Most days this week I have found the tribe of Cedar Waxwings that is working its way through the ornamental cherry trees of Kennebunk, Maine, USA where I live…on tree at a time (see my Day Poem today: https://day-poems.tumblr.com/post/611295451427291136/229-cedar-waxwings-cherry-pick-the-ornamental) They are always attractive birds and in this season of the year, their antics while eating berries are something to see. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos.

The Cedar Waxwings are definitely enjoying February in southern Maine. There is a large flock working its way though the ornamental cherry trees at this end of Kennebunk, Maine, USA, apparently one tree at a time. I came across it in a front yard just over a few streets from home yesterday afternoon. The light was dull overcast, but still, Cedar Waxwing have a glow all their own. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos.

This shot goes sort of goes with my Day Poem today (https://day-poems.tumblr.com/post/610932633729384448/225-there-was-a-crowd-of-crows-just-behind-the). Crows are, of course, one of the more interesting birds…based on their intelligence, not on their looks. Though they might be called handsome, they would never be called pretty. 🙂 Still, I am always impressed when I see them, in particular, playing. Any animal that is able to play has my respect. Then, of course, the rest of their social behavior, and their tool usage, put them high on the list of intelligent birds. They are not easy to photograph. The back on black plumage is difficult to expose if you want to maintain any feather detail. This one posed in great light, with light reflected up from the snow under the tree. I could not have done better with studio lighting. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. I used the touch screen on the Sony to move the focus point to the bird’s head while maintaining good composition. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos.

Three Cedar Waxwings at Roger’s Pond Park in Kennebunk Maine, USA, on a cold February morning. They are slightly puffed against the weather. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos.

Though the birds were mostly on the other side of the river at Roger’s Pond Park the other day, this winter plumaged female Eastern Bluebird settled on a branch right in front of me and posed long enough for a few shots. It won’t be long now before the blues begin to pop out more on this bird, though it will never be as bright as the male. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos. Kennebunk, Maine, USA.

I went to Roger’s Pond Park in near my home in Kennebunk, Maine, USA again yesterday morning early to look for the semi-resident pair of Bald Eagles. They were not at home. There were, however, a good sampling of smaller birds feeding in a stand of berries across the river from the park. The birds were mostly pretty far for anything but record shots, and were mostly buried in the berry tangle, but still. We have here clockwise from the upper left: American Robin and Cedar Waxwing, Belted Kingfisher (not, of course, feeding in the berries but in the trees right behind the berry stand), Northern Cardinal, Catbird (very early for Maine), Eastern Bluebird, and a poor shot what looks to me to be a Hermit Thrush…all but impossibly early in southern Maine in February. In addition to these there were also several ducks on the river, including Mallard, Common Merganser, and Golden-eye. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos, and assembled in FrameMagic.