Are you ready for summer yet? There is no question that I am. Winter in Maine this year basically ended at the end of January. February had no measurable precipitation what-so-ever until the huge gale at the end of the month which gave us nearly 7″ of rain in two days. This storm brought winds nearing 100 mph, caused power outages for days on end and caused severe beach erosion. So far this winter we have received a paltry 52.50″ of snow, well below normal. Ice out on our cove occurred more than a full month ahead of normal. So to repeat what I said before, bring on summer!
Early migratory bird arrivals to date include Common Grackles, Red-winged Blackbirds, Brown-headed Cowbirds, and Turkey Vultures. Ducks are also on the move including Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, Northern Pintail and a reported Canvasback at the Yarmouth Town Landing.
Spring break is here and I have next week off from classes. Baring inclement weather and contingent upon getting my assignments done, I will be out and about with scope, binos and camera looking for birds. (It’s supposed to be spring break, what the heck is the deal with all of this homework?) Sharon is off work the second half of next week and we will more than likely head for the Scarborough Marsh, Biddeford Pool and Granite Point. If the weather holds, we may go to Plum Island in Massachusetts, a great place for early migrants.
I signed up for only two courses this summer ( Anatomy and Physiology II and Clinical Office Procedures), much less than the 5 – 6 courses a semester I have been juggling since returning to school. I want to be out in the field looking for birds and photographing them in all their glory. Keeping such a light course load will assure that I can enjoy my summer.
While we await the long, warm days of summer, I have put together several photographs I have taken over the last year or so and produced this pictorial called The Birds of Summer. Hopefully, this pictorial will stir your desire to start thinking about and planning how you are going to approach birding this summer.
Some of the following photos are “tall” and those with smaller screens may not see the full size photograph after clicking a thumbnail. Hit your f11 key to open your browser window to it’s fullest size before clicking a thumbnail.
The Birds of Summer
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- White-breasted Nuthatch fledgling
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- Snowy Egrets fishing
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- Ruby-throated Hummingbird
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- Piping Plover
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- Eastern Phoebe
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- Osprey with fish
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- Northern Parula
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- Nashville Warbler
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- Great-crested Flycatcher with nesting material
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- Great Blue Heron in flight
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- Common Tern in flight
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- Barn Swallow on nest box
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- Red Fox kit
Happy birding!!
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All of your photos are exquisite! I esp. enjoyed the osprey with fish! Good luck with your classes.
Hi John,
You certainly have had a busy schedule the past several months. It was an odd winter. Seemed like it was going to be a good one when all of a sudden it warmed up. Hard to believe the ice went out so early! I'm sure the birds were pleased. I actually thought I saw a Wren on the suet today though I can't be sure. It was a small brown bird though. I didn't think they showed up this early.
Looks like we're in for warmer temps again this week. Gotta love it! Enjoy what time you can on your vacation! Say hello to Sharon.
Sharon
I'm delighting in spring birds right now, but summer will be upon us before we know it. I'm really looking forward to enjoying the dawn chorus most of all. It's already begun, really; it's just that the participant's list is still a little on the slim side. Give it another month, and it will sound amazing. Enjoy spring break!
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Great photos of the summer birds – yes I am sure you would like to see the end of the cold and wet but please remember that means that we in the southern hemisphere have to then put up with winter! Can't please everyone, can you!
What a super collection John! I must admit that my favorite is the Great Crested Flycatcher with the nesting material in its beak. It reminds me that I will be seeing my beloved Ash-throated Flycatchers very soon also. The Red Fox kit is obviously one of the most adorable wildlife photos I have ever seen.
Thanks for bringing us this moment of joy and best to you for your summer classes, especially the anatomy and physiology. I wish you the best of luck getting time to bird and photograph.
My recent post Anna’s Hummingbird Collecting Nest Material
Wonderful photos of all the birds. I love the warblers. I usually only see them passing thru Maryland, maybe a few stick around for the summer.
I am right there with you in wanting the summer birds back! Glad you are enjoying your break!
Yes the winter has been long. We did not reach record snow fall but it was cold. Lake Erie froze over. So I also cannot wait for summer.
Good luck with classes. What are you majoring in? I’m afraid I missed reading it before.
What a fabulous collection you got there. Even if I prefer the humming bird, I love all of them. They are so beautifully taken and so sharp! Simply splendid once again!
My recent post Where is the summer??
I came for Bird Photography, but the red fox kit stole my heart. Nice shots!
The last one is a strange birdie, no?
Just kidding, I love your shots. Would so love to see a hummingbird!
And ready for summer? Nah, keep it the way it is, too darn hot already (above 30C and humid), yuck.
I do like Spring though and migration
Hope to see some more Vultures and ready to go see some gulls
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Great photos–I too long for summer. Right now, spring seems to be sneaking in with warmer weather. The Eastern Phoebe is already in the yard, chasing away my Carolina Wren.
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Thanks to everyone for stopping by and commenting!
The Red Fox kit is obviously not a bird, but I could not resist putting this fella in the pictorial. I captured the photo last spring near an old saw mill. I have checked the area several times recently and no kits yet, but I know they will be along soon.
John
Love the photos, John. I always use the red-winged blackbirds as the harbingers of spring, and they are back.
I, too, am more than ready.
yes, I am ready for spring and summer. But Mother Nature is late. Still a lot of snow and ice over here and the birds are still in teh south of Europe.
You have a set of lovely birds
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You're getting ready to greet so many of the birds that I'm saying "goodbye" to. Take care of them while they're with you!
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Hi John,
Glad to hear your studies are going well. Good idea to take a lighter load in summer. I hope to finish in July, so just a few more months of blood, sweat & tears (little time to go birding/photography).
Beautiful summer gallery collection, John. I can't wait to see my first barnswallow. Love the fox
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Oh my goodness John..I love the photo of the Nashville warbler and Great Crested Flycatcher…All awesome photos!
Hope summer comes to you soon!
yes — I'm ready . I saw swallows last week. I was estatic
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Fantastic photos! I found the color of the fox kits eyes interesting.They were kind of bluish grey but the adults have more of a brownish/gold color eye don't they?
My recent post Bird Watching At Local Nature Preserves
Although this might be a birding blog, I love the shot of the Fox kit!
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