Recently Published Work

Birding Escape:  Living Bird, Spring 2013

     Just received my spring issue of Living Bird in the mail.  My latest Birding Escape column on page 41 is about the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve near Pawhuska, Oklahoma.  Check Living Bird out on the web or subscribe at: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/page.aspx?pid=1201.  Also, check out the Living Bird facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Living-Bird/136517399750495 .

Pic of the Day

Cerulean Warbler, Dendrooca cerulean;  Magee Marsh, Ohio

     When this Cerulean Warbler arrived on the boardwalk at Magee Marsh he caused quite a stir.  Hundreds of birders crowded together to get a look at this fellow who had winged his way from northern South America. 

     Magee Marsh is near the northern end of its breeding range, while here in North Alabama we are at the southern end of the its breeding range.  During the summer I often see Cerulean Warblers at my bird feeders where they are most likely gleaning insects.

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f4, 1/250 Second @ f5.6, ISO 800

Pic of the Day

Blackburnian Warbler, Dendrocia fusca; Magee Marsh, Ohio

     I made a short trip to Magee Marsh on the south side of Lake Erie to photograph migrating warblers over the past few days. Though I was there for only a short time I got a few good shots.  There were quite a few species of warblers, (18 that I observed), with more species arriving today.  Most of the warblers were pretty high in the trees making shooting difficult, but on Sunday evening this Blackburnian dropped out of the treetops and put on a nice show among the lower branches.

     Blackburnians fly north from their wintering grounds in Venezuela, Columbia and Peru to northern Minnesota, Michigan and New York to Maine and southern Canada.  They can also be found in the higher elevations of the Appalachian Mountains south to Northern Georgia.

     This is one of our most beautiful warblers, and I have waited a long time to get a descent shot.

Both Images:  Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f4, 1/800 @ f6.3, ISO 500, on tripod

Pic of the Day

American Goldfinch, Carduelis tristis; Horse Cove, Alabama

     Back in March the American Goldfinches that wintered here in Horse Cove headed north on their spring migration.  They were just molting into their breeding plumage when they left, so I missed their turn from olive green to yellow.  Over the last week numerous goldfinches have shown up at my feeder in their brilliant yellow plumage and they are just beautiful.  I caught this fellow as he landed on a branch before flying to one of my sunflower seed feeders.  The light, the bird and the plumage were just perfect.   Just the way I like it!

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f4, 1/50 second @ f5, ISO 800