The Black-necked Stilt   Himantopus mexicanus by Juanita N. Baker, Ph.D. Father stands vigilant, ready for action, to protect his young downy chick who cautiously explores the limits of the mud flat. Parents peck, jab, or sweep with their slightly recurved bills to plunge under water and, probe through mud to snatch aquatic invertebrates, fishes,…

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Wilson’s Snipe   Gallinago delicata by Juanita N. Baker, Ph.D. Wilson’s Snipe are so elusive that many practical jokes have been played on youth, leading them to go at night into the wilderness “Snipe Hunting” with instructions to crouch down and hold their bag to catch them as they are flushed their way. Duped again,…

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Exquisite! by Juanita N. Baker, Ph.D. Look how this male, with his characteristic white facial crescent identifying him as a Blue-winged Teal, stands proud and vigilant with a female. This photo was taken in March when these dabbling ducks begin to pair up.  Notice she has a ‘ghost’ of a crescent’…a lighter patch next to…

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A tasty treat for Mama by Juanita N. Baker, Ph.D. Snug in the green-needled branches of a hemlock tree in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains, the female Blue-headed Vireo sat on her tiny, lichen-crusted nest. Her mate brought her and the nestlings insect treats like this adult caddisfly in this photo by Becky Loftus. Unlike our year-round…

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