American Wigeon

“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature -- the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.” 

― Rachel Carson

Print Available - HERE 

A New LIFE Bird (duck) for me.

I had never seen an American Wigeon Before.

Seen 03-14-20 - Along Deerfield Trail - Blacksburg, Virginia.

Roseate Spoonbill

Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life. 

~ Rachel Carson

A New LIFE BIRD for me - seen during our travels

through Georgia. 

Available - HERE 

Worm-eating Warbler - Another New Life Bird!

Another new lifer for me!  A Worm-eating Warbler.  

To be honest, I had never even heard of this warbler before.  I looked through all of my guides, and did some comparing of pics online - and I do believe that I have ID'd him correctly - BUT - if I'm wrong - please let me know :)  

We do not need to attend classroom training programs for everything, our observation opens the windows of knowledge around us.

― Sukant Ratnakar

 

Grasshopper Sparrow Sings

Never be so focused on what you're looking for that you overlook the thing you actually find.

 — Ann Patchett

Available - HERE 

How Exciting!

Life is a journey; let's enjoy it, seeing some exciting things, and having fun along the way. 

 ― Ellen J. Barrier 

Chestnut-sided Warbler - my first sighting on 05/03/14 

Fox Sparrow

 Fox sparrow

And he even turned to show me his gray head.

Every object, every being...is a jar full of delight.

Rumi

Magnolia Warbler - Male

“Pursue some path, however narrow and crooked, 

in which you can walk with love and reverence.” 

 ― Henry David Thoreau

Common Yellowthroat Male

...everyone wants to be excited by something magical and wondrous...

~ John Geddes

Male Common Yellowthroat 

Heritage Park - Blacksburg, Virginia 

Mandarin Duck

It is often while you are looking for something else entirely that you make the most amazing finds. 

~ Marissa Moss

I couldn't have been more amazed to find this Mandarin Duck during a visit to Black Mountain North Carolina.  At first I thought it was a Wood Duck.  According to Wikipedia Black Mountain is one of the few places in the US with feral populations. 

Available - HERE 

A Dream Come True

Surrender to your dreams and let them launch your tomorrow.

~ Lisa Fantino

This little Wood Duck is A LIFER for me - seen 03-16-13.

I was VERY far away so I had to crop the image closely - not as sharp as I would have liked.  Still - a dream come true!  

Hooded Merganser Couple

No road is long with good company.

~Turkish Proverb

 .

Wings in Flight

Be like the bird in flight . . . pausing a while on boughs too slight, feels them give way beneath her, yet sings knowing yet, that she has wings. 
 ~ Victor Hugo

A Blue-headed Vireo spreads his wings.

Spotted Sandpiper

 Do stuff. be clenched, curious. Not waiting for inspiration's shove or society's kiss on your forehead. Pay attention. It's all about paying attention. Attention is vitality. It connects you with others. It makes you eager. Stay eager. 
 ~ Susan Sontag

  Izaak Walton Park - Christiansburg, VA  

Black-throated Green Warbler

Black-throated Green Warbler 

Heritage Trail - Blacksburg, Virginia

First sighting 09-05-09 
More info about this lovely bird found - HERE 

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

This was my first ever sighting of a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - January 2009 - Bisset Park, Radford, Virginia 

 They really do have a Yellow Belly :)

Not what we have but what we enjoy constitutes our abundance. 

~John Petit-Senn

A Bird Story

As many of you know, my passion for photography started

back in June of 2007.

With this passion also came a passion for Nature which

I had never had before. Especially a passion for Birds!

At the beginning of this 2008 my hopes were to see

an Indigo Bunting. My children had given me

a beautiful calendar with birds on it for

Christmas and I saw an Indigo Bunting...and I wanted to see one

FOR REAL.

Well...my wish came true that Spring.

I believe this is a juvenile or molting Indigo Bunting.

From what I have read, they do not get there completely Blue

feathers until they are in their 3rd year.

Possibly an Adult (or close to adult) Male.

I cannot tell you the joy I felt at seeing these birds.

 Indigo Bunting

A Beautiful Blue Treasure

My heart Sings