A young Black Phoebe on the verge of snatching a snack out of midair. And yes, it grabbed the tiny tidbit successfully. #birds_matter #birds
A Sage Thrasher pauses on sage. Nice! Thrashers are named for the vigorous way they forage, brushing ground debris aside as they search for insects. This bird had a more delicate style. Or maybe it was just a picky eater. #birds_matter #birds
The Dusky Flycatcher is one of several small flycatchers to be found in the Sierra. It takes a bit of work to be clear on each identity. #birds_matter #birds
The Vesper Sparrow is a ground-dwelling bird found in open grasslands. It is named for its sweet evening song and has been called “the minstrel of twilight”. Alas, I was there too early in the day to hear it sing. #birds_matter #birds
A recently fledged Sage Thrasher tries out some of the moves that are possible when one has wings. #birds_matter #birds
The Western Wood-Pewee, named after the sound it makes, looks a lot like several other small flycatchers but has a different hunting style. It sallies out from a favorite perch, to which it returns again and again. Knowing that was the key to making this photo. #birds_matter #birds
Here’s a recently fledged Acorn Woodpecker exploring a tree trunk, perhaps for the first time. Yes, buddy, this is where food comes from. #birds_matter #birds
Youngsters are everywhere these days and they don’t all look like their parents. This teenage White-faced Ibis was hanging out with its own kind so, although it looks like an exotic new species, there was no mistaking its identity. #birds_matter #birds
A lady Black-necked Stilt fishes for breakfast in early morning light. She has the longest leg-to-body ratio of any bird except the flamingo and - to me - the very most irritating, nerve-jangling cry. #birds_matter #birds
This Yellow-billed Magpie was just chilling when an Acorn Woodpecker decided it wanted to take over the perch - a rather unappealing metal rail. The magpie decided the spot wan’t worth a skirmish and departed for a calmer zone. Smart move. #birds_matter #birds
A young Wood Duck drake takes a break on a popular log. He is hanging out with the wrong crowd - Common Mergansers, Mallards and even a Green Heron. I just hope they are not a bad influence. #birds_matter #birds
A Black-crowned Night Heron does not look too happy about the demands of her noisy chicks. #birds_matter #birds
A European Starling carries food back to its nest. A group of about 100 brought to the US in the 1800s has grown to a population of some 200 million. That number is said to be in decline. Alas, the starling’s bad habits give it pest status, so hope is that decline is true . #birds_matter #birds
I had a rare chance to watch this Green Heron in full hunting mode. This is a bird with impressive stealth and skill in action! #birds_matter #birds
This could be a look at this young Western Grebe’s last ride. Parents carry them for a few weeks but as they grow they must begin to fend for themselves. This parent made every effort to shake its youngster off and only relented after several tries. Growing up is hard to do! #birds_matter #birds
A good example of right time, right place - a dose of good luck meant I was ready to capture this moment as momma Western Kingbird arrived to feed her youngster. The pleasure the little bird took in its meal of wasp put a smile on my face as well. #birds_matter #birds
A White-faced Ibis rookery near me has been very productive this year. The chicks are hard to see among the reeds but there is no mistaking the clamor that arises when a parent arrives with food. Talk about a feeding frenzy! #birds_matter #birds
A Razorbill yawns just enough to permit a glimpse of its stunning orange gape. Already the coolest of the cool in birdworld, it turns out to be even cooler than that. #birds_matter #birds
A Black Guillemot gives observers a good look at its amazing red gape. That brilliant color plays a key role in the guillemot’s courtship activities as well sending a strong warning message to would be aggressors. Can we agree that red is the most powerful color? #birds_matter #birds
Snow Buntings were everywhere on Grimsey Island. The males are striking in their black-and-white, but the fledglings, juveniles and females sport an array of plumages. It seemed as if every “new” small bird I saw was a Snow Bunting in another of its many variations. #birds_matter #iceland #birds
Black-legged Kittiwakes are pelagic gulls who spend nine months of the year over the oceans. At breeding time they build nests on the narrowest of ledges along steep cliffs. How is it that their chicks don’t fall off? It’s just another of Mother Natures’s mysteries. #birds_matter #iceland #birds
The Rock Ptarmigan is one hardy creature. It is the only bird that spends its entire lifecycle within the arctic tundra areas. This bird was right to be shy as ptarmigan is the classic Christmas dinner dish in Iceland. True, ‘Tis not the season but it’s wise to be cautious. #birds_matter
The Rock Ptarmigan is one hardy creature. It is the only bird that spends its entire lifecycle within the arctic tundra areas. This bird was right to be shy as ptarmigan is the classic Christmas dinner dish in Iceland. True, ‘Tis not the season but it’s wise to be cautious. #birds_matter #birds
Atlantic Puffins “beaking”. This is how mated partners renew acquaintance after months apart at sea. Of course other members of the circus (yes, that’s one name for a puffin colony) watch to ensure all is going well. #birds_matter #birds
Arctic Terns are very protective of their nesting areas. On Grimsey, even on a road, they come race towards me menacingly, scream, hover and drop loads on my person. The fact is, everybody’s got to be somewhere and today my place is here. Sorry, terns . #birds_matter#birds
These Horned Grebe parents are looking very fine in their breeding plumage. They stay busy keeping their chicks fed. #iceland #birds_matter
