White-throated Sparrow Spring
Central Park was filled with the lovely White-throated Sparrows in breeding plumage yesterday. Crisp facial markings make the White-throated Sparrow an attractive bird as well as a hopping, flying anatomy lesson. There’s the black eyestripe, the white crown and supercilium, the yellow lores, the white throat bordered by a black whisker, or malar stripe.
Ruby-crowned Male Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet Male
The picture of this male Ruby-crowned Kinglet on a branch was taken in the New York Botanical Gardens near the Twin Lakes area.
One of North America’s smallest birds, the Ruby-crowned Kinglet can be recognized by its constant wing-flicking. The male shows its red crown only infrequently. The length of the Ruby-crowned Kinglet is 3.5 to 4.5 inches and is constant motion making it quite the challenge to photograph.
Yellow-rumped Warbler Breeding Plumage
Black-capped Chickadee on Twig
The Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) is a small, North American songbird, a passerine bird in the tit family Paridae. It is the state bird of both Maine and Massachusetts in the United States, and the provincial bird of New Brunswick in Canada. The Black-capped Chickadee is notable for its capacity to lower its body temperature during cold winter nights. I took this picture in the azalea garden and the New York Botanical Gardens.
White-throated Sparrow Breeding Plumage
White-throated_Sparrow
The picture of this very handsome White-throated Sparrow was taken in the Azalea Garden at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx. Spring is definitely attempting to peek through the winter drapery – there was an azalea flower in full bloom. This means that the White-throated Sparrows will be taking off soon – I will miss them and the image of them diligently scraping the ground for food.
It was great to see a Red-winged Blackbird at the New York Botanical Gardens this weekend as this is an indication that spring is on it way – especially since it is supposed to snow in New York City today. Not exactly sure when this guy has taken this pose. It could be that he is “playing dead” – he did fly off right after I took this shot.
Female Mallard Duck
Just so you know – the picture of this Lovely Female Mallard Duck was taken just after copulation!
The picture of this juvenile Red-tailed Hawk in Flight was taken in Prospect Park in Brooklyn, NY.
The picture of this very wise looking female Northern Cardinal was taken at the New York Botanical Gardens in the Bronx, New York. I am always delighted to get yet another peek at the various colors of our Nothern Cardinals.
Tufted-titmouse on Hand
Ring-billed Gull in Flight
Female House Sparrow
American Avocet
The picture of this Black-capped Chickadee on hand was taken at the New York Botanical Gardens. The chickadee and titmouse are very “friendly” at the gardens and will respond if you put your hand out even if you do not have any seeds for them. I love feeling the life force in their little bodies when they are on my hand.
