Songbirds

Dark Eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)

Beavercreek, Ohio "In order to see birds it is necessary to become a part of the silence.” - Robert Lynd A common migrating bird to the north during Ohio's winter. This Dark Eyed Junco was photographed during the golden hour of the sunset perched on a Crabapple (Malus spp.) tree in my backyard. I simply can't get enough of this mustard colored background that compliments the dusty browns and blacks of the Junco and tree. The soft and out of the focus background is from a trio of a pine needle trees that turn orange with that evening glow of light. A small member of the sparrow family, these birds will forage for birdseed on the ground. With the males being a darker black and the females being more lighter in color towards grey. I am glad we get to share a whole season with these little birds. © 2018 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus)

Beavercreek, Ohio “The reason birds can fly and we can't is simply because they have perfect faith, for to have faith is to have wings.” - J.M. Barrie This male House Finch was captured perched on a Crab Apple (Malus spp.) tree at dusk in my backyard. The males are graced with red upon their crest and upper body, while the females have an overall brown streaky color reminiscent of most sparrows. The golden hour is on full display here, as their entire color and mood of the image changed from even half an hour before. House Finches are common to see feeding on birdseed in a backyard or flying through urban areas. They make for a strange case as they are non-native to Ohio but are well established. A widespread malaria parasite in the 1990's called "Plasmodium relictum" caused House Finch populations to decline greatly however numbers are stable and of least concern. An easy bird to spot and appreciate. © 2018 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Ruby Throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)

Huffman Prairie Flying Field, Fairborn, Ohio "Quick as a hummingbird...she darts so eagerly, swiftly, sweetly dipping into the flowers of my heart." - James Oppenheim Ohio's only regularly seen hummer perched here at last light. This was during my second visit to the famous prairie in the middle of July. I was on the lookout for birds and blooms while I found a patch where ruby-throats seemed to congregate to. This single female sat perched for way longer than expected; long enough for me to switch lens and dial the settings just right. I have to appreciate birds that are super cooperative and patient to allow me to get a shot. The story of my life any other time is I fine tune my focus only to have them be spooked off and fly away. While not as impressive as an in-flight shot, I'll have to settle for this perched image. All things considered, this is one of my favorite moments in birding and photography. © 2019 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens)

Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve, Clifton, Ohio "Plans to protect air and water, wilderness and wildlife are in fact plans to protect man." - Stewart Udall Flycatchers are always difficult to identify! Typically the physical traits are so subtle in changes that they can only be discerned by song. Alas, I believe this is the more common Acadian, as Ohio has a few different residents. This was the trip to Clifton Gorge where I was proven how good of a birding hotspot it is! Up until that point I had only known it for its esteemed waters and landscapes. Come Spring, and the warblers and neoteopical migrants make themselves known here high in the treetops. The specular lighting on this image captures the allure and mystery of these birds I had never seen so close before. © 2019 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)

Morris Reserve, Bellbrook, Ohio © 2019 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)

Fairborn Marsh, Fairborn, Ohio © 2019 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)

Beavercreek, Ohio "Nature is loved by what is best in us." - Ralph Waldo Emerson This photo was taken a split second before lift off. The shutter I employed here was barely enough to keep up with this fast moving songbird. A very common resident of backyards and woodlands, Blue Jays are unfairly considered bullies, however this stems from being very intelligent. Their raucous call is known as the "alarm of the woods" as it alerts other birds of nearby predators or intruders, or it may be used to flush them out of a feeding spot. This one is perched on a Crab Apple (Malus spp.) tree in my backyard. The splash of reds from the berries make for an interesting and colorful photo, and provide food for these wonderful birds. They are catagorized with the same family as crows and magpies, yet seemingly so different in color and behavior. I enjoy viewing these, whether they are just outside the house or in the dense tree canopy far away. © 2018 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor)

Spring Lakes Park, Bellbrook, Ohio © 2019 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor)

Spring Lakes Park, Bellbrook, Ohio © 2019 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor)

Spring Lakes Park, Bellbrook, Ohio © 2019 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor)

Spring Lakes Park, Bellbrook, Ohio © 2019 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor)

Beavercreek, Ohio My backyard is the perfect practice area for bird photography. It is convenient when I can't travel far but wanna take the camera out for a bit. There is ample distance between the house and multiple bird feeders set up on the other side of the yard. In the middle of the feeders is a Crab Apple (Malus spp.) tree from which the Titmouse is perched. A large ceramic bird bath is situated near the tree as well. To top it all off there are three large pine needle spruce trees behind the feeders from which birds can take cover during storms or the occasional hawk. It is a setup I have tweaked over time but works well. There is essentially plenty of area for wildlife to feed and move around. The way this bright and cheery Tufted Titmouse stands out against the dark background makes for a nice use of contrast and emphasis. Naturally the human eye is drawn to the brightest part of a picture. In this case I deliberately made sure the background was dark as can be. Overall a tack sharp bird portrait that is one of my favorites. © 2018 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis)

Fairborn Marsh, Fairborn, Ohio “Nature has a way of evening the odds.” - Anthony T. Hincks You've probably heard it at least once, to me a Chickadee's birdsong sounds like laughter. You will probably hear this song all across deciduous and mixed woods and backyard habitats in Ohio. Watch for their interesting behavior at bird feeders. They will fly and perch on the feeder, grab a seed hull, then without hesitation fly to a nearby tree or other perch. Then you may observe them dropping the seed hull between their legs and cracking it open with their beak. There is a lot of force in that little bird's beak! Out near the marsh, I was looking out at the various birds around the area. I had previously got some shots of Red Winged Blackbirds until this Carolina Chickadee flew up real close to my lens. Like most encounters, this was a brief few seconds to react with a shutter press. The highkey background lighting is a nice touch to separate the black crown of the little songbird. Overall a decent bird portrait. © 2018 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)

Fairborn Marsh, Fairborn, Ohio "Mother Nature doesn't set out to be beautiful. She just is.” - Anthony T. Hincks A very special Ohio woodpecker, Northern Flickers are one of the few woodpecker species to migrate every year. They will forage on the woodland floor or even feed on insects midair. Fairborn Marsh is a very small wetland area off the beaten path behind a residential neighborhood. A footpath leads you along the small marsh. Expect a mostly quiet trek through this patch of wet woods as you traverse the muddy sections that lead to the observation tower built by a local boy scout troop. This overlook gives a nice view of the surrounding water. This particular day was an experiment in flash photography on wildlife as I did here. Setting it to a very low power, I wanted to fill in the shadow details while not overexposing the entire frame. © 2018 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Red Winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)

Spring Lakes Park, Bellbrook, Ohio "Taking an image, freezing a moment, reveals how rich reality truly is." - Anonymous A common sign of spring, the male blackbirds return to marshes and prairies in late winter to establish territory. Sitting on the highest cattail stand they can get, you may hear and see them deliver their metallic sounding "conk-a-ree" song. However, this image was a lot more subdued in its approach. I was along a thicket of low canopy shrubs near a small pond searching for smaller songbirds. Everything aligned perfectly here as the clouds obscured the sun for a handful of minutes and this lone male dropped down to eye level for the shot. Not to mention being a few feet away gave me my best looks at the species. © 2019 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Red Winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)

Oakes Quarry, Fairborn, Ohio "Nature shows a side of life that humanity needs to see." Believe it or not, most wildlife are creatures of habit. All it takes is some patient observation and forethought to produce the best images. This photo for me is a relevant example. I plopped myself on the ground right in the middle of the quarry to watch these blackbirds near a pond with cattails. Red Winged Blackbirds prefer marshes and other wetlands so I knew ahead of time they would be in this spot. Then I noticed how they fly to and from this lone pine tree. Probably the same male clinged to the top to give its display call for a mate and to defend "his tree." Like clockwork, every few minutes a male blackbird would perched on the top of this tree! The warm late evening glow of light was a nice added touch. As much as I strive for frame-filling shots of birds, this one is almost more interesting. Showing a sense of place, the bird is the subject in a much bigger picture. © 2018 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Red Winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)

Huffman Prairie Flying Field, Fairborn, Ohio © 2019 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)

Sara Lee Arnovitz Nature Preserve, Xenia, Ohio "It's a wonder how spotting a new bird can change your entire mood." Often referred to as "golden canaries" due to their small size. Goldfinches are a migrating species that resides in Mexico during the winter only to move up north as far as Canada. The males are sexually dimorphic with their striking yellow plumage (as seen here) becoming prominent during spring and summer. The males trade their colors for an olive look during migration. Females have a duller yellow plumage all year round. Male birds are almost always more colorful to ensure they can attract a potential mate. Human activity has actually improved this birds range and survival. They will commonly visit backyard seed feeders in residential neighborhoods. Perhaps a first, but deforestation has helped clear areas for them to live, as they will inhabit open areas like meadows and prairie. I enjoy the high contrast this male Goldfinch brings to the image. The shallow depth of field and yellow color instantly draws your eye to the bird rather than the surrounding green. © 2018 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea)

Sara Lee Arnovitz Nature Preserve, Xenia, Ohio "I think we dream so we don't have to be apart for so long. If we're in each other's dreams, we can be together all the time." Seeing this bird for the first time was a surreal experience. Very high on the tops of the tree canopy as expected with this species, I almost mistook it for a cardinal. The month was May and this neotropical migrant was in the perfect habitat of wetlands and wet woods. When it comes to lenses, size does not matter. Yet at 600mm I still couldn't quite get close enough yet being able to photographically document my first sighting was a treat. Getting a real close look at them was a challenge however my vantage point allowed me to see these dead snags and exposed tree limbs with relative ease. Like a lot of migrating birds, their feathers change colors depending on location and diet. When in South America, these tanagers typically adopt a drab green plumage. When heading north it becomes a striking red and black coloration as seen here. Just don't mistake them for a Northern Cardinal. © 2018 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea)

Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve, Clifton, Ohio "The woods would be quiet if no bird sang but the one that sang best.” - Henry van Dyke One of my favorite yearly migrating avian visitors. Like most warblers, Scarlet Tanagers can be seen high up on the tops of trees in the canopy. These tanagers are considered neotropical migrants as they will fly to South America for the warmer months. My area of the globe is fortunate to see them in the bright red and black plumage compared to the solid olive green they change to down south. I was overlooking the narrows portion of the gorge from one of the many observation towers. Observing several Canada Geese and a Wood Duck down inside the shallower parts of the water. It occurred to me how I was perfectly level with the tops of trees around me. A couple of different warblers made their presence known from this view, and this specific tanager perched on a tree just a few feet away at eye level. Notice the spotty daylight and how its' head is wrapped in shadow. This is a bird I love to see every spring and summer. © 2019 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)

Beavercreek, Ohio "A world without birds wouldn't be a very good world at all." Cardinals are a member of the Grosbeaks family and as the name suggests, are most well known for their short and thick beak. This particular male was perched in a nearby tree in my backyard as he moved to and from bird feeders. Cardinals are shared as the state bird for multiple states (including Ohio of course) and several sports teams. Perhaps one of the easiest birds to identify, the male's bright red and the females dusty brown can be seen from afar. They will be found in a variety of habitats and both high and low in the tree canopy. Listen for their singular "peep" call as they are perched on a tall tree. Aiming for a high key approach with the lighting in the background sky, I photographed this Northern Cardinal during the gap between spring and summer. The background suggests a cold weather feel with its' bluish white hues, yet it was rather warm and humid in actuality. © 2018 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)

Beavercreek, Ohio "Each morning is a new beginning of life along with the lights of love, enjoy these precious moments.” - Debasish Mridha This bird needs no introduction, as it is proudly Ohio's state bird and for good reason. The impressive bright red feathers of this male stand out against all the other sparrows and backyard birds at your feeder. In contrast the female sports a rather dusty brick red palette of colors. In the bird world, the males are the ones with the colorful feathers. This Northern Cardinal is perched on a Crab Apple (Malus spp.) tree in my backyard. A member of the Grosbeaks family, cardinals are a state bird for seven states including Ohio. They were often prized as a pet bird long before the sale of them became illegal. The species is of least concern on the endangered listing yet the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 banned the sale and capture of them. A very adaptable bird, you will find them almost anywhere. Residential areas, woods, forests, wetlands, pretty much anywhere with trees and you can hear their song. These sweet birds mate for life, as their pairs often travel around together. I always think, if you see a single cardinal fly in, you will see the other in a few moments. © 2018 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

American Robin (Turdus migratorius) female

Creekside Reserve, Beavercreek, Ohio "A heart without dreams is like a bird without feathers." - Suzy Kassem A highly adaptable bird that can be found both in suburban yards and in woodlots. This particular one was found in a riparian woodland on a cloudy but warm early spring day. Simple perched but looking around, the robin did not seemed bothered by my presence. Alone on this stretch of trail, I was able to get a good look at this common songbird without disturbing it. Inching closer and closer towards it with my telephoto lens and binoculars, each photo got better with every step. Patient wildlife photography typically becomes that; a series of photos with each one being better than the last as you approach the subject. I cannot stress the reality and challenge of getting an amazing bird portrait. Some days you may be sitting in a hide or specific point for even hours just to wait for action. In the end this become my best American Robin photo (yet.) © 2018 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

American Robin (Turdus migratorius) male

Beavercreek, Ohio "Curiosity is the one thing invincible in nature." - Freya Stark One if my favorite birds to observe in the springtime. I have seen quite a few moving along the grass at a single time. You may see them tilt their head as if looking for worms out of the ground. They are actually attempting to hear them as well. Once a worm is found, they make a little pounce and pluck the food out of the soil to swallow it whole. As you can imagine, just after rainfall is the primitive for worm eating. One little tip to distinguish the males and females is that females have a messy patch of white under their beak. Laying down flat along the ground searching for backyard birds, my eyes came across this American Robin not too far off in the distance. The lighting was rather pleasant given that it was afternoon sun. I find just as much joy photographing the very common songbirds as I do the rare ones. There is so much to learn out there that I never tire of any single subject. Even if all facts and research was exhausted, there is still the magnitude of possibilities related to lighting and other conditions. I never am bored to say the least. © 2018 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)

Beavercreek, Ohio "Some things just don't need any words.” - Anthony T. Hincks This image was captured right around the time of sunset, the beautiful golden glow of light as it traveled slowly down the tree. I had this mourning dove in my frame of view and at the perfect moment seemed to turn its head and look in my direction. The glowing patch of light centered on this side of the face is what makes the image work for me. "The Golden Hour" is a magical time to be out with the camera. In this case, the dove is perched on a Crab Apple (Malus spp.) tree, expect to observe them year-round around the backyard. Their name is derived from the mournful cooing their bird call makes. To the untrained ear this call may be mistaken for an owl's. I find them rather skittish and cautious of humans moving around them. Compared to other songbirds, doves tend to be larger in size and exhibit beautiful colors. They are not dull looking, rather having a teal ring around their eyes, their pink-red legs, and several shades of taupe and beige under and around their feathers. You cannot simply dismiss a bird seen from a distance. All are amazing in their own way. © 2018 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)

Beavercreek, Ohio "We are merely visitors deep in their territory, on their land. So speak softly and walk peacefully." All bunched up from the freezing cold, this Mourning Dove is attempting to stay warm as much as it can. Birds tend to look bloated like this when they circulate heat through their bodies or are resting. Particularly during migration, birds fly up to thousands of miles away in single trips using food stores in their body. The long flights of bird migration are simply astounding as ornithologists still study the miraculous ways birds can achieve this. Mourning Doves are uniquely ground feeders, meaning you will almost never see them perched on a bird feeder to eat. Birdseed that is on the ground is what they are after. Almost any kind of seed is fine with them, however millet seems to be a perfect choice. One exception to the ground feeding is that I've seen them perched on top of my platform feeder. It is simply strange how picky birds can get about feeding habits. You may also hear a whistling sound as they fly. This is actually caused by the wind in between their feathers as they motion back and forth rapidly. For the longest time I assumed it was a bird call they make. Once again it helps to do your research. Overall these doves are one of my favorite backyard birds to observe and photograph. © 2018 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)

Beavercreek, Ohio Perhaps the most common year-round backyard bird visitor, mourning doves are nonetheless an interesting and often humorous bird to watch. This one is perched on a Crab Apple (Malus spp.) tree. © 2017 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)

Beavercreek, Ohio "Nature is never boring, every part of it is needed to make the planet whole." The reason you may see these Mourning Doves at your backyard and birdseed feeders is that their diet consists of only seeds and millet. They are a ground feeder that will rarely perch to feed, although I have witnessed them on the side of platform feeders. Their mournful cooing is mistaken by nonbirders for being the hoot of a Barred Owl. The whistling sound you hear when they fly is not a bird call but rather their wing in motion. This one was photographed all alone and calmly perched nearby on a Crabapple (Malus spp.) tree. Before having a longer (300mm+) telephoto zoom lens. I army crawled across my backyard as this dove slept soundly. Eventually waking up as seen here, I was already within a few feet near the tree. This moment is one of several that got me interested in bird photography. © 2017 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)

Beavercreek, Ohio "A dove will never nest in a burning tree, nor will love ever reside in unforgiving heart." - Jason Versey Soft evening light illuminates the beauty of these seemingly bland colored birds. I enjoy watching them make their way through the cut grass. In case you wondered why doves and other certain birds bob their heads as they walk. It is to provide visual acuity and accuracy; they can see much more of their surroundings than if they didn't. These are some of my favorite backyard birds due to their docile nature. The mournful cooing is quite calming unlike a jay or crow. These doves however are terrible nest builders. Some may put together a handful of sticks on a tall tree and call it a nest, only to have get knocked down in the breeze. © 2018 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)

Beavercreek, Ohio "It's a constant, continuous, spectacular world we live in." - Robert Irwin The freshly cut green grass of a summer day gave way to birds returning to the seed feeders. The daylight hours beginning to wane, and this dove was sitting underneath the birdseed foraging. That last big of sunlight was very diffused behind a cloud allowing to evenly expose the subject and bring it to the attention of the viewer. Overall the colors and tones match very to provide a calming scene, rather than a heavily contrasted and choatic one. Looking or hearing above in curiosity, I captured this image laying flat on the ground to ensure a shallow depth of field. Only the bird itself and the ground it is standing on is in sharp focus. Photos such as this are far more interesting than standing over the subject. The eye-to-eye level allows you to see the world from their point of view. © 2018 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

White Breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)

Beavercreek, Ohio "In every walk with nature one recieves far more than he seeks." - John Muir A cute little bird that visits many backyard birdseed feeders and suet. Like woodpeckers, they can be most often found moving on trees. The similarities stop there, as they move down trees instead of moving up. In this photo you can see that implied movement. The downward position sticks them apart from the rest of the backyard birds. More than likely this one was hunting for insects on the backyard tree. I fondly remember one day as I was leaving my house in a hurry to the day job. Already ruminating about all the stress and whatnot, three of these nuthatches were bouncing around branches on the front yard tree, giving their trademark call back and forth. In short this really put a smile on my face. The simple things are what really matter. © 2018 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

White Breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)

Huffman Metropark, Dayton, Ohio "I’m like a bird, I only fly away. I don’t know where my soul is. I don’t know where my home is.” - Nelly Furtado The beautiful Huffman lake is home to many wading and waterfowl species all year. The waters here see many migratory individuals or flocks come and go during spring and fall as well, and the surrounding treelines can be filled with songbirds as well. A common resident to woodlands big and small, this nuthatch came out in the open for a brief moment. I had been circling the lake when I found a particular busy spot as birds flitting to and from meadowlands to treetops. Just be ready to take the shot as they can be fast! © 2019 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)

Russ Nature Reserve, Beavercreek, Ohio "In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous." - Aristotle The classification of songbirds that sing or that have a set pattern of notes are known as the "passeriformes." These passerine birds will typically repeat a song or several similar ones in order to dominate territory or to attract a mate. Most passerine songs are only sung by the male, however some species like Northern Cardinal both sexes will use their songs. Interestingly enough, their species scientific name has "Melodia" in it, like the "melody" of a Song Sparrow. In this case, these very common sparrows have many different vocalizations but are still fairly simple to study. A typical year-round resident and inhabitor of many different habitats both rural and suburban, look for these sparrows where you live. © 2019 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis)

Sweet Arrow Reserve, Sugarcreek Township, Ohio "There is nothing in which the birds differ more from man than the way in which they can build and yet leave a landscape as it was before." - Robert Wilson Lynd A line of trees out by the edge of the prairie lent itself well to many birds of all types. Bluebirds, waxwings and many sparrows were moving about. The bluebirds in particular were drawn to their nest boxes surrounding the prairie and meadow. This beautiful female made itself known by flying out from the nest box and perching at the end of this branch. Compositionally speaking, you should try to leave space between where the bird is looking towards. In this case the left side is left open so that the viewer can infere the bird looking off in that direction. This is a natural trait humans look for in a photograph. Artistically speaking I enjoy the pleasant "blue on blue" approach here with this females' more grey color. Perhaps "Blue on Blue" would be a fitting title. © 2018 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis)

Sweet Arrow Reserve, Sugarcreek Township, Ohio "Each morning is a new beginning of life along with the lights of love, enjoy these precious moments.” - Debasish Mridha Some say that the eyes are the "windows to the soul." And this female Bluebird looked quite surprised by being stared down a lens. None the less, Eastern Bluebirds are a cherished part of the Midwest. I stood around for the better part of an hour or two. The edge of the prairie was lined with nestboxes as Bluebirds flew to and from. Also Cedar Waxwings and Field Sparrows were in abundance around the area. However I knew the star of the show for me was these beautiful songbirds. Bluebirds at one point not too long ago were dramatically on the decline. They are secondary nesters meaning they don't create their own nests but rather use existing ones like abandoned woodpecker tree cavities. Several reasons why populations plummeted are when dead trees (which are actually useful for birds to live in) were tore down for being too unsightly. Open meadows and prairies were also plowed to make way for soybean and corn cropland. Wooden farm fences from which they could use as nest holes were changed into metal fences which did not offer the same shelter. Despite all of this, some dedicated organizations have erected bluebird nestbox trails to successful results. Their numbers are slowly recovering. © 2018 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis)

Siebenthaler Fen, Beavercreek, Ohio "As long as there are bluebirds, there will be miracles and a way to find happiness." - Shirl Brunnel Another "spark bird" for me, the beautiful colors and calmly song of this thrush made an impression on me from the start. I had already read up on various publications about their history, their population decline, and now recent rebound. The very dedicated societies of generous people that monitor nest box trails to help these birds and other cavity nesters with survival. While this image was not the first sighting I ever had of them, it was perhaps one that got me another very close look. As I was getting ready to leave the location after birding for the morning, fortunately my camera was still outside of the bag and ready with the right settings. The beautiful tonal lighting here created an atmosphere I always try to seek with wildlife portraits. To top it all off, this female has some food in its' beak, probably for their young in the nearby nest box. © 2019 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota)

Huffman Metropark, Dayton, Ohio "What I am interested in with birds, just as I am with spiders or monkeys, is what they do and why they do it." - David Attenborough This small swallow sits in its small nest. Probably one of the more interesting bird photos I've taken, whether nesting or not. Cliff Swallows collect fragments and bits of dirt, mud and clay material to form these upright nests. The mud solidifies to keep them together on the ceilings of buildings or in this case, a dam. At some dams like this one are where you may see a bevy of these nests lining the entire underside of the structure during spring time. This one happened to be very close to the edge of the rails as I saw one swallow fly to and from its home. I am simply amazed at this engineering marvel and what this little bird is capable of! © 2019 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Blue Grey Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)

Glen Thompson Reserve, Beavercreek, Ohio “I believe that there is a subtle magnetism in Nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright.” - Henry David Thoreau This little songbird had my attention for quite a while. I heading out to a local wet woods habitat along the Little Miami during peak spring migration. All of that added together meant the location was teeming with birding and photographic opportunities. Here I was with this single gnatcatcher in front of the lens. To the right of the image was a small cup nest on the tree branch, just above eye level and a few feet away. So with that in mind you can see why the bird is facing that away, carrying what looks to be nesting material back to it. Watching this beautiful bird flit to and from the nest tirelessly was a treat, and one that reminds me of why spring is worthwhile to wait for. © 2019 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Blue Grey Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)

Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve, Clifton, Ohio "A fly can't bird, but a bird can fly." - A. A. Milne Peeking through the green foliage on a blue sky day, this plucky little blue-grey bird made itself known with a call. It was high time during spring migration season and I was finding quite a few warblers and other neotropical species. This songbird is a little more common to see, however I gave it equal attention in hopes of a better photo. Birds to me represent all the freedom on this planet. We are merely visitors into their territory; their house, their rules. All we can do is protect them from habitat loss and in my case, photograph them to share with others. With bird photography, I hope to spread awareness of all the unique birds out there that may be overlooked. They all matter and we should treat them as such. © 2019 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Blue Grey Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)

Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve, Clifton, Ohio © 2019 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)

Bill Yeck Park, Centerville, Ohio "Live in each season as it passes, breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit and resign yourself to the influence of the earth." - Henry David Thoreau One of the first images I took in a sequence that resulted in many. A patch of meadow held these buntings as they flew to and from the treeline to the open grasses. I had been anticpating seeing them at a spot like this and clearly was not disappointed. The first image I take of a trip is usually referred to as the "icebreaker," as it breaks the ice for more things to come. This one was one of the first during my late spring visit and paved the way for better photos at eye level. To top it all off,, the deep azure sky adds a nice compliment to the birds plumage. © 2019 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)

Bill Yeck Park, Centerville, Ohio "My favorite weather is bird-chirping weather." - Loire Hartwould This image is a perfect example of a grower for me over time. Meaning that I find myself liking it more and more. The lighting, while midday under open spaces at that, proved to be more effective than would a cloudy day. The bird is illuminated in such a way that the striking indigo plumage stands out against the green foliage. Enough detail of the habitat is shown in this natural still life to share how the bird lives. An effective wildlife photograph should usually answer questions like that. © 2019 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus)

Carriage Hill Metropark, Dayton, Ohio © 2020 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)

Wegerzyn Gardens Metropark, Dayton, Ohio © 2020 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Blue Grey Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)

Beaver Creek Wetland Nature Reserve, Beavercreek, Ohio © 2020 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus)

Spring Valley Wildlife Area, Spring Valley, Ohio © 2020 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Ruby Crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula)

Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve, Clifton, Ohio © 2020 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Brown Headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater)

Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve, Clifton, Ohio © 2020 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor)

Beavercreek, Ohio Perched on a Southern Crab Apple (Malus angustifolia) tree. © 2020 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis)

Beavercreek, Ohio © 2020 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis)

Beavercreek, Ohio © 2020 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus)

Caesar Ford Park, Xenia, Ohio © 2020 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus)

Caesar Ford Park, Xenia, Ohio © 2020 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.