This Prothonotary Warbler (
Protonotaria citrea
) migratory bird is visiting the North East USA for some nest building and baby rearing duties. You can find this fine bird along trails near wooded swamps or marshes. Here I was able to get a photo of the activities of preparing the nest.
Many times each year I take time to appreciate wild life and nature, These creatures who fly, walk, slither and live along side us humans. Several things stand our as I write this, one being how amazing are the birds survival capabilities out doors in the cold, wind, and snow, I took a few hours today to brave the near 0 temps to go out and take a few photos of birds being birds.
A common buckeye caterpillar shown on a host plant. This species is resident across the southern United States, much of Mexico and as far north as southern Canada. When in the butterfly state, it regularly expands its range each year
northward to temporarily colonize much of the U.S., reaching Canada. Starting in late summer and continuing through fall, huge numbers of adults migrate southward, where the adults overwinter.
On a otherwise boring day I ran across this wonderful flower growing in the sunlight next to the Potomac River, Not having a macro lens, I used my 400mm to capture the beauty.
The Great Blue stands 132 cm (four feet) tall, has a 213 cm (seven-foot) wingspan and weighs 2.5 kg. It has a long yellow bill. Adults have blue-grey wings and back and a white head with a black cap and a long black plume. In flight, the long neck is held in an S-shape with the long legs trailing behind. This bird flies with strong deliberate wing beats.