Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus) record shot between gulls
Normally I crop the photos that I take and show to everyone here on RTPI’s website and social media, but in this case I liked the framing of the raw photograph. Can you see that dot in the middle? Even if this record shot were cropped you would not be able to see much more of the Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus) flying out over Long Island Sound from last weekend’s Christmas Bird Count in Stratford, Connecticut. These Ring-billed Gulls happened to be in flight all around me as the rare but increasingly recorded bird passed by offshore. It was one of two Gannets we saw while...
Read MoreBelted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)
While we may be looking for more of that “winter” feeling and some seasonal snowfall, especially in the Chautauqua-Allegheny region for our winter trails cell phone tour, this Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) was enjoying an open pond to fish in. After chatting with me for a little bit, rattling away, it went back to its business, looking for prey and then up to the sky. Perhaps it was wondering where all that snow is… Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreWhite-tipped Sicklebill (Eutoxeres aquila) by Twan Leenders
Here’s that White-tipped Sicklebill (Eutoxeres aquila) showing off why, as a hummingbird, it evolved in that way as it feeds on the nectar of Centropogon granulosa. There is no real common name to the plant but it is sometimes referred to as ‘parrot beak flower’. We often see White-tipped Sicklebills with a yellow patch on the top of their head. You can see how they would get that – every time they visit one of these Centropogon flowers they get “stamped” on the head with pollen. White-tipped Sicklebills must be important pollinators for these plants!
Read MoreWhite-tipped Sicklebill (Eutoxeres aquila) by Sean Graesser
This White-tipped Sicklebill (Eutoxeres aquila) by Sean for Meet Your Neighbours has quite the look, huh? We’ll show you how that adaptation works in the next media post…
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