SNOW BIRD ARRIVAL? - A Dark-Eyed Junco feeds on what's left of a flower bloom gone to seed. Dark-eyed Juncos are often called “Snowbirds,” possibly due to the fact that many people believe their return from their northern breeding grounds foretells the return of cold and snowy weather. We see Juncos here in New Hampshire almost year-round...but notice them particularly when other birds have dispersed to the woods and the Juncos are pecking around in the yard and on the patio.
ALWAYS A LADY - An American Lady, aka American Painted Lady, Vanessa virginiensis is a butterfly in the Brushroot Family. They are migratory - so we won't be seeing her around much longer.
LIKE MAGIC - A Merlin hunts from a perch on the beaver pond. It is hawk migration season - so this one might be just passing though.
REVERSE DIMORPHISM - Sexually dimorphic plumage coloration is widespread in birds in which the male is brighter and has more striking feather features. It is the opposite in the Belted Kingfisher - as it is the female with the decorative brown belt (see below) - and the male has a plain white front. (top photo)