a few shots I was ready to pass by, but it was as if he didn’t see me. He didn’t fly off even as I got a bit closer for a better angle.
Ah, but he did and just didn’t care that I was there.
This Northern Mockingbird gave me a full photo-shoot opportunity.
He executed several turns as he surveyed the marsh below him.
Mockingbirds are very common and easy to overlook with rather a drab appearance. Their spunkiness makes them stand out.
Good morning!
Often the little birds are all tucked in at the end of the day but this little fellow was hunting for snacks just before the sun dipped below the tree line.
He checked a variety of spots along a hedge.
I didn’t see him catch anything.
Since I walked this path a month ago the water has been drained out of the pond behind this Eastern Eastern Kingbird.
Dragonflies were hovering over the mostly dry pond bed and the Kingbird was taking advantage. He had a nice snack of what looked like an Eastern Pondhawk between these two images. Unfortunately swaying reeds on the bank ruined all images of that!
A chick joined the adult calling to be fed. The adult didn’t seem impressed and soon they swooped off together. Time for the juvenile to catch his own lunch.
