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August 1, 2023 [LINK / comment]

Birding Out West, Part I: Texas

(This is the first in a four-part series of blog posts about my birding activities while traveling by rail to the Pacific coast for just over two weeks in June. I previously described my visits to baseball stadiums on June 28, and after finishing the posts on birding will write a summary of my general (i.e., non-baseball, non-birding) tourist experiences.)

June 12, eastern Texas: While passing through east Texas on the Sunset Limited train leaving from New Orleans, I saw a Mississippi Kite. It was probably near the city of Beaumont, and there is a small chance it could have been on the Louisiana side of the state line. I didn't have time to do any birding during my brief stay in New Orleans; about sixteen months earlier I had done a fair amount of birding in and around that city. I arrived in Houston in the late afternoon/early evening, and walked about eight blocks from the Amtrak station to the bus stop downtown. Along the way I passed a nice park along a river which I later learned is actually called the Buffalo Bayou. There were dozens of swallows flying around, and I noticed many Great-tailed Grackles in downtown city parks. They are not shy around humans, I noticed. I had forgotten what a loud, hysterical racket they make, but after consulting my trip reports from Mexico City in 2003, I see that I had the same initial impression back then.

June 13, Houston: It was quite hot during the two-and-a-half days I spent in the nation's fourth-largest city. I saw more Great-tailed Grackles in various places during the day. While passing in front of Christ Church Cathedral on my way to a baseball game in downtown Houston on June 13, I noticed a White-winged Dove perched on a tree limb.

June 14, Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge: The first major bird outing during my cross-country rail journey was to Anahuac NWR, about 40 miles east of Houston. To get there I rented a car from Enterprise, and everything worked out fine. That location was recommended by my younger brother John, and as usual his birding advice was sound. As I approached the destination I saw a flock of at least 40 Cattle Egrets following a tractor that was mowing grass -- and kicking up insects! The temperature was in the upper 90s when I arrived about noon, and not surprisingly I did not see any other birders during my entire visit. I was disappointed that the visitor center was closed, but fortunately one of the staff people was there accompanying some young visitors, and she was glad to give me some tips. The actual refuge is located about ten miles south and east of the visitor center, and I started by walking along the Willows Trail. There I saw many Cliff Swallows, a Tricolored Heron, and an immature Little Blue Heron. I was a little disappointed, but almost as soon as I began driving on the road leading to the Boardwalk Trail just to the west, I hit the jackpot. Nearly all of the expected wading birds were present, such as Great Egrets and Snowy Egrets, as well as both White Ibises and White-faced Ibises -- the latter being a life bird! (Each life bird will be denoted herein by underlines.) Many Common Moorhens were there as well, but I only saw one Purple Gallinule. Both Black-bellied Whistling Ducks and Fulvous Whistling Ducks (life bird!) were seen in fair numbers. (That lady had told me I was sure to see plenty of them, but it wasn't until I was almost done with that loop that I saw them.) From the boardwalk I heard a Clapper Rail within 30 yards, but it refused to emerge from the reeds, so I can't definitively claim it as a life bird. One surprise was a Long-billed Dowitcher, considered rare in Anahuac according to the checklist. They are supposed to migrate to the northern tundras of Alaska and Canada. Toward the end of my visit to Anahuac I was startled to hear a PEENT call, and sure enough there was a Common Nighthawk swooping around. (It was only about 4:30 PM!) It perched briefly, providing me with a photo op, but its head was turned the other way, unfortunately. My original plan was to stop at other places within Anahuac and then head southwest to Galveston and loop back up to Houston, but I was running late and didn't want to miss my train to Los Angeles, so I headed straight back to Houston.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Purple Gallinule, Black-bellied Whistling Duck, White Ibis, White-faced Ibis, Common Moorhen, Tricolored Heron, Neotropic Cormorant, Black-necked Stilt, and (center) Fulvous Whistling Duck. (June 14, Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge)

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Cattle Egret, Common Nighthawk, Great Egret, Green Heron, Eastern Kingbird, Long-billed Dowitcher, and (center) Snowy Egret and Great-tailed Grackle. (June 14, Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge)

June 15, western Texas: While on the train approaching the town of Alpine in western Texas the next day I saw my first-ever Barn Owl, perched on a fence. How bizarre! The maps in my field guides indicate that they are more common in southern and western states, so perhaps I shouldn't have been so surprised. In southeastern Arizona late in the afternoon I glimpsed a probable Swainson's Hawk, which has a unique pattern under the wings.

As usual, the above photo montages can be seen on the Wild Birds chronological photo gallery page, and additional photos, including some closeup images, will soon be posted there as well in the near future.

NEXT: Birding in Los Angeles, California!

July 19, 2023 [LINK / comment]

(Catching up): Birding in early June

June 1, Blue Ridge & Charlottesville: It was a beautiful day to be outside, so as Jacqueline and I were driving toward Charlottesville today, I casually suggested that we might want to stop to take in the scenery at the Afton Mountain overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Thanks to Bonnie Hughes, I was aware that a Yellow-breasted Chat had been seen there, in the same place where I have observed it (or one of its relatives) over the past two years. To my surprise, that gorgeous bird popped into view right after I played a catbird song on my iPhone -- only 15 or so feet away, and my first one of the year! Unfortunately, Jacqueline did not seize the opportunity to take a look, and since we had other things to do, I had to settle for a so-so photo of the Chat while it was in the shade. Once in Charlottesville, we had lunch (take-out from Bodo's Bagels!) at a picnic table at the office park by Route 29 on the south edge of town, and near there is where I saw a Pine Warbler, American Goldfinches, and many Cedar Waxwings.

June 3, Humpback Rocks: As others have noted, there are plenty of birds to be seen while hiking on the trail up to Humpback Rocks. Jacqueline and I stopped at the Afton Overlook in hopes of seeing the Yellow-breasted Chat again, and sure enough, there it was -- perched in a distant tree top, making his odd racket "song." This time Jacqueline *did* see it! The highlights along the trail itself were several Scarlet Tanagers and most of the warbler species, including quite a few Cerulean Warblers. At the top of the rocks I was amused to see a Dark-eyed Junco hopping around in search of crumbs left by hikers. On the way back down I heard and soon saw my first Yellow-throated Vireo(s) of the year. It was quite a day indeed!

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: American Redstart, Yellow-breasted Chat, Eastern Phoebe, Indigo Bunting, Scarlet Tanager, Ovenbird, Black and White Warbler, Yellow-throated Vireo, Cerulean Warblers, and Dark-eyed Junco. (June 3, Humpback Rocks)

June 6, Bell's Lane: I went in the late afternoon, and was pleased to get a few good views. Brown Thrashers were making a racket here and there, but they mostly stayed hidden. Likewise with the Orchard Orioles, but I finally got a nice view of one (a year-old male) near an Eastern Kingbird. Indigo Buntings are common by now, but you don't see American Kestrels or Yellow Warblers every day! The hazy skies caused by forest fire smoke from Canada detracted from the visibility.

For most of the remainder of June, I was traveling out west, and that BIG trip will be the subject of a separate post on birding, coming soon! As usual, the above photo montages, including some closeup images and additional photos, can be seen on the Wild Birds chronological photo gallery page.

July 13, 2023 [LINK / comment]

(Catching up): Birding in May*

April 30, north Augusta County: Jacqueline and I took a long country drive, stopping along the Middle River and finally at Leonard's Pond. The expected Solitary Sandpiper and Spotted Sandpiper (far) were there (both FOY for me), as well as a Killdeer. The big highlight of the day, however, was an odd medium-sized, dull-plumaged bird perched on a wooden fence. For a while I thought it might be a very early juvenile Northern Mockingbird, but when I noticed the white outer tail feather, my initial impression was confirmed: American Pipit! He or she will be heading to the Arctic tundra soon.

* The above paragraph was mistakenly omitted from the monthly summary of April; see my July 3 blog post.

May 3, Bell's Lane: I paid a visit to on the way home from work today, going from north to south. By the "beaver pond," I had nice views of a Brown Thrasher and an Orchard Oriole (one of which I had seen briefly at the April 21 field trip), and then saw a Yellow Warbler fly past, my first one of the year! Later on I heard and soon saw a Great Crested Flycatcher (which we had heard on April 21) and a couple American Goldfinches. The Gray Catbirds are becoming more conspicuous and vociferous.

May 6, Cowbane Prairie: Lynne Parks led a wonderful field trip to the Cowbane Prairie nature preserve, with many participants (about two dozen) and many birds as well. The birds in the top row are the first ones I have seen this year: Common Yellowthroat, Warbling Vireo, and Baltimore Oriole. Likewise for the Eastern Kingbird at bottom right. There were so many Orchard Orioles that I felt obliged to include both a male and female, even though that meant excluding a Brown Thrasher, Brown-headed Cowbird, and Black Vulture. The Osprey was a nice bonus. Many thanks to Lynne for leading the trip.

(May 6, Cowbane Prairie)

May 10, JMU Arboretum: Jacqueline and I had some things to do in Harrisonburg today, so I spent a half hour or so at James Madison University's Edith Carrier Arboretum. Not surprisingly, the tree tops were filled with a variety of migrating birds. I saw my first Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Bay-breasted Warbler of the year, along with several Yellow-rumped Warblers, a Downy Woodpecker, a Red-bellied Woodpecker, and a Great Crested Flycatcher or two. I could hear Cerulean Warblers, and probably glimpsed some. Near the ground were Gray Catbirds and late-lingering White-throated Sparrows. A quick walk along the Mill Place trail in Verona on the way back yielded a Spotted Sandpiper (far) and a singing Orchard Oriole.

May 11, behind Staunton High School: I squeezed in about 30 minutes of time late this afternoon to do a bit of birding in our neighborhood. Behind Staunton High School I heard a Great Crested Flycatcher, but couldn't see it for sure. There were multiple families of Eastern Towhees anxiously defending their breeding grounds, as well as a Scarlet Tanager doing likewise. THAT was a nice surprise. Nearby I also saw a pair of Tufted Titmice at a nest hole and a mama Eastern Bluebird with a yummy worm for her babies.

May 12, Bell's Lane: Along this lovely morning, I saw TWO first-of-year birds: Indigo Bunting (finally) and White-eyed Vireo!! I would estimate there were at least three of each kind singing in various places. Other highlights included Great Crested Flycatchers, Eastern Kingbirds, Eastern Towhees, a Common Yellowthroat (concealed in the bushes), an Orchard Oriole (first-year male), and a Red-bellied Woodpecker probing in some willow branches -- rather unusual behavior!

(May 12, Bell's Lane)

May 14, Shenandoah Mountain: The weather was much better today, and the forests were full of gorgeous warblers and other neotropical migrants! Jacqueline and I hiked about two miles south from the trailhead near Confederate Breastworks. I spotted four first-of-year birds (Chestnut-sided Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Canada Warbler, and Worm-eating Warbler), and also heard my first Yellow-billed Cuckoo of the year. Even Jacqueline (who is not really a bird enthusiast) was impressed by all the natural beauty up above.

(May 14, Shenandoah Mountain)

May 18, north Staunton: When Jacqueline and I went hiking along the Shenandoah Mountain trail last Sunday, she expressed deep doubts about the need to drive so far just to go on a nature hike. I explained to her that uncommon birds require a special habitat, and indeed the birds we saw along that trail (such as Canada Warblers in the rhododendron bushes) vindicated my argument. Well, guess what showed up in our back yard today? A Canada Warbler!!! Not only that, but a Yellow Warbler and a Blackpoll Warbler -- the first of the latter that I have seen in years, I think. Possibly more than one of each species. Up above two Red-shouldered Hawks were circling with their menacing screams. I simply could not believe my eyes, and thanks to the migratory stroke of good luck today, Jacqueline cannot believe my rationales for hiking far from home. Oh well.

(May 18, north Staunton)

May 21, Bear Den Mountain, Shen. Nat. Park: Jacqueline and I hiked along the Appalachian Trail up to Bear Den Mountain, where all those communications towers are in the southern part of Shenandoah National Park. There were lots of other hikers! We heard and/or saw several of [each one of] the birds shown here: American Redstart (adult and first-year males), Ovenbirds, Chestnut-sided Warblers, Red-eyed Vireos, and Hooded Warblers. Others not shown included Indigo Buntings and Eastern Towhees, as well as Cerulean Warblers that eluded my camera aim. Perfect weather!

(May 21, Bear Den Mountain, Shen. Nat. Park)

May 23, Bell's Lane: I made a brief visit to Bell's Lane for the first time in almost two weeks. I started at the northern ("beaver pond") end and was rewarded immediately with nice views of an Eastern Bluebird family. The youngsters were learning to hunt for bugs! Nearby was a pair of Cedar Waxwings, presumably a breeding pair. As I approached the gate of Carolyn Ford's farm I heard the familiar song of a House Wren, and it wasn't long before I had one in view. My first one of the year! Toward the southern end I heard and then saw a pair of Great Crested Flycatchers, and also heard an Orchard Oriole. Time well spent!

May 26, Montgomery Hall Park: After running errands in the afternoon, I stopped at the top of the hill in the park, and immediately heard a Red-eyed Vireo singing. He obliged me by posing at eye level for a photo op. Then I spotted a Northern Flicker (F) on a big tree, and managed to get in position for a good shot. I don't see them very often, but this was the second one in two days for me. I also saw an Indigo Bunting (M) and multiple Eastern Wood Pewees and Great-crested Flycatchers in the tree tops, as well as an elusive Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.

May 28, Leonard's Pond: I was finally able to get up to Leonard's Pond, and was happy to see that the Red-necked Phalarope (female, as indicated by the sharply contrasting colors) was still there! (I was also happy to see another bird club member, Ramona Bearor!) Then I went for a short hike in the Madison Run area, where I saw some Eastern Wood Pewees, Acadian Flycatchers, Louisiana Waterthrushes, Scarlet Tanagers, a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, and (surprise!) a Belted Kingfisher.

May 31, Dowell's Draft: Jacqueline and I went for a hike in the trail located just east of Braley Pond, where I was hoping to see a Ruffed Grouse, but very few birds were present. We saw Ovenbirds, a Scarlet Tanager, a Black-throated Green Warbler, and a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.

As usual, the above photo montages, including some closeup images and additional photos, can be seen on the Wild Birds chronological photo gallery page.

July 3, 2023 [LINK / comment]

(Catching up): Birding in April

NOTE: This blog post was uploaded prematurely on Monday, and major corrections have been made to it, including three additional photos montages.

April 1, Montgomery Hall Park: While at a church clean-up early in the afternoon, I was surprised to see a Bald Eagle flying over central Staunton. Later I went for a walk at Montgomery Hall Park and had a nice sunlit view of a Tufted Titmouse, but there wasn't much else until the very end, when I heard and then saw my first Blue-gray Gnatcatcher of the season!

(April 1, Montgomery Hall Park)

April 8, Chimney Hollow: I led a field trip for the Augusta Bird Club in the morning (very chilly), and I saw two birds for the first time this year: Louisiana Waterthrushes (we saw or heard five total) and Blue-headed Vireo (surprisingly, just one). We also had brief views of Winter Wrens, both singing males, but they were too shy to pose for my camera. Two White-breasted Nuthatches were setting up a household in a tall tree, while an Eastern Towhee kept singing and singing at the Braley Pond dam. There were lots of fishermen but few birds there. All in all, a very good (if) day! Just as I returned home an Osprey made a surprise flyover, my first one of the year!

April 10, Bell's Lane: There were some bright primary colors in the sunshine along Bell's Lane late this afternoon (including some American Goldfinches in transitional molting), but the real highlight was when I spotted two Brown Thrashers scurrying about in the bushes. They were my very first ones of the year, but were NOT eager to have their pictures taken!

April 12, Betsy Bell Hill: I was hoping for some early warblers or something similar in the afternoon (very warm!), but had to content myself with a nice closeup view of a female Pileated Woodpecker, along with glimpses of a Ruby-crowned Kinglet and a White-breasted Nuthatch. Over at Bell's Lane, I was surprised to hear and then see a Pine Warbler foraging in a big oak tree near the kiosk. Further on was a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and a Red-bellied Woodpecker.

April 16, Turk Mountain: Jacqueline and I hiked to the top of the mountain in the Shenandoah National Park. We more than met our exercise goals, but the bird sightings were a bit below expectations. At least I did see my first Black and White Warbler of the season -- three of them in fact! I also had brief looks at a Pine Warbler, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Dark-eyed Juncos, and a Red-bellied Woodpecker. Finally, I heard a few Blue-headed Vireos, a probable Hooded Warbler, and a Common Raven.

(April 16, Turk Mountain)

April 21, Bell's Lane: I substituted for Penny Warren in leading a bird walk (field trip), and we had a great turnout, both in terms of participants and birds! We heard several Gray Catbirds at various places, but they were very shy and I didn't get a photo of one until near the end of our walk. It was the first of the year for many of us, including me. We also heard a Great Crested Flycatcher, but never saw it. The only warbler species was a Yellow-rumped "butter butt," but there were several Ruby-crowned Kinglets, with males displaying their crowns and/or singing. A singing Eastern Towhee was remarkably tame as we walked past to get a better closeup view. Pairs of Eastern Bluebirds and Red-bellied Woodpeckers were at nest holes, getting ready to raise young ones. American Goldfinches, Brown Thrashers, Eastern Phoebes, a Red-tailed Hawk, and finally a Blue-winged Teal rounded out a very rewarding morning of birding. Thanks to all who came!

(April 21, Bell's Lane)

April 23, Road Hollow Trail: When Jacqueline and I went hiking up the mountain from Ramsey's Draft early this afternoon, the main objective was getting exercise, so I was a bit constrained in terms of seeing and photographing birds. Nevertheless, I finally managed to get good views of Black-throated Green Warblers, my first one(s) this year. We must have heard at least six or seven of them! Other highlights included Blue-headed Vireos, Louisiana Waterthrushes, and nesting pairs of Eastern Phoebes at both kiosks. Finally, we heard a few Pine Warblers and Black & White Warblers, and saw some American Goldfinches, Chipping Sparrows, and a Hairy Woodpecker. I was also pleased to meet fellow birder Darlene Coleman in person for the first time, just as we were leaving.

April 29, Humpback Rocks picnic area: Jacqueline and I went hiking in the afternoon, and not surprisingly, there were lots of warblers and other neotropical migrants. I saw SEVEN first-of-year species, as shown in this photo montage: Ovenbird, Hooded Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler, American Redstart, Scarlet Tanager, Cerulean Warbler, and Red-eyed Vireo. I also heard my first Wood Thrushes of the year! The highlight of the day came at the farthest point along the trail, where we turned back: a pair of Blue-headed Vireos making a nest!

(April 29, Humpback Rocks)

As usual, the above photo montages, including some closeup images and additional photos, can be seen on the Wild Birds chronological photo gallery page.

July 1, 2023 [LINK / comment]

(Catching up): Birding in March

March 4, Verona: The pond behind Hardee's was full of different kinds of ducks on this nice and sunny day. Stanley Heatwole was already there when I arrived. I had seen the Hooded Mergansers and Ring-necked Ducks there before, but was pleasantly surprised to also spot a Green-winged Teal and a Greater Scaup (both males)! Too bad they didn't come closer. The usual Canada Geese and Belted Kingfisher were there as well. Nearby along Mill Place Parkway was a Red-shouldered Hawk and an Eastern Meadowlark..

(March 4, Verona)

March 5, Madison Run: Jacqueline and I went hiking in the afternoon, and on the way there we stopped to admire a pair of American Kestrels perched on a wire. My hopes of finding an early Pine Warbler or other spring migrant did not pan out, however. It was surprisingly un-birdy, in fact, with just a few Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, and a Red-breasted Nuthatch in a tree top. In contrast, we saw a number of butterflies, including several bright orange Commas, many Spring Azures, a few Juvenal's Duskywings, and a couple beautiful Mourning Cloaks. They made up for the lack of birds.

March 6, Bell's Lane : None of the early Tree Swallows were present in the afternoon, but at least I managed to spot an Eastern Phoebe and had a nice closeup view of some Red-winged Blackbirds, plus the other usual suspects.

March 8, Bell's Lane: A brief visit in the afternoon quickly yielded my first Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (F) in several weeks, as well as a Red-shouldered Hawk that flew away before I could get a good photo. Later I saw several House Finches, Red-winged Blackbirds (males in display mode!), and American Robins. I was startled by the nearby rattle of a Belted Kingfisher, and managed to get a photo after it landed on a power line. I also identified distant Tree Swallows, Ring-necked Ducks, Shovelers, and an American Kestrel, but NO Northern Harriers once again! It has been weeks since I have seen one there, and I assume that they migrated north earlier than usual because of the warm weather.

March 10, Bell's Lane : The sun came out in the afternoon, and I was pleasantly surprised to see a female Downy Woodpecker getting a nest hole ready for spring! This was in a tree above the stream near "Cujo Corner." Soon I came across a group of White-crowned Sparrows, as well as an American Kestrel across the field. Further along I saw Nathan Miller, who had just seen some Rusty Blackbirds near the "beaver pond," but I couldn't find any. There were plenty of Red-winged Blackbirds and American Robins, as usual, but the biggest surprise of the day was spotting a group of eight or so Cedar Waxwings, the first ones I had seen in several weeks, if not months!

March 14, Bell's Lane: In the afternoon, I had my first views of a Golden-crowned Kinglet and several Wood Ducks (M & F) in quite a while. Also, that big marsh-dwelling rodent again...

March 18, Waverly / Wakefield, Virginia: On the long-distance (about 3 hours each way) field trip led by Allen Larner we saw many, many birds in the pine forests, but at least 95% of them were one of just two species: Brown-headed Nuthatches and Pine Warblers. We saw a few Red-breasted Nuthatches, Pileated Woodpeckers, Northern Flickers, and Eastern Phoebes as well as a Red-shouldered Hawk and a Bald Eagle up above. Finally, we heard a few Eastern Towhees and a White-breasted Nuthatch. In some open fields near the forest we saw a variety of sparrows, Eastern Bluebirds, and a Red-tailed Hawk. A Northern Mockingbird below was outside the Virginia Diner in Wakefield, where we had a nice lunch. We came across a guy who had just seen the elusive Red-cockaded Woodpecker, on his fifth visit to that forest, but we never did find it in the area he indicated, or anywhere else. Next time maybe? Anyway, many thanks to Allen Larner for driving and for showing us around this unique ecological habitat in the southeastern part of the Old Dominion!

(March 18, Waverly / Wakefield, Virginia)

March 20, Fishersville: I spotted two of the American Coots that have been reported in the big quarry pond. Then at the Murphy Deming trail I saw a few Yellow-rumped Warblers, a Great Blue Heron, and heard a Red-breasted Nuthatch. Along Guthrie Road I saw a few distant Killdeers and a Red-tailed Hawk up above. Back home, two male Downy Woodpeckers were squabbling over territorial rights. They must know that today is the first day of spring, and it's time to get busy!

March 25, Augusta Springs: After the sun came out this afternoon, I headed out to in hopes of seeing a Blue-headed Vireo, which Kristin Fuoco had heard there yesterday. No such bird was present today, but I had several excellent bird views which more than made up for it: Mallards, Pine Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Eastern Towhees, and a noisy Winter Wren that managed to elude my camera lens.

(March 25, Augusta Springs)

March 26, Verona: I had my hopes up to see the Horned Grebe and other rare birds that Vic Laubach spotted at the Hardee's pond yesterday, but all I got there today was the Greater Scaup. Still, it was a nice, closeup view, so I can't complain. Along the Mill Place trail I saw several Field Sparrows, a Pied-billed Grebe, and a few other birds. A noisy Killdeer decided to perch on the roof of the dairy manufacturing plant. Along Bell's Lane the Tree Swallows are settling in, trying to decide who will get which of the nest boxes. I also saw a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker there.

(March 26, Verona)

March 29, Bell's Lane: I saw one of the Eastern Phoebes at the same place as before, right around that culvert through which the stream that feeds that small pond passes. I had seen one with moss nesting material on Monday, so they are definitely getting ready to procreate! Further along I had some nice views of a Red-bellied Woodpecker, some Eastern Towhees, a Red-tailed Hawk, and a Great Blue Heron. No Tree Swallows, oddly.

As usual, the above photo montages, including some closeup images and additional photos, can be seen on the Wild Birds chronological photo gallery page.