Birds of Little Piney
I am entranced by the birds at Little Piney. On our first morning, we awoke to bird sounds at dawn–Cardinals, Chipping Sparrows, Woodpeckers, and Crows. In the first days, we were greeted by a Turkey Vulture landing atop a dead pine, spreading his wings in the sun, slowly turning full circle like a living totem. A Red-tailed Hawk allowed me to stand close and watch her devour a Mourning Dove by the lake. I noticed that the Cardinals gathered by the gate. A Mockingbird lived by the barn. A Painted Bunting was territorial in certain bushy elm. I began photographing the birds so that I could study the details of their eyes and wings and look them up in Sibley’s or on IBird. Friends brought more birding books as house warming gifts, and in less than a year, we have identified 69 species of birds at Little Piney. There are more, but I am still a slow beginner and often catch only glimpses as they disappear into the leaves.
I like to capture the personality of the birds I photograph, especially their curious nature, and their interest in us.
These are a few of my favorite images of the birds at Little Piney.
