Harbingers of Spring (2017)

The Red-winged blackbirds arrived here several days ago and are now staking out territories. This male has settled in one of my favorite wetlands – a cattail marsh.

Photo by NB Hunter. © All Rights Reserved.

Scanning the Stubble

Certain that the arrival of cold, wind and snow would lead to sightings of migrating snow geese in fields, I’ve kept a watchful eye on proven habitats: harvested corn fields. Crows, Canada geese and barren landscapes have been the rule; no snow geese to date.

Crows in the stubble

Wild Canada geese on a dairy farm

Pasture tree in a storm

Photos by NB Hunter. ©All Rights Reserved.

Flying High

I walk for wellness but this morning I came home with a stiff neck! I watched wave after wave of geese flying high and with purpose, all moving in a northerly direction. Three or four thousand birds passed overhead in an hour, many of them so high they were more easily heard than seen, dark specs strung out across the puffy white clouds.

Some flocks were Canada Geese…

while others were Snow Geese.

Photos by NB Hunter. © All Rights Reserved.

Ice on Moss 2017

Spring water splashing and freezing over moss-covered rocks creates one of my favorite winter macros. I often photograph the same site, knowing that these are incredibly dynamic landscapes that never repeat. They’re also fleeting. I had hoped to do more with this particular formation but the next day found nothing but melting snow and rushing water – no ice.

Photos by NB Hunter. © All Rights Reserved.

Snowy Highlights, Feb. 2017

Most of our snow will be gone by the end of the week. There will be more, but I feel the need to post these wonderful winter snow scenes while they’re still fresh in my memory!

Harvested corn field in winter

Eastern Wild Turkey foraging for waste grain

Spring-fed stream and geese, with a mature oak tree in the center

Groundhog emerging from hibernation, 20Feb2017

Woodland trail after a heavy, wet snow

Young whitetail doe

Small woodland stream, framed by mature hemlocks and sugar maples

Mourning doves taking flight

Woodland trail in sunshine and shadow

A shed deer antler exposed by melting snow

Photos by NB Hunter. © All Rights Reserved.

 

Starlings

So, why feature a European species in consecutive posts, a species considered by many to be an invasive nuisance? I guess because I have the means, opportunity and motive. Even though they number in the millions (all originating from 100 birds released in New York City in the 1890s), this is the first time that I’ve seen starlings at the feeders for any length of time. And, to quote Cornell’s All About Birds fact sheet, “…they’re still dazzling birds when you get a good look”!

The aesthetic appeal of a starling lies in the striking contrast created by white-tipped, black feathers – the winter plumage.

 

Most of the white spots will be gone by the summer breeding season, a phenomenon referred to as “wear molting”. The spotted feathers aren’t replaced, the white tips simply wear off.

Starlings can be aggressive and sometimes compete with native birds for cavity nest sites. In this instance, they met their match: a Red-bellied Woodpecker fended off three starlings (one above, out of the frame) for feeding rights to a block of suet.

Photos by NB Hunter. © All Rights Reserved.

 

 

After the Storm

A bright, sunny Valentine’s Day arrived after our latest snowstorm. More snow was on the way, so I had a brief window of opportunity to capture the beauty of a snow-covered landscape in sunshine and shadow.

My search ended with this scene, a small stream meandering through a swampy wetland. Unfortunately, the image is incomplete: I couldn’t capture the surreal peace and calm associated with this beautiful place.

Photo by NB Hunter.© All Rights Reserved.

Weathering the Storm

A European Starling, hunkering down in a snowstorm – and not far from a suet feeder! (click on the image for a full-screen view).

Photo by NB Hunter. © All Rights Reserved.

Deer in Mid Winter

Deer in this area have yet to be physically stressed by deep snow. However, more snow is on the way and the availability of palatable food resources will soon reach an annual low. In response, deer can be seen searching for food around the clock, especially in habitats where concentrated food sources like standing corn are absent.

Deer searching for waste grain in a snow-covered field

Deer tend to throw caution to the wind and frequent bird feeders when natural foods are scarce. This one, young and curious, investigated our backyard bird feeders this afternoon. Two or three others, less tolerant of human activity, will visit in darkness.

Photos by NB Hunter. © All Rights Reserved.

 

 

 

 

The Color of Winter

We have four months of winter; I enjoy three of them. The earthy colors and vivid contrasts of uncluttered winter landscapes can be very appealing, even spectacular. Winter also affords us the opportunity to observe the behavior and coping mechanisms of resident birds and mammals as they struggle to find sufficient food and cover amidst dwindling resources. The “dormant” winter season is far from static; there’s a lot going on, and much to learn. I’ll share a few winter highlights from Central New York, captured in January, 2017.

Northern cardinal foraging for grain near a backyard feeder

Eastern wild turkeys searching for waste grain

Round bales on a foggy winter morning

Black-capped chickadee in a lake-effect snow storm

Hilltop panoramic view of farms and woodlands

American crow foraging on waste grain

Morning sunlight on the Chenango River 

Red-bellied woodpecker feasting on a commercial suet block

Photos by NB Hunter. © All Rights Reserved.