Dark-eyed Junco: Kennebunk, Maine, USA — Dark-eyed Junco is a complex species with several different identifiable regional forms. Though southern Maine is in the range of the White-winged Dark-eyed Junco, this appears to be the more common Slate-colored Dark-eyed Junco, as I can see no white lining on the wings…or even more likely considering how pale the grey is…and inter-grade between the two. The Juncos are coming through Kennebunk from the north in numbers this week. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos. ISO 250 @ f4 @ 1/500th.

Downy Woodpecker: Kennebunk, Maine, USA — After Chickadees, the Downy Woodpecker has to me our most faithful and most frequent visitor to the feeders. They come to the suet blocks both on the deck and under the trees. This shot’s unique flavor is down to the afternoon light as the leaves are off the trees and the sun is low in the sky. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos. ISO 640 @ f4 @ 1/500th.

White-breasted Nuthatch: Kennebunk, Maine, USA — Another shot from the feeders under the trees in our back yard. Our faithful White-breasted Nuthatch who comes to both these feeders and the feeders on the deck several times each hour all day long every day. From what I can see the nest is actually in a little stand of trees several streets over…at least that is the way the bird heads when it leaves our yard, but we are a regular feeding stop. And we are happy to have the Nuthatches as neighbors. 🙂 Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos. ISO 320 @ f4 @ 1/500th.

Black-capped Chickadee, Kennebunk, Maine, USA — Another bird foraging among the fallen leaves in our backyard…this time a Black-capped Chickadee. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos (obtrusive twig in foreground removed with TouchRetouch). ISO 640 @ f4 @ 1/500th.

Red-bellied Woodpecker: Kennebunk Maine, USA — I had been birding for years before I got to see the red belly on a Red-bellied Woodpecker, and then to say that I was underwhelmed would only be the truth. I can think of lots of more descriptive names for this bird…unfortunately they are all already taken by other woodpeckers…which is how, I always figured, the Red-bellied Woodpecker got its name. In this shot the belly is showing as well as I have ever seen it…though I have better photos of the bird overall. For one thing it was taken through thermal glass. I have learned that if I attempt to get the deck door open for a shot…or even if I get too close to door, the Red-bellieds are off…and I don’t get my shot. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos. ISO 500 @ f4 @ 1/50000th.

Rock Pigeon: Kennebunk, Maine, USA — You can tell I am desperate for photographic subjects when I start photographing Rock Pigeons…Robins, Mallards, etc. I found myself photographing all three yesterday, here in Kennebunk, Maine. They were there, and little else was, of course, but I was also appreciating their beauty…which most of the time I overlook. The iridescence on the throat of this otherwise basically gray Rock Pigeon really stands out. And note the bright red eye. This bird is actually a pretty fair example of the typical wild Rock Pigeon, harkening back to the original stocks that came over from Africa to colonize North America. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos. ISO 100 @ f5 @ 1/1000th.

There is a poem:

10/24
Late in the afternoon, cloudy
day light already failing fast,
I had just finished cleaning up
from making oat milk, and,
while I was at it in the sink,
getting the french press ready
for tomorrow, and emptying
the sink drain strainer outside
among the plants (they love
the mix of coffee grounds and
oat mash) when I glanced,
in passing, out the deck doors
at the feeders. I suppose some
flurry of activity caught the
corner of my eye. The feeders
and all the perches we have
provided, were covered with
small birds…Pine Siskins as
I looked closer. I counted as
they flew off…20 at least…
a veritable hoard of siskins…
or since they are allied with
the finches, perhaps a “charm”
or a “company” or a “trembling”
(all collective nouns for finches)
of fine featured Pine Siskins.
Three hung around at the
thistle feeder long enough
for me to get a photo or two,
despite the light. The photos
will be nothing much to boast
of but enough to seal the
memory of the afternoon we
were invaded by a trembling
of the Pine Siskins, 20 strong.

Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos.