Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis)
Even as we enter September there are still plenty of beautiful butterflies on the wing like this Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis) photographed yesterday. It has some wear and tear, and it is a bit faded, but the exquisite design still shines brightly on a gray day. Take a look at all the shots it allowed me to capture while nectaring on this butterfly bush. You can see there are rips on the wings with the edges have been worn away, but what is most striking to me is how those wings still reflect and change light. The colors appear to be duller, bolder, brighter, darker, more vibrant...
Read MoreLeast Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus)
I love the Least Flycatcher’s scientific name (Empidonax minimus) as it is so very easy to understand. The tiniest of the empidonax flycatchers has a bold eye ring, and any yellow or green you seen on the feathers of this bird was a reflection of today’s warm morning light off the surrounding foliage. This was one of many cool migrants I enjoyed early this Friday, and the kind bird posed so well for me during an otherwise frustrating photography day. I wish you a wonderful Labor Day weekend of heading outdoors to see what you can find. It will also be a weekend of seeing what is...
Read MoreEvil White-breasted Nuthatch
Look, I’m telling you now, be careful outside this autumn! You may be enjoying a sweet White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) in a park or at your home and then suddenly it turns evil on you. Look at that expression – what a monster. One can never be sure with these little demons…it is quite a day for birds on this lovely Friday, so go find one now! Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreRadar Migration September 1, 2016
Happy September! Kick yours off with a great day of birding tomorrow and hopefully Saturday as the birds head out on the northerly flow behind the finally departed front. Once we get to Sunday the weather gets intriguing with Tropical Storm Hermine making a run to the Northeast and likely impacting conditions throughout the region. Remember that when looking at this radar capture the darker the blue, the more birds in the air. Green is even more intense and heavy migration. The birds appear to be basically centered around radar stations because the radar beam rises through the atmosphere as...
Read MoreYoung Gray Catbird
The last of our fledglings are finding their way out of the nest now as September nears. This Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) will have to start forging a path in the world shortly, deciding how far south it has to fly in order to survive. It is a difficult choice – migration is the most dangerous part of a bird’s life, and minimizing it is optimal. However, you may end up facing a much harsher winter with frigid temperatures, snowfall, and less food than a more distant tropical climate. Decisions…
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