A medium-sized bird with a dark grey head and white underparts is captured in a stunning mid-air hover over a summer meadow. Its wings are arched upward, revealing a soft, translucent quality to the feathers, while its broad tail is fanned out, showing a distinctive white band along the tip. The bird is positioned over a lush field of tall green grasses and scattered yellow wildflowers, all set against a soft, creamy green background that emphasizes the action of the flight.

An Eastern Kingbird searching for meals in the grass.

#BirdsInFlight #FlyDay #BirdsOfMastodon #bird #birds #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #catskills

A powerful bird of prey is shown in a sharp profile, looking toward the left. Its plumage is a rich tapestry of brown, cream, and white, with a clear, amber eye and a dark, hooked beak that shows traces of its recent meal. To the left, a single, withered brown leaf clings to a thin branch, set against a soft, luminous blue and tan background that highlights the bird's focused expression.

A Red-tailed Hawk after devouring a squirrel along the trail.

#BirdOfTheDay #HeadShots #bird #birds #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #citybirds #queensync #hawk #forestpark

Two small woodpeckers with striking black-and-white patterns are engaged in a dynamic interaction on a vertical tree trunk. The bird on the left has its wings flared wide, showcasing white spots on its dark feathers, and is looking toward the other bird. The woodpecker on the right is clinging to the bark with its sharp claws, leaning back with one wing partially extended and its head tilted up, revealing a small red patch on the back of its crown. The scene is filled with movement and bright, natural light, set against a soft, blurred background of winter trees.

I think I see a Downy Woodpecker that is heading to the doghouse.

#CourtshiporConflict #Bird #bird #birds #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #queensnyc #citybirds #forestparkind

A small songbird is tucked among vibrant green leaves, looking slightly toward the left. It has a streaked brown-and-white head with a prominent white stripe above the eye and a dense pattern of dark brown spots and streaks across its white breast. The bird’s plumage appears slightly damp or ruffled as it perches amidst the lush, dense foliage. The background is a soft, deep green blur, making the bird stand out within its leafy environment.

A Song Sparrow along the trail.

#BirdOfTheDay #LeafandLight #bird #birds #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #catskills #sparrow

A medium-sized waterfowl with mottled brown and grey plumage stands in shallow, calm water, looking down at a small turtle. The bird has a distinctive white, teardrop-shaped patch around its dark eye and a small crest on the back of its head. Its reflection is clearly visible in the water among floating autumn leaves and white feathers. To the right, the small, dark turtle is partially submerged, with its head and one leg raised as it faces the bird. The scene is bathed in warm, late-afternoon sunlight.

A female Wood Duck being greeted by a turtle along the trail.

#BirdOfTheDay #Reflections #bird #birds #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #photography #citybirds #queensnyc #maplegrove #duck #turtle

A medium-sized bird with soft grey and pale tan plumage is perched on the flat top of a narrow, bright yellow post. It has a long, dark tail extending behind it, dark eyes, and a thin, slightly curved beak pointed toward the left. Its wings show subtle white bars and dark feather edges. The background is a soft, warm blur of golden-brown and green tones, keeping the focus entirely on the bird's alert posture.

A Northern Mockingbird taking a break.

#BirdOfTheDay #Urban #bird #birds #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #photography #citybirds #maplegrove #queensnyc

A large, elegant wading bird with snow-white plumage stands tall on a dark, rounded rock. It has an elongated S-curved neck, long black legs, and a sharp, orange-yellow beak pointed toward the right. Its bright yellow eyes are clear, and a small patch of green skin is visible at the base of the beak. The background consists of tall, dry tan grasses, creating a textured, neutral backdrop that emphasizes the bird's bright white silhouette.

A Great Egret being great along the trail.

#LongNecks #BirdOfTheDay #bird #birds #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #photography #citybirds #maplegrove #queensnyc

A small, round bird with a white, fluffy breast and brown-streaked head perches on a thin, grey branch. It features a prominent white stripe above its eye and a thin, dark beak, looking alertly toward the right. The bird is tucked among vibrant green leaves, some showing small holes from insects, against a bright, out-of-focus forest background.

A juvenile Carolina Wren along the trail.

#BirdOfTheDay #Juveniles #bird #birds #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #citybirds #forestpark #queensnyc #SmallBirdSaturday

A medium-sized bird with a tan-colored face and a distinctive red patch on the back of its head stands in a patch of green grass. Its plumage features intricate patterns, with black bars across its back and wings, and bold black spots covering its pale underside. A prominent black "mustache" stripe extends from the base of its long, pointed beak, and a black crescent-shaped bib is visible on its chest. The bird is captured in profile, looking toward the left, with a soft-focus background of grey and green tones.

A Northern Flicker grazing along the trail.

#BirdOfTheDay #Grass #bird #birds #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #citybirds #queensnyc #maplegrove

A small, bright olive-yellow songbird perches on a thin branch, captured in profile with its beak open wide as if singing. It has dark wings with two prominent white bars and a pale, yellowish-white underside.

A Pine Warbler singing along the trail.

#BirdOfTheDay #naturalperch #bird #birds #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #citybirds #queensnyc #maplegrove #warbler #migration

A medium-sized bird with muted tan and grey plumage perches on several dark nails sticking out of a large, decaying log. It features a heavy, bright orange beak and subtle reddish-pink highlights on its wings and long tail feathers. The bird is captured in profile against a soft-focus background of sunlit forest debris and pale earth tones.

A female Northern Cardinal nailing it along the trail.

#BirdOfTheDay #manmadeperch #bird #birds #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #citybirds #queensnyc #forestpark

A small, bright yellow bird with a prominent, round black cap perches in profile on a branch. Its wings and tail have a subtle olive-green tint, and its small, dark eye is perfectly sharp. The bird is surrounded by a network of interlocking bare branches, set against a soft, out-of-focus background of lush green foliage.

A Wilson's Warbler along the trail.

#BirdOfTheDay #BlackHeads #bird #birds #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #citybirds #forestpark #queensnyc

A small, bright yellow bird with bold black streaking along its flanks and face perches on a thin, diagonal branch. It has an olive-green back and a distinctive black line through its eye, with its head tilted slightly to the right. The background is a soft, muted grey and brown, providing a neutral backdrop that highlights the bird's vivid yellow plumage.

A Prairie Warbler along the trail.

#BirdOfTheDay #Warblers #bird #birds #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #photography #citybirds #forestpark #queensnyc

A medium-sized bird with striking, intense red-orange plumage perches on a thin, leafless branch. Its wings and tail are a deep, contrasting black, and it has a thick, pale greyish beak. The bird is captured in a crisp profile against a smooth, lush green background of out-of-focus forest foliage, which makes its vibrant red color exceptionally prominent.

A Scarlet Tanager along the trail.

#BlackandRed #BirdOfTheday #bird #birds #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography

A medium-sized bird stands alert in a patch of lush green grass, its plumage shimmering with a brilliant, iridescent mix of purple, blue, and green. It has a sharp, bright yellow beak and a slightly ruffled crest of feathers on its head. The surrounding grass is dotted with thin, delicate seed stalks, and the background is a soft, out-of-focus blend of natural green and brown tones.

A European Starling really showing it off. They are abundant, invasive and pretty darn good looking.

#BirdOfTheDay #Feathers #bird #birds #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #citybirds #maplegrove #queensnyc

A small, crested songbird is captured in a striking head-on flight, gliding directly toward the camera with its wings fully spread. The underside of its wings reveals a delicate, pale translucent quality, while its body shows a warm buff-orange wash on the flanks. Its dark eyes and small black beak are centered and sharp, framed by its grey plumage. The background is a soft, out-of-focus network of bare spring branches, some with tiny green buds just beginning to emerge.

A Tufted Titmouse coming in for a landing along the trail.

#BirdOfTheDay #SmallBirdsInFlight #bird #birds #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #photography #citybirds #forestpark #queensnyc #wildlife #wildlifephotography

A tiny, round songbird perches alertly on a thin, thorny reddish branch, facing slightly toward the viewer. The bird features a vibrant yellow-and-black striped crown, olive-green wings with pale bars, and a soft greyish-white underside. The scene is illuminated by bright sunlight, casting a sharp focus on the bird while the background remains a warm, blurred mix of earth tones and budding branches.

An always difficult to photography due to being in constant motion Golden-crowned Kinglet along the trail.

#smallbirdsaturday #bird #birds #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #citybirds #forestpark #queensnyc #photography

A large, jet-black bird perches on a diagonal, snow-dusted branch, leaning forward to inspect a thin twig held in its thick beak. Its charcoal-colored feathers are highly detailed, showing a slight iridescent sheen and distinct layering along its folded wings and fan-shaped tail. The background is a soft, out-of-focus winter forest in shades of grey and muted brown, which emphasizes the bird's solid, dark silhouette.

My daily visitor Common Raven peeling some bark for an early start on a nest.

#BirdOfTheDay #weather #bird #birds #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #catskills #raven

A large, dark-bodied bird with a featherless red head is captured in a graceful profile as it glides horizontally through the air. Sunlight catches the upper surface of its broad wings, revealing a lighter, silvery-tan color on the primary feathers that contrasts with its dark brown plumage. The background is a vibrant, shimmering blur of green forest leaves and dappled light, emphasizing the bird's steady and powerful flight.

A Turkey Vulture flying through the valley.

#BirdOfTheDay #LargeBirdsInFlight #birds #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #vulture #catskills #photography

A small bird with a blue-grey back and a rich rusty-orange belly stands alert on top of a large, brown pinecone nestled in tall green grass. Its head features a sharp black cap and a prominent white stripe through the eye, with its thin, dark beak pointed slightly toward the left. The scene is brightly lit, showcasing the contrast between the bird's colorful feathers and the vibrant green blades of grass and low-growing foliage.

A Red-breasted Nuthatch protecting its prize pine cone. There are more Red-breasted coming through this year than I have ever seen.

#BirdOfTheDay #BestOfTheMonth #bird #birds #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #citybirds #queensnyc #maplegrove

A small, bright yellow songbird with an olive-grey head and back is perched at the very tip of a thin, branching twig. It is captured in profile with its beak wide open as if in mid-song, displaying a pale orange interior. The background is a clean, minimalist expanse of soft light blue sky, which places all the focus on the bird’s vibrant plumage and energetic posture.

a wind-blown female Common Yellowthroat along the trail.

#BirdOfTheDay #ruffledfeathers #bird #birds #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #catskills #warbler

An extreme close-up focuses on the face and paws of a small, furry mammal with thick grey and tan fur. The animal has a large, dark, reflective eye and long, thin whiskers, with its delicate paws held up to its mouth as if it is eating. The shallow depth of field captures the fine texture of the fur and a subtle reflection of the surrounding trees within its eye.

The world in a squirrels eyes.

#SquirrelSaturday #Mammal #Rodent #citycritter #queensync #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #photography #forestpark

A small, olive and blue-grey bird perches alertly on a textured, horizontal branch with its head tilted upward. It features a blue-grey head with prominent white "spectacles" around its eyes, a bright yellow wash along its flanks, and two pale bars on its wings. The background is a soft, muted grey and blue, providing a clean, minimalist backdrop that emphasizes the bird's delicate features.

A Blue-headed Vireo hanging out along the trail.

#BirdOfTheDay #Blue #bird #birds #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #citybirds #queensync #forestpark #vireo

A small, olive-and-grey songbird is perched in profile on a thin branch, holding a tiny dark insect in its pointed beak. The bird features a subtle yellow wash on its flanks and two distinct white bars on its dark wings, with a pale grey head and a white underside. It is surrounded by lush green leaves, some showing signs of late-season wear, against a soft-focus background of dense forest foliage.

An immature and/or possibly female Chestnut-sided Warbler with a meal.

#BirdOfTheDay #Eating #bird #birds #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #catskills #warbler

A pair of Eastern Bluebirds spreading their wings along the trail.

#BirdOfTheDay #WingsOpenNotFlying #bird #birds #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #catskills

A golden-orange honeybee is captured in mid-flight, hovering just inches away from a cluster of vibrant purple crocus flowers. The bee's wings are a blur of motion, and its legs are tucked and holding a pollen pellet as it prepares to land on the delicate petals to reach the bright yellow stamens inside. The scene is bathed in warm, natural sunlight, with a soft-focus background of earthy mulch and dry leaves that makes the spring colors pop.

Spring is here and this Honey Bee has a nice sized pollen pellet to bring home to the hive.

#bee #bees #nature #naturephotography #pollen #honey #photography #queensnyc #forestpark

A vibrant red bird with a black face and a stout orange beak is perched on a thin, grey branch and facing the camera with its beak wide open. Its feathers are a rich crimson, appearing slightly puffed up, with its long tail feathers hanging straight down below the branch. The background is a soft, out-of-focus network of bare, wintry twigs and muted grey tones, making the bird's bright color pop.

A yawning Northern Cardinal along the trail.

#BirdOfTheDay #OpenBeak #bird #birds #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #photography #citybirds #queensnyc #forestpark #cardinal

A small bird with a sharp, pointed beak clings to a diagonal tree branch with peeling bark. Its plumage is a crisp pattern of black and white, featuring white spots on the wings and a distinctive red patch on the back of its head. The background is a soft, out-of-focus wash of vibrant blue and earthy brown.

A small bird with a sharp, slightly open beak perches on a thick, diagonal tree branch. It features a crisp black-and-white patterned body with white spots on its wings and a bold white stripe across its face. The background is a vibrant, out-of-focus blue sky, which makes the detailed textures of the bird's feathers and the rough tree bark stand out.

A Downy Woodpecker and a Hairy Woodpecker along the trail.

#WoodpeckerWednesday #bird #birds #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #citybirds #queensnyc #forestpark #woodpecker

A medium-sized bird stands on a thick, textured tree branch and faces the camera with its wings spread wide. It features a brilliant blue head and wings, a warm reddish-orange chest, and a white belly with subtle grey streaking. The background is filled with lush green leaves and dappled sunlight, creating a bright and lively natural setting for this dramatic pose.

An Eastern Bluebird spreading its wings.

#BirdOfTheDay #TriColour #bird #birds #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #catskills #bluebird #photography

A small bird with a blueish back, wings and top of head. A white face with a black stripe horizontally across the face covering the eye and a rusty breast perched on a branch.

My first sighting of a Red-breasted Nuthatch this season. Most of the Nuthatches are White-breasted around here. The Reds are a rare find.

#bird #birds #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #citybirds #queensnyc #maplegrove