Today I went back for another look at the fabulous blue grosbeak in the East Village. He foraged in thick clover, disappearing for long stretches of time. But getting glimpses of his striking wings made it all worth it.

#nyc #birdcpp #birdwatching #inaturalist #springmigration

Another lifer today: the rare Swainson’s warbler in Brooklyn Bridge Park. He foraged eagerly and we saw him feast on a variety of delicacies.

Brooklyn Bird Alert #birdcpp #BirdsSeenIn2024 #birding #BirdTwitter iNaturalist #BirdsofNYC #birdphotography #NYC #springmigration #warbler

Today’s Blue Grosbeak was a lifer for me. When I arrived he did not move a lot and there was concern. Yet when I left a few hours later, he flew around quite a bit, even into higher trees, and ate.

#nyc #birdcpp #birdwatching

This is one of the last photos of Flaco🦉💕 I took on Feb 16th just after 10pm. He was in great spirits, flying high, making a round of his favorite spots, and hooting with a pigeon catch. I love the sweet look he gave as he briefly glanced back.

#flaco #owl #nyc #birdcpp

Flaco 🦉💕 preening in the Loch showing his impressive talons. Take a look at those long ear tufts!

#flaco #owl #nyc #birdcpp #centralparknyc #birdwatching

Flaco 🦉💕 in one of his favorite perches at compost long after sunset. His eyes are illuminated by a truck emptying the dumpster. His expression is clear: “Hey buddy, why are you scaring away my dinner 🐀 🐀 🐀 !!!”

#flaco #owl #nyc #birdcpp #centralparknyc

Flaco’s hooting posture 🦉💕. I remember the first time I heard him hoot: timid in the beginning but quickly growing in strength. And how that sweet sound echoed through Central Park.

#flaco #owl #nyc #birdcpp #centralparknyc

King Flaco 🦉💕 braving his first snow in Central Park one year ago. I love his composed attitude and his posture that exudes strength and royalty.

RIP Flaco, I am so very grateful to have spent so much time in your presence.

#flaco #owl #nyc #birdcpp #centralparknyc

Very cute Flaco 🦉💕 clutching his pigeon catch.

#flaco #owl #nyc #birdcpp #birdwatching

Another view of Flaco 🦉💕 hooting away on a very windy night while proudly presenting his pigeon catch.

He did this from several buildings for a long time and finally ate it. I assume that pigeons are a much easier catch than rats or mice.

#flaco #owl #nyc #birdcpp

Thank you so much to Michiko Kakutani Michiko Kakutani for writing yet another excellent article on our local owls and to The NY Times for including my photos.

“The Ballad of Flaco, the Outlaw Who Learned to Fly”, NY Times online edition Feb 2.

#Flaco #birdcpp @birdcentralpark

Many thanks to Audubon Photography Awards for featuring my image in their December 19, 2023 Selection: “Cuddle up With These Ridiculously Cute Baby Bird Photos”:

Link to the article: audubon.org/news/cuddle-th…

#birdphotography #wildlife #nature #birding #NYCAudubon #birdcpp

Flaco 🦉💕 hooting from atop the Beresford building on Central Park West last night. He positioned himself on a scaffold on the roof in front of one of its lit towers and declared his territory.

Taken at night from a great distance.

#flaco #birdcpp #birdwatching #nyc #owl