Happy Thanksgiving. What are you thankful for? I'm thankful for birds and my big year. This got an expected "Post too long for email" warning. A year of bird photos takes up a lot of space.
What an impressive collection James!! So many adventures wrapped up in a single post🙌🏼 always a fan of birds of prey but I especially love your shots of the flicker and oriole here
Just an amazing collection of bird images, James. Those Osprey photos are incredible. I also like the centre photo of the White-breasted Nuthatch with them staring straight at you. Haha, excellent capture.
That's a great quote from Thoreau about the Wood Duck being an ornament to a river - a most fitting description! Thanks for the Cooper's Hawk mention as well - I do think they're my bird of the year.
Kudos to you, James. What a magnificent compilation of birds!I grew up in Chicago. I never once heard anyone around me mention a black hawk other than those who skate on ice. Now I have to keep an eye out for one!
Incredible! When you set out to accomplish something big, you truly don’t shirk off anything. 🤗
So many dynamic exquisite photos, James. Thank you for so generously sharing them and allowing us to catch a glimpse of what you’ve seen.
Three of my favorites are : the snowy egret, sipping some water with its reflection shown also, the close up face of the barred owl (I think it was the barred owl) and the little baby duck so fuzzy and sweet.
Absolutely wonderful year full of birds! I’m quite new to the hobby of birding & photography but it’s fun to see such great photos and be able to name many of the birds. I guess I AM learning to identify some. Thanks for sharing ☺️
Thank you so much Cheryl. Birds are for everyone, new to birding or veteran birder. I am thrilled to hear you are having fun seeing them, learning them, and taking photos. Learning to ID takes time, and never gets “easy” but is well worth the effort.
Great post James, and quite an achievement to capture all those birds this year. I captured quite a few this year, including my first ever moment when the bluebird babies fledged. Caught one take that leap into the big scary world. Highlight for me this year was a day spent at the Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge. Amazing spot.
Thank you so much Bob. That sounds like an amazing bluebird moment! Must have made for exceptional images. I’ve never been to Pinckney Island NWR—adding it to my list.
I set this aside when I could take my time with it, and it didn't disappoint. Amazing post. What a gallery. I can't get over the Bonaparte's photo with the trail of water drops. Cassin's Kingbird with a mouthful of bug too.
I can't imagine I'll do a big year in my life. But I get a big kick reading about others' triumphs (and trials) in their big years.
Thanks for the mentions, James. Here's hoping your big year has a big finish!
Thank you Nathaniel! Those photos were great moments, the Cassin’s I saw from afar and then crept closer and closer—only to see the bug in the bill. And I’m just happy any time I see a Bonaparte’s.
Big years aren’t all sunshine and rainbows, but if circumstances ever align that make one doable for you—as they did for me—I struggle to imagine a better way to spend your time, particularly for a birder of your prowess.
Happy to mention your work here. Substack has a great community of birders, and I’m happy your work has found its way to my screen.
This was spectacular. What an amazing portfolio of photographs. Thank you so much for posting these stunning photos. You're motivating me to start looking more at the beautiful birds surrounding me.
Brought back memories of our 'glory years' of birding in the 90s and first decades of this century; visiting every province and territory of Canada save one (Nunavut didn't exist when we did our long tour, and anyhow, you can't drive there) ; all 50 states, every new bird a delight and a memory. Heat, mosquitoes, ticks, snow, rain, peccaries, bobcats, pronghorn, grizzlies, but above all birds, in swamps and woodland, desert and oceans, cities and empty lands. But no photos: I'm not a photographer, and yours will enhance your memories, bring enjoyment to many, and spark my recollections. Thanks, and congratulations on your 'big year'.
Thank you Marian, I am glad this roused memories of your “glory years,” traversing the US and Canada for birds. Sounds like an amazing stretch of birding. Sounds like the birds were the common denominator of various types of adventures! May the remainder of your 2024, your 2025 and years that follow all be filled with birds.
Beautiful post, James. A Fieldguide in and of itself. My personal favorite photos are the close-up of the Barred Owl, the Coot babies, and the middle photo of the White-breasted Nuthatch. Thank you for all of the help you’ve given me this year. Have a happy holiday.
Thank you Heidi. Those are some of my favorite photos too, but I love them all--each reminds me of the moment where I took the picture. Happy to help people cultivate knowledge and interest in birds. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
I actually love the northern flicker. Something about that unique taupe color with black patch and their solid bodies that gives me pleasure whenever I see one.
What a great selection of birds, beautiful photos too.
And a word on cardinals, no-one visiting from across the seas would be bored by a cardinal! It's at the top of the list of birds I would want to see if I ever visit the US again. (I don't remember seeing one when I visited aged 9).
Thank you so much, Juliet. Cardinals are lovely birds that get taken for granted.
I definitely took them for granted for a while. If you can’t remember seeing one, sounds like you’ll have to make another trip across the pond for some birds!
This year is only the 2nd time I saw a Phainopepla and my first time seeing a brilliant male Vermilion Flycatcher! It seems to be my year to see Herons the most and Egrets a lot. Just recently spotted huge flocks of Scaups, Goldeneyes, and Widgeons. Also, some Western Grebes and Pied-billed Grebes les frequently. It has been a great birding year for me too!
Definitely sounds like an excellent birding year, Sheryl! I am jealous of your Western Grebe and Vermillion Flycatcher. Thank you for reading and commenting.
What an impressive collection James!! So many adventures wrapped up in a single post🙌🏼 always a fan of birds of prey but I especially love your shots of the flicker and oriole here
Thank you Amaranta—some of my favorite photos from the year were of Northern Flicker, though the Merlin, Osprey and other raptors are up there too!
Just an amazing collection of bird images, James. Those Osprey photos are incredible. I also like the centre photo of the White-breasted Nuthatch with them staring straight at you. Haha, excellent capture.
That's a great quote from Thoreau about the Wood Duck being an ornament to a river - a most fitting description! Thanks for the Cooper's Hawk mention as well - I do think they're my bird of the year.
Thank you Neil! You are the resident Cooper’s Hawk guy on Substack. I like that nuthatch photo too—as with chickadees they don’t get enough respect.
As for the Osprey they play along and make it easy. That quote is apt I agree, Thoreau had great things to say about the birds in New England.
Kudos to you, James. What a magnificent compilation of birds!I grew up in Chicago. I never once heard anyone around me mention a black hawk other than those who skate on ice. Now I have to keep an eye out for one!
Thank you so much Cindy! These ones aren’t at the rink but are just as exciting to see
Incredible! When you set out to accomplish something big, you truly don’t shirk off anything. 🤗
So many dynamic exquisite photos, James. Thank you for so generously sharing them and allowing us to catch a glimpse of what you’ve seen.
Three of my favorites are : the snowy egret, sipping some water with its reflection shown also, the close up face of the barred owl (I think it was the barred owl) and the little baby duck so fuzzy and sweet.
Thank you very much Teyani! As many great species as Ive seen and photographed this year those ducklings are hard to beat
Absolutely wonderful year full of birds! I’m quite new to the hobby of birding & photography but it’s fun to see such great photos and be able to name many of the birds. I guess I AM learning to identify some. Thanks for sharing ☺️
Thank you so much Cheryl. Birds are for everyone, new to birding or veteran birder. I am thrilled to hear you are having fun seeing them, learning them, and taking photos. Learning to ID takes time, and never gets “easy” but is well worth the effort.
Great post James, and quite an achievement to capture all those birds this year. I captured quite a few this year, including my first ever moment when the bluebird babies fledged. Caught one take that leap into the big scary world. Highlight for me this year was a day spent at the Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge. Amazing spot.
Thank you so much Bob. That sounds like an amazing bluebird moment! Must have made for exceptional images. I’ve never been to Pinckney Island NWR—adding it to my list.
I set this aside when I could take my time with it, and it didn't disappoint. Amazing post. What a gallery. I can't get over the Bonaparte's photo with the trail of water drops. Cassin's Kingbird with a mouthful of bug too.
I can't imagine I'll do a big year in my life. But I get a big kick reading about others' triumphs (and trials) in their big years.
Thanks for the mentions, James. Here's hoping your big year has a big finish!
Thank you Nathaniel! Those photos were great moments, the Cassin’s I saw from afar and then crept closer and closer—only to see the bug in the bill. And I’m just happy any time I see a Bonaparte’s.
Big years aren’t all sunshine and rainbows, but if circumstances ever align that make one doable for you—as they did for me—I struggle to imagine a better way to spend your time, particularly for a birder of your prowess.
Happy to mention your work here. Substack has a great community of birders, and I’m happy your work has found its way to my screen.
This was spectacular. What an amazing portfolio of photographs. Thank you so much for posting these stunning photos. You're motivating me to start looking more at the beautiful birds surrounding me.
Thank you Lois, I am glad you enjoyed this! Slowing down for a bit to look at birds has more positive effects than you might expect
Wow! ❤️
Thank you Mary!
Brought back memories of our 'glory years' of birding in the 90s and first decades of this century; visiting every province and territory of Canada save one (Nunavut didn't exist when we did our long tour, and anyhow, you can't drive there) ; all 50 states, every new bird a delight and a memory. Heat, mosquitoes, ticks, snow, rain, peccaries, bobcats, pronghorn, grizzlies, but above all birds, in swamps and woodland, desert and oceans, cities and empty lands. But no photos: I'm not a photographer, and yours will enhance your memories, bring enjoyment to many, and spark my recollections. Thanks, and congratulations on your 'big year'.
Thank you Marian, I am glad this roused memories of your “glory years,” traversing the US and Canada for birds. Sounds like an amazing stretch of birding. Sounds like the birds were the common denominator of various types of adventures! May the remainder of your 2024, your 2025 and years that follow all be filled with birds.
Beautiful post, James. A Fieldguide in and of itself. My personal favorite photos are the close-up of the Barred Owl, the Coot babies, and the middle photo of the White-breasted Nuthatch. Thank you for all of the help you’ve given me this year. Have a happy holiday.
Thank you Heidi. Those are some of my favorite photos too, but I love them all--each reminds me of the moment where I took the picture. Happy to help people cultivate knowledge and interest in birds. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
I actually love the northern flicker. Something about that unique taupe color with black patch and their solid bodies that gives me pleasure whenever I see one.
A great bird to love! Don Boivin = towhee and flicker
😊
What a great selection of birds, beautiful photos too.
And a word on cardinals, no-one visiting from across the seas would be bored by a cardinal! It's at the top of the list of birds I would want to see if I ever visit the US again. (I don't remember seeing one when I visited aged 9).
Thank you so much, Juliet. Cardinals are lovely birds that get taken for granted.
I definitely took them for granted for a while. If you can’t remember seeing one, sounds like you’ll have to make another trip across the pond for some birds!
Amazing birds, amazing shots. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you—glad you like the shots!
This year is only the 2nd time I saw a Phainopepla and my first time seeing a brilliant male Vermilion Flycatcher! It seems to be my year to see Herons the most and Egrets a lot. Just recently spotted huge flocks of Scaups, Goldeneyes, and Widgeons. Also, some Western Grebes and Pied-billed Grebes les frequently. It has been a great birding year for me too!
Definitely sounds like an excellent birding year, Sheryl! I am jealous of your Western Grebe and Vermillion Flycatcher. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Happy Thanksgiving! As a minor bird nerd, I love following your adventures and seeing so many types of birds.
I am glad you enjoy reading along as I nerd out over birds. Enjoy the holiday!