Purple Finch

Funny story about the Female Purple Finch in the first photo. I thought I had taken a “lifer” shot when we came upon her at Pony Pasture.  A fellow bird photographer we met that day & now friend Megan pointed her out to me and explained in detail how to know it was a Purple Finch and not a House Finch.  That night while looking through photos I had taken the day before I found a few that matched her female description (second and third) and male description (fourth photo) and so after texting screen shots to her it was confirmed that I had actual gotten my life shot of the Purple Finch the day before, and I know I would not have thought to think it wasn’t a house finch without Megan’s help so thanks Megan!

Purple Finch are another bird not seen in this part of Virginia very often but due to the bird “irruption” of 2020/21 flocks have come further south in search of food. Since the first sighting of the pair in our yard I have seen them and a few more several times with hopes of getting a few more shots.

Milly the Mockingbird

This particular Mockingbird hangs out on the 2nd overlook dock at Dutch Gap.  I see him every time I go, fluttering around, not afraid of people at all.  I can only assume he was born and has grown up there as he has zero fear of people, noises and fast movements all around him.  

On this particular day he jumped from branch to branch just asking that I take his photo so when he started posing I had to do it.  Those brown eyes just pull me in.  Such a handsome one he is.

Olympus OMD-EM1X,  Olympus 100-400 lens + MC-14

Winter Web

Winter web.  The early morning sun lighting it was beautiful. 

Olympus OMD-Em1X, 100-400 Oly lens

Yellow-bellied SapSucker

This Yellow-bellied Sapsucker proceeded to leave its signature line of small drilled holes in one of our backyard trees.  The Sapsucker drills these holes to capture the sap and hopefully insects.  

As the red feathers do not appear to continue down it's throat this is most likely a male.  Yellow-bellied Sapsucker are the only woodpecker in eastern North America that are completely migratory.  They live mostly in Canada and northern part of the east coast and travel south each winter looking for moving sap in trees and warmer weather.

King William County, Virginia
Olympus OMD-EM1X with 300mm + MC-14

Top Model - Junco Style

This little Junco looked like he was putting on a modeling session with all his/her poses.  Even had the head til down to perfection LOL.  Another from the backyard, took this from the laundry room door, yes I got distracted again LOL.

Anyone know how to tell the Male from female?  They all look the same to me.

Olympus OMD-EM1X with 300mm f4.0 +MC-20

Gadwall in Flight

Captured these Gadwalls in flight last week.  I always have always thought that they are beautiful to watch. 

The second photo you may notice has a slight blur in the back right corner. That is actually a plane in the far distance either approaching or departing Richmond Airport. I didn’t plan it, but always like to see a contrast of stories in a photo like this.. ✈️ 

Dutch Gap Conservation Area, Chester VA
Olympus OMD-EM1X,  Olympus 100-400 lens + MC-14