#BirdsOfNewYork – Sharon's Iconic Travel Photography Blog

Little Pest

Eagles will bother other eagles and osprey by trying to steal fish they catch. Who bothers an eagle? For one, some little birds will pester the eaglets after they fledge. On this day it happened to be a red-winged blackbird.

I have not checked up the eaglets in a while. I know one fell out of the nest before it was ready to fledge and broke its wing on the way down. It is at a rehab that specialises in eagles. Two remained and both fledged. Last I heard one flew to the river and never returned to the nest area. We are hoping it is hanging out down there. The third is a late bloomer. It only flies to the river to loose the pests that bother it. It is has been sticking closer to the nest.

In the above picture it looks like the red winged blackbird is having fun. It was trying to attack the eagle from behind it, at times hitting its tail area.

The red winged blackbird has a lot of guts landing next to the eaglet. So far this eaglet has no clue what to do about these little pests other than fly away. Have a great Thursday!

Tree Swallow May

Kudos to the photographers who can get good shots of this bird in flight. They move around too erratic for me. Luckily this landed close enough to me to get a shot or two off. It was a dark day and this was lightened a bit.

Have a great weekend!

Osprey in Tree March 2025

Today I went down to see the osprey nest on the Hudson River. I was not expecting much as the sky was dark all day, it was foggy/hazy, and I did not see much in the later part of the week after work. It was actually a good day despite the conditions.

I was on a section of a walking trail along the river I had not been on yet and almost missed it. I was talking to a nice older couple, when I saw this Osprey fly into a tree close to the trail and on the river.

After it landed its mate came flying up to the same tree about 10 minutes later. They stayed a few minutes more then flew off.

The older couple followed me to a closer look out and got their own pictures as well.

Most of my pictures were not tack sharp, but not the worst. There was a lot of action and it was great to see it. I was informed by the local fishermen that it may be tough to get a spot to view the nest as the seasons for one particular fish opens very soon. They expect the park to be flooded with fishermen. Have a great week!

Osprey Howdy!

This osprey flew right at me. It is the first osprey sighting of the new year for me and a good harbinger of spring.

I saw this on a park on the Hudson River in New York. It followed what looked like a creek upstream. We looked at the trees around the wetland and the creek like area, but could see no sign of it. It was not the best lighting being before sunset and mostly cloudy, but I will take it. Have a great Friday.

More Tufted Titmouse

Park security greeted me again upon arrival. It was the tufted titmouse. Everywhere I went in the park they followed and posed for me.

At one point I went on a path with brush on both sides. It was landing on the bushes within a foot of me. One also landed on my zoom lens and on my hand holding the camera up.

We are in a dry situation. Normally I do not wish for rain on weekends, but I am pulling for it to happen this weekend. We have had multiple wildfires in surrounding counties. I like having the skies we had the past few weeks. It can make for some great photos, but there is evidently too much of a good thing.

Enjoy your Sunday and Happy Veteran’s Day to all who served!

Red-Bellied Woodpecker

I believe this is the red-bellied woodpecker. My area of New York is within its year round range. By comparing it to photos on All About Birds I would think this is a male as males have a red crown.

I could not get a good view of this bird. I only saw it for a short amount of time. When I moved to a side of the tree that was better for lighting it was not visible.

This may be the first time I have seen this kind of woodpecker. This location is said to have red-headed woodpeckers also. I stop here frequently, but have yet to sight one. Enjoy your holiday weekend. Happy Veteran’s Day!

Black-Capped Chickadee

I believe this is a black capped chickadee. I saw this in a park on the Hudson River in New York. New York is within its year round range.

According to All About Birds the black-capped chickadee has a habit of investigating people. This bird flew right at me a few times then veered off. So that was certainly true.

Have a Happy Friday!

Ruby-Crowned Kinglet November

They say you usually do not see the crown unless this bird is agitated. It was a very windy day and the crown feathers are only partially visible and not standing up, so I do not think it was agitated.

This bird does not linger on branches. It moves from branch to branch and tree to tree like it is hyperactive.

Sometimes windy days can be good days for taking a photograph. Have a great Wednesday!

Downy Woodpecker in November

The Downy Woodpecker was another bird I saw in a park on the Hudson River in New York. New York is in the year round range of this bird, as is most of the U.S.

The park is mostly woods. However, these shots are at the edge of the woods close to an open area. They usually stick to woods, but can be found in parks and they say at your bird feeder. When I was allowed to feed birds, I would see them in the woods behind my apartment, but not at the feeder.

This Downy Woodpecker is a male as males have the red patch on the back of their head.

Have a great rest of your week! Enjoy the great outdoors!

White-Breasted Nuthatch

I believe this is a white-breasted nuthatch. I saw this in a park next to the Hudson River in the Hudson Valley of New York. Most of the US including New York State is part of their year-round range.

According to All About Birds white-breasted nuthatches get their name from their habit of jamming large nuts and acorns into tree bark, then hitting them with their sharp bill to “hatch” out the seed from the inside.

Have a great weekend!

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