Marie Read / Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa), females behave aggressively toward a male (second from right) that is trying to join them on a floating log, autumn, New York, USA, October.

Marie Read / Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilocus colubris), male flying in to feed from cardinal flowers (Lobelia cardinalis) New York, USA. August.

Marie Read / Snow buntings (Plectrophenax nivalis) flock in flight during a snowstorm, New York, USA, January.

Marie Read / Canada geese (Branta canadensis) two during territorial fight in early spring, Ithaca. New York, USA

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

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 / 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 / American Robin (Turdus migratorius), feeding on winterberry (Ilex) fruits in winter, New York, USA, December.

Marie Read / American oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) adult feeding chick, Long Island, New York, USA. June.