Marie Read / Blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) holding an acorn in its bill whilst perched on tree stump, with autumn foliage, New York, USA, October.

Marie Read / Black skimmers (Rynchops niger), three in non-breeding plumage on beach, Fort De Soto Park, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA. January. Digitally altered to remove distractions.

Marie Read / Loggerhead shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) on an ice-covered fence after an ice storm, Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, Texas, USA. January.

Marie Read / Northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) male perched amid snow-covered branches, New York, USA, February.

Marie Read / Abstract patterns of reflected sky and clouds on the ocean with a silhouetted Red-faced cormorant (Phalarocorax urile) in flight, St. Paul Island, Pribilof Islands, Alaska, USA, July.

Marie Read / Common loons (Gavia immer), two adults and chick swimming on a misty lake in early morning, Michigan, USA. June.

Marie Read / Common redpoll (Carduelis flammea), male perched in alder (Alnus rugosa) during a snowstorm in winter, New York, USA, January.

Marie Read / Eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis) male fluttering wings while perched on cherry (Prunus sp.) branch in spring, New York, USA, April.

Marie Read / Sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) (Florida race), adult with two small chicks crossing highway, Kissimmee, Florida, USA, March.

Marie Read / Great blue heron (Ardea herodias) in breeding plumage, head and shoulders showing plumes on crown and neck, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, New York, USA, May.

Marie Read / Baltimore oriole (Icterus galbula) male perched in pear (Pyrus sp.) blossom, eastern redbud in background, New York, USA. May.

Marie Read / Arctic terns (Sterna paradisaea), two in flight over nesting colony in field of buttercups (Ranunculus sp.), Keflavik, Iceland. Digital canvas expansion.