Sunflower
Who doesn’t love a good sunflower? These plants are popping right now, too, as they provide meals for pollinators now and prepare to feed hungry birds this autumn. This…this is summer!
Read MoreGreat Black-backed Gull
This Great Black-backed Gull was coming in for a water landing, but what I did not notice at this moment was that it had a free fish meal waiting for it. After it landed it snatched up this easy lunch and went off to try to find a way to eat it without being noticed by any friends. Winter is not the time to be sharing in the natural world. It is a difficult time for our wildlife to survive with harsh conditions making even consistent eating often all too rare. This bird is an adult, but the first-winter birds of many species of birds often suffer the most during these months. This recently...
Read MoreHummingbirds in Flight
Sean is taking his photography to another unbelievable level here with hummingbirds in flight. This is a Green-breasted Mango (Anthracothorax prevostii), Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia tzacatl), and Steely-vented Hummingbird (Amazilia saucerottei), all species common to the dry forests of Nicoya in Costa Rica. This photo represents the hectic behavior you get to witness daily there with multiple species vying for a place at their feeders. Photographed by RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser for the Meet Your Neighbours global biodiversity project in Costa Rica while on assignment for the Roger...
Read MoreTufted Titmouse
Entering the holiday season also means that we are getting into feeding season in our yards as our little songbird friends turn to us for an extra snack or two. Are your bird feeders set up and filled with food yet? The Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) is one of the more curious, frequent and friendly backyard birds, looking to drop down on feeders for a big sunflower seed to take and crack apart. The species also hoards food, taking some of what you put out and storing it somewhere for later. Who knows, maybe you were planning a winter vacation – they want to be prepared! If you...
Read MoreMonarch Beauty
We are winding down Monarch migration for the 2015 season, as individuals filtering through to the south now are in for a very difficult journey to Mexico. This late and beautiful butterfly was really in crisp and lovely shape, showing off the gorgeous Halloween colors while feeding. I hope he will be one of the lucky ones to make it all the way to the wintering grounds. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
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