More Hummingbirds -Males

 

Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow

 I have some trouble keeping up with the name changes some species have undergone in recent years. This is one example. I just referred to them as Sharp-tailed Sparrows in the past or possibly Acadian Sharp-tailed Sparrows if memory serves. Now I don't know whether to refer to them as just Nelson's Sparrows and leave out the sharp-tailed bit. The more southern species is or was known as the Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow which is a little confusing since this one is also found almost exclusively in salt marshes. I photograph them in almost the exact location from one year to the next which as you may have guessed is in a salt marsh.

One Perch, Two Birds

 These images of two birds were taken minutes apart from the same location and on the same perch. I was attempting to photograph the kingfisher so felt fortunate to get those shots. To have the Spotted Sandpiper land on the same branch was a bonus. Spotted Sandpipers generally don't land on elevated perches, the exception being when they have young ones in the area and need more of a bird's eye view to keep an eye out for predators. The one stray feather in the shots I believe belongs to the kingfisher.

Cedar Waxwing

It seemed like there were fewer Cedar Waxwings around this Spring than in previous years. At least I wasn't seeing as many and when I did see them they weren't as cooperative as other times I have  photographed them.