Spring into Action

Bird activity abounds as the season of renewal arrives

While birding at one of my local state wildlife areas, I stopped at a large grassland section that was ringing with the songs of eastern meadowlarks. I took this photo from the parking lot as one flew right by me. Andy Raupp MONTELLO, WI

I spotted a common redpoll in a sunflower field in Garrettsville, Ohio. The field owner had put up a small wooden sign that said "Birders Welcome." I was really excited to see this little bird because it is an infrequent visitor to northeastern Ohio and was a "lifer" for me. I like the subtle color palette created by the bird, dried sunflower and background.

David Ciborek MUNROE FALLS, OH

Last March was birding in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, and saw a yellow-crowned night-heron showing off for females by extending his striking full-feather mating display. The dance was over in seconds, but I readied my camera just in case he would repeat it. I observed him for about 40 long minutes, and just when I had almost given up, he once again raised his head high in the air, extended his back feathers and then, as he slowly lowered his head, deployed all his feathers in the most magnificent mating bow I have ever witnessed. He had the complete attention of all the nearby females, including me! For wildlife photographers, this moment makes all the hours you put in getting that perfect shot worthwhile. I'm sure he won the most worthy mate for his grand performance, and they happily had a successful breeding season.

Mary Alice Tartler HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC

A pair of northern flickers mirrored each other on an old tree. This photo was the first time I ever captured two flickers in one frame! I took it with a Canon EOS 7D Mark II with a 500 mm lens on a tripod.

William McMullen ROCKLAND, ON