Wild Turkey: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, April 2026 — The Wild Turkeys are emerging from the woods at last, coming out onto the roadsides and lawns (and open fields) to feed and to court. Yesterday, Carol spotted a big tom in full display right in the middle of the street just up from us, before sunrise, and I threw on some clothes and went out with my camera. There were, as I suspected, two Toms and a bunch of hens working the back yards along the tree line. I followed them as they wandered their way along the edge of the woods, up the street. Though the light was not great that early, I took a lot of photos. How could I not? This one shows the Tom in full display, feathers puffed out to three times its normal size and with that amazing tail in the air. Such an impressive bird. When Ben Franklin made his argument that the apparently humble Wild Turkey should be our national bird, and not the imperial Eagle, I am certain that this is the bird he was thinking of! (And I often wonder (especially in light of what is happening today) what a difference it might have made if Franklin had had his way?) Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 Contemporary at about 1200mm equivalent field of view crop. Program with bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator. (ISO 4000 by the way.)

Emmons’ Preserve, Kennebunkport Land Trust, Arundel, Maine, April 2026 — This is tannin froth on the surface of the pool below the rapids on the Batson River at Emmons’ Preserve. I am a fan of such spontaneous pattern(ing)s where the flow of existence becomes visible. “Pattern(ing)s” to remind us that it is a pattern in the process of being formed, not ever a finished pattern. I think we often need reminding. Otherwise, we get stuck in the pattern, stuck on the pattern, caught holding the pattern when it has already moved on. Singing the same bar when the music has moved on to the next. That, right there, is the source of much suffering. And the blessing of photography. If you need to memorialize a passing pattern, take a photo and move on. Or that’s what I say. Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 Contemporary at 86mm equivalent field of view. Aperture Program for increased depth of field. Processed in Photomator.

Batson River: Emmon’s Preserve, Kennebunkport Land-trust, Arundel, Maine, April 2026 — I went out to Emmon’s Preserve hoping, though I ought to know better, to find the Trout Lily in bloom. Way too early. No leaves showing yet even. Still, the Batson River (more of a creek) was in full spring flow, and that is always impressive where it winds its way down over the ledges in the preserve. I do not know about you, but I am always attracted to flowing water, falls, and rapids in particular. Nothing is so revealing of life and the universe as it is, as a fast-flowing river in spate. Always the same river—never the same river twice. Full of turmoil and yet totally peaceful. You can learn a lot from the spring flow, as it comes down the ledges. Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 Contemporary at 24mm equivalent field of view. Aperture program to blur the water and increase depth of field. f14 @ 1/13th second. Hand-held. (Thank you, Sony and Sigma image stabilization.) Processed in Photomator.

Pine Warbler: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, April 2026 — Pine Warblers, as I have said recently, are always among the first to arrive in Southern Maine (and a few winter over). We have had them coming for mealworms and suet (I even saw one take a sunflower seed yesterday) for several days now. They (or he, hard to tell) were particularly present on the snow day we had a few days ago, and this one posed nicely on the snowy deck rail. Of course, it is a total projection on my part to attribute doubt or regret to the bird in the face of a snowy day, but I don’t seem to be able to help myself, and the bird does have, to my eye, an air of “what am I doing here?” I am slowly learning not to wish my time away, ever, whatever, and maybe the Pine Warbler has known that all along. Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 Contemporary at about 600mm equivalent field of view. Program with bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Eastern Phoebe: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, April 2026 — Down by the pond by the river yesterday, I was entertained by my first Eastern Phoebe of the year—always a joy to behold—here caught against the light in the thicket where the creek meets the river. It is about as plain a little bird as you might see—grey on grey—but it is full of life, with that constantly flicking tail and gleam of intent in its eye. I say against the light, but of course the phoebe has its own radiance, maybe not as bright as the sun, but it is phoebe radiance that attracts the eye, not the way the phoebe blocks the sun. Or so I say. Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 Contemporary at about 600mm equivalent field of view crop. Program with bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator and assembled in FrameMagic.

Northern Cardinal: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, April 2026 — It snowed pretty much all day yesterday—big fluffy flakes, or rather light clumps of flakes, floating slowly down. And, of course, the birds were hyperactive at the feeders. Many are nesting or courting. Some already have eggs. The falling snow brought them to the feeders to keep up with their need for nourishment in the season when they need it most. The neighborhood male Cardinal was on the deck about once an hour all day long. This is a bird we count ourselves blessed to see once a month most months. And of course, there is nothing more striking than a Cardinal in the snow (or few things at any rate). Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 Contemporary @ about 600mm equivalent field of view crop. Program with bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Mourning Dove: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, April 2026 — The neighborhood flock of Mourning Doves only comes to our yard once or twice a week. But when they do, one or more often come up and sit on the deck under the mealworm feeder in hopes that the Bluebirds have dropped crumbs. Sometimes they have, but I often scatter a few mealworms for the birds that can’t use the feeders anyway. The squirrels generally get them before the birds, but I enjoy squirrels too, when they don’t actually get into the feeders. It is all a matter of balance in my mind. I feed the birds not because the birds need feeding, but because I enjoy the birds. And I am willing to feed the squirrels when they come, as long as they don’t take the feed away to add to their store…since they have no sense of moderation. They will take all they can get, whether they need it or not. Somewhere around our yard I am sure there are enough sunflower seeds to feed our local squirrel population for several hundred squirrel generations. Just the way squirrels are made. But this is really about Mourning Doves, is it not? Such handsome birds! Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 Contemporary at about 400mm equivalent field of view. Program mode with bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator and assembled in FrameMagic.

Pine Warbler: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, April 2026 — The Pine Warblers are among the first of the warbler clan to arrive in Maine in the spring—in fact, there are a few around all winter—we had one at the feeders on a warm day in December, and there are regular, if scattered, reports from around the state. This one appeared on the deck, after suet and mealworms, a few days ago and has been back several times since. I managed this “grab shot” just to celebrate. It never stays for long. Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 Contemporary at about 600mm equivalent field of view crop. Program with birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Chipping Sparrow: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, April 2026 — a poem.

4/4

First Chipping Sparrow of spring

today at the feeders. Some of the

Song Sparrows never left, and

flocks are back by now, but the

Chippers will not be here in force

for another week or so. This one

is obviously a scout or a pioneer,

out ahead of the wave, sent out,

or out because that is where he

wants to be, not worried by his

loneliness. Maybe he is even

a pair…I have only seen the one

so far, and I would not be able

to tell if I am seeing one, or only

one at a time. Whatever. It is

good to see the Chippers back.

Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 Contemporary at about 600mm equivalent field of view crop. Program with birds and wildlife medications. Processed in Photomator.

Red-breasted Nuthatch: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, April 2026 — We have a pair (at least) of RBNs in the neighborhood, probably nesting in the little woodland with the stream across the street. They have been coming to our feeders more and more this winter into spring, and I hope to see them more often this summer than last, but even if I don’t see them, it is great to know they are around. Such a little bundle of joy. This one is a bit rainy day damp, but it did not seem to dampen its spirits, and that helps me on a rainy day—I don’t know about you. Birds mostly take the weather as it comes. I mean, what choice do they have? We have more choices, but the only one that makes sense is to emulate the birds and enjoy the weather as it happens. As I write this, the rains of yesterday have passed, and I am pleased. It gives me more incentive to get outside. But even on the rainiest days, the birds come to me. How great is that!? Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 at about 600mm equivalent field of view crop. Program with bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.