RIP Scarlet Tanager

Poor timing on the Scarlet Tanager's part lead to his demise by speeding car.

It offered me the opportunity to see one up close and rather personal . The color is incredible and I didnt know that the males are only in this breeding plummage for a short while. In the summer they turn drab olive green, similar to the color on the tip of the wings here.

Ruffled Grouse makes a wrong move

When I was going to check out the vernal pond yesterday, I happened to notice a dead bird in the road.
When I turned in , I stopped and walked down the road to the bird, I thought it might be a hawk, but it was a ruffed grouse who happened to fly out at the wrong moment.
Still warm, I took him off the road , and took him home to capture the incredible pattern of his feathers.