Cooper’s Hawk: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, February 2026 — Yesterday, I decided to have Carol drop me off at the pond so I could see what was happening there and then walk home the mile and a half. Since I was walking that far, I only brought the Sony a6700 and the little Sigma 16-300 Contemporary zoom…my walk-around kit. Nothing much at the pond but some more river ice scenics. A Red-tailed hawk flew in and out, being chased by crows, but too quick for any decent photos. But the crossing the bridge over the river, there was a Cooper’s Hawk sitting in the first tall trees, just slightly above my eye level. It let me approach (I went very slowly), sat for me for a series of photos. At 450mm equivalent field of view, cropped mostly for composition, not scale. Program mode with birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator and assembled in FrameMagic.

Northern Cardinal: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, February 2026 — Two more shots of the Cardinal in the snow from Wednesday…showing both profiles. Still a very handsome bird (and doesn’t he just know it too!). Or at least that is the way it looks to me. Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 at 450mm equivalent field of view. (Cropped to something like 800mm.) Program with bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Northern Cardinal: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, February 2026 — Yesterday we had snow in the morning, and the feeders were predictably busy. Even the cardinal, who I only see in our yard a few times a month, showed up several times. After the first visit, I went to get my camera. I was on starling guard duty all morning anyway, trying to limit the uptake of mealworms and give the bluebirds their turns at the feeder, so I was there and ready the next two times the cardinal came. These photos are through the double-glazed back deck door. I can’t get right up to the door without startling the cardinal, so they were taking from well inside the kitchen. The dull light of the snowstorm helped limit reflections from the window glass. Interesting as that is 🙂 the real story is the bird itself, so vivid and vibrant in the falling snow. And so expressive. I am not sure what the cardinal is thinking, but I can easily imagine all sorts of thoughts. Probably you can too. Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 at 450mm (cropped to something like 800mm equivalent field of view). Program with bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator and assembled in FrameMagic.

Red-bellied Woodpecker: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, February 2026 — For some reason, I rarely see the Red-bellied Woodpecker in good light. Yesterday, the sun was higher in the sky than it has been for a while, though it was still a cold February day with lots of snow on the ground. The sun cast the shadows of the suet cage across the body of the Red-bellied (you can just see the red belly), creating interesting geometric distortions, as though the bird was rendered in stained glass. Interesting? I think so. Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 at 450mm equivalent field of view. Program with bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Mallard Duck: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, February 2026 — the male of the pair of Mallards feeding on the tide-exposed marsh grasses along the road. No more leery of me than his mate. He had been working on his feathers. Can you tell? Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 at 450mm equivalent field of view. Program with bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Mallard Duck: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, February 2026 — A pair of Mallards were feeding in the bare marsh grass where the tide had washed the snow away behind the dunes, right next to the road, alongside the parked cars. I mean, who could resist? This is, of course, the female, and lacks the male’s bold colors, but still a very attractive bird. Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 at 328mm equivalent field of view (yes, that close). Program with birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Mallard Duck: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, February 2026 — The ice is, for the moment, receding from the rapids, and the Mallards are feeling a little frisky…putting on a bit of a show for each other…and for anyone (like me) who is watching. It is good to see some “spring is coming” action on the eve of another blizzard in southern Maine. We will only get the north edge of the storm, but even so! Make the most of it while the sun shines. Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 at 450mm equivalent field of view (cropped to about 600mm). Program mode with bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.

The sea over the cobbles was churned milk white by the crashing surf. Such energy. The sky itself is churned. Marginal Way: Ogunquit, Maine, February 2026 — Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 at 24mm equivalent field of view. Processed in Photomator.

Black Scoters: Marginal Way, Oqunquit, Maine, USA, February 2026 — I went to the path along the sea cliffs to look for winter sea ducks close in…but most were well out beyond the surf line. Eventually I found a small pod of Scoters at the base of the cliffs, braving the heaving seas. This is cropped in from the large frame which excluded 3 more ducks, but I wanted to show more detail on the individual scoters. Sony a7CR. Tamron 150-500 at 500mm (cropped to something like 1000mm equivalent field of view). Program with bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Yellow-rumped Warbler: Marginal Way, Ogunquit, Maine, USA, February 2026 — I have to admit that the last bird I expected to see along the Marginal Way cliff path, above the crashing sea and snow- and ice-covered rocks, was a Yellow-rumped Warbler! I know they arrive early in southern Maine, but February? As it turns out, consulting Gemini AI, there is a small population of Yellow-rumpeds regularly over-wintering along the immediate coast of York County. They can, apparently (unlike most warblers), digest the waxy coatings of bayberry, and eke out an existence here when the other warblers have long gone south. This I did not know. 🙂 Until yesterday. This bird certainly looks healthy. Sony a7CR. Tamron 150-500 at 500mm (cropped to something like 800mm equivalent field of view). Program mode with bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.