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Keeping the World Wild Exhibition

Posted on May 25, 2016

Keeping the World Wild Exhibition

Keeping the World Wild The Art of John and Suzie Seerey-Lester June 17 – August 28, 2016 RTPI is very pleased to announce a new exhibition featuring original works by John and Suzie Seerey-Lester this summer! “Keeping the World Wild” will give visitors a glimpse into the inspiring work of this incredible artist duo. With work hanging at the White House and in permanent, private and Museum collections throughout the world, John Seerey-Lester has become one of the most renowned of today’s wildlife and historic artists. He moved to America over 30 years ago, making it his base of operation, and...

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Ruby-throated Hummingbird Portraits

Posted on May 24, 2016

Ruby-throated Hummingbird Portraits

In his continuing portrait series, RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser couldn’t get enough of this adult male Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris). He said that the bird’s gorget was one of the most stunning he had ever seen in this species and so very vibrant. This is one of the two adult males at Audubon Greenwich this breeding season. Sean has seen a lot of hummingbirds species over the years. He has now caught over 40 species during mist netting and banding operations across the Americas, and the bright red gorget of a male Ruby-throat is still one of the most splendid...

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Baltimore Oriole Nest Building

Posted on May 23, 2016

Baltimore Oriole Nest Building

This first-spring male Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) was a busy fella, methodically sorting through all sorts of nest building material as I watched him last week. He would gather some grass, straw and other vegetation, carefully crafting it and arranging it just right, then flying back off to his mate and his tree. You may have seen a Baltimore Oriole nest, hanging from several points of a tree branch, without evening knowing what it was. The female bird constructs a sack or sock-like container that is carefully woven together with such craftsmanship that they often stay attached to...

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House Wren

Posted on May 22, 2016

House Wren

The incomparable and iconic House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) is a star of the screen with its cheery, chattering call reverberating through the background of countless TV shows and movies. It is one of our most geographically widespread songbirds with a huge range across the Americas. A true sign of spring, this May arrival gets right to making a nest in boxes or any other container in and around yards. I have always loved these friendly little birds, but this one definitely went the extra mile in allowing me a couple of close photos on a nest box and a blueberry bush. If you have a yard with...

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Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)

Posted on May 22, 2016

Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)

This Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) ((and what a very appropriate Latin species name that is)) may be a first-spring male coming into his full blue splendor. He was belting out his song in this forest cut, perching on tree branches on the edge of the woodland and finding a shrub or two to allow me a better look while snagging a snack. They are persistent songsters with the tune carrying on all morning and likely through the afternoon. If you are truly lucky – like Twan – then you regularly get to see these birds in your backyard at your thistle feeder. What a striking contrast...

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Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis)

Posted on May 20, 2016

Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis)

Today was a welcome break for field work on an idyllic May spring day. With sunshine and perfect temperatures plus a light wind it was as wonderful for all of our migrant birds as us. I was watching the radar last night and noted a strong migration occurring with birds leaving and entering the region. I also knew that the weekend was going to end up showery and cloudy, and I decided to swap my Friday and Saturday work plans. This Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis) was a very cooperative fella, allowing me to upgrade my photos of the species from earlier this week. I actually did not have...

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