This male Northern BobWhite was likely foraging for food as he scurried through the field. Northern BobWhite hunt on the ground for seeds, leaves, or insects, searching for food visually. This BobWhite seemed to freeze when I spotted him as if to say “If I hold still I will be invisible”. The reason for this immobile behavior is most likely to avoid being detected by potential predators. I appreciated the brief moment he gave me to snap his picture.
A stunning Male Blue-Winged Teal was captured on camera swimming in a South Florida pond during late evening light. These small ducks dabble by dipping their bill into the water and tipping their tail up to reach vegetation, aquatic insects, and crustaceans.. The Blue-Winged Teal is found in great numbers throughout much of North America. The Male and Female Blue-Winged Teal differ significantly in their appearance. A blue patch can be seen on her forewing, while the rest of her body is a dull mottled brown.
The Black-Crested Titmouse is a variety of Titmouse that hails from Mexico and South Texas. Their appearance is very similar to the Tufted Titmouse, which is common in the Eastern half of North America. Smaller in size, the Black-Crested has a distinct black crest and a one-of-a-kind song. I captured a photo of a Black-Crested Titmouse mid air as it jumped off a dead tree and onto the sand in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of South Texas.
Male Cinnamon Teal swimming in pond (sandra calderbank/scalderphotography.com)
The Male Cinnamon Teal is a compact duck with brightly colored feathers and beautiful red eyes.. The Female Cinnamon Teal is smaller and darker and looks very similar to a female Blue-Winged Teal. I took a picture of this Male swimming briskly across a pond. Cinnamon Teal often nest in fresh water. This is only the second time I’ve seen a Cinnamon teal. During flight, powder blue feathers are visible on the upper wing. Cinnamon Teal are only found the western part of North America, where they are one of the least abundant waterfowl in North America.
Some years ago in December, I took a photo of an Adult Western, Dark Morph, Red-Tailed Hawk at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. I really enjoy discovering older photos that I missed in previous processing sessions. The unique details of this Hawk escape my memory. It’s breast feathers and leg details would provide a more specific identification. In my December collection, only two pictures exist, both showing only the hawk’s back with its head turned 180 degrees towards the camera. I’m seeking assistance from my readers to correctly identify this gorgeous hawk.
