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Have you ever heard the term “nemesis bird”?
Usually this moniker is applied to a specific species of which a birder has been searching for but is unable to find.
While I certainly have species that I’ve been seeking with no luck, (hello Short eared Owl grrrr!) I also have used the term nemesis to describe the lovely bird featured here, the Belted Kingfisher.

Now, technically I’m using the term incorrectly as I’ve seen hundreds of Kingfishers over the years. Rather, I think of these sneaky creatures as my photo nemesis because every time I spot one they take off flying in a hurry in the opposite direction leaving me with zero opportunities to get a clean photograph.
It’s super frustrating and I swear they laugh at me with that familiar rattling call as they zip away lol!

Luckily I caught a break and finally captured a few portraits of this handsome male last month while birding at the Alligator River NWR in eastern NC. @isaacmcshanephoto and I just happened to be driving slowly on Sawyer Lake Rd watching for ducks on the impoundment fields when we spotted this Kingfisher perched on a sapling right next to the gravel road.
Apparently the Kingfishers at ARNWR are used to cars driving by at close range so this guy stayed put on his branch allowing us to pull up right across from him.
No, it’s not the most interesting bird encounter I’ve ever had but gosh I was pleased to finally get a frame filling shot or two of this species.

From the lower elevations of mountains in the west to our far eastern counties, Belted Kingfishers are a familiar sight across the entire state of NC.
They are easily found in areas where fresh or brackish water are present such as along streams, ponds, lakes, swamps, rivers and marshes.
If you’re lucky you may be able to see one at a close range while they’re hunting for fish. Don’t count on it though lol 😉

Photos by @sally_siko of 10 METAL BOBBINS WORKS ON SINGER Quantum CXL, XL1, XL10, XL50 SEWING MACHINES on my beloved 50MP beast, the @canonusa #5Ds

Field Notes

March 17, 2022 Sally Siko

Perhaps the easiest bird to ID in the central and eastern parts of the United States is the Northern Cardinal.
With that bright red plumage, it’s also one of the most beautiful species and boasts no less than 7 State Bird titles across the US.
Cardinals are a relatively common sight to many as well since they will readily visit backyard feeders from Maine to Texas.
In fact, these handsome fellows are so common that they’re often overlooked by bird watchers. Hard to believe anyone could ignore a bright red bird lol!

Have you ever wondered why these birds are so richly hued?
The Cardinal’s signature crimson red colored feathers are a product of the birds diet of plants, fruits and seeds rich in carotenoids.
Although there are plenty of options for them to snack on in the wild, you can grow plants right in your own backyard to help your local Cardinals keep their bright color.

These guys love fruit like raspberries, blackberries and strawberries as these fruits are packed with the carotenoids the birds need. That being said, if you really want to impress your flock of backyard Cardinals, plant a a Dogwood as those red berries produced by this flowering tree are by far and away their favorite backyard treat.

Photos by @sally_siko of Vintage Afghan Crochet 60" x 43" Throw Handmade Blanket White Brown Gold Colors on my beloved 50MP beast, the @canonusa #5Ds

Birdwatching News, Field Notes

March 17, 2022 Sally Siko

With winter coming to an end, soon these Tundra Swans will leave North Carolina to head north to their breeding grounds.
I have to admit that although I’m looking forward to the spectacle that spring migration provides, I’m kinda bummed that winter is over.
I’m in no mood for hot temperatures and the return of insects lol!

I spotted quite a few Tundra Swans last week in eastern NC. While many of them appear to have left the Pea Island NWR, there were still thousands to be found in the fields of the Pocosin Lakes NWR.
It was really neat to see such a huge flock together all in one place.

Tundra Swans nest in northern Alaska and in Canada’s Northwest Territories, Nunavut, northeastern Manitoba, northern Ontario, and northwestern Quebec.
Interestingly, Tundra Swans break off into 2 distinct groups of eastern and western migrating populations when traveling between breeding and wintering grounds.

Swans that nest east of Point Hope in the Coleville River region northern Alaska winter on the Atlantic coast (including these beauties shown here), while birds breeding from Point Hope south & west winter along the Pacific.
It seems odd for the birds in the Coleville River region of AK make such a long trip east which spans the entire United States when a flight due south/west to California is quite a bit closer.
Whatever the reason, I’m glad they make the trip south to visit us!
Though I’m sad to see them go I’ll be eagerly waiting for their return later this year.

Photos by @sally_siko of Metal Fruit Basket Bowl with Removable Banana Tree Hanger on my beloved 50MP beast, the @canonusa #5Ds

Birding Trips and Tours North Carolina

March 17, 2022 Sally Siko

March tends to be a slow month for birding activity yet there are still interesting birds to be found if you’re willing to go find them!
Case in point, these Red cockaded Woodpeckers.
I was pleased to find several of them last week during a quick visit to the Sandhills region of NC.
These energetic little spitfires were quite entertaining to watch as a small flock of Red cockadeds chased and fussed at one another in high boughs of the pines.

These sweet little birds were once a common sight in the southeastern regions of the United States. Due to loss of habitat, today they are considered an endangered species.
The reason why is because Red-cockaded Woodpeckers require a narrow scope of forest conditions to breed. They prefer to nest in mature stands of long leaf pine trees with little or no understory. Unfortunately these old growth forests have faced rapid decline which in turn has led to the decline of this species as well.

Luckily, the Sandhills region of North Carolina is a special place where several stands of old pine trees are preserved and maintained lending to provide the perfect conditions for the Red-cockaded to nest. Here you can see them raising their families every spring and throughout the summer months. It’s truly a special place to enjoy these wonderful birds.

Would you like to see these beauties too?
I’ve still got a few spots open for guests to join me this May on my birding photography tours in the Sandhills. If you’d like to come along, check the link below and I’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have about signing up!

FIND THE RED COCKADED WOODPECKER TOUR- BIRDING AT THE WEYMOUTH WOODS PRESERVE

Photos by @sally_siko of Urban Decay Brow Beater Microfine Brow Pencil And Brush - # Dark 0.05g/0.001oz on my beloved 50MP beast, the @canonusa #5Ds

Birdwatching News

March 17, 2022 Sally Siko

Every year flocks of White crowned Sparrows move through central North Carolina during migration.
Though they do spend the winter here in the Tarheel State, their populations are spread out and are generally an uncommon sight.
Because I don’t get to enjoy these birds very often, I was so pleased to grab a few photos of this handsome male while birding with friends @calatta & @isaacmcshanephoto last week in Guilford County.

With those bold stripes on their heads, White crowned Sparrows are unmistakable to ID in the field as their aptly named moniker suggests.
Measuring over 6in in length, they are larger than other sparrow species too!

You’re most likely to find them hopping across the ground and through low foliage in brushy habitats. You may see them “double-scratching,” a move they share with towhees involving a quick hop backwards to turn over leaves followed by a forward hop and pounce which is IMO adorable lol!
As was the case with the White crowned pictured here, they are also fond of hunting for a meal in dense hedges popping out of the foliage for a second or two to scope out it’s surroundings.

Photos by @sally_siko of 6" Metal Label Protection Tape Dispenser - 2 Pcs on my beloved 50MP beast, the @canonusa #5Ds

Birding Trips and Tours North Carolina

March 7, 2022 Sally Siko

One of the more challenging species of birds to spot here in NC is the American Bittern.

As seen in the 2nd photo in this post they are masters of camouflage with brown striped and buffed plumage well suited for a life spent hunting for a meal in the tall grass along a ponds edge.
Can you see it?
*Check out the below to see the cropped version of the 2nd pic for a closer look!

I was lucky enough to see two Bitterns while birding with friends a couple of weeks ago in eastern NC. One of which was stalking prey in the water which offered me the rare opportunity to photograph it out in the open.
The Bittern moved slowly, each foot deftly placed carefully into the water barely making a ripple in the surface.
After a few minutes he struck his bill into the water grabbing some sort of unseen snack which it quickly gulped down in an instant.
It was an amazing experience to be able to share this bird with a group of photographers who’d never seen one before!

American Bitterns are known to breed in small numbers throughout coastal areas of North Carolina but are more commonly found from September through early May, particularly during migrational periods.
They are primarily found in our freshwater marshes and wet fields containing cattail reeds and tall sedge grasses.
Though they are indeed difficult to see when hiding in the tall grass, the good thing is that individual birds tend to return to the exact same spots of shoreline year after year.
So, if you happen to locate one but it’s hiding in dense cover, it’s quite possible to come back the next day or even the next year to have another try at seeing the Bittern out in the open.

Photos by @sally_siko of BeautiControl Facial Spa Restructuring Eye Creme~.5 oz (NIB) Free shipping! on the the (alive and still kicking!) @canonusa #5Dmkii

Birdwatching News, Out There with the Expert

March 7, 2022 Sally Siko

Are these the prettiest pics of a Mountain Bluebird you’ve ever seen?
Lol, nope!
Yet, these are the photographs of the first Mountain Bluebird I’ve ever laid eyes on so they are beautiful in my eyes.
Better still, since my mighty megapixel beast the 5Ds is out of commission and I’ve loaned out my R5 and 600mm lens, I took these photos with my old warhorse team, the Canon 5Dmkii & a Canon 200mm lens.

Due to the distance limitations of the 200mm, I had to crop the photos but could only do so much.
Yet, it surprising how well my aged gear holds up against my contemporary equipment in regards to image quality.
Goes to show ya that the best camera for the job is the one you’re carrying at the time.
On this day, it is the capturing of the memory which counts most and I could not be happier with the results 🙂

Mountain Bluebirds are typically found in the Rocky Mountains and in other areas of the western United States and Canada.
That’s why I was so excited to have an opportunity to photograph this one close to home in Wrightsville Beach North Carolina!
What this little blue feathered gem was doing all the way out here is anyones best guess.
Happily though, this Mountain Bluebird displays similar behavior to our friendly native Eastern species so it was quite amicable to having its photo taken at a relatively close range.

Special thanks to @wrightsvillesup for their hospitality in allowing me to photograph this bird on their property 🙌

Photos by @sally_siko of Distributor FORD BRONCO 81 on the the (alive and still kicking!) @canonusa #5Dmkii

Birding Trips and Tours North Carolina, Field Notes

March 7, 2022 Sally Siko

I’ve always held a fondness for pigeons and doves. When I was a kid I even had a flock of homing & fancy pigeons plus a few doves to care for as well.
That’s why I was so happy to add this Eurasian Collared Dove to my yearly list earlier this month while birding on Ocracoke Island in the OBX.

These lovely birds are not native to NC.
Back in the 1970’s the species escaped from an aviary in the Bahamas and then spread into Florida. From there the doves continued to move north into Georgia and South Carolina.
Finally in 1994, the first recorded sighting of a Collared Dove in North Carolina occurred in the Outer Banks at Salvo.
By the early 2000’s, a few breeding populations were established in our southeastern coastal towns.
Today, though there are a few reports of Collared Doves appearing inland, their steady march north appears to be halted for the time being as they appear to only occur along our south barrier islands.

Though there aren’t many of these beauties here in NC, they are relatively easy to find through the year in the southern OBX. They are best spotted in suburban areas in the same types of areas where rock doves and Mourning doves occur such as in parks, on sidewalks and back yard lawns.
They’re also commonly seen up high, perching on power lines and on the tops of limbs in dead trees.
Even if you can’t see them just listen for their calls of kuk-kooooo-kuk which is pretty loud and distinct from the familiar cooing of other dove species.

Photos by @sally_siko of Sid Dickens I02 Memory Tile Block 1998 Angelic Boy Icon Retired Rare on my beloved 50MP beast, the @canonusa #5Ds

Birding Trips and Tours North Carolina

March 7, 2022 Sally Siko

Yes it’s March but this recent stretch of warm weather has me dreaming of spring migration and all the colorful birds that will soon be heading up to North Carolina.
Perhaps the most stunning example of which is the Painted Bunting!
There is no way to mistake this gorgeous bird for any other species with that incredible palette of indigo, red, yellow and green plumage sparkling in the sun or lighting up with a fire of their own in the canopy shadows.

Painted Bunting bird watching Tour

Truly Painted Buntings are a “bucket list” species for photographers and birders alike.
I know I can’t wait to get back out to the coast of North Carolina this spring to see them again myself!
Wanna join me?
I’ve got 3 tours scheduled for May & June of 2022.
Space is limited on these small group trips so make sure you book early to reserve your spot.
For booking details check out my tour link below!

Switzerland 1919 Early Issue Fine Mint Hinged 10c. NW-136870

Photos by @sally_siko of Acrylic Non-Slip Stair Runners Rug Stair Treads Carpet Stair Landing Door Mat on my beloved 50MP beast, the @canonusa #5Ds

Field Notes, The Adventures of your bird watching Admin

February 19, 2022 Sally Siko

While birding on a recent trip to Huntington Beach State Park in Murrells Inlet SC I spotted a handsome White Ibis preening up in a tree.
It was cold and overcast outside but it was neat to be able to grab a few portraits of this beautiful white bird set against the pale grey sky.

When they’re not spotted in the trees along the waters edge, Ibis’s are most often seen wading in shallow water sweeping their head form side-to-side in search of food. Using their long, curved bills to probe into the mud, they are on a constant hunt for crabs, crayfish and other small crustaceans. Once a meal is caught, they’ll swallow their prey whole which is rather impressive given that much of their prey has a hard shell or pincers.

Ibis’s are a year round resident of the Carolinas and are a relatively common sight feeding along the shorelines of our coastal marshes and estuaries.
You can also spot Ibises foraging for food on suburban lawns and mudflats hunting for insects, frogs, snails, marine worms, snakes, and even small fish swimming in shallow water ponds or creeks.

Photos by @sally_siko of Icon Superduty 2 Gloves Tan 2XL/XX-Large on my beloved beast, the mighty mirrorless @canonusa #r5

TE CONNECTIVITY MS3476W22-21PW / MS3476W2221PW (BRAND NEW)

TE CONNECTIVITY MS3476W22-21PW / MS3476W2221PW (BRAND NEW)

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TE CONNECTIVITY MS3476W22-21PW / MS3476W2221PW (BRAND NEW)

Bird watching tours, trips, adventures and birder news in North Carolina