White-throated Sparrow: Kennebunk, Maine, USA — The White-throated Sparrow was another bird that showed up in our yard for the first time last year, after I started putting mixed seed out in the feeders for my backyard photo blind. (Or at least last year was the first time I saw one in our yard.) We had quite a bunch of them for weeks spring and fall. This is the one of the two first comers this year. I saw them one afternoon, and have not seem them since, so I suspect they were trail-blazers on their way north…the earliest migrants…with the promise of more to come. 🙂 Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent from my photo blind. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos. ISO 500 @ f4 @ 1/500th.

Northern Cardinal: Kennebunk, Maine, USA — We probably get a visit from the neighborhood cardinals every day, probably more than once a day, but I am rarely looking when they come. Therefore it is always a treat to see them. Both male and female will occasionally use the feeders, but they are both happier feeding on the ground…however they are much more difficult to photograph on the ground as they like to skulk among the leaves and brush, and seem to have a talent for keeping junk between themselves and my camera lens. 🙂 Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent from my backyard photo blind. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos. Feeder shot: ISO 100 @ f4 @ 1/800th. Ground shot: ISO 160 @ f4 @ 1/500th.

American Goldfinch: Kennebunk, Maine, USA — It is the season of patchy Goldfinches. The males are molting into breeding plumage and they are, honestly, all over the place…with patches of brightest yellow, pure white, and mottled black. I would say they did not know if they were coming or going, but, of course, they are all coming on to breeding. This is an interesting shot technically…a focus challenge for the Sony Rx10iv. 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos. ISO 320 @ f4 @ 1/500th.

Brown-headed Cowbird: Kennebunk, Maine, USA — If there were an award for the least colorful bird in North America, surely the female of the Brown-headed Cowbird would be a contender. I won’t say it is the least attractive bird I have ever seen, but from any distance at all, the bird looks dull gray on gray, relieved only by the heavy black beak and big black eye. If it were any more dull it would disappear all together. If you look closely at these photos you will see that there is a subtle pattern under (or behind, or within) the gray, that is at least more interesting. And of course, the feather detail is also worth a look. Thing is, being a cowbird…messy, aggressive, feeder-hog that it is…and a known nest (or brood) parasite to birds that are easier to love, we might be just a bit prejudiced in judging its looks or attractiveness. Brood parasites, like the Brown-headed Cowbird, lay their eggs in other birds nests (in this case many warblers) and the larger and more aggressive BHCB chick hogs all the food that is intended of the true nestlings, to their detriment, and, often, demise. Not an easy bird to appreciate. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm from my backyard photo blind. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos. ISO 250 @ f4 @ 1/500th.

Chipping Sparrow: Kennebunk, Maine, USA — The Chipping Sparrows have been back for several days now, but I did not have a good photo op until late yesterday afternoon, when the sun came back out under the clouds on the horizon and lit up my photo blind area under the trees. This bird was about 8 feet in front of the blind. An elegant little bird, always, and lots of fun to watch. They are very active all summer, but especially active now during courting season. Lots of chasing and gyrations in the air. They are unusually agile even for a bird 🙂 Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent, from my backyard photo blind. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos. ISO 250 @ f4 @ 1/500th.

Pine Siskin: Kennebunk, Maine, USA — There are years when we do not see any Pine Siskins in our yard…in fact, most years we do not see any. They must pass through each year, but it is rare that they visit our feeders. I had to do a double take when this bird landed on one of the feeders under the trees by my backyard photo blind. Right size and shape for another Goldfinch…but no…right coloration (on first glance) for a female House Finch…but no. Pine Siskin! In the photo you can see what I could not see from my blind…the touch of yellow in the wings. This is a dullish female, but even so a delight to see up close. 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.

Tufted Titmouse: Kennebunk, Maine, USA — While the titmice are easy to photograph at the feeders, it is harder to get an unobstructed shot away from the feeders. They tend to bury themselves in twigs and foliage. While the leaves are still sleeping it is a bit easier. 🙂 Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. From my backyard photo blind. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos. ISO 160 @ f4 @ 1/500th.

Song Sparrow: Kennebunk, Maine, USA — I always scatter some mixed seed under the feeders when I go out to sit in my backyard photo blind…mostly for the juncos, sparrows, doves, and the occasional cardinal…all of whom seem to enjoy foraging for the seed among the leaf litter. Most of them will come quite close to the blind, though it does mean opening the window all the way down so I can get an angle on them. This Song Sparrow took most of an hour to work its way forward into plain sight. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos. ISO 125 @ f4 @ 1/500th. Plus .3 EV (I did not need the EV for this shot, but it was set from shots against the bright background around the feeders.)