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 / Sun beams passing through misty trees, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, New York, USA. October 2008. Highly Honored in Nature's Best 2010 competition.

Marie Read / Black terns (Chlidonias niger), pair on a perch, vocalizing during courtship (termed 'Erect Posture' display), Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, New York, USA, May.

Gerrit Vyn / Snow geese (Chen caerulescens) flock preparing to land on an agricultural field. Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, New York. September.

Gerrit Vyn / Canada goose (Branta canadensis) Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, New York, USA. March.

Marie Read / Common gallinule (Gallinula chloropus), adult feeding young downy chick, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, New York, USA.

Marie Read / Red-headed woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) fighting with European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) that is trying to take over the woodpecker's nest hole, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, New Y...

Marie Read / Red-headed woodpeckers (Melanerpes erythrocephalus), pair fighting with European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) that is trying to take over the woodpeckers' nest hole, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge...

Marie Read / Red-headed woodpeckers (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) adult (upper) and juvenile, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, New York, USA

Marie Read / Bobolinks (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) flock in non breeding plumage, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, New York, USA, August

Gerrit Vyn / Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) chick on floating nest platform, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, New York

Marie Read / Song Sparrow (Melospiza / Zonotrichia melodia) male singing, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, New York, USA (Digitally retouched image - distractions at left edge removed)