TRIPPING THE LIGHT FANTASTIC - The iridescence in Common Grackle feathers is caused by structural coloration driven by microscopic nanostructures  that manipulate light. When sunlight strikes these microscopic feather barbules, light waves bounce off both the upper and underlying surfaces that  amplifies certain wavelengths (like vibrant blues, purples, greens and bronzes) and cancels out others.

DOWNY OR HAIRY? - A male Hairy Woodpecker pauses his climb up a maple tree. Hairy Woodpeckers are a larger version of a nearly identical looking Downy Woodpecker. Recent research supports the idea that the smaller Downy Woodpecker might be evolving to match the appearance of the Hairy Woodpecker - which could benefit the smaller bird when other birds mistake it for the larger species (Hairy Woodpecker). Solving the identification challenge - the Hairy Woodpecker has a longer beak (as long as the head is deep).​​​​​​​

MINI-ME HERON - A Great Blue Heron chick stands tall under its parent in a nest on the beaver pond.