Ma., USA, May 2011 - raptors

Sunny skies means thermalling raptors, and aside from the glittering prize of the Mississippi Kite, there were various other, somewhat more predictable birds of prey on offer on most days. The commonest were ubiquitous Turkey Vultures, followed by Red-Tailed, Red-shouldered and Broad-winged Hawks, and Bald Eagles (of course). Other, non-thermalling birds of prey included American Kestrels, Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks.

Ma., USA, May 2011 - Tree Swallows

A love story in eight episodes, from just over the garden fence.

Ma., USA, May 2011 - Rose-breasted Grosbeaks

Ma., USA, May 2011 - Blue-winged Warblers

Surprisingly ubiquitous around the Warren homestead, a feature of most walks in any given direction, and hard to tire of.

Ma., USA, May 2011 - chipmunks

Ma., USA, May 2011 - Eastern Bluebirds

A familiar breeding species throughout the area (thanks mainly to the profusion of bespoke nest boxes in many rural gardens), Bluebirds are, like so many other north American passerines, almost unfeasibly colourful. The pictures above were taken on Larry and Judy's farm in Cummington, Ma, a true rural paradise....

Ma., USA, May 2011 - Chestnut-sided Warblers

Of all the Dendroicas I've been lucky enough to observe so far, Chestnut-sided Warblers are simultaneously the most brash, characterful, tame and exquisitely plumaged. Most of the shots above were taken in the garden here in Warren.

Ma., USA, May 2011 - Mississippi Kite

An opportunity to kick back in the garden here in Warren on the sunny afternoon of the 26th allowed for a pretty lazy raptor-watch; a trickle of hawks moving inspired a little more focus, but to look up and be confronted with this exotic beauty approaching low over the treetops, gracefully from the east was off the radar to say the very least.