Swamp things

I've had a good time photographing wetland and swamp wildlife recently. It's nice to get a break from my hectic neighborhood and spend some time in a totally different environment.

That said, this American Bittern was spotted right here in the city - in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. 

This is an immature Little Blue Heron. When they're young, they're white.

This one is molting into its adult plumage, as you can see by the dark gray-blue feathers growing in on its face and body.

Black-Crowned Night Heron:

Green Heron:

And a baby Green Heron!

There are two young herons in this photo. The sibling on the right is hiding behind some leaves.

Mama Mallard and her duckling:

A Common Gallinule:

Check out those toes!

Baby Gallinules care cute little floofballs.

Western Cattle Egret:

A pair flying across a marsh:

Tricolored Heron:

White Ibis:

Immature Ibises have brown wings and a smudgy head and neck.

Great Egret:

I never tire of looking at Anhingas. I think they're some of the coolest birds around, so there will be more photos of them coming.

You can't have a swamp without a king/queen, and this American Alligator was definitely the top of the food chain in this habitat. I was actually pretty far away when I took this photo and turned tail and cut the hike short that day.

2025 Birding Highlights - Part 1

I've done a lot of birding so far this year, and have a gazillion photos as a result, so I plan to post more non-hawk bird content as well as the usual Tompkins Square hawk updates.

This is a photo of one of my favorite birding spots in Florida. It's a wetland surrounded by residential and semi-industrial developments, and it draws a fantastic variety of birds.

Limpkins can be found here.

They feed on apple snails, which can be seen in the photo below.

This is a lovely Sandhill Crane late in the evening.

Little Blue Heron:

This Gray-Headed Swamphen flies across another wetland area.

Tricolored Heron:

This is the only time I've seen a Crested Caracara close up. On my last birding trip, I only saw them flying in the distance.

Roseate Spoonbill sightings never get old. They really are a candy pink.

I usually see Spoobills as being gentle birds, but these two got into some sort of disagreement while flying. The one in front had had enough.

The faces of White Ibises turn deep red during breeding season.

These were the last White Pelicans I saw before they took off for spring migration.

A Yellow-Crowned Night Heron in its breeding plumage:

Ospreys will nest on almost any available platform.

I just love Anhingas. The snakey moves they make, their mechanical-sounding chatter, and the way they "fly" underwater to catch prey is really amazing. When they dry out after a swim, they resemble a fuzzy bagpipe that I'd really like to squeeze.

Their long necks and tails makes Anhingas easily recognizable as they fly overhead. In my opinion, they're some of the coolest birds out there.

Amelia, M2, and springtime birds

It's finally looking like spring around the city as the flowering trees begin to bloom and tulips and daffodils pop up all over the place. 

In Tompkins Square, all seems well with Amelia and M2. Below, Amelia enjoys some sun as she takes a break from brooding.

Doing a little stretching:

M2 seems to have taken to one of Christo's former favorite perches: the ladder atop the Christodora roof. I imagine the view from up there is spectacular and he can keep an eye on their entire territory.

Meanwhile, the nest tree is beginning to hide the view of the hawk nest. This was expected, and I doubt we'll be able to see anything once the leaves are fully grown. In the photo below, you can barely see Amelia's head peeking over the top of the nest.

This photo shows M2 on the left and Amelia hunkered down on the right.

As it's kind of a dull time for hawk watching, I've been doing a lot of other birding and traveling. Below are some spring bird highlights.

 

Northern Parula:

Worm-Eating Warbler:

Bryant Park really is the best place to see American Woodcocks. If you've never seen one, and are in NYC, I highly recommend visiting the park and looking around in the flower beds. There are usually several other people looking as well. It's one of those unique city experiences.

Sanderlings at Coney Island:

Downy Woodpecker:

This is a male Painted Bunting seen down south. These are rare visitors to NYC, and usually draw a lot of observers. The last time I saw one here was in Brooklyn in 2015, and that little guy made the New York Times.

Gray Catbird:

Summer Tanager in Florida:

Red-Eyed Vireo:

Yellow-Throated Warbler:

A Northern Harrier at sunset:

I've been doing so much birding, I'm overwhelmed with photos, so watch this space...