Since I'm not doing any birding on my own

Again, from the NYT

State birds forced out of their states by climate change

And on the bright side ...

These photos were sent by a friend who found them on Facebook.    

The first photo appears to be real, as in unedited or unphotoshopped.  I can imagine this occurring and would be thrilled to get such a photo.

This second photo seems unreal.  If it's supposed to be a robin's nest, it's a little too tidy and not muddy enough.  And the nest basket appears too big.  This tiny operatic singer looks a little too staged.  But the photo is totally cute and I can imagine that it might happen in real life, albeit unlikely to be captured in a photo.

Really depressing, and more uplifting

1.  From the front page of the on-line 09/19/2019 New York Times:

Birds are Vanishing from North America

The number of birds in the United States and Canada has declined by 3 billion, or 29 percent, over the past half-century, scientists find.

2.  And something more uplifting from the on-line times 09/21/2019 NYT:

Sydney is for the Birds. The Bigger and Bolder, the Better.

From the 08/31/19 New York Times

A Rare Greenshank is Spotted in Russia

And just seeing now, from 02/09/2019:

A Rare Bird Indeed:  A Cardinal That's Half Male, Half Female

Crosswinds Marsh

In bloom now.

A first for me, Cyrano Darner (Nasiaeschna pentacantha).  Of course, I had help to make the ID.  The downward curved abdomen and the big nose give it away.  

01/02/2024 addendum to Cyrano Darner above:  From Argia, journal of Dragonfly Society of the Americas, the January 1, 2024 blog highlights Cyrano Darner.

Not exactly a baby but small snapping turtle, maybe the size of a man's fist.  Even that small, I did not pick it up.

Above and below:  Sympetrum sp.