George McHenry Photography

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  • Eastern Kingbird

    Eastern Kingbird

    Tyrannus Tyrannus

    The eastern kingbirds are moving through in great numbers this week. This morning, I could spot twelve in a field simultaneously.

  • Return of the Dickcissels

    Return of the Dickcissels

    Dickcissel
    Spiza Americana

    The late spring migration has brought the dickcissels back to upstate South Carolina, and what a delight it is! Beautiful birds, and especially playful during the mating season.

  • Young Savannah Sparrow

    Young Savannah Sparrow

    Savannah Sparrow
    Passerculus Sandwichensis

    Though obviously young, this savannah sparrow already has the classic markings of its species: the yellowish front of the eyebrow; the whitish line through the crown; the short, notched tail; and the pinkish legs.

  • Let the Nest Building Begin

    Let the Nest Building Begin

    Dickcissel
    Spies Americana

    The dickcissels are here in abundance this year, dancing, nesting, mating, and bringing unspeakable joy to those who are privileged to observe these rituals of life.

  • Still Trying to Figure it Out

    Still Trying to Figure it Out

    Dickcissel
    Spiza Americana

    This obviously immature dickcissel intrigues me. Like many of us, it appears to be a little confused about what it wants to do next in life.

  • The Art of Stillness

    The Art of Stillness

    Dickcissel
    Spiza Americana

    Third of three new dickcissel images made today ~

  • Ready, Set, Go!

    Ready, Set, Go!

    Dickcissel
    Spiza Americana

    Second of three new dickcissel images made today ~

  • The Beauty of Birdsong

    The Beauty of Birdsong

    Dickcissel Spiza Americana "A birdsong can even, for a moment, make the whole world into a sky within us, because we feel the bird does not distinguish between its heart and the world's." ~ Rainer Maria Rilke ~

  • "The poetry of the earth is never dead." ~ Keats ~

    "The poetry of the earth is never dead." ~ Keats ~

    Dickcissel
    Spiza Americana

    First of three new dickcissel images made today ~

  • Welcoming the Morning

    Welcoming the Morning

    Grasshopper Sparrow
    Ammodramus Savannarum

  • Mourning Dove

    Mourning Dove

    Zenaida Macroura

  • Dickcissel

    Dickcissel

    Spiza Americana

  • Grasshopper Sparrow

    Grasshopper Sparrow

    Ammodramus Savannarum

  • American Goldfinch

    American Goldfinch

    Spinus Tristis

  • Grasshopper Sparrow

    Grasshopper Sparrow

    Ammodramus Savannarum

  • Eastern Kingbird

    Eastern Kingbird

    Tyrannus Tyrannus

  • Greeting the Sunrise

    Greeting the Sunrise

    Blue Grosbeak
    Passerine Caerulea

  • Young Dickcissel on Bull Thistle

    Young Dickcissel on Bull Thistle

    Dickcissel
    Spiza Americana

  • Singing Meadowlark on a Wire

    Singing Meadowlark on a Wire

    Eastern Meadowlark
    Sturnella Magna

  • Dickcissel's Morning Song

    Dickcissel's Morning Song

    Dickcissel
    Spiza Americana

    After two hours of early morning in which neither color nor definition could be found, the reticent sun peeped through a small break in the clouds and brought forth wonderful singing from this male dickcissel.

  • Immature But Putting on the Ritz

    Immature But Putting on the Ritz

    Barn Swallow (Immature) Hirundo Rustica Notwithstanding its common name — "barn swallow" — this young bird is dressed to the nines and ready to party.

  • Grasshopper Sparrow Feasting on the Insect From Which it Gets its Name

    Grasshopper Sparrow Feasting on the Insect From Which it Gets its Name

    Grasshopper Sparrow
    Ammondramus Savannarum

    I photograph tiny grasshopper sparrows frequently, but it's rare for me to find one holding the insect prey for which the species is named.

  • Young Green Heron

    Young Green Heron

    Green Heron
    Butorides Virescens

    This immature little green heron is relatively new to this world, and is learning to fend for himself.

  • Contemplation

    Contemplation

    Dickcissel Spiza Americana This young dickcissel seems both calm and confident. It inspires me to remain hopeful about the future, even when, as now, the world seems to be flirting with disaster. What Rachel Carson said in Silent Spring remains true today: "Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature — the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter."

  • Immature Blue Grosbeak

    Immature Blue Grosbeak

    Blue Grosbeak
    Passerina Caerulea

    The blue grosbeak is one of my favorite birds. To see what a male adult looks like, just go back nine images from this one. This young bird is immature, and must be considered a work in progress. As you can see, however, from the blue breaking out on his flanks and back, he is designed to be quite beautiful.

  • Eastern Meadowlark

    Eastern Meadowlark

    Sturnella Magna

  • Morning Song

    Morning Song

    Dickcissel
    Spiza Americana

  • Unfolding Beauty

    Unfolding Beauty

    Dickcissel
    Spiza Americana

  • Grasshopper Sparrow

    Grasshopper Sparrow

    Ammodramus Savanarum

    If nothing else had happened this summer, the daily presence of grasshopper sparrows would have been joy enough for me.

  • Greater Yellowlegs

    Greater Yellowlegs

    Tringa Melanoleuca

  • Looking for Lunch

    Looking for Lunch

    Young Red-shouldered Hawk
    Buteo Lineatus

    Image made in Dobbins Farm area of Townville, South Carolina

  • American Goldfinch at Play

    American Goldfinch at Play

    American Goldfinch
    Spinus Tristis

  • Preparing to Launch

    Preparing to Launch

    Grasshopper Sparrow
    Ammodramus Savanarum

  • Ruby-throated Hummingbird

    Ruby-throated Hummingbird

    Archilochus Colubris

  • Tip of the Spear

    Tip of the Spear

    Ruby-throated Hummingbird
    Archilochus Colubris

  • American Goldfinch

    American Goldfinch

  • Nashville Warbler

    Nashville Warbler

    Oreothlypis Ruficapilla

    This is one of the many migrating fall warblers seen during the past week on the grounds of the South Carolina Botanical Garden in Clemson, South Carolina.

  • Not a Great Day for a Portrait

    Not a Great Day for a Portrait

    Northern Mockingbird (Immature)
    Minus Polyglottos

    I'm always fascinated by the immature or molting birds which do not appear to be ready for prime time. This immature Northern Mockingbird seems to have just returned from a street fight.

  • White-eyed Vireo

    White-eyed Vireo

    Vireo Griseus

    THE VIREO
    By Henry David Thoreau

    Upon the lofty elm tree sprays
    The vireo rings the changes sweet,
    During the trivial summer days,
    Striving to lift our thoughts above the street.

  • Gray Catbird

    Gray Catbird

    Dumetella Carolinensis This is a gray catbird that I photographed recently before sunrise in the South Carolina Botanical Garden. In the post-production process, I used the vignette tool to wash out some of the background, thereby creating a "high key" image that draws more attention to the contrasting colors between the catbird and the foliage upon which it is perched.

  • Entering the Mystery

    Entering the Mystery

    Great Blue Heron Ardea Herodias "I do not at all understand the mystery of grace — only that it meets us where we are but does not leave us where it found us." Anne Lammot

  • "The bluebird carries the sky on his back." ~ Thoreau

    "The bluebird carries the sky on his back." ~ Thoreau

    Eastern Bluebird
    Sialia Sialis

  • Northern Cardinal in First Light of an October Morning

    Northern Cardinal in First Light of an October Morning

    Northern Cardinal
    Cardinalis Cardinalis

  • White-eyed Vireo

    White-eyed Vireo

    Vireo Griseus

  • Great Blue Heron Portrait II

    Great Blue Heron Portrait II

    Great Blue Heron
    Ardea Herodias

  • Great Blue Heron Portrait I

    Great Blue Heron Portrait I

    Great Blue Heron Ardea Herodias "It is negligence of the mind not to notice how at dusk heron comes to the pond and stands there in his death robes, perfect servant of the system, hungry, his eyes full of attention, his wings pure light." Mary Oliver, "How Heron Comes"

  • White-throated Sparrow

    White-throated Sparrow

    Zonotrichia Albicollis

  • White-throated Sparrow

    White-throated Sparrow

    Zonotrichia Albicollis

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