Bird Stories

Moments and narratives from the field

Great Horned Owl On the Edge of Independence

Great Horned Owl: On the Edge of Independence

Species: Great Horned Owl
Location: Montour Preserve, Pennsylvania
Story: A week of photographing owl fledglings exploring their surroundings with an adult nearby
Pileated Woodpecker At the Nest Cavity

Pileated Woodpecker: At the Nest Cavity

Species: Pileated Woodpecker
Location: Lehigh County, Pennsylvania
Story: Witnessing adult woodpeckers feeding nestlings bill to bill at an active nest cavity
Northern Harrier Guardian of the Winter Field

Northern Harrier: Guardian of the Winter Field

Species: Northern Harrier
Location: Susquehanna Riverlands, Pennsylvania
Story: A winter encounter with a protective harrier defending its meal in a snow-covered field
American Crow Problem-Solving on Ice

American Crow: Problem-Solving on Ice

Species: American Crow
Location: Peace Valley Park, Pennsylvania
Story: Intelligence and persistence on display as a crow flips a rock on ice to find food
Savannah Sparrow An Unexpected Bath at the Beach

Savannah Sparrow: An Unexpected Bath at the Beach

Species: Savannah Sparrow
Location: Cape Henlopen State Park, Delaware
Story: A sparrow discovers the perfect tidal puddle for an energetic beach bath
Belted Kingfisher Strike, Turn, Swallow

Belted Kingfisher: Strike, Turn, Swallow

Species: Belted Kingfisher
Location: Peace Valley Park, Pennsylvania
Story: A kingfisher's precise ritual of subduing and swallowing its catch on a frozen winter morning
Red-breasted Merganser Running on Water

Red-breasted Merganser: Running on Water

Species: Red-breasted Merganser
Location: Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, New Jersey
Story: A thrilling takeoff sequence as a merganser sprints across the water before launching into flight
Cedar Waxwings Moment of Connection

Cedar Waxwings: A Moment of Connection

Species: Cedar Waxwing
Location: Susquehanna Riverlands, Pennsylvania
Story: An intimate berry exchange between two waxwings reveals the tenderness of their bond
Tree Swallow Lunch Delivery at the Cavity Door

Lunch Delivery at the Cavity Door

Species: Tree Swallow
Location: Peace Valley Park, Pennsylvania
Story: A front-row seat to Tree Swallow feeding behavior just feet from the trail
Tree Swallow A Moment on the Roofline

A Moment on the Roofline

Species: Tree Swallow
Location: Leaser Lake, Pennsylvania
Story: An intimate courtship display atop a nest box in spring
Red-tailed Hawk Winter Standoff at the Treetop

Winter Standoff at the Treetop

Species: Red-tailed Hawk & American Crows
Location: Francis Slocum State Park, Pennsylvania
Story: Crows mob a Red-tailed Hawk in a dramatic winter encounter atop a pine tree
White-throated Sparrow Winter Bounty

Winter Bounty

Species: White-throated Sparrow
Location: Susquehanna Wetlands, Pennsylvania
Story: Sparrows plucking bright red berries against snow and bare limbs after a January snowfall
Tufted Titmouse Winter Seeds and Quiet Resolve

Winter Seeds and Quiet Resolve

Species: Tufted Titmouse
Location: Plymouth Flats, Pennsylvania
Story: A persistent winter forager working seed heads on a cold December morning
Cedar Waxwing Crab Apple Frenzy

Crab Apple Frenzy

Species: Cedar Waxwing
Location: Susquehanna Riverlands
Story: A frenzy of waxwings swooping in for crab apples on an October morning
Common Gallinule Running on Water

Running on Water

Species: Common Gallinule
Location: Resaca de la Palma Preserve, Texas
Story: A dramatic water landing with wings outstretched and toes spread
Blue Jay Quiet Morning Careful Meal

A Quiet Morning, A Careful Meal

Species: Blue Jay
Location: Francis Slocum State Park
Story: A methodical sequence of cracking open and consuming a nut
Killdeer Quiet Moment on a Country Road

A Quiet Moment on a Country Road

Species: Killdeer
Location: Montour Farm Field
Story: An intimate moment in the breeding cycle unfolds by a quiet stream
American Oystercatcher Sibling Rivalry

Sibling Rivalry

Species: American Oystercatcher
Location: Nickerson Beach, New York
Story: Newly hatched chicks find their sea legs in hilarious fashion
Green Heron Chicks Unexpected Encounter

An Unexpected Encounter Along the Canal Trail

Species: Green Heron
Location: Wildwood Lake Park
Story: A shared discovery leads to an active nest with chicks close to the trail
Green Heron Quiet Drama

A Quiet Drama on the Beaver Trail

Species: Green Heron
Location: Susquehanna Wetlands
Story: A patient hunt on a log shared with a Painted Turtle
American Tree Sparrow Balancing Act

Balancing Act

Species: American Tree Sparrow
Location: Beltzville State Park
Story: Graceful landings on bending grass stems in morning light
Swamp Sparrow Autumn Hide-and-Seek

Autumn Hide-and-Seek

Species: Swamp Sparrow
Location: Leaser Lake
Story: A playful game in the golden cattails of October
Black Scoter Skimming the Inlet

Skimming the Inlet

Species: Black Scoter
Location: Indian River Inlet, Maryland
Story: Landing sequences in the morning light at a busy inlet
Great Blue Heron Testing the Ice

Testing the Ice

Species: Great Blue Heron
Location: Montour Preserve
Story: A patient hunt across thin ice on a cold winter morning