Well, we’ve pretty much run out of contributions with multiple photos, but we have a few good contributions with smaller numbers of photos. I’ll put a few of them together here, but we’re gonna go dry after tomorrow unless someone steps up. Thanks.
All readers’ narratives or IDs are indented, and you can enlarge the photos by clicking on them:
From Rachel Sperling:
I’m sorry these photos aren’t higher quality but the subjects refused to stand still. Back in May a friend and I were hiking the Appalachian Trail in New Jersey when we came upon a family of Canada geese (Branta canadensis) by a pond close to Highpoint State Park. I thought we were at a respectful distance, but apparently the goslings thought otherwise because they charged. The parents just stood back and let their kids handle things (which is good parenting, I guess). Anyway, we backed away quickly but for a few moments it seemed we were in some very cute danger. Actually, we were more afraid the goslings would run into the nearby street but they stopped once we were in retreat.
Rabbits from reader Bryan Lepore, Eastern cottontails (Sylvilagus floridanus)
These little ones are in mid-ish Massachusetts in my backyard. Cottontail are in the genus Sylvilagus, which is in the family Leporidae. I should have been more exited – Lepore!
First photo June 26; second photo June 29 [2025]
From Paul T.:
At or near my house. West side of Madison WI. Just taken with my phone. Three white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) last winter and sandhill cranes (Antigone canadensis) last spring. Last month’s wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo)—four strutting their stuff, and one outside my window.
And some bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) from Christopher Moss:
Not terribly good, as they are cropped to the centre of the original, despite using a 750mm lens. I had noticed something black on the frozen pond, and when the eagle landed to investigate I realised something had died there. The crows were squawking a lot and I wondered if it was one of their number.
Wow, my photos are among some greats – sandhill cranes, bald eagle, what sights!
BTW I turned out to be less exited and more excited (😆) because two cottontails remain, and I feed them apple slices and not that lettuce, carrot, etc. per PCC(E)’s guidance – it works! The cottontails and I thank PCC(E)!
Great pics. They really are dinosaurs aren’t they?
D.A.
NYC
Had the same thought at the photo of the goslings.
All great pictures. It’s fun to see the smaller contributions. They seem so spontaneous, which adds to the fun.
+1. Yes, it is wonderful to see the spontaneity.
I really like these backyard/chance encounter photos. They conjure the excitement I’ve felt each time I’ve unexpectedly stumbled upon wildlife while hiking about. This was a great little set. I would be absolutely thrilled to have rabbits bedded down like that in my yard. These photos make me long for the 4 seasons.
I just love that second gosling pic.
Great pix. Like the wild turkeys 🦃