Skip to content
topics.

Bird of the Day, theme 'Light And Shadow'

natureSep 21, 20262149,044

Bird of the Day is a daily community challenge; today's theme is Light And Shadow, with Alan naming an alternate theme of Fall Birds. Entries focus on high-contrast bird photography that pairs bright highlights with deep shade, including backlit and dappled-woodland shots and dramatic silhouettes. Standout posts show a Goldcrest in low autumn sunshine at Forest Farm Nature Reserve in Cardiff, a Great Egret at golden hour in Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, and a pelican photo where the bird's shadow looks like a cartoon version of itself. Browse for warblers and herons caught in shafts of light, swans half in shadow, and small songbirds framed by dappled understory; tag your own with #LightAndShadow to join in.

Aintright
@aintright.bsky.social

Neil the Nuthatch #BirdOfTheDay #LightAndShadow #birds #photography #ECK

78519d ago
Vera Gordon2

Nice contrast in this photo.

Terry1

Love their happy little beeps.

Timothy Thomas1

We have them in our backyard. I love the way they walk vertically up and down the trunks of trees. So fun to watch.

rob_hazius1

Great photograph! 👍 I love the way she/he is emmerging from shadow!

Alan H
@alan678.bsky.social

Hi birders, I’ll be back on Wednesday to annoy everyone again. The #BirdOfTheDay theme today is #LightAndShadow, any bird capture that has both. The alt is #FallBirds, any Autumn/ Fall bird captures. Sorry can’t respond to comments. 🙏🏼🤗 Goldcrest #birds #photography #ECK

A tiny Goldcrest perched on a slender branch, surrounded by lush green leaves. The bird’s delicate greyish-buff plumage is softly illuminated, with a vivid yellow-orange crown stripe catching the light. Its fine, pointed bill and large dark eye are clearly visible as it looks upward, while its fine feathers glow against the darker, softly blurred woodland background. The natural shadows create a beautiful, intimate woodland portrait.
38719d ago
Atlantic Birding1

Lovely shot Alan, enjoy the Holiday!

Marjo Slingerland-Boks1

Morning Alan, what a lovely bird and beautiful photo. Wonderful themes 🤗😘

Rina1

Beautiful capture and themes, dear Alan 🙏🤗 Please take care ❤️😘

Glynis R1

Love this Alan. My favourite part of photography is light and shadow. Beautiful capture 😍

Rina
@rina2012.bsky.social

Today’s #BirdOfTheDay theme is #LightAndShadow, the alt. theme is #FallBirds 🪶 A swan in the shadows 🦢 Sometimes you have to be your own light in the darkest places. ✨️ #birds #BirdsSeenIn2026 #Germany #wildlife #photography #nature #thelittlethings #ECK #PaintbyWords

A white mute swan swims alone on a very dark, mirror-like surface of water. Blurred green leaves can be seen in the foreground. The image is brought to life by the strong contrast between light and shadow.
28019d ago
Melody Wainscott1

Beautiful capture and vision 🤍

TARA SMITHSON -Wildlife & Nature Photographer 📸1

Holy smoke! Unbelievable, Rina. Wonderful.

Nicole Adams SideEye-Photography
@blathin384.bsky.social

Alan said, the #BirdOfTheDay the alt theme is #FallBirds, any Autumn/ Fall bird captures. Great Egret during #GoldenHour in Bombay Hook NWR, October 2025. #ECK #photography #birds #reflection

Photo of a Great Egret illuminated by the early sunrise while standing in a shallow pond. There's green vegetation bird's reflection can also be seen
29518d ago
Andrew Kaizer1

Nothing quite like a Great Egret in that lighting. What a fantastic and magical shot.

PacBirds
@pacbirds.bsky.social

A Wilson’s warbler in the dappled light of the riparian woodland understory for the #LightAndShadow and #FallBirds themes of #BirdOfTheDay. #birds #nature #photography #ECK

An immature male Wilson’s warbler is perched on a vertical branch. He is largely in the shade, but a spot of sunlight falls on his eye and the side of his head.
29419d ago
rob_hazius2

A beautiful little fella! 💚

nobsforgma.bsky.social1

This is a fantastic photograph that is not only and with great color - but - you can study the markings of the warbler - some of them subtle - and imprint them on your mind. So much better than anything you can find in a book!

Aj d'Wit (Audrey)1

Gorgeous little bird, and a superb photo. 👌🏼💫

Mark Simmonds
@markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social

I only see Northern Wheatear in the spring and autumn here. This smart bird was on the local steppe and is my #birdoftheday #fallbirds. #birdphotography

29319d ago
Ian Parsons4

I saw lots going through Extremadura over the last few weeks as well as a lot of Whinchat too, always nice to see a Whinchat. This one was on spring passage when they can often be harder to find. Love the autumn passage of birds, brief visitors on long migrations.

Marina Mueller 🇨🇦1

What a stunning image, Mark!

João Soares1

Nice shot and what a coincidence, Mark! Yesterday I also spotted a migrant. 70 g of a very beautiful and resilient bird.

𝑭𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒔 | 𝑴𝒐𝒐𝒏 𝒌𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕1

Beautiful Wheatear! Love the light on this shot. Great capture!

TARA SMITHSON -Wildlife & Nature Photographer 📸1

Stunning shot, Mark. Those warm tones are just lovely.

Glen G
@gleng.bsky.social

Morning #bird A Northern Cardinal foraging through the underbrush. Patagonia, Arizona. #ECK #birdoftheday #LightAndShadow

27619d ago
Joanne1

Nice shot! I bet is it was a nice trip to Patagonia too.

Mike Melton
@mikemelton.bsky.social

Barry Jr staring me down at @tapirvalley.bsky.social Bare-throated Tiger-heron #CostaRica #birdoftheday #lightandshadow #birds #nature #herons

Young brown heron with bold dark markings, large yellow eyes, and wispy down feathers standing against a blurred background.
22718d ago
Lori2

I'm surprised you lived to tell the tale 😬😂 Fantastic shot!

EveryHeron 𓅣1

Oh Barry. We loved you!

franceflo.bsky.social1

Still have some fuzzy down feathers, hard to take him seriously 😳

Sien Do Rionn1

That bird wants you off his lawn.

Fraggs Photography 📸🦊🦉🦋🦔 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿
@fraggenstein.bsky.social

The #BirdOfTheDay theme today is #LightAndShadow, any bird capture that has both set by @alan678.bsky.social - Goldcrest in low Autumn sunshine - photo taken at Forest Farm Nature Reserve - Cardiff - South Wales 😍🪶🦉 #birdingwales #ukbirding #ECK

18319d ago
Amy Gann
@amygann.bsky.social

Great egrets gather at dawn. As the sun rises in the sky, the light of a new day falls over the birds For the #birdoftheday theme of #lightandshadow #birds #heron #egret #protectnature #EastCoastKin

13519d ago
Aj d'Wit (Audrey)1

Wow! This is a truly beautiful photo. Everything about it is superb. 👌🏼✨

Gray
@grays.art

Little blue heron (Egretta caerulea) on bare tree snag CREW pen flint strand marsh Bonita Springs, Florida 9-19-26 Alan has chosen #LightAndShadow as today’s #BirdOfTheDay theme: any bird capture with both. Alt. #FallBirds: Autumn/Fall bird captures. #eck #nature #threeWordGenre #birding #birds

Little blue heron in breeding plumage perched upright facing its left on the branch of a bare, dark, gnarled tree snag. The bird is viewed in full profile, showing a long, sharp bill and a distinctive shaggy crest of feathers on the crown of its head. Strong side-lighting creates a dramatic light and shadow effect, casting its deep slate-blue body and legs into a dark silhouette while softly illuminating the textures along the edge of its neck, back, and head. The entire subject is sharply isolated against a clear, solid pale blue sky background.
14019d ago
Marina Mueller 🇨🇦1

This is an awesome photo!

🇨🇦josephalley1

Gray I love your photos - all of them. However the photos of herons are my fav. Thank you for the enjoyment you bring me.

Three Word Genre1

Wonderful natural composition. Your three words strike a blue note. Little blue heron. #ThreeWordGenre

julielfrost.bsky.social
@julielfrost.bsky.social

A female scarlet tanager for today's #BirdOfTheDay theme, #LightAnd Shadow. #Birds #Photography #Nature #Wildlife

A close up of a female scarlet tanager, with the head area in shadow and the portion of the body showing in sunlight.
13919d ago
simmcewen.bsky.social
@simmcewen.bsky.social

Barred owl in Japanese maple #FallBirds #Autumn #BirdOfTheDay #NaturePhotography #wildlife

A color photograph of a barred owl perched in the middle of a Japanese maple tree in full fall color with bright red leaves.
13018d ago
Tim Osborne Photography 🍁1

Great shot! Love the colours and the Barred Owl is always a treat!

swandiveswim.bsky.social
@swandiveswim.bsky.social

#Birds Alan H says the #BirdOfTheDay theme today is #LightAndShadow, any bird capture that has both. A juvenile White Crowned Sparrow lurking in the willows.

A small bird perched on a bare branch in the sunlight coming from above. The birds has a brown crest, raised, an orange beak, a dark eyeline and an off white breast.
13519d ago
Lori Batchelor🇨🇦
@lorichirp.bsky.social

Per Alan H: The #BirdOfTheDay theme today is #LightAndShadow, any bird capture that has both. The alt is #FallBirds, any Autumn/Fall bird captures. #birds #photography #ECK A Red-winged Blackbird on the edge of shade but some light casting his shadow.

11718d ago

Related

Fat Bear Week returns, spotlight on Mama Bear #132natureBird of the Day, theme 'Light And Shadow'nature