Small songbirds are not easy to photograph, partly because they are sooo small and partly because they never seem to stop moving. Even a common species like a Yellow-rumped Warbler can be elusive, but it just takes one trusting bird to provide the best chance to take a photograph, or a series of photos, which was the case when this colorful male Yellow-rump was photographed last May.
Much rarer, a documentary photo of a Hudsonian Godwit during a brief migration stopover would be thrilling enough, but to get a photo of a female banking in flight created a breakthrough image.
A Cedar Waxwing surrounded by a wreath of bright green foliage provided a unique portrait that evokes a dreamy impression. Sometimes a bird’s surroundings are as important an element in a photo as the bird itself, and it’s true that the background can make or break a good photo.
A yearling Bald Eagle calls while banking on especially widespread wings and tail feathers during spring migration. Bald Eagles figured prominently into bird photo opportunities this year.
While beginning a drive to a Florida birding hotspot, an adult Wood Stork was on the hunt in a neighborhood pond, providing a memorable photo opportunity to start the year.
A classic prairie songbird, a male Chestnut-collared Longspur, sang its territorial song from a weathered perch in the midst of a perennial species stronghold, shared with Grasshopper Sparrows, Bobolinks, and Western Kingbirds.
The chance to photograph Whooping Cranes in flight along the edge of the Missouri River was one of the great thrills of 2024! Note the young Whooper among the 3 adults in this photo frame.
Stilt Sandpipers were more obvious during spring and fall migration stopovers than ever before. This Stilt in full breeding plumage appeared in late June. Shouldn’t you have been in your Arctic nesting range amigo?
A documentary photo shows the dramatic difference between what was once considered the same Canada Goose species. Now, Canada Geese and Cackling Geese have been divided into 2 species. with the small Cackling Goose with the white neck ring quite minimized in size in this image with a Giant Canada Goose with its wing outstretched. Their calls are also dramatically different.
Relatively common along areas of North American coastlines, but especially rare in the center of the continent, a flock of Ruddy Turnstones turned up for a migration stopover at a favorite shorebird and waterfowl marsh in “the neighborhood,” providing a few memorable photos. Enjoy making memories with your camera too – Good Luck and Happy New Year!
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After 52 hours of below zero temperatures, not counting the wind chill, and with the thermometer in my car showing only 3 degrees above, Thursday’s sunshine made me want to see what birds might still be in the region. Of course, I checked the recent locations to the south where 3 Short-eared Owls and 3 Rough-legged Hawks thrilled me the previous weekend, but I drove a lot of miles before I found the first birds of the day – a flock of 7 Lapland Longspurs. But it was many more miles before another bird showed – a Rough-legged Hawk on the hunt from the top of a lone tree.
I observed the hawk for a couple minutes, until it apparently sighted prey to the northeast, gliding steeply behind a low hill. I waited for it to reappear, but after a couple minutes I drove forward a half-mile to see if I could peer behind the hill’s screen. That’s when the hawk reappeared, flying directly to perch at the top of a low tangle of bushes. The location was along the midst of my regional raptor drive, so the lone sighting of the lone raptor was appropriate perhaps.
I hoped the Rough-leg might continue its hunting activities, perhaps even hovering closer to the road; but maybe the small rodents it was watching for were less than interested in showing in the intense cold, so I moved on. Not too far though; less than 2 miles to the east a Northern Shrike materialized on a high outer branch of a statuesque cottonwood. But it was many more miles down the road, closer to home, when a flock of about 15 Snow Buntings flushed from the roadside. Yes, the birds are scarce as winter takes hold of the Northern Plains, but the birds encountered are exciting species.
A day later, after getting started on this issue of The Birding Wire, I took a break as the sun broke through in advance of mid-afternoon. I checked the owl and hawk locations to the south, seeing only a flock of 7 Snow Buntings at the southern end of my route, and the only other birds I found was a mega-flock of 89 Snow Buntings 3 miles north of my office. I tried for a few photos of the small Arctic songbirds, but only managed documentary-quality images. Nonetheless, the photos showed the advantage of how a documentary photo can help us make better estimates of larger flocks of birds. My estimate was half the 89 Snow Buntings I was able to count accurately in the photograph (I always say I underestimate big flock numbers).
Due to inclement cloudy weather Saturday, and cloudy foggy weather Sunday, followed by especially high wind with overcast sky Monday, all matched with the paucity of birds in the surrounding region, my usual urge to get into the field was deeply dampened. That kept me more office bound, but I’ll be charged up to visit a few more distant locations, looking for different birds with a few special species in mind during birding action over the holiday vacation period – I’m excited.
I also want to share that although birds have largely vacated the surrounding area, the birds that visit my feeding station have remained predictable for a few weeks. The primary group of feeder visitors continue to be Blue Jays, Hairy Woodpeckers, White-breasted Nuthatches, House Finches, and a few Dark-eyed Juncos including a couple Oregon subspecies. They all keep me grounded and occasionally excited with their periodic arrivals and behavior so close while I work on my laptop. But wait, as I was putting the finishing touches on this issue, a Harris’s Sparrow joined a junco beneath my platform feeder – Hooray!
This Week’s Photographs
The photos that illustrate this article are a selection of some of my favorite fotos taken during 2024, presented as my way of making this last Editor Afield article of the year a special presentation to share with you. I have included more of my “Top 40” best images of the year in the Bird Photography feature in this issue and in last week’s issue, and hope they inspire you to make photography more prominent among your birding activities – to document the birds you see, to improve your birding skills, and to improve your photography skills. Photographing birds is especially interesting, exciting, creative, and most rewarding – make 2025 a breakthrough year in your birding endeavors.
Although this will be my last editorial of the year, I’ll have plenty to share with you when we return to your email inbox in January. Until then, I wish you a bountiful and joyous holiday season with high hopes for a prosperous new year. Enjoy all the birds you see, and Best Wishes for 2025!
Article and Photos by Paul Konrad
Share your bird sightings and photographs at editorstbw2@gmail.com