Michael Babcock

So many lovely herons in the world. Here's another: a Javan Pond Heron at Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park in Pranburi, Thailand. For Today's alt #BirdOfTheDay theme of #Grounded, birds standing on the ground. Fun fact, Thailand (size of CA+WV) has 2.4x as many national parks as the U.S. (155 v. 64).

Here's a Black-necked Stilt on one leg at Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont, California. For today's #BirdOfTheDay theme, #OnOneLeg - birds seen balancing on one leg - set by @helenbennett.bsky.social.

I'll go with the alt #BirdOfTheDay theme today of #FightingFeathers – birds in conflict with other birds. Here's a pair of Terns having a difference of opinion at Pescadero State Beach in California.

Here's a twofer for today – an Oriental Magpie-Robin at Kaeng Krachan in Thailand. For @robcrank68.bsky.social's #BirdOfTheDay of #LMNO, any bird whose name starts with one of those letters, and the alt theme of #Robins, any Robin Species.

Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #Juveniles, any juvenile bird. Here's a pair of Mallard ducklings at MacKerricher State Park in Ft. Bragg, California.

Here's a Red-billed Blue Magpie at Mae Wong National Park in Thailand for the alt #BirdOfTheDay theme of #Corvids, any crow species.

I can't resist posting this lovely Pink-necked Green Pigeon at Sri Nakhon Khuen Khan Park in Samut Prakan, Thailand for today's alt #BirdOfTheDay theme of #Colourful; any bird with 3 or more colours. Set by @atlanticbirding.bsky.social.

I'll go with the Alt #BirdOfTheDay theme today of #Colourful, any bird with 3 or more colours. Both the male and female Western Bluebird, seen yesterday in our upper spa in Oakland, California, qualify. What a treat. Set by @atlanticbirding.bsky.social.

Fun #BirdOfTheDay theme today – #LittleLegs, any bird with small legs – set by @robcrank68.bsky.social. Here's a Streak-breasted Woodpecker on the road to the first campground at Kaeng Krachan National Park in Thailand.

Here's a Northern Pintail at Colusa National Wildlife Refuge, Williams in California for today's #BirdOfTheDay theme of #Reflection, any bird reflection.

I'll go with the alt #BirdOfTheDay theme today – #Turdidae, any thrush species. Here's a Hermit Thrush, currently visiting our backyard in Oakland, California. He's been very shy this year and hard to spot but he's around.

For today's #BirdOfTheDay theme of #Dawn, any bird captured at sunrise, here's a Black-winged Stilt at Bueng Boraphet Bird Park, Thailand. For the alt of #Dusk, any bird captured at sunset, here's a Northern Pintails at Llano Seco in, California. Set by @atlanticbirding.bsky.social.

The American Coot is often ubiquitous at wetlands in California (on the left, from Colusa National Wildlife Refuge). I seldom see the Eurasian Coot in Thailand (on the right, at Bueng Buraphet). For @robcrank68.bsky.social's Alt #BirdOfTheDay theme of any Coot or Moorhen

Here's a White-crowned Sparrow a couple of Octobers back at Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont, California. He's #Brown (any bird with Brown in its plumage) for today's #BirdOfTheDay set by @robcrank68.bsky.social.

For today's #BirdOfTheDay of #Ducks&GeeseInFlight, any Ducks or Geese in flight, here's some Whistling Ducks at Thale Noi in Phattalung, Thailand.

Alt #BirdOfTheDay theme today is #Geese. Here's a feral domestic goose (they are descended from Graylag Geese) at Baylands Nature Preserve in Palo Alto, California.

Here's a Purple Heron at Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park in Pranburi, Thailand. A fit for today's #BirdOfTheDay theme of #Waders, any wading bird, set by @atlanticbirding.bsky.social.

Here's a Western Meadowlark at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge in California. For @robcrank68.bsky.social's #BirdOfTheDay theme of #crooners, birds singing.

Here's a Pacific Swallow outside our Cabin at Thale Noi in Phattalung, Thailand. He's a fearless little guy. For today's #BirdOfTheDay alt theme of #Perched, birds standing on anything except branches.

Yesterday one of my favorite birds arrived for the first time this year, an #UnsungBirds (any underrated bird that needs the spotlight) – today’s alt #BirdOfTheDay theme set by @helenbennett.bsky.social. Here’s a Hermit Thrush from a couple years back – he does love a ripe Hachiya persimmon.

A flock of Snow Geese in flight at Colusa National Wildlife Refuge in California. For today’s #BirdOfTheDay theme of #BlueSkies, any bird against a blue sky, set by @atlanticbirding.bsky.social.

For today's #BirdOfTheDay theme of #WingsOpenNotFlying, birds with their wings open when not flying (set by @robcrank68.bsky.social), here's the same Long-billed Curlew at the Baylands Nature Preserve in Palo Alto, California from yesterday.

I'll go with the alt #BirdOfTheDay theme of #LongBeak, birds with long beaks. Here's a Long-billed Curlew at the Baylands Nature Preserve in Palo Alto, California. There's an interesting article about its long bill: www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts...

This Great Hornbill at Kaeng Krachan National Park in Thailand works for both today's #BirdOfTheDay theme of #BestBeaks and the alt of #YellowElements, set by @helenbennett.bsky.social .

Here's a Common Raven in flight at the Mendocino Headlands State Park in California. It's #Black&White (any shot in black and white) for @atlanticbirding.bsky.social's Today’s #BirdOfTheDay theme.

Here's a pair of Marsh Sandpipers working things out at the Pathum Thani Rice Fields in Thailand. For today's #BirdOfTheDay theme of #Seabirds, any bird found at sea or the coast, and they are sort of in the air (the alt is #Airborne, any bird in flight). Set by @atlanticbirding.bsky.social.

Happy Stanislav Petrov Day He passed in 2017. As Encyclopedia Britannica puts it, “He is survived by his two children, two grandchildren, and the entire human race.” If you don't know his story, please take 3 minutes now to learn it. @gchalliance.bsky.social @docsforclimate.bsky.social

Here's a pair of Mourning Doves making a nest on top of our trellis in Oakland, California. It's both today's #BirdOfTheDay theme of #Pairs, photos with pairs of the same species in them, and alt of #Green, photos with green in the backgrounds not on the birds, per @shitpostverdade2.bsky.social.

Here's a twofer for @robcrank68.bsky.social's #BirdOfTheDay theme of #Borbs, birds looking plump, and the alt of #Brown, birds with Brown in their plumage. It's a Black-crowned Night Heron at Crissy Field (Marsh) in San Francisco, California.

For today's #BirdOfTheDay theme of #Raptors, any bird of prey, set by @atlanticbirding.bsky.social, here's a Brahminy Kite surveying his world at Thale Noi in Phattalung, Thailand.

A Common Flameback at Kaeng Krachan, Thailand. (I don't like calling this magnificent woodpecker "common.") He's got the requisite #Redheads, any bird with a Red on its head/beak, for @robcrank68.bsky.social's #BirdOfTheDay theme for today.

www.theguardian.com/world/2026/s...

A Yellow-rumped Warbler contemplates eating a Hachiya persimmon from a couple falls ago (it’s still a bit early for both in Oakland, California). It qualifies for both the #BirdOfTheDay theme of #LightAndShadow and the alt of #FallBirds, any Autumn/ Fall bird captures. Set by @alan678.bsky.social.

"Yowzah! That's a BIG one!!!!" #BirdOfTheDay #CaptionThatBird #sanluisnwr #meadowlark

A Chestnut-backed Chickadee in our birdbath in Oakland, California certainly fits today's Alt #BirdOfTheDay theme of #Scruffy, set by @atlanticbirding.bsky.social.

So many cute Chickadees posted for today’s #BirdOfTheDay theme of #Paridae (set by @robcrank68.bsky.social). I’ll go with the alt theme of #Pigeons&Doves, any Pigeon or Dove will do. Mr. Kookeroo was a rescue dove who lived with us for 23+ years as a valued member of the family.

I think Northern Pintails are the class of the duck world. Llano Seco National Wildlife Refuge Viewing Station in California has been a great spot to photograph them. He qualifies for #ODG, any Owl, Duck or Goose, today's #BirdOfTheDay theme set by @alan678.bsky.social.

It's fun to watch a Great Hornbill eat: they have to throw their head back to get it down. This one is from Kaeng Krachan National Park in Thailand. For @helenbennett.bsky.social's #BirdOfTheDay theme of #BirdsWithBerries, any bird captured with berries.

Here's a trio of Sandhill Cranes just before sunset at the Woodbridge Ecological Reserve in California. It's for today’s #BirdOfTheDay theme of #Silhoutte, any bird in silhouette, set by @atlanticbirding.bsky.social.

Here's a pair of Red-whiskered Bulbuls in Chiang Dao, Thailand, for @robcrank68.bsky.social's #BirdOfTheDay theme of #Mamas&Papas, male & female of the same species in the same photo.

Today's #BirdOfTheDay is "Are YOU looking at ME!" (i.e. #AngryBirds, any bird with an angry face) set by @alan678.bsky.social. Do not mess with this Bushtit!

Fun #BirdOfTheDay theme today – #BirdsInAbstract – set by @helenbennett.bsky.social; It had had me trolling through the albums. Here's three (Merlin thinks Medium) Egrets plus a couple friends at sunrise in the fog at Laem Phak Bia in Phetchaburi, Thailand.

Black Phoebe for the second day in a row, this one at Crissy Field in San Francisco, California. Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #Mouthful, any bird with anything in its beak and the alt is #Black, any bird with black plumage, set by @atlanticbirding.bsky.social.

Here's a Black Phoebe at Fort Mason in San Francisco, California for @robcrank68.bsky.social's Alt #BirdOfTheDay theme of #Black&White, a bird whose main plumage is Black & White. Their aerial snatches of insects are so much fun to watch.

Here's a Black-crested Bulbul at Fang Hot Springs in Thailand. Today’s #BirdOfTheDay theme is #ABCD, any bird name beginning with any of these letters, set by @alan678.bsky.social.

Well, they're probably not BFFs but they qualify for today's #BirdOfTheDay theme of #BirdBuddies, two 'different' bird species sharing the same space, set by @helenbennett.bsky.social. Here's a Red-shouldered Hawk and Lesser Goldfinch on a birch tree in our backyard in Oakland, California.

"Meine Damen und . . . " In this case a Purple Heron at Bueng Boraphet in Nakhon Sawan, Thailand. Amazed at the different herons posted, I looked it up – there are "75 recognizable species" worldwide. For today’s #BirdOfTheDay theme of #Herons&Egrets set by @atlanticbirding.bsky.social.