“In November, some birds move away and some birds stay. The air is full of good-byes and well-wishes. The birds who are leaving look very serious. No silly spring chirping now. They have long journeys and must watch where they are going. The staying birds are serious, too, for cold times lie ahead. Hard times. […]
Author: Julie Feinstein
I am a Collection Manager at the American Museum of Natural History, an author, and a photographer. I live in New York City. I recently published my first popular science book, Field Guide to Urban Wildlife, an illustrated collection of natural history essays about common animals. I update my blog, Urban Wildlife Guide, every Sunday.
Baby Cardinal poses for the camera
Maybe it was the cold windy rain on Sunday, or maybe he’s now old enough to recognize a friend, but the normally elusive baby cardinal that’s been coming to my porch for seeds and has always flown away before when I pointed a camera at him, finally sat still for photos. […]
Tree Swallows
Tree swallows spend most of their day flying in pursuit of small aerial insects, gliding swiftly through the air and twisting and turning artistically as their blue feathers flash in the sunlight. This haiku written in 1818 by Issa, one of Japan’s foremost poets, recognizes the aerial exploits of swallow-kind: Gliding through the cloudburst so […]
Goose Reflections
I was watching a Canada goose family (Branta canadensis) and was impressed by how often they did exactly the same things at the same time and struck identical poses, especially the goslings. Congruent like the two above.
Spring Preview
Spring is a week away and the signs of the season are everywhere. Crocuses are blooming all over New York City. The cardinals seem suddenly more active and vocal. Same for the blue jays. They seem busy and preoccupied. I’ve been able to get close enough to photograph them, which is unusual. The bees are […]
Feeder Style
House finches were hanging around the bird feeders last week in the section of Central Park called the Ramble. In this picture a few of them are gathered on one of the homemade feeders — a plastic bottle full of seeds with a hole and a perch on each side. The finches perch, reach in […]
Restless Hawk
I saw this immature red-tailed hawk last week in Central Park. It was inspecting tree holes. I think it was inspired by the spring weather to think about making a nest. It picked up sticks and carried them, put them down again. When I left the hawk it was standing with its foot on a […]
A Butterfly Break
Tired of grey February skies? Here’s a nice butterfly from warmer and brighter times last year. It’s an American Lady, Vanessa virginiensis. Its upper side is black and orange with white spots and a touch of purple in some of the spots on the hind wing.