F/13.0, 1/640, ISO 320.
Barn Swallow
What did the blanket say to the bed?
Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!
Interesting Fact: According to legend, the Barn Swallow got its forked tail because it stole fire from the gods to bring to people. An angry deity hurled a firebrand at the swallow, singeing away its middle tail feathers. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Barn_Swallow/lifehistory )
F/9.0, 1/320, ISO 320.
Northern Mockingbird
Why don’t witches like to ride their brooms when they’re angry?
They’re afraid of flying off the handle!
Interesting Fact: The Northern Mockingbird frequently gives a “wing flash” display, where it half or fully opens its wings in jerky intermediate steps, showing off the big white patches. No one knows why it does this, but it may startle insects, making them easier to catch. On the other hand, it doesn’t often seem to be successful, and different mockingbird species do this same display even though they don’t have white wing patches. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Mockingbird/lifehistory )
F/6.3, 1/ 160, ISO 320.
Chipping Sparrow
How do farmers party?
They turnip the beets.
Interesting Fact: The early naturalists had a gift for description you just don’t see anymore. In 1929, Edward Forbush called the Chipping Sparrow “the little brown-capped pensioner of the dooryard and lawn, that comes about farmhouse doors to glean crumbs shaken from the tablecloth by thrifty housewives.” ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Chipping_Sparrow/lifehistory )
F/10.0, 1/400, ISO 250.
Song Sparrow
Where do polar bears vote?
The North Poll.
Interesting Fact: The Song Sparrow is found throughout most of North America, but the birds of different areas can look surprisingly different. Song Sparrows of the Desert Southwest are pale, while those in the Pacific Northwest are dark and heavily streaked. Song Sparrows of Alaska’s Aleutian Islands chain are even darker, and they’re huge: one-third longer than the eastern birds, and weighing twice as much. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Song_Sparrow/lifehistory )
F/11.0, 1/500, ISO 250.
European Starling
What’s the difference between a guitar and a fish?
You can’t tuna fish.
Interesting Fact: Starlings turn from spotted and white to glossy and dark each year without shedding their feathers. The new feathers they grow in fall have bold white tips – that’s what gives them their spots. By spring, these tips have worn away, and the rest of the feather is dark and iridescent brown. It’s an unusual changing act that scientists term “wear molt.” ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/European_Starling/lifehistory )
F/10.0, 1/400, ISO 250.
Tree Swallow
What did one wall say to the other wall?
Meet you at the corner!
Interesting Fact: Tree Swallows are highly social, forming large migratory and wintering flocks; and pairs often nest close together, particularly where nest boxes are numerous. Agile fliers, Tree Swallows tend to glide more than any other swallow species. They bathe by flying low over the water and skimming their bodies against the surface, then rising quickly while shaking off droplets. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Tree_Swallow/lifehistory )
F/8.0, 1/250, ISO 400.
Northern Mockingbird vs American Robin
Why should you keep away from dermatologists?
They make rash decisions.
Interesting Fact: Mockingbirds are also territorial around other bird species as well as dogs and cats. The flight style of mockingbirds is variable but typically leisurely, with showy wingbeats. Sometimes Northern Mockingbirds simply drop quickly from a perch with their wings folded. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Mockingbird/lifehistory# )
F/11.0, 1/500, ISO 320.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
What is the difference between a school teacher and a train?
The teacher says spit your gum out and the train says “chew chew chew”.
Interesting Fact: Ruby-crowned Kinglets seem nervous as they flit through the foliage, flicking their wings nearly constantly. Keeping an eye out for this habit can be a useful aid to identifying kinglets. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ruby-crowned_Kinglet/lifehistory )
F/9.0, 1/320, ISO 250.
American Goldfinch
What can you serve but never eat?
A volleyball.
Interesting Fact: Paired-up goldfinches make virtually identical flight calls; goldfinches may be able to distinguish members of various pairs by these calls. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Goldfinch )
F/6.3, 1/125, ISO 500.
Blue Jay
What kind of shoes do ninjas wear?
Sneakers.
Interesting Fact: They often mate for life, remaining with their social mate throughout the year. Only the female incubates; her mate provides all her food during incubation. For the first 8–12 days after the nestlings hatch, the female broods them and the male provides food for his mate and the nestlings. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Blue_Jay/lifehistory )
Through Open Lens 