Sharon Cuartero: Blog https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog en-us (C) Sharon Cuartero (Sharon Cuartero) Mon, 16 Mar 2020 07:36:00 GMT Mon, 16 Mar 2020 07:36:00 GMT https://www.sharoncuartero.com/img/s/v-12/u242636932-o980171106-50.jpg Sharon Cuartero: Blog https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog 120 120 Northern Cardinal Fledgling https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/6/northern-cardinal-fledgling A walk to the mailbox was delayed for a few minutes as I waited for this adorable cardinal fledgling to make its way across the yard to dad who was perched on a high branch chirping away as if he was saying, “Come on kiddo, you can do this!”

 

]]> (Sharon Cuartero) Bird Bird Photography Birding Cardinal Fledgling Nature Northern Cardinal Outdoors Spring Wildlife https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/6/northern-cardinal-fledgling Sun, 09 Jun 2019 14:22:30 GMT Wren in a Blue Bird Nest Box https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/5/nest-box-camera Recent activity in our Bluebird next box...probably a female House or Carolina wren. 

 

 

NestCam 5.27.19 from Sharon Cuartero on Vimeo.

]]> (Sharon Cuartero) animals bird photography birding birds chicks eggs nature nest outdoors spring video wildlife wren https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/5/nest-box-camera Wed, 29 May 2019 11:49:04 GMT Indigo Bunting https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/5/indigo-bunting A colorful sighting on an otherwise dreary spring day! (Male Indigo Bunting)

]]> (Sharon Cuartero) animals birding birds bunting Indigo Bunting nature outdoors photography spring spring birds spring migration wildlife https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/5/indigo-bunting Mon, 13 May 2019 22:45:00 GMT Rose-breasted Grosbeak https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/5/rose-breasted-grosbeak Pictured here are two of three male Rose-breasted Grosbeaks that hung out in our backyard for a few days before moving on.

 

 

]]> (Sharon Cuartero) bird photography birding birds grosbeak nature outdoors rose-breasted grosbeak spring spring birds spring migration wildlife https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/5/rose-breasted-grosbeak Mon, 06 May 2019 22:45:00 GMT Eastern Screen Owl https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/4/eastern-screen-owl-image-selected-for-national-geographics-daily-dozen My photo of a rescued Eastern Screech Owl was recently selected for National Geographic's Daily Dozen, an online editor showcase featuring their top community submissions.

Eastern Screech OwlEastern Screech OwlThis photo was selected and featured in National Geographic’s Daily Dozen, an online editor showcase featuring their top community photo submissions.

 

 

 

]]> (Sharon Cuartero) Bird Photography Birds Birds of Prey Daily Dozen Eastern Screech Owl National Geographic nature raptor rescued https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/4/eastern-screen-owl-image-selected-for-national-geographics-daily-dozen Mon, 15 Apr 2019 11:11:47 GMT Afternoon Sunbath https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/4/afternoon-sunbath A Black-capped Chickadee, temporarily outlined by natural sunlight, looks up into the trees during an otherwise cloudy day. 

 

]]> (Sharon Cuartero) birding birds Black-capped Chickadee Chickadee nature outdoors photography wildlife https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/4/afternoon-sunbath Mon, 15 Apr 2019 00:59:14 GMT Northern Cardinal (Female) https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/4/northern-cardinal-female Northern Cardinal backyard sightings were few and far between this past winter.  I'd only see them when the weather turned really cold or snowy.  Now that spring is here, I see a cardinal pair almost every day at dawn and at dusk!

]]> (Sharon Cuartero) animals birding birds cardinal nature Northern Cardinal outdoors photography Spring wildlife https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/4/northern-cardinal-female Sun, 07 Apr 2019 00:14:43 GMT Canadian Goose https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/4/canadian-goose

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


A Canadian Goose stands guard while his mate searches for food at a nearby pond. 

]]> (Sharon Cuartero) bird Bird Photography birds Canadian Goose Geese Goose nature outdoors waterfowl wildlife https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/4/canadian-goose Wed, 03 Apr 2019 17:44:43 GMT American Crows Chase Off a Red-tailed Hawk https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/3/american-crows-and-a-red-tailed-hawk Want to know where the hawks are?  Look (and listen!) for the crows!  These two American Crows teamed up and chased off a Red-tailed Hawk.

]]> (Sharon Cuartero) American Crow animals birding birds Birds of Prey Crows Hawk nature outdoors photography Red-tailed Hawk wildlife https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/3/american-crows-and-a-red-tailed-hawk Mon, 25 Mar 2019 20:16:12 GMT American Goldfinch https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/3/american-goldfinch An American Goldfinch enjoying the perks of being the one and only bird at the feeder. 

 

]]> (Sharon Cuartero) American Goldfinch animals birding birds Goldfinch nature outdoors photography Snow wildlife Winter https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/3/american-goldfinch Sun, 24 Mar 2019 00:37:07 GMT American Robin https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/3/american-robin-spring A Robin in the yard on the first day of Spring!

]]> (Sharon Cuartero) American Robin animals bird birding birds nature outdoors photography robin spring wildlife https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/3/american-robin-spring Thu, 21 Mar 2019 00:43:13 GMT House Sparrows https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/3/house-sparrows New to the backyard feeders this winter were the House Sparrows.  Lots of them!  A flock of at least 10-15 sparrows spent the season in our bushes.  As the weather warms up, I see them less often.  Spring is almost here!

]]> (Sharon Cuartero) animals Bird Photography birding Birds House Sparrow nature outdoors photography Sparrow wildlife https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/3/house-sparrows Tue, 19 Mar 2019 23:16:09 GMT Andean Condor https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/3/andean-condor A black and white photo of an Andean Condor, currently residing at a Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in New York.

]]> (Sharon Cuartero) Andean Condor animals bird birding birds black and white Condor nature of outdoors photography Prey rescue Vulture wildlife https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/3/andean-condor Sat, 16 Mar 2019 23:54:55 GMT American Robin https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/3/american-robin Signs of Spring!

 

 

]]> (Sharon Cuartero) American Robin animals birding birds nature outdoors photography robin wildlife https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/3/american-robin Thu, 14 Mar 2019 15:37:10 GMT White-throated Sparrows https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/3/white-throated-sparrows Two White-throated Sparrows hang on to a snowy branch during a recent snow storm.

 

 

]]> (Sharon Cuartero) animals birding birds nature outdoors photography snow sparrow White-throated Sparrow wildlife winter winter birds https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/3/white-throated-sparrows Mon, 11 Mar 2019 16:27:41 GMT Bald Eagle (Perched) https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/3/bald-eagle-perched Wild Bald Eagles are a magnificent sight to see.  This one was perched high up on a branch about 500 feet from the road where I was standing. 

 

]]> (Sharon Cuartero) animals Bald Eagle birding birds Birds of Prey eagle nature outdoors photography raptor Shepaug Dam Wild Bald Eagle wildlife https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/3/bald-eagle-perched Sat, 09 Mar 2019 21:24:09 GMT Mourning Doves https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/3/mourning-doves Bird watching can be full of surprises.  I was watching what I thought was a lone Mourning Dove resting on a snowy branch.  I moved slightly to my left to get a better shot when three more doves came into view!

]]> (Sharon Cuartero) animals bird photography birding birds dove mourning dove nature outdoors photography snow wildlife winter winter birds https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/3/mourning-doves Thu, 07 Mar 2019 14:59:46 GMT Pileated Woodpecker (Video) https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/3/pileated-woodpecker-video A short video clip of a Pileated Woodpecker that visited my property in late winter of 2017.

 


Video Link: https://vimeo.com/321869206

]]> (Sharon Cuartero) bird photography birding birds nature outdoors pileated woodpecker video videography wildlife woodpecker https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/3/pileated-woodpecker-video Thu, 07 Mar 2019 00:09:37 GMT Bald Eagle (In Flight) https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/3/bald-eagle Wildlife photography is all about being in the right place at the right time.  A two-hour late winter hike yielded nothing but mud.  I headed back to the parking lot and just as I was about to get into the car, a beautiful bald eagle soared over my head!

Bald EagleBald Eagle

]]> (Sharon Cuartero) animals Bald Eagle bird photography birding birds eagle hiking nature outdoors photography wildlife winter https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/3/bald-eagle Sun, 03 Mar 2019 22:39:51 GMT Black-capped Chickadee (Video) https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/3/black-capped-chickadee Black-capped Chickadees are tough to photograph.  They are small, quick and don't stay still for very long.  So during this morning's snowstorm, I was pleasantly surprised to witness a chickadee on a branch breaking open a seed and scooping up some snowflakes and leaf buds.  It hung around for nearly a minute!

Video Link: https://vimeo.com/320982563

 

]]> (Sharon Cuartero) animals birding birds Black-capped Chickadee Chickadee nature outdoors photography snow videography wildlife winter winter birds https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/3/black-capped-chickadee Sat, 02 Mar 2019 21:55:20 GMT Visitors with Wings Photo Series (Video) https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/3/visitors-with-wings Inspired by my participation in Project FeederWatch, a research and educational project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, I created a photo series called "Visitors with Wings".  Here is a video compilation of my work:

 

Video Link: https://vimeo.com/317691711

]]> (Sharon Cuartero) bird photography Birding Birds Nature outdoors Project Feederwatch Sharon Cuartero Video Visitors with Wings wildlife Winter https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/3/visitors-with-wings Fri, 01 Mar 2019 17:57:53 GMT White-Breasted Nuthatch https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/2/white-breasted-nuthatch A White-breasted Nuthatch departs from the bird feeder during a snow storm.

White-breasted NuthatchWhite-breasted Nuthatch

]]> (Sharon Cuartero) animals bird photography birding birds nature outdoors photography white-breasted nuthatch wildlife winter winter birds https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/2/white-breasted-nuthatch Wed, 20 Feb 2019 18:30:00 GMT Red-Tailed Hawk https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/1/red-tailed-hawk A Red-tailed Hawk perched on an icy pine tree branch (eyeing the bird feeders).

Red-tailed HawkRed-tailed Hawk

]]> (Sharon Cuartero) animals birding birds birds of prey hawk nature outdoors photography raptor red-tailed hawk wildlife winter https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/1/red-tailed-hawk Wed, 23 Jan 2019 01:45:00 GMT Black-Capped Chickadee https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/1/black-capped-chickadee A Black-capped Chickadee perches on a branch.

Black-capped ChickadeeBlack-capped Chickadee

]]> (Sharon Cuartero) birding birds black-capped chickadee chickadee nature outdoors photography snow wildlife winter winter birds https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2019/1/black-capped-chickadee Thu, 17 Jan 2019 18:30:00 GMT Dark-eyed Junco https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2018/12/dark-eyed-junco The Dark-eyed Juncos have been showing a preference for the nyjer seed over the sunflower seeds that are also available to them.

Dark-eyed JuncoDark-eyed Junco

]]> (Sharon Cuartero) animals birdfeeder birding birds dark-eyed juncos juncos nature outdoors photography snow wildlife winter winter birds https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2018/12/dark-eyed-junco Tue, 18 Dec 2018 18:45:00 GMT Pine Siskin https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2018/11/pine-siskin Pine SiskinPine Siskin

A new bird sighting at the feeders: a Pine Siskin! 

]]> (Sharon Cuartero) animals bird photography birding birds finch nature outdoors photography Pine Siskin wildlife winter Winter Bird https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2018/11/pine-siskin Sat, 17 Nov 2018 12:00:00 GMT House Finch https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2018/11/house-finch House FinchHouse FinchA Male House Finch waits for his turn on the feeder during the season’s first accumulating snow storm.

A Male House Finch waits for his turn on the feeder during the season’s first accumulating snow storm. 

]]> (Sharon Cuartero) animals birding birds Finch House Male House Finch nature outdoors photography snow snowstorm wildlife winter Winter Birds https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2018/11/house-finch Fri, 16 Nov 2018 18:49:52 GMT White-Breasted Nuthatch https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2018/11/white-breasted-nuthatch I had some adorable company while filling up the bird feeders for this evening’s snowstorm.

White-breasted NuthatchWhite-breasted Nuthatch

 

]]> (Sharon Cuartero) animals backyard birds bird photography birding birds nature outdoors photography White-breasted Nuthatch wildlife winter https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2018/11/white-breasted-nuthatch Thu, 15 Nov 2018 21:42:31 GMT Red-tailed Hawk https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2018/11/red-tailed-hawk Red-tailed HawkRed-tailed Hawk

It took some waiting on my end but this Red-tailed Hawk finally flew low/close enough to photograph.

]]> (Sharon Cuartero) animals birding birds Birds of Prey hawk nature outdoors photography Red-tailed Hawk wildlife https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2018/11/red-tailed-hawk Mon, 12 Nov 2018 13:10:58 GMT American Goldfinches https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2018/11/american-goldfinches A snow flurry shower prompted the Goldfinches to flock to the nyjer seed feeder! 

GoldfinchGoldfinchTwo American Goldfinches eat during a snow shower

 

]]> (Sharon Cuartero) American Goldfinch animals autumn bird bird photography birding birds colors connecticut goldfinch hiking nature nature photography outdoors photography snow snow flurries wildlife winter https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2018/11/american-goldfinches Sun, 11 Nov 2018 11:49:22 GMT Cedar Waxwing https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2018/11/cedar-waxwing 067A8664067A8664 067A8965067A8965

During a recent early morning hike, I was treated to a Cedar Waxwing all-you-can-eat berry feast! 

]]> (Sharon Cuartero) autumn berries Bird bird photography birding birds Cedar Waxwing hiking nature outdoors photography wildlife wildlife photography https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2018/11/cedar-waxwing Sat, 10 Nov 2018 12:30:00 GMT Blue Heron https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2018/11/blue-heron Blue Heron

I was ecstatic to finally see the elusive Blue Heron that I’ve been tracking for several months walking along the shores of a local pond.  While visible to the naked eye, it was still at a distance that tested the limits of my 300mm lens.  The water levels had recently been lowered due to construction revealing an accessible shoreline that I could have accessed to increase my chances of a better shot.  However, I chose to remain at a distance.  The bird’s space and safety was more important.  

Bird photography comes with responsibility.  Birds first, photos second. 

 

 

]]> (Sharon Cuartero) Bird bird photography birding birds blue heron duck heron nature outdoors photography wildlife woodland duck https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2018/11/blue-heron Fri, 09 Nov 2018 11:42:02 GMT Belted Kingfisher https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2018/11/belted-kingfisher 067A8023067A8023

I was scanning the autumn skies for hawks near a pond when I heard an unfamiliar bird call.  In the distance, I saw a bird fluttering back and forth over the water.  To my surprise, it landed on a nearby branch and continued to perch for a good 5 minutes.  The bird was close enough to made a solid ID: a male Belted Kingfisher!

]]> (Sharon Cuartero) animals autumn belted kingfisher bird bird photography birding birds colors connecticut hiking kingfisher nature nature photography outdoors photography wildlife https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2018/11/belted-kingfisher Thu, 08 Nov 2018 17:49:34 GMT Red-breasted Nuthatch https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2018/11/red-breasted-nuthatch Red-breasted NuthatchRed-breasted Nuthatch

A NEW backyard visitor: the Red-breasted Nuthatch!  I believe this bird is a female as the feather colors are not that bright.  She spent much of the morning poking around in the leaves looking for edible seeds that had fallen from the feeder. 

]]> (Sharon Cuartero) animals autumn bird photography birding birds colors nature nuthatch outdoors red-breasted nuthatch songbirds wildlife https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2018/11/red-breasted-nuthatch Sat, 03 Nov 2018 18:45:18 GMT Crow https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2018/11/balancing-act CrowCrow

A crow lands on a high branch that is also a popular look-out point for the neighborhood hawks. 

]]> (Sharon Cuartero) bird birding black and white crow hiking nature outdoors palm warbler photography wildlife https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2018/11/balancing-act Fri, 02 Nov 2018 11:46:00 GMT Blue Birds https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2018/11/blue-birds Blue BirdBlue Bird

Not a lot of visible birds on today's autumn hike except for a pair of Blue Birds that were flying back and forth between a bird house and a nearby tree.  

]]> (Sharon Cuartero) animals autumn birdhouse birds blue bird Connecticut deer pond farm nature outdoors wildlife https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2018/11/blue-birds Thu, 01 Nov 2018 21:56:51 GMT White-throated Sparrow https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2018/10/white-throated-sparrows White-throated SparrowWhite-throated Sparrow
Not long after the White-throated Sparrows returned (mid-October, around the same time as the Dark-eyed Juncos), a nor'easter hit the region with heavy winds and rain.  During the storm, I noticed one of the sparrows perched on a branch completely ignoring all the bird traffic around him (it was a busy day at the feeders!).  The facial expression says it all! 

]]> (Sharon Cuartero) Bird Birding Nature Outdoors Photography songbird sparrow storm White-throated Sparrow Wildlife https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2018/10/white-throated-sparrows Sun, 28 Oct 2018 20:45:00 GMT Blue Jay https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2018/10/the-blue-jay Blue JayBlue Jay

While I'll often hear the Blue Jays squawking, they rarely stick around in our yard.  Our feeders are designed to exclude bigger birds.  Today, however, a group of four Blue Jays took an interest in the seed that had been scattered on the ground by a flock of house finches.  One of them decided to perch on a nearby leaf-covered branch where I was sitting resulting in a colorful autumn bird photo!

 

]]> (Sharon Cuartero) Bird Birding Blue Jay Hiking Nature Outdoors Photography Wildlife https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2018/10/the-blue-jay Thu, 25 Oct 2018 18:00:00 GMT Dark-eyed Junco https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2018/10/the-dark-eyed-juncos-have-returned Dark-eyed JuncoDark-eyed Junco

The Dark-eyed Juncos have returned!  I spotted my first flock in early October feeding on the ground under one of our bird feeders.  They disappeared for a good week and a half and now I see them almost everyday alongside the cardinals and sparrows. 

]]> (Sharon Cuartero) Bird Birding Dark-eyed Juncos Hiking juncos Nature Outdoors Photography songbirds Wildlife https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2018/10/the-dark-eyed-juncos-have-returned Sun, 21 Oct 2018 17:45:00 GMT Palm Warbler https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2018/10/palmwarbler Palm WarblerPalm Warbler

I didn't see a lot of birds on today's hike.  On the last leg of my trip, I stopped at the edge of the field filled with long blades of grass and milkweed when suddenly right in front me lands a Palm Warbler.  It had a few friends nearby  foraging for food.  The flock stayed for about a minute before flying off into the bright afternoon sun. 

]]> (Sharon Cuartero) bird birding hiking nature outdoors palm warbler photography songbirds wildlife https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2018/10/palmwarbler Wed, 17 Oct 2018 20:00:00 GMT Northern Cardinal Pair https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2018/2/northern-cardinal-pair I have never seen this Northern Cardinal pair close enough to photograph them together in the same frame.  When one is on the feeder, the other is on the look-out elsewhere.  Today, however, I was able to capture the male approaching the feeder twice just as his partner makes her exit to a nearby fence post. 

067A6847-Edit067A6847-Edit 067A7085067A7085

]]> (Sharon Cuartero) animals birds connecticut nature northern cardinal outdoors project feederwatch https://www.sharoncuartero.com/blog/2018/2/northern-cardinal-pair Sun, 25 Feb 2018 18:30:00 GMT