I chose the Eastern Bluebird to research, and my husband chose the White-breasted Nuthatch, which is becoming his favorite bird at our feeders.  We only get the bluebirds at our feeders in Ohio when there's snow on the ground every year.  I learned that they like mealworms.  Perhaps they have trouble finding food when there's so much snow, and that's why they are coming to our feeders now.  The snow is melting now, but my husband was ready with his camera when we learned that we would be getting a big snowfall, and sure enough a family of them showed up.  The nuthatch is a frequent visiter.  One tip to getting him is to know that he will be facing down the tree, will fly in quickly for a seed or peanut, and then be off to the tree to eat it.  Here are our best photos from the last two weeks of each bird.

Late in the afternoon, on February 21, a flock of cedar waxwings visited our neighbor's arrowwood viburnum bushes and made short work of their bountiful harvest of berries.  From our kitchen window, I was able to take a few photos as the waxwings were cooperative (somewhat still and came close) and seemed practically drunk with the bounty of berries.  They all started out in a large nearby bare oak tree and in small groups swooped in for a fruit course before heading back and swapping places with their compadres.  At first the closest individuals were wary but after I'd sat still watching for a few minutes, they rapidly returned to their feast.  In spite of their numbers, they seemed relatively quiet.  The entire feeding episode took about 30-45 minutes and although they didn't quite strip the branches bare of the berries, they certainly depleted most of them.  Once they'd all finished eating, they returned group by group to the oak tree, seemed to digest for a few minutes and flew away in one group as the sun set.  However, they came back in smaller numbers over the next two or three days to take care of any remaining tidbits.  I see how cedar waxwings are very effective disperser of the seeds of fruiting plants.

Hi! My bird is the Red-Bellied Woodpecker. I've only seen them here in NH since 2015. They've been gradually extending their range northward. Literature says they will eat from seed feeders and suet feeders in winter, and indeed the male and female I see do just that. This week (Feb 19) they have just started singing their quavery spring song. Glad they think it's spring, but it's snowing!

I chose Pileated Woodpeckers for this lesson.  We have a pair living in a small wooded area on our property and they come each morning to feed on suet then often come to the birdbath. They also are large enough that the slower movements and size are easier to capture, especially through a window. It was surprising to learn from Bird's of the World and Sibley's Guide to Bird Life and Behavior that not much research has been done on the displays of these magnificent birds. The Peterson Sound Guide helped discern the keek, whinny, and drum. Two were observed going through some sort of ritual dipping and spreading and my research indicated this was possibly pair bonding. I did observe that while they were participating in this behavior with each other they were less concerned with me. They traveled both on the ground and in the trees repeating the behavior.  Their caution was readily visible going up and down tree and I learned to recognize and predict their next move or position to prepare to photograph. Additionally, I was able to view photos made prior to beginning this course to re-evaluate how I might have handled the behaviors differently in the photos.

I chose a couple of species to apply the lesson. In winter a lot of activity may be found on the river, in this case the Bow, which flows through Calgary where I live. So morning pictures from the east bank were productive. I chose the Goldeneye which are plentiful and fun to watch feeding in the current I was hoping to find a Barrow’s Goldeneye which are uncommon, although there have been recent sightings. Also along the river are Bald Eagles swooping on their prey from the shore. In this case what looks like a second year immature.

Discussion on "Practice Understanding Birds for Better Photos": Did your sightings surprise you? How do you think the research you did might help inform your photography? Black turnstones, sited January 26, 2021. I hadn't yet chosen which bird I wanted to study when I came across this group of about 10-15 black turnstones while walking on the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail in central California. As I stopped to watch them, I realized they are a species I don't know much about, so researching a little bit about their lives was a treat. They're wintering here now, as they do all along the Pacific coast, from southeastern Alaska to Baja California, but by spring they'll head up north to breed in Alaska. They prefer grass to rock for their ground nests, but while they're overwintering here, they'll stick to the rocky coastline. They prefer a variety of aquatic invertebrates to eat, as is the case with a lot of shorebirds in this area, but the turnstones have a unique adaptation: their bill is short and slightly upturned, and they use it to turn over small rocks and debris to find food underneath (hence the name "turnstone"). This group was hunkered down on the rocks to avoid a particularly strong storm swell and high surf, so I didn't get to observe this behavior. Guess I'll have to come back at low tide one day and see if I spot them again!

My daughter and I were in the Faroe Islands and serendipitously misread the ferry schedule for the small island (Nolsoy) we had just popped over to. We ended up having to wait an extra 3 hours for the ferry back. My daughter suggested we head overland to the other side of the island. We were excited when we saw some Atlantic puffins playing and diving off the cliffside into the wind. I started to take pictures from a distance, but I noticed they seemed to jump off every time I tried to get closer. I decided to make my moves into them much more gradual, taking one step about every 5 minutes. They actually became more curious and almost seemed interested in me. After about 45 minutes I was able to capture some great moments. I learned the lesson of respecting their space and being rewarded.

Northern shovelers! I first noticed these birds in Central Park a couple months ago (early November) because a pair was engaging in a mesmerizing behavior of swimming together in circles with their beaks down, almost in a dance-like spiral. I originally researched yellow-bellied sapsuckers for this exercise, but on my latest bird outing (January 1) I did not see any sapsuckers and instead saw the shovelers at it again, spiraling together beaks-down, this time in a group of three with a few other individuals joining in occasionally. Inspired by these two observations, I researched shovelers retroactively, but I'll continue to stay on the lookout for sapsuckers. It’s not cheating, it’s investigating a new observation in the spirit of inquiry. ;-) And one takeaway from not seeing sapsuckers is that I need to work on my tree IDs because I learned they favor hickories, pines, and oaks in the winter, so I’ll probably have better luck if I hang around those trees. Was pleased to learn the shovelers were in fact feeding by filtering small crustaceans through comb-like structures called lamellae on their bill. This is something I knew flamingos did, but I didn’t know some ducks also do. From my research also learned that shovelers are long distance migrants who are only in NYC in the winter. And they favor shallow wetlands, which makes sense because I saw them in a shallow part of The Lake both times. Now I know where and when to find them again. :) Jan 1, 2021 observation:

Discussion on "Practice Understanding Birds for Better Photos": Did your sightings surprise you? How do you think the research you did might help inform your photography? I was already somewhat familiar with American Coots but was surprised to see them cross a busy trail, leaving the freshwater Adobe Creek habitat (in the Palo Alto Flood Control Basin) to get to the salt-water Charleston Slough (Santa Clara County, California).  They ran across the trail the same way they run on water before taking off in flight.  I reviewed Melissa Groo's six areas (habitat, food, season, behaviors, sounds, migratory) using allaboutbirds.org.  Many of the Coots in each habitat were foraging in the mud but I don't know if they were finding the same food in each habitat.  In the future I will trying to photograph what they are eating.  Doing some research is very helpful.

Decided to focus on the Inca Dove that we have here in southern Louisiana, at the eastern edge of its distribution.  I read that it typically likes to feed on the ground, which is where I typically see them feeding.  One or more though feed on the bird feeder at times. One of the pictures shows it sitting on top of the feeder. It then slides down the roof of the feeder and  tries to jump on the platform of the feeder on its way down.  Doesn't always work, but at times it does.  Guess the lesson is to be prepared to see your target bird outside of its typical habitat.

My dad and I went to look for the continuing White Winged Scoter off the Huntington Beach Pier, near where I live in Irvine, California. This female was associating with 80 or so surf scoters. Periodically, a group of scoters (including the white wing) would dive near the pillars holding up the pier, probably to feed on the mussels under the water. 

I went to look for a Ridgway's Rail, and to my surprise, I actually found one. I went out at low tide, and this one was taking advantage of the exposed mudflats to search for bits of food.

I photographed this Red-Bellied Woodpecker in my yard. I had tried previously to find one on a trail, and had no luck. So knowing I sometimes see them at my feeder, I got up early and waited. Luckily I got to see one! It was hopping around a Popcorn tree picking the seeds and hiding them in crevices.

These are a few shots of a Superb Lyrebird in the Dandenong Ranges not too far from home in Melbourne, Australia. These birds tend to be shy and difficult to spot. Getting close can be an issue! This male crossed a track just in front of me and stopped a few metres into the scrub, started to sing and display. Magical to listen to the variety of calls and watch the display.

I have only seen a brown creeper a few times. Happened on this one high in a tree and was intrigued by the particular shape of his beak and his habits. I found out his particular foraging method is to glean for insects in crevices of bark which he is actually doing in one photo.  Another aspect that I found interesting is that they nest in mature forests and build their nest under loose bark. They are challenging to photograph as their  particular feather pattern seems less than sharp in photos. That speaks to their camouflage abilities. Given their diet of insects I was surprised to see they actually can be found in winter in Quebec as I would have thought they would head south where insects would be more plentiful. Research has taught me a little more to keep looking for them in winter and to be aware of their nesting habits come the spring.

I was reading about crested caracara after learning other birders have seen them in agricultural lands about an hour away from where I live in Tucson Arizona. I looked at photos which helped me first realize I was in the area of the birds when I saw one fly over. It was about 2 hours later when I finally found an area where they were feeding. Very exciting and thanks to research and hearing from other birders I was motivated to drive those dirt roads!

I was looking for Mountain Bluebirds in Yellowstone National Park (it's an hour from where I live) and was having no luck despite visiting areas where they normally hangout, so I decided to park in a pullout near Yellowstone Lake to take a mid afternoon nap; was tired from a very early start that day. As I closed my eyes I saw something fly by out of the corner of my eye, and lo and behold it was a Mountain Bluebird! Research, persistence, and a bit of luck helped me get this photo.

I discovered these wood storks (mycteria americana) in Naples, Florida, recently, while taking mid-afternoon walks around my mother's retirement community. I often see egrets and herons and was so surprised to see wood storks among them wading and feeding in the marsh waters just steps away from the walking path. I have only seen wood storks from afar and they really look different when flying through the air. I was glad to have had my iphone with me, but next time I visit my mother in Florida, I will plan to have a "real" camera with me and take more time to observe them. Here at home, in Virginia, I look forward to setting up a birdfeeder and watching what birds arrive. I often see pileated woodpeckers in the trees above our house during the morning "golden" hours but a normal lens just doesn't reach them like a telephone lens would.  I wonder if there is a way to take a photo through binoculars.... :)

I often see flocks of Golden-Crowned Kinglets in small water features, like ponds or drainages. The rest of the time they are high up in trees and hard to photograph. I was surprised that this little one was alone and did not seem at all bothered by my presence. The research I did for this assignment helped me narrow down the likely hood of seeing a kinglet at this particular pond, and when. I also learned that these are fascinating little birds that are active even in very cold climates (ie winter in Maine). This was surprising because they are so tiny. Now that I know this I am excited to try and photograph them in snow, especially once I purchase a fancier camera.

I have lots of Chickadees at my feeders. Through research, I’ve come to learn that each bird will hide tens of thousands of seeds in hiding spots for the winter months. They remember each one. Now I notice them checking under roofing tiles, in little nooks and crannies for places to hide their seeds. 

I went into our local woods for this and there was a bunch of activity, there were a lot of winter visitors in North Carolina, such as White throated sparrows, Yellow bellied sapsuckers, Bufflehead, and a Ruddy duck. I have never before seen a ruddy duck in the lake, but today must have been different! There was a lone immature or female swimming around , and I managed to get some pretty close shots. these are mainly dark because the bird was in the shadows, which is tough to get good shots. These where both taken by a Cannon Rebel T6 with a Tamron 300mm lens

I have found that by waiting and watching the light on the subject is really important for a good photo if possible. Light will determine a good photo to being a great photo. I had taking numerous photos of these Evening Grobeaks the best ones were the shots of the eye being lit by the natural light. 

I have been observing a pair of White Breasted Nuthatches in our yard and at our feeders for going on 3 years now. The first year they were extremely timid and came nowhere near me and I kept a respectful distance from them.  This year was a breakthrough year since they decided to nest in a bird box on the side of our garden shed.  They worked diligently at nest building, tending and feeding their young.  What surprised me the most was that they were able to teach me how to coexist peacefully while they raised their young.  When bringing food to the nest they would sit on top of shed to check out the surroundings and if I was too close they would begin their little honking all expressing annoyance/alarm. My job was to break eye contact turn from them and walk away. Over time they became more and more tolerant of my presence and proximity as long as  broke eye contact. Throughout late summer the family of four has maintained a presence in our yard and is almost as bold as the Black Capped Chickadees when they come to the feeders. I am able to stand fairy close and get some reasonably good photos. What I've learned is that given time birds will learn to trust you in their territory. It might actually take several seasons for this to happen.

I choose to monitor one of the very common bird in my area, which visits almost everyday on my terrace, Common pigeon ( Columba livia, Order: Columbiforms). Eventhough, I see this bird daily, I have never noticed it carefully. I always run behind the rare birds, as most of the birdwatchers,  but never consider observing this common bird in around my home. Hence, I decided to follow Melissa and do some research on this common pigeon. Habitat: common and widespread resident urban bird, commonly found in temples, farm, villages and towns. Altitudinal range 75- 4200m. Food : cultivated food mainly seeds also green shoots Nesting and breeding: It generally nests in holes, rock crevices and ruined walls. They breed throughout the year. Distinctive behaviour: they live in large flocks and their flight in the flock is spectacular to watch, following a certain pattern. This bluish Grey bird has glistering metallic green, purple and magenta sheen on neck and upper breast which shines gloriously in sun. Sound : goootr-goo ... communicate each other Migration : resident bird After this information on hand, I started observing the common pigeon. I observed that they were not comfortable with my camera, as they fly as soon as they see my camera. it took me couple of days of observation to take this picture. The pigeon was sun basking in the first sun in this winter morning. I observed grooming and scratching the feathers. He was sun basking as well as checking me from time to time. Finally, seems like he has no problem from my presence. I learned to be patient and  more observant, thereby respecting their space from this exercise. thank you pc : sorry for the photos as they are not real crash hot, as I was using 28- 300mm lens Nikon D600.