Crossbills on a dirt road. These members of the finch family have unique beaks to help them eat pinecones which make up the bulk of their diet. For the #birdoftheday theme of #finches #birds #crossbill #protectnature #EastCoastKin

Great egrets at the start of the day. For the #birdoftheday theme of #silhouette #birds #egret #heron #protectnature #EastCoastKin

Trumpter swans with three curious cygnets. For the #birdoftheday theme of #mamas&papas #birds #swans #trumpeterswan #cygnets #babybirds #protectnature #EastCoastKin

A great blue heron on an grey, overcast day. For the #birdoftheday theme of #angrybirds #birds #heron #greatblueheron #protectnature #EastCoastKin

A different view of a majestic, beautiful bird. For the #birdoftheday theme of #birdsinabstract. (Answer in alt) #birds #protectnature #EastCoastKin

A male redwinged blackbird after catching insects to feed its fledglings that were in the trees nearby. For the #birdoftheday theme of #mouthful and #black #birds #redwingedblackbird #protectnature #EastCoastKin

Protestors dressed as handmaids call out the shameful acts committed by those in power, and express a desire to see the president impeached and removed from office For #humansofblueksy #handmaids #protest #makeyourvoiceheard #vote #voteblue

Although many of my favorite creatures will soon be gone as the weather turns cold, I am eager for the return of the snowy owl. For the #birdoftheday (alt) theme of #black&white #birds #owl #snowyowl #protectnature #EastCoastKin

A lark bunting for the #birdoftheday (alt) theme of #black&white #birds #larkbunting #sparrow #protectnature #EastCoastKin

"Did you know you have a bald spot?" - A Brown-headed Cowbird on a Deer. For the #birdoftheday theme of #ABCD #birds #cowbird #deer #protectnature #EastCoastKin

A black tern on an overcast day gives a monochrome appearance while being a color photo. For the #birdoftheday theme of #ABCD #birds #blacktern #monochrome #protectnature #EastCoastKin

A white faced ibis and cattle egret searching for food in a field. For the #birdoftheday theme of #birdbuddies #birds #ibis #egret #heron #protectnature #EastCoastKin

For the #birdoftheday theme of #birdbuddies, I have to include my favorite bird friends. The third of the group is out of frame, but was close to this sandhill crane and whooping crane. #birds #crane #whoopingcrane #sandhillcrane #protectnature #EastCoastKin

It is the Land of Enchantment. It is New MEXICO. #newmexico #landofenchantment #nevernewamerica #historymatters #nature #wildlife #birds

A great blue heron seems to be playing with a golden ball of light. For the #birdoftheday theme of #herons&egrets #birds #greatblueheron #protectnature #EastCoastKin

A cinnamon teal on the water. For the #birdoftheday theme of #sittingonwater #birds #duck #cinnamonteal #protectnature #EastCoastKin

As snow begins to fall, two young bighorn sheep graze. Despite the intense look, it was a peaceful moment. #bighornsheep #rams #wildlife #protectnature #EastCoastKin #stunday

Say cheese! A couple of elk that were part of a larger group that were sparring in a field next to the road. #elk #bullelk #protectnature #wildlife #EastCoastKin

A cattle egret in flight For the #birdoftheday theme of #inflight #birds #egret #heron #cattleegret #protectnature #EastCoastKin

"I dare you to say that to my face" - burrowing owl. For the #birdoftheday theme of #grounded #birds #owl #burrowingowl #protectnature #EastCoastKin

A close look at the red patch of sandhill cranes. The patch is skin rather than feathers. While their feathers are grey, the patch of skin is bright red. For the #birdoftheday (alt) theme of #brightaccents #birds #crane #sandhillcrane ##protectnature

A young trumpter swan naps on a warm summer day. For the #birdoftheday theme of #birdnaps #birds #swan #protectnature #EastCoastKin

A turkey vulture stood on a stump on the side of a mountain. It shook out its feathers as a light rain was falling. For the #birdoftheday theme of #contrast #birds #vulture #protectnature #EastCoastKin

A grackle stands out against the light colored background. For the #birdoftheday theme of #contrast #birds #grackle #protectnature #EastCoastKin

In the shadows of trees along the river, a great egret searches the water for prey. The light of the rising sun is starting to hit its feathers. For the #birdoftheday theme of #itsallwhite #birds #egret #protectnature #EastCoastKin

For the #birdoftheday themes of #itsallwhite and #redheads, the whooping crane with its mostly white plumage and red cap. #birds #crane #whoopingcrane #sandhillcrane #protectnature #EastCoastKin

Anyone that has been to Bosque del Apache has witnessed some of the largest gatherings of birds that you can see in the southwest United States. For the #birdoftheday theme of #birdsofafeather #birds #protectnature #EastCoastKin

Morning in the marsh. Geese (and a few other birds) start their day. For the #birdoftheday theme of #birdsofafeather #birds #sunrise #protectnature #EastCoastKin

Sandhill crane for the #birdoftheday theme of #birdsupclose and #birdnamec #birds #crane #sandhillcrane #protectnature #EastCoastKin

A canada goose grabbing a twig. For the #birdoftheday theme of #birdsupclose and #birdnamec #birds #goose #canadagoose #protectnature #EastCoastKin