#Shawangunkgrasslands
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wildsnwags.bsky.social
Even the Red-bellied Woodpeckers know the Shawangunk Grasslands are the place to be! This little bird wasn't sharing their suet though. 😉 #birds #usbirds #wildlifephotography #naturephotography #redbelliedwoodpecker #suetcage #shawangunkgrasslands #birding
A Red-bellied Woodpecker, with a red head and black and white markings, is perched on a bird feeder at the Shawangunk Grasslands, eating suet. Photo by Wendy Dembowski.
February 11, 2025 at 2:11 PM
wildsnwags.bsky.social
This junco is clearly Team Winter! ❄️ While the rest of us are dreaming of warmer days, they're out here frolicking in the snow at Shawangunk Grasslands NWR. They head off to higher elevations and even Canada when it warms up here. #darkeyedjunco #shawangunkgrasslands #birds #usbirds #wildlife
A small bird that is mostly dark except for its white belly stands in snow that comes up to its chest. It has what appears to be a sunflower seed in its mouth. It seems happy.
February 3, 2025 at 12:57 PM
wildsnwags.bsky.social
There's something magical about seeing a cardinal in the snow. ❤️❄️ It always brings a smile to my face. #cardinal #winterwildlife #birdphotography #naturelover #joy #shawangunkgrasslands #hudsonvalley #addbirder #birds #wildlifephotography #usbirds
A male cardinal is flying out of a bush with its wing spread and tail up. The bush has lots of snow in its branches.
January 29, 2025 at 12:28 PM
wildsnwags.bsky.social
Revisiting the sheer audacity of this early migrant Red-winged Blackbird from March. It didn't just arrive in the Hudson Valley; it found the highest perch and screamed at winter to get off its lawn. Love it!

#birds #redwingedblackbird #shawangunkgrasslands #nature #wildlife #photography #birding
A Red-winged Blackbird with its beak open screams from a high perch, confidently telling winter to leave. Photo by Wendy Dembowski.
July 9, 2025 at 1:01 PM
wildsnwags.bsky.social
Spotted: a snow-covered muskrat on a mission! Turns out, they're not just cute faces – they're also resourceful foragers. This one was working hard at the Shawangunk Grasslands. #shawangunkgrasslands #muskratlife #winteradventures #natureobservations #snowday #naturephotography #wildlifephotography
A muskrat with snow covering its nows looks like its lying in snow, but its actually foraging.
February 7, 2025 at 12:57 PM
wildsnwags.bsky.social
Feeling a bit blah today, but this little black-capped chickadee's mid-hop antics are making me smile. 😊 Sometimes it's the small things, right?
#birds #birdsofny #usbirds #wildlifephotography #naturephotography #blackcappedchickadee #shawangunkgrasslands #songbirds #hudsonvalley #birdphotography
A Black-capped Chickadee is captured mid-hop between bare winter branches against a light blue sky in a photo by Wendy Dembowski.
February 13, 2025 at 12:07 AM
wildsnwags.bsky.social
Cold day essentials: a warm perch and a tucked-up foot. This Red-tailed Hawk gets it. #redtailedhawk #birds #hudsonvalley #shawangunkgrasslands #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #staywarm #isitsummeryet #birdphotograhpy #birdsofny #raptors #nature #wildlife #photography #ulstercounty
A red tailed hawk is perched on a branch looking to the right. It's right claw is lifted as it floofs out its feathers getting ready to tuck it in to get some warmth. Photo taken by Wendy Dembowski.
February 8, 2025 at 1:20 PM
wildsnwags.bsky.social
Check out this dapper tufted titmouse enjoying a snack at the Shawangunk Grasslands! Love that crested look and that big eye 🥹. #birds #usbirds #tuftedtitmouse #wildlifephotography #birdphotography #naturephotograhy #shawangunkgrasslands #nature #birdlover #hudsonvalley #birdsofnewyork
A tufted titmouse hangs on a rope attached to a tree trunk. It has a shelled sunflower seed in its mouth, and its crest is up. Youcan see it's white belly and the bit of tan under its wing. Also it has a big adorable black eye which these little song birds are known for.
February 1, 2025 at 1:26 PM
siouxcq.bsky.social
With LinnaeanNY a great windy trip to #crotonpoint and #Shawangunkgrasslands in we saw #americantreesparrow #redtail #harrier #kestral. Sorry, no short ear owls, it was just too windy
January 17, 2024 at 12:56 AM
wildsnwags.bsky.social
Just an American Kestrel chilling on a branch. No big deal. 😉 #americankestrel #birds #shawangunkgrasslands #hudsonvalley #wildlifephotography #naturephotography #photography #wildlife #nature #raptors #usbirds #birdsofny
An American Kestral perches on the top of a tree with the sky as a backdrop
February 5, 2025 at 12:47 PM
wildsnwags.bsky.social
While American Kestrels are a common sight in the Shawangunk Grasslands, their beauty never fades. Here's one taking flight, showcasing its agility and grace. #shawangunkgrasslands #kestrel #birdwatching #nature #wildlife #birds #birdphotography #wildlifephotography #shawangunkgrasslands #nybirds
A small falcon, an American Kestrel soars through the sky with its wings out to the side. It's on the diagonal, and you can see the stripes around the eyes as are the common marking of an American Kestrel. Its really cute.
February 6, 2025 at 11:20 AM
wildsnwags.bsky.social
From swimmer to snowshoer! ❄️ This muskrat is adapting to the frozen pond life at the Shawangunk Grasslands NWR. #muskrat #shawangunkgrasslands #winterwildlife #frozenpond #naturephotography #winterwonderland #adorable #wildlifephotography
#wildlife #cuteoverload
A musrat looks like it is sniffing in the snow for something tasty. It's thin tail is stretched out behind it and covered in snow. It's fur has bits of snow on it along its body and face.
January 28, 2025 at 12:54 PM
wildsnwags.bsky.social
Snowy snack time! This little muskrat is too cute for words. 😍 #muskrat #shawangunkgrasslands #winterwonderland #adorable #wildlife #cuteoverload
A muskrat on a frozen pond with snow bits on its face and body holds something in its front paws as it nibbles.
January 26, 2025 at 2:00 PM
wildsnwags.bsky.social
Battling through Thursday like this muskrat is battling through the snow. We got this! 💪 #muskrat #wildlifephotography #naturephotography #shawangunkgrasslands #snow #frozenpond #winter #nature #wildlife #isitfridayyet #hudsonvalley #wildlifeofny
A furry brown muskrat sits on a textured, snowy surface with small ice particles, facing left. It's mouth is open, like maybe its telling a joke. Photo by Wendy Dembowski
February 13, 2025 at 11:17 AM
wildsnwags.bsky.social
Just a hawk reminding us that there's still beauty in the world, even when things feel heavy. 🦅🌎❤️ Tag someone who needs this reminder today. #redtailedhawk #naturelovers #beauty #inspiration #spreadlove #birds #wildlifephotography #naturephotography #hudsonvalley #usbirds #shawangunkgrasslands #ny
A Red-tailed Hawk in mid-flight, wings outstretched, against a backdrop of bright blue sky. The hawk's brown and white feathers are visible, and its tail is spread wide. Dark, leafless branches frame the image. Photo by Wendy Dembowski
February 9, 2025 at 2:38 PM
wildsnwags.bsky.social
I like to imagine that the Northern Cardinal is asking the Blue Jay to keep it down. #NorthernCardinal #bluejay #birds #birdphotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #naturephotography #nature #shawangunkgrasslands #hudsonvalley #newyorkstate #birdsofny
A cardinal in the upper left third of a photo sits on a branch of a tree covered with snow staring down at a blue jay facing away from the camera on the lower right side of the photo also on a branch of the snow-covered tree.
February 4, 2025 at 1:43 PM
wildsnwags.bsky.social
This mink has the exact same energy I have on a Sunday morning when I suddenly realize all the errands I was supposed to run this weekend.

Just a blur of pure, panicked, high-speed motion.

#Americanmink #wildlife #photography #shawangunkgrasslands #nywildlife #hudsonvalley #photosatdusk #nature
A dark brown mink is frozen in a blur of motion, perfectly capturing the feeling of panicked Sunday morning energy. Photo by Wendy Dembowski.
July 20, 2025 at 2:41 PM
wildsnwags.bsky.social
This Song Sparrow is the physical embodiment of "just five more minutes." That's the exact posture of me on a Monday morning when the alarm goes off and I'm trying to become one with my pillow. I feel this in my soul.

#birds #birding #wildlife #nature #photography #shawangunkgrasslands #songsparrow
A sleepy Song Sparrow is hunched over on a branch, perfectly capturing the feeling of wanting "five more minutes" on a Monday morning. Photo by Wendy Dembowski.
July 14, 2025 at 11:22 AM
wildsnwags.bsky.social
Braving the elements! These mourning doves are toughing out the snowy weather with puffed-up feathers and a determined spirit. 💪❄️ #mourningdoves #winterbirds #birdsurvival #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #addbirder #birdphotography #birds #birding #shawangunkgrasslands
two morning doves are perched on treebranches, one above the other. There is snow in the background and on some of the trees.
January 27, 2025 at 1:19 PM
wildsnwags.bsky.social
A tough break for the Red-bellied Woodpecker: its most brilliant feature is its red head, but the "Red-headed" name was already claimed.

What can it do? Put it's best foot forward and show off that crimson cap anyway.

#birding #birdsofny #nature #wildlife #photography #shawangunkgrasslands
A Red-bellied Woodpecker shows off its crimson cap, putting its best foot forward despite its confusing name. Photo by Wendy Dembowski.
July 10, 2025 at 9:51 AM