Author | Lightnews

Andrew Kaizer @andrewkaizer.com · 5h

The #LincolnsSparrow has eluded my photographic capture for too long! I got my chance when they landed in my backyard during migration, no doubt for a brief stop. The fine streaking is really something to observe!

Oct 2025 in Illinois #birds #birdnerd #birdphotography

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Andrew Kaizer @andrewkaizer.com · 1d

A few photos of the breeding (definitive alternate) plumage #AmericanGoldfinch that plopped down on a tree. In this plumage they really live up their gold moniker!

Aug 2025 in Illinois #birds #birdnerd #birdphotography

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Andrew Kaizer @andrewkaizer.com · 2d

Some female eclipse #WoodDuck captured through some brush. Even in eclipse plumage they are pretty birds!

Aug 2025 in Illinois (Burnidge FP) #birds #birdnerd #birdphotography

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Andrew Kaizer @andrewkaizer.com · 3d

A busy night led to some western subspecies #PalmWarbler taking a break in the shore area behind my house. Their subtle yellow rump is quite pretty when it isn't bobbing up and down!

October 2025 in Illinois #birds #birdnerd #birdphotography

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Andrew Kaizer @andrewkaizer.com · 4d

No reason to feel blue when the #BlueJay is around to keep you company!

Sept 2025 in Illinois #birds #birdnerd #birdphotography

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Andrew Kaizer @andrewkaizer.com · 5d

The last of the #CommonNighthawk I saw as they were flying south during migration. Glad to get a few more good snaps in of these pretty birds!

Sept 2025 in Illinois #birds #birdnerd #birdphotography #birdsinflight

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Andrew Kaizer @andrewkaizer.com · 6d

It will be hard for me to forget this juvenile #CoopersHawk that was darting about over head. It stayed close enough that I could ample good photos from pretty much every angle! Here are three of its gorgeous back and shoulders

Oct 2025 in Illinois #birds #birdnerd #birdphotography #birdsinflight

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Andrew Kaizer @andrewkaizer.com · 6d

A #SongSparrow singing its favorite tune.

Aug 2025 in Illinois (Fitchie Creek FP) #birds #birdnerd #birdphotography

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Andrew Kaizer @andrewkaizer.com · 7d

Warbler fight! This #CommonYellowthroat did not care for this #NashvilleWarbler, although I imagine the NAWA was merely passing through so the COYE could probably have let it chill.

Sept 2025 in Illinois (Coral Woods FP) #birds #birdnerd #birdphotography

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Andrew Kaizer @andrewkaizer.com · 8d

Some Fall Big Day photos of this HY/SY #RedTailedHawk flitting about. The juvenile borealis subspecies dominant in my area tend to have banded tail feathers that turn to the namesake red-tail with less banding as they age.

Oct 2025 in Illinois (Fitchie Creek FP) #birds #birdnerd #birdphotography

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Andrew Kaizer @andrewkaizer.com · 8d

Thanks Lori!

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Andrew Kaizer @andrewkaizer.com · 9d

A fun sequence of a #BlackThroatedGreenWarbler going from perched to jumping to flight.

Sept 2025 in Illinois (Burnidge FP) #birds #birdnerd #birdphotography #birdsinflight

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Andrew Kaizer @andrewkaizer.com · 10d

The #CaspianTerns in early fall were frequent water visitors. Gracefully, if not always successfully, catching some fish to eat.

Aug 2025 in Illinois #birds #birdnerd #birdphotography #birdsinflight

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Andrew Kaizer @andrewkaizer.com · 11d

A shot/chaser set of photos. Sometimes an #Osprey wins and gets the fish. Sometimes it misses out, shakes it off, and then goes back at it. Persistence will win the day!

Aug 2025 in Illinois #birds #birdnerd #birdphotography #birdsinflight

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Andrew Kaizer @andrewkaizer.com · 12d

A contemplative #EasternWoodPewee. Likely thinking of its next fly to catch.

Aug 2025 in Illinois (Burnidge FP) #birds #birdnerd #birdphotography

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Andrew Kaizer @andrewkaizer.com · 12d

A #CaspianTern that is either coming or going, depending on how one interprets the image.

Okay, in practice it is only going because a CATE does not come into water like this. I guess the philosophical debate must wait another day!

Aug 2025 in Illinois #birds #birdnerd #birdphotography

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Andrew Kaizer @andrewkaizer.com · 13d

A borealis #RedTailedHawk soaring over a prairie.

Aug 2025 in Illinois (Fitchie Creek FP) #birds #birdnerd #birdphotography #birdsinflight

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Andrew Kaizer @andrewkaizer.com · 14d

A juvenile #EasternPhoebe. Adults have an all black bill, but juveniles can have some reddish-orange present. In this location I observed some adults diligently catching food earlier in the year, so perhaps this is one of their offspring!

Aug 2025 in Illinois #birds #birdnerd #birdphotography

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Andrew Kaizer @andrewkaizer.com · 15d

These #EasternKingbird had it with each other! Seemingly a friendly-ish spat as they flew in and out together on good terms.

Aug 2025 in Iowa #birds #birdnerd #birdphotography #birdsinflight

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Andrew Kaizer @andrewkaizer.com · 16d

An adorable juvenile #EasternBluebird perched above me.

Aug 2025 in Iowa #birds #birdnerd #birdphotography

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Andrew Kaizer @andrewkaizer.com · 17d

The #AmericanWhitePelican was a nemesis bird for me. Sure, I had seen plenty of them -- they are big, white, and hard to miss! But I had no photos of them! My long nightmare finally ended along the Mississippii

Aug 2025 in Illinois #birds #birdnerd #birdphotography #birdsinflight

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Andrew Kaizer @andrewkaizer.com · 18d

HONK! #CanadaGoose flying around.

Sept 2025 in Illinois (Burnidge FP) #birds #birdnerd #birdphotography #birdsinflight

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Andrew Kaizer @andrewkaizer.com · 19d

Even more #CaspianTern in flight -- ever graceful and their large size makes spotting them quite easy!

Aug 2025 in Illinois #birds #birdnerd #birdphotography #birdsinflight

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Andrew Kaizer @andrewkaizer.com · 19d

A few #CaspianTern shots from summer. Simply glorious birds!

July 2025 in Illinois #birds #birdnerd #birdphotography #birdsinflight

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Andrew Kaizer @andrewkaizer.com · 20d

An #Osprey that is about to acquaint itself with a tasty fish.

Aug 2025 in Illinois #birds #birdnerd #birdphotography #birdsinflight

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