Snowy Owl – Conservation Status: Vulnerable Back in 2022, I wrote about a snowy owl at sunset This photo was taken at Hampton Beach State Park in New Hampshire, a few minutes from where I live. I was lucky to have spotted a group of photographers as I was driving by. I pulled over and got to […]
Great Blue Heron – IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern Great blue herons have a lethal weapon built into their head–their beak This majestic aviator is a great blue heron. With this month’s theme of “Zoomed In” you can get a good look at their decorative plumage. Great blue herons have a lethal weapon built into their head–their […]
Pileated Woodpecker – IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern They have a characteristic red crest, or “mohawk” The pileated woodpecker can often be heard tapping its beaks against trees as it searched for its next meal. Common to North America, this is the third largest woodpecker in the world and the largest woodpecker in North America. […]
Northern Cardinal – IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern The adult male is red in color with a black mask over its eyes that extends to the upper chest. There are many names for this common bird that is native to North America. The most common name is northern cardinal, while it is also known as […]
Chukar – IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern The chukar is an upland game bird that belongs to the pheasant family This photo was taken while Jill and I were walking around the top of Haleakala after having watched the sunrise on her birthday. We were in Hawaii for our honeymoon, staying on Maui. We woke […]
Bald Eagle – IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern In 2007, bald eagles were removed from the endangered species list altogether This majestic raptor is a juvenile bald eagle. Many of us are familiar with the history of the bald eagle in America. Ben’s previous story can get you up to speed. We are encouraged to see a rebound […]
Atlantic Puffin – IUCN Conservation Status: Vulnerable There were puffins standing on land, flying, swimming, taking off, and landing This photo was taken off Eastern Egg Rock Island in Maine. During the summer months, Atlantic puffins gather on a remote island off of Boothbay Harbor, Maine. There are tour companies that go for puffin cruises and whale […]
Atlantic Yellow-Nosed Albatross – IUCN Conservation Status: Endangered They have a black bill with an orange trim This is a bird I might never see again. It is an endangered bird called an Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross. This photograph was taken from a boat just offshore of Eastern Egg Rock Island in Maine. This was a vagrant sighting, meaning […]
Great Egret – IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern Adult great egrets will have all white feathers This contorted creature is a great egret. This photograph was taken at Fort De Soto Park, just outside of St. Petersburg, Florida. The water in the background is the Gulf of Mexico. This great egret is using its long and flexible neck […]
Northern Harrier Hawk – IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern Harrier hawks have the longest wing and tail relative to their body size compared to any other raptor in North America This majestic predator is known as a harrier hawk. There are 16 species within the genus. This particular harrier hawk is called a northern harrier hawk. It is […]