Brown Creeper I take a photo of these birds every chance I get, because I’m always hoping to get that one great photo, that I’m super happy with. This was that photo for me! My challenge is to get them from the side, in great light, sharp, with a nice background. I definitely felt I achieved that with this one. Definitely my favorite to date! If you’ve ever tried to photograph this bird, I’m sure you know how difficult it can be to get a clean, sharp photo!
Palm Warbler This was actually the 1st Warbler I saw this Spring! They’re the most cooperative warblers in my opinion! I posted the Yellow-throated Warbler 1st because it’s more rare in these parts.
Yellow-throated Warbler This Warbler has been the main attraction at Franklin Park! I happened to check ebird yesterday and someone reported seeing it the day before, so I decided to go out and see if I could find it. Figured I’d take a chance. Soon as I arrived to the location, there it was singing and foraging in the trees. Not a lifer for me, but 1st time seeing it in Massachusetts. My 1st encounter was in Florida.
Join me, Jeannine Laing of the Franklin Park Tennis Association and other park friends, Sunday, June 5th, 8am to 10am for a Bird Walk in Franklin Park in celebration of Black Birders Week.
Co-sponsored by the Franklin Park Coalition, Brookline Bird Club, Franklin Park Tennis Association and the Emerald Necklace Bird Club. @franklinparkbos @the_brookline_bird_club
Information for participants: Please bring binoculars, if you have them. Limited loaner binoculars will be available, provided by Mass Audubon’s Boston Nature Center @massaudubonboston. We recommend wearing comfortable shoes, dressing for the weather conditions and wearing a hat with a brim. The nearest restrooms are at the Franklin Park Golf Course Clubhouse. In the event of heavy rain, the walk will be cancelled.
Meeting location: Meet by the tennis courts next to the Shattuck Picnic Grove on Circuit Drive. Street parking available and accessible via bus and subway (Forest Hills stop on Orange Line).
Hermit Thrush These have to be one of the easiest migrants to get a photo of, but somehow, this season, I was getting crappy photos. There was always branches blocking them. They’re usually foraging on the ground and when you’re walking, they will normally fly up to a nearby branch, perch there, look around for a little bit, (if you stand still) then fly off to another nearby area and continue foraging. I finally got a clear shot of one. I feel like this season the birds aren’t letting me be great!
Blackburnian Warbler I actually photographed one for the 1st time at Mount Auburn Cemetery last year. It was far away and high up in a tree. The pic wasn’t good, so I never posted it. However, I was still happy to see one for the 1st time. This is the 2nd encounter and I was able to get a little better pic. It’s not the kind of pic I was hoping for, but it’s better than the one I took last year. This Warbler isn’t cooperative at all!
Northern Parula I won’t even tell you how many shots I took of this Warbler! Just know it was way more than the previous post of the Prairie Warbler! It was kind of high up in the tree for a while, then for a brief moment it came down lower, giving me some decent looks. I wasn’t able to get a clean, full body sideview like I was hoping for, but this one will do.
Blue-headed Vireo. When I came across this bird, I was able to get 4 quick shots before it took off. It was a quick encounter and luckily two of the images were sharp. I like using single point focus, so I have to be very accurate within the time I encounter birds. Especially the little ones!
1st time ever seeing this behavior! Belted Kingfisher ♂️ offering the female a fish. You never know what you’ll encounter in nature! That’s what make it so interesting!
Dark-eyed Junco I was out yesterday looking for spring migrants and was surprised to see these guys still here. I figured they would’ve been gone by now. Of course I had to get a photo. Definitely the best photo I’ve taken this year of one, so I appreciate the opportunity.