Rock Doves: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, April 2026 — This pair of Rock Doves verily likely has a nest under the bridge on the way into our local beach. I am seeing them on almost every visit now. I am not sure that is a good thing, all things considered, since they are active nest predators of both the protected Piping Plovers and Least Terns that share the beach a few hundred yards away. I would not be surprised if Fish and Wildlife moved them on when nesting season is in full swing. Still, they are very handsome birds, especially these throwbacks to the original wild stock, with their subtle grays and that amazing iridescent green and violet, bright pink feet, and orange eye. And they are graceful flyers. I often mistake them for falcons on the wing. Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 Contemporary at about 500mm equivalent field of view. Program with bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Kennebunk, Maine, USA, April 2026 — It seems we humans always want to improve the landscape—and certainly change the landscape whether we intend to or not. This old, bleached tree with its roots has been on the beach as long as I can remember, and it is a lovely thing—I am not sure why anyone would feel the need to turn it into a somewhat ragged-looking hut. And of course, someone is missing those lobster pots. Still, the universe has a way of creating harmony out of apparent discord, and this image somehow still hangs together and speaks of peace. Maybe it is the clouds? Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 Contemporary at 35mm equivalent field of view. Auto with Landscape Mode selection. Processed in Photomator.

Piping Plover: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, April 2026 — Besides the mating behavior I shared a few days ago, the Plovers on the beach were very busy feeding. I was watching the way they tap the sand rapidly with a forward foot and then swoop down on the creature they stir up. Moist sand or totally flooded sand, they use exactly the same technique. Clearly it works for them. There is a snippet of video to show the action. As often as I have watched plovers, this was the first time I had “seen” this. Which is what I love about watching birds (or humans for that matter, but when I watch humans this intently, it tends to make them nervous). Sony a7CR. Tamron 50-400 at about 1000mm equivalent field of view 700 for video, which is also cropped slightly. Program with bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator (video in LumaFusion).

American Kestrel: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, April 2026 — On my way into the beach to look for the first Piping Plovers of the year, a Kestrel took off from the top of one of the 15-foot-tall maples that now line the road. Too late to even consider stopping, but I told myself to look for it on the way back out. I was, as it happens, running late by the time I left the beach, good plover opportunities and a long conversation with a birder by the cars having ensued, and I almost forgot. But the Kestrel was there, probably in the same tree (though all the trees look the same), and I had to stop and roll down the window for a few awkward shots. I did not dare move the car or get out. I considered it a miracle that the Kestrel continued to sit there while I got the window down and the camera up. The light was not ideal, behind the bird, and the angle was awkward, but still, we take what we can get (and are generally happy to do so—since it is always more than we deserve or can reasonably expect). And the Kestrel is, if I admit to having favorites of any kind (which I seldom do), my favorite raptor—only it isn’t actually. The falcons are, modern genetics tells us, meat-eating parrots. And there is an image to conjure with. Only makes me like Kestrels more. Sony a7CR. Tamron 50-400 at about 800mm equivalent field of view. Program with bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.