Monarch on Cosmos
I have taken so many photos of Monarch butterflies this year, but this very fresh and bold Monarch nectaring on a cosmos flower was a sensational contrast of colors on a cool September morning. I really am obsessed with them, and I’ll miss them as the last depart the region in several weeks. Here is hoping that winter population counts are strong this year. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreMonarch Butterfly Release
I raised a couple of Monarch caterpillars this August, something I had not done since I was a child. I collected them and ended up feeding them from my own supply of swamp milkweed leaves that went otherwise unused. While many pollinators visited to enjoy the nectar of the flowers, I did not note any Monarchs in the yard or find any eggs. A couple weeks ago I noticed each chrysalis was turning black not far apart from one another, and by late that morning they’d emerged. I released them onto my coneflowers after their wings dried, and one of the two females provided me a chance to...
Read MoreWorm-eating Warbler (Helmitheros vermivorum)
I was thrilled to find and then get great views of this Worm-eating Warbler (Helmitheros vermivorum) singing and feeding earlier today. I first heard its insect-like trill of a song from along a steep, rocky slope in the forest featuring a lot of vegetation in the understory – precisely what they want for the breeding season. We in the Northeast are at the northern edge of their range, and finding the uncommon birds can be difficult. Worm-eating Warbler populations are said to be stable, but they certainly do decline and increase in certain regions depending on local conditions....
Read MoreSwamp Sparrow
Swamp Sparrows can sometimes be difficult to photograph, but no one told this bird that it was not supposed to be captured this way! Those brush piles can be very productive at this time of year. Make sure to have one or two in your yard this winter, especially if you have bird feeders nearby. They provide cover and a great photographic opportunity.
Read MoreRuby-throated Hummingbird Migration
Here’s RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser’s photo of a male Ruby-throated Hummingbird caught last winter in Costa Rica on migration, banded in the hopes of catching him again the next year. He notes that you can see that the hummingbird bands are so small and delicate, a stark contrast to these notoriously feisty birds. The tropical work season is coming up again in only a few months! Right now you can find these hummingbirds passing through your yard on the way there.
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