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Ready for the Runway? This Barn Swallow has the elements to become a #BirdSupermodel — flashy attire, dark eyeshadow, and pouty expression. But like all swallows, needs a lot of work on staying still! Caught this looker at Lake Lynn, Raleigh, NC in late April. #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

A Barn Swallow pauses on a wooden boardwalk railing a Lake Lynn in Raleigh’s N.C., to check out the photographer.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 05/10/2026

Sky Watch Not a single cloud in these mid-May #BlueSkies, but Bald Eagle mom Shelley sees trouble. A Red-shouldered Hawk has flown too near her nest. She screams warnings before chasing it away. Captured two years ago at Shelley Lake in Raleigh, NC. #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

A mother Bald Eagle screams into a cloudless blue sky to warn away a hawk that has flown too near her nest.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 04/10/2026

Throwing Shade While diving birds spread their #WingsOpenNotFlying to dry them, waders, like this Snowy Egret, sometimes use their large wings to block glare, so they can see prey underwater. Captured this beauty September 4, at Lake Viridian in Arlington, Texas. #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

A Snowy Egret wading in shallow water at Lake Viridian in Arlington, Texas, spread its wings to block glare and see prey beneath the surface.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 03/10/2026

Listening for Ants A Pileated Woodpecker fits today’s #Black&Red theme and might earn honorable mention for #LongBeaks. But ears are his superpower. Imagine being able to hear carpenter ants inside trees! Captured at Shelley Lake in Raleigh, NC, in February. #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

A Pileated Woodpecker pauses on the side of a hardwood tree to listen for carpenter ants moving beneath the bark.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 02/10/2026

What a Schnoz! The White Ibis has one of the #BestBeaks for a wader—ideal for bottom feeding and slightly longer than their legs. Fun fact: hatchlings are born with straight bills that grow curved. Captured this ibis foraging at Lake Viridian in Arlington, Texas. #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

A White Ibis forages in shallow water that just covers its long pinkish legs. Its down-curved beak is slightly longer than their legs for easy bottom feeding.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 01/10/2026

Contrasts A Common Grackle on beach sand seems well-suited for a #Black&White image. Meanwhile, it’s hard to find a more #Vivid yellow than this American Goldfinch in bright, late sun. (No twofers today, AB!) #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

A black Common Grackles walks through a shallow tidal pool while foraging on the beach at Isle of Palms, S.C.

A vivid yellow American Goldfinch perched on a Crepe Myrtle branch warms its back in bright late sun.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 30/09/2026

Stumped For this Snowy Egret, perched on a tall stump in a rich wetland, where to fish next is a real chin scratcher. I made my #BestOfTheMonth shot at Lake Viridian, Texas, September 4. #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

A Snowy Egret perches on a stump using one yellow foot to scratch the top of its long neck as it surveys the water below.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 29/09/2026

Am I Being Followed? A Gray Catbird ( #EFG theme) stops on a hook in our yard while carrying a meal back to the nest. Catbirds prefer thickets and avoid long flights over open ground. This seemed a security check before flying across the street to a wooded area. #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

A Gray Catbird perches on an iron shepherd’s hook while carrying an insect in its beak.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 28/09/2026

Fabulous Finch This female House Finch, a common bird that some might cast as a plain Jane, takes her star turn as #BokehBird. She is highlighted by large bokeh balls behind her as the late afternoon sun creates deep shadows among the trees. #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

A females House Finch perches on a branch in front of a soft, creamy green background punctuated by deep shadows and large bokeh balls.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 27/09/2026

Tagalong Among the #Seabirds tailing our whale-watching boat out of Isafordur, Iceland, was this #Airborne Northern Fulmar. They resemble Herring Gulls but feature odd-looking nasal tubes on the top of their beaks. #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

A Northern Fulmar, a gull-like seabird, flies just over the waves of the Iceland Sea.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 26/09/2026

Meet the Poopers This Canada Goose couple foraging on a hilltop is one of the loveliest #Pairs I’ve captured., and there is even a bit of #Green in the background. Big, bold and beautiful to look at—just watch your step following them around! #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

A pair of Canada Geese forage among wildflowers an a hilltop. One usually has their head up keeping an eye on two juveniles, while the other eats.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 25/09/2026

Brown and Round Finding birds looking like #Borbs is easier in cold weather. This #Brown House Finch on a bare maple branch was puffing herself up pretty round on January 8. #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

A female House Finch perched on a bare, red maple branch, puffs herself up quite round to stay warm.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 24/09/2026

Puffin Passing Among the #TheDivers we saw on an August whale-watching trip off Isafordur, Iceland, was this Atlantic Puffin. Flying faster than our speeding boat, I captured this one panning handheld as it passed us going the same direction—back to land. #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

An Atlantic Puffin caught in low flight over the waves as it speeds past a whale-watching boat off northwest Iceland.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 23/09/2026

The Chase Staking out a Bald Eagle nest at Shelley Lake in Raleigh, I heard squawking overhead and spun to capture (barely) two crows chasing dad. Teamwork gives crows an advantage, but this eagle led the crows farther away from his own nest. #Corvids #Raptors #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

Two crows chase a bald eagle through the forest canopy. Crows work together against solo birds much larger to defend their territories, but this clever eagle led them away from his own nest.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 22/09/2026

‘Reddy’ for Springtime Love “Hey, ladies, this head will never be redder,” crows a male House Finch, maybe the most common of avian #Redheads. The date is March 16, with most trees still bare, and this guy can’t wait to find a mate. #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

A male House Finch with deep red plumage on his head and breast calls for mates from a bare Crepe Myrtle branch.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 21/09/2026

Spotlight on Table Manners #LightAndShadow frame a Red-shouldered Hawk’s blood-splattered face as s/he dissects lunch—a snake from a brook below. This hawk was tending a nest in woods at my daughter’s house in north Raleigh last year. #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

A patch of sunlight frames the face of a Red-shouldered Hawk in a tree eating a snake it caught.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 20/09/2026

#CaptionThatBird “OK, that does it! Humans are hereby banned from making photographs of me in the birdbath. They post nothing but fake views! Thank you for your attention, Mr. Mean N. Mocker, Ruler of All Birds.” #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

A Northern Mockingbird aborts a landing in the birdbath when he see a camera pointed their way.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 19/09/2026

Before and After However #Elegant birds look when they arrive at the birdbath, they leave looking #Scruffy. Here’s a dashing, male Northern Cardinal impressing a young female House Finch before bathing and a view of him after. The old guy’s hiding a lot of gray! #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

A bright red male Northern Cardinal perches on the edge of a green ceramic birdbath as a young female House Finch seems to admire him.

A male Northern Cardinal prepares to leave the birdbath with his plumage askew, revealing gray feathers beneath the red ones.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 18/09/2026

Don’t Drown! A Carolina Chickadee, a member of the #Paridae family, hangs almost upside down to sip water on a hot July day. This hanging water bowl is too small for bathing, so the water stays cleaner, but evaporation makes it harder for tiny birds to reach. #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

A tiny Carolina Chickadee clutches the hanging chain and turns almost upside down to reach for a sip of water in a glass bowl.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 17/09/2026

Stay in Your Lane, Buddy For today’s #ODG (owls, ducks, geese) theme: In late June, I was shooting Brown Pelicans languidly cruising the shoreline at Isle of Palms, S.C., when a lone Mallard flapped past in a hurry. Looks like he may be entering pre-basic molt. #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

A solitary male Mallard duck flies above the beach at Isle of Palms, S.C.

From the scruffy appearance of his green head plumage, he may be entering pre-basic molt, which occurs after breeding season.

#birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 16/09/2026

Ravenous Robins Sharing this photo again from late January 2025, when our holly bushes were chock full and a flock of American Robins showed up like a bus full of hungry teenagers. Have never seen so many #BirdsWithBerries a one time, before or since. #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

A flock of American Robins gather on top of a hedge of holly bushes filled with ripe, red berries.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 15/09/2026

Inspecting a Bloom The sun’s angle and bird movements can quickly turn a shot aimed at rim lighting into more of a #Silhouette. House #Finches are common enough, you could ID this shape without the wiggly stripes peeping from the shadows. #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

A House Finch in silhouette under bright sun inspects a recently opened maple leaf on the tip of a branch.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 14/09/2026

Cheek to Cheek A male and female Mallard cuddle up to enjoy late afternoon sun in a photo from March 11, 2025 Given the season and plumage, they are about to be among the #Mammas&Pappas raising ducklings in one of our local ponds. #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

A male and female Mallard float cheek to cheek as both have their heads tucked for a nap on a golden pond in late afternoon, March 11, 2025.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 13/09/2026

Never Cracks a Smile “What do you mean, let’s try another pose? This IS #MyBestSide!” Northern Mockingbirds are preternaturally #AngryBirds. I’ve captured them looking curious, fearful and even contemplative. But never really looking happy. I’ll keep trying. #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 12/09/2026

Double Vision Today’s #BirdsInAbstract theme may be my only chance to share this one—a double exposure made by accident with a Canon RP in 2023. I kept it, hoping to someday figure out how it happened without turning on multiple exposures in settings. Any ideas? #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

An accidental double exposure turns a single bird silhouette on a bare tree branch into two birds side by side.

I did not go into my digital camera settings to activate multiple exposures, so how it happened is a mystery.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 11/09/2026

Tenderizing a Grub An Eastern Bluebird with more than a #Mouthful slaps his catch before eating on a utility pole, using it as both hunting perch and chopping block Saw this behavior for the first time at Isle of Palms, S.C., from a beach house upper deck. #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

A male Eastern Bluebird holds a large grub in its beak after returning to the top of a utility pole that he used to spot the worm in the grass below.

Before swallowing this large grub whole, the Eastern Bluebird slapped it several times hard against the top of the pole, apparently to soften it up for eating.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 10/09/2026

Black, White & Shimmery Two birds with primarily #BlackAndWhite plumage that shows #Iridescence under strong light: A male Bufflehead Duck flashes a green spot as he splash lands in late December. A European Starling goes prismatic under a cloudless October sun. #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

This Bufflehead Duck seemed to be playing in a local pond.

A European Starling commands the top spot in a tree overlooking a neighbor’s feeder. Starlings love to dive from this perch and scare smaller birds away.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 09/09/2026

Hawk Wannabe Brown Thrashers (straddling today’s #ABCD - #RSTU themes) are superb songbirds and ground foragers. But with their large talons, wide tails, speckled breasts, yellow eyes, and deadly stares, they sometimes seem eager to release their inner hawk. #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

A Brown Thrasher sits in pine straw staring at something in the distance.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 08/09/2026

Bath Buddies I’ve heard House Finches called “bluebird groupies.” This lass sure looks like she’s enjoying having a male Eastern Bluebird give her a shower. The two species can be #BirdBuddlies because they don’t compete for the same foods or nesting spots. #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

A female House Finch enjoys a shower provided by a male Eastern Bluebird at a round, ceramic birdbath.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 07/09/2026

Snow White Wings A Snowy Egret flies over Lake Viridian in Arlington, Texas, Sept 4, one of several species of #Herons&Egrets found there. Lake Viridian, a 2,700-acre, man-made lake, was designed to meet Audubon Gold Signature standards. #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

Snow White Wings

A Snowy Egret flies over Lake Viridian in Arlington, Texas, Sept 4, one of many species of #heronsandegrets found there.

Lake Viridian, a 2,700-acre, man-made lake, created as part of a master community near DFW airport, was designed to meet Audubon Gold Signature standards.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 06/09/2026

A Pop of Green in Winter The iridescent green plumage of this male Mallard Duck #SittingOnWater in a pond on February 20 pops against his drab surroundings as snow blankets the shoreline. Not sure if he was unpaired, but no females were in sight. #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

A lone male Mallard Duck’s iridescent green pops as he rests on the water with snow blanketing the shoreline.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 05/09/2026

Cessna Photobomb While targeting this Red-tailed Hawk #InFlight, a single-engine prop plane photobombed my shot. I live a few miles from Raleigh-Durham (RDU) airport. This was the third time a human has flown into an aerial bird photo. #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

A single-engine Cessna prop airplane flies into the background behind a Red-tailed Hawk in flight.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 04/09/2026

Let Sleeping Ducks Float Found these two Mallard Ducks in the tucked position for #BirdNaps on a shady cove at Lake Lynn, Raleigh, N.C. What caught my notice first were the marbled reflections on the still water, where the female barely stirs a ripple. #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

A Mallard couple tuck their heads for #Birdnaps in a shallow, shady cove at Lake Lynn, Raleigh, N.C.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 03/09/2026

Peekaboo! This Great Blue Heron retreated into the shadows to hide, creating strong #contrast for a profile shot. The silly bird seemed unsure when a leaf covered its eye, whether it had become hidden or I had gone away. #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

A Great Blue Heron peeks from behind a leaf as it tries to hide in the shadows among shoreline plants.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 02/09/2026

Flying Checkerboard With their black backs, white bellies and all-crimson #RedHeads, Red-headed Woodpeckers are unmistakable in flight, though quite fast. This one sent a mockingbird fleeing when both fancied the same perch above a neighbor’s feeder. Huzzah! #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

Red-headed Woodpeckers live year-round across most of the eastern half of the United States but continue to face habitat loss and competition for dead trees as nesting sites.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 01/09/2026

Shore Patrol Brown Pelicans cruise endlessly along the shore, rarely alone, forming flocks of four to a dozen or more, and always in splendid aerial harmony. Caught these #BirdsOfAFeather at Isle of Palms, S.C., on the first day of summer. #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

Brown Pelicans patrol the shore, rarely alone, forming flocks of four to a dozen or more, and always in splendid aerial harmony.

Caught these #BirdsOfAFeather at Isle of Palms, S.C., on the first day of summer.

#birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 31/08/2026

That’s Close Enough! I surprised this Canada Goose, a #BirdNameC, foraging atop a pond’s berm by sneaking up the slope as its back was turned. With two goslings nearby, that long neck snapped to attention, and I got a #BirdsUpClose view—along with a stern look. #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

A Canada Goose foraging in the grass extends its neck fully when it notices the photographer approaching.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 30/08/2026

Whoopers Whooper Swans (Eurasian Trumpeters) continue #Parenting cygnets up to 10 months as they fly south from breeding grounds. Saw these in Iceland (Lake Myvatn), where an estimated 43,000 of the world’s 271,000 whoopers breed. #Blue water = a twofer today. #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

Two Whooper Swans and three cygnets swim in Lake Myvatn, Iceland. Whoopers mate for life and share parenting duties.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 29/08/2026

Red-eyed Beauty A young Slavonian Grebe, drying its wings after a bath, is my August #BestOfTheMonth. Found this red-eyed beauty at Lake Myvatn (midge lake) in Iceland’s north, and the flies were swarming. First time using a viewfinder through face netting. #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

A Slavonian or Horned Grebe dries its wings after a bath in shallow water at Lake Myvatn, Iceland.

These compact birds build nests on the banks of the shallow lake, and sometimes use floating nests anchored by weeds.

During breeding season, the tufted golden “horns” behind the eyes grow impressively large.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 28/08/2026

Between Whale Dives Many #Coastal&River birds, like Arctic Terns, follow whale-watching boats out of Isafordur, in Iceland’s West Fiords. You can shoot birds while the humpbacks are submerged. Note the steep #Rocky cliffs that flank both sides of the fiord. #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

An Arctic Tern flies over a fiord off Isafordur in northwest Iceland.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 27/08/2026

Need a Drink with That? A male Red-winged Blackbird chomps a bone-dry cluster of #NaturalSeeds in late May. Plants like these abound on the edges of our community stormwater ponds. I’m glad birds can stomach these past-their-prime snacks. #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 26/08/2026

Queen of the Pines This massive Bald Eagle named Anita, rules the forested #woodland around Cox’s Cove, in NW Newfoundland. Those #yellow eyes and beak anticipate being lured down to the water’s surface with a fresh redfish—a technique our guide had perfected. #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

A large Bald Eagle looks down from her perch among pine branches in Cox’s Cove, near Cornerbrook, NL.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 25/08/2026

Tiny Bird, Serious Beak This Song Sparrow from late July earns a spot among my favorite #RecentGardenBirds as he poses on a rock to size me up. I heard singing before finding him using his sturdy beak and large feet to thrash the mulch for seeds under our feeder. #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

A Song Sparrow perches on a garden rock with head tilted to on side. Based on voluminous singing, this was likely a male.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 24/08/2026

Grasping at Straws Red-winged Blackbirds excel at finding #ThinPerches among the flimsiest of waterside reeds and weeds. This guy was calling for mates and enforcing his territory around sunset at Lake Viridian in Arlington, TX. #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

A Red-winged Blackbird clings to a #ThinPerch among flimsy weeds at Lake Viridian in Arlington, Texas.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 23/08/2026

Mocker Motto “I’m a #Simple bird with simple needs. I need my space. My space—and your space, if it’s near my space. Simple.” This Northern Mockingbird had just chased a flock of finches from our birdbath to make room for himself—and that tail. #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

A Northern Mockingbird perches in a bush against a #simple background looking back at the birdbath where he chased other bathers away.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 22/08/2026

Eye Catching American Goldfinches are common #ColorfulCharcters that behave differently around our feeders than their House Finch relatives. I guess I wouldn’t stay in one spot long either, if nature put me in a neon yellow safety vest. #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

A male American Goldfinch pauses on shepherd’s hook.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 21/08/2026

A Bath Before Breakfast I often see Red-shouldered Hawks preening leisurely during drizzles, so they are one of my favorite #RainyDayBirds. This one was calling loudly from a high branch across the street when I awoke, and I made this shot from our front walk. #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

A Red-shouldered Hawk on a high bare branch surveys the area for prey while drying off after preening in a light rain.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 20/08/2026

Sad Eyes I made this American Barn Owl closeup at Carolina Raptor Center, an avian hospital and zoo near Charlotte N.C. Many #AwesomeOwls and other recovering or endangered species from around the world live there. This survivor cannot return to the wild. #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

This American Barn Owl lives at Carolina Raptor Center, an avian hospital and zoo near Charlotte N.C.

Many recovering or endangered species from around the world live there. This survivor cannot return to the wild.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 19/08/2026

#BirdInABush If there’s a bustle in your hedgerow, don’t be alarmed bro, it’s just this cute White-throated Sparrow. (apologies to Led Zeppelin) Saw this beauty on a neighborhood trail in late March, so she is def not the May queen—but still lovely. #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

A White-throated Sparrow perches silently among a tangle of bare branches in a bush in late March.

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Eric F. Frazier @frazeology.com · 18/08/2026

Shiny Pair Two Common Grackles, side by side, illustrate how plumage #Iridescence can reflect the same light differently—one purple, the other blue. Found this pair sharing the tip top of a backyard tree on a cloudless mid-June afternoon. #birds #BirdoftheDay #photography

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