tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-267933877592148187Wed, 03 Jun 2026 12:05:15 +0000Bald EagleGreat EgretFloridaCrops & ClipsTricolored HeronLittle Blue HeronGreen HeronGreat Blue HeronAnhingaNorthern CardinalIllinoisWood StorkAmerican KestrelLoggerhead ShrikeCamera CrittersYellow-crowned Night-HeronCardinalGood FencesSaturday's CrittersSkywatch FridayWeekend ReflectionsWhite IbisPrairie WarblerRed-shouldered HawkBobcatKilldeersunrisebutterflyBlue JaydeerbutterfliesNorthern MockingbirdPainted BuntingSnowy EgretPalm WarblernestRed-winged BlackbirdAmerican RobinEgretMottled DuckOspreyRaccoonSandhill CraneWhite-tailed DeerheronBlue-gray GnatcatcherCommon NighthawkEgyptian GooseGoldfinchMourning DoveRed-tailed HawkBrown ThrasherOvenbirdWarblerCommon YellowthroatGray CatbirdMuscovy DuckWhite-winged DovemockingbirdSong SparrowTibetan MastiffWarblersgnatcatcherCoyoteGreat Horned OwlMoonNorthern ParulaWhite-eyed VireoYellow-rumped WarblerBelted KingfisherBlack-necked StiltCedar WaxwingGray SquirrelMonarchRoseate SpoonbillSavannah SparrowWhite-crowned SparrowgrandchildrenBlack-and-White WarblerBoat-tailed GrackleCanada GooseCattle EgretChapel TrailCooper's HawkDickcisselEastern Screech-OwlMerlinRed-bellied WoodpeckerRed-eyed VireoSpotted SandpiperYellow-bellied SapsuckercloudsAmerican GoldfinchCommon Ground-DoveDouble-crested CormorantHouse FinchMarsh RabbitPileated WoodpeckerhummingbirdrainbowBlack-throated Blue WarblerBobolinkBuntingCommon GrackleCormorantEastern PhoebeHalloween PennantNew MexicoPurple gallinuleRose-breasted GrosbeakSkyWhooping CranedoveflickernuthatchAmerican RedstartBlack VultureGray-headed SwamphenHouse SparrowNorthern FlickerNorthern HarrierSwamp SparrowYellow-throated WarblerZebra butterflybackyarddragonflyvireowetlandsAlaskaBlue-headed VireoCarolina WrenCrittersEastern BluebirdGrasshopper SparrowJulia butterflyLeast TernLimpkinMallardOriolePembroke PinesRed-headed WoodpeckerReddish EgretRuby-throated HummingbirdYellow WarblerchickadeereflectionswildflowersyellowthroatBird D'PotBurrowing OwlEagleField SparrowFish CrowGreat Crested FlycatcherIndigo BuntingLincoln's SparrowPhoebePine WarblerScarlet TanagerShort-tailed HawkTowheeWhite PeacockWild Bird WednesdayWrenrobinAmerican Tree SparrowArizonaBaltimore OrioleBell's VireoBlack-capped ChickadeeBlack-crowned Night-HeronBrown BasiliskCommon GallinuleCottonmouth Water MoccasinEastern KingbirdEastern TowheeFenceFlorida wetlandsGreen IguanaGrosbeakGulf FritillaryNight-HeronNorthern WaterthrushPied-billed GrebeRuby-crowned KingletSharp-shinned HawkSolitary SandpiperSwamphenWhite PelicanWhite-throated SparrowanoleblackbirdcatbirdconservationeagletsfencesgranddaughtersjuncorookerysandpipersparrowsspiderwaterthrushAgramonteAmerican AlligatorBlue GrosbeakChipping SparrowDark-eyed JuncoFlorida Box TurtleGrand CanyonGreat White HeronGreen Cay WetlandsLark SparrowLouisiana WaterthrushMiramarSedge WrenShrikeTree SwallowWilletbehavioreaglesfoggrackleibisnestingopossumsquirrelstorkvideoBarred OwlBataviaBook ReviewCanadaCommon Ground DoveCraneDowny WoodpeckerEastern MeadowlarkEvergladesGreater YellowlegsHairy WoodpeckerJapanese GardenKingfisherMagnolia WarblerMarsh WrenMeadowlarkNashville WarblerNelson LakeOrange-crowned WarblerPalo Duro CanyonPurple FinchRed-breasted NuthatchReflectionSanibel IslandSoraSouth DakotaSuperMoonTexasTurkey VultureWestern BluebirdWild PigduckhawkheronslantanamangosunsetAlligator FlagAmerican BitternAmerican White PelicanAnniversaryAsh-throated FlycatcherBadlandsBlack BearBlack-throated Green WarblerBlack-whiskered VireoBlue-winged TealBroward CountyBrown BearCactus WrenCaspian TernChestnut-sided WarblerChicagoCritterDenaliElkEuropean StarlingGlossy IbisGray KingbirdGround-DoveHenslow's SparrowHooded MerganserHoonahHorned LarkLake LouiseLapland LongspurLong-eared OwlMountain BluebirdPeregrine FalconPhiladelphia VireoPurple SwamphenQueen butterflyRed-breasted MerganserRoyal PalmRuddy TurnstoneSaguaro CactusSandia CrestSiboneySpot-breasted OrioleSpotted TowheeSteller's JayTanagerTennessee WarblerVirginia RailWestern SpindalisWhite-breasted NuthatchWilson's SnipeWisconsinWorm-eating WarblerYellow-headed BlackbirdbarnbirdscruiseeclipsehurricanemigrationnighthawkpelicansprairiesnakesparrowstarlingwoodpeckerABA Bird of the YearAcoma PuebloAlbuquerqueAlder FlycatcherAmerican Coot Common Gallinule Anhinga Rainbow Little Blue HeronAmerican Golden-PloverBar DitchBarn OwlBarn SwallowBay-breasted WarblerBighorn SheepBisonBlack PhoebeBlack-bellied PloverBlackpollBliss WoodsBrown CreeperBrown-headed CowbirdBullock's OrioleCackling GooseCanon cameraCape May WarblerCardinal FlowerCassin's FinchClay-colored SparrowColoradoCootCorkscrew SwampCrested CaracaraCurly-tailed LizardDolphinElf OwlEndangered SpeciesEurasian Collared-DoveFox SquirrelGila WoodpeckerGolden-crowned KingletGolden-fronted WoodpeckerGopher TortoiseGreat-tailed GrackleGreen AnoleGreen-tailed TowheeHarbor SealHoneybeeHorned PuffinHubbard GlacierIllinois videoJones Meadow ParkJupiterLeast SandpiperLesser GoldfinchLong-tailed SkipperMilkweedMirrored sunriseMonk ParakeetMount RushmoreMountain ChickadeeNelson's SparrowNew JerseyOrchard OriolePiping PloverPygmy NuthatchRVRed KnotRed SquirrelRed-breasted SapsuckerRed-naped SapsuckerRing-billed GullRock PigeonRocky Mountaineer RailwayRoll CloudSanderlingSay's PhoebeSemipalmated PloverSewardSlate-colored JuncoSmooth-billed AniSnail KiteSnow MoonSnowy PloverSoldierStiltSummer TanagerSurf ScoterSwainson's ThrushSwallow-tailed KiteSwamp LilyTealThrasherTownsend's SolitaireTree SnailVancouverVenusVerdinViolet-green SwallowWarbling VireoWestern GrebeWestern TanagerWhistling-DuckWild PoinsettiaWild TurkeyWilson's WarblerYellow-breasted Chatalligatorbitterncourtshipcranesducklingseggsfawnforaginggallinuleiguanainfanticidekingbirdlongspurmemoriesmothpatchphotographyskiesspoonbillswallowturkeyvulturewaxwingweatherwedding#785Alaskan Husky MoonsetAmerican Coot Common GallinuleAmerican Coot Little Blue HeronAmerican Crow antlerAmerican FlamingoAmphiumaAnhArctic Ground SquirrelAutumnBald-cypressBanffBaypollBella MothBird LogBkog IndexBlack SkimmerBlack-bellied Whistling-DuckBlack-billed CuckooBlack-chinned HummingbirdBlack-chinned SparrowBlack-crested TitmouseBlack-legged KittiwakeBlack-throated Gray WarblerBlackpoll WarblerBlog # 450BobcatHeronBobwhiteBritish ColumbiaBroad-tailed HummingbirdBroad-winged HawkBrown AnoleBrown PelicanBurroCaliforniaCalifornia CondorCanadian RockiesCanon 90DCardinal AirplantCaribouCastor Oil PlantCazadorChichagof IslandChimney SwiftChollaChristmasCockatielCold MoonCometCommon BasiliskCommon MerganserCommon MurreCommon RedpollConnecticutConnecticut WarblerCoottonmouthCorpus ChristiCottontail RabbitCrazy HorseCurlewCurve-billed ThrasherDSLRDainty SulphurDall SheepDesert MuseumDing Darling NWRDowitcherDragonletDuck PotatoDunlinEastern Wood-PeweeEnchanted IslandEndangered Species ActEurasian Collard-DoveEurasian Collared-Dove White-winged DoveEvening GrosbeakFalconFathers DayFiddler CrabField GuidesField MuseumFirebushFirst Blogger BlogFlorence ItalyFulvous Whistling-DuckGadwallGiant SwallowtailGlacous-winged GullGolden EagleGolden-winged WarblerGracielaGreat EgrestHalloweenHermit ThrushHouse WrenHumpback WhaleHurricane IsaiasI Heart MacroIndesIo MothJasperJuneauKestrelKetchikanKing EiderKingletsKivaLadder-backed WoodpeckerLake PowellLake VictoriaLark BuntingLaughing GullLeast FlycatcherLenticular Cloud Wolf MoonLesser ScaupLesser YellowlegsLesser Yellowlegs FloridaLippold ParkLong-horned CattleLong-tailed DuckLouis Agassiz FuertesLoxahatchee NWRMacrosMahogany treeManateeMayan CichlidMendenhall GlacierMew GullMigration RadarMilkweed BugsMoncadaMooseMorning GloryMountain GoatMuskratMute Swan Egyptian Goose Muscovy Duck European Starling Green Iguana Brown Anole Knight Anole Gecko Cane ToadNorthern Mockingbird American KestrelNuttall's WoodpeckerOak Creek CanyonOcelotOlive-sided FlycatcherOrange-barred SulphurOrcaOregon JuncoPalm Beach CountyPeaceful WatersPeaceful Waters ParkPeacock BassPelagic CormorantPhainopeplaPigeon GuillemotPiratic FlycatcherPlanetsPlumbeous VireoPolka-Dot Wasp MothPoodlePort AransasProject Perch South Florida AudubonPronghornProthonotary Warbler Summer Tanager Orchard Oriole Tufted Titmouse Downy Woodpecker Tennessee Kentucky Lake Eiffel TowerPurple MartinRachelRed-legged KittiwakeRedheadRhinoceros AukletRio Grande Nature CenterRoseRoyal TernRuby-throated KingletRuddy DaggerwingRufous-crowned SparrowRusty BlackbirdSaguaSaharan DustSawgrassScarlet SkimmerSea OtterSeaLife CenterSedonaSemi-palmated SandpiperShark ValleyShelf CloudShort-billed DowitcherSitka DeerSkagwaySoft-shelled TurtleSpider webSteller's Sea LionStriped BassSturgeon BaySuriname CherrySwainson's HawkSwallow-tailed FlycatcherSweat BeeSweetwater WetlandsTaosThe Unfeathered BirdThirteen-lined Ground SquirrelThornton BurgessThunderstormTracksTremaTropical Orb WeaverTucsonTufted PuffinTufted TitmouseUpland SandpiperVireosVirginiaWakodahatchee WetlandsWalking CatfishWater LilyWestern GullWestern KingbirdWestern MeadowlarkWhite Ibis Little Blue HeronWhite Pass Scenic RailwayWilliamson's SapsuckerWilson's PloverWilson's SniprWolf MoonWood DuckYellow JacketYellow Palm WarblerYellow-billed CuckooZone-tailed HawkaltocumulusbladderwortboardwalkbreedingcapturechipmunkcolorscommensalismcontrailcrossbillcrowdewdropsdigiscopingdisplayduckseBirdeagletearthwormseye colorfeather colorfeedingferal catfinchflightfluddlegoosegorillagrasshoppergrebehabitathawksherbicidehover-gleaninghoverflyiPhoneibisesincubationjackrabbitjayjuncoslandscapelimestonelizardmacromagpiemelanisticmoccasinmosquitonutcrackerowlowlspeweepigeonploverpotholdquartzquinceañeraravenricinroadrunnerrocketrosy-finchsalamandersandstonesirenslide show.snipespoonbillssubspeciestadpolestitmouseturtlewading birds...finding birds and beauty close to homehttp://rosy-finch.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Cole Schneider)Blogger649125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-267933877592148187.post-8766419871980714166Fri, 01 Nov 2024 11:06:00 +00002024-11-01T07:06:00.116-04:00This week's header: italics= = = =  = = =  = = = =  = = = = =Linking to:Nature ThursdaySkywatch FridayWeekend ReflectionsSaturday's CrittersGarden AffairAll SeasonsImage-in-ingNature NotesWordless Wednesday (on Tuesday)Wild Bird WednesdayMy Corner of the World________________________________________________Please visit the links to all these posts to see some excellent photos http://rosy-finch.blogspot.com/2024/11/blogsfollowing.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Cole Schneider)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-267933877592148187.post-1677480437332130516Thu, 07 Mar 2024 12:32:00 +00002024-03-07T07:32:34.329-05:00As I do on the first Thursday of each month, I enjoy looking back over my archived photos, taken three years previously, in March, 2021, to remember how things were then as contrasted with events this year at our new home in Connecticut. As usual, I searched for images which reflected favorite memes: critters of all kinds (especially birds), skies and clouds, reflections, flowers and scenes whichhttp://rosy-finch.blogspot.com/2024/03/crops-clips-flashback-to-march-2021.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Cole Schneider)19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-267933877592148187.post-6112248755297497903Thu, 15 Feb 2024 15:18:00 +00002024-02-15T10:22:03.828-05:00On Tuesday night, a coastal cyclone type storm (Nor'easter, so named because its strongest winds are from the northeast) pounded us with high winds and overnight snowfall accumulation of 14 inches ( 35 cm). The next day the sky was clear, but the temperature remained well below freezing with strong  gusty winds. Lights flickered and some residents lost electrical power.The day before the http://rosy-finch.blogspot.com/2024/02/window-watch.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Cole Schneider)24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-267933877592148187.post-3974363410933061699Thu, 08 Feb 2024 11:48:00 +00002024-02-08T07:10:42.181-05:00When I started birding as a kid in New Jersey in the 1940's, Eastern Bluebirds were generally absent from the northeastern US during the winter, although some did persist all year in coastal areas. They have since expanded their year-round range northward and inland, to include southern New England. The provision of artificial nest boxes as well as other factors such as climate change and feedershttp://rosy-finch.blogspot.com/2024/02/bluebirds-brighten-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Cole Schneider)22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-267933877592148187.post-875138218243715784Thu, 01 Feb 2024 11:47:00 +00002024-02-04T08:27:38.351-05:00As I do on the first Thursday of each month, I enjoy looking back over my archived photos, taken three years previously, in February, 2021, to remember how things were then as contrasted with events this year at our new home in Connecticut. As usual, I searched for images which reflected favorite memes: critters of all kinds (especially birds), skies and clouds, reflections, flowers and scenes http://rosy-finch.blogspot.com/2024/02/crops-clips-flashback-to-february-2021.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Cole Schneider)22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-267933877592148187.post-3777415658439532044Thu, 25 Jan 2024 12:27:00 +00002024-01-25T07:41:06.545-05:00As compared to the breeding season, a greater number of birds visit our back yard during the winter months, but there is less variety in species. We had several bouts of light snow and very cold temperatures. This morning all the snow has disappeared, drenched by warm overnight rainfall. I did not venture out except for a medical appointment. All of this week's photos were taken through the http://rosy-finch.blogspot.com/2024/01/garden-variety-birds-plus-one.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Cole Schneider)22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-267933877592148187.post-8186959802112283855Thu, 18 Jan 2024 14:06:00 +00002024-01-18T09:06:34.253-05:00Sparrows are the most common birds to visit our yard and feeders. During the warm months, resident Chipping Sparrows, Song Sparrows, Eastern Towhees and a few Field Sparrows prevail, along with introduced House Sparrows. All disappear in winter, except for a few hardy Song Sparrows and House Sparrows, replaced by an influx of Juncos and White-throated Sparrows. Less common to rare during the http://rosy-finch.blogspot.com/2024/01/white-throats-and-red-bellies.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Cole Schneider)22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-267933877592148187.post-1208023381755666492Thu, 11 Jan 2024 12:00:00 +00002024-01-11T14:16:21.546-05:00This week we had our first significant snowfall in 2 years. It was preceded by mostly dry and cold weather. Because of the prolonged sub-freezing temperatures, there was a lack of natural water sources for wildlife. We kept the bird baths filled. My observations and photos were limited to views through the windows.  A male Red-bellied Woodpecker brightened the scene and dominated the http://rosy-finch.blogspot.com/2024/01/first-measurable-snow.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Cole Schneider)25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-267933877592148187.post-1785444169111908235Thu, 04 Jan 2024 13:48:00 +00002024-01-04T08:48:36.888-05:00As I do on the first Thursday of each month, I enjoy looking back over my archived photos, taken three years previously, in January, 2021, to remember how things were then as contrasted with events this year at our new home in Connecticut. As usual, I searched for images which reflected favorite memes: critters of all kinds (especially birds), skies and clouds, reflections, flowers and scenes http://rosy-finch.blogspot.com/2024/01/crops-clips-flashback-to-january-2021.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Cole Schneider)20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-267933877592148187.post-6508154382237787258Thu, 28 Dec 2023 12:40:00 +00002023-12-28T07:40:21.215-05:00A few days of storms with tree-felling winds were followed by freezing cold clear weather, but so far there has not been any measurable snow.  Christmas Day was mostly dreary and drizzly. I captured a Christmas Black-capped Chickadee through the window, perched in the small White Pine:As if to lessen the disappointment of a such a gray Christmas, the few days of sunshine did deliver a brief&http://rosy-finch.blogspot.com/2023/12/christmas-and-warm-memories.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Cole Schneider)20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-267933877592148187.post-8071568169303394105Thu, 21 Dec 2023 12:16:00 +00002023-12-21T08:55:19.398-05:00Eastern Bluebirds are regularly inspecting one of our two nest boxes. A few weeks earlier I had cleaned out this one after seeing the bluebirds enter them. They often emerged from the entrance to discard some of nesting material left over by the Tree Swallows which nested in it this past spring. I had let nature take its course and allowed the Tree Swallows to usurp the original occupants. http://rosy-finch.blogspot.com/2023/12/winter-bluebirds.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Cole Schneider)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-267933877592148187.post-2671467040414276030Thu, 14 Dec 2023 11:41:00 +00002023-12-14T06:41:52.575-05:00A large plastic jar of peanut butter was damaged in shipping and some of its contents spilled out, rendering it inedible. The shipper's policies did not provide for refund or replacement of food items, but the incident turned out to be positive for the birds. Conveniently, our small White Pine had produced its first crop of a dozen female cones. We stuffed the spaces between the bracts with http://rosy-finch.blogspot.com/2023/12/peanut-butter-pinecone-poetry.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Cole Schneider)18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-267933877592148187.post-1681679683928586043Thu, 07 Dec 2023 12:00:00 +00002023-12-07T07:00:29.788-05:00As I do on the first Thursday of each month, I enjoy looking back over my archived photos, taken three years previously, in December, 2020, to remember how things were then as contrasted with events this year at our new home in Connecticut. As usual, I searched for images which reflected favorite memes: critters of all kinds (especially birds), skies and clouds, reflections, flowers and scenes http://rosy-finch.blogspot.com/2023/12/crops-clips-flashback-to-december-2020.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Cole Schneider)24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-267933877592148187.post-429994878329616408Thu, 30 Nov 2023 12:34:00 +00002023-11-30T07:34:53.793-05:00During the last half of November I only had a few opportunities to walk out in the back yard. It was usually very cold and windy. Worse, very few birds were out. The only exception was on November 17, when a lone male Eastern Goldfinch suddenly perched on the fence rail. Males resemble the females in drab winter garb, but their plumage is suffused with varying degrees of yellow, most evident http://rosy-finch.blogspot.com/2023/11/winter-goldfinch-1090.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Cole Schneider)17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-267933877592148187.post-8446685758538044775Thu, 23 Nov 2023 12:52:00 +00002023-11-23T07:52:47.842-05:00At our previous home in south Florida, Eastern Bluebirds were rarely encountered. They depend upon tree cavities for nesting and face competition from introduced House Sparrows and European Starlings. Widespread development in southern Florida during the 20th Century resulted in loss of bluebird habitat, particularly pine forests. There have been a few attempts to reintroduce them, with limited http://rosy-finch.blogspot.com/2023/11/perennial-bluebirds.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Cole Schneider)20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-267933877592148187.post-1647588994729541698Wed, 15 Nov 2023 12:29:00 +00002023-11-17T17:49:01.696-05:00Temperatures have dropped well below freezing, so my photographic excursions into the back yard have been brief and often unproductive. Highlights over the past two weeks have been visits by a troupe of diminutive  kings and queens. The procession included two species.Golden-crowned Kinglets move down from their breeding grounds in northern New England and Canada. Some stay here all winter, http://rosy-finch.blogspot.com/2023/11/feathered-royalty-wearing-golden-crowns.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Cole Schneider)21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-267933877592148187.post-2676934810656717392Thu, 09 Nov 2023 12:23:00 +00002023-11-09T07:24:31.180-05:00We had snow flurries on the first day of November. Rain and dreary days discouraged outdoor activities. One sunny morning  in late October I discovered an unlikely "perch" for bird photography. I had noticed bird activity in the three young crabapple trees just outside the windows of the main kitchen of the home we share with our daughter and SIL's family. In early morning I identified http://rosy-finch.blogspot.com/2023/11/a-crabapple-perch.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Cole Schneider)28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-267933877592148187.post-910374788912059750Thu, 02 Nov 2023 12:24:00 +00002023-11-02T08:24:09.011-04:00As is my custom on the first Thursday of each month, I enjoy looking back over my archived photos, taken three years previously, in November, 2020. This reminds me of  how things were then as contrasted with events this year at our new home in Connecticut. As usual, I searched for images which reflected favorite memes: critters of all kinds (especially birds), skies and clouds, http://rosy-finch.blogspot.com/2023/11/crops-clips-flashback-to-november-2020.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Cole Schneider)21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-267933877592148187.post-3129984606292937356Thu, 26 Oct 2023 12:20:00 +00002023-10-26T08:20:43.397-04:00We had a few clear days among the rainy, windy and even cold weather the past two weeks. My walks in the back yard  were often uncomfortably chilly. Birds, if seen were wind-blown and quickly disappeared into cover. One morning the skies briefly cleared, the wind died down and I was suddenly rewarded, sighting 22 bird species during a 90 minute watch.A few Yellow-rumped Warblers may remain http://rosy-finch.blogspot.com/2023/10/bright-spot-in-back-yard-1085.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Cole Schneider)18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-267933877592148187.post-2504337798253723392Thu, 19 Oct 2023 10:36:00 +00002023-10-19T06:36:03.626-04:00It has been a week of appointments and tests, punctuated by rain, wind and a cold snap, all of which greatly limited the number and duration of my back yard photographic excursions.  Sultry skies and elusive subjects contributed to poorly exposed and fuzzy images.Eastern Bluebirds gather together during the cold months in family or multi-family flocks. My poorly-focused encounter with http://rosy-finch.blogspot.com/2023/10/picture-imperfect.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Cole Schneider)27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-267933877592148187.post-6702573709337833950Thu, 12 Oct 2023 12:28:00 +00002023-10-15T06:34:17.418-04:00As the remnants of Tropical Storm Ophelia drenched us in late September, a second storm named Phillipe slowly meandered northward off the Atlantic Coast. It threatened to strike Bermuda, but instead took a left turn in early October. As it broke up over land, the storm brought heavy rain and gusty wind to New England and northeastern Canada. Although there was local flooding, The major http://rosy-finch.blogspot.com/2023/10/a-photogenic-mantis.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Cole Schneider)24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-267933877592148187.post-6693912497131246998Thu, 05 Oct 2023 09:58:00 +00002023-10-05T05:58:35.955-04:00As I do on the first Thursday of each month, I enjoy looking back over my archived photos, taken three years previously, in October, 2020, to remember how things were then in south Florida as contrasted with events this year at our new home in central  Connecticut. As usual, I searched for images which reflected favorite memes: critters of all kinds (especially birds), skies and clouds, http://rosy-finch.blogspot.com/2023/10/crops-clipsflashback-to-october-2020.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Cole Schneider)20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-267933877592148187.post-7781723409381066097Thu, 28 Sep 2023 10:54:00 +00002023-10-01T06:40:40.794-04:00Hurricane Ophelia developed as a sub-tropical storm off the coast of Florida on September 6, strengthened briefly to a Category 1 Hurricane on September 8, weakened to a Tropical Storm the next day, and then meandered up the Atlantic coast, regaining Hurricane force on September 11 and again on the 13th. As it moved slowly along its winds caused a storm surge and severe coastal flooding up http://rosy-finch.blogspot.com/2023/09/between-raindrops.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Cole Schneider)23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-267933877592148187.post-407364365429916771Thu, 21 Sep 2023 11:29:00 +00002023-09-23T08:36:48.640-04:00We have had more than our share of rain and windy weather during the past few weeks. Too often, the sky is leaden gray which makes it difficult for eyes to see clearly and cameras to focus properly on small and elusive fall migrant birds. No amount of post-processing could bring up the color of some of the migrating birds I have photographed during the past few days, such as this male http://rosy-finch.blogspot.com/2023/09/summer-is-losing-its-grip-1080.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Cole Schneider)20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-267933877592148187.post-1410982075649273593Thu, 14 Sep 2023 10:44:00 +00002023-09-14T06:44:17.850-04:00Fall land bird migration should be peaking about now, but I have had very poor luck in seeing many migrants. Admittedly, it was very hot this past week, followed by several stormy days. My forays into the back yard have been infrequent and unusually brief. MaryLou helped out by sighting this Red-shouldered Hawk as it perched on top of the bluebird house. The photo was taken through a badly http://rosy-finch.blogspot.com/2023/09/chainsaw-heron.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kenneth Cole Schneider)30