It is easy to get impatient for the return of the birds in southern Maine, especially this year. I watch the migration reports, I see the posts from birding friends along the central flyway, and I know that the birds are already flooding north. But here on the East Coast, at least in Maine, we are still, mostly, waiting. So far only the earliest birds have arrived. Eastern Phoebes and Song Sparrows are already staking out nesting areas along the edge of the marsh behind the sea dunes, Robins are on lawns again, and the Titmice are singing along the Mousam River. We had a brief visit from a Downy Woodpecker in the maples behind the house. At my sister-in-laws pond, they have had Wood Ducks. I saw a Red-shouldered Hawk along the intestate on my way back from the Airport on Wednesday.

I will get out in a while to see what else I can find on this Saturday morning, but for now I will share a few Phoebes from a dull morning a few weeks ago.

Canon SX40HS. Program with iContrast and –1/3EV exposure compensation.  1) 1260mm equivalent (840mm optical plus 1.5x digital tel-extender function). f5.8 @ 1/200th @ ISO 125. 2) and 3) at 1680mm equivalent (2x digital tel-extender function). 2) f5.8 @ 1/250th @ ISO 200. 3) f5.8 @ 1/1000th @ ISO 250.

Processed in Lightroom for intensity, clarity, and sharpness.