Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips from Saturday, January 24 - Sunday, January 25, 2026:

Bedford Audubon Society

Field Trip to Greenwich Point
Saturday, January 24, 2026, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Leader: Tait Johansson
Description:Greenwich Point is an Important Bird Area (IBA) and due to the park’s peninsular geography and the variety of habitats available it is an important migrant stopover for many species of birds. Good numbers of waterfowl winter offshore and in Eagle Pond so we’ll be looking for Greater Scaup, Long-tailed Duck, Great Cormorant, Horned Grebe, both Common and Red-throated Loons, Ruddy Turnstone, and of course Brant. On land, we might be lucky enough to encounter Hermit Thrush, Fox Sparrow, and Snow Bunting.
Registration: Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Moderate. Registration required by emailing Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org or by calling 914-302-9713.
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Brooklyn Bird Club

Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturday, January 24, 2026, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Leader: A member of the Brooklyn Bird Club
Description: Whether you’re just starting out or have already joined the birding ranks, this introductory bird outing is for you. Join a member of the Brooklyn Bird Club to learn the basics of birding and search for the dozens of species that visit Prospect Park through all seasons.
Registration: No registration necessary.
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Gateway National Parks

Winter Wander Nature Walk at Jamaica Bay
Sunday, January 25, 2026, 11:00 am — 12:00pm
Leader: Park Rangers
Description: Wander with a park ranger at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge while it’s a winter wonderland! Explore how plants and animals at the park survive and adapt to the winter. Open to all ages. Please dress for the conditions.
Registration: Reservation or Registration: No
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Green-Wood Cemetery

Birding in Peace: Late-Risers Edition (Members Only)
Sunday, January 25, 2026, 10:00am – 11:30am
Description: If you’ve always wanted to go on a birding tour at Green-Wood but aren’t much of a morning person, this tour is for you! The early bird-er might get the worm, but you can birdwatch at any hour. Led by birding expert Rob Jett, this winter tour offers the chance to spot waterfowl, nuthatches, woodpeckers, sparrows, finches, and other birds that stick around for the season. By February, you may even catch the first north-bound birds beginning to return.
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Linnaean Society of New York

Breezy Point
Saturday, January 24, 2026
Leader: David Spawn
Description: Breezy Point, Queens, is located on the western end of the Rockaway peninsula, between Rockaway Inlet and Jamaica Bay to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south. It is part of Gateway National Recreation Area, which the National Park Service manages. This isolated, 200-acre area includes an ocean-facing beach, a shoreline on Jamaica Bay, dunes, and marshland.
Registration: Matthew Fischer — matthewwfischer@gmail.com
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Queens County Bird Club

Montauk
Saturday, January 24, 2026, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Leader: Joe Schiavone (203) 640-2927
Description: We will start the trip viewing from the back of the restaurant specified by the map. Parking is in the lot on the opposite side of Montauk Hwy. If you have a scope, it will be useful here. Razorbills and gannets are possible here, and you will definitely see Common Eider and scoters.
Registration: Call the trip leader to register for this mini trip and for more information.
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South Shore Audubon Society

Massapequa Preserve
Sunday, January 25, 2026
Leader: Members of SSAS
Description: From Sunrise Highway, turn north onto Broadway, Massapequa. Travel under the Long Island Rail Road overpass, then make the first right onto Veterans Boulevard (headed east). Go past the Massapequa train station and into the parking lot at the east end of the station. The preserve is directly east of the parking lot.
Registration: Registration is required by calling Joe Landesberg at 516-467-9498
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Urban Park Rangers

Saturday, January 24, 2026
McGolrick Bird Club at Monsignor McGolrick Park (in Msgr. McGolrick Park), Brooklyn
9:00am–11:00am
Free birding walks are held every Saturday at 9am, year-round. Meet at the Russell & Driggs entrance to McGolrick park.
Free

Birding: Winter Birds at Beach 54th and Almeda Avenue (in Rockaway Community Park), Queens
10:00am–11:00am
Join the Urban Park Rangers on an exclusive tour of the closed Edgemere Landfill to find bird species in this grassland ecosystem. Registration required. Registration begins on Jan 12.
Free

Birding: Bald Eagle Watch at Payson Park House (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
10:00am–11:30am
Winter is a spectacular time for observing bald eagles in New York City parks. See if you can spot any on this adventure with our Urban Park Rangers. Please dress warmly.
Free

Sunday, January 25, 2026
Birding: Winter Birds at Rose Avenue and Oak Avenue (in Kissena Park), Queens
11:00am–12:30pm
Our Urban Park Rangers will guide you to the best viewing spots in New York City to see migratory winter birds.
Free

Birding: Winter Waterfowl at West 90th Street and Central Park West (in Central Park), Manhattan
1:00pm–2:30pm
Birding programs are an all-inclusive safe space and appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome.
Free
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Green-Wood Cemetery 2025 Highlights

Here's a short video of some of the birds seen in Green-Wood Cemetery during my 2025 walks.

Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips from Saturday, January 17 - Sunday, January 18, 2026:

Brooklyn Bird Club

Counting waterfowl within the Western Rockaway terminus: Riis Beach, Fort Tilden and Breezy Point
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Leader: Peter Dorosh and Carl Biers
Description: This is an official state count, part of the Kings tally for the NYS annual winter waterfowl survey (see reference link below). Be prepared for a challenging walk of up to 10 miles (including 5 miles on beach sand) in potentially harsh, wintry conditions, particularly at the Breezy Point unit, which spans a total of 4 miles. If the weather is “frightful”, the walk will be rescheduled to Monday January 19th.
Registration: Peter Dorosh, email Prosbird@gmail.com or Prosbird@aol.com.
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Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturday, January 17, 2026, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Leader: A member of the Brooklyn Bird Club
Description: Whether you’re just starting out or have already joined the birding ranks, this introductory bird outing is for you. Join a member of the Brooklyn Bird Club to learn the basics of birding and search for the dozens of species that visit Prospect Park through all seasons.
Registration: No registration necessary.
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Counting Waterfowl in Prospect Park
Sunday, January 18, 2026, 9:00am - 11:00am
Leader: Tina Alleva
Description: The annual NYS Waterfowl count commences this week with the aim of counting ducks, swans, geese, grebes and coots among the species documented. Prospect Park’s tally will be part of the overall Kings County count.
Registration: No registration necessary.
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Green-Wood Cemetery

Birding in Peace
Sunday, January 18, 2026, 7:15am – 8:45am
Description: Led by birding expert Rob Jett, this winter tour offers the chance to spot waterfowl, nuthatches, woodpeckers, sparrows, finches, and other birds that stick around for the season. By February, you may even catch the first north-bound birds beginning to return.
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Linnaean Society of New York

Birds & Brews: Brooklyn Gulls & Ducks (Bush Terminal Park)
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Leader: Amanda Bielskas, Alan Drogan, Gillian Henry
Description: We are expanding our Birds & Brews walks into Brooklyn! This walk will start later in the morning so we can tour Brooklyn Terminal Park for winter waterfowl and gulls! The duration might be a bit weather dependent, but we will aim for about a 2 hour walk. After the walk we will head to the nearby Industry City to warm up with some libations and conversations.
Registration: Amanda Bielskas — bielskas@gmail.com
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NYC Bird Alliance

Highland Park and Reservoir Birding
Sunday, January 18, 2026, 10:00 am — 11:00am
Leader: ______
Description: Located in both Queens and Brooklyn, Highland Park boasts forested areas, reservoir, and a community garden. Join NYC Bird Alliance in search of winter migrants in this beautiful outdoor space.
Registration: Registration page
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Queens County Bird Club

Fort Totten Park
Saturday, January 17, 2026, 8:00am - 12:30pm
Leader: Marcia Abrahams (917) 608-8832
Description: We will meet at the restrooms in the Little Neck Bay parkinglot, which is before the entrance to Fort Totten Park. Then we will begin by visiting the pond on Duane Road and from there, walk through the north side of the park near the Visitors Center, Fort and the bay. A pair of Bald Eagles are frequently spotted flying through the park. The surrounding bird species this time of year include resident Red-tailed Hawks and other raptor species, including a pair PeregrineFalcons which are nesting close by. Bird enthusiasts congregate toobserve migrating waterfowl which includes CommonGoldeneyes, Buffleheads, Scaup, Horned Grebes, Common Loons, Red-throatedLoons, Red-breasted Mergansers, Northern Shovelers, Gadwall, Green-winged Tealand if you are lucky, possibly American Wigeons and Ring-necked Ducks. The pinetrees also attract Brown Creepers, White-breasted Nuthatch and I have also seen Red-breasted Nuthatches.
Registration: Call the trip leader to register for this mini trip and for more information.
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South Shore Audubon Society

Mill Pond Park
Sunday, January 18, 2026
Leader: Members of SSAS
Description: Use street parking on the westbound side of Merrick Road. The park is four blocks west of the Wantagh State Parkway. Meet at the gazebo.
Registration: Registration is required by calling Joe Landesberg at 516-467-9498
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Urban Park Rangers

Saturday, January 17, 2026
McGolrick Bird Club at Monsignor McGolrick Park (in Msgr. McGolrick Park), Brooklyn
9:00am–11:00am
Free birding walks are held every Saturday at 9am, year-round. Meet at the Russell & Driggs entrance to McGolrick park.
Free

Sunday, January 18, 2026
Birding: Winter Birds at Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
11:00am–12:00pm
Join us on this Ranger led walk along the park identifying various marshland birds and winter waterfowl.
Free
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Best of the Fortnight

Here is a selection of my photos taken during the first two weeks of 2026. Enjoy:

Monk Parakeet

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Ring-billed Gull

Black Scoters

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Fox Sparrow

American Robin

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Bufflehead

Cooper's Hawk

Orange-crowned Warbler

Immature Red-tailed Hawk

Blue Jay

Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips from Saturday, January 10 - Sunday, January 11, 2026:

Brooklyn Bird Club

A Finchy winter walk in Green-wood Cemetery
Saturday, January 10, 2026
Leader: Megan Thornton
Description: Winter is a quiet time but hidden among the bare trees and frozen ground, birds are around. For this themed walk, based on last autumn’s finch forecast we hope to see winter finches among the woodpeckers, nuthatches, titmice, hawks and whatever else is around.
Registration: Registration not required.
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Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturday, January 10, 2026, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Leader: A member of the Brooklyn Bird Club
Description: Whether you’re just starting out or have already joined the birding ranks, this introductory bird outing is for you. Join a member of the Brooklyn Bird Club to learn the basics of birding and search for the dozens of species that visit Prospect Park through all seasons.
Registration: No registration necessary.
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Eastern Long Island Audubon Society

The Lakes & Ponds of Patchogue
Sunday, January 11, 2026. Meet at 8:00am
Leader: Rosemary Valente
Description: This ever-popular trip, led by Rosemary Valente, will explore the winter resting spots of almost all the fresh-water ducks and waterfowl you can find on Long Island! Meeting at Swan Lake, Patchogue we will travel in the local area, with multiple stops along the way.
Registration: Pre-register with Rosemary at: hobbesmom4ever@yahoo.com
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Gateway National Parks

Winter Wander Nature Walk at Jamaica Bay
Sunday, January 11, 2026, 11:00 am — 12:00pm
Leader: Park Rangers
Description: Wander with a park ranger at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge while it’s a winter wonderland! Explore how plants and animals at the park survive and adapt to the winter. Open to all ages. Please dress for the conditions.
Registration: Reservation or Registration: No
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Linnaean Society of New York

Croton Point Park and Shawangunk Grasslands N.W.R.
Sunday, January 11, 2026
Leader: Julien Amsellem
Description: This combo trip will start at Westchester County’s Croton Point Park, a large peninsula that juts out into the Hudson River near its widest point. The park’s location on the Hudson flyway attracts a wide variety of birds to its many habitats, including expansive bays, tidal wetlands, immense grasslands, and mature forests. Among the many exciting sightings here are high numbers of Bald Eagles, large congregations of many duck species, and excellent grassland species, like Eastern Meadowlark, Horned Lark, Snow Bunting, and American Pipit.
Registration: Annie Plum — annwplum@gmail.com
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NYC Bird Alliance

Winter Birding at Mount Loretto Unique Area, Staten Island
Saturday, January 10, 2026, 8:00 am — 10:00am
Leader: Anthony Ciancimino
Description: Discover a diversity of wintering birds with Staten Island resident and birder, Anthony Ciancimino. The diverse habitats found at the park make it the perfect place for all-year round birding.
Registration: Registration page
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Winter Birds with the Young Conservationists: Finches
Saturday, January 10, 2026, 10:00 am — 11:30am
Leader: Ryan Mandelbaum
Description: Winter doesn’t mean the birding has to stop! Discover the birds that spend the colder months with us. Join Young Conservation Council member Ryan Mandelbaum this winter in a three part series: finches, gulls, and ducks.
Registration: Registration page
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Winter Birding at Pelham Bay Park
Sunday, January 11, 2026, 9:00 am — 10:30am
Leader: ______
Description: Join NYC Bird Alliance to explore New York City's largest park! Pelham Bay Park's forested areas, salt marshes, and grassy meadows offer rich habitat for a variety of migrating birds.
Registration: Registration page
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South Shore Audubon Society

Jones Beach Coast Guard Station Parking Area
Sunday, January 11, 2026
Leader: Members of SSAS
Description: From the Wantagh State Parkway, travel south. Upon entering Jones Beach State Park, exit at Bay Drive and continue west. Turn right (north) at entrance for Coast Guard Station and West End Boat Basin; turn right again for parking.
Registration: Registration is required by calling Joe Landesberg at 516-467-9498
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Urban Park Rangers

Saturday, January 10, 2026
McGolrick Bird Club at Monsignor McGolrick Park (in Msgr. McGolrick Park), Brooklyn
9:00am–11:00am
Free birding walks are held every Saturday at 9am, year-round. Meet at the Russell & Driggs entrance to McGolrick park.
Free

Sunday, January 11, 2026
Winter Birding at Wave Hill, Bronx
9:30am–11:00am
The Hudson River Valley hosts an impressive diversity of bird species, even during the winter months.
Free
...Read more

Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips from Saturday, January 3 - Sunday, January 4, 2026:

Brooklyn Bird Club

Frosty Beginnings at Coney Island
Saturday, January 3, 2026
Leader: Chris Laskowski
Description: Primarily coastal waterfowl and ducks, gulls and beach habitat species.
Registration: Registration not required.
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Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturday, January 3, 2026, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Leader: A member of the Brooklyn Bird Club
Description: Whether you’re just starting out or have already joined the birding ranks, this introductory bird outing is for you. Join a member of the Brooklyn Bird Club to learn the basics of birding and search for the dozens of species that visit Prospect Park through all seasons.
Registration: No registration necessary.
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First Sunday Bird Outings
Sunday, January 4, 2026
Leader: A member of the Brooklyn Bird Club
Description: Join a member of the Brooklyn Bird Club in search of dozens of species that visit the park through all seasons. Learn about the different habitats in Prospect Park and why they are important for all types of birds.
Registration: No registration necessary.
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Gateway National Parks

Birding for Beginners at Jamaica Bay
Saturday, January 3, 2026, 10:30 am — 11:30am
Leader: Park Rangers
Description: Is one of your New Year's resolutions to become a birder? Look no further and come with a ranger on this birding for beginners walk around West Pond. All skill levels welcomed; binoculars provided. Dress for the weather.
Registration: Reservation or Registration: No
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NYC Bird Alliance

Intro to Birding in Central Park
Saturday, January 3, 2026, 8:30 am — 10:30am
Leader: ______
Description: Are you curious about birding but don’t have much (or any) experience? Join NYC Bird Alliance in Central Park, a birding hotspot, where you’ll learn the basics and spot everything from lively warblers to finches, woodpeckers, ducks, and more!
Registration: THIS EVENT IS AT CAPACITY! REGISTER TO JOIN THE WAITLIST.
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Intro to Birding at Van Cortlandt Park
Sunday, January 4, 2026, 8:30 am — 11:30am
Leader: ______
Description: Join NYC Bird Alliance in one of the Bronx's largest green spaces. You’ll learn the basics and spot the residents and wintering species calling NYC home.
Registration: Registration page
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Queens County Bird Club

Nickerson Beach/Point Lookout
Sunday, January 4, 2026, 8:00am - 12:30pm
Leader: Marcia Abrahams (917) 608-8832
Description: The winter is a great time of year to explore what NickersonBeach and Point Lookout Town Park has to offer. We will meet on the southwestcorner of the parking lot at Nickerson Beach. We will start off on the west side of the beachand then check out the grassy area adjacent to the parking lot and campingarea. At this time of year, Nickerson Beach is a good place to see Horned Larks,Lapland Longspurs, Snow Buntings and there may be some other surprises on thebeach and at sea. Our next stop will be Point Lookout Town Park and willcarpool over to the restrooms in the maintenance building and then head out tothe beach. Point Lookout Town Park is aknown location for wintering Common Eiders, Harlequin Ducks, Scoters, CommonLoons, Red-throated Loons, Red-breasted Mergansers and Purple Sandpipers,Dunlins and Sanderlings. There are also opportunities for surprises on thebeach and at sea, including but not limited to Bonaparte’s Gulls, Black-headedGulls and Razorbills.
Registration: Call the trip leader to register for this mini trip and for more information.
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Urban Park Rangers

Saturday, January 3, 2026
McGolrick Bird Club at Monsignor McGolrick Park (in Msgr. McGolrick Park), Brooklyn
9:00am–11:00am
Free birding walks are held every Saturday at 9am, year-round. Meet at the Russell & Driggs entrance to McGolrick park.
Free

Birding: Winter Waterfowl at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
1:00pm–2:00pm
Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome.
Free

Sunday, January 4, 2026
Birding: Bald Eagle Watch at Seaman Avenue and Isham Street (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
10:00am–11:30am
Winter is a spectacular time for observing bald eagles in New York City parks. See if you can spot any on this adventure with our Urban Park Rangers. Please dress warmly.
Free
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Best of Fortnight

Here's is my final "fortnight" posting for 2025. As usual, I plan on editing a video of monthly highlights from my Green-Wood Cemetery "Birding in Peace" tours. Enjoy!

Cooper's Hawk with 3 feet 

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Grounded Northern Gannet

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Backlit immature Red-shouldered Hawk

Hermit Thrush "foot quivering"

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Female Wood Duck

Immature Cooper's Hawk with kill

Danger Squirrel

Orange-crowned Warbler drinking sap

Linden tree sapcicle

Blue Atlas Cedars after the snow

Upcoming Trips

Below are the final local birding/nature trips for 2025; Saturday, December 27 - Sunday, December 28, 2025:

Green-Wood Cemetery

Birding in Peace
Sunday, December 28, 2025, 7:15am - 8:45am
Description: Experience Green-Wood before our gates open to the public and discover some of the birds that call the Cemetery their winter home. For species that migrate south after breeding, Brooklyn is their Miami during the colder months. Led by birding expert Rob Jett, this winter tour offers the chance to spot waterfowl, nuthatches, woodpeckers, sparrows, finches, and other birds that stick around for the season. By February, you may even catch the first north-bound birds beginning to return.
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Urban Park Rangers

Saturday, December 27, 2025
McGolrick Bird Club at Monsignor McGolrick Park (in Msgr. McGolrick Park), Brooklyn
9:00am–11:00am
Free birding walks are held every Saturday at 9am, year-round. Meet at the Russell & Driggs entrance to McGolrick park.
Free

Birding: All About Crows at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
11:00am–12:00pm
Join the Urban Park Rangers to learn more about crows, a highly intelligent and sociable bird species.
Free

Sunday, December 28, 2025
Birding: Winter Birds at Forest Avenue and Silver Lake Park Road (in Silver Lake Park), Staten Island
10:00am–11:30am
Join us on this Ranger led walk along the trails identifying various woodland birds and winter waterfowl.
Free

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Best of Fortnight

Winter doesn't officially begun until December 21st, however, I feel like we're already there, especially after today's snowstorm. That said, here are my winter photos taken during the first two weeks of December 2025:

Merlin at dusk

Northern Mockingbird

White-breasted Nuthatch

Baltimore Oriole

Cooper's Hawk

Tufted Titmouse

Mandarin Duck, Tiergarten, Berlin

Common Moorhen, Tiergarten, Berlin

Great Tit, Tiergarten, Berlin

European Blackbird, Tiergarten, Berlin

European Robin, Tiergarten, Berlin

Grey Heron, Tiergarten, Berlin

Common Gull, Spree River, Berlin

Hooded Crow, Mitte, Berlin

Sparrowhawk, Tiergarten, Berlin

Black-headed Gull, Spree River, Berlin

Red-shouldered Hawk

Snowstorm in Brooklyn

Green-Wood Cemetery, Hill of Graves

Mourning Doves

Great Blue Heron

Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, Berlin