Song Sparrow
What is one thing nearly all of the sparrows have in common? Those special earth tones, with varying shades of brown making up a lot of their appearance because they are ground-based birds. This Song Sparrow was showing that off with its camouflage working wonderfully and apparently letting it feel comfortable enough to let me shoot these close-up photos. They really are brilliant little birds, and I mean that for all the many subspecies of Song Sparrow in the world. One wonders how many of these would or will evolve to completely different species over time. Even now it is vital to always...
Read MoreRusty Blackbird Blitz 2016 Update
Thank you to everyone who has submitted Rusty Blackbird sightings to eBird this spring! Although today marks the close of the target Blitz dates in Connecticut, the Blitz isn’t over! In 2015, Rusty migration was later than usual through many states, and birders were reporting Rusty Blackbirds in some southern states in early April, and in northern states through early May. Even outside of our official Blitz window for Connecticut, we still need all of your Rusty Blackbird observations to help understand Rusty Blackbird migratory timing and habitat use. The international Blitz runs through...
Read MoreGray Catbird
This was – finally! – my first of year Gray Catbird last week, and it took a lot of work to even get these photos of this shy bird. While Gray Catbirds are often a bit secretive, less so than their relative the Brown Thrasher, I can usually get them to pop up for a moment or chat with me more than this bird wanted to. I really had to lighten these photos of it in the shadows. It did not mind going right over my head, peering down at me while giving that cautious eye. However, many more of the species will be pouring through the Northeast for the next few weeks. We will all have...
Read MoreKeeping the World Wild
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...
Read MoreFencing & Signage Operations Complete
Last week we finished string fencing and signage operations for the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds on our Connecticut beaches. We had a tremendous volunteer turnout at some of the most difficult and critical sites including Sandy/Morse Points in West Haven, Bluff Point State Park in Groton, and Long Beach in Stratford. It was a gorgeous April day for this work at Long Beach, and most of it was completed in only a few hours thanks to the terrific help. This work was completed just in time as we now have the first Piping Plover and American Oystercatcher nests of 2016...
Read MoreBrown Thrasher
The Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) was another photographic target of mine this spring. I typically do get to enjoy the species a bit each April and May, but they are difficult subjects to shoot. Part of the problem is that they have dramatically dropped in abundance since Roger Tory Peterson’s time which makes me appreciate moments like these all the more. For a species that was a tolerably common breeding bird for many people, including Roger’s homes in New York and Connecticut, is now often a ghost in both behavior and population. Habitat loss and degradation, competition with...
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