Throwback to last April. This Carolina Chickadee was making nonstop food runs to a birdhouse near my deck. They skipped it this year, but it sure was fun while it lasted.

A parent Barred Owl was out hunting crayfish just after sunrise at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. I was able to catch the moment it dropped from a branch and came back up with a crayfish in its talon.

This River Otter climbed up on a log at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge.

A River Otter gave me a surprise show at Miner's Cove in Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge. I was there photographing Barred Owls when this otter popped up close by and started eating crayfish.

Barred Owl Catches a Crayfish at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge

Two Bald Eagles sit side by side in a cottonwood tree at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma, watching the morning unfold across the refuge.

Two Bald Eagles sit side by side in a cottonwood tree at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma, watching the morning unfold across the refuge.

Same white-tailed doe, nearly three years apart. I photographed her near the same spot at the Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and that injured ear made me think it was the same deer.

A young Bald Eagle launched from one of my favorite perches at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, and I was ready when it took flight.

I went down the boat ramp at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge looking for frogs, but this Redear Sunfish swam up instead. The water was clear enough for a quick photo, so I took it.

Wells Lake, Fort Smith, Arkansas

Wells Lake, Fort Smith, Arkansas

A male Eastern Bluebird showed up in my yard with what appears to be a small moth in its bill. I was not expecting to see him that morning, so this was a fun surprise from the deck.

I photographed this White-lined Sphinx Moth in my yard here in Arkansas on April 8. These moths move fast, so I was glad to catch this one hovering over the flowers.

A Lincoln’s Sparrow going through molt, a rare visitor in my Arkansas yard.

This American Robin made several trips through my yard, collecting nesting material and staying close to what’s likely a nearby nest.

This American Robin made several trips through my yard, collecting nesting material and staying close to what’s likely a nearby nest.

This wild turkey hen stayed close to one spot at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma, which makes me think she may have a nest nearby.

Female Northern Cardinal perched quietly in soft morning light, showing off those subtle reds that often get overlooked.

Pine Warbler in Morning Light

A Northern Mockingbird drinking from the birdbath. Being a Bully is Thirsty Work!

Being a Bully is Thirsty Work!

Thank you!

A young coyote stopped just long enough for me to get a few photos at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.

This was a quick and unexpected encounter, and I shared the full story in my latest blog post.

Worked hard all morning… now it’s time to stretch out and rest.

Caught this fox squirrel enjoying an acorn in the yard.

Caught this fox squirrel enjoying an acorn in the yard.

This fox squirrel has found something it really likes in my yard. I’ve watched it carry off several of these plants, but I still don’t know what they are.

This fox squirrel has found something it really likes in my yard. I’ve watched it carry off several of these plants, but I still don’t know what they are.

Fox Squirrel on my birdbath here in Arkansas.

Fox Squirrel at the my birdbath here in Arkansas.

I found a White-tailed Doe and a surprisingly large spotted fawn at the Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center in Fort Smith. Seeing a fawn like this in early April really caught me off guard. I wrote about why this sighting seemed so unusual. What do you think?

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher With A Grasshopper - Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher With A Grasshopper

Holding a steady hover just above the grass, this Scissor-tailed Flycatcher locked in on its next meal.

Holding a steady hover just above the grass, this Scissor-tailed Flycatcher locked in on its next meal.

I photographed my first Scissor-tailed Flycatcher of the year at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma yesterday morning. Even better, I caught it with a grasshopper after it flew down from an old cornstalk perch to grab its meal.

I photographed my first Scissor-tailed Flycatcher of the year at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma yesterday morning. Even better, I caught it with a grasshopper after it flew down from an old cornstalk perch to grab its meal.

American Bittern at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma

American Bittern at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma

First time for me photographing a Merlin at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge.

First time for me photographing a Merlin at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge.