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Photos loaded from @darthgrapher via Instagram.
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Watch these adorable 2-month-old bald eagle chicks master nest etiquette like pros! 🦅
In this heartwarming footage, three healthy eaglets show just how well their devoted parents have trained them. Even when they were much smaller—around a month old—these clever chicks would carefully waddle to the edge of the nest, turn around, and do their business neatly over the side. Now, at over two months old and significantly bigger, all three eaglets have perfected the routine and often go together in perfect sync! It’s amazing to see their growing coordination, strength, and instinctual behavior as they prepare for life beyond the nest. From tiny, fluffy balls of down to strong, well-mannered juveniles — nature’s parenting at its finest. Bald eagle family goals! ❤️
Pennsylvania
A red-shouldered hawk perched at the nest, carefully nibbling on the fresh squirrel it captured after a long flight. After carrying its prey for over 30 minutes, the hawk took time to prepare the meal before tenderly feeding pieces to its hungry, eager chicks waiting in the nest. A powerful moment of parental care in the wild.
A heart-stopping moment at Kerr Park last week.
One of the larger eaglets was exploring the branches near the nest and suddenly lost its balance, tumbling down into a pine tree far below. For a few worrying minutes, it lay completely still. My heart sank — I thought it might have been seriously injured. It then became tangled in the branches, struggling to move. After some time, it managed to get back on its feet and spent the next while staring longingly up at the nest. The mother returned several times with food, but she hasn’t yet figured out how to reach her fallen chick. I was just standing there hoping this little one stays safe and gets fed soon. Nature can be tough, but eagles are incredibly resilient. ❤️ ————————————————————— I talked to Maarian from Tristate Bird rescue who was there. I showed her the video of the fall. We observed that the eaglet climbed up the pine tree a bit and was moving around and flapping its wings fine. She thinks it is fine for now ——————————————————————— Update from Chester County Birding group later in the day: A little before 4:00 the eaglet flew back to the nest! ——————————————————————
A solitary gray squirrel sits alert in a lush green grassy meadow.
This peaceful portrait captures the essence of the resilient Eastern gray squirrel, which made a remarkable comeback in America’s urban parks during the 19th century. In the 1850s, gray squirrels were a rare and delightful sight in city parks such as New York’s Central Park. Tree squirrels had been nearly wiped out from many U.S. cities by the mid-1800s, but communities responded by planting more trees, creating additional parks — and actively reintroducing squirrels. Philadelphia led the way with one of the first documented releases in 1847, followed by successful efforts in Boston, New York, and other cities. By the mid-1880s, Central Park was already home to approximately 1,500 gray squirrels, transforming them into beloved icons of urban green spaces.
While photographing a bald eagle nest from a great distance at 1200 mm focal length (Canon 600mm f4 with 2x adapter), a curious common song sparrow suddenly landed just a few feet away. It stared straight at me with a mischievous look, as if cheekily saying, “Dude, am I not eligible to be shot with your fancy lens ?
4 / 4: The dramatic climax.
The Bald Eagle and Red-shouldered Hawk finally go face-to-face, wings fully spread, beaks wide open, screaming at the top of their lungs. A raw display of power and defiance between two fierce raptors. Despite the massive size difference, the fearless hawk presses its assault, repeatedly diving and striking until the eagle is finally forced to loosen its grip and retreat farther down the branch. In a stunning display of courage over size, the smaller hawk claims victory in this intense aerial battle.
3 / 4 - The conflict escalates.
Both birds are now vocalizing loudly — high-pitched squeaks and calls filling the air. The Red-shouldered Hawk relentlessly dives and attacks while the frustrated mother Bald Eagle tries to stand her ground. This battle went on for nearly 45 minutes.
2 / 4 - The harassment continues.
The Red-shouldered Hawk keeps making aggressive passes, flying back and forth, getting bolder with each dive. The Bald Eagle holds her ground but is clearly getting irritated by persistent attacks!
1 / 4 : A short series of a fierce moment in the wild.
A tense moment in the wild. This mother Bald Eagle is perched over a stream, positioned between her nest and a Red-shouldered Hawk’s territory. You can see the agitation on her face as she intently scans the trees, waiting for the next attack. The hawk was not happy sharing the airspace.
Adorable fluffy baby geese huddle together like tiny pom-poms, cuddled up on the rocks in the middle of a flowing stream on a chilly spring day
A tree swallow skims low over the water’s surface, wings slicing the air as it drinks, bathes, and snaps up emerging insects mid-flight.
Almost entirely adapted to aerial life, tree swallows have weak legs and feet, making landing risky and unnecessary. By skimming gracefully just above the water, they handle essential survival tasks without ever touching down. Their erratic, split-second direction changes to chase insects often create the illusion of blistering speed, even though their actual cruising pace is more measured.
6/7: the innocent☺️:
A Great Blue Heron has completely swallowed a massive fish—one that looked way bigger than its head in the earlier photos! Its normally slender neck is now dramatically stretched and shaped like the outline of the fish inside. Now only a tiny sliver of the tail fins is still visible, while the heron stands there looking perfectly innocent, like it has no idea what you’re talking about. ☺️
5/7. Final push:
In a dramatic final effort, the Great Blue Heron contorts its serpentine neck and triumphantly swallows the enormous fish.
4/7. The swallow(start):
Great Blue Heron moments after striking: beak clamped around a large fish, neck arched as it precisely aligns its catch head-first, ready to swallow the impressive prize in one smooth motion. A perfect display of patience, power, and skill.
3/7. The Alignment:
Fresh from the lightning strike, the fish usually dangles horizontally, still thrashing. With patient precision, the heron now carefully tilts and rotates its powerful neck and beak, skillfully realigning the large catch into a vertical, head-first position — the critical final maneuver required to swallow its oversized prize whole.
2/7. The catch:
Right after the explosive lightning strike, the Great Blue Heron emerges triumphantly with a massive fish firmly gripped in its long, dagger-like beak. Water cascades off its head and the struggling fish as the heron lifts its impressive prize clear of the water. This powerful image captures the exact moment of success — the heron’s precision and strength on full display as it prepares to maneuver the large fish for swallowing.
1/7- The strike (first in the series of Great Blue Hunt and feast)
Lightning strikes on the water! With explosive speed, the Great Blue Heron thrusts its dagger-sharp beak into the shallows, its head fully submerged in a dramatic explosion of water. A massive splash erupts as the heron spears its prey with deadly precision in a split-second ambush. This powerful hunting moment captures the raw intensity and incredible speed of one of nature’s most skilled fishermen — the perfect opening shot in the Great Blue Heron’s hunt for a large fish.
Green Heron with its fresh catch..
The Northern Mockingbird is a renowned songbird across North America, famous for its ability to mimic sounds—including other birds, insects, amphibians, and machinery—and for its loud,, relentless singing, often continuing through the night.
They are highly territorial, aggressive defenders of their nests, and can recognize individual humans.
A Green Heron stands perfectly still with incredible patience, its sharp eyes fixed on the water. Meanwhile, it slowly swirls its long tongue inside its beak in a mesmerizing motion — a rare and fascinating glimpse into this skilled hunter’s subtle behaviors.
Unlike adult bald eagles, the juveniles lose their catch during the intense fight.
Shot at Conowingo Dam, Maryland. Had to significantly crop the picture as action was happening on the other side of the river.
Found this Wolf spider on my drive way last week.
They are large, hairy, fast-running hunters that do not spin webs, instead chasing down prey using excellent eyesight and camouflage. They are nocturnal, found worldwide in various habitats, and often enter homes in autumn. While venomous and capable of biting if handled, they are generally not dangerous to humans.
Red-Shouldered Hawk on a rare hot day amid a spell of cold spring weather.
(Swipe right for a cropped close up)
Bird species possess a nictitating membrane. While humans only have a tiny vestigial remnant in the corner of the eye (the plica semilunaris), birds have a fully functional “third eyelid” that sweeps horizontally across the eyeball. When a great blue heron strikes at a fish, it protects its eyes using a nictitating membrane, This membrane is transparent or translucent, allowing the heron to see and lock onto prey while acting as a protective, wet goggles-like barrier against water, debris, and struggling fish.
Huge Snapping Turtles fight at golden hour.
Snapping turtles are mostly solitary animals. While multiple individuals can share a general habitat (like a pond or wetland), they show limited social tolerance and frequently engage in aggression, especially among males. Males in particular defend areas aggressively against other males, often leading to intense fights.
The Belted Kingfisher is a common, crested bird known for its loud rattling call and distinctive plunge-diving for fish in North American waterways like rivers, lakes, and estuaries.
Both sexes have a blue-gray back, white belly, and a shaggy crest, but females are distinguished by an additional rust-colored band across their chest. They nest in burrows dug into earthen banks and are highly territorial, often heard before they are seen.
A majestic Great Blue Heron stands tall in the shallows, its long, dagger-like beak firmly gripping a massive trout.
The fish is enormous—clearly much wider than the heron’s neck—yet the bird holds it with effortless grace. I’m stunned by the incredible elasticity of that slender, serpentine neck, somehow capable of stretching wide enough to swallow such an impressively large catch whole. Nature’s engineering at its most impressive.
A mother bald eagle shelters her two young eaglets in the nest during a rare hot day amid a spell of cold spring weather.
After years of hoping for an owl sighting, I never imagined I’d be lucky enough to spot owls on two consecutive days!
This incredible moment happened at Conowingo Dam in Maryland—a spot famous for its bald eagles. Instead, I was treated to a Great Horned Owl with its fluffy owlet peeking out shyly from behind its mother, while a majestic Great Blue Heron soared gracefully by in the background. They were perched on the far side of the river on a distant island, so even with my 1200mm, I still had to heavily crop the shot to capture this rare family scene.
A Green Heron patiently stalks its prey with graceful, deliberate steps along the serene lake banks.
Watch (till the end) as this elegant hunter waits motionless, then strikes with lightning precision to finally catch its well-deserved meal
Two majestic adult bald eagles are locked in an intense mid-air battle over a freshly caught fish.
Their powerful talons are tightly interlocked as they tumble and twist through the sky, each fiercely determined to claim the prize. One eagle has its claws gripping the fish while the other strains to snatch it away, their massive wings spread wide and bodies angled aggressively against each other. The raw power, sharp beaks, and piercing eyes capture a dramatic moment of aerial dominance and survival in the wild. Shot at Conowingo Dam, Maryland. Had to significantly crop the picture as action was happening on the other side of the river.
A powerful bald eagle stares directly into the lens with piercing, intense eyes.
Its snowy white head and bright yellow beak stand in sharp contrast against its dark brown body feathers. The bird’s gaze is commanding and unafraid, locking eyes with the viewer as if challenging anyone who dares to look back. Every detail — from the sharp curve of its beak to the individual feathers on its head — is captured in stunning clarity, creating an unforgettable portrait of raw American wilderness and majestic strength.
With no luck waiting for an eaglet or adult to pop out of the Bald Eagle nest at Kerr Park, I wandered over to the stream below to see what its usual resident was up to.
There, standing like a statue in the shallows, was this Great Blue Heron. It had been patiently waiting motionless for nearly an hour, eyes locked on the water. I settled in and waited right along with it. Then, in one lightning-fast strike, it speared this massive fish—easily the biggest I’ve seen a heron catch here. The heron stood triumphantly with the huge fish dangling sideways in its beak, water still dripping, looking every bit the master fisherman of the stream.
A majestic bald eagle soars triumphantly above the waters near Conowingo Dam in Maryland, clutching a freshly caught fish in its powerful talons.
With its brilliant white head gleaming in the sunlight and wings spread wide, this iconic raptor showcases the raw power and grace that make the area one of the premier bald eagle viewing spots in the eastern United States.
Osprey on foggy morning …
Four years ago, when I first started to photograph birds, spotting a wild owl topped my bucket list.
After countless early mornings, late evenings and endless hours of searching, my wish finally came true on this misty morning. Tucked inside a tree hole, a beautiful Eastern Screech-Owl peered out calmly as soft mist swirled around the woods. The light was far from ideal for photography, but nothing could dim the magic of this moment. I’m still amazed I finally got to see and film this elusive little owl in its natural hideout.
A bald eagle sits proudly in its nest, scanning the sky with intense focus.
At first glance, it seems deeply concerned—constantly turning its head and watching as crows circle overhead. But when I got home and watched the footage on the big screen, the truth was revealed: this mighty apex predator was actually being pestered by a tiny, persistent fly buzzing around its head. It’s a hilarious reminder that no matter how big, strong, or powerful you are… sometimes it’s the smallest annoyances that get under your skin the most. 🦅🙏 It was super windy day and with 1200 mm (600 mm + 2x) on a monopod, couldn’t get any steadier 😌
Bald Eagle with fresh catch, flying right into me …
Great blue Heron, taking off #at Kerr park
Another one captured right from our kitchen! 🦫 ( It was far away and was shot at 1200 mm)
Watch this diligent groundhog gathering dried grass and carrying it back into its burrow. They’re using it mainly to line their sleeping and nursery chambers, creating a thick, soft, cozy bed for rest and raising their young. I observed this little guy for over an hour — every time it emerged from the hole, it would cautiously scan its surroundings, only venturing out fully once it felt completely safe. Such vigilant and hardworking behavior!
Inspiration can strike from the most unexpected places—we just have to keep our eyes open.
This shot of Robin was captured from our kitchen on a cold, late evening. Those soft, glowing bokeh light in the background aren’t from the setting sun, but from a distant street lamp casting its warm glow through the twilight
A Great Blue Heron slowly stalks through the shallow water, moving with graceful precision. Suddenly, it spots me — a guy with a massive super-telephoto lens pointed right at it. In an instant, the heron elongates its long neck, straightens up, and stares directly into my lens with an intense, unblinking gaze.
It honestly felt like the bird was looking straight at me and saying, “Hey dude… me? Really? Leave me alone! 😆😆😆
The nesting Bald Eagle ….
While thousands of snow geese gathered on the far side of the lake, this lone snow goose stood apart from the flock.
Upon closer look, it became clear why — one of its wings was badly injured, hanging limply by its side. As the rest of the flock prepares to migrate north, this solitary bird is left behind, forced to face an uncertain fate.
“The Ever-Watching Eye” (when you see it, you see it😌)
A powerful bald eagle peers intently from its massive nest, one sharp eye gleaming between the interwoven sticks. With fierce focus and unwavering vigilance, it keeps constant watch over its precious eggs, embodying the fierce protectiveness and majestic presence of America’s national symbol.
Portrait of a Great Blue Heron…
Great Blue Heron walking gracefully through a shallow stream on a sunny afternoon
Bald Eagle – what an awe-inspiring, majestic presence. Perched with regal authority, its piercing gaze and snow-white head gleaming against dark wings, every feather radiating raw power and untamed freedom
Tundra Swans (Cygnus columbianus), stop at the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area in Pennsylvania reservoir during their spring migration to Arctic breeding grounds.
While wandering near the bald eagle nest, I kept peering up, hoping for a glimpse of the mom tucked inside, and scanning the treetops for any sign of the dad perched nearby.
Suddenly, a sharp grinding sound buzzed right next to my ear. I turned—and there was this bold squirrel scurrying around some dried fruit (I guess), practically at eye level. The setting sun poured golden light from its right, beautifully illuminating half its fluffy body in warm glow while it stared straight at me, completely unfazed.
Majestic Bald Eagle in full screech mode with head thrown back. Instant Godzilla vibe: about to unleash the atomic roar.
The Great Blue Heron:
Witness the slender, statuesque form of a Great Blue Heron as it bends low from a fallen tree branch to drink, its long neck gracefully curved in a rare and intimate posture. This is the first time I’ve seen one in such a vulnerable, head-down position—truly mesmerizing. In this angle, the dark patches on its shoulders strikingly resemble large, watchful eyes atop a giant head, creating an almost surreal illusion. Perhaps nature cleverly designed these markings as a form of protection: even when the bird lowers its guard to drink or rest, those ‘eyes’ might deter would-be threats by suggesting it’s still alert. Amazed once again by the brilliant ingenuity of nature’s designs!
Great Blue Herons never fail to captivate me—they’re one of my absolute favorite birds, right up there with Bald Eagles.
There’s something truly mesmerizing about their elegance and incredible patience while hunting fish. They stand motionless for long stretches or wade slowly through shallow water with deliberate steps, then strike with lightning speed to spear their prey. And of course, they’re stunning to look at: that subtle blue-gray plumage, the graceful S-shaped neck with its black-and-white streaking, and especially those distinctive long plumes flowing from the head during breeding season.
Snow Geese at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area in Pennsylvania, a key stopover on their epic 3,000-mile journey northward. These birds overwinter in the Mid-Atlantic’s coastal marshes and the Chesapeake Bay region before heading north. They typically arrive at Middle Creek in late February or early March to rest, refuel on local agricultural fields (especially winter wheat cover crops), and build strength for the next leg. From there, they push onward to nesting grounds in the Arctic and subarctic regions of Canada and Greenland. After Middle Creek, their next major staging area is often Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge in New York’s Finger Lakes region.
It’s an unforgettable natural spectacle—waves of white wings filling the sky at sunrise or sunset, with the air alive with their calls.
Bald Eagle chilling over a frozen lake at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area, PA
Tundra Swans cruising during the Sun set golden hour at Middle Creek Wildlife Management area
Bald eagle, looking straight into my lens.
Clicked at Middle Creek Wild Life Management area, PA
That’s what 68,000 snow geese look like in full force!
The spectacular snow goose migration unfolds each spring at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area in Pennsylvania, a key stopover on their epic 3,000-mile journey northward. These birds overwinter in the Mid-Atlantic’s coastal marshes and the Chesapeake Bay region before heading north. They typically arrive at Middle Creek in late February or early March to rest, refuel on local agricultural fields (especially winter wheat cover crops), and build strength for the next leg. From there, they push onward to nesting grounds in the Arctic and subarctic regions of Canada and Greenland. After Middle Creek, their next major staging area is often Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge in New York’s Finger Lakes region. It’s an unforgettable natural spectacle—waves of white wings filling the sky at sunrise or sunset, with the air alive with their calls. It was freezing the day I was there and I forgot to take my gloves with me 🥶
European Starling with T-2 Full moon in the background.
I spent about three hours watching the Bald Eagle nest, but for the longest time, all I saw was an empty cradle of twigs high in the tree.
Then the dad eagle arrived, announcing his return with those signature shrill chirps. Almost immediately, the momma eagle lifted her head from deep within the nest. That’s when it hit me—she had been there all along, quietly guarding their precious eggs, completely hidden from view. The pair exchanged soft calls and gestures for a while, a quiet conversation between mates. Soon after, the momma spread her wings and lifted off, leaving the nest in dad’s care. He perched on a nearby branch for a few minutes, scanning the surroundings. But when a group of crows began circling and drifting closer—clearly eyeing an opportunity to raid the nest—he slipped down out of sight, disappearing into the bowl of the nest to stand guard himself. Nature never fails to tell these quiet, powerful stories. I’m always amazed and deeply grateful to witness moments like this—raw dedication, partnership, and vigilance playing out right in front of me. P.s: zoom in to the right bottom corner to see the momma in the nest.
Great Egret - shadow play
Bright red Northern Cardinal snacking through the heart of a blizzard #northerncardinal #cardinaleatingberries #winterbirds
Watch this majestic Great Blue Heron braving the chill! 🐦❄️
In the midst of an unusually long and bitter cold spell gripping the East Coast, this resilient bird is doing its best to stay warm—fluffing up its feathers for insulation, tucking in to conserve heat, and staying perfectly still yet fully alert as it scans for its next meal. Great Blue Herons are tough survivors, often enduring freezing temps thanks to clever adaptations like countercurrent heat exchange in their legs and dense plumage that traps body heat. Even in sub-zero conditions, they remain patient hunters along icy shores. Nature never ceases to amaze! Have you spotted any herons toughing out the winter where you are? Drop a comment below!
Great Blue Heron flying over frozen Marsh Creek Lake during a snow storm.
Winter wonderland visitor: Dark-eyed Junco
Veiled in a graceful veil of snow, a Dark-eyed Junco moves like winter poetry: each precise tilt of its small beak gathers seeds with such tender care that not a single fragile twig is harmed.
Red Shouldered Hawk during a snow storm.
If you zoom in to the picture, you can see that’s it’s sitting on one leg with other leg tucked into its chest. Hawks (and many other birds) sit on one leg with the other tucked to their chest primarily to conserve body heat, reducing heat loss through unfeathered limbs by half, but also to rest muscles, reduce fatigue, and sometimes for comfort or camouflage, using a locking mechanism in their ankle to stay balanced. It’s a normal resting posture, like humans crossing their legs, allowing one leg to warm up against their body and the other to relax.
Behind the scenes on a snow day at a state park …
Pictures to follow soon….
Sandhill crane looking into sunset - The Sandhill Crane’s call is a loud, rolling, trumpeting sound whose unique tone is a product of anatomy: Sandhill Cranes have long tracheas (windpipes) that coil into the sternum and help the sound develop a lower pitch and harmonics that add richness.
White Ibis Portrait … the eye though! 😍😍😍
Yellow-bellied Slider Turtle - Fact: They can carry Salmonella; always wash hands thoroughly after handling.
Roseate Spoonbill and Great Egret foraging in Florida wet lands …
The Roseate Spoonbill is a large, pink wading bird known for its distinctive spoon-shaped bill, which it uses to sweep through shallow water to catch small fish and crustaceans. Native to the Americas, it gets its vibrant color from carotenoids in its diet, similar to flamingos, and has a white neck, red shoulders, and a bald, greenish head. These social birds nest in colonies in coastal wetlands and mangroves, and their population has been recovering in the southeastern U.S. after being hunted in the past.
White Ibis - Interesting fact, it was revered in ancient Egypt as sacred to the god Thoth.
American Alligator at Hillsborough River State park, Tampa Florida.
Calm … stealthy …dangerous!
Great Egret:
Great egrets were hunted for their beautiful, long, white breeding plumes, called aigrettes, which became a major fashion trend in the late 1800s, adorning extravagant ladies' hats and becoming more valuable than gold, nearly driving the species to extinction before conservation efforts stepped in. Milliners prized these delicate feathers for adding elegance, leading to mass slaughter, often leaving chicks to starve, until laws like the Migratory Bird Treaty Act protected them. It is also the Audubon Society’s symbol.
Red Shouldered Hawk - saw this beautiful bird around my friend’s house in Tampa, Florida.
American Alligator, Thermoregulating : Lifting the tail, or even just the snout, helps regulate body temperature as they are ectothermic (cold-blooded). It can expose cooler undersides or shift weight for better heat release.
Do you see a bird?
Beautiful Sunset over MarshCreek Lake .
Why do birds eat snow?
Birds eat snow primarily to get water when liquid sources like puddles or streams are frozen, using it as a vital hydration source in winter, though it costs them energy to melt it; they might also catch snowflakes in the air or lick dripping icicles as easier alternatives to searching for open water, which risks predator exposure. It’s last resort due to the energy drain as melting snow requires significant body heat, which uses up precious energy, so birds prefer clean, fresh snow or dripping icicles. It helps them survive when food is scarce and open water unavailable.
Dark Eyed Junko - shot this bird amid snowstorm over the weekend at Marsh Creek State Park.
Dark-eyed Juncos are abundant, sparrow-like birds known as “snowbirds,” common across North America, identified by their dark gray/brown backs, pink bills, and flashing white outer tail feathers, especially when foraging on the ground for seeds and insects, and they adapt to varied habitats from forests to backyards. Interesting fact about them - During winters, they grow 30% more feathers for warmth and will burrow through snow for food.
The Limpkin has a long, yellowish bill that is slightly bent downward. It inhabits marshes and swamps, typically in areas with trees and shrubs, though it is also commonly spotted along the edges of ponds in well-maintained urban parks. Its diet consists almost entirely of apple snails.
In this video, a Limpkin can be observed extracting an apple snail from a pond and consuming the snail directly from its shell. Shot this video in Tampa, Florida 2023
I was puzzled why the feathers on this nearly mature peacock looked so small and unimpressive. After some research, I learned that peacocks shed their spectacular “trains” every year once the breeding season ends.
Another learning: a peacock’s famous “train” isn’t actually its tail. It’s a set of extremely long upper tail coverts—feathers that grow over the base of the real tail—adorned with those stunning eyespots for courtship displays. The actual tail feathers underneath are shorter, sturdier, and brownish, providing support for the train. Picture the train as the breathtaking, fan-shaped display made up of more than 200 elongated, iridescent feathers, while the true tail is the shorter, supportive structure beneath it. This particular peacock was incredibly elusive and hard to photograph. I spent nearly an hour walking quietly and staying hidden to get close enough for this shot. I captured this photo at Ameenpur Lake in Hyderabad last year.
It’s incredible how incredibly fast hummingbirds are! When hovering, they typically beat their wings 80–100 times per second. I slowed this video down by 8x, and here’s what it looks like—despite the wings moving at such an astonishing speed, their body remains remarkably stable!
They generate lift and thrust with a unique figure-eight wing motion. Their metabolism is extraordinarily high, so they need to feed constantly—some species can consume up to 12 times their body weight in nectar each day!
Early bird gets the lizard. Egret with its early morning breakfast somewhere outside Hyderabad, India.
Clicked this in 2024. #egret #egretwithlizard #hyderabadbirds
Little Egret strolling, looking out for food …#littleegret
Nature’s web designer …. Somewhere in Reding, PA
Mantis portfolio….(zoom into pictures for details)
After long time I got to click nature
Great Blue Herons are monogamous during the breeding season, but they form new pairs each year. Courtship begins as the male selects a nest site, then displays there to attract a female, extending his neck while spreading out his specialized neck feathers (nuptial plumes) and shaking twigs held in his bill.
Sight we rarely get to see, a Bald Eagle sitting on a frozen lake.
Great Blue Heron from the video right before this post. This guy was perched high up on a tree, all of my earlier Heron sights were close to water or ground. It was an overcast day, luckily skies cleared for few minutes for me to get this shot with beautiful contrast in the background.
Loved the way it came out, somehow I feel it’s like a painting. of-course it’s natures art, I am just a medium to present it to the world.
Great Blue Heron - Elegant , patient and stealthy, one of my favorite birds after Bald Eagle.
I was there close to this guy for about 2 hours on the opposite bank of a stream. It did not get any fish but it kept on trying. finally it flew away after hearing gun shots from far away(probably someone hunting). Watch till the end with audio of beautiful original sounds of nature … Pictures coming soon …
Northern Cardinal - Saw this guy during peak winter of January 2025 next to completely frozen Marsh Creek lake.
The contrast of the bird to the background was so distinctive and beautiful! For me a Cardinal will always be ‘Red’ from Angry Birds🙃.
Some animal killed this deer on a 600 acre frozen lake. I guess this happened night before or early hours, I was there at 7 am. With its guts spilled over, what ever killed it did not consume anything of it. I was there for couple of hours, nothing came near the carcass #marshcreeklake #marshcreekstatepark
Go Birds… let’s hunt!