Paul Willis Photographs: Blog

POTD 10/1/23

Sun, 01 Oct 2023 09:00:00 GMT

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.

POTD 9/30/23

Sat, 30 Sep 2023 09:00:00 GMT

HAZY DAZE - Monadnock Mountain in a Fall day haze.

POTD 9/29/23

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 09:00:00 GMT

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.

POTD 9/28/23

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 09:00:00 GMT

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.

POTD 9/27/23

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 09:00:00 GMT

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)

POTD 9/26/23

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 09:00:00 GMT

ROCKIN' THE POLKA DOTS - A female Northern Flicker hunts ants in the yard. A Flicker is a type of woodpecker - favorite food is ants.

POTD 9/25/23

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 09:00:00 GMT

OTTER-LY COOL - An Northern River Otter on the beaver pond. We don't see otters often - this one was eating fairly large fish before disappearing under the water.

POTD 9/24/23

Sun, 24 Sep 2023 09:00:00 GMT

FLOWER POWER - A female Goldfinch eating Phlox bloom petals. The Hummingbirds have gone - leaving the Phlox blossoms for the Finches.

POTD 9/23/23

Sat, 23 Sep 2023 09:00:00 GMT

IN B&W - It must be Fall - when a "Fall" warbler - a Black-and-White Warbler shows up in the yard. Over 50 species of wood warblers in North America show an incredible diversity of colors and patterns. With the variety of colors in warblers, we tend to focus on the brilliant ones - but black feathers also contribute to the appearance of most species of warblers - especially the Black-and-White Warbler.

POTD 9/22/23

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 09:00:00 GMT

NOW YOU'RE JUST SHOWING OFF - Male Wood Duck with elaborate coloration on the beaver pond. In many bird species the male is more colorful or ornamented than the female. This is known as plumage dimorphism. Not all bird species display plumage dimorphism – but the Wood Duck is one of the most extreme examples...to the point of showing off. ;-)

POTD 9/21/23

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 09:00:00 GMT

DON'T EAT ME WHEN I'M BUGGIN' - An Eastern Phoebe chomps a grasshopper on the beaver pond.

POTD 9/20/23

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 09:00:00 GMT

FALLIN' FOR YOU - With the beginning of Fall foliage as a backdrop, a female Belted Kingfisher watches from a perch at the edge of the beaver pond.

POTD 9/19/23

Tue, 19 Sep 2023 09:00:00 GMT

WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW YOUR ASTER FROM A - Purple-stemmed Aster blooming along the edge of the beaver pond.

POTD 9/18/23

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 09:00:00 GMT

MERLIN - A Merlin cleans it's beak after dining on a dragonfly it caught on the fly over the beaver pond. We watched the small, fast falcon swoop several times from a high perch to catch a dragonfly - then return to a branch in a tall, dead pine tree to eat its' catch.

POTD 9/17/23

Sun, 17 Sep 2023 09:00:00 GMT

NO SMOKING - The non-flower wildflower - Indian Pipes are Saprophytic, getting nourishment from decayed organic matter. An interesting fall wildflower along the trail to the beaver pond.

POTD 9/16/23

Sat, 16 Sep 2023 09:00:00 GMT

HAVE A SUN-FLOWERY DAY!

POTD 9/15/23

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 09:00:00 GMT

FEEDING TIME - Fledgling Goldfinch is fed by mother. Unlike many other birds, Goldfinches are strict vegetarians, and they nest later in the summer to ensure that there are plenty of seeds available to feed their hungry nestlings.

POTD 9/14/23

Thu, 14 Sep 2023 09:00:00 GMT

STILL HUMMING AROUND - There are still several female Hummingbirds humming around - visiting the feeders and all the flower beds. We are expecting them to be heading south soon.

POTD 9/13/23

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 09:00:00 GMT

FLOODS MADE THE NEWS - While flooding in several towns not far south of us made the national news - our rainfall made our brook picturesque.

POTD 9/12/23

Tue, 12 Sep 2023 09:00:00 GMT

MONARCH - We have not seen many Monarch Butterflies this year - and after seeing Monarch caterpillars and now seeing Chrysalis - it was nice to spot a Monarch in the garden.

POTD 9/11/23

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 09:00:00 GMT

I FEEL PRETTY - A female Purple Finch reflected in the puddle she bathes in.

POTD 9/10/23

Sun, 10 Sep 2023 09:00:00 GMT

FINCH KISS - Female Goldfinches "interact" at the thistle sock. I'm not sure this was a "friendly" kiss.

POTD 9/9/23

Sat, 09 Sep 2023 09:00:00 GMT

ON TO THE NEXT STAGE - A Monarch Butterfly caterpillar starts to curl into a "J-shape" before molting for the last of several times and entering into the chrysalis stage. We've been watching the caterpillars on the milkweed plants - and then looking for one to settle, since they crawl away from the milkweed plant before turning into a chrysalis. This one attached to the underside of a decorative bean plant on a trellis.

POTD 9/8/23

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 09:00:00 GMT

PETAL PUSHER - Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird lands on the petals of a Zinnia bloom as she bulks up in preparation for migration. This time of year the Hummingbirds are pretty easy to photograph - even though they are really fast flyers - because they will go to nearly every flower in the row of Zinnias when they visit the garden.

POTD 9/7/23

Thu, 07 Sep 2023 09:00:00 GMT

IDLE CHATTER - An Eastern Phoebe appears to be talking from a perch in a dead ash tree - showing the yellowish wash on the belly of Phoebes in Fall. Phoebes hunt insects from lower open branches.

POTD 9/6/23

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 09:00:00 GMT

SEPTEMBER FLAG SCENE - An American flag display honoring First Responders is a patriotic scene at summers' end.

POTD 9/5/23

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 09:00:00 GMT

FLOWER KISSED - Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird approaching a Phlox bloom. The male Hummers have already left New Hampshire to begin migration...and the females are frequenting the feeders and flowers before they leave on migration.

POTD 9/4/23

Mon, 04 Sep 2023 09:00:00 GMT

BEAR WITH ME - Our morning coffee in the greenhouse was interrupted by the neighbors' warning that a bear was headed our way. Sure enough, a few minutes later - the bear ambled into our yard. My vocal discouragement sent him off without reward - but it stopped for a back scratch on a dead apple tree that has been used as a scratching tree by other bears.

POTD 9/3/23

Sun, 03 Sep 2023 09:00:00 GMT

PUDDLE DRINKIN' - Turkey hen takes advantage of a puddle on the driveway for a drink.

POTD 9/2/23

Sat, 02 Sep 2023 09:00:00 GMT

COTTONGRASS ON THE BEAVER POND - Wickipedia: Eriophorum (cottongrass, cotton-grass or cottonsedge) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Cyperaceae, the sedge family. They are found throughout the arctic, subarctic, and temperate portions of the Northern Hemisphere in acid bog habitats, being particularly abundant in Arctic tundra regions. They are herbaceous perennial plants with slender, grass-like leaves. The seed heads are covered in a fluffy mass of cotton-like fibers which are carried on the wind to aid dispersal. Paper and the wicks of candles have been made of its fiber, and pillows stuffed with the same material. The leaves were formerly used in treating diarrhea, and the spongy pith of the stem for the removal of tapeworm.

POD 9/1/23

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 09:00:00 GMT

HERE'S LOOKIN' AT YOU - A Painted Turtle stretches its' neck to get a better look at me. There are lots of Painted Turtles at the beaver pond - but they are shy and tend to slide into the water when they see me coming.

POTD 8/31/23

Thu, 31 Aug 2023 09:00:00 GMT

DIGGING THE FLOWERS - A female Goldfinch munches Phlox buds. Several species of birds eat flowers and some experts say the buds and blossoms may have more nutrition than seeds and fruit.

POTD 8/30/23

Wed, 30 Aug 2023 09:00:00 GMT

SHOWY FUNGI - Clavulinopsis fusiformis, commonly known as golden spindles, spindle-shaped yellow coral, or spindle-shaped fairy club, is a species of coral fungus in the family Clavariaceae. Bright little patches of the golden spindles are showing up all through the woods.

POTD 8/29/23

Tue, 29 Aug 2023 09:00:00 GMT

big woodpecker - Our neighborhood Pileated Woodpecker stopped by. Huge wild cherry trees ring our yard and when the cherries are ripe they attract several species of birds, including this male Pileated.

POTD 8/28/23

Mon, 28 Aug 2023 10:26:46 GMT

HOUSE HUNTING - A House Wren checks out a birdhouse overlooking the patio. Houses Wrens are aggressive to other nearby hole nesters - and can destroy other birds' eggs. We hope this Wren doesn't start causing trouble in the neighborhood.

POTD 8/27/23

Sun, 27 Aug 2023 09:00:00 GMT

FLOWER POWER - The Hummingbirds are feeding frantically before they begin migration - and are frequent visitors to the patch of Zinnias.

POTD 8/26/23

Sat, 26 Aug 2023 09:00:00 GMT

FALL ON THE WAY - A Maple leaf with early Fall color along the brook from the beaver pond.

POTD 8/25/23

Fri, 25 Aug 2023 09:00:00 GMT

BEAVER POND INSECT CONTROL - Several bird species that live around the beaver pond eat bugs - but the most reliable and fun to watch is the Eastern Phoebe. They watch for prey from low perches (of which there are many at the beaver pond) and catch insects on the fly before returning, often, to the same perch. They are easy to spot and have a habit of wagging their tail often.

POTD 8/24/23

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 09:00:00 GMT

OCEAN VIEW - A late Summer trip to the ocean...rocks on Long Sands Beach in York, Maine...for a change of scenery.

POTD 8/23/23

Wed, 23 Aug 2023 09:00:00 GMT

A BEAUTY - An American Painted Lady Butterfly on a Cosmos bloom. Butterflies can get by pretty well, even with a bit of damage to their wings.

POTD 8/22/23

Tue, 22 Aug 2023 09:00:00 GMT

YOU COME HERE OFTEN? - We are seeing Bald Eagles at the beaver pond on a regular basis now...after years of never seeing them here. Great to have big birds to photograph...if they don't upset the scene.

POTD 8/21/23

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 09:00:00 GMT

MISUNDERSTOOD? - The Common Grackle has a bad reputation for being large, strong and opportunistic - but in the right light their iridescence makes them look pretty cool.

POTD 8/20/23

Sun, 20 Aug 2023 09:00:00 GMT

CARDINAL ON THE WAY - When it leaves the nest, a young Northern Cardinal has a dark bill without any bright color. A few weeks later the dark color will have faded and the bill becomes bright orange-red like the adults. This immature Cardinal is just starting to get his adult bill color.

POTD 8/19/23

Sat, 19 Aug 2023 09:00:00 GMT

PUT THAT IN YOUR PIPE - Indian Pipe is the un-wildflower wildflower. With no chlorophyill to make it green - it is saprophytic - getting nourishment from decayed organic matter. And, it is not a flower to be picked - since it turns black when picked.

POTD 8/18/23

Fri, 18 Aug 2023 09:00:00 GMT

SPLISH, SPLASH - A female Purple Finch bathes in the bird bath.

POTD 8/17/23

Thu, 17 Aug 2023 09:00:00 GMT

DEWLY NOTED - Spider web catches dew.

POTD 8/16/23

Wed, 16 Aug 2023 09:00:00 GMT

WHERE THE BOYS ARE - After a stretch of seeing only female hummingbirds - we spotted a male at the feeders today. He was interacting with at least four females - jostling at the feeders in a steady rain.

POTD 8/15/23

Tue, 15 Aug 2023 09:00:00 GMT

VERY CHERRY BERRY - Male Northern Flicker plucks a ripe cherry. Flickers - a type of woodpecker - are usually seen pecking the ground in search of its' favorite food, ants...but it seems everyone is a fruit eater when the cherries are ripe.

POTD 8/14/23

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 09:00:00 GMT

FINALLY - We have been waiting all summer for a Monarch caterpillar on our pollinator garden Milkweed plants. Finally spotted four on the Milkweed today.

POTD 8/13/23

Sun, 13 Aug 2023 09:00:00 GMT

SMALLEST FALCON - An American Kestrel on a power pole on McCoy Road. Kestrels are one of the smallest falcons in the world - they eat grasshoppers and mice and hunt from wires, fenceposts and power poles. Can't say why this one is standing on one leg on a summer day...which birds usually do when standing in cold.

POTD 8/12/23

Sat, 12 Aug 2023 09:00:00 GMT

STICK IT TO ME - A small Porcupine looking for snacks under the bird feeder. Porcupines have up to 30,000 short, heavy quills (hairs modified into sharp, mostly hollow spines) on the rump and tail - which are big trouble for curious dogs, but no problem for humans who give them some room - since they cannot "shoot" quills"

POTD 8/11/23

Fri, 11 Aug 2023 09:00:00 GMT

BEAR WITH ME - A young Black Bear thinks about making a two-legged escape after being loudly discouraged from coming further into the yard. We pass the word with our neighbors when a bear is spotted - and we heard this one made the rounds of their yards looking for bird feeders after we chased it off.

POTD 8/10/23

Thu, 10 Aug 2023 09:00:00 GMT

FINCH FOOD - A male Goldfinch eats catnip seeds.

POTD 8/9/23

Wed, 09 Aug 2023 09:00:00 GMT

BIG FLOWER, LITTLE BIRD - A female Ruby-throated Hummingbird takes advantage of a late summer Day Lily bloom. It's the time of the year when we see the hummingbirds bulking up for migration by visiting the feeders and flowers non-stop.

POTD 8/8/23

Tue, 08 Aug 2023 09:00:00 GMT

NEW NEWT - Newts have three forms: a larval aquatic form, followed by an immature land form called an "eft", and finally an aquatic adult form. This land form called a "red eft" has the 10-12 red spots ringed in black that all the species bodies have.

POTD 8/7/23

Mon, 07 Aug 2023 09:00:00 GMT

CHERRY PICKIN' - An immature Red-bellied Woodpecker picks black cherries. Lots of kinds of birds are showing up as the cherries are starting to ripen.

POTD 8/6/23

Sun, 06 Aug 2023 09:00:00 GMT

NEW WREN - We don't see many Wrens - so to see a Carolina Wren was fun.

POTD 8/5/23

Sat, 05 Aug 2023 09:00:00 GMT

HAWKY - A Cooper's Hawk hunting from a perch.

POTD 8/4/23

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 11:09:15 GMT

FINALLY ANOTHER BUTTERFLY - It seems like we have seen far fewer butterflies this year - so we were happy to see a White Admiral Butterfly yesterday.

POTD 8/3/23

Thu, 03 Aug 2023 09:00:00 GMT

MELLOW MALLOW - Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird at a Musk Mallow bloom.

POTD 8/2/23

Wed, 02 Aug 2023 09:00:00 GMT

SQUASH ON THE WAY - A Squash bloom in the garden.

POTD 8/1/23

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 09:00:00 GMT

BABY BLUE - An immature Bluebird - maybe fledged from our neighbors birdhouse brood - spotted in the yard yesterday. Bluebirds are classified in the Thrush family (related to Robins and other Thrushes) and eat mainly insects and fruit, but in recent years some bluebirds have begun to frequent feeders, where they eat softer foods like the mealworms we bought especially to attract bluebirds.

POTD 7/31/23

Mon, 31 Jul 2023 09:00:00 GMT

WOOD NYMPH - A Common Wood Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) butterfly on Mullein leaf. The Wood Nymph is in the Brushroot family - same as the Monarch butterfly.

POTD 7/30/23

Sun, 30 Jul 2023 09:00:00 GMT

HMMMMM? - Bird activity at the yard feeders has slowed now toward the end of Summer with birds switching to bugs and finding plenty of natural food in the forest. Hummingbirds are the exception - visiting our feeders regularly.

POTD 7/29/23

Sat, 29 Jul 2023 09:00:00 GMT

TRIPPING THE LIGHT FANTASTIC - A beaver swims through reflections in the beaver pond. North Americas largest rodent - the beavers behind our house have created a stump-filled pond where a farm field was historically located - providing habitat for all manner of wildlife and enjoyment for several humans. ;-)

POTD 7/28/23

Fri, 28 Jul 2023 09:00:00 GMT

HAVE A LILY OF A DAY!

POTD 7/27/23

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 09:00:00 GMT

LEAVE IT TO BEAVER - After concern of Bald Eagles starting to hang around the beaver pond - it was good to see several beavers out and about on the pond...with no sign of the eagle.

POTD 7/26/23

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 09:00:00 GMT

LUCKY YOU LOOK LIKE YOUR MOMMA - Turkeys are not known for their beautiful faces - and Tom turkeys, in particular, are beautiful in an "ugly" sort of way...so this turkey chick - in its cute stage, eats with its mother.

POTD 7/25/23

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 09:00:00 GMT

MIXED FEELINGS - As a bird photographer, seeing Eagles to photograph is up there on the list - but after 25 years on the beaver pond with a variety of wildlife to photograph - the arrival of regular Eagles is troubling. The Eagles are suspects in the early disappearance of 2 Heron chicks and a google search says Eagles can kill full grown beavers. ch-ch-ch-changes....nature can be cruel.

POTD 7/24/23

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 09:00:00 GMT

REGAL WILDFLOWER - Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus carota) bloom from behind.

POTD 7/23/23

Sun, 23 Jul 2023 09:00:00 GMT

GARDEN HARMONY - Two Fritillary Butterflies share a Coneflower bloom.

POTD 7/22/23

Sat, 22 Jul 2023 09:00:00 GMT

KING OF THE ROCK - An Eastern Kingbird watches from a rock perch for insects to land nearby. Kingbirds are in the Tyrant Flycatcher family and hunt insects on and around water.

POTD 7/21/23

Fri, 21 Jul 2023 09:00:00 GMT

IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN - A Green Frog on our landscape pond.

POTD 7/20/23

Thu, 20 Jul 2023 09:00:00 GMT

SEEDY - Red-Bellied Woodpecker exiting the feeder with a black sunflower seed. Usually attracted to suet - the woodpeckers and all of our feeder birds are switching to seeds or bugs as the Summer winds down for the birds.

POTD 7/19/23

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 09:00:00 GMT

CONEFLOWER COMING - A Purple Coneflower bloom emerging. Echinacea, commonly known as coneflower, is a genus of flowering plants in the daisy family (Asteraceae), along with daisies, sunflowers, and asters

POTD 7/18/23

Tue, 18 Jul 2023 09:00:00 GMT

RED BIRD - Cardinal in the garden.

POTD 7/17/23

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 09:00:00 GMT

CACKLE GRACKLE - A Common Grackle on the highest perch available. Grackles are large, strong, opportunistic birds that can be disruptive at feeders - but it's not their fault and doesn't have to detract from their iridescent splendor.

POTD 7/16/23

Sun, 16 Jul 2023 09:00:00 GMT

MR BLUEBIRD - We LOVE bug eaters and have been hoping to have Bluebirds.

POTD 7/15/23

Sat, 15 Jul 2023 09:00:00 GMT

BUTTERFLY ON BUTTERFLY WEED - A Silver-Bordered Fritillary lands on an Orange Milkweed ("Butterfly Weed") in the pollinator garden on the roof. We are waiting to see Monarchs on the Asclepias - but none so far.

POTD 7/14/23

Fri, 14 Jul 2023 09:00:00 GMT

POND DECORATION - Fragrant Water Lilies in bloom on the beaver pond.

POTD 7/13/23

Thu, 13 Jul 2023 09:00:00 GMT

BLUEBIRD DAY - After trying to attract Bluebirds all year - and our neighbors have a pair raising babies - we were thrilled to see Bluebirds catching bugs in our yard yesterday.

POTD 7/12/23

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 09:00:00 GMT

BUTTERFLY LOVE - Silver-bordered Fritillary butterflies mate in a seemingly un-romantic act, facing away from each other.

POTD 7/11/23

Tue, 11 Jul 2023 09:00:00 GMT

PRECOCIOUS LEAF CHANGE - Some leaves on a maple tree on the beaver pond are showing fall colors early. An Internet search said hot temperature stress and heavy rain stress are among the usual reasons for early changing leaves...and we have had both in New Hampshire this summer.

POTD 7/10/23

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 09:00:00 GMT

BEAVER POND WILDFLOWER - Swamp Candles in bloom along the edge of the beaver pond. Swamp Candles are in the Primrose Family with a flower spike of 1/2" star-like blossoms with five petals with two red dots at the base.

POTD 7/9/23

Sun, 09 Jul 2023 09:00:00 GMT

WELCOME ANT EATER - Northern Flicker searching the yard for its' favorite food - ants. Ants are a particular nuisance for us this time of year - as they sneak into the house - so we welcome any visitors that eat the ants.

POTD 7/8/23

Sat, 08 Jul 2023 09:00:00 GMT

COMMON MULLEIN - Although thought of primarily as a weed, common mullein has been used as an herbal remedy for coughs and diarrhea, and topical applications against a variety of skin problems. The flowers were also used to make yellow, green or brown dyes, depending on how they were processed.

POTD 7/7/23

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 09:00:00 GMT

FLYCATCHER - A Great Crested Flycatcher stops in the yard looking for bugs to eat. The Great Crested Flycatcher (its' head is a bit fluffy, but lacks a true crest) is a member of the Tyrant Flycatcher family and prefers broadleaf woods and nests in tree cavities or woodpecker holes

POTD 7/6/23

Thu, 06 Jul 2023 09:00:00 GMT

DAY LILY EXPLOSION - Day Lilies bloom all at once in an explosion of color.

POTD 7/5/23

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 09:00:00 GMT

WHAT ABOUT ME? - A juvenile Baltimore Oriole squawks at its' sibling being fed first. An entire family of Orioles has descended on the grape jelly feeder - with several of them taking to the Hummingbird feeders, as well.

POTD 7/4/23

Tue, 04 Jul 2023 09:00:00 GMT

RED, WHITE & GREEN? - Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird flashes his namesake red throat. The iridescent color of the hummingbirds' throat feathers is the result of the feather structure that amplifies one color of light and the surfaces are angled so that they reflect that color in only one direction - straight ahead in front of the bird.

POTD 7/3/23

Mon, 03 Jul 2023 09:00:00 GMT

CHUBBY BABY - Momma Downy Woodpecker feeds her chubby male offspring. Lots of its' namesake downy feathers make this fledgling appear to be bigger than his mom.

POTD 7/2/23

Sun, 02 Jul 2023 09:00:00 GMT

IT'S A STRETCH - Juvenile Rose breasted Grosbeak stretches on its' first visit to the yard. Lots of fledgling birds are coming to the yard to be fed or to learn to eat at the feeders.

POTD 7/1/23

Sat, 01 Jul 2023 09:00:00 GMT

WHEN YOU JUST NEED A HUG - Frogs in our landscape pond seem to cuddle.

POTD 6/30/23

Fri, 30 Jun 2023 09:00:00 GMT

BRINGIN' HOME THE... Poppa Kingbird arrives back at the nest with a big bug to feed the just-born chicks. I watched as both parents fed the chicks - only big enough for their beaks to show above the side of the nest.

POD 6/29/23

Thu, 29 Jun 2023 09:00:00 GMT

FUNGUS AMONG US - A spell of wet weather in New Hampshire has fungi popping up all over. This family of fungi emerged from the end of a log sawed to clear the trail to the beaver pond. My friends at Northeast Wilderness Trust reminded me that fungi break down wood, exchange nutrients with plants and store carbon.

POTD 6/28/23

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 09:00:00 GMT

CUTE CHICK - We have Turkeys in the yard often - but we don't see the chicks very often. Several hens in the yard yesterday - and a hen with 3 chicks foraging in the grass.

POTD 6/27/23

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 09:00:00 GMT

JELLY HIGH - Female Baltimore Oriole lapping up grape jelly at the feeder. We are seeing immature Orioles at the jelly feeder - an indication of a successful breeding season.

POTD 6/26/23

Mon, 26 Jun 2023 09:00:00 GMT

BEAVER POND ORCHID - Rose Pagonia blooms on the edge of the beaver pond. A wetland orchid that suffers from degradation of habitat and over collection.

POTD 6/25/23

Sun, 25 Jun 2023 09:00:00 GMT

BEAR WITH ME - Black Bear sniffing around for whatever might be around. We feed the birds, so we have to be careful not to attract hungry bears.

POTD 6/24/23

Sat, 24 Jun 2023 09:00:00 GMT

WASHING IT DOWN - A Northern Cardinal washes a sunflower seed in the bird bath.

POTD 6/23/23

Fri, 23 Jun 2023 09:00:00 GMT

BABY-BIRDATHON - Red Bellied Woodpecker feeds his fledgling chick. The baby birds are showing up to be fed.

POTD 6/22/23

Thu, 22 Jun 2023 09:00:00 GMT

SUSPECT - in the disappearance of Heron chicks. I hope it is a coincidence that the Bald Eagle was spotted at the beaver pond again and two young Heron chicks are no longer in their nest. They looked too young to fledge a few days ago - but, I hope they flew off the nest. Our naturalist friend told us about a decline in coastal Great Blue Heron rookeries--the cause thought to be the burgeoning eagle population. We have only seen a few eagles on the beaver pond in the 25+ years we have been here - and we are seeing them regularly lately.

POTD 6/21/23

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 09:00:00 GMT

SERVING SIZE MATTERS? - Male Baltimore Oriole gets a beak full of grape Jelly...but the nutrition facts may be hard for him to read upside down.

POTD 6/20/23

Tue, 20 Jun 2023 09:00:00 GMT

BEAVER POND - Several beavers out yesterday reminded me that it IS a beaver pond.

POTD 6/19/23

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 09:00:00 GMT

I THINK I CAN FLY - Heron chick flexes its' wings on the edge of the nest. The chicks grow quickly and the ones in this nest will be fledging soon.

POTD 6/18/23

Sun, 18 Jun 2023 09:00:00 GMT

BUTTERFLY ON LAUREL - An Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on blooming Mountain Laurel. Mountain Laurel Kalmilia latifolia is in the Heath Family and is blooming now in New Hampshire forests.

POTD 6/17/23

Sat, 17 Jun 2023 09:00:00 GMT

DOG WOODY - Wolf Eyes Dogwood blooms are a bright spot on the edge of the yard.

POTD 5/16/23

Fri, 16 Jun 2023 09:00:00 GMT

CARDINAL RULE - Google says a Cardinal rule is : A cardinal rule is one that is central and should not be broken. Okay, that's a lot of definitions. How exactly are they related? In most cases, cardinal means central or essential. It's a cardinal principle that you use it to describe words of behavior like rule or sin. But,. for a photographer - a Cardinal Rule is: if you see a Cardinal, take a picture! ;-)

POTD 6/15/23

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 09:00:00 GMT

EAGLE ON THE POND - While out checking on the Heron chicks, I spotted a Bald Eagle on the beaver pond. The beaver pond has gotten bigger over the 25 years we've lived here - and it is finally big enough to attract Eagles hunting alongside the Herons.

POTD 6/14/23

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 09:00:00 GMT

BEAK BATTLE - Heron chicks get into a beak battle while the parent pauses during a feeding session in the nest. Parent birds take turns feeding - and these chicks are big enough to be in the nest unattended while both parents hunt and bring food to the chicks.

POTD 6/13/23

Tue, 13 Jun 2023 09:00:00 GMT

WELL, THIS SUCKS! - Heron chick left in the nest while its' parents hunt, is caught in a rain squall with no cover. As the Heron chick grow, they are often in the nest without parents. This chick has no siblings to cuddle with in bad weather.

POTD 6/12/23

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 09:00:00 GMT

NEW DOOR - Winston, our neighbors' tortoise, likes his new door. We visited to check out the door in his new house.

POTD 6/11/23

Sun, 11 Jun 2023 09:00:00 GMT

IMPRESSIVE BEGGING - Heron chick puts on an impressive begging act as both parents in the nest usually means one of the parents is back with food. With only one chick in this nest, it is growing really quickly. Another Heron nest on the beaver pond has three chicks - all quite a bit smaller than this one.

POTD 6/10/23

Sat, 10 Jun 2023 09:00:00 GMT

FRUITY - Female Red-bellied Woodpecker favors the oranges over the suet on the same tree.

POTD 6/9/23

Fri, 09 Jun 2023 09:00:00 GMT

GROUNDED - Fledgling Grackle huddles in the undergrowth. It could only manage to get a foot off the ground flying...and rested in the brush to get more altitude later.

POTD 6/8/23

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 09:00:00 GMT

THANK YOU? - A male Baltimore Oriole gobbles grape jelly - and is caught in an open-mouthed pose as if he might be saying thank you.

POTD 6/7/23

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 09:00:00 GMT

BEAVER GROOMING - I don't shoot much video, even though my camera does it with the push of a button - more than 50 years as a still photographer, may be the reason? - but this beaver grooming on the beaver pond made me think a video would be a good POTD today. We mostly see the beavers swimming - so it is always nice to see them out of the water.

POTD 6/6/23

Tue, 06 Jun 2023 09:00:00 GMT

THE BETTER TO SEE YOU WITH - A Hermit Thrush on the trail to the beaver pond. Thrushes have unusually large eyes, an adaptation to their preferred habitat in the shady understory.

POTD 6/5/23

Mon, 05 Jun 2023 09:00:00 GMT

IT RAINED ;-) - After a bit of a dry spell - it rained on the Lupine leaves which also caught a maple tree whirligig (technically known as a samaras).

POTD 6/4/23

Sun, 04 Jun 2023 09:00:00 GMT

GIMME SHELTER - Heron chick snuggles under its' parent on a cold, rainy June day. Probably fortunate to be in a one-chick nest (not common) to get undivided attention and more space protected from the weather.

POTD 6/3/23

Sat, 03 Jun 2023 09:00:00 GMT

PEEPER - With nice early Summer weather, we've been spending lots of time in the yard. Several times in the past few days, we have looked up to see this bear just off the edge of the yard - looking for us to leave a bird feeder unattended. I use the birds so often for the POTD - it is a pain to have to keep the feeders in because of this cute, but annoying, bear.

POTD 6/2/23

Fri, 02 Jun 2023 09:00:00 GMT

RED! - Male Cardinal at the bird bath. Now that IS red!

POTD 6/1/23

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 09:00:00 GMT

COOL CHICKS - Very young American Woodcock chicks scurry across the road on their short legs and big feet.

POTD 5/31/23

Wed, 31 May 2023 09:00:00 GMT

OFF TO WORK - Heron leaves the nest with its mate staying behind with the chick. Parent birds share babysitting duties and trade off hunting and sitting in the nest.

POTD 5/29/23

Mon, 29 May 2023 09:00:00 GMT

BEAR WITH ME - Small Black Bear sneaking around the edge of the yard...looking for whatever it can sniff out.

POTD 5/30/23

Mon, 29 May 2023 09:00:00 GMT

GOOSEY - A family of Canada Geese on Mill Pond...an annual sight.

POTD 5/28/23

Sun, 28 May 2023 09:00:00 GMT

BUNCHES - Bunch Berry bloom on the trail to the beaver pond.

POTD 5/27/23

Sat, 27 May 2023 09:00:00 GMT

I'M TALKING TO YOU - Adult Heron seems to be telling the chick what's up.

POTD 5/26/23

Fri, 26 May 2023 09:00:00 GMT

STAR POWER - Eastern Starflower's (Trientalis borealis) tiny flowers, paired on thread-like stalks from star-shaped leaf whorls.

POTD 5/25/23

Thu, 25 May 2023 09:00:00 GMT

UP FOR SHARING? - A male Ruby-throated Hummingbird hovers as ants raid the hummer feeder.

POTD 5/24/23

Wed, 24 May 2023 09:00:00 GMT

OFF YOU GO - A Coltsfoot seed head releases a seed to the wind. Coltsfoot is among New England's earliest blooming wildflowers - so it's seeds are already blowing in the wind.

POTD 5/23/23

Tue, 23 May 2023 09:00:00 GMT

NEW BIG BIRD IN TOWN - The Great Blue Herons have been nesting on the beaver pond for many years - and late May is the time the Herons hatch their interesting (funny looking) chicks. While we were out watching the Heron chicks - we spotted a Great Egret - a new bird for the beaver pond.

POTD 5/22/23

Mon, 22 May 2023 09:00:00 GMT

LADIES IN WAITING - A trio of Pink Lady's Slippers (also known as Pink Moccasin Flowers) emerge into bloom along the path to the beaver pond. Lady Slippers are colony forming - so it is common to see them in groups.

POTD 5/21/23

Sun, 21 May 2023 09:00:00 GMT

NEW CHICK IN TOWN - A Heron chick, only a few days old, is big enough to be seen over the side of the nest. Hatching is often asynchronous, so chicks hatching at different times are not the same size - so we may see more chicks in this nest in a few days.

POTD 5/20/23

Sat, 20 May 2023 09:00:00 GMT

ON THE BLOOM - Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on Lilac bloom.

POTD 5/19/23

Fri, 19 May 2023 09:00:00 GMT

SPOTTED - Spotted Sandpiper on the beaver pond. Not a regular - but we have seen Sandpipers on the beaver pond in past years. Always on the lookout and love seeing different things. Patience is rewarded!

POTD 5/18/23

Thu, 18 May 2023 09:00:00 GMT

BABY'S BACK - Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird perched near the feeder. The males migrate back first - then the females arrive. We've seen the males' aerial courtship display several times since the females have come back.

POTD 5/17/23

Wed, 17 May 2023 09:00:00 GMT

SAPSUCKER - Female Yellow-bellied Sapsucker looking for water in a tree limb scar.

POTD 5/16/23

Tue, 16 May 2023 09:00:00 GMT

NEW LEAVES - Spring emerges in tiny new leaves on a Smoke Bush (Continus Coggygria). The billowy hairs that are attached to the flower clusters give it the smoke name.

POTD 5/15/23

Mon, 15 May 2023 09:00:00 GMT

DIG IN - Robins, Grackles, Blue Jays and Turkeys ate most of the mealworms we had to attract Bluebirds before the Bluebirds finally showed up...but we noticed Ms Bluebird hunting from a tree branch and returning with a large insect larvae of some kind. Happy to have so many things for the birds to eat.

POTD 5/14/23

Sun, 14 May 2023 09:00:00 GMT

ODD COUPLE - A pair of Purple Finches - the reddish colored male and the obviously not-purple female. Sexual dimorphism - when males and females of the same species look very different - often evolves with migration. More than three quarters of migratory birds are dimorphic, while more than three quarters of sedentary species are not.

POTD 5/13/23

Sat, 13 May 2023 09:00:00 GMT

WILD - Tiny blooms (Bluets) in the yard.

POTD 5/12/23

Fri, 12 May 2023 09:00:00 GMT

HE'S BACK - After several days of glimpses of them - we are finally seeing the Hummingbirds visiting the feeders more often. This male stayed at the feeder for a long time refueling.

POTD 5/11/23

Thu, 11 May 2023 09:00:00 GMT

KING OF THE POND - An Eastern Kingbird perched on a branch on the beaver pond. Kingbirds, in the Tyrant Flycatcher family, eat insects on the fly and are very territorial around their nests - attacking crows and other birds in it's territory.

POTD 5/10/23

Wed, 10 May 2023 09:00:00 GMT

ORIOLES RETURN - A pair or Baltimore Orioles is back again this year, lapping up the grape jelly. The male Orioles are SO spectacular and bright they get the most attention, but the female Orioles are beautiful, colorful birds too.

POTD 5/9/23

Tue, 09 May 2023 09:00:00 GMT

EXCITED to see a Bluebird cleaning house in a birdhouse just off our patio. We have been putting out mealworms especially to attract Bluebirds...and saw a pair checking out the house.

POTD 5/8/23

Mon, 08 May 2023 09:00:00 GMT

WE LOVE SPRING in the New Hampshire forest - as returning birds arrive very day. Rose-breasted Grosbeaks return on the same day (within 2) every year and the same day as Hummingbirds (our neighbor saw the first one today!). We'll see our first Hummer very soon. Love birding in Spring!

POTD 5/7/23

Sun, 07 May 2023 09:00:00 GMT

BIG WOODPECKER - We have been waiting to see the Pileated Woodpeckers again this Spring - and both of them showed up to celebrate my sister Pam's birthday. The female posing for photo.

POTD 5/6/23

Sat, 06 May 2023 09:00:00 GMT

READY FOR LOVE - Tom Turkey struts around the yard to impress his harem of hens. His persistence is amazing.

POTD 5/5/23

Fri, 05 May 2023 09:00:00 GMT

GRAND OPENING - A Painted Trillium bloom starts to open along the path to the beaver pond on a rainy New Hampshire day.

5/4/23

Thu, 04 May 2023 09:00:00 GMT

JUST LEAF IT HERE - Leaves are beginning to emerge on trees in southern New Hampshire. We love Spring in the forest.

POTD 5/3/23

Wed, 03 May 2023 09:00:00 GMT

BATH DAY - A rainy day in New Hampshire was the perfect day for this Chipping Sparrow to bathe in a small bird bath on the patio.

POTD 5/2/23

Tue, 02 May 2023 09:00:00 GMT

FEELING STUCK AND ALONE? - Adult Herons share incubation duties, so I don't know if this is a male or female Great Blue Heron...sitting on a nest on the beaver pond. Incubation of eggs can take up to three weeks - so there is a lot of sitting on the nest - and this Heron makes me think it is not always so fun.

POTD 5/1/23

Mon, 01 May 2023 09:00:00 GMT

FEATHER YOUR NEST - A Canada Goose plucks down feathers to line her nest on the beaver pond. I noticed her on a nest on an abandoned beaver lodge pile - and later saw her adding the feathers she was plucking to the nest.

POTD 4/30/23

Sun, 30 Apr 2023 09:00:00 GMT

ORANGE YOU GLAD - Female Red-bellied Woodpecker enjoying the oranges we put out in anticipation of Orioles returning in early May. We found several bird species - especially woodpeckers - go to the oranges we put out to attract Baltimore Orioles who are known to like oranges.

POTD 4/29/23

Sat, 29 Apr 2023 09:00:00 GMT

FIRST FOREST WILDFLOWER - A single Sessile Bellwort (also called Wild Oats) along the trail to the beaver pond - is the first forest wildflower to emerge this Spring. We'll watch for more as Spring continues in New Hampshire.

POTD 4/28/23

Fri, 28 Apr 2023 09:00:00 GMT

TOWHEE - Eastern Towhee kicking around in the leaf litter for insects.

POTD 4/27/23

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 09:00:00 GMT

JUST VISITING - An immature Heron comes in for a landing above an adult Heron sitting on the nest on the beaver pond. Young Herons frequently return to to their hatching area and this Heron could have hatched in this very nest last year.

POTD 4/26/23

Wed, 26 Apr 2023 09:00:00 GMT

TURTLE LOVE - A Painted Turtle basks in the sun on the beaver pond...another sign of Spring in New Hampshire.

POTD 4/25/23

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 09:00:00 GMT

KEEPING A LOW PROFILE - Canada Goose lays flat on her nest on a small pile of sticks on the beaver pond. Geese frequently use abandoned beaver lodge piles to nest on, for the protection they provide being surrounded by water.

POTD 4/24/23

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 09:00:00 GMT

MORE BIRDS EVERY DAY - Our forest yard is alive with more bird species coming back every day. Cute White-throated Sparrow is one of the new arrivals on the patio.

POTD 4/23/23

Sun, 23 Apr 2023 09:00:00 GMT

REGAL EAGLE - We spotted an eagle on Mill Pond - near our house - and then noticed there were two eagles. This mature one and an immature one also. We are seeing lots of Spring birds returning - and happy to see the eagles using the ponds near us.

POTD 4/22/23

Sat, 22 Apr 2023 09:00:00 GMT

FIRST BUTTERFLY - You know it is Spring when you see a butterfly...An American Lady butterfly - in the Bushroot Family. Early to see one - as the field guide says May-Oct.

POTD 4/21/23

Fri, 21 Apr 2023 09:00:00 GMT

WARBLER RETURN - Palm Warbler at the beaver pond. All wood warblers are highly migratory - with some individuals nesting in northern Alaska and wintering in central Brazil - over 7,000 miles away. Another sure sign of Spring is warblers on the beaver pond....

POTD 4/20/23

Thu, 20 Apr 2023 11:54:56 GMT

4/20 HAIRDO - A female Common Merganser displaying her crested rufous hairdo on Island Pond.

POTD 4/19/23

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 09:00:00 GMT

UNWELCOMING - Male Cardinal seems not to be very welcoming at the feeder. Chickadees are year-round at our house - and the Cardinal has just returned from the winter elsewhere. Multiple feeders in the yard ensures they will figure it out before long.

POTD 4/18/23

Tue, 18 Apr 2023 09:00:00 GMT

GETTIN' SPRING COLORS ON - Male Goldfinch molting into bright yellow breeding colors. Goldfinches molt all their body feathers (not wing or tail feathers) in Spring with males transforming into the showy yellow and black colors they need for courtship.

POTD 4/17/23

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 09:00:00 GMT

OUT ON A LIMB - Herons are claiming nests on the beaver pond and perching on the edges when challenged for an occupied nest.

POTD 4/16/23

Sun, 16 Apr 2023 09:00:00 GMT

DETERMINATION - Daffodils push through heavy leaf cover to bloom on the edge of our forest yard. Spring has a way of pushing through the weather to shine!

POTD 4/15/23

Sat, 15 Apr 2023 09:00:00 GMT

I'LL STICK MY NECK OUT ON THIS ONE - Heron postures above a nest it's claiming. Male Herons usually arrive first to claim any nest still standing on the beaver pond - to keep from having to build a new one from scratch.

POTD 4/14/23

Fri, 14 Apr 2023 09:00:00 GMT

COLOR TODAY IS RED - Emerging Maple buds and male Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker showing red on a bright Spring day in New Hampshire. More than one male Sapsucker drummed territorially to establish their spot of the woods.

POTD 4/13/23

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 09:00:00 GMT

SPRING FLOWERS - Blooming Crocus are a bright patch of Spring.

POTD 4/12/23

Wed, 12 Apr 2023 09:00:00 GMT

THE MERGANSERS - Two male Common Mergansers, among a larger flock, on Island Pond. Mergansers are long-lined slender bodied diving ducks that prefer wooded lakes, ponds and rivers.

POTD 4/11/23

Tue, 11 Apr 2023 09:00:00 GMT

BAFFLED BEAR? - The Squirrel baffle would not stop the bear - but there were no feeders on the hook when the bear was checking it out. We've seen bears in the yard for the past several days - so we have had to discontinue feeding the birds, even in the daytime.

POTD 4/10/23

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 09:00:00 GMT

EASTER DEER - The neighborhood deer showed up on the edge of the yard on Easter.

POTD 4/9/23

Sun, 09 Apr 2023 09:00:00 GMT

BEAR-LY SPRING - A young Black Bear comes sniffing into the yard...while we were in the hot tub ;-) ...looking for something to eat after a long winter. We are careful that the bears don't find food in our yard...so as not to be an attraction for them.

POTD 4/8/23

Sat, 08 Apr 2023 09:00:00 GMT

DONE WITH THE ICE - A Canada Goose squawks about ice on the pond. The ice is finally receding on ponds and waterfowl are showing up for Spring.

POTD 4/7/23

Fri, 07 Apr 2023 09:00:00 GMT

THEY ARE BACK - Of the five active Heron nests last season - only two of them survived. There are Herons staking their claim to both of the remaining nests. Happy to see Herons back again this season.

POTD 4/6/23

Thu, 06 Apr 2023 09:00:00 GMT

ITTY BIT OF OPEN WATER - Great Blue Herons have returned to find most of the ponds still ice-covered. This Heron hunts in the narrow strip of open water along the shore of Island Pond.

POTD 4/5/23

Wed, 05 Apr 2023 09:00:00 GMT

BUFFLES ARE BACK - A pair of Bufflehead ducks on Mill Pond - as Spring continues to sneak up on New Hampshire.

POTD 4/4/23

Tue, 04 Apr 2023 09:00:00 GMT

GOTTA LOOK MY BEST - Turkey hen shimmies off lots of trail dust in front Tom Turkey...just to look her best? ;-)

POTD 4/3/23

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 09:00:00 GMT

OH DEER, IT'S FOGGY - Young deer checks me out as warm temperatures over the snow cover made for a foggy day.

POTD 4/2/23

Sun, 02 Apr 2023 09:00:00 GMT

SPRING COMES THROUGH - Daffodils emerge through a spot of melted snow as Spring comes in slowly in New Hampshire.

POTD 4/1/23

Sat, 01 Apr 2023 09:00:00 GMT

ROWDY GUESTS - A flock of Common Grackles has descended on the bird feeders in the yard. Grackles are large, strong and opportunistic, which makes it difficult for other birds...except the ones under the feeder catching the spills.

POTD 3/31/23

Fri, 31 Mar 2023 09:00:00 GMT

LIP LICKING - Male Red Bellied Woodpecker after getting a drink. The woodpeckers are here year-round - and now have to compete with a flock of Grackles that have returned with Spring weather.

POTD 3/30/23

Thu, 30 Mar 2023 09:00:00 GMT

MORE SPRING EVERY DAY - Spotted a solitary Crocus on the edge of the yard. Seeing more signs of Spring in New Hampshire every day.

POTD 3/29/23

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 09:00:00 GMT

SINGIN' A SPRING SONG - A Robin speaks up about a spring-like day in New Hampshire.

POTD 3/28/23

Tue, 28 Mar 2023 09:00:00 GMT

TAKE A WALK - Inspired by an Opinion Essay in the New York Times titled Whatever the Problem, It's Probably Solved by Walking and a beautiful, sunny day in New Hampshire - we took a long walk. Everything DID seem better (after the post-walk hot tub ;-)!

POTD 3/27/23

Mon, 27 Mar 2023 09:00:00 GMT

EARLY TO THE DANCE - A Great Blue Heron found some open water on Cranberry Bog in Peterborough. The beaver pond behind our property is still ice covered - so the Herons won't be settling in on that pond for a while.

POTD 3/26/23

Sun, 26 Mar 2023 09:00:00 GMT

DISPLAY DISADVANTAGE? - Two Tom Turkeys have been regular (daily) visitors in our yard - and we noticed right away that one of them did not have the typical male tail feathers. We named him "No Tail" and he seemed to get along fine not having tail feathers. Now that the strutting season is here...and his buddy has a fully formed, glorious tail feather fan...they are starting to display for the attention of the females. Some turkey articles implied that female turkeys may prefer mating with males with longer snoods - no mention of attraction to flashy tail fans. We'll watch to see if No Tail can hold his own with the hens - without a flashy fan.

POTD 3/25/23

Sat, 25 Mar 2023 09:00:00 GMT

HOODIES BACK - Most of the area lakes and ponds are still ice covered, but the migrating waterfowl know it is "time" to be coming through southern New Hampshire. I spotted a group of Hooded Mergansers on a little open water on Cranberry Bog in Peterborough - these two males stood out.

POTD 3/24/23

Fri, 24 Mar 2023 09:00:00 GMT

SPRING THING - Seeing more signs of Spring every day and got a glimpse of the first Robin of the season yesterday. It was scratching in the tiny spots of bare ground - since we still have several inches of snow on the ground everywhere.

POTD 3/23/23

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 09:00:00 GMT

MORE SPRING - Male Mallard showing Spring colors on the second day of Spring.

POTD 3/22/23

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 09:00:00 GMT

FIRST TURTLE SIGHTING - First day of Spring and I saw my first turtles of the year - this pair of Painted Turtles sunning. We still have a foot of snow on the ground...so any signs of Spring are VERY welcome.

POTD 3/21/23

Tue, 21 Mar 2023 09:00:00 GMT

BIG BITE - Male Red Bellied Woodpecker getting a big bite at the suet feeder.

POTD 3/20/23

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 09:00:00 GMT

TWO GIRLS FOR EVERY BOY- This flock of all female Evening Grosbeaks reminded me of the 1963 Jan & Dean song "Surf City"...where there were "two girls for very boy". The odds are considerably better for males in this Grosbeak flock...maybe 10 to 1.

POTD 3/19/23

Sun, 19 Mar 2023 09:00:00 GMT

TOUGH DRIVEWAY - We love living on a mountain....most of the time. The 36" of early Spring snow we had this week was too much for the plow for several days. We finally got this cleared out Saturday morning - with snowblowers, shovels, my neighbor's tractor and finally my plow truck - from the storm that started Tuesday..

POTD 3/18/23

Sat, 18 Mar 2023 09:00:00 GMT

ANOTHER CREEPER PHOTO - We've been digging out from over 30" of heavy, wet snow. Stuck on the mountain for another day..but the birds are around ...and we enjoy watching them, even with snow blocking our driveway. ;-)

POTD 3/17/23

Fri, 17 Mar 2023 09:00:00 GMT

NOT FIT FOR MAN NOR BEAST - A Redwing Blackbird in the snow. It was a nasty late winter snow that dumped 34" of heavy wet snow...power outages everywhere. We are happy to be on the other side of this storm.

POTD 3/16/23

Thu, 16 Mar 2023 09:00:00 GMT

ALMOST MISSED THIS ONE - We had a BIG NorEaster blow through...and the 34" of heavy wet snow was more than our plow and other snow equipment could handle. Thank goodness for good neighbors. Finally got Internet back - still waiting for power (running on generator, thankfully). Snow is waist deep...;-(

POTD 3/15/23

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 09:00:00 GMT

MORE NATURE THAN WE COULD HANDLE - 24" of heavy, wet snow was more than my plow truck could handle. My neighbor Keith worked down our driveway with his tractor - but we're still snowed in on the mountain with only generator power!

POTD 3/14/23

Tue, 14 Mar 2023 09:00:00 GMT

OFFA' MY CLOUD - A couple of Evening Grosbeaks discourage a third from joining them on the feeder.

POTD 3/13/23

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 09:00:00 GMT

GRACKLES BACK - Migrating Common Grackles are back. The large, strong and aggressive birds sometimes have a bad reputation for disruptive behavior at the feeders - but it does not have to detract from their iridescent splendor.

POTD 3/12/23

Sun, 12 Mar 2023 09:00:00 GMT

LIPSTICK SUNSET - A great John Hiatt song and apt description for the last night's sunset.

POTD 3/11/23

Sat, 11 Mar 2023 10:00:00 GMT

CREEPY, AGAIN - The small, camouflaged Brown Creeper is a regular visitor - but hard to spot and known for swiftly climbing up trees to fly to the base of another tree - so hard to photograph. We love the little fella - and try for a photo every time it is around.

POTD 3/10/23

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 10:00:00 GMT

OH, DEER! - Deep, crusty snow is making it difficult for the deer. Three beautiful, young deer were hanging out on the edge of our yard, waiting for a chance to sneak in to lick up the bird seed we put out for the turkeys that visit our yard every day..

POTD 3/9/23

Thu, 09 Mar 2023 10:00:00 GMT

SQUIRREL CAGE - A cute Red Squirrel takes advantage of a cage seeder it can reach.

POTD 3/8/23

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 10:00:00 GMT

WARMLY - A Birch leaf putting off enough warmth to melt into the snow. Late winter has interesting weather situations...

POTD 3/7/23

Tue, 07 Mar 2023 10:00:00 GMT

MORE GROSBEAKS? - I try to have variety in my Picture of the Day selections - but it has been such an unusual year to have a flock of Evening Grosbeaks as daily visitors all winter - my lens has been drawn to the colorful birds. Gregarious flock birds - they jostle for spots at crowded feeders and are entertaining to watch and photograph.

POTD 3/6/23

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 10:00:00 GMT

A LOVELY DAY ON MOUNTAIN POND

POTD 3/5/23

Sun, 05 Mar 2023 10:00:00 GMT

WE GOT SNOWED - After 13" of heavy wet snow - the Tufted Titmouse out the window is todays' POTD. Whew! Glad to have the driveway cleared! ;-)

POTD 3/4/23

Sat, 04 Mar 2023 10:00:00 GMT

BIG BEAK - A large beak like a grosbeak's is designed for cracking large and hard seeds. The real key to being able to crack hard seeds is stronger jaw muscles. Larger and stronger muscles require a wider, stronger jaw and also require a larger, reinforced bill to withstand the extra bite force generated by the larger muscles. This female Evening Grosbeak cracks sunflower seeds at the feeder.

POTD 3/3/23

Fri, 03 Mar 2023 10:00:00 GMT

FUNKY - It was funky today - and not the cool music kind of funky - more like the deep slush on the driveway funky with someplace to go! So the picture today is an Amaryillis bloom. Minerva is a late bloomer. All of the other Christmas Amaryillis flowers have long since bloomed. This one waited for a funky March day.

POTD 3/2/23

Thu, 02 Mar 2023 10:00:00 GMT

SCENIC MONADNOCK - Monadnock Mountain is the scenic backdrop in our area of southern New Hampshire.

POTD 3/1/23

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 10:00:00 GMT

WOODPECKER - Male Red-bellied Woodpecker works bark on maple tree.

POTD 2/28/23

Tue, 28 Feb 2023 10:00:00 GMT

WINTER - After several days of above average temperatures, Winter returned - with freezing temps and plowable snow. Welcome back Winter...Thanks Phil ;-)

POTD 2/27/23

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 10:00:00 GMT

TOM FACE - In a bit of a lull in bird watching in our yard before the songbirds come back in Spring...a couple of Tom Turkeys have been regulars...scrounging under the bird feeders and harassing each other like brothers would. They are entertaining - until they peck the window at their reflection. ;-)

POTD 2/26/23

Sun, 26 Feb 2023 10:00:00 GMT

FLAKEY - Evening Grosbeak takes a meal in the snow.

POTD 2/25/23

Sat, 25 Feb 2023 10:00:00 GMT

DIGGING DEEP - Tufted Titmouse leans into a small basket feeder to extract just the right seed.

POTD 2/24/23

Fri, 24 Feb 2023 10:00:00 GMT

CREEPER - Small and camouflaged, the Brown Creeper gets it's name from it's habit of climbing up trees, hugging the bark, peering under bark scales and into furrows to find and extract tiny spiders, insects and eggs.

POTD 2/23/23

Thu, 23 Feb 2023 10:00:00 GMT

NUTHATCHES cling to the bark with their feet and can move in any direction, often hanging head down as this male White-breasted Nuthatch is perched. Male and female Nuthatches look quite similar in every way, but can be told from one another by the color of the crown - the female's is gray and the male has a shiny black crown.

POTD 2/22/23

Wed, 22 Feb 2023 10:00:00 GMT

BE NICE - Evening Grosbeaks spar for position at the feeder. The Grosbeaks are flock birds, but they enforce a "pecking order" as they feed in groups.

POTD 2/21/23

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 10:00:00 GMT

SPRING IT TO ME - Spring is so exciting for nature lovers....when the migrating birds pass through and the plants spring up. We saw this pair of Common Mergansers cruising on the Contoocook River yesterday. Happy to see the first waterfowl showing up.

POTD 2/20/23

Mon, 20 Feb 2023 10:00:00 GMT

EARLY ARRIVALS? - Purple Finches showed up at the feeders. They are short distance migrants and these are the first we have seen. Maybe bringing early Spring?

POTD 2/19/3

Sun, 19 Feb 2023 10:00:00 GMT

HEY RED - One of our favorite birds - the confusingly named Red-Bellied Woodpecker - with his bright red head.

POTD 2/18/23

Sat, 18 Feb 2023 10:00:00 GMT

HIGH TAILIN' IT - I've always been interested in the origin of folksy sayings....and I think the little deer leaving our yard is demonstrating the "high tailin' it" saying.

POTD 2/17/23

Fri, 17 Feb 2023 10:00:00 GMT

THINKING SPRING - We've had unusually warm weather in New Hampshire this week and the blooming Hyacinth bulbs (we forced) have us thinking about Spring on the way.

POTD 2/16/23

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 10:00:00 GMT

BUBBLES IN THE BROOK - Between seasons at the beaver pond...still frozen, so the wildlife is scarce. I'm always watching for patterns in nature.

POTD 2/15/23

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 10:00:00 GMT

BEAVER POND IN BLUE - Afternoon shadows on the beaver pond. Blue skies and blue shadows.

POTD 2/14/23

Tue, 14 Feb 2023 10:00:00 GMT

CREEPY - Brown Creeper works the trunk of a maple tree. Creepers - hard to see and hard to photograph - are Vic's favorite bird.

POTD 2/13/22

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 10:00:00 GMT

BRING YOUR FRIENDS - We have been enjoying sightings of a cute, small deer in the yard - so it was nice to see others joining the yard party.

POTD 2/12/23

Sun, 12 Feb 2023 10:00:00 GMT

PUDDLE PATTERN - I'm drawn to patterns in nature...like patterns in a puddle. Natural art is the best.

POTD 2/11/23

Sat, 11 Feb 2023 10:00:00 GMT

SKY HIGH - Clouds and big wind for the weekend.

POTD 2/10/23

Fri, 10 Feb 2023 10:00:00 GMT

HELP YOURSELF - Young deer strips the last of the leaves from a Rhododendron in our yard. Persistent snow cover has forest deer looking for food where they can find it...including the plants in our yard.

POTD 2/9/23

Thu, 09 Feb 2023 10:00:00 GMT

BLUE SKY BIRCH - It's great to have a winter blue sky day...and always a good idea to look up on the way back from the beaver pond.

POTD 2/8/23

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 10:00:00 GMT

IMITATION HIGHEST FORM OF FLATTERY - Male Downy Woodpecker...looks like a mini-me of the larger Hairy Woodpecker. Recent research supports the idea that the smaller species (the Downy) can benefit when other birds mistake it for a larger species (the Hairy Woodpecker). In other words, the Downy Woodpecker fools the other birds and gets a higher position in the pecking order by pretending to be a Hairy Woodpecker.

POTD 2/7/23

Tue, 07 Feb 2023 10:00:00 GMT

MY DEER - Young deer interrupted scrounging for spilled bird seed under the feeders. Very cold temperatures and lingering snow cover are bringing the deer into our yard more than usual.

POTD 2/6/23

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 10:00:00 GMT

JEEPERS CREEPER - Brown Creeper works along the trunk of a maple tree. Audubon field guide says the Creeper "looks like a wren, sings like a warbler, climbs trees like a woodpecker"...starting at the bottom of the trunk, probing the bark with it's slender bill.

POTD 2/5/23

Sun, 05 Feb 2023 10:00:00 GMT

PUFFY - Black Capped Chickadee puffed up against the record cold temperatures in New Hampshire. Birds puff their feathers to add extra insulation when it is cold.

POTD 2/4/23

Sat, 04 Feb 2023 10:00:00 GMT

BLOOMING COLD - With "once in a generation" record-low wind chill outside...the Christmas Cactus bloom in the greenhouse seemed like a good POTD subject for the day.

POTD 2/3/23

Fri, 03 Feb 2023 10:00:00 GMT

QUIET BEFORE THE COLD - Not much happening on the hill as we (and the wildlife) prepare for double-digit below zero wind chills. The Evening Grosbeak flock has dwindled to just a few - from the more than 20 earlier in the winter. This female Evening Grosbeak was one of the only birds in sight yesterday.

POTD 2/2/23

Thu, 02 Feb 2023 10:00:00 GMT

SQUIRRELS ALLOWED - Cute Red Squirrel gathering seeds under the bird feeders.

POTD 2/1/23

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 10:00:00 GMT

OH MOON - Waxing moon...

POTD 1/31/23

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 10:00:00 GMT

LOOKIN' FOR LOVE - Tom Turkey has a look of frustration as mating season is coming soon and he is stuck cruising the yard with another Tom! His chances at love are certain to improve as Spring comes around.

POTD 1/30/23

Mon, 30 Jan 2023 10:00:00 GMT

WATER & ICE - A few warm days, a little snow melt and the brook is making ice formations on every overhanging branch.

POTD 1/29/23

Sun, 29 Jan 2023 10:00:00 GMT

PEEPING TOMS - Two Tom Turkeys peer into our bedroom window. They are not interested in what we are doing inside - but are defending their territory from the turkeys they see reflected in the windows. They are driving the cats crazy. ;-)

POTD 1/28/23

Sat, 28 Jan 2023 10:00:00 GMT

FINALLY SKY - After several back-to-back snow storms that caused power outages and lots of clean-up work, we finally had some blue sky to enjoy. Add a "photo cloud" or two and I'm happy.

POTD 1/27/23

Fri, 27 Jan 2023 10:00:00 GMT

SNOW CHICK - Chickadee among the snow-covered branches. A heavy, wet snow covered every branch with thick, heavy snow...causing limbs to break and power outages for thousands - but it turned the area into a winter wonderland.

POTD 1/26/23

Thu, 26 Jan 2023 10:00:00 GMT

WINTER WONDERLAND - With back-to-back snow storms, we are in a winter wonderland in New Hampshire. Snow shoes are the recommended footwear.

POTD 1/25/23

Wed, 25 Jan 2023 10:00:00 GMT

HUNKERED DOWN - After 24 hours with no electricity, we are thankful to live in an earth-sheltered bunker to weather the storm (also thankful to have a generator, we are more fortunate than most during these power knock-out storms).

POTD 1/24/23

Tue, 24 Jan 2023 10:00:00 GMT

WINTER SKY - Winter weather in New Hampshire.

POTD 1/23/23

Mon, 23 Jan 2023 10:00:00 GMT

PRETTY BIRD - Female Evening Grosbeak graces the feeder hook.

POTD 1/22/23

Sun, 22 Jan 2023 10:00:00 GMT

SNOW DOVE - Mourning Dove in the snow.

POTD 1/21/23

Sat, 21 Jan 2023 10:00:00 GMT

WINTER WONDERLAND - It snowed! ;-)

POTD 1/20/23

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 10:00:00 GMT

WINTER TACTIC - Turkey standing on one leg. Birds' legs have an adaptation called "rete mirabile" that minimizes heat loss. The arteries that transport warm blood into the legs lie in contact with the veins that return colder blood to the bird's heart. The arteries warm the veins. Because the veins also cool the arteries, the bird’s feet are closer to environmental temperature and thus don’t lose as much heat as they would if they were at body temperature. And by standing on one leg, a bird reduces by half the amount of heat lost through unfeathered limbs.

POTD 1/19/23

Thu, 19 Jan 2023 10:00:00 GMT

BUSYBODIES - David Allen Sibley calls Chickadees the busybodies of the forest, peering into crevices, exploring tangles, studying twigs and pine cones and constantly chattering about it. When they aren't nesting, chickadees are quite social, and travel in small groups of up to ten birds.

POTD 1/18/23

Wed, 18 Jan 2023 10:00:00 GMT

BIRDS OF A FEATHER - We have enjoyed the flock of Evening Grosbeaks in our yard this winer. They are not common visitors to our area and their irruption this year is, according to our friend, naturalist Meade Cadot, tied directly to the current outbreak of Spruce (and fir) Budworm in Canada and northern Maine. Lack of food in their usual territory has Evening Grosbeaks in southern New Hampshire this year.

POTD 1/17/23

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 10:00:00 GMT

OH SUNSET - Cherry tree in the yard makes a familiar foreground for a spectacular sunset. According to Google search: As the sun dips down over the horizon, sunlight has to pass through a thicker layer of the atmosphere compared to the daytime. This causes the blue light that is seen during the daytime to be scattered away from our eyes, allowing more orange and red light to pass through. I'll take a little purple with mine, thank you! ;-)

POTD 1/16/23

Mon, 16 Jan 2023 10:00:00 GMT

TITMOUSE - Titmice are closely related to Chickadees and share feeder behavior with them of carrying food from the feeder to be consumed on another perch. It is common to see them fly to a feeder, sort through the seeds for a second or two, then select one and fly back to the woods to eat it or hide it. While sorting they are judging the weight, as a way of guessing the fat content to get the one with the most nutrition for the effort.

POTD 1/15/23

Sun, 15 Jan 2023 10:00:00 GMT

BROOK ICE - Ice forms interesting shapes above the brook from the beaver pond.

POTD 1/14/22

Sat, 14 Jan 2023 10:00:00 GMT

GOOD EVENING - Male Evening Grosbeak. Evening Grosbeaks are actually large Finches...and Finches are well known for their strong tendency to roam. It has been a big year for Evening Grosbeaks in our area...due to a bird phenomenon known as an irruption..when birds become abundant in areas where they have been uncommon or rare for several years due to food shortages in their normal territory.

POTD 1/13/23

Fri, 13 Jan 2023 10:00:00 GMT

JADED - Our decades-old Jade plant is blooming in the greenhouse.

POTD 1/12/23

Thu, 12 Jan 2023 10:00:00 GMT

PICKY EATER - Chickadee with a black sunflower seed. Chickadees, unlike some other small birds (like finches) can't eat sitting at the feeder and need to take their seed to a branch to crack open the seed to eat it. Because of the energy required to leave the feeder to eat the seed, Chickadees are very particular about which seed they choose. This Chickadee picked up several seeds before settling on the heaviest one to take to the branch to crack.

POTD 1/11/23

Wed, 11 Jan 2023 10:00:00 GMT

NEW YEAR SUNRISE - Always a good morning with bright red clouds.

POTD 1/10/23

Tue, 10 Jan 2023 10:00:00 GMT

BROOK ICE - Combine some warm day temperatures for snow melt with some cold overnight temperatures - the result is ice forming on overhanging branches on the brook.

POTD 1/9/23

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 10:00:00 GMT

NIGHT OWL - We had an evening visitor...a Barred Owl looking for a meal around our yard feeders.

POTD 1/8/23

Sun, 08 Jan 2023 10:00:00 GMT

FROSTING ON TOP - New Ipswich Mountain with a frosting of snow.

POTD 1/7/23

Sat, 07 Jan 2023 10:00:00 GMT

GIMME SHELTER - Chickadees choose the feeder with a roof during our first snow of 2023.

POTD 1/6/23

Fri, 06 Jan 2023 10:00:00 GMT

SHOWY BLOOM - The Apple Blossom Amaryllis has bloomed and the large, open bloom has the flowers' private parts exposed. The Stamen - the hot dog-shaped "guys" covered in yellow pollen and the Pistil - the white, open-looking, three tipped "girl".

POTD 1/5/23

Thu, 05 Jan 2023 10:00:00 GMT

FOGGY ISLAND POND - Warm temperatures made fog over the ice on Island Pond.

POTD 1/4/23

Wed, 04 Jan 2023 10:00:00 GMT

DAY DRINKING - Red-Bellied Woodpecker licks his "lips" after drinking at a tree well. A warm stretch of weather has the birds heading for drinking spots.

POTD 1/3/23

Tue, 03 Jan 2023 10:00:00 GMT

NEW YEAR MOON - Moon approaching full in the New Year.

POTD 1/2/23

Mon, 02 Jan 2023 10:00:00 GMT

BELLY SHOWING - Male Red-bellied Woodpecker with just a hint of his namesake red belly showing.

POTD 1/1/23

Sun, 01 Jan 2023 10:00:00 GMT

MELTING - An unusual warm stretch has melted snow on the ice on the beaver pond. It was a warm, foggy exit for the year 2022.

POTD 12/31/22

Sat, 31 Dec 2022 10:00:00 GMT

OAK IN ICE - Oak leaf in a frozen puddle. Happy New Year!

POTD 12/30/22

Fri, 30 Dec 2022 10:00:00 GMT

NEW BEGINNING SUNRISE - Bright red sunrise heralds bright prospects for the New Year ahead.

POTD 12/29/22

Thu, 29 Dec 2022 10:00:00 GMT

NICE ICE - When water on the brook from the beaver pond gets high interesting ice formations are formed on overhanging branches.

POTD 12/28/22

Wed, 28 Dec 2022 10:00:00 GMT

DUDE WITH THE SNOOD - Male Turkey showing his drooping snood. A snood is a fleshy protuberance above a male turkey's bill that can, in some cases, hang down and cover the bill. It seems the Winter Solstice and longer days have the male turkeys thinking about mating and this turkey's snood (and bright red bow tie) may be giving his thoughts away.

POTD 12/27/22

Tue, 27 Dec 2022 10:00:00 GMT

ABSTRACT ICE - Moving water and very cold temperatures...patterns in frozen puddles.

POTD 12/26/22

Mon, 26 Dec 2022 10:00:00 GMT

LIT UP FOR CHRISTMAS - Colorful sunset adds to the drama of our barn Christmas lights. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

POTD 12/25/22

Sun, 25 Dec 2022 10:00:00 GMT

BIRD LONG JOHNS - Hairy Woodpecker shows her puffy feathered upper legs. Bitter cold Christmas Eve in New Hampshire made everyone have as much coverage as possible.

POTD 12/24/22

Sat, 24 Dec 2022 10:00:00 GMT

OK...WINTER IS HERE - Icicles on the barn. We didn't need the Winter Solstice to remind us that Winter is here. ;-)

POTD 12/23/22

Fri, 23 Dec 2022 10:00:00 GMT

SNOWBIRD IN SNOW - Slate colored Junco braves the snow. Juncos are called Snowbirds because they show up in winter with the snow.

POTD 12/22/22

Thu, 22 Dec 2022 10:00:00 GMT

BIRD FEEDER - A Turkey hen helps herself to sunflower seeds in the bird feeder. Deep show made the feeder accessible to the turkeys.

POTD 12/21/22

Wed, 21 Dec 2022 10:00:00 GMT

HELP YOURSELF TO THE LANDSCAPE PLANTS - The recent heavy snow has the area deer working our yard - eating whatever is still green (Rhododendron and Mountain Laurel) and scrounging under the bird feeders.

POTD 12/20/22

Tue, 20 Dec 2022 10:00:00 GMT

WINTER SCENE in southern New Hampshire after the first big snow storm of the winter.

POTD 12/19/22

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 10:00:00 GMT

MONADNOCK CLOUDS - Billowing clouds over snow-covered Grand Monadnock Mountain Sunday.

POD 12/18/22

Sun, 18 Dec 2022 10:00:00 GMT

HIP DEEP ON A WILD TURKEY - A Turkey hen wades through snow during the Friday/Saturday snow storm that dumped 17 inches on us. Enough already! ;-)

POTD 12/17/22

Sat, 17 Dec 2022 10:00:00 GMT

NOT EVERYONE is lovey Dovey about our first big snowfall. Most of us thought a foot of heavy, wet snow is for the birds. ;-)

POTD 12/16/22

Fri, 16 Dec 2022 10:00:00 GMT

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE - Our neighbors on Timbertop Road have decorated the apple trees in their yard.

POTD 12/15/22

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 10:00:00 GMT

LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS - We were SO happy to participate in the second annual Luminary Walk at Hampshire Country School Wednesday evening. More than 450 luminaries lighted the schools' drive - celebrating the holidays of the season and honoring those we miss.

POTD 12/14/22

Wed, 14 Dec 2022 10:00:00 GMT

WORKING THE CRACKS - A male Downy Woodpecker works the branches of a white birch tree hunting for larvae. Downy woodpeckers are frequent visitors to the suet we put out, but also routinely feed on beetle larvae, chiseled out of limbs and branches.

POTD 12/13/22

Tue, 13 Dec 2022 10:00:00 GMT

NOT JUST EVENING - Evening Grosbeaks at a feeder. We have been enjoying a visiting flock of Evening Grosbeaks - as they are irregular visitors to our neighborhood and we don't see the pretty Finches often.

POTD 12/12/22

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 10:00:00 GMT

HAWK EYE - A Cooper's Hawk spots me as it looks for prey at bird feeders in our yard. A small to medium-sized hawk that feeds mainly on birds captured in flight, often stalking feeders in search of prey.

POTD 12/11/22

Sun, 11 Dec 2022 10:00:00 GMT

ICY PATTERNS - Patterns of ice freezing on the water surface are determined by wind direction, Coriolis forces from the Earth's rotation, and the position of landforms that interact with the currents. Surface wind-driven currents generate upwelling currents in conjunction with landforms, creating currents that affect the freezing on the surface. These patterns are on the pool below the dam on the beaver pond.

POTD 12/10/22

Sat, 10 Dec 2022 10:00:00 GMT

COLD MOON - The December full moon - the Cold Moon - looks pretty hot over North Pack Monadnock Mountain Thursday night.

POTD 12/9/22

Fri, 09 Dec 2022 10:00:00 GMT

KICKIN' UP ITS HEELS - A young deer bounces out of the yard...maybe happy hunting season has ended?

POTD 12/8/22

Thu, 08 Dec 2022 10:00:00 GMT

SEEING MIRROR - Bubbles in the brook - made into a mirror image in software. I've been fascinated with the effects of making photo mirror images since film and darkroom days and still think it makes fun visuals.

POTD 12/7/22

Wed, 07 Dec 2022 10:00:00 GMT

WAPACK SUNSET - A spectacular winter sunset over the Wapack Wilderness is reflected in Mountain Pond.

POTD 12/6/22

Tue, 06 Dec 2022 10:00:00 GMT

GOT THROUGH ANOTHER ONE - Tom Turkey keeps a wary eye out...having made it through another Thanksgiving without ending up on a platter, you can't be too careful.

POTD 12/5/22

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 10:00:00 GMT

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY - Forgive the POTD departure from nature photos to this celebration photo of our 48th anniversary together. We celebrated with our friends...,here's to your happy holidays!

POTD 12/4/22

Sun, 04 Dec 2022 10:00:00 GMT

ORANGE YOU GLAD - Male Downey woodpecker at the orange in the suet holder. We put out oranges for the Orioles that come in the Spring - and learned that our year-round woodpeckers like the oranges and the bears don't bother them.

POTD 12/3/22

Sat, 03 Dec 2022 10:00:00 GMT

PUDDLE BUBBLES - Bubbles in a frozen puddle caught my eye yesterday.

POTD 12/2/22

Fri, 02 Dec 2022 10:00:00 GMT

EVENING GROSBEAK - We had been enjoying the flock of Evening Grosbeaks visiting our yard. This female is among a flock of 10 that has been at the feeders for several days now.

POTD 12/1/22

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 10:00:00 GMT

BARE TREES - Foggy winter days always remind me of the decades old Fleetwood Mac album, Bare Trees...and I had already shot the photo of the foggy forest yesterday when we learned of the passing of Fleetwood Mac keyboardist and singer Christine McVie. RIP Christine!

POTD 11/30/22

Wed, 30 Nov 2022 10:00:00 GMT

HALF MOON - Looking good - even half lit!

POTD 11/29/22

Tue, 29 Nov 2022 10:00:00 GMT

WINTER SKY - Grand Monadnock Mountain under a threatening winter sky - viewed from Barrett Mountain in New Ipswich.

POTD 11/28/22

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 10:00:00 GMT

GO CARDINALS - I grew up in the midwest - so the "local" major league baseball team was the St. Louis Cardinals. I photographed several Cardinals baseball games as a newspaper photographer in the 1980s. Now, I like the bird named Cardinal and enjoy thinking about the idea that seeing a Cardinal is a visit from someone you love who has passed away. We have a Cardinal family in the neighborhood, so we think about our loved ones often.

POTD 11/27/22

Sun, 27 Nov 2022 10:00:00 GMT

GETTING THE STINK EYE - Young deer gives me the "look" as it encounters the fencing we placed over the Hosta and other landscape plants the deer are coming into our yard to eat. The plants in our yard are apparently tastier than what's available in the forest - which is all around us.

POTD 11/26/22

Sat, 26 Nov 2022 10:00:00 GMT

EVENING VISITORS - A pair of Evening Grosbeaks visit the feeder. Evening Grosbeaks, actually overgrown Finches, are irregular winter visitors to our area from their principal range in Canada.

POTD 11/25/22

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 10:00:00 GMT

WINTER HAS ARRIVED AT THE BEAVER POND - With most of the beaver pond covered with a thin layer of ice, a cloudy winter sky is reflected in the open water near the shore.

POTD 11/24/22

Thu, 24 Nov 2022 10:00:00 GMT

WE LOVE THIS TREE - Not only for the great Summer shade umbrella it provides us over our yard - but the great silhouette it makes during Winter sunsets.

POTD 11/23/22

Wed, 23 Nov 2022 10:00:00 GMT

SPARROW CUTENESS - An immature White-throated Sparrow just getting its gold/yellow eyebrow.

POTD 11/22/22

Tue, 22 Nov 2022 10:00:00 GMT

LOVE THAT FACE - Ludobill the Duck has the face only a mother could love...or boys at Hampshire Country School - who raised the duck from an egg. Ludobill, whose name came from a story one of the boys make up, is part of the elementary class's small bird flock at the special school down the road from us.

POTD 11/21/22

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 10:00:00 GMT

NOT A STRANGER - Red-Bellied Woodpecker - which it seems should be called Red-Headed Woodpecker - has slowly expanded it's range northward. No longer the Red headed stranger, have them year-round now.

POTD 11/20/22

Sun, 20 Nov 2022 10:00:00 GMT

FIRST ICE - Melt from our first snow has the brook flowing and below freezing overnight temperatures left ice on the brook.

POTD 11/19/22

Sat, 19 Nov 2022 10:00:00 GMT

DEAR DEER - It is hunting season in New Hampshire but we post our property No Hunting to give the deer a place to be without getting shot. They like what we have planted in our yard. ;-)

POTD 11/18/22

Fri, 18 Nov 2022 10:00:00 GMT

WINTER SUNRISE - Sunrise over the Wapack Range lights an early winter morning sky.

POTD 11/17/22

Thu, 17 Nov 2022 10:00:00 GMT

OUR FIRST SNOWFALL was dripping from the last of the Kiwi berries before noon. Early sunsets and overnight snow lets us know that winter is upon us.

POTD 11/16/22

Wed, 16 Nov 2022 10:00:00 GMT

RED BIRD - All the red leaves of Fall foliage are gone - so it is up to the Cardinal to bring the color to the garden.

POTD 11/15/22

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 10:00:00 GMT

FEEDER FRENZY - Lots of little birds are flocking to the feeder as colder weather comes to New Hampshire.

POTD 11/14/22

Mon, 14 Nov 2022 10:00:00 GMT

PATIO GARDEN DINING - A young deer helps itself to Dianthus plants in our patio garden. Our first frost has killed lots of forest vegetation, so the deer are foraging in our yard for flowers not yet overcome by the frost.

POTD 11/13/22

Sun, 13 Nov 2022 10:00:00 GMT

IT RAINED - We can always use rain...but it cuts down on the nature photo opportunities ;-)

POTD 11/12/22

Sat, 12 Nov 2022 10:00:00 GMT

RAIN on an Aspen leaf.

POTD 11/11/22

Fri, 11 Nov 2022 10:00:00 GMT

FALL ON THE TRAIL - The trail to the beaver pond is ankle deep in fallen leaves.

POTD 11/10/22

Thu, 10 Nov 2022 10:00:00 GMT

FIRE IN THE SKY over Monadnock Mountain

POTD 11/9/22

Wed, 09 Nov 2022 10:00:00 GMT

OVER THE MOON - The Blood full moon - I missed the red color of the lunar eclipse, but am always amazed at the big, full moon.

POTD 11/8/22

Tue, 08 Nov 2022 10:00:00 GMT

Nuthatches, like this White-Breasted Nuthatch, have a very different climbing style from most other birds. They do not use their tails for a brace when climbing - just their two feet with sharp claws. They cling to bark and can move in any direction, often hanging head down.

POTD 11/7/22

Mon, 07 Nov 2022 10:00:00 GMT

AND THEN IT IS OVER - The Fall foliage has fallen on the Wapack Range above the beaver pond...even the Oak leaves have fallen to the windy, rainy weather.

POTD 11/6/22

Sun, 06 Nov 2022 10:00:00 GMT

FALL FELL along the brook from the beaver pond.

POTD 11/5/22

Sat, 05 Nov 2022 09:00:00 GMT

SNOWBIRD - Slate-colored Junco shows up in New Hampshire with winter.

POTD 11/4/22

Fri, 04 Nov 2022 09:00:00 GMT

PONDING - Late Fall reflections in our little pond.

POTD 11/3/22

Thu, 03 Nov 2022 09:00:00 GMT

HALF MOON SCENE - No leaves to hide the moon.

POTD 11/2/22

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 09:00:00 GMT

WINTER BREEZE - Red-Bellied Woodpecker has his feathers puffed by a stiff Fall breeze. Leaves are off the trees and shorter days mean Winter is on the way.

POTD 11/1/22

Tue, 01 Nov 2022 09:00:00 GMT

FALL ABSTRACTION - Bare trees reflected in our greenhouse glass.

POTD 10/31/22

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 09:00:00 GMT

SUNSET GLOW ON THE BEAVER POND - After the color of the spectacular Fall foliage has gone - the glow of sunset colors the mountain range above the beaver pond.

POTD 10/30/22

Sun, 30 Oct 2022 09:00:00 GMT

HEY CHICKADEE - Chickadee grabs a sunflower seed from the feeder. The Chickadees have been wild at the feed recently...feeding at a frenzy.

POTD 10/29/22

Sat, 29 Oct 2022 09:00:00 GMT

FALL ON THE BROOK - After a very dry Summer - it rained! Nice to see water flowing in the brook from the beaver pond.

POTD 10/28/22

Fri, 28 Oct 2022 09:00:00 GMT

EAGLE ON THE BEAVER POND - After I missed the Eagles on the beaver pond over the weekend - we saw this immature Eagle hunting on the beaver pond Thursday evening.

POTD 10/27/22

Thu, 27 Oct 2022 09:00:00 GMT

HE DIDN'T COME TO HELP WITH THE YARD WORK - The pesky neighborhood bear interrupted the yard pickup when it came scouting for birdseed scraps.

POTD 10/26/22

Wed, 26 Oct 2022 09:00:00 GMT

NEW HAMPSHIRE COUNTRY ROAD - Still plenty of color in the New Hampshire forest as we take the long road home.

POTD 10/25/22

Tue, 25 Oct 2022 09:00:00 GMT

OAK ON THE WATER - A rainy day is helping bring our Fall foliage to a beautiful end. Oak and Beech leaves accented with Pine needles create a still life on our little pond.

POTD 10/24/22

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 09:00:00 GMT

BALD EAGLE ON THE BEAVER POND - A message from my neighbor and I rushed home in hopes of catching an eagle on our beaver pond...but gone before I got home - I found the beaver pond in the "bronze age" of our fall season. No eagles, but not bad ;-)

POYD 10/23/22

Sun, 23 Oct 2022 09:00:00 GMT

MISTY MORNING on Island Pond

POTD 10/22/22

Sat, 22 Oct 2022 09:00:00 GMT

ENTERING THE BROWN PHASE - Oak leaves turning brown replace the red and orange Maple leaves on Mt. New Ipswich above the beaver pond as New Hampshire fall foliage enters the brown phase.

POTD 10/21/22

Fri, 21 Oct 2022 09:00:00 GMT

BLENDING - Male Cardinal among fall leaves.

POTD 10/20/22

Thu, 20 Oct 2022 09:00:00 GMT

FALL FELL - Fall leaves floating on the brook from the beaver pond...Most of the bright colored Maple leaves have fallen, leaving the rich browns of the Oaks and the bright yellow of the Birches as our Fall foliage for the end of October.

POTD 10/19/22

Wed, 19 Oct 2022 09:00:00 GMT

CLOUD COVER - Pack Monadnock Mountain with clouds on top.

POTD 10/18/22

Tue, 18 Oct 2022 09:00:00 GMT

SIMPLY FALL - Fall colored Maple leaf is the emblem of Fall.

POTD 10/17/22

Mon, 17 Oct 2022 09:00:00 GMT

BEAVER POND SUNSET - Fall sunset on the beaver pond. It does not get better!

POTD 10/16/22

Sun, 16 Oct 2022 09:00:00 GMT

INTO THE CACHE - Red-Bellied Woodpecker taking a seed from the feeder. Woodpeckers typically go to suet feeders - but in Fall, several species of birds "cache" (stash) food to retrieve later. This male was back and forth at the feeder - returning to the same spot in a tree to hide the seeds for later.

POTD 10/15/22

Sat, 15 Oct 2022 09:00:00 GMT

HOT YARD - Fall foliage all around, but we don't have to go far to see the big fall color. The front yard is plenty right now!

POTD 10/14/22

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 09:00:00 GMT

NOTHING IN THE FEEDER? I'LL JUST TAKE THE WHOLE THING - Our pesky neighborhood bear showed up again looking for spilled birdseed. Frustrated at finding the feeder empty - he took off with it.

POTD 10/13/22

Thu, 13 Oct 2022 09:00:00 GMT

NUTHATCH STASH - A Nuthatch stashes a shelled sunflower seed in a bark crevice. The process is called caching. By storing seeds, the birds ensure they will have something to eat later when food is scarce. Caching has long been of interest to ornithologists and animal behaviorists, and their research has taught us some amazing things about the behavior and the birds that perform it.

In a 1984 paper in Animal Behavior, David Sherry reported the results of lab experiments which demonstrated that black-capped chickadees can not only remember where they have stored seeds, but also which caches they have already eaten, which caches they have discovered eaten by other animals, and which caches contain their favorite food items. Sherry also found that chickadees can remember the locations of their caches for 28 days after they have created them.

POTD 10/12/22

Wed, 12 Oct 2022 09:00:00 GMT

GRAND MONADNOCK - Fall color creeping up Monadnock Mountain. Said to be the second most climbed mountain in the world (behind Mt Fuji in Japan), Monadnock is the center piece of the region in southern New Hampshire and is crawling with hikers this time of year.

POTD 10/11/22

Tue, 11 Oct 2022 09:00:00 GMT

FALL WARBLER - Yellow-Rumped Warbler, Myrtle breed, at the beaver pond Monday. One of the most common and widespread Warblers, Yellow-Rumped are often the core member of mixed Warbler flocks during migration, especially in late fall.

POTD 10/10/22

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 09:00:00 GMT

HEY RED - Male Cardinal gives some attitude at the feeder.

POTD 10/9/22

Sun, 09 Oct 2022 09:00:00 GMT

FALL IN THE ABSTRACT - Leaves floating on the beaver pond in the Fall-colored reflection.

POTD 10/8/22

Sat, 08 Oct 2022 09:00:00 GMT

FALL CONTINUES ON THE BEAVER POND - The special time of the year for color on the beaver pond.

POTD 10/7/22

Fri, 07 Oct 2022 09:00:00 GMT

My DEER ?

- Young deer looking for something "special" to eat in our yard...how about those ears? ;-)

POTD 10/6/22

Thu, 06 Oct 2022 09:00:00 GMT

BLENDING - With his bright red cap, the male Red-Bellied Woodpecker blends with the fall foliage.

POTD 10/5/22

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 09:00:00 GMT

MORE LEAF COLOR - Fall continues on the beaver pond.

POTD 10/4/22

Tue, 04 Oct 2022 09:00:00 GMT

FALL UP - Not all of the trees have turned Fall foliage brilliant, but cold nights in New Hampshire have lots of our trees displaying brilliantly.

POTD 10/3/22

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 09:00:00 GMT

FALL COLOR ON THE GRIDLEY - The famous New England fall foliage always starts along the water...the Gridley River near our house is a reliable place to see early fall color.

POTD 10/2/22

Sun, 02 Oct 2022 09:00:00 GMT

FALL 0N THE WATER - Maple leaves on the beaver pond. Fall is falling in New Hampshire.

POTD 10/1/22

Sat, 01 Oct 2022 09:00:00 GMT

HEY BEAR - We had to discourage a small bear looking for spilled birdseed in the yard. Getting close to the end of the yard raiding season, but we still need to be careful about "encouraging" bears to visit us.

POTD 9/30/22

Fri, 30 Sep 2022 09:00:00 GMT

IT'S A START - A few trees along the edge of the beaver pond are making the start of fall foliage season in New Hampshire.

POTD 9/29/22

Thu, 29 Sep 2022 09:00:00 GMT

TAG, YOU'RE IT - We watched a Monarch tagging process in Indiana during our recent visit. They caught, tagged and released over one hundred Monarchs on the day we watched.

POTD 9/28/22

Wed, 28 Sep 2022 09:00:00 GMT

GETTING THE EAGLE EYE - We just got home from a trip to my hometown, where we witnessed the release of a young Bald Eagle. Wildlife rehabilitator and high school classmate Angel Lange released the eagle named Liberty Bell over the Wabash River. Liberty Bell was what Lange called a limb hopper - a young eagle hopping from limb to limb before it can fly. Sometime they fall out of the tree - as the one did - and Lange raised the bird until it is able to be released.

POTD 9/27/22

Tue, 27 Sep 2022 09:00:00 GMT

FLICKER - By excavating nesting cavities in large dead trees, Northern Flickers provide future nest sites for many other species, such as American Kestrels. Naturalists say declining numbers of Flickers influence populations of other species.

POTD 9/26/22

Mon, 26 Sep 2022 09:00:00 GMT

HERE WE GO - The first of the Fall leaf color is upon us in New Hampshire.

POTD 9/25/22

Sun, 25 Sep 2022 09:00:00 GMT

JAYBIRD - Blue Jay drinks from a tree limb scar. When theories of protective coloration were first being debated around 1900, birds like the Blue Jay were a puzzle. It was difficult to imagine how such flashy colors could be helpful for concealment. We now know that color patterns evolve for many reasons, not just for camouflage. The Jays' flashy color patterns may make it harder for a predator to recognize the bird and tell what direction it is looking.

POTD 9/24/22

Sat, 24 Sep 2022 09:00:00 GMT

PICKY EATER - White-Breasted Nuthatch grabs a sunflower seed at the feeder before flying into a tree with it. They wedge the seed into a bark crevice and pound it open with their bill. This is apparently the origin of their name - they are really nut hackers.

POTD 9/23/22

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 09:00:00 GMT

HERE'S HOW WE FEEL ABOUT FALL WEATHER - Plenty of room on the beach to express yourself...and we LOVE Fall in New England.

POTD 9/22/22

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 09:00:00 GMT

DELIGHTED - New have been delighted to have a family of Cardinals in our yard this year. Brightly colored and quite vocal, the Cardinals are regulars this year.

POTD 9/21/22

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 09:00:00 GMT

LINGERING - Still seeing Monarch Butterflies hanging around the last flowers in the garden. Monarchs will be heading south on their big migration any day now.

POTD 9/20/22

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 09:00:00 GMT

CUTE LITTLE DEVILS - We were overrun with Chipmunks this year...so many that they caused a nuisance - getting into things and making holes all over the yard. But, they are cute! ;-)

POTD 9/19/22

Mon, 19 Sep 2022 09:00:00 GMT

FEATHER WEATHER - A Turkey feather left behind in the yard as several young Turkeys are checking for spilled food under the bird feeders.

POTD 9/18/22

Sun, 18 Sep 2022 09:00:00 GMT

PASSING THROUGH? - After several days of seeing NO hummingbirds...this female showed up, attracted to decidedly Fall Mums on the patio. P.S....I mis-identified yesterday's POTD of a Pileated woodpecker as a male Pileated and my friend and wildlife expert Meade Cadot - corrected me on an obvious mistake - as male Pileated Woodpeckers have a red mustache and the girl in the photo had a black mustache ;-) Thanks Meade for helping me correct!

POTD 9/17/22

Sat, 17 Sep 2022 09:00:00 GMT

BIG WOODY - Male Pileated Woodpecker visiting the yard after ripe cherries. We hear the big woodpeckers more than we see them - but ripe cherries bring them out in the open for viewing.

POTD 9/16/22

Fri, 16 Sep 2022 09:00:00 GMT

ALL IN THE FAMILY - We have enjoyed watching a family of Cardinals in our yard this year. The young birds still have their dark beaks - which will change to bright orange in a few weeks.

POTD 9/15/22

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 09:00:00 GMT

LAST OF THE SEASON - After days of seeing NO Monarch butterflies - we spotted this perfect male in the garden today. Most all accounts have the Monarchs already on their migration journey...we think this late bloomer also left today.

POD 9/14/22

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 09:00:00 GMT

OCEANFRONT SKY - Quick trip to the coast where a cloudy sky decorated the post-Labor Day empty beach..

POTD 9/13/22

Tue, 13 Sep 2022 09:00:00 GMT

IT'S A STRETCH - A Goldfinch stretches to reach something on the bottom of the branch.

POTD 9/12/22

Mon, 12 Sep 2022 09:00:00 GMT

MAY HAVE SEEN THE LAST OF - Caught this female Hummingbird on a Clethra bloom yesterday. Have not seen a Hummer since...which may mean they have left on their migration journey. The males had already gone and only a couple of females were still around last week.

POTD 9/11/22

Sun, 11 Sep 2022 09:00:00 GMT

I USED TO FLY TO NEW YORK CITY OFTEN back when I was working for Scitex calling on the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Rolling Stone - and when I flew into LaGuardia Airport, I would fly pretty close to the World Trade Center towers. I shot this photo on the way home one evening and break it out on 9/11 anniversaries.

POTD 9/10/22

Sat, 10 Sep 2022 09:00:00 GMT

LOOK MOM, NO HANDS - A Painted Turtle balances on the top of a rock on Mill Pond. Its' top spot position did not last long as a slightly larger turtle approaches to claim the spot.

POTD 9/9/22

Fri, 09 Sep 2022 09:00:00 GMT

OH, WHAT A TANGLED WEB - Spider webs on the beaver pond in the early morning.

POTD 9/8/22

Thu, 08 Sep 2022 09:00:00 GMT

EVERY LAST BITE - A Monarch butterfly on an almost gone Zinnia blossom. Late Summer Monarchs are the ones that migrate to Mexico - so we won't be seeing them much longer.

POTD 9/7/22

Wed, 07 Sep 2022 09:00:00 GMT

WET FLICKER - Rain in New Hampshire brought this male Northern Flicker to the yard. Sibley calls the Flicker the most un-woodpecker-like woodpecker, whose favorite food is ants. So, it is common to see Flickers hopping in the yard after ants. A very dry Summer made ants scarce in the yard - so the recent rain had all of the yard bug-eating birds on the hunt.

POTD 9/6/22

Tue, 06 Sep 2022 09:00:00 GMT

BUSY DAD - A pair of newly fledged Goldfinches gang up on dad to be fed. After young Goldfinches fledge, the adult males continue to feed the young for 15-30 days.

POTD 9/5/22

Mon, 05 Sep 2022 09:00:00 GMT

READY FOR TAKEOFF - Milkweed fruits (pods), when mature, split lengthwise releasing seeds. Each seed is attached to fluffy hairs (floss) that enable wind dispersion. A recent study found that the vast majority of wind dispersed seeds fall within 33 feet - but about 20% went farther - at least one in the study traveled up to 164 feet.

POTD 9/4/22

Sun, 04 Sep 2022 09:00:00 GMT

YOUNG CARDINALS - Feathers on juvenile Cardinals are often relatively flimsy, having been grown quickly as part of the strategy to fledge from the nest as soon as possible. They will be replaced by more adult-like feathers within a few weeks, before harsher weather of winter sets in.

POTD 9/3/22

Sat, 03 Sep 2022 09:00:00 GMT

END OF THE GARDEN - A Silver-Bordered Fritillary takes advantage of one of the last Zinnia blossoms in the garden.

POTD 9/2/22

Fri, 02 Sep 2022 09:00:00 GMT

AHHHHH - Finally enough rain to wet the Morning Glory blossom. Nothing better today!

POTD 9/1/22

Thu, 01 Sep 2022 09:00:00 GMT

MONARCH COLORS - The Monarch Butterfly Chrysalis changed colors today. We will be watching it tomorrow to see the Monarch Butterfly emerge!

POTD 8/31/22

Wed, 31 Aug 2022 09:00:00 GMT

HORNY - A huge Tomato Hornworm (actually two, look closely) chomps away at one of the few remaining tomatoes in our garden. Tomato hornworms, actually large green caterpillars, get their name from the dark projection on their posterior and their use of tomatoes as a host plant. A hot dry summer and a gang of Tomato Hornworms are bringing our tomato patch to an end.

POTD 8/30/22

Tue, 30 Aug 2022 09:00:00 GMT

LATE SUMMER OFFSPRING - Immature Chipping Sparrow begs to be fed. Several smaller birds are feeding young now...even after many other young birds have fledged.

POTD 8/29/22

Mon, 29 Aug 2022 09:00:00 GMT

MOUNTAIN VIEW - We got up to the Wapack Trail with our friends today to see Monadnock Mountain. Always nice to catch the view!

POTD 8/28/22

Sun, 28 Aug 2022 09:00:00 GMT

TERRITORIAL - Two female Hummingbirds jostle at the feeder. We are seeing fewer Hummingbirds - starting to think some of them have already left on migration - but the ones still here are fighting at the feeders.

POTD 8/27/22

Sat, 27 Aug 2022 09:00:00 GMT

MORE CHERRY PICKIN' - Male Northern Flicker cleaning up the dwindling crop of cherries. Flickers favorite food is ants - but a drought in New Hampshire has kept the ants underground, forcing the Flicker to join the other birds on the cherry trees.

POTD 8/26/22

Fri, 26 Aug 2022 09:00:00 GMT

ABOUT TO HEAD SOUTH - A Red-Eyed Vireo showed up in the yard yesterday. The Red-Eyed Vireos that spend summer in the U.S. and southern Canada migrate south to winter in the Amazon Basin in South America. After a couple of years seeing the Vireo's nest in our orchard - we didn't see it this year, but were happy to see the Vireo before it leaves.

POTD 8/25/22

Thu, 25 Aug 2022 09:00:00 GMT

COME ON DAD! - Immature male Cardinal speaks out about something while "dad" seems to ignore him. When young Northern Cardinals leave the nest they have dark bills without any bright color. A few weeks later, the dark color of the bill will have faded and the bill becomes bright orange-red like the adults.

POTD 8/24/22

Wed, 24 Aug 2022 09:00:00 GMT

TILL THE CHERRIES ARE GONE - Cedar Waxwing hanging in a dead Spruce tree. The Waxwings come every year when the fruit is ripe and stay until there is no more fruit on the trees. Huge Cherry trees around our yard attract several fruit-eating bird species.

POTD 8/23/22

Tue, 23 Aug 2022 09:00:00 GMT

PASTEL BREASTED GROSBEAK - An immature male Rose-Breasted Grosbeak is growing into the bright rose-colored bib he'll have as an adult.

POTD 8/22/22

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 09:00:00 GMT

HUMMERS ARE CRAZY - We have had a late-Summer explosion of Hummingbirds at our feeders and garden flowers. Hummingbirds will be heading south from New Hampshire shortly - and the hectic activity in the yard makes it seem like they are bulking up for the long trip south.

POTD 8/21/22

Sun, 21 Aug 2022 09:00:00 GMT

PASSING THROUGH - We spotted a Solitary Sandpiper along the edge of the beaver pond. They are migratory birds - spending winters in Central and South America - stopping at the beaver pond along the way.

POTD 8/20/22

Sat, 20 Aug 2022 09:00:00 GMT

EYE ON BUGS - A Barn Swallow watches from a perch over the beaver pond. Swallows fly low and fast over the surface of the water and eat insects on the fly.

POTD 8/19/22

Fri, 19 Aug 2022 09:00:00 GMT

MONARCH IN TRAINING - We'll be watching this Monarch butterfly chrysalis as it morphs into a butterfly. This is day 2, I'll keep you posted. ;-)

POTD 8/18/22

Thu, 18 Aug 2022 09:00:00 GMT

SHOWIN' YOUR COLORS - A Male Ruby-Throated Hummingbird flashes his name-sake ruby colors. The iridescent colors of the male hummingbird are among the most refined and spectacular colors of all of nature. The structure of the feather surface amplifies one color of light, and the surfaces are angled so that they reflect that color only in one direction - straight ahead of the bird.

POTD 8/17/22

Wed, 17 Aug 2022 09:00:00 GMT

FINCH FOOD - Male American Goldfinch munches a Catnip flower. Finches are fond of small seeds and have found the Catnip in our garden that has gone to seed.

POTD 8/16/22

Tue, 16 Aug 2022 09:00:00 GMT

TOPPING OUT - A Monarch Butterfly caterpillar on the top of the Asclepias branch it has just chomped clean.

POTD 8/15/22

Mon, 15 Aug 2022 09:00:00 GMT

BIRD CHATTER - Male Cardinal singing up a storm. Several different "songs" even this late in the season, he is still trying to impress someone.

POTD 8/14/22

Sun, 14 Aug 2022 09:00:00 GMT

CHERRY PICKIN" - A Robin reaches for a cherry as the crop dwindles from the pressure of many fruit-eating birds.

POTD 8/13/22

Sat, 13 Aug 2022 09:00:00 GMT

BIRDS OF A FEATHER - Cedar Waxwings congregating in a dead spruce tree. They are here in numbers for the ripe cherries. They will be gone when the cherries are gone.

POD 8/12/22

Fri, 12 Aug 2022 09:00:00 GMT

BRING ON THE MONARCHS - We are seeing more Monarch caterpillars on our Asclepias every day.

POTD 8/11/22

Thu, 11 Aug 2022 09:00:00 GMT

HEY BEAVER - A beaver on the beaver pond...haven't seen much of him/them this year. Just a quick look and then he was gone.

POTD 8/10/22

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 09:00:00 GMT

ANGRY BIRD? - A Cedar Waxwing shoots me what appears to be a nasty look from a bare branch in the cherry tree. Fruit-eating birds are descending on the cherry trees in our yard now that the fruit is ripe.

POTD 8/9/22

Tue, 09 Aug 2022 09:00:00 GMT

THE PITS - A female Scarlet Tanager pits a cherry with its tongue. Birds frequently swallow food whole and process it in their digestive tract...but this photo makes it appear that Tanagers work the pit from the cherry and discard it rather than swallow the entire cherry.

POTD 8/8/22

Mon, 08 Aug 2022 09:00:00 GMT

I CAN REACH THAT - A male Scarlet Tanager preens in a cherry tree in our yard. Now that cherries are ripe, Tanagers, Waxwings and Woodpeckers are coming to the trees in flocks.

POTD 8/7/22

Sun, 07 Aug 2022 09:00:00 GMT

OR KESTREL - We were surprised to see several American Kestrels hunting together from a wire over a hay field. We counted seven Kestrels across a large field. The Kestrel is the smallest of the falcons and is a dainty eater of grasshoppers and mice. Numbers of American Kestrels have been declining for decades - so it was good to see so many at once!

POTD 8/6/22

Sat, 06 Aug 2022 09:00:00 GMT

WITH THE CHERRIES - Cedar Waxwings are back in the yard now that the cherries are starting to ripen. Our yard is ringed with tall cherry trees and we welcome the fruit-eating birds that come to the trees every year,

POTD 8/5/22

Fri, 05 Aug 2022 09:00:00 GMT

OH JOY - A man gets a joy rush feeding gulls on the wing at Nubble Light on Cape Neddick, Maine. Visitors to the popular tourist scene on the Maine Coast have "trained" the gulls by feeding them - in this case crackers - cute, but probably not particularly healthy for the birds.

POTD 8/4/22

Thu, 04 Aug 2022 09:00:00 GMT

Not many birds at the feeders in late Summer, but the neighborhood pileated Woodpecker announced himself wth his familiar chatter in his regular place on a pine tree snag on the edge of the yard.

POTD 8/3/22

Wed, 03 Aug 2022 09:00:00 GMT

INTO FLOWERS - There are enough blooms in the gardens for the Hummingbirds to frequent the flower beds. We are seeing fewer Hummers this year than usual.

POTD 8/2/22

Tue, 02 Aug 2022 09:00:00 GMT

LOOK BETWEEN THE LEAVES - A small Bullfrog rests between the lily pads on the beaver pond. This summer in New Hampshire, everyone wants to stay partly in the water.

POTD 8/1/22

Mon, 01 Aug 2022 09:00:00 GMT

THE OTHER HUMMER - A Hummingbird Moth hovers over a Petunia blossom. A member of the Sphinx Moth Family, their hovering habits resemble that of Hummingbirds, hence the name.

POTD 7/31/22

Sun, 31 Jul 2022 09:00:00 GMT

OTHER RED BIRD - Male Scarlet Tanager at the top of the tree. Something about a red bird that catches the eye. ;-)

POTD 7/30/22

Sat, 30 Jul 2022 09:00:00 GMT

YAY - We have planted lots of Asclepias (Milkweed) and to support Monarchs in our gardens. After seeing the news last week that Monarch Butterflies were listed as endangered, we were particularly happy to see Monarch Butterfly caterpillars in our garden happily munching the Asclepias leaves.

POTD 7/29/22

Fri, 29 Jul 2022 09:00:00 GMT

REFLECTIONS ON A POND - A beautiful day with a sky full of "photo clouds" at the beaver pond.

POTD 7/28/22

Thu, 28 Jul 2022 09:00:00 GMT

ZINNIA EMERGING - Zinnias are one of our favorite garden flowers.

POTD 7/27/22

Wed, 27 Jul 2022 09:00:00 GMT

CAUGHT IN THE ACT - We looked out this morning to catch this deer enjoying the salad bar that is our Hosta bed. We had covered the Hosta with fence - but moved some to enjoy as it started to bloom. The deer in our woods LOVE the shrubs and flowers we have planted in our yard - just a few feet away from the forest..

POTD 7/26/22

Tue, 26 Jul 2022 09:00:00 GMT

BIG BIRD - We got off the hill today for an appointment and spotted our friend, the "Greenville Eagle", hunting from a perch over the Souhegan River.

POTD 7/25/22

Mon, 25 Jul 2022 09:00:00 GMT

HAZY DAYS OF SUMMER - Monadnock Mountain - hazy under summer clouds.

POTD 7/24/22

Sun, 24 Jul 2022 09:00:00 GMT

ENDANGERED - An International conservation group has listed the beloved Monarch Butterfly as endangered. The group estimates the Monarch population has declined up to 72% over the past decade with some estimates of the decline up to 85%. This male Monarch stopped in on Asclepias (a cultivar of Milkweed) we planted on our roof to attract Monarchs.

POTD 7/23/22

Sat, 23 Jul 2022 09:00:00 GMT

SOLAR ROBIN - Momma Robin on a nest under the solar array. It seems like a good place for a nest.

POTD 7/22/21

Fri, 22 Jul 2022 09:00:00 GMT

POLLINATOR COOPERATION - Clouded Sulphur Butterfly and a Honeybee share an Asclepias bloom. Orange Milkweed is also called Butterfly Weed and attracts all kinds of pollinators.

POTD 7/21/22

Thu, 21 Jul 2022 09:00:00 GMT

IN THE GARDEN - An Eastern Amberwing Dragonfly (I think, I'm not good with "bug" IDs) finds something to like about a spent flower bloom in the pollinator garden.

POTD 7/20/22

Wed, 20 Jul 2022 09:00:00 GMT

WINNY LOVE- Winston, our neighbors' tortoise, wants to ram right against you to show affection...but with his hard and pointy shell, it's best to stay a step ahead of him.

POTD 7/19/22

Tue, 19 Jul 2022 09:00:00 GMT

GET A LEG UP - Just getting around to editing photos from a Riparian Preserve visit in Arizona where I saw this Black-Necked Stilt wading in a shallow pond.

POTD 7/18/22

Mon, 18 Jul 2022 09:00:00 GMT

SHORE ART - Another photo from Long Sands Beach on Cape Neddick.

POTD 7/17/22

Sun, 17 Jul 2022 09:00:00 GMT

CLAM STRIPS - A Gull pulls a clam from a shell on Long Sands Beach in York, Maine.The Gulls gather clams left by high tide and drop them on the hard sand beach to break the shells to get at the clams inside.

POTD 7/16/22

Sat, 16 Jul 2022 09:00:00 GMT

OCEAN SUNRISE - A couple of days of scenery change from the forest to the Maine Coast. Always nice to see the sun rise over the ocean and then nice to be home again in the trees.

POTD 7/15/22

Fri, 15 Jul 2022 09:00:00 GMT

FRITILLARY - A Silver-Bordered Fritillary Butterfly lands long enough for a photo They get their name from "fritting" about - not landing in one place
very long. A member of the Brushroot Family - they like plants in the violet family - which explains why we caught them landing in the yard.

POTD 7/14/22

Thu, 14 Jul 2022 09:00:00 GMT

LOVE THOSE CLOUDS - We usually don't like cloudy days...but then the clouds MAKE the picture...we like those clouds.

POTD 7/13/22

Wed, 13 Jul 2022 09:00:00 GMT

BEING A DAD - Male Rose-breasted Grosbeak feeds a fledgling. The immature birds flutter their wings as they beg. This male fed two fledglings - one after the other - making sure each got an equal amount.

POTD 7/12/22

Tue, 12 Jul 2022 09:00:00 GMT

OH DEER - Young deer deals with the "deer" flies on its head. Summer in New Hampshire - at least there is plenty to eat.

POTD 7/11/22

Mon, 11 Jul 2022 09:00:00 GMT

NOT KISSING - Two Jake Turkeys (young males) face off over territory. The strategy seems to be that the other turkey can't peck you if you have your beak over his beak.

POTD 7/10/22

Sun, 10 Jul 2022 09:00:00 GMT

FIRST MONARCH - So happy to see Monarch butterflies back for the season. Eastern Monarchs migrate in fall to overwinter in fir trees in the mountains of central Mexico. In Spring, 1 or 2 generations pass as they fly back to New England and 1 or 2 more generations pass in New England before the next migration.

POTD 7/9/22

Sat, 09 Jul 2022 09:00:00 GMT

WORKING THE WELLS - Female Yellow-bellied Sapsucker works the sap wells on a Mountain Ash tree. Sapsuckers drill holes in the bark of trees - which they, and other birds and bugs - visit to drink the sap and eat insects that are also drawn to the sweet sap.

POTD 7/8/22

Fri, 08 Jul 2022 09:00:00 GMT

BLOOM BANDIT - A Chipmunk helps himself to Pansy blooms on the patio.

POTD 7/7/22

Thu, 07 Jul 2022 09:00:00 GMT

BEAVER POND WILDFLOWER - We watch for the Swamp Candles to bloom on the beaver pond. In the Primrose family, the delicate blooms show up along the bank of the beaver pond in July.

POTD 7/6/22

Wed, 06 Jul 2022 09:00:00 GMT

KINGFISHER - A Belted Kingfisher hunts from a perch above the beaver pond.

POTD 7/5/22

Tue, 05 Jul 2022 09:00:00 GMT

PHOTO CLOUDS - Clouds over the beaver pond.

POTD 7/4/22

Mon, 04 Jul 2022 09:00:00 GMT

BABY BIRD-ATHON CONTINUES - Blue Jay fledgling begs in the Ash tree. Jays as big as the adult birds begging to be fed.

POTD 7/3/22

Sun, 03 Jul 2022 09:00:00 GMT

RAISING YOUNG - Downy Woodpecker feeding young. Many of the birds that visit our feeders are bringing young and the woodpeckers are very conscientious about feeding the young birds.

POTD 7/2/22

Sat, 02 Jul 2022 09:00:00 GMT

HEY SUCKA! - Male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker shows his namesake belly visiting an Ash tree in the yard.

POTD 7/1/22

Fri, 01 Jul 2022 09:00:00 GMT

FEED ME - Grackle chick demanding food at the suet feeder as the baby bird-athon at Sundial continues.

POTD 6/30/22

Thu, 30 Jun 2022 09:00:00 GMT

BEEP BEEP! - Road Runner off with a small lizard meal. I was just in Arizona for a few days...and caught a glimpse of this Road Runner...no sign of Wylie Coyote.

POTD 6/29/22

Wed, 29 Jun 2022 09:00:00 GMT

FEEDING FRENZY - While two Heron chicks wrestle with the adult delivering food to the nest, the third chick hangs over the edge of the nest, seemingly uninterested in the food. I've seen this behavior by chicks in two different nests during feeding - but don't know why one of the chicks is not in the food fight?

POTD 6/28/22

Tue, 28 Jun 2022 09:00:00 GMT

FOUND ANOTHER ORCHID - Rose Pagonia orchid on the beaver pond. We know about a patch that we watch to bloom every year...this year, I found another patch. Field guide says they are on the decline due to loss of habitat, so happy the like our beaver pond.

POTD 6/27/22

Mon, 27 Jun 2022 09:00:00 GMT

CHICK PIC - Heron chick has a goofy look when viewed head on.

POTD 6/26/22

Sun, 26 Jun 2022 09:00:00 GMT

CHIPPER - Eastern Chipmunk keeping an eye on me. We are overrun with the cute little rodents making their 2" wide burrow entrances all over our sloped yard - making them quite a bit less cute.

POTD 6/25/22

Sat, 25 Jun 2022 09:00:00 GMT

MOUTH FULL - Male Red-bellied Woodpecker heads away from the feeder with as many seeds as he can hold. This time of year birds are feeding young and use the feeders as "take-out" spots.

POTD 6/24/22

Fri, 24 Jun 2022 09:00:00 GMT

PRACTICING - Heron chicks on the verge of fledging. Heron chicks grow quickly and seem eager to take wing and get out of the nest.

POTD 6/23/22

Thu, 23 Jun 2022 09:00:00 GMT

LAND OF PLENTY - Cardinal taking advantage of a huge pile of black sunflower seeds. In the 1950s, Cardinals were found north only to southern Indiana and New Jersey. Climate change, plentiful bird feeders and open lawns with shrubs and trees has them as far north as southern Canada.

POTD 6/22/22

Wed, 22 Jun 2022 09:00:00 GMT

IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN - Green Frog in our garden pond.

POTD 6/21/22

Tue, 21 Jun 2022 09:00:00 GMT

POINT OF VIEW - Some days I use the canoe to get a different angle on the beaver pond. The Heron nests are in the dead trees at the other end of the pond.

POTD 6/20/22

Mon, 20 Jun 2022 09:00:00 GMT

BEAVER POND ORCHID - We watch for the Rose Pagonia to bloom on the beaver pond. Pogonia aphioglossoides is in the orchid family and like other wetland orchids suffers from degradation of habitat.

POTD 6/19/22

Sun, 19 Jun 2022 09:00:00 GMT

INCOMING - Heron landing on a crowded nest on the beaver pond. A nest full of growing chicks makes landing a precision maneuver and adult Herons come and go several times a day to keep the growing chicks fed.

POTD 6/18/22

Sat, 18 Jun 2022 09:00:00 GMT

EXACTLY HOW DO THESE WINGS WORK? - A just-fledged Eastern Phoebe works at getting the hang of spreading its' wings. It was flying - albeit tentatively.

POTD 6/17/22

Fri, 17 Jun 2022 09:00:00 GMT

JUST DAISY - A patch of Oxeye Daisies will brighten any view. They are in the Aster family and tend to form patches in fields when they bloom in mid-June.

POTD 6/16/22

Thu, 16 Jun 2022 09:00:00 GMT

NESTING ROBIN STINK-EYE - Robin sitting on a nest under the solar array gives me a dirty look. This momma is on her second nesting of the summer.

POTD 6/15/22

Wed, 15 Jun 2022 09:00:00 GMT

FEED ME - A fledgling Downy Woodpecker gets fed by momma Downy Woodpecker in the annual Summer BabyBird-athon at Sundial. We love watching "our" birds bring their young to the yard to learn to eat at the feeders.

POTD 6/14/22

Tue, 14 Jun 2022 09:00:00 GMT

JUST SPEAK UP - Heron chicks getting quite big and spend most of the time in the nest alone while both parents hunt to feed them. They tend to speak up about not getting fed often enough.

POTD 6/13/22

Mon, 13 Jun 2022 09:00:00 GMT

THE BIG WOODPECKER - Female Pileated Woodpecker visited the yard. We hear them more than we see them...so always nice to see the largest woodpecker in North America.

POTD 6/12/22

Sun, 12 Jun 2022 09:00:00 GMT

CARDINAL ON THE FRINGE - Male Cardinal perched on a Fringe Tree bush branch. Fringe Tree, Chionanthus virginicus, gets its name from the Greek chion meaning snow and Anthos meaning flower.

POD 6/11/22

Sat, 11 Jun 2022 09:00:00 GMT

TINY DANCER - A tiny sweat bee on a garden flower. Nature is cool close up.

POTD 6/10/22

Fri, 10 Jun 2022 09:00:00 GMT

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK - Newly hatched Heron chicks in a nest on the beaver pond. Another nest on the beaver pond has Heron chicks a couple of weeks older and much bigger. These little fuzz-heads have some catching up to do.

POD 6/9/22

Thu, 09 Jun 2022 09:00:00 GMT

BEE THERE FOR ME - An American Bumble Bee buzzes a Cherry tree branch on the edge of the beaver pond.

POTD 6/8/22

Wed, 08 Jun 2022 09:00:00 GMT

FOUND A SPOT - A male Yellow-shafted Flicker checks out a nesting cavity in a tree on the beaver pond. Flickers, a type of woodpecker, get their name for the flash of color they flicker as they fly.

POTD 6/7/22

Tue, 07 Jun 2022 09:00:00 GMT

BEAR TICKS? - When the troublesome yearling bear came calling yesterday, we noticed engorged ticks on its' ears and above its' eye. We are careful about ticks and googled ticks on bears. They happen to be part of the tick transmission system...so another reason to discourage the "cute' bear from coming around.

POTD 6/6/22

Mon, 06 Jun 2022 09:00:00 GMT

ACROBAT - A Chipmunk munches on Maple tree "helicopter" seeds. Maybe a few of them won't sprout in my yard. ;-)

POTD 6/5/22

Sun, 05 Jun 2022 09:00:00 GMT

ORANGE YOU GLAD - Female Red-Bellied Woodpecker enjoys the orange we put out to attract Orioles. The woodpeckers love the oranges and this one shows why it is named red-bellied.

POTD 6/4/22

Sat, 04 Jun 2022 09:00:00 GMT

BUNCHBERRY BLOOMS - The path to the beaver pond is covered with Bunchberry blooms now. The low growing Cornus canadensis is in the Dogwood family, which is obvious from it's Dogwood-like blooms.

POTD 6/3/22

Fri, 03 Jun 2022 09:00:00 GMT

EAGER EATERS - Heron chicks eager to get the food the adult Heron is bringing to the nest.

POTD 6/2/22

Thu, 02 Jun 2022 09:00:00 GMT

BEAVER POND BLOOMS - A Larger Blue Flag Iris in bloom on the beaver pond.

POTD 6/1/22

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 09:00:00 GMT

HOME ALONE - Heron chicks are big enough to be left alone in the nest while the parents hunt. They grow really quickly but require constant feeding.

POTD 5/31/22

Tue, 31 May 2022 09:00:00 GMT

GAZE INTO MY CRYSTAL BALL - Male Baltimore Oriole is interested in the glass ball of a sun catcher hanging under the house eve. Almost orange...it must have been close enough for him to check it out as a possible real orange.

POTD 5/30/22

Mon, 30 May 2022 09:00:00 GMT

FAMILY SCENE - Geese and Goslings on Mill Pond...a delightful annual sight.

POTD 5/29/22

Sun, 29 May 2022 09:00:00 GMT

SWALLOWTAILS RETURN - The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly is usually the first butterfly we see in Spring. They don't return until their food plants are in bloom...in this case Phlox blooming in front of the barn.

POTD 5/28/22

Sat, 28 May 2022 09:00:00 GMT

BRINGIN' IT HOME - Adult Great Blue Heron returning to the nest. The chicks in this nest are now big enough to be left alone while both parents hunt. This means lots of "home alone" time for the chicks and frequent big bird landings on the nest.

POTD 5/27/22

Fri, 27 May 2022 09:00:00 GMT

PEEK-A BOO BOO - A yearling Black Bear peeks into the yard on a beautiful May morning in New Hampshire. Young black bears stay with their mother for about a year and a half...but then are "encouraged" to strike out on their own. This cub was almost certainly here with it's mother a few months ago and remembered our yard as a possible food opportunity. Now that nice weather is here - we're in the yard more and can catch little Boo Boo coming.

POTD 5/26/22

Thu, 26 May 2022 09:00:00 GMT

WHY SCRAPE YOUR BEAK? - Male Cardinal scrapes his beak on a branch. I have seen this with other birds - so I googled it - and found that from the limited research on it...it seems to be mostly the "napkin" effect of birds cleaning their beak after eating. Some research suggested grinding to keep the beak sharp...but generally, birds scrape their beaks to clean up after eating.

POTD 5/25/22

Wed, 25 May 2022 09:00:00 GMT

WHAT'S FOR DINNER? - An American Robin letting his catch settle. It has been calculated that a Robin can eat 14 feet of earthworms a day, as they are relentless at hunting them in the yard.

POTD 5/24/22

Tue, 24 May 2022 09:00:00 GMT

THROW ME SOME SHADE - Adult Heron shades her nest on a 90+ degree day on the beaver pond. A couple of Herons have hatched their chicks, but the ones still sitting on eggs needed some shade during an especially hot May day.

POTD 5/23/22

Mon, 23 May 2022 09:00:00 GMT

STAKE A CLAIM - A Female Yellow-shafted Flicker stakes a claim on a nest cavity in a dead tree on the beaver pond.

POTD 5/22/22

Sun, 22 May 2022 09:00:00 GMT

WILD CALLA - Water Alum Calla palustris or Wild Calla at the beaver pond. On watch for the heron chicks and noticed this pond wildflower.

POTD 5/21/22

Sat, 21 May 2022 09:00:00 GMT

LOVE BIRDS - Many species males offer food to their mates as part of courtship, presumably signaling their ability to provide for future offspring. This Cardinal pair exchanges a seed at the feeder.

POTD 5/20/22

Fri, 20 May 2022 09:00:00 GMT

EYE PROTECTION - Most birds have a third eyelid called the nictitating membrane, a thin translucent or clear membrane that flicks across the eye from front to back to protect the eye while still allowing some vision. Woodpeckers, like this male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, close it as their bill hits wood.

POTD 5/19/22

Thu, 19 May 2022 09:00:00 GMT

SKYWARD - I know my Picture of the Day is usually of a bird...because we LOVE birds and we live in the forest with so many birds right in front of us. But sometimes we get off our mountain and drive to town and we pass this view of Monadnock Mountain - almost always worth stopping for a picture.

POTD 5/18/22

Wed, 18 May 2022 09:00:00 GMT

NEVER TOO EARLY TO SPREAD YOUR WINGS - A Heron chick, only hatched a few days ago, spreads out in the nest under the protective cover of mother Heron. Heron chicks don't always hatch at the same time - and one chick can dominate the nest space - as this one does over its' two nest mates.

POTD 5/17/22

Tue, 17 May 2022 09:00:00 GMT

BATH TIME - With the recent string of hot weather, we have noticed more birds bathing in the bird bath...but it was particularly fun to see a male Hummingbird bathing in the rain of a sudden downpour.

POTD 5/16/22

Mon, 16 May 2022 09:00:00 GMT

BACK FOR THE SEASON - Rose-breasted Grosbeak is back - right on schedule. Grosbeaks are highly migratory nesting across the US and Canada and wintering in Central America. About 19 percent of the world's bird species migrate every year. Migrants are able to nest in areas with reduced competition and a burst of abundant food making the migration trip worth the effort.

POTD 5/15/22

Sun, 15 May 2022 09:00:00 GMT

CHICKS - Heron chicks growing every day...keeping an eye on them as they grow.

POTD 5/14/22

Sat, 14 May 2022 09:00:00 GMT

SEEDY - Male Red-Bellied Woodpecker taking seeds from a feeder...using his tail for leverage.

POTD 5/13/22

Fri, 13 May 2022 09:00:00 GMT

NEWLY HATCHED - Heron chick barely visible above the side of the nest on the beaver pond. Adult Heron standing at the side of the nest after sitting tight on it for a month is the give-away to watch for fuzzy chick heads to appear. Activity around the nests will get more and more intense as the chicks grow and need to be fed. I'll keep you posted as they grow. ;-)

POTD 5/12/22

Thu, 12 May 2022 09:00:00 GMT

TRICKY BIRDS - To keep their eggs and young safe from predators, ground-nesting birds like the Killdeer use camouflage and trickery...including laying their eggs on ground that matches their eggs' color and using a "broken wing act" to distract predators away from the nest. This Killdeer foraging on the edge of a farm pond in Rindge, NH.

POTD 5/11/22

Wed, 11 May 2022 09:00:00 GMT

HUMMINGBIRD TONGUE - Hummingbirds have a long, slender tongue that can be extended far beyond the tip of the bill. They feed by dipping their tongue into the nectar inside flowers. This action can be repeated twenty times per second - faster than we could count.

POTD 5/10/22

Tue, 10 May 2022 09:00:00 GMT

DANGER ABOVE - A Great Blue Heron hurries back to the nest as a large hawk circles overhead. Herons build their nests on dead trees, usually over water, to make it difficult for land predators...but they have to protect their nest from predators above.

POTD 5/9/22

Mon, 09 May 2022 09:00:00 GMT

FOREST IS STARTING TO BLOOM - Goldthread blooms along the brook to the beaver pond. Goldthread is in the Buttercup family and shows off its' tiny complex blossoms early in Spring.

POTD 5/8/22

Sun, 08 May 2022 09:00:00 GMT

JUST IN FROM BALTIMORE - Actually, Baltimore Orioles spend winters in Central and South America, but migrate north in Spring to breed. Like most migrating birds, males arrive first - and we have two males competing around the grape jelly feeder for position before the females arrive.

POTD 5/7/22

Sat, 07 May 2022 09:00:00 GMT

HUMMING - Hummingbirds have arrived back at our patio feeders. The males always come first and came a few days later this year than last. We love watching the amazing little birds - and the bears don't bother Hummingbird feeders. ;-)

POTD 5/6/22

Fri, 06 May 2022 09:00:00 GMT

SPLISH SPLASH - White-throated Sparrow bathes in a sailing-themed patio birdbath. Little birds find this shallow water feature perfect for a refreshing feather rinse.

POTD 5/5/22

Thu, 05 May 2022 09:00:00 GMT

FOG IN THE HOOD - Herons sit on nests on the beaver pond on a foggy Wednesday in New Hampshire. Herons are big birds with long incubation times - 14-35 days - so we'll be watching for the fuzzy heads of chicks in the next couple of weeks.

POTD 5/4/22

Wed, 04 May 2022 09:00:00 GMT

GROUNDED - We rarely see a pileated Woodpecker on the ground...but this female was looking around in the yard yesterday. The largest North American Woodpecker - it is always a treat to see a Pileated.

POTD 5/3/22

Tue, 03 May 2022 09:00:00 GMT

I'M PRETTY TOO - The Northern Cardinal is named for it's bright red color, like the robes of the cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church...but it is the male cardinal with the bright red color. Female cardinals, though lacking the namesake bright red, are very pretty birds to have around.

POTD 5/2/22

Mon, 02 May 2022 09:00:00 GMT

BEEN WAITIN' FOR A SUNNY DAY - A Painted Turtle on a log on the beaver pond on a sunny Sunday in New Hampshire.

POTD 5/1/22

Sun, 01 May 2022 09:00:00 GMT

MAYDAY WILDFLOWER - Sessile Bellwort bloom emerging ...among the first New Hampshire wildflowers.

POTD 4/30/22

Sat, 30 Apr 2022 09:00:00 GMT

SPRING WARBLER - Over fifty species of wood warblers in North America show an incredible diversity of colors and patterns, with the black pigment melanin a key to that variation. This Yellow-Rumped Warbler was among several at our little pond and along the brook today.

POTD 4/29/22

Fri, 29 Apr 2022 09:00:00 GMT

DAY DRINKIN' - Birds need water and drink a lot, especially as the weather warms up. Robins, like most birds, drink by bowing down and scooping water into its mouth. Here's to having an afternoon drink.

POTD 4/28/22

Thu, 28 Apr 2022 09:00:00 GMT

BEAR TREES - Despite no feeders in the yard, the Momma bear and two cubs are hanging around again. The cubs' go-to move when we scare them away is to climb a tree and look back sadly. As cute as they are - we continue the training that there is nothing for them to eat here.

POTD 4/27/22

Wed, 27 Apr 2022 09:00:00 GMT

GOIN' FISHIN' - Female Belted Kingfisher watching the water from a prominent perch overlooking the beaver pond.

POTD 4/26/22

Tue, 26 Apr 2022 09:00:00 GMT

FEMALE EASTERN TOWHEE - Towhees use a double-scratch maneuver to kick leaves and other debris backward, exposing potential food. The bird simply jumps straight up, and while its body is in the air, the feet swing forward and then rake back across the ground, sending debris flying - hopefully uncovering something to eat.

POTD 4/25/22

Mon, 25 Apr 2022 09:00:00 GMT

FICKLE FLICKER - Because of it's odd habits and bold markings, many people don't recognize Northern Flickers as a kind of woodpecker. This female is seen as they most often are, hopping around the lawn searching for their favorite food - ants.

POTD 4/24/22

Sun, 24 Apr 2022 09:00:00 GMT

HOUSEKEEPING - Heron works on her nest on the beaver pond. Herons are already sitting on eggs in other nests as this Heron is working to catch up after arriving after all of last years nests were already taken.

POTD 4/23/22

Sat, 23 Apr 2022 09:00:00 GMT

HAPPY POTD ANNIVERSARY - Two years of a nature photo a day...something for me to enjoy the wonderful nature around us...and, hopefully brightens your day! Yesterday was the two year anniversary...I'm planning to keep it going!

POTD 4/22/22

Fri, 22 Apr 2022 09:00:00 GMT

TREETOP FLYER - Heron perched at the top of a tree on the edge of the beaver pond.

POTD 4/21/22

Thu, 21 Apr 2022 09:00:00 GMT

LIONS AND TIGERS AND... We are very careful with our bird feeders and know that there are bears in our neighborhood...and our neighbors told us about Momma bear and two cubs. We saw them today, so the birds get a feeder vacation for a while.

POTD 4/20/22

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 09:00:00 GMT

NAME FITS HIM - Brown-headed Cowbird is aptly named. I admit a photographic bias toward colorful birds, but Cowbirds are an interesting bird story. They use a nesting strategy called brood parasitism. They lay their eggs in other birds' nests, and the unwitting foster parents do all of the work of incubating and feeding the young cowbird. This is a male Brown-headed Cowbird - so not the actual trespassing egg-layer - but I'm guessing he is in on the tactic.

POTD 4/19/22

Tue, 19 Apr 2022 09:00:00 GMT

CHIPPER - Chipping Sparrow in the hood. Among the Spring arrivals in the yard.

POTD 4/18/22

Mon, 18 Apr 2022 09:00:00 GMT

PILEATED WOODPECKER - Always exited to see a Pileated Woodpecker...as they are illusive and shy. So for this female to pick a pecking spot within camera range made for a nice Sunday wildlife opportunity.

POD 4/17/22

Sun, 17 Apr 2022 09:00:00 GMT

NEWCOMERS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD - Another pair of Herons has settled on the beaver pond...and since all of the existing nests are occupied, the newcomers are having to build a nest from scratch. I can't tell who is working and who is preening...just sayin'

POTD 4/16/22

Sat, 16 Apr 2022 09:00:00 GMT

FROM THE HIGHEST BRANCH - Male Cardinal sings his heart out from the highest branch in the tallest tree. We have spotted two females, so there may be competition in the neighborhood.

POTD 4/15/22

Fri, 15 Apr 2022 09:00:00 GMT

FIND YOUR OWN HENS - A Tom Turkey defends his claim to a few females nearby. Male Turkeys get quite aggressive during Spring mating season.

POTD 4/14/22

Thu, 14 Apr 2022 09:00:00 GMT

PHOEBE BACK - We watch for the Phoebes to return to mark Spring in New Hampshire. In the flycatcher family - Phoebes hunt from perches and catch insects on the wing. They return when insects are available for them to hunt. Welcome back Phoebes.

POTD 4/13/22

Wed, 13 Apr 2022 09:00:00 GMT

UP FOR A STRETCH - A Heron that has been nestled down in the nest for the past few days stands and stretches. I have presumed this to be a female sitting on eggs - and "she" rustled the nest with her beak when she was up...so I think she's on eggs. After several months of the stark beauty of winter on the beaver pond, Spring breaks out..so plenty to keep up with.

POTD 4/12/22

Tue, 12 Apr 2022 09:00:00 GMT

OK...NOW I'LL SAY SPRING - Daffodils blooming under the solar array.

POTD 4/11/22

Mon, 11 Apr 2022 10:16:25 GMT

HMMMMMM MOON? - I spent the weekend watching The Masters golf tournament....and only shot the moon! ;-)

POTD 4/10/22

Sun, 10 Apr 2022 09:00:00 GMT

HERONS ALL AROUND - It is the time of year when Herons nest on several beaver ponds in the area...and they hunt on other ponds nearby. This one perched above Island Pond speaking up.

POTD 4/9/22

Sat, 09 Apr 2022 09:00:00 GMT

I'M HERE - Male Heron calls out from the nest he's claiming...presumably for the mate on the way to join him on the nest at the beaver pond.

POTD 4/8/22

Fri, 08 Apr 2022 09:00:00 GMT

MORE BIRDS BACK - A Kingfisher showed up at the beaver pond...another Spring arrival. Ecologists talk about the concept of limiting factors: that the overall population of a species can be limited by just one scarce resource. In the case of Belted Kingfishers, that resource can be nesting sites. There are plenty of places with enough fish to feed family of Kingfishers, but for nesting they require the eroded face of a sandbank soft enough for the birds to burrow deep into it, and tall and steep enough to make it hard for predators to reach. We are SO pleased that the beaver pond has the right conditions for the Kingfishers.

POTD 4/7/22

Thu, 07 Apr 2022 09:00:00 GMT

GETTING SETTLED - Herons are getting settled into nests on the beaver pond. The Herons return to nests year after year - first come, first served - to raise chicks.

POTD 4/6/22

Wed, 06 Apr 2022 09:00:00 GMT

EAGLE EYE - ON an Eagle watch adventure to the Connecticut River on the New Hampshire-Vemont border I saw this one hunkered down in the nest.

Near the site of a shut-down nuclear power plant...the eagles hunt in the calm water above the dam that provided cooling water for the power plant.

POTD 4/5/22

Tue, 05 Apr 2022 09:00:00 GMT

HE'S BAAAAACK - A birder friend said the Sapsuckers are back a few days ago...and we heard his familiar drumming before we saw him yesterday...the male Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker is a seasonal regular.

POTD 4/4/22

Mon, 04 Apr 2022 09:00:00 GMT

COURTSHIP COLORS - Male Goldfinch in transition to Spring plumage. Many birds molt once a year and simply replace their old feathers with a similar-looking set. Some species - such as the American Goldfinch - molt twice a year and change their appearance dramatically with the seasons. In early Spring male Goldfinches transform from their drab winter plumage to the showy yellow and black feathers they need for courtship. Hormones control the switch that allows the same feather follicle to grow very different feathers at different seasons.

ouflage

POTD 4/3/22

Sun, 03 Apr 2022 09:00:00 GMT

HERONS ARE BACK - Beaver ponds are perfect for herons and the herons are back on the beaver ponds near us. The males arrive first and stake claims on the nests still standing from last season. Newcomers will have to build a nest from scratch.

POTD 4/2/22

Sat, 02 Apr 2022 09:00:00 GMT

WOODPECKER - Female Red-Bellied Woodpecker working tree bark for insect larvae.

POTD 4/1/22

Fri, 01 Apr 2022 09:00:00 GMT

DINNER OUT - Our Sibley Bird Behavior book says it is common for male Cardinals to feed an adult female. The males are signaling their fitness to find enough food to share with their mate. This male Cardinal brought his mate to the feeder for a dinner date...each with their own feeder.

POTD 3/31/22

Thu, 31 Mar 2022 09:00:00 GMT

SEEING COLORS - Like many other birds (and unlike humans), Chickadees can see ultraviolet light - a whole range of color beyond purple. Male and female Chickadees look alike to us, with white cheeks, but they look quite different to each other, as males have a much stronger ultraviolet reflection on their cheeks.

POTD 3/30/22

Wed, 30 Mar 2022 09:00:00 GMT

LEAFY - Fickle Spring weather...Leaf on a frozen puddle.

POTD 3/29/22

Tue, 29 Mar 2022 09:00:00 GMT

ROCKIN' ROBIN - An American Robin stands on a small rock to get just that little bit of extra height as it scans the yard for food. Hunting Robins move in short bursts across the ground - running or hopping forward, then standing upright, often cocking its head to one side. It seems like they are listening for worms, actually they are watching the grass and soil for signs of activity as they hunt their favorite food - earthworms.

POTD 3/28/22

Mon, 28 Mar 2022 09:00:00 GMT

RAINBOW HEADED - Male Bufflehead Duck sports a colorful head pattern. Iridescent feathers in birds are the result of structural patterns in feathers. As iridescent birds move, nanoscale structures within their feathers’ tiny branch-like filaments — known as barbules — interact with light to amplify certain wavelengths depending on the viewing angle. This iridescence is known as structural coloration, wherein crystal-like nanostructures manipulate light.

POTD 3/27/22

Sun, 27 Mar 2022 09:00:00 GMT

STRETCHING - Male Mallard interrupts his dabbling for a little exercise.

POD 3/26/22

Sat, 26 Mar 2022 09:00:00 GMT

COMING IN HOT - Turkey hen flies out of a tree perch through the branches.

POTD 3/25/22

Fri, 25 Mar 2022 09:00:00 GMT

SNOOD-TUDE - Tom Turkeys in Spring courtship display courting colors including the interesting snood. A snood is a fleshy protuberance above a male turkey's bill that can, in some cases, hang down and cover the bill. It can vary dramatically in size, shape, and color. Snoods function in sexual selection: Female turkeys choose who to mate with based on a variety of factors including snood size

POTD 3/24/22

Thu, 24 Mar 2022 09:00:00 GMT

WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING! - Female Bufflehead duck (right) seems to be giving back-seat driving advice to the male - who has his head tucked back grooming - on Mill Pond Wednesday afternoon.

POD 3/23/22

Wed, 23 Mar 2022 09:00:00 GMT

DABBLER - Male Mallard dabbles in a farm pond. Mallards are dabbling ducks that feed by dabbling and upending in water to eat aquatic plants, seeds, grass, small aquatic life and insects. Waterfowl are returning to New Hampshire with the Spring Equinox.

POTD 3/22/22

Tue, 22 Mar 2022 09:00:00 GMT

BUFFLEHEAD BACK - We watch for waterfowl returning to the nearby ponds...and spotted the first today. Mergansers and these male Bufflehead ducks on Mill Pond on the second day of Spring.

POTD 3/21/22

Mon, 21 Mar 2022 09:00:00 GMT

HAPPY SPRING - The first blooms of the season showing up on the Vernal Equinox...when the sun is aligned directly above the equator and the entire world experiences equal day and night.

POTD 3/20/22

Sun, 20 Mar 2022 09:00:00 GMT

SOCK IT TO ME - Goldfinch eating thistle seeds from a seed sock. The Finches in our yard flock the sock.

POTD 3/19/22

Sat, 19 Mar 2022 09:00:00 GMT

Beaver Pond Reflections - Ice is starting to melt on the beaver pond...with open water and reflections on a beautiful day.

POTD 3/18/22

Fri, 18 Mar 2022 09:00:00 GMT

HAWK WEEK - We had a Hawk in our yard this week....and today we spotted a Red-Tailed Hawk in an apple tree while we were out running errands.

POTD 3/17/22

Thu, 17 Mar 2022 09:00:00 GMT

DINING OUT - Downy Woodpeckers, female left, male right - share spots at the feeders.

POTD 3/16/22

Wed, 16 Mar 2022 09:00:00 GMT

HAWK EYE - A Red-Tailed Hawk (I think and Merlin agreed) watches the yard from a perch on the edge. Chipmunks and squirrels are out and about under the bird feeders...so the hawk visits for a chance at a meal.

POTD 3/15/22

Tue, 15 Mar 2022 09:00:00 GMT

MINI-ME WOODPECKER - Male Downy Woodpecker is a smaller look-alike to a Hairy Woodpecker. There is some evidence that the smaller Downy Woodpecker has evolved coloration to match the Hairy Woodpecker because it benefits from being mistaken for the larger, more dominant species.

POTD 3/14/22

Mon, 14 Mar 2022 09:00:00 GMT

SNOW SHADOW - Untracked snow for an afternoon walk...we and our shadow! ;-)

POTD 3/13/22

Sun, 13 Mar 2022 09:00:00 GMT

FINCH FLOCK - Goldfinches flock the feeder in the snow. A flock of Finches is called a Charm - but I'm not sure these Finches found the Saturday snow storm charming.

POTD 3/12/22

Sat, 12 Mar 2022 10:00:00 GMT

EYE ON THE PRIZE - Turkey hen getting attention from the Toms in the yard. Male turkeys fan their tail feathers, puff out all their other feathers and drag their wings on the ground to impress the females...often "posing" for hours.

POTD 3/11/22

Fri, 11 Mar 2022 10:00:00 GMT

GRACKLES BACK - We mark the season change with warm sunny days and the return of birds to our yard. We call the Grackles the "Gridley Boys" thinking they are coming in from the nearby Gridley River...even though we know they are harbingers of Spring and when we see them we know Spring is around the corner.

POTD 3/10/22

Thu, 10 Mar 2022 10:00:00 GMT

OH SNOW! - A squirrel digging out seeds under the bird feeder in the snow Wednesday. After a stretch of warm weather - our snow had almost completely melted - until Wednesday. ;-)

POTD 3/9/22

Wed, 09 Mar 2022 10:00:00 GMT

DAY MOON? - I've been curious why I can sometimes see the moon during the day? The Google answer: Primarily, there are two reasons why we sometimes see the moon during the day. First of all, the moon is bright and close enough to be seen against the blue hue of the sky. Secondly, the duration for which it is above the horizon of Earth coincides with the sun, making it possible to be seen during the daytime. I'm still a little curious ;-)

POTD 3/8/22

Tue, 08 Mar 2022 10:00:00 GMT

GOT MY EYE ON YOU - Turkey hen portrait.

POTD 3/7/22

Mon, 07 Mar 2022 10:00:00 GMT

SPRING MELT - Melted snow on top of the still frozen beaver pond is enough for a little reflection on a sunny Sunday.

POTD 3/6/22

Sun, 06 Mar 2022 10:00:00 GMT

MONADNOCK SUNSET - We got off our mountain Saturday evening in time to see a sunset over Monadnock Mountain.

POTD 3/5/22

Sat, 05 Mar 2022 10:00:00 GMT

LOVELY DOVEY - Mourning Dove (I can't tell the males from females) back in the yard this Spring. Almost Spring anyway ;-)!

POTD 3/4/22

Fri, 04 Mar 2022 10:00:00 GMT

WING ASSIST START - Turkey hen uses her wings for a jump start headed to the other side of the yard where other turkeys might be finding more scattered feed.

POTD 3/3/22

Thu, 03 Mar 2022 10:00:00 GMT

FOXY - The Fox Sparrow showed up again...might be an early migrant. Who knows with climate change?

POTD 3/2/22

Wed, 02 Mar 2022 10:00:00 GMT

SNOW SHADOW - The snow cover makes an appropriate palette for afternoon shadows.

POTD 3/1/22

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 10:00:00 GMT

CHARMING - The collective noun for a group of Goldfinches is a 'charm'. This rather suits these delightful little birds....this female is in the flock that has frequented the feeder in our yard again recently.

POTD 2/28/22

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 10:00:00 GMT

RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER - I visited my friends at Hampshire Country School this weekend and was pleased to see the students excited about bird watching. I noticed this woodpecker on the school suet feeder - giving a glimpse of her namesake red belly. Do you know how to know this is a female woodpecker?

POTD 2/27/22

Sun, 27 Feb 2022 10:00:00 GMT

FINCH FIGHT - Goldfinches travel in flocks...and a flock has returned to our yard. Unlike most other small birds that take a seed and leave, Finches will sit at the feeder nibbling seeds while occupying all of the perches. Occasional disagreements between neighbors at the feeder are bound to occur.

POTD 2/26/22

Sat, 26 Feb 2022 10:00:00 GMT

FOXY - Even with Friday's big snow storm, Spring birds are showing up in the yard. This is the first we've seen of a Fox Sparrow...puffed up against the cold snow.

POTD 2/25/22

Fri, 25 Feb 2022 10:00:00 GMT

GET YOUR SPOT - Turkeys getting settled for the night. Turkeys roost at night in trees and pick their spots in early evening.

POTD 2/24/22

Thu, 24 Feb 2022 10:00:00 GMT

CREEPER - The Brown Creeper is so small and camouflaged it is barely noticed even though it is found in wooded areas throughout most of North America. One of our favorite winter birds...even though it is tough to spot.

POTD 2/23/22

Wed, 23 Feb 2022 10:00:00 GMT

MERGANSER - Male Red-Breasted Merganser in the Merrimack River near the seacoast.

POTD 2/22/21

Tue, 22 Feb 2022 10:00:00 GMT

EXCUSE ME - Snowy Owl appears to speak up about the attention it gets on a picnic table bench in a New Hampshire park Monday. My friend and neighbor took me along on a Snowy Owl excursion to the Seacoast...and we saw not one, but two Snowy Owls...Great Nature Day!

POD 2/21/22

Mon, 21 Feb 2022 10:00:00 GMT

AT THE WATER HOLE - Male Red-Bellied Woodpecker drinks at a tree scar water hole. A bit of warm weather was welcomed by everyone.

POTD 2/20/22

Sun, 20 Feb 2022 10:00:00 GMT

TRAIL FLOOD - A February warm spell has turned our trail along the brook into a waterfall...but our rollercoaster weather promises to re-freeze this weekend.

POTD 2/19/22

Sat, 19 Feb 2022 10:00:00 GMT

ADAPTABLE - We have been watching a Tufted Titmouse with an injured leg for several weeks - and have been amazed at how well it goes about eating and getting by with only one good leg. Nature adapts!

POTD 2/18/22

Fri, 18 Feb 2022 10:00:00 GMT

BLUE MOUNTAIN - Monadnock Mountain - snow capped and covered in blue.

POTD 2/17/22

Thu, 17 Feb 2022 10:00:00 GMT

CHICKADEE CHOMP - A Chickadee pecks a sunflower seed collected from the feeder. Despite the fact that Chickadees are reliable and consistent visitors to bird feeders, more than half of their diet year-round is animal prey. In winter they hunt for dormant tiny insects and spiders, including eggs and larvae, which are found in bark crevices and dead leaf clusters.

POTD 2/16/22

Wed, 16 Feb 2022 10:00:00 GMT

BROOK ICE - Fickle temps - warm then cold - make ice formations on the brook from the beaver pond.

POT 2/15/22

Tue, 15 Feb 2022 10:00:00 GMT

THAT MOON - Watching for lunar landing craft...almost full moon.

POTD 2/14/22

Mon, 14 Feb 2022 10:00:00 GMT

TURKEY IN THE SNOW - Turkey hen pecks in the snow...Still Winter!

POTD 2/13/22

Sun, 13 Feb 2022 10:00:00 GMT

MAPLE SUNSET - The Maple tree in our front yard is a friendly and familiar foreground for a beautiful February sunset.

POTD 2/12/22

Sat, 12 Feb 2022 10:00:00 GMT

BLUE MOUNTAIN - Monadnock Mountain under blue sunset clouds.

POTD 2/11/22

Fri, 11 Feb 2022 10:00:00 GMT

AH DOVE - The first Mourning Dove of the season...even with cold winter weather - Spring starts.

POTD 2/10/22

Thu, 10 Feb 2022 10:00:00 GMT

DIGGIN' IT OUT - Turkey hen scratches in the snow to get at bird seed. Scratch, peck, repeat.

POD 2/9/22

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 10:00:00 GMT

BELLS ON THE BROOK - Ice bells formed on a log over the brook from the beaver pond.

POTD 2/8/22

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 10:00:00 GMT

GOLDFINCHES ARE BACK - Male Goldfinch in the process of transforming from drab winter plumage to bright, showy plumage he will need for courtship this Spring.

POTD 2/7/22

Mon, 07 Feb 2022 10:00:00 GMT

ON THE BEAVER POND - Tracks all over the beaver pond after rain, sleet, freezing rain, then snow...thankful for a sunny day!

POTD 2/6/22

Sun, 06 Feb 2022 10:00:00 GMT

ICY PERCH - Chickadee on ice covered branches. Brrrr...

POTD 2/5/22

Sat, 05 Feb 2022 10:00:00 GMT

ICED - Freezing rain from a nasty winter storm coats the branches and the few remaining berries on a winterberry bush Friday.

POTD 2/4/22

Fri, 04 Feb 2022 10:00:00 GMT

JAYBIRD - We saw our friend Jaybird recently after a long absence...and are seeing lots of Blue Jays in the yard in the snow.

POTD 2/3/22

Thu, 03 Feb 2022 10:00:00 GMT

AFTERBLOOM - The cut tulips have run their blooming course...still interesting...but past prime.

POTD 2/2/22

Wed, 02 Feb 2022 10:00:00 GMT

FROST FEATHER - Hoar frost on a twig. Really cold temperatures freeze moisture out of the air into feather patterns on surfaces. Fancy Frost.

POTD 2/1/22

Tue, 01 Feb 2022 10:00:00 GMT

MOOSE ON THE BROOK - I'm not usually one of those guys that "sees things" in clouds...actually, I am ;-) ...and I noticed ice on the brook that made me think Moose. Ice art!

POTD 1/31/22

Mon, 31 Jan 2022 10:00:00 GMT

COOL DRINK - Chickadee drinks at the heated water bowl after the big Nor'easter snow storm. The birds are taking advantage of the open water.

POTD 1/30/22

Sun, 30 Jan 2022 10:00:00 GMT

GET A LEG UP - Turkey hen stands on one leg in the Saturday snow storm. Birds' legs have an adaptation called "rete mirabile" that minimizes heat loss. The arteries that transport warm blood into the legs lie in contact with the veins that return colder blood to the bird's heart. ... And by standing on one leg, a bird reduces by half the amount of heat lost through unfeathered limbs. Brrrrrrrr!

POTD 1/29/22

Sat, 29 Jan 2022 10:00:00 GMT

FIRST FLAKES TO FLY - Blue Jay in the first snow flakes to fall in the big storm coming today.

POTD 1/28/22

Fri, 28 Jan 2022 10:00:00 GMT

TIT FOR THAT - Tufted Titmouse at the heated bird bath.

POTD 1/27/21

Thu, 27 Jan 2022 10:00:00 GMT

MS RED-BELLIED - Female Red-Bellied Woodpecker with suet on her bill. The birds are going for the fat-rich food with really cold weather in New Hampshire.

POTD 1/26/22

Wed, 26 Jan 2022 10:00:00 GMT

DUCKS? - We usually see ducks on the area ponds in Spring...so, surprised to see these ducks along what little open water there is on Mill Pond. Hope their duck down works in the single digit temperatures forecast for the weekend.

POTD 1/25/22

Tue, 25 Jan 2022 10:00:00 GMT

BLUE MOON - I love to see the moon in the daytime...even only half full.

POTD 1/24/22

Mon, 24 Jan 2022 10:00:00 GMT

WINTER POND - Quiet at the beaver pond when it is frozen after several days of below zero temperatures.

POTD 1/23/22

Sun, 23 Jan 2022 10:00:00 GMT

FROST STAR - Hoar Frost on the Brook. Hoarfrost is dew-drops deposited and frozen into ice crystals to form a white deposit on an exposed surface when the air is cold and moist. We've had plenty of COLD and moist in New Hampshire lately.

POTD 1/22/22

Sat, 22 Jan 2022 10:00:00 GMT

RED SKY IN MORNING - A red sunrise conjures the ancient adage of mariners relating to forecasting the weather. We don't take warning at a red sunrise as the sailors did...but enjoy the spectacle when we rise early enough to catch it.

POTD 1/21/22

Fri, 21 Jan 2022 10:00:00 GMT

TURKEY SHARK - Turkey hen with an errant feather on her back. We see turkeys with feathers askew pretty often from the jostling they take flying in and out of trees to roost.

POTD 1/20/22

Thu, 20 Jan 2022 10:00:00 GMT

BIRD WATER - After a couple of photos of birds eating snow during really cold New Hampshire weather, several people suggested we have heated water for the birds. We have had heated bird water for years...but like the horse saying..."you can lead em' to water, but you can't make em' drink" goes for our birds and the ones that choose snow over the open water in the heated bird bath.

POTD 1/19/22

Wed, 19 Jan 2022 10:00:00 GMT

FEEDER ACROBATICS - A Bluejay needs some gymnastics to use the tube feeder.

POTD 1/18/22

Tue, 18 Jan 2022 10:00:00 GMT

HERE'S LOOKIN' AT YOU - Titmouse on a limb....the little birds are all over the feeders in the cold weather.

POTD 1/17/22

Mon, 17 Jan 2022 10:00:00 GMT

BRRRRR - A Chickadee eats snow from the bird bath. Birds will eat snow when they have to and the really cold weather in New Hampshire this weekend made water hard to find.

POTD 1/16/22

Sun, 16 Jan 2022 10:00:00 GMT

TREED TURKEY - The Turkeys were staying in the trees in the extremely cold weather in New Hampshire this weekend. Not sure it was much warmer, but sunning in the tree seemed like the thing to do.

POTD 1/15/22

Sat, 15 Jan 2022 10:00:00 GMT

'SCUZE ME? - A Nuthatch seems perturbed at being caught mid-groom during a preening session. Birds spend at least 10 percent of each day preening their feathers. Preening is so important that some details of bill shape have evolved specifically for that activity.

POTD 1/14/22

Fri, 14 Jan 2022 10:00:00 GMT

SNOWBIRD - Slate-colored Junco digs seeds from the snow. Juncos are mostly ground feeders, scratching around under bird feeders. In colder months the Juncos travel in flocks from evergreen forests to backyards all over the U.S., getting the nickname snowbirds - as they seem to bring snowy winter weather with them.

POTD 1/13/22

Thu, 13 Jan 2022 10:00:00 GMT

SNOW CONE - A female Red-bellied Woodpecker eats collected snow on her favorite Maple tree. Although birds can eat snow, it costs them precious energy to warm the snow up to body temperature—a costly expense in severe cold. ... In addition to drinking, birds use water to keep their feathers clean, and some will bathe even in winter. This woodpecker chose the snow over the heated water bowl on the patio.

POTD 1/12/22

Wed, 12 Jan 2022 10:00:00 GMT

FROZEN - Single digit temperatures and wind chill below zero - the beaver pond frozen today.

POT 1/11/22

Tue, 11 Jan 2022 11:00:40 GMT

OK WINTER, YOU GOT MY ATTENTION - Bracing for the coldest temperatures of the year so far...icicles on the eaves are telling the weather tales today.

POTD 1/10/22

Mon, 10 Jan 2022 10:00:00 GMT

THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS - A reflection in a small opening in the ice on the pool below the beaver pond dam made me think of the proverbial looking glass.

POTD 1/9/22

Sun, 09 Jan 2022 10:00:00 GMT

WINTER SHADOW SELFIE - Late day shadows across the frozen beaver pond.

POTD 1/8/22

Sat, 08 Jan 2022 10:00:00 GMT

TURKEY IN THE SNOW - An all-day snow event had the turkeys (and us) out in the snow Friday.

POTD 1/7/22

Fri, 07 Jan 2022 10:00:00 GMT

QUARTER MOON IN A TEN CENT TOWN - Borrowing from an Emmy Lou Harris lyric - not really a commentary on our town. ;-) Just something interesting in the evening sky.

POTD 1/6/22

Thu, 06 Jan 2022 10:00:00 GMT

NUTHATCHES cling to the bark and can move in any direction, often hanging head down. This male White-breasted Nuthatch has a shiny black crown, while the female's is gray.

POTD 1/5/22

Wed, 05 Jan 2022 10:00:00 GMT

FALLING WATER - A few days of warmer weather have the brook from the beaver pond running full speed.

POTD 1/4/22

Tue, 04 Jan 2022 10:00:00 GMT

FITTING SENDOFF - After several days of fog, we had a colorful sunset for a sendoff of 2021...bright skies for 2022!

POTD 1/3/22

Mon, 03 Jan 2022 10:00:00 GMT

2022 IS COMING IN WARM AND WET - Our New Year's snowflakes are water drops on a Pine branch.

POTD 1/2/22

Sun, 02 Jan 2022 10:00:00 GMT

HERE'S TO A BRIGHT 2022 - A foggy New Year's Day to bring in 2022...here's to many full bloom days this year!

POTD 1/1/22

Sat, 01 Jan 2022 10:00:00 GMT

OH FOGGY NIGHT - With the year it has been...it is appropriate that 2021 goes out in a fog. Here's to 2022 bringing bright, sunny days.

POTD 12/31/21

Fri, 31 Dec 2021 10:00:00 GMT

JAYBIRD - Bluejay eating oranges...frozen fruit in December.

POTD 12/30/21

Thu, 30 Dec 2021 10:00:00 GMT

YOU LEFT ME HANGING - Ice sheets left hanging from branches by water receding from the pool below the beaver pond are reflected in the open water. Temperatures have been above freezing during the day prompting unusual melting.

POTD 12/29/21

Wed, 29 Dec 2021 10:00:00 GMT

WINTER FLUFF - Mourning Dove puffed up against Winter cold. Birds fluff their feathers in winter to trap air to provide extra insulation against cold.

POTD 12/28/21

Tue, 28 Dec 2021 10:00:00 GMT

WINTER TEETH - Icicles and crusty snow on a branch near the beaver pond. It's Winter in New Hampshire!

POTD 12/27/2`1

Mon, 27 Dec 2021 10:00:00 GMT

Beech leaves collect snow and ice from a day-after-Christmas weather event along the trail to the beaver pond.

POTD 12/26/21

Sun, 26 Dec 2021 10:00:00 GMT

NEAT CELLAR HOLE - Ice in a cellar hole in the Wapack Wilderness. Cellar holes are the remains of early residents' homes...usually lined with stones, they collect water and this one made interesting patterns in the winter forest.

POTD 12/25/21

Sat, 25 Dec 2021 10:00:00 GMT

MERRY CHRISTMAS - The Picture of the Day of our cats...and wishing you and yours a very, merry Christmas.

POTD 12/24/21

Fri, 24 Dec 2021 10:00:00 GMT

DESIGNATED SCENIC - The end of our road has been designated by the town as "scenic"...which means repair and maintenance must not damage or destroy. We have enjoyed walking on our forest road for over 20 years and appreciate the town recognizing it's beauty.

POD 12/23/21

Thu, 23 Dec 2021 10:00:00 GMT

EAT LIKE A BIRD - Goldfinch eating seeds from a catkin on a White Birch tree. Finchees have started showing up in the yard after being gone in Fall and early Winter.

EAT

POTD 12/22/21

Wed, 22 Dec 2021 10:00:00 GMT

WECOME WINTER SOLSTICE - Moonless night sky to welcome the Winter Solstice to make the turn toward Spring.

POTD 12/21/21

Tue, 21 Dec 2021 10:00:00 GMT

FROSTING - Ice on the branches of the cherry tree lit up by the sunset.

POTD 12/20/21

Mon, 20 Dec 2021 10:00:00 GMT

TIRE ART - We had a little snow so we wrote our name on the driveway ;-)

POTD 12/19/21

Sun, 19 Dec 2021 10:00:00 GMT

WINTER LOOK - Beech and Oak leaves on the pool below the beaver dam as winter is sneaking up on us this year.

POTD 12/18/21

Sat, 18 Dec 2021 10:00:00 GMT

HANGING ON - Roots of a White Birch tree spread out over rocks along the brook from the beaver pond.

POTD 12/17/21

Fri, 17 Dec 2021 10:00:00 GMT

FICKLE WINTER WEATHER - A warm stretch melted the ice on the beaver pond for the return of reflections on the surface.

POTD 12/16/21

Thu, 16 Dec 2021 10:00:00 GMT

PICKY EATER - A Black-Capped Chickadee spits a sunflower seed shell eating at a platform feeder. Chickadees will pick through seeds at a feeder to select the seed with the most fat content...taking full advantage of the effort they go through to shell the seed.

POTD 12/15/21

Wed, 15 Dec 2021 10:00:00 GMT

HURRY SUNDOWN - Leafless trees silhouette as sunset starts to come earlier with Winter Solstice approaching.

POTD 12/14/21

Tue, 14 Dec 2021 10:00:00 GMT

SNOW CAPPED - Our trail gnome got a snow cap recently.

POTD 12/13/21

Mon, 13 Dec 2021 10:00:00 GMT

DOWN DRINKIN' AT THE ... Red-Bellied Woodpecker gets a drink at a Maple tree watering hole. We had rain to fill the maple tree drinking wells and the birds like them better than the bird baths we provide.

POTD 12/12/21

Sun, 12 Dec 2021 10:00:00 GMT

FAVORITE WINTER BIRD - A Brown Creeper on the maple tree...Vic';s favorite winter bird.

POTD 12/11/21

Sat, 11 Dec 2021 10:00:00 GMT

COOL ICE - Ice forms on branches in the brook...winter patterns all around.

POTD 12/10/21

Fri, 10 Dec 2021 10:00:00 GMT

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE....We had a light snow that decorated the forest with frosting.

POTD 12/9/21

Thu, 09 Dec 2021 10:00:00 GMT

FALL GARDENING - A Bluejay digs around in the leaves in the patio garden. We leave as much leaf litter as we can in the gardens for larvae and bugs that the birds can eat.

POTD 12/8/21

Wed, 08 Dec 2021 10:00:00 GMT

I SEE FACES in a tree stump on a hike in the Wapack Wilderness. Use your imagination...he's smiling. ;-)

POTD 12/7/21

Tue, 07 Dec 2021 10:00:00 GMT

NUTHATCH - White-Breasted Nuthatch creeps headfirst in all directions on tree trunks.

POTD 12/6/21

Mon, 06 Dec 2021 10:00:00 GMT

WE LOVE when an Orchid blooms again...a bright spot on a cloudy day!

POTD 12/5/21

Sun, 05 Dec 2021 10:00:00 GMT

NEW ANGLE ON MONADNOCK - We enjoyed seeing Monadnock Mountain from a different vantage on a hike with our friends Saturday.

POTDS 12/4/21

Sat, 04 Dec 2021 10:00:00 GMT

EARLY GOLDEN HOUR - With Winter Solstice coming up - the evening golden hour is earlier and earlier on the beaver pond.

POTD 12/3/21

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 10:00:00 GMT

STILL BREAKING ICE - The beavers were still working the ice today...and I had a better angle. Two beavers were working in front of the dam keeping as much open water as they could.

POTD 12/2/21

Thu, 02 Dec 2021 10:00:00 GMT

ICEBREAKER - A Beaver breaks ice near the dam on the beaver pond. They earn their busy caricature keeping water open for getting in and out of the pond before the ice gets too thick to break.

POTD 12/1/21

Wed, 01 Dec 2021 10:00:00 GMT

WINTER SCENE on our little pond.

POTD 11/30/21

Tue, 30 Nov 2021 10:00:00 GMT

SNOWBIRD RETURN - Slate-colored Junco with a touch of the first New Hampshire snow on it's beak. Juncos are the "snowbirds" of the middle latitudes. Over most of the eastern United States, they appear as winter sets in, and then retreat northward each spring.

POTD 11/29/21

Mon, 29 Nov 2021 10:00:00 GMT

The first snowfall of the season sliding off the solar array made me think Winter was giving me an "I'm Back" grin.

POTD 11/28/21

Sun, 28 Nov 2021 10:00:00 GMT

LEAVIN' ON A JET PLANE - When the only thing flying over the beaver pond was a big ole jet plane.

POTD 11/27/21

Sat, 27 Nov 2021 10:00:00 GMT

CLOUDS DRIFT OVER NEW IPSWICH MOUNTAIN yesterday as winter sets in at the beaver pond.

POTD 11/26/21

Fri, 26 Nov 2021 10:00:00 GMT

NICE ICE - Sticks and stems in the brook from the beaver pond make interesting ice formations.

POTD 11/25/21

Thu, 25 Nov 2021 10:00:00 GMT

RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER - Red-Bellied Woodpecker is named for a red-tinged belly that is almost never visible - and you'd think this male with his bright red head would be called a Red-Headed Woodpecker, but they look completely different.

POTD 11/24/21

Wed, 24 Nov 2021 10:00:00 GMT

BRRRRWINTER - Ice on the brook from the beaver pond as Fall has fallen to Winter.

POTD 11/23/21

Tue, 23 Nov 2021 10:00:00 GMT

AHHHH SUNSET - When the sky lights up at at sunset and I have not taken ANY photos for Picture of the Day ;-) I'm thankful for a pretty sunset!