Author | Lightnews

Wendy @wildsnwags.bsky.social · 15h

Weekend goals: find a beautiful, secluded spot to relax with your partner.

These Yellow-legged Gulls are definitely off to a great start on this volcanic cliff. Pure bliss!

#birds #yellowleggedgull #azores #nature #wildlife #photography #animals #relax

Two Yellow-legged Gulls are perched together on a dark, secluded volcanic cliff overlooking the ocean, embodying "weekend goals."

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Wendy @wildsnwags.bsky.social · 1d

Enjoying that sweet, sweet sound of... silence. This Grey Heron is loving its solo grind this "No Meeting Friday."

Just peacefully getting the job done in its own corner of the pond. Sometimes, that's all you need.

#birds #greyheron #wildlife #nature #photography #azores

A lone Grey Heron enjoys the "solo grind," foraging peacefully by itself in a murky pond on a Friday.

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Wendy @wildsnwags.bsky.social · 4d

This Azorean Chaffinch's itinerary for the day: Explore the mossy hills, maybe find some seeds, enjoy the view. My itinerary: Meetings.

Definitely wishing I had this bird's schedule and endless free time to explore the beauty of the outdoors!

#birds #azoreanchaffinch #nature #photography

An Azorean Chaffinch follows its "explorer's itinerary," hopping across a sunlit patch of moss and grass in the Azores.

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Wendy @wildsnwags.bsky.social · 5d

The Monday morning meeting is off to a great start. The adult Yellow-legged Gull is trying to get everyone on the same page for the week, and that one youth in the middle already has questions... and some attitude.

Being the only adult in the room is tough.

#birds #yellowleggedgull #photography

An adult Yellow-legged Gull appears to be addressing a group of younger gulls, one of whom seems to be "sassing back" with an open beak.

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Wendy @wildsnwags.bsky.social · 8d

Already crushing this Friday morning. This young Yellow-legged Gull has its breakfast to-go and is heading off to start the day.

That's the kind of productive energy we're all trying to channel before the weekend!

#birds #yellowleggedgull #eatontherun #animals #nature #wildlife #azores

A young, mottled brown Yellow-legged Gull flies in front of a rocky ledge, a small fish held firmly in its beak like a "breakfast to-go" order.

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Wendy @wildsnwags.bsky.social · 9d

I watched this Yellow-legged Gull pull its feast out of the water and place it right on this rock. Guess you gotta have a meal at the table, right?

But the real question is: what's for dinner? Scraps from a fishing boat? A strange invertebrate? Or just some fancy trash?

#birds #yellowleggedgull

A Yellow-legged Gull stands on a dark rock, having just placed a mysterious white object on it, as if setting a table for a meal.

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Wendy @wildsnwags.bsky.social · 9d

Neat! Today I learned!

Wendy @wildsnwags.bsky.social · 10d

This Common Loon took a wrong turn at Greenland. BIG time.

This North American native somehow ended up on a vacation in the Azores, making it an exceptionally rare find. The ultimate "I knew I should have a map" moment.

#birds #commonloon #wrongturn #animals #nature #wildlife #photography

A Common Loon, having taken a major "wrong turn," swims near the Azores, thousands of miles from its usual home.

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Wendy @wildsnwags.bsky.social · 11d

Coming in hot and lowering the landing gear! This Little Egret is all business as it preps for touchdown, with those gloriously huge, bright yellow feet leading the way. A perfect, if slightly clumsy, arrival.

#birds #littleegret #azores #wildlife #nature #animals #shorebirds #bigfeet #photography

A white Little Egret is captured mid-air as it comes in for a landing, with its large, bright yellow feet extended forward like landing gear.

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Wendy @wildsnwags.bsky.social · 12d

Even the busiest House Sparrow needs a moment. Perched on the rugged Azorean rocks, this little one has found the perfect spot to take in the view and simply be. A beautiful reminder to appreciate life's little pauses for contemplation.

#birds #azores #housesparrow #animals #wildlife #nature

A House Sparrow pauses on a rock, taking in a tranquil view and embodying a moment of quiet contemplation.

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Wendy @wildsnwags.bsky.social · 14d

This Little Egret desperately wants dry feet, but with those gloriously huge, bright yellow stompers, finding a stable, dry spot on the volcanic rocks is proving to be a bit of an awkward challenge.

We appreciate the effort, little buddy!

#birds #littleegret #bigfeet #nature #wildlife #animals

A Little Egret stands awkwardly on a small, dark rock in water, its large, bright yellow feet struggling to find a dry, stable perch.

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Wendy @wildsnwags.bsky.social · 15d

Look at these two House Sparrow gals, just owning the volcanic rock in their native range in the Azores!

They're basically the OGs, chilling where they belong, long before they went globe-trotting. So much swagger.

#birds #housesparrow #nativerange #animals #wildlife #nature #azores #photography

Two House Sparrows stand confidently on dark volcanic rock in their native Azorean habitat.

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Wendy @wildsnwags.bsky.social · 15d

thanks!

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Wendy @wildsnwags.bsky.social · 16d

"Visualize the fish, Terry. Be the fish. No, wait, catch the fish. Focus, Terry. You are not a fish."

This Little Egret's morning self-help session is a work in progress.

#Birds #Wildlife #nature #photography #animals #littleegret #azores

A Little Egret looks at its reflection, engaged in a humorous and slightly confused self-help session about catching fish.

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Wendy @wildsnwags.bsky.social · 17d

It's great to respect the comfy nap time of your neighbors.

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Wendy @wildsnwags.bsky.social · 17d

For those wondering: yes, that tiny fish is the main course. Little Egrets specialize in small-plate dining. Their diet is a variety of tiny fish, insects, and crustaceans.

Think of them as living on a perpetual tapas diet. A very refined and snack-driven lifestyle.

#birds #wildlife #littleegret

A Little Egret enjoys a "small plate" meal, holding a tiny fish in its beak, illustrating its tapas-like diet.

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Wendy @wildsnwags.bsky.social · 19d

so relatable...

Wendy @wildsnwags.bsky.social · 19d

Pigeons might not know the day of the week, but this Rock Pigeon certainly looks like it could use a break from the tribulations of pigeon life.

We're right there with you, feathered friend. We all need more weekends! 😩

#birds #rockpigeon #pigeon #nature #wildlife #animals #mondaymood #photography

A slightly ruffled Rock Pigeon stands on a rock, appearing weary and embodying the universal desire for more weekends.

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Wendy @wildsnwags.bsky.social · 21d

Your weekend hiking inspo just dropped! ✨

If changing leaves aren't calling you, let these Grey Wagtails show you how it's done. Effortlessly taking in the views on the shores of the Azores. Remember: have your wings ready for those tough-to-scale vistas! 😂

#birds #greywagtail #nature #wildlife

Two Grey Wagtails are perched on mossy, rocky shores, effortlessly enjoying views as inspiration for a weekend hike.

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Wendy @wildsnwags.bsky.social · 22d

"Yes, my weekend plans are confirmed. Thanks for asking."

This Whimbrel has that exact knowing head tilt and is clearly ready to clock out. Happy Friday from the rocky coast!

#Whimbrel #birds #animals #weekendvibes #friday #wildlife #nature #photography #azores

A Whimbrel with a "knowing" head tilt stands on a rocky shore, conveying that its weekend plans are confirmed.

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Wendy @wildsnwags.bsky.social · 23d

Thanks, I did!

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Wendy @wildsnwags.bsky.social · 23d

Even during a busy day of foraging, sometimes you just need to pause, stare dramatically out at the rough sea, and contemplate your life choices.

A #TBT to this very profound Whimbrel in the Azores, having a moment.

#Whimbrel #birds #azores #wildlife #nature #photography #animals #DeepThoughts

A Whimbrel takes a contemplative break from foraging, standing on a mossy rock and looking out over a rough, gray sea. Photo by Wendy Dembowski

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Wendy @wildsnwags.bsky.social · 24d

What an incredible catch! This Whimbrel just pulled off the ultimate shoreline hunter's triumph, snagging a crab with its perfectly curved bill. A master forager on the rocky coasts!

#birds #birding #crabbing #azores #whimbrel #nature #wildlife #animals #photography

A Whimbrel, a large shorebird with a long, curved bill, stands triumphantly on mossy rocks with a crab firmly caught in its mouth.

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Wendy @wildsnwags.bsky.social · 25d

"No running. No throwing sand. And yes, you do have to eat all your invertebrates before you can go play!"

This Ruddy Turnstone is clearly the lunch proctor for the Sanderlings. Keeping a very close eye on everyone's mealtime etiquette.

#birds #ruddyturnstone #sanderling #wildlife #nature #animals

A Ruddy Turnstone stands vigilantly over a group of foraging Sanderlings, like a strict lunch proctor overseeing mealtime. Photo by Wendy Dembowski.

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Wendy @wildsnwags.bsky.social · 26d

Your motivational speaker for the week has arrived. This Ruddy Turnstone is yelling:

"It's Monday! The tide is high! The invertebrates are plentiful! Let's get out there and turn some stones!"

Thanks for the pep talk, little guy.

#birds #ruddyturnstone #cute #wildlife #animals #photography

A Ruddy Turnstone acts as a motivational speaker, calling out encouragement with its beak open on a shoreline. Photo by Wendy Dembowski.

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