Looks like access to the Nature Sanctuary may be flooded out today (and perhaps tomorrow) due to heavy rains. This from Monday's hike. White-crowned Sparrows are supposed to be with us year-round, but the only times I see them are during migration.

A nice hike at the Nature Sanctuary yesterday before the storm systems moved in. Very windy, but a good day for birding. New sightings included a White-crowned Sparrow on its migration and a Gray-cheeked Thrush. This one caught my eye. It is mating season, so a male and female Prothonotary Warbler were checking out nesting sites.

Volunteer work day today if we don't get stormed out.

Congratulations to Canada for electing a leader not a conservative destroyer.

A stormy, blustery morning so birds were remaining hidden, but very vocal. Gave up after identifying 10 unique thrushes (all Swainson's) along the trails, and the grounds manager was complaining that eBird would not let him report more than five on his morning loop. Got in 9.4km on the trails without thinking about the ...

This from yesterday, a Prothonotary Warbler popped up on the railing of the Marsh boardwalk to let me know just how good that bug tasted. Was trying to see a group of very vocal but otherwise invisible Sedge Wrens. I like this image because I can see its pupil (in the RAW image anyway) - it was very close.

A nice long walk at the Nature Sanctuary this morning as a way to get some time in nature, away from the madness for a while. This morning, the woods were alive with bird song. Many new voices and some very familiar voices in the woods. Had the great fortune to have a lengthy conversation with this migrating Swainson's Thrush. Made the morning.

Here is a not-so-great image of the Orange-crowned Warbler from last week. They migrate through on their way to Canada and to western mountains. They are small, blandly colored and have a quiet song/call. It is almost always an accident when I stumble across them - seeing a bit of movement and tracking it down.

My rules for bird/nature photography:

Get out there.
Carry a camera.
Take photos.
Enjoy the opportunity to learn.

We had our first Ruby-throated Hummingbird (a male) at the feeder this morning, after putting the feeder out just yesterday.

Continuing on the theme of hummingbirds, here is an old shot of a ruby visiting with a Coopers Hawk.

https://www.audubon.org/news/why-hawk-hummingbirds-best-friend

This is an example of not planning ahead on my part, so I did not have the camera set to "neutral" after a manual shot so I could not reset fast enough on the fly to get everything in focus.

Hummingbirds have returned to our area - time to clean and put out the feeders for the season. This female Ruby-throated Hummingbird successfully fledged two. There is always hope. This process from nest building to fledging was a joy to watch. Hummingbirds will nest in areas where hawks patrol to be safe from predatory birds.

Yesterday I was searching for Swainson's Thrush - heard them - but did not see them. Unexpectedly found two Yellow-crowned Night Herons. Night Herons are always a challenge for me to photograph well. Not sure if it is the all gray range, or the patterning, but good focus is always an issue.

Walked into a trill off between (I'm guessing 4) Northern Parulas, never saw one, but it was thrilling to stand at the trill focal point - eerie and amazing sounds.

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Since I cannot remain enraged all of the time:

I stand with Ukraine and curse Dump and his cadre of traitors. Impeach, prosecute, imprison

I stand with LGBTQ+ and curse all who judge, hate or harm them.

I stand by the Constitution and curse any to betray their oath. The Oklahoma delegation are traitors.

I stand with immigrants and defend their right to live without fear.

No one should fear retribution from an out of control infantile president.

Pack Monadnock Mountain, Peterborough and Temple NH photographed from Buck Hill.

To the left of the frame is a water tower, 307 Country Club Rd, Newton MA. Below the water tower there are four houses on Vershire St, West Roxbury MA.

Not 100% sure, but I think the water tower right under the mountain summit is near 102 Townsend St in Pepperell MA.

To the right of the frame is a water tower, Overlook Drive, Weston MA and a cell tower, West Newton Commuter Parking, 187 Webster St, Newton MA

Today should be stormy for us, but may venture out for a hike. Wednesday’s hike was convention of migrating birds. This a Yellow-rumped Warbler. As a reminder, you can track migration using the Migration Dashboard. This is for our area:

https://dashboard.birdcast.info/region/US-OK-143

I need to be looking for Swainsons Thrush today