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Bird of the Day, theme 'Lifer'

natureJul 8, 20262419,906

Bird of the Day is a daily community event and today’s theme is Lifer, with an alternate theme of BirdsILove. Participants are sharing recent "first seen" birds and personal favorites, mostly photography that ranges from field sightings to backyard nests. Examples in the gallery include a locally rare Stonechat photographed for the first time, a glossy ibis spotted during spring travels, and a first-ever Lewis's Woodpecker with two different mood shots. Look for intimate shots such as a phoebe on a post, a great blue heron at sunrise, and a burrowing owl pausing by its burrow.

Alan H
@alan678.bsky.social

A special post today #ForJanet #BirdOfTheDay #BirdsILove #birds #photography #ECK

A European robin stands alert among fresh green foliage, its bright orange-red face and breast glowing in warm sunlight. The bird is shown in crisp side profile, revealing fine grey-brown feathers, a slender dark bill, and a glossy black eye catching the light. Soft, creamy circles of blurred light (bokeh) fill the green background, isolating the robin against a smooth, natural backdrop. The low viewpoint places the bird just above the vegetation, giving the portrait an intimate, eye-level feel while highlighting its delicate features and inquisitive posture.
63444d ago
Graham Jones5

Thank you Alan. A special post for a special lady on a special day. ❤️💜

Den 🇮🇪2

So very beautiful in that light. 👌

Rina2

A wonderful capture #ForJanet Some wounds never heal, but it helps to have friends. You’ve got such a big heart, Alan 🥰❤️

Eric Anderson1

A very special photo, Alan.

AnnaLois1

Wonderful, fitting tribute #ForJanet and also a reminder to Graham how treasured he is too. Nice one Alan, you bronzed legged, big-hearted fella 😊

Helen Bennett 🌿
@helenbennett.bsky.social

I rarely see Stonechats locally and have never managed a decent photo of one until today. Isn't he stunning! 🧡 🪶 📷 Hope everyone is well👋 For those of us in the heatwave, please help out the wildlife with bowls of fresh water if you can. 🙏 🥵 #Birds #BirdOfTheDay #BirdsILove #UKWildlife #ECK

A photograph of a male stonechat bird that is perched on a dead piece of Bracken fern. He is in side profile looking to the left as viewed with his beak slightly open as he was calling to his mate. His head is black, his back and wings are mottled dark brown/black back with an orange-red breast, and striking white neck collar. He was actively hopping from tiny branches around the heathland, this photo was taken at the moment he landed with a seed falling in the bottom of the frame beneath him. The background is mottled in shades of green.
33144d ago
Vicki2

He is stunning! Super photo, Helen. 👍

Nathan Nelson1

Had a few of them chattering away on a dog walk the other evening, in fact one of them positively shouting at me. Charming little things.

Den 🇮🇪1

Congrats Helen, and a beautiful shot of the little fella too.

Rina
@rina2012.bsky.social

The #BirdOfTheDay theme: #Lifer, Alt #BirdsILove I'm going with a glossy ibis for both themes. I saw many lifers in spring during my travels and I think they are all lovely. 🥰 #birds #birding #BirdsSeenIn2026 #Spain #wildlife #photography #nature #thelittlethings #ECK #ColorADay #RedWed

Image structure and compositionCentral motif: A glossy ibis stands upright in profile, looking to the right. Positioning: The bird is situated in the upper half of the image. Reflection: A vertically distorted reflection of the bird runs across the lower half of the image. Perspective: The photograph was taken at the bird’s eye level from a medium distance. Beak: Very long, dark and distinctly curved downwards. Plumage: The head, neck and breast are a deep chestnut brown. Wings: The feathers have a dark sheen with metallic greenish and violet highlights. Legs: Long, slender and dark grey in colour. Background and surroundingsHabitat: The bird is standing in a shallow, calm wetland or riparian area.V egetation: Numerous slender, green reeds protrude sporadically from the water. Water surface: Light grey, largely calm and reflective.
29845d ago
Gray1

Lovely, Rina! 😻 We wore the same dress 👗 today 😹

spider76.bsky.social1

Great photo Rina well done 👍

TripUpStairs1

Those deep colors, I've never seen this bird! Wow

Neil Cameron1

Exactly! I've refused the disgustingly discriminatory alt theme and substituted it with #BirdsGlaringAtAlan Those birds are determined to show their displeasure at such blatant avian discrimination! Lovely shot of the Glossy, Rina. Have a wonderful day, my friend.

kwbirder.bsky.social1

Saw this Glossy ibis at Cley marshes nature reserve keeping company with spoonbills

Yvonne Redknap1

Beauiful shot, Rina. I am sure that I will never see one in real life. 🙂

Alex Rimberg
@ajrimberg.bsky.social

A phoebe sitting on a post. One of the mated pair that nests under the eaves of our house. Norwich VT, June 2026 As per @alan678.bsky.social's alt theme of #BirdsILove for #BirdOfTheDay #ECK #Photography #PhotographersOfBluesky #Nature #Birds #Wildlife

This image shows a phoebe sitting on a wooden post in front of a dark background. The post rises from the bottom of the frame just right of center, extending about two thirds of the way up. The phoebe is perched on the right edge of the post, so that it appears in the upper right corner of the frame, and is facing left. The bird is in sharp focus, so that we have an excellent view of its beautiful creamy chest and belly feathers, and the grey feathers with white streaks of its head, back and wings. It is looking slightly downward, giving it the appearance of being deep in thought. The grain of the post can also be seen, running mostly vertically with white and occasionally reddish streaks. Most of the post is a weathered grey. About one third of the way up the post a length of rusted wire loops around the post. The image is finished by a calming dark green to black bokeh from the depths of the distant woods.
26145d ago
Sparty®1

Incredible capture Alex. Lovely detail and the composition's perfect 👌🏼

Colleen1

The bird is beautiful and so is the wooden post.

AlinaHagen 🌊🎨📸1

Gorgeous clean, minimal image of such a sweet bird! 🫶🥰

Janet 💙⭐️🌲📷1

Lovely portrait, Alex! We have 2 phoebe families this year, one under our deck, one under the roof of our well house!

Meylysa Duldulao1

Did you black out the background?

Kort Duce
@kortduce.bsky.social

I love seeing great blue herons - especially when they're bathed in beautiful light! A great blue heron sleeps during a spectacular sunrise at a nature area in Longmont, Colorado. #BirdOfTheDay #BirdsILove #ECK #bird #birds #birdphotography #nature #wildlife #wetland #wetlands #wildlifephotography

Photo by Kort Duce A great blue heron sleeps during a spectacular sunrise at a nature area in Longmont, Colorado. In this vertical color photograph, a great blue heron stands on one leg atop a partially submerged log, facing the camera with its head turned to its left and its eyes peacefully closed. The weathered log is surrounded by countless upright branches, each draped in delicate spider webs that glow as they are backlit by the rising sun. The entire scene is bathed in warm golden and orange hues from the sunrise. Cottonwood seeds, feathers, and other organic debris drift across the water's surface, catching and refracting the light to create delicate circular bokeh highlights. The heron's reflection extends out of the bottom of the frame, joined by the reflections of the surrounding branches. Gentle ripples spread across the pond, gradually widening toward the foreground. The lower half of the image glows with the most intense golden light as the sun's rays illuminate the water. A peaceful portrait of a great blue heron resting in the heart of a thriving wetland, highlighting the beauty of these fragile habitats that are essential to the survival of this remarkable species.
25745d ago
MLVisionnaire-Animals2

Wow, this is truly a top-rated work. Fire feel, bokeh, and serene, and magical feel.

Clinty11

Same here! Beautiful image Kort!

tenslady1939.bsky.social1

This bird has ultimate balance. I am in awe and totally envious as I have to hold on to something to get one leg into a pair of pants...haha

kobay-ashimaru.bsky.social1

Beautiful, even sunset sparkles what more could a picture want

Dolly and Keanu1

It’s almost like an entirely different bird in the sunrise light. very beautiful.

Janet 💙⭐️🌲📷1

Fantastic shot, Kort! The wildfires are bad but do create unusual light. Great catch 🧡

Rosemarie
@roabrams.bsky.social

Rose-breasted Grosbeak was a #lifer for me a couple of months ago in my yard #BirdoftheDay challenge has made me much more aware of the birds around us. Truly enjoyable Thanks @robcrank68.bsky.social and @alan678.bsky.social

Rose-breasted Grosbeak on a purple bird feeder with seed in its mouth
25745d ago
Frank Hogan4

Once in an early spring snowstorm we had 2 on the feeder never saw one again We had an Indigo bunting stop by yesterday ran for my phone and as usual it had flown off

anton-symeth.bsky.social2

We've got lots of the evening grosbeaks here in Western Oregon. Great crop of fledglings!

Neil Cameron1

Beautiful shot of a beautiful bird, Rosemarie.

Petal Lu Ⓥ 💚🌱💙🌎1

I have never seen one of these birds before then one made an appearance in our yard this spring. Beautiful!

SeaLevelOslo1

I second that! Great shot! ✨🌧️ I didn't know so many birds existed. 😊

SeaLevelOslo
@sealeveloslo.bsky.social

Willow warbler Me: "Never seen that before, must be rare!" Looking it up: "This is the most common bird in Norway." #photography #birds #BirdOfTheDay #lifer

A tiny bird, a willow warbler, in a young birch tree. The bird is smaller than the leaves in a birch tree that was shorter than me.
21945d ago
Kis Brink1

I have a visual processing score of 4/3000. In a way it may be an advantage to rarely be sure of much. I'd like to see Norway one day. It comes up every visit to Denmark but we don't really go places ...

Rosemarie1

I know that feeling! Great photo 💚💙

Graham Jones
@oldmanrambling.bsky.social

I suspect my marra Alan @alan678.bsky.social knew what I'd do for today's #BirdOfTheDay alt theme of #BirdsILove. I'm so predictable. Here he is, then, the much missed but never forgotten Roberto. #Robin #ForJanet on her special day. #Birds #iPhonePhotography #EastCoastKin #Nature

20345d ago
Alan H3

Out my walk but here for you marra. I’ll be posting one to Graham #ForJanet Beautiful shot of Roberto.

Jason3

My dear Graham l hope this beautiful day of remembrance for Janet is blessed with smiles and happy times as you share her life today. My thoughts are with you my friend ❤️

Marjo Slingerland-Boks2

Beautiful Roberto and lovely memories for you Graham on this day ❤️🙏

Janet 💙⭐️🌲📷2

Beautiful shot in memory of your lovely wife 💕 I will raise a glass to her (and you) this evening 🥂

Margot Foley2

beautiful, Graham! Hope your day is going well.

Yvonne Redknap2

Roberto is so beautiful. Thinking of you today. 🫂

julielfrost.bsky.social
@julielfrost.bsky.social

The dickcissel, a songbird in the cardinal family, is my most recent #lifer. 20 June 2026. #BirdOfTheDay #Birds #Photography #Nature #WildlifePhotography #BirdsOfBluesky

A dickcissel, a songbird in the cardinal family, is perched on a branch. It has a bright yellow breast with a black "V" on its throat.
16344d ago
Bruce Dickerson1

Nice pic. One of the later arrivals each spring at my place, enjoy hearing them sing most evenings.

Atlantic Birding
@atlanticbirding.bsky.social

🪶 Alan has chosen #Lifer as today’s #BirdOfTheDay. Alt. is #BirdsILove Haven’t had any lifers lately & the list of birds I love is long; I’m going with the Barn Swallow. A bird I love to (try to) photograph #birds #birdsofbluesky #birdphotography #ECK #irishbirding #naturephotography #RedWed

A Barn Swallow perched on a thin branch in the light rain. The bird is centre of frame on a branch that runs from the bottom left of frame to the centre. It is looking to the right with its right side showing it the camera. The background is uniform green of forest vegetation with small drops of rain visible.
14545d ago
Jimmy Innes2

My favourite bird of all the birds 💙✨📸

Alan H1

Ah that’s a lovely capture AB. Beautiful bokeh background too. Artistic.

norfolkm1

Excellent. So good to get a good shot of a swallow. It’s one that has eluded me so I feel it for you. 👏👏👏

Gray
@grays.art

Glossy ibis flying (Plegadis falcinellus) Never seen this bird before this week, this one yesterday. Alan & Rob’s #BirdOfTheDay theme: #Lifer Capture/ captures of the last new to you bird you’ve seen. Alt #BirdsILove Birds you love to see. #colorADay #redWeds #eck #birds #birding #threewordgenre

Curved long orange beak, medium length maroon neck, black wings with a prismatic shine on top, trailing light orange legs through a powder blue sky. CREW flint one strand trails & lakes Bonita Springs, Florida , USA 7-7-26
13445d ago
Alan H1

Fantastic Gray and to get a flying lifer, well that’s just showing off. 😂😂

Amy Gann1

Beautiful. I am constantly trying to figure out how to easily distinguish white faced and glossy. I have never seen glossy in person so I struggle with it. They are too much alike!

LaffingKat1

Great shot! Congrats on the new lifer!🎉

Three Word Genre1

Beautiful first encounter. Your three words took flight. Glossy ibis flying. #ThreeWordGenre

Neil Cameron
@neilcam57.bsky.social

‪Alan‬ @alan678.bsky.social 's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #Lifer First saw them a month ago, but this morning was the 1st time getting pics I'm happy with of the male Satin Bowerbird #ECK #birds #birdphotography #birdsofbluesky #wildlife #Photography #Nikon #PhotographersUnited #PhotographersOfBlueSky

The quite shy male Satin Bowerbird (Ptilonorhynchus violaceus) A brilliantly bright blue-black bird with purple-blue eye and a whitish beak is perched on a clothesline with shrubbery in the background.
11745d ago
𝒥𝒶𝓃𝑒1

Lovely photo, what an amazing colour 🥰

A-Girl-Called-Ronnie 🇳🇱1

How lucky you are, having such beauties in your backyard. Beautiful pic, Neil.

Sharon R.1

What a gorgeous bird! Such beautiful a brilliant shade of blue. 🤩

Marjo Slingerland-Boks1

What a wonderful bird and beautiful photo Neil💙

Glynis R1

Beautiful Neil. Are you seeing these in the ACT? This is the most beautiful capture I’ve seen of this bird 😍

Heike W (she/her)1

Ahwww. A very nice shot.

Nature Art by Gibson
@azgibsonz.bsky.social

I admit it. I had an ulterior motive for going to Sequoia NP. Sure...big trees were the main draw...but I wanted the big woodpecker. 😏 Have a wonderful #WoodpeckerWednesday! 🤘😶‍🌫️ 📸 Dryocopus pileatus, aka the Pileated Woodpecker 🪶 #Lifer 🕺 #Birding #Woodpeckers #BirdsILove #BirdOfTheDay

After hiking for miles through Sequoias, my wife went "ooh, oOH, OOH!!!" and pointed vaguely through the woods...and thus my very first frame of a Pileated Woodpecker became this preening male clinging to the mossy side of a humongous tree at the back of the Crescent Meadow in SNP...
11445d ago
Colton the fish squeezer🐟🪴📚🏕️🐝4

I love pileated woodpeckers, they are the best. Seeing them feels like observing the flying dragon bat horse things from Avatar. I learned this year that loggers are superstitious about them (bad omens) which makes me love them even more despite the fact that I work in the timber industry. 🪶

Kathy1

My husband and I were kayaking in Silverton Oregon when we spotted this one.

DTL1

Oh wow—incredible bird. Beautiful photos

Mark Coupe Photography
@mcoupephotography.bsky.social

Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #Lifer so here's my first ever Lewis's Woodpecker from a couple of days ago. Do you prefer the "happy" or "elegant" photo? I always have difficulty deciding. #birds #wildlife #mcoupephotography #woodpecker

Lewis's Woodpecker perched on a branch looking happy.
11145d ago
John2

Both - always both! 😆

Martha A 💙🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🔬1

I prefer the elegant because it shows off the bill so beautifully. The bill is a key feature of a woodpecker. Both illustrate the unique color pattern

HLK1

Oh these are so good, and I love this woodpecker. I've never seen one in person and really want to!

swandiveswim.bsky.social1

😍😍😍👍 The 'Happy' makes be smile, but those are both excellent shots.

birdman-2.bsky.social1

Happy for me as that shows life in movement and not a static pose. I do like both just Happy a little more.

Amy Gann
@amygann.bsky.social

Burrowing owl who paused to look at the people walking by its home. It seemed confused by the clicking of the camera. For the #birdoftheday theme of #birdsilove. More appropriately, they are birds I miss as i don't see them in my new home state. #birds #owl #burrowingowl #protectnature #eck

Borrowing owl looks perplexed. It turned to look at the people walking by but seemed confused at the clicking od the camera
10945d ago
𝙲𝙰𝙿𝙴 𝙲𝙾𝙳 𝙿𝙾𝚂𝚃𝙰𝙰𝙷1

“Make sure you get my good side! Is this gonna be on the interweb? Can I get a copy to show my friends back at the nest?”😁

John1

Amazing owls they are fun to watch

Marjo Slingerland-Boks1

So cute and lovely Amy 😍

Gray1

Such an evocative photo, brings out the owlishness, adorable 😻 Their big eyes, and sleepy day-time attitudes twang our cuteness meters, and the little ones, like the burrowers, exceed measurement.

Neil Cameron1

Lovely shot of a bird that, I'm pretty sure, is bemused at the discrimination against the lesser-loved avian wildlife. It is clearly a strong supporter of the #BirdsGlaringAtAlan movement and will be fighting the power! ✊

Aj d'Wit (Audrey)1

Such a glorious photo. Well done. 👌🏼

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