We only live to discover beauty - All else is waiting. This vibrant Painted Bunting was photographed in full song at Dorothea Dix Park in Raleigh, North Carolina. With its electric blue head, fiery red breast, and lime green back, the male Painted Bunting is often described as one of the most colorful birds in North America. Captured in a moment of stillness and song, this image reflects the beauty and serenity of one of Raleigh’s most beloved natural spaces. The soft bokeh and vivid tones bring the scene to life, highlighting the striking contrast between the bird’s colors and the soft green background. 📍 Location: Dorothea Dix Park, Raleigh, NC 🕊️ Species: Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris) Prints and digital downloads available upon request.
We only live to witness the quiet poetry of nature – and in this moment, it was enough. This striking Black-bellied Plover was photographed in the golden glow of evening light at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge along North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Its mottled black-and-white plumage shimmered in the fading sun, casting warm tones across its breast as it patrolled the shoreline with delicate steps. Known for their long migrations that span continents, Black-bellied Plovers embody both resilience and grace, pausing briefly on our coasts before continuing their journey across vast oceans. Here, caught between the rolling surf and the last light of day, the bird becomes a symbol of stillness in motion, reminding us of the fragile beauty that visits our shores. The soft bokeh and blurred horizon highlight the sharp detail of the plover’s gaze, while the burnished colors of sand and seaweed echo the warmth of the setting sun. 🌅 📍 Location: Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina 🕊 Species: Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) Prints and digital downloads available upon request.
A jeweled drake drifts across golden waters, its reflection a mirror of nature’s quiet perfection.
Blacked Bellied Plover with ruffled feathers.
Rolling hills captured from Steptoe Butte State Park in Washington. "God's Country"
A male Chestnut-sided Warbler, crowned in vibrant yellow, grips a freshly caught insect on a slender branch. Bathed in soft green light, the scene captures both the delicate beauty and the fierce hunting instincts of this striking woodland songbird
Goldfinch, Raleigh, NC Sunflower Fields
Canola Fields near Colfax, Washington.
A powerful American black bear emerges from the forest at sunrise and forages on grass.
Painted Bunting - Raleigh, NC
Hooded Warbler – Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park Captured along the scenic Skyline Drive, this Hooded Warbler stands out with its bright yellow body and bold black hood. Known for their quick movements and clear, ringing song, these warblers are a favorite sight in the dense forest understory of Shenandoah. A great example of the region’s rich birdlife. 📍 Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park
Checking his surroundings!
"Crimson Jewel of the Forest" Bathed in soft light, a male Summer Tanager perches delicately on a weathered branch, its vivid scarlet plumage glowing like a flame against the muted green and gold of the forest backdrop. Every detail — from the smooth curve of its beak to the rich texture of its feathers — reflects nature’s bold simplicity and quiet elegance. This image captures a fleeting moment of wild beauty, where color, light, and stillness converge.
In a quiet moment beneath the forest canopy, a Yellow-throated Warbler bursts into song, its brilliant yellow throat glowing against the rich tapestry of green. The fine details of its plumage — bold black streaks, snow-white belly, and delicate markings — reflect the intricate beauty of nature's design. Framed in soft light and shadow, this photograph invites the viewer into an intimate encounter with one of the forest's most vibrant voices.
This Brown Pelican was wounded and sleeping all alone on the beach. I initially thought it was shot and would use the opportunity to blame hunters but on closer examination it appears to have a piece of wood lodged into its side. I contacted a rescue center and will hope for a rescue.
Captured at Falls Lake, this image showcases a brilliant male Summer Tanager perched gracefully against a lush green backdrop. Known for its vibrant red plumage, the Summer Tanager is a favorite among bird enthusiasts and photographers. Its smooth feathers and sharp gaze embody the beauty of North Carolina's diverse birdlife. This moment highlights the serene and natural charm of Falls Lake, where wildlife and peaceful scenery meet.
Bright and Beautiful Indigo Bunting.
A Barred Owl perches silently in the forest canopy with its evening catch — a tree frog gripped tightly in its beak. Photographed in the soft twilight, this intimate moment captures the raw beauty and instinct of one of the forest’s most elusive hunters.
A rare and intimate glimpse of a bobcat (Lynx rufus) high in the bare branches of a winter tree. Captured in crisp detail, this elusive predator peers through a tangle of limbs, its golden eyes alert and focused. The bobcat’s rich tawny coat contrasts beautifully with the muted winter sky and the intricate lattice of branches, creating a striking composition that balances power and elegance.
"Red-breasted Merganser with a Fresh Catch – Huntington Beach State Park" Captured off the rock jetty at Huntington Beach State Park, this image showcases a male Red-breasted Merganser emerging from the water with a freshly caught fish. With its signature spiky crest, vivid red eyes, and intricate feather patterns, the merganser embodies the fierce and efficient hunting skills of this diving duck species.
This juvenile Bald Eagle was under siege from other eagles and attempting to find a discrete location to enjoy its dinner. Loess Bluff NWR.
Black Bellied Plover at sunrise.
Barred Owl in Big Meadows at Shenandoah National Park.
Semipalmated Plover
Though modest in appearance, the Willet holds a striking secret – in flight, its bold black-and-white wings flash like signals across the horizon. Here, captured in a moment of pause, it embodies both strength and serenity, standing as a sentinel of the tidal edge. The soft blur of ocean and sky forms a serene backdrop, drawing attention to the bird’s fine details and graceful stance, while the muted tones of the landscape echo the calm of the evening tide. 🌅 📍 Location: Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina 🕊 Species: Willet (Tringa semipalmata) Prints and digital downloads available upon request.
"Winter Mink on the Move – Huntington Beach State Park" This image captures an American Mink in its element at Huntington Beach State Park. Bathed in golden light, the mink moves gracefully across the sand, its rich brown fur standing out against the landscape. Mink lives within the rocks along the jetty. It is also common to see a folks fishing along the jetty in the winter. A lady put down her reel after the mink scurried away to share a story of her own. She had caught a large fish one day and just had to take a picture of it. So, she sat the fish down and turned and grabbed her camera. When she turns back a mink was scurrying away with her fish. She said oh well, maybe it had babies to feed.
A Piping Plover was 'piping' for a worm along North Carolina's coast at sunrise. The wind was brisk, it was brutally cold, but he didn't seem to mind. It appears he was branded near the Great Lakes area which is all I could find online. It would be interesting to know where his journey has taken him. Update: I contacted the research agency and turns out this little fella is from Tawas State Park, East Tawas Michigan - hatched in 2024 and made it south. My sighting was the first from this batch. So very excited.
Black Bellied Plover. Name implies black bellies all year round but as it turns out they are only black during breeding season - to my surprise.
Injured Brown Pelican on NC's Coast.
In this dynamic photograph taken in Wilmington, North Carolina, a black skimmer is captured in action with its face submerged in the water. The bird's distinctive black and white plumage stands out against the shimmering blue surface of the water. Its elongated lower mandible cuts through the water, creating ripples as it skims for fish.
Skyline Drive from Stony Man Trail in Shenandoah National Park.
Crested Caracara at Awendaw, SC Center for Birds of Prey
Colfax, Washington
