Bown Thrasher

The Brown Thrasher is known as a “spirit” bird.  According to Wikipedia many believe  that the Brown Thrasher is a symbolic representation of stability, balance, and harmony.   I hope so because I saw several this particular day and with the craziness that was 2021 and how 2021 has started stability, balance and harmony is exactly what this world needs right now.

Dutch Gap Conservation Area, Chester VA
Olympus OMD-EM1X with 300mm + MC-14

Pileated Woodpeckers in Holly

These Pileated Woodpeckers climbed through the high holly bushes we have mixed in with hardwoods near our yard/woods line to do their bark digging looking for insects during a warm January day last week.  While the first two pictures are of the same Pileated, the last is the 2nd of the three I sat at watched.  I was not able to get a shot of the third as she stayed on the other sides of the tree for during the visit. 

King William, Virginia
Olympus OMD-EM1X,  Olympus 300mm lens + MC-20

Pine Warbler in a Pine Tree

Photographed in our backyard this earlier this month.  His bright yellow feathers caught my attention and I watched him hop from tree to tree not able to really getting a good focus until it actually landed in the pine tree.  I literally had about 30 seconds before it saw me and quickly flew away.  I again saw it the next day hiding in some holly but sadly haven’t seen it since.

King William, Virginia

Olympus OMD-EM1X,  Olympus 300mm lens + MC-20

Bald Eagles of Dutch Gap

Bald Eagles of Dutch Gap were enjoying the fantastic weather we have had the past few weekends.  This couple hung out on their nest and perch for a very long time just watching the sites.  I love seeing the Bald Eagles in their natural environment.  Lucky for us we have so many in Virginia that if you look carefully to the sky near a natural water source you can usually see one or more at any given time.

Northern Flicker Among The Trees

Northern Flicker in our backyard trees.  

We have 2-3 each winter who make themselves seen and heard. I think they have quickly become one of my favorite woodpeckers. You can barely see the yellow along it’s back rump/feather area but when in flight the yellow is stunning contrast. 

King William County Virginia 

Olympus EM1-MII Olympus 40-150 lens +MC-14

Life Bird - Ruby-crowned Kinglet

This is the Ruby-crowned Kinglet. I had wanted to see and photograph them for so long and was finally successful.  This super tiny birds are swift jumpers and flyers so I feel lucky any of my shots came in focused. 

The ruby crown in his head indicates this is a male. 

Olympus OMD-EM1X,  Olympus 300mm lens + MC-20