Marie Read / Western Grebe (Aechmorphus occidentalis), pair during 'rushing' courtship display in which they run across water's surface in synchrony, near Escondido, California, USA, January.

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 / Horned Puffin (Fratercula corniculata) flying over a pattern of kelp and sea foam, photographed from above, St. Paul, Pribilof Islands, Alaska, USA. July.

Marie Read / Roseate spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja) adult in breeding plumage preening tail feathers, Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida, USA, January.

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

Marie Read / Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) male displaying in cattail marsh, Viera Wetlands, Brevard County, Florida, USA, January.

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

Marie Read / Snowy Owl (Nyctea scandiaca) female perched, Amherst Island, Ontario, Canada, January.

Marie Read / American avocet (Recurvirostra americana), adult in breeding plumage foraging by sweeping its bill from side to side through shallow water, Orange County, California, USA, April.

Marie Read / California quail (Callipepla californica), male emerging from behind snowbank in winter, Mono Lake Basin, California, USA

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

Marie Read / Black-necked stilts (Himantopus mexicanus) pair performing post-copulatory display (as copulation ends, the male slides off the female leaving his wings draped over her and crossing his bill with hers...