Stephen Barten
@stephenbarten.bsky.social
Veterinarian (retired), naturalist, wildlife photographer, field herper, habitat restoration volunteer, prescribed burn crew, bluebird monitor, frog monitor, bumblebee monitor. NE Illinois. All images on this page are mine.
Two part harmony
Elephant Seals at Piedras Blancas Rookery, San Simeon, CA, 10.21.25
Elephant Seals at Piedras Blancas Rookery, San Simeon, CA, 10.21.25
December 9, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Two part harmony
Elephant Seals at Piedras Blancas Rookery, San Simeon, CA, 10.21.25
Elephant Seals at Piedras Blancas Rookery, San Simeon, CA, 10.21.25
Backyard Redtail just now.
Juvenile based on yellow, not dark, eyes and banded, not red, tail.
#redtailedhawk #backyardbirding #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography
Juvenile based on yellow, not dark, eyes and banded, not red, tail.
#redtailedhawk #backyardbirding #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography
December 8, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Backyard Redtail just now.
Juvenile based on yellow, not dark, eyes and banded, not red, tail.
#redtailedhawk #backyardbirding #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography
Juvenile based on yellow, not dark, eyes and banded, not red, tail.
#redtailedhawk #backyardbirding #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography
Wood Storks showing the green iridescence of their dark wing tips in the late afternoon sun.
#woodstorks #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography #littlestsimonsisland
#woodstorks #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography #littlestsimonsisland
December 7, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Wood Storks showing the green iridescence of their dark wing tips in the late afternoon sun.
#woodstorks #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography #littlestsimonsisland
#woodstorks #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography #littlestsimonsisland
That rarest of shorebirds: the Merlin
Little St. Simons, GA, 11.12.25
#merlin #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography #littlestsimonsisland
Little St. Simons, GA, 11.12.25
#merlin #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography #littlestsimonsisland
December 6, 2025 at 11:01 PM
That rarest of shorebirds: the Merlin
Little St. Simons, GA, 11.12.25
#merlin #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography #littlestsimonsisland
Little St. Simons, GA, 11.12.25
#merlin #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography #littlestsimonsisland
He never lifted his head enough to figure out that I was there and eventually wandered off into the brush.
Armadillo, Little St. Simons, GA, 11.09.25
Armadillo, Little St. Simons, GA, 11.09.25
December 5, 2025 at 11:43 PM
He never lifted his head enough to figure out that I was there and eventually wandered off into the brush.
Armadillo, Little St. Simons, GA, 11.09.25
Armadillo, Little St. Simons, GA, 11.09.25
December 4, 2025 at 11:49 PM
"Rainblow," when the Humpback's spout catches the sun.
As the whale's exhalation drifts over the boat, you're suddenly enveloped in a cloud of stench, like a bad broccoli fart (you know who you are). The naturalist announces, "That's the whale's breath, not your neighbor!"
Monterey Bay, CA, 10.23.25
As the whale's exhalation drifts over the boat, you're suddenly enveloped in a cloud of stench, like a bad broccoli fart (you know who you are). The naturalist announces, "That's the whale's breath, not your neighbor!"
Monterey Bay, CA, 10.23.25
December 3, 2025 at 11:19 PM
"Rainblow," when the Humpback's spout catches the sun.
As the whale's exhalation drifts over the boat, you're suddenly enveloped in a cloud of stench, like a bad broccoli fart (you know who you are). The naturalist announces, "That's the whale's breath, not your neighbor!"
Monterey Bay, CA, 10.23.25
As the whale's exhalation drifts over the boat, you're suddenly enveloped in a cloud of stench, like a bad broccoli fart (you know who you are). The naturalist announces, "That's the whale's breath, not your neighbor!"
Monterey Bay, CA, 10.23.25
American Bitterns are normally shy, well camouflaged, and really hard to spot as they hide in the reeds. These two were basking in the morning sun to warm up during a severe cold snap.
Little St. Simons, GA 11.09.25-11.10.25
#americanbittern #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography
Little St. Simons, GA 11.09.25-11.10.25
#americanbittern #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography
December 2, 2025 at 11:38 PM
American Bitterns are normally shy, well camouflaged, and really hard to spot as they hide in the reeds. These two were basking in the morning sun to warm up during a severe cold snap.
Little St. Simons, GA 11.09.25-11.10.25
#americanbittern #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography
Little St. Simons, GA 11.09.25-11.10.25
#americanbittern #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography
On a Zoom call this afternoon my friend asked when I was going to move somewhere warm where I could take photos every day. I reached down next to my chair, picked up my camera, and snapped this photo through the window.
"I like it here," I replied.
#greathornedowl #birding #birdphotography
"I like it here," I replied.
#greathornedowl #birding #birdphotography
December 1, 2025 at 10:56 PM
On a Zoom call this afternoon my friend asked when I was going to move somewhere warm where I could take photos every day. I reached down next to my chair, picked up my camera, and snapped this photo through the window.
"I like it here," I replied.
#greathornedowl #birding #birdphotography
"I like it here," I replied.
#greathornedowl #birding #birdphotography
Green Treefrogs
To orient you, they're sheltering in the handle of a broom leaning against the wall of a bird blind. It was in the upper 30s with 20 mph winds and they were cold!
Little St. Simons, GA 11.10.25
#greentreefrog #fieldherping #insituherps
To orient you, they're sheltering in the handle of a broom leaning against the wall of a bird blind. It was in the upper 30s with 20 mph winds and they were cold!
Little St. Simons, GA 11.10.25
#greentreefrog #fieldherping #insituherps
November 30, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Green Treefrogs
To orient you, they're sheltering in the handle of a broom leaning against the wall of a bird blind. It was in the upper 30s with 20 mph winds and they were cold!
Little St. Simons, GA 11.10.25
#greentreefrog #fieldherping #insituherps
To orient you, they're sheltering in the handle of a broom leaning against the wall of a bird blind. It was in the upper 30s with 20 mph winds and they were cold!
Little St. Simons, GA 11.10.25
#greentreefrog #fieldherping #insituherps
I'm not saying the weather took a turn, but I saw this in my backyard this afternoon.
November 29, 2025 at 11:01 PM
I'm not saying the weather took a turn, but I saw this in my backyard this afternoon.
Belted Kingfisher
Shy and difficult to approach, this one landed next to my bird blind for 15 seconds. I quickly stood on a rickety bench to get the shot through a window in the shrubbery.
Little St. Simons, GA, 11.10.25
#beltedkingfisher #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography
Shy and difficult to approach, this one landed next to my bird blind for 15 seconds. I quickly stood on a rickety bench to get the shot through a window in the shrubbery.
Little St. Simons, GA, 11.10.25
#beltedkingfisher #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography
November 28, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Belted Kingfisher
Shy and difficult to approach, this one landed next to my bird blind for 15 seconds. I quickly stood on a rickety bench to get the shot through a window in the shrubbery.
Little St. Simons, GA, 11.10.25
#beltedkingfisher #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography
Shy and difficult to approach, this one landed next to my bird blind for 15 seconds. I quickly stood on a rickety bench to get the shot through a window in the shrubbery.
Little St. Simons, GA, 11.10.25
#beltedkingfisher #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography
Not a very original subject, but expected on this day.
I'm thankful for shared experiences - like seeing this wild turkey - with lifelong friends. They made my life richer.
Utah, 4.25.19
I'm thankful for shared experiences - like seeing this wild turkey - with lifelong friends. They made my life richer.
Utah, 4.25.19
November 27, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Not a very original subject, but expected on this day.
I'm thankful for shared experiences - like seeing this wild turkey - with lifelong friends. They made my life richer.
Utah, 4.25.19
I'm thankful for shared experiences - like seeing this wild turkey - with lifelong friends. They made my life richer.
Utah, 4.25.19
Hard to believe something so small can grow into something so big.
#alligator #fieldherping #insituherps
#alligator #fieldherping #insituherps
November 26, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Hard to believe something so small can grow into something so big.
#alligator #fieldherping #insituherps
#alligator #fieldherping #insituherps
Peeking into the bird blind from the roof, he was trying to tell me something.
November 25, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Peeking into the bird blind from the roof, he was trying to tell me something.
Treefrog tubes!
Treefrogs shelter in PVC tubes on cold nights because they hold moisture. The frogs emerge to bask as temps rise in the morning. First a Green Treefrog, then a Squirrel Treefrog.
Little St. Simons, GA, 11.09.25
#treefrog #greentreefrog #squirreltreefrog #fieldherping #insituherps
Treefrogs shelter in PVC tubes on cold nights because they hold moisture. The frogs emerge to bask as temps rise in the morning. First a Green Treefrog, then a Squirrel Treefrog.
Little St. Simons, GA, 11.09.25
#treefrog #greentreefrog #squirreltreefrog #fieldherping #insituherps
November 24, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Treefrog tubes!
Treefrogs shelter in PVC tubes on cold nights because they hold moisture. The frogs emerge to bask as temps rise in the morning. First a Green Treefrog, then a Squirrel Treefrog.
Little St. Simons, GA, 11.09.25
#treefrog #greentreefrog #squirreltreefrog #fieldherping #insituherps
Treefrogs shelter in PVC tubes on cold nights because they hold moisture. The frogs emerge to bask as temps rise in the morning. First a Green Treefrog, then a Squirrel Treefrog.
Little St. Simons, GA, 11.09.25
#treefrog #greentreefrog #squirreltreefrog #fieldherping #insituherps
Eastern Phoebe reflecting on reflections.
Little St. Simons, GA 11.10.25
#easternphoebe #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography
Little St. Simons, GA 11.10.25
#easternphoebe #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography
November 23, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Eastern Phoebe reflecting on reflections.
Little St. Simons, GA 11.10.25
#easternphoebe #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography
Little St. Simons, GA 11.10.25
#easternphoebe #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography
I don't generally take scenery shots, but sometimes you're just compelled to take a stab at it.
Sunset at Little St. Siimons, GA 11.09.25
Sunset at Little St. Siimons, GA 11.09.25
November 22, 2025 at 11:26 PM
I don't generally take scenery shots, but sometimes you're just compelled to take a stab at it.
Sunset at Little St. Siimons, GA 11.09.25
Sunset at Little St. Siimons, GA 11.09.25
Anna's Hummingbird
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, CA 10.22.25
#annashummingbird #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, CA 10.22.25
#annashummingbird #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography
November 21, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Anna's Hummingbird
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, CA 10.22.25
#annashummingbird #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, CA 10.22.25
#annashummingbird #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography
Sitting in the bird blind, waiting for cool birds to show up, I decided to try my hand at photographing dragonflies in flight. It's harder than it looks because they're tiny and fast. Here's one that turned out better than I was hoping for: a Common Green Darner.
Little St. Simons, GA, 11.09.25
Little St. Simons, GA, 11.09.25
November 20, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Sitting in the bird blind, waiting for cool birds to show up, I decided to try my hand at photographing dragonflies in flight. It's harder than it looks because they're tiny and fast. Here's one that turned out better than I was hoping for: a Common Green Darner.
Little St. Simons, GA, 11.09.25
Little St. Simons, GA, 11.09.25
Bald Eagle on a snag, photographed from a moving boat.
Original image follows to show the benefit of a little editing.
Hampton River, Georgia, 11.09.25
#baldeagle #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography
Original image follows to show the benefit of a little editing.
Hampton River, Georgia, 11.09.25
#baldeagle #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography
November 19, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Bald Eagle on a snag, photographed from a moving boat.
Original image follows to show the benefit of a little editing.
Hampton River, Georgia, 11.09.25
#baldeagle #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography
Original image follows to show the benefit of a little editing.
Hampton River, Georgia, 11.09.25
#baldeagle #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography
A very aerodynamic Royal Tern in early morning light.
Little St. Simons, GA, 11.09.25
#royaltern #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography
Little St. Simons, GA, 11.09.25
#royaltern #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography
November 18, 2025 at 11:22 PM
A very aerodynamic Royal Tern in early morning light.
Little St. Simons, GA, 11.09.25
#royaltern #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography
Little St. Simons, GA, 11.09.25
#royaltern #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography
Piping Plovers in Chicago are a big deal. The Atlantic population, while in decline, is not as critically endangered as the midwest popluation.
Little St. Simons, GA 11.10.25
#pipingplover #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography
Little St. Simons, GA 11.10.25
#pipingplover #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography
November 17, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Piping Plovers in Chicago are a big deal. The Atlantic population, while in decline, is not as critically endangered as the midwest popluation.
Little St. Simons, GA 11.10.25
#pipingplover #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography
Little St. Simons, GA 11.10.25
#pipingplover #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography
When you visit Norm's Pond on Little St. Simons, you might be lucky enough to see Norm himself, the big male Alligator who rules the pond and protects the rookery.
Glynn County GA 11.10.25
Glynn County GA 11.10.25
November 16, 2025 at 11:22 PM
When you visit Norm's Pond on Little St. Simons, you might be lucky enough to see Norm himself, the big male Alligator who rules the pond and protects the rookery.
Glynn County GA 11.10.25
Glynn County GA 11.10.25
Great Blue Heron in flight
Little St. Simons, GA, 11.12.25
#greatblueheron #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography
Little St. Simons, GA, 11.12.25
#greatblueheron #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography
November 15, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Great Blue Heron in flight
Little St. Simons, GA, 11.12.25
#greatblueheron #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography
Little St. Simons, GA, 11.12.25
#greatblueheron #birding #birdingphotography #birdphotography