In today's newsletter, ChristopherBlackwell reflects on the bonding effect a family of barn swallows had on his prison. "All the guys in my unit were immediately entranced by the glimpse of nature we so rarely get to experience," he writes. theappeal.org/Prison-Can-Be-…

When two birds look really similar it’s nice to have a side by side comparison in the same pic. Here’s a Hairy Woodpecker and a Downy Woodpecker. In the same pic! You’re welcome!

My full video (4 minutes) of cute baby Spotted Sandpipers 🥰 - youtu.be/2KwOKc-tnyI?si…

Traveling through western/middle New York, and my Merlin app heard a Merlin! I briefly saw it in these awesome trees. Heading to the coast today. Will keep you posted with more terrible pics!

Made it to the east coast! Later this week: maybe puffins!

From yesterday: New York's biggest black walnut AND tulip trees! On the grounds of the Oneida Community Mansion House.

Ha! What a majestic bird probably!

AI prompt: "make a photographic #worstbirdpic as if done by a goth botanist" Anyway, we believe you! I love that you tried.

Just got back from a birding trip to the Northeast. And it went epically badly. Whatever could go wrong DID go wrong. It was not technically the birds’ fault, though I can’t help but think they made me do it. I'm still processing it. Will post pics and laments next week.

Inept Birder Tries to Identify Sea Birds

awkward first date

Ha! What a magnificent bird probably!

Ornithology! Thank you for this.

Ornithology! Thank you for this.

Couldn't get out birding today but I got a bird in my coffee!

Well done! What a magnificent bird probably!

This note is long overdue but I want to say how much I enjoyed @CourtneyEllis’s book “Looking Up.” It’s a great interweaving of topics—birds, philosophy, grief, growing up—executed with skill and humor and charm. Rarely do you find perspective and comfort in the same place. ❤️

Ha!, still beautiful for sure.