A Black-chested Snake Eagle takes to wing on a misty morning in the Ngornogoro Wildlife Area. And yes, she does eat snakes, sometimes even consuming them whole while in flight. Impressive! #birds_matter

The tiny Straw-tailed Whydah performs an amazing courtship dance, but a nearby female was unimpressed. Better luck next time! #birds_matter #birds

A Marsh Owl on the hunt in the Ngorongoro Wildlife Area in Tanzania. #birds_matter #birds

Cordon Bleu isn’t just a chicken dish! It’s also a bird - the Blue-capped Cordon Bleu. Here she takes a rest from her busy nest building activity to permit a portrait. #Tanzania #birds_matter #birds

A White-faced Ibis shows off his breeding plumage and a punky top-do. He is looking rather full of himself! #birds_matter #birds

A Snowy Egret tries a different way of gathering nice, clean construction material - just pluck it off the water’s surface as it floats along. #birds_matter #birds

It’s construction season! A Western Cattle Egret carries a fine piece of building material back to its nest in progress. His mate will inspect, accept and carry out the actual installation. #birds_matter #birds

The Yellow-headed Blackbird is a handsome dude who loves the ladies. He will mate with up to eight and maybe help a little with feeding the young. If he can keep track of them. Whaddaguy. #birds_matter #birds

We knew those little Anna’s Hummingbirds could be valiantly protective but I like the way this moment of action tells that story. The hummer in warrior mode! #birds_matter #birds

An Anna’s Hummingbird flares his gorget, intimidating rivals and attracting the ladies. He doesn’t stick around to help with incubating eggs or raising young, but when a dude looks this fabulous, what female can resist? #birds_matter #birds

The American Bittern can be hard to spot. It likes its privacy. It captures its meals, not by actively hunting, but by remaining still and unnoticed. Only its occasional loud distinctive cry - “unk-a-chunk!” - gives away its presence. #birds_matter #birds

An Anna’s Hummingbird revels in the profusion of hot lips salvia in full bloom. Hummingbird paradise! #birds_matter #birds

The dating game continues with Clark’s Grebes. A bit of nuzzling, an interview with a prospect and a get lost message to a loser. Or maybe that’s a romantic chase? All will become clear as things get more serious. #birds_matter #birds

First date? It certainly looks that way. Western Grebes are known for their dramatic courtship display, when pairs rush across the water in pairs. On this day they were still just getting acquainted. #birds_matter #birds

The White-faced Ibis is monogamous. Still, when breeding season comes it looks good for its one true love. The white feathers on its face emerge and in the right light it is a kaleidoscope of color. So romantic! #birds_matter #birds

An Orange-crowned Warbler forages among the weeds. I’ve photographed this species a few times but have yet to see one with its eponymous crown raised. #birds_matter #birds

A Red-shouldered Hawk launches a drive for prey. Not successful this time - somewhere a mouse is feeling lucky. #birds_matter #birds

A Greater Yellowlegs snags a snack. It’s always entertaining to watch these busy birds at work! #birds_matter #birds

What’s more fun to see than a gang of Cedar Waxwings making the most of a fruit-laden berry tree? That is, of course, a rhetorical question. #birds_matter #birds

A handsome male Rufous Hummingbird feeds on coral aloe. These birds are smaller than our Anna’s Hummingbirds, twice as feisty and super fast. I only get to see them twice a year when they pass through on migration - if I’m fortunate. This was a lucky catch! #birds_matter #birds

Northern House Wrens are back! The males are busy building nests and singing up a storm to attract the ladies. An excellent nest and a fine song are essential to courtship success. #birds_matter #birds

A Red-breasted Sapsucker wishes I would go away. It’s no wonder - see how scary I look! It’s amazing any bird ever permits a photo. #birds_matter #birds

A Western Meadowlark snags a snack. Why is it that an avian image is so much more interesting when the bird has a bug in its mouth? #birds_matter #birds

A serene portrait of a Snowy Egret. Here’s a calm moment to enjoy before the weekly wackiness begins. #birds_matter #birds

Colorful reflections on the river make their own work of art. But I like to punctuate it with a point of focus. How about a bird? This lonely male Bufflehead is one of a few remaining, as most have already headed north to breeding grounds in Canada. #birds_matter #birds

It’s Wood Duck romance time, too. He is looking his best and she is set for family duty. #birds_matter #birds

A Common Goldeneye puts on the moves to impress his lady. Who could resist? #birds_matter #birds

The male Anna’s Hummingbird is everybody’s favorite, with his gorgeous red gorget. But I like the way this lady Anna’s captures the spirit of spring. #birds_matter #birds

The White-throated Sparrow is rated Scarce around here. I was lucky to be with expert friends who could help me spot it! #birds_matter #birds

These Common Mergansers seem such an unlikely pair. In fact, for much of the year he looks a lot like her. His slick, gallant appearance emerges for just a few months. Once eggs are laid, she takes full responsibility and he fades back into anonymity in the merganser crowd. #birds_matter #birds