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.