Mock vs. Chuck
This Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) was not taking too kindly to this young Woodchuck, Groundhog, or any other common name you’d like (Marmota monax) as it was only trying to nibble on a few delicious green snacks on a cloudy morning. You can see their relative sizes are not that far off, with this young chuck wondering why mom and dad did not explain the joy of birds before. Mockingbirds can be vicious pests if you are anywhere near they’re nest doing…well, anything, like existing in their space! I can recall being attacked and whacked by them as a small child...
Read MoreEuchlaena muzaria
This is Euchlaena muzaria, the Muzaria Euchlaena moth, a relatively large and active species – at least in my limited experience! This was the best photo I could get of the jumpy individual as it continually kept flying off the building and away from the lights and towards me. It literally hit me several times in the continual cycle of land, approach, possibly take one photo, and fly (into me). Going off of the photo alone it would seem to be shy but…not so much! Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreTurkey Vulture
During a late afternoon on a lovely day last week I did a double take as I found an unexpected bird on the lawn – a Turkey Vulture! It had discovered a dead Eastern Chipmunk only moments earlier and was preparing to do its job. I was with my Shetland Sheepdog, Zach, who had not seen the bird over the slight hill in the lawn. I walked back to him, bent down and told him to look at this bird as I pointed. He eagerly glanced around and spotted it, eyes widening and slowly creeping towards it out of curiously and intrigue despite my cautioning. He held at this position, head forward,...
Read MoreAmerican Oystercatchers in Flight
That is one chatty American Oystercatcher! I wonder if the other two had nothing to say or didn’t even bother talking to me, knowing they wouldn’t be heard over their friend…our work in the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds continues seven days a week. We had the first American Oystercatcher chicks of 2015 hatch at Milford Point this week! Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreBlack-crested Coquette (Lophornis helenae)
Sean has captured over thirty species of hummingbirds but this is now his favorite: the Black-crested Coquette (Lophornis helenae). It is about the size of a large bee, and it flies like one! They are a highland specialist that visits gardens as well as a wide variety of other habitats. They have a lion’s mane and a crown to go with their gorgeous plumage. Photographed by RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser for the Meet Your Neighbours global biodiversity project in Costa Rica while on assignment for the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History.
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