Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)
I mentioned Blue-gray Gnatcatchers (Polioptila caerulea) as a current migrant in a recent post, and I photographed this bird doing just that this morning. The wheezing individual shown here was at a migratory stopover site and may have continued flying not long after I snapped this shot. Blue-gray Gnatcatchers are at least partially diurnal migrants, and if you are lucky you can find small flocks of several birds heading south together on a day like this one. August may be the middle of summer to us but it is well into fall for the birds. Safe journey, pretty friend! Keep flashing that tail...
Read MoreYellow Warbler
One benefit from the scorching and inclement weather of the past week was the slow passage of a weak cold front (ha ha, “cold”) that brought us some actually conducive avian migratory conditions. Think about it…when was the last time before this recent August turbulence that we in the Northeast had any winds out of the north? We have had endless southerly or westerly-influenced flows bringing heat, humidity and then thunderstorms and heavy rain, all the opposite of what the birds are looking for to migrate south in this time of year. We are now in mid-August and any time...
Read MoreFledgling Flycatcher
While some Willow Flycatchers (Empidonax traillii) are on the way south, like the bird I posted from last Friday evening, others are still finishing up raising the next generation. I photographed this cute family moment this past weekend while they kept their distance from me – please ignore the annoying branches obscuring the scene. I was happy enough to see that they had not fallen victim to a Brown-headed Cowbird. Good thing there are enough caterpillars to go around…any for me? Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreFlycatcher Sunset
This presumed Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii) was a silent companion in a more Willow-frequented location and habitat as the friendly bird watched the sunset with me on Friday. Thick, dark clouds low on the horizon ending up blocking the beauty of the setting sun, and this turned out to be the best photo of the evening. These flycatchers migrate out of our area rapidly in order to stay far away from the cold and keep feeding on those flying meals. It has a long journey remaining as the destination will ultimately be Central or South America. Good luck, buddy! Can you imagine what it...
Read MoreSpot-winged Glider
I finally captured a Spot-winged Glider (Pantala hymenaea) on the wing, and in this case it while the dragonfly was ovipositing – laying eggs in this pool. You can clearly see the basal spots on the inside of the hindwings along with some wear. Flying around the world must get a bit tiring… Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
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