Gregory Rothman

@gregoryrothman

I take pics -occasionally artistic. Secular Humanist. Doctorate in Armchair Biology & working on one in Law. Terminally Diagnosed w/ Wanderlust & Curiosity. Always working on being a better person - not always successful. Tap pics for further descriptions

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Gregory Rothman@gregoryrothman· 12d

Had to repost. Accidently tattooed the first image…🥹 Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #MultiColour, birds with 3 or more colors. Alt #DucksOutOfWater Barely Squeaking in, this guy greeted us at breakfast each morning in Dominica. #Bananaquit ( #CoerebaFlaveola) #ECK #Birds #photographersunite

Gregory Rothman@gregoryrothman· 12d

Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #MultiColour, birds with 3 or more colors. Alt #DucksOutOfWater Barely Squeaking in, this guy greeted us at breakfast each morning in Dominica. #Bananaquit ( #CoerebaFlaveola) #ECK #Birds #photographersunited

Gregory Rothman@gregoryrothman· 14d

The #BirdOfTheDay theme is #Grey, any bird with Grey in its plumage. The Alt theme is #RedBeaks Green Heron at the usual locale-N Pond #ECK #UrbanWildlife #photographersUnited #Birds #NikonZ8 #EastCoastKin

Gregory Rothman@gregoryrothman· 23d

@alan678.bsky.social for today's theme. The #BirdofTheDay theme is #ScreenFiller. I think this is a barely qualified, but if I don’t find the eagle image I’m thinking of, this will stand. #ECK #birds #SnowyEgret #EgrettaThula #photographersUnited #NikonZ8 #UrbanWildlife #SnowyEgret

This is an action photograph of a Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) captured mid-motion in shallow water.

The bird fills the frame with both wings fully spread in a dramatic V-shape, feathers splayed like white fans against a dark gray, blurred background of water and shoreline. Its entire body is brilliant white. The head faces the camera directly, showing the key identification features: a slender black bill, bright yellow facial skin (lores) between the eye and bill, and a pale yellow eye. One leg is lifted mid-stride, revealing the classic Snowy Egret combination of black legs with yellow feet — often called “golden slippers.”

The egret appears to be dashing or landing in the water, with splashes and droplets frozen around its lifted foot, and small ripples spreading across the calm, slate-gray surface. Wispy plume feathers trail from its head and chest, adding to the sense of movement.

The lighting is soft and overcast, making the white plumage glow against the moody dark water. A photographer’s credit, “©Gregory Rothman 2026,” appears in gold text in the lower right corner.

Gregory Rothman@gregoryrothman· 28d

Sorry for late postings #BirdofTheDay #buttshott #openbeak. Twofer twofer a #buttshot & #openbeak with an image amputation of one #butt , an an elegant single tush. I forgetting to hit post… #ECK #PhotographersUnited #Birds #urbanWildlife #NPond #NikonZ8

Gregory Rothman@gregoryrothman· 29d

Sorry it’s been a minute… Bullwinkle #Stunday #EastCoastKin #moose

Gregory Rothman@gregoryrothman· Jul 8

#birdoftheday #orange I believe these are trumpeter swans. This was from a trip to Hokkaido.

Gregory Rothman@gregoryrothman· Jul 6

#BirdOfTheDay #Cutie, I regrettably post this which barely makes the grade if at all compared to Daniel Stunnell’s Puffin reposted below. This is a female #WoodDuck giving another stare down at N Pond.

Gregory Rothman@gregoryrothman· Jul 2

Today’s #BirdOfTheDay is #QuietReflection any bird paused in thought. Alt #SunriseSunset. A #RedwingBlackbird pauses from strafing to consider the morality of his collective punishment of humans for their sin of destruction of nature. Easy. Back to strafing. #ECK #UrbanWildLife #NikonZ8 #Birds

A Red-winged Blackbird perches on green foliage in the foreground. This male bird displays glossy black plumage with bold orange-red and yellow shoulder patches called "epaulets"—distinctive badges visible on his wings. His posture is alert and upright, facing toward the left side of the frame.

A dramatic metropolitan skyline rises behind the bird. Multiple high-rise buildings dominate the view—gleaming towers in tan, beige, and glass create an urban canyon. A particularly tall, slender white building with a spire stands centrally, while darker glass-clad skyscrapers flank it. Tm.

Vibrant green vegetation fills the bottom foreground, providing natural framing for the bird. The contrast between nature and urban development is striking.

Some Facts about Red-winged Blackbirds
- If you didn’t know, males are fiercely territorial and use their bright epaulets as a dominance display—when threatened, they flash these patches to warn rivals
- These birds can produce over 100 distinct song variations
- They're found across North America and are among the most abundant birds on the continent
- Despite their aggressive behavior, they're social birds that often gather in flocks of thousands during migration

**Photo Credit:** © Gregory Rothman 2026

Gregory Rothman@gregoryrothman· Jun 30

Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #TheArtOfSurvival Alt #LivingLandscapes Another shot of the #LeastBittern devouring an innocent minnow. #EastCoastKin #Birds #PhotographersUnited #ECK #UrbanWildlife

Gregory Rothman@gregoryrothman· Jun 26

#BirdOfTheDay is #GreyDay any bird with grey. Alt - #ShowingOff, any bird, who in your opinion, is doing exactly that. “ Spencer couldn’t walk along the pond’s edge like the Herons. He always must be the center of attention. #birds #photography #ECK #SnowyEgret #EastCoastKin #PhotographersUnited

Gregory Rothman@gregoryrothman· Jun 20

The #BirdOfTheDay theme today is #Raptors, the alt is #Passerine. In August 2018, we did a family trip to Alaska with my Dad. It would be our last with him. I look at this photo and am reminded. We miss you. #BaldEagle #HaliaeetusLeucocephalus #EastCoastKin #ECK #PhotographersUnited #NikonZ8

A bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) stands on a flat gray granite rock, facing right, with a backdrop of dense evergreen junipers or cedars. Its iconic white head and tail contrast with dark brown body feathers. Its sharp yellow beak and piercing eye face right, and its powerful yellow legs and talons grip the rock's textured surface. Faint cracks run across the stone beneath it. A photo credit, "©Gregory Rothman 2018," appears in the lower right corner.

A few lesser-known facts about bald eagles:

— "bald" comes from an old English word "balde," meaning white, referring to the white head.
- They aren't true eagles in the genus Aquila; they belong to the sea eagle group (Haliaeetus), more closely related to kites than to golden eagles.
- Bald eagles don't get their white head and tail until about 4–5 years old; juveniles are mottled brown and are often mistaken for golden eagles.
- Their high-pitched, somewhat weak-sounding call is rarely used in movies — the "eagle screech" you usually hear in films is actually a red-tailed hawk.
- They're notorious kleptoparasites, frequently stealing fish caught by other birds, especially ospreys.
- Their nests are among the largest of any bird species, sometimes reaching over 4 feet wide and weighing close to a ton after years of reuse and additions.
- They have a nictitating membrane, a third translucent eyelid that sweeps across the eye to protect and moisten it without blocking vision.

Gregory Rothman@gregoryrothman· Jun 19

Seen rushing home to change, this was Albert’s first visit to Iceberg Club-the coolest cool spot in Antarctica. He failed to read the entire dress code until at the door - 1.Formal Wear required 2.No Shoes No Entry -Strictly enforced. #BirdOfTheDay #OutForAWalk #ECK #photographersUnited #Birds

Gregory Rothman@gregoryrothman· Jun 19

In the long light of the setting sun, a Kestrel takes flight. #FlyDay #AmericanKestrel #Falcon #EastCoastkin #ECK #NikonZ8 #urbanwildlife #birds #bird #photography #photographersunited #UrbanWildlife

A small falcon — likely a female American kestrel — is captured launching off the very top of a spruce tree, wings thrown wide overhead against a clear blue sky, caught in the instant of pushing into flight. Its body faces the camera while its head turns slightly, dark eyes alert, hooked yellow-and-black beak set forward. The plumage is warm rusty-brown and white, densely speckled with dark markings across the chest and barred along the wings and tail. One leg is still pressed against a thin green branch tip, talons just releasing their grip, while the other leg lifts and trails behind as the bird springs upward. The wings are long and angular, swept up and back in a powerful upstroke, showing alternating bands of light and dark feathers. Below, the spruce's blue-green needles fan out in spiky clusters. Text in the upper right corner reads "©Gregory Rothman 2026."

A few lesser-known kestrel facts:

- American kestrels are the smallest falcon in North America, roughly the size of a mourning dove, yet fierce enough to take down small birds and rodents nearly their own size.
- They can see ultraviolet light, helping them track vole urine trails that glow under UV — a literal roadmap to prey.
- Males and females differ in wing color (males blue-gray, females rusty-brown like this one), making kestrels one of the few raptors easy to sex at a glance.
- They often hover mid-air, called "kiting," using rapid wingbeats to stay stationary while scanning the ground.
- Kestrels nest in cavities, including old woodpecker holes and nest boxes, since they don't build their own nests.

Gregory Rothman@gregoryrothman· Jun 17

Titled “Walt Minnow’s Last Portrait,” moments before being dispatched, “despatched” in the UK, by a #LeastBittern. An apparent irregular visitor that completely caught him off guard. #BirdOfThedDay theme is #LongLegs, Alt is #MultiColor, #ECK #photographersUnited #Birds #IxobrychusExilis

A small wading bird perches on a mossy, wet rock at the edge of a shallow pool or stream. It has just snatched a tiny fish from the water, which is visible caught in the tip of its long, pointed orange-and-dark beak. Water droplets stream dramatically back down into the pool below. The bird has a striking black cap, warm chestnut-brown neck and sides, creamy white underparts, and long yellow-green legs with prominent curved claws gripping the stone. The background is softly blurred in dark greens and browns, keeping full focus on this precise hunting moment. Photo credit: © Gregory Rothman 2026.

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This is a **Least Bittern** (*Ixobrychus exilis*), North America's smallest heron.

At just 28–36 cm tall, it's tiny enough to straddle reeds over open water rather than wade like larger herons.
Its hunting strike is lightning-fast, the neck coils like a spring, then launches the beak forward with precision.
Its eyes are positioned to look *downward*, giving it binocular vision aimed perfectly at the water below.
When threatened, it freezes upright with its bill pointed skyward, blending into surrounding marsh reeds.
Despite its small size, it can catch prey nearly as large as its own head.

Gregory Rothman@gregoryrothman· Jun 16

Alan H’s #BirdOfTheDay theme is #InFlight, birds in flight. The alt is #BlurBirds, blurry bird shots. #americanKestrel #ECK #Birds #urbanWildlife #photographersUnited

Gregory Rothman@gregoryrothman· Jun 16

Alan H’s #BirdOfTheDay theme is #InFlight, birds in flight. The alt is #BlurBirds, blurry bird shots. I submit this…three’fer. Not only in flight and out of focus, but yeah, chopped off out of frame. Of course it’s screeching. A female #AmericanKestrel? #ECK #PhotographersUnited #Bird #urbanWildlife

Gregory Rothman@gregoryrothman· Jun 12

Alan H‬ @alan678.bsky.social set today’s #BirdOfTheDay theme as #Stripes, any bird with stripes in their plumage. #ECK #EastCoastKin #NikonZ8 #PhotographersUnited #GreenHeron #ButoridesVirescens

Green Heron (Butorides virescens)

Photo © Gregory Rothman 2026

A adult Green Heron powers through a rainy day low over an algae-green pond, caught mid-downstroke with wings sweeping in a deep, dramatic curve beneath its body. The upper wings gleam blue-gray with a beautiful scaled texture from fine pale feather edging. The short tail peeks below the cupped wing. The neck is rich chestnut-burgundy with a crisp white chin patch, crowned by a glossy dark green-black cap. A sharp, bright yellow eye locks forward with intent. Both vivid orange feet trail behind to the left, legs fully extended. All around, rain dimples the glassy green surface below — yet this compact, capable little heron flies on, utterly unbothered.

Green Heron — Behavioral Facts

One of the world’s few tool-using birds. They deliberately drop lures — insects, feathers, twigs, even bread crumbs — onto the water surface to attract fish within striking range. This isn’t accidental; they’ll retrieve and reposition the bait if it drifts away.

The neck is a biological spring. Specialized vertebrae lock and release like a loaded trap, driving the bill into the water faster than the human eye can follow.

When threatened on a perch, they freeze with bill pointed skyward, body compressed, and feathers sleeked down — transforming into something resembling a broken branch.

Solitary Hunter
Fiercely territorial at feeding sites. Unlike many herons, they hunt alone and will aggressively chase intruders — including birds much larger than themselves.

When flushed suddenly, they typically call out sharply and defecate simultaneously — likely a startle response but possibly also a way to lighten weight for rapid escape flight.

Primarily diurnal but will hunt at dusk and dawn, and occasionally at night — especially under artificial light where fish are drawn to the surface.

Can stand motionless for extraordinarily long periods, then explode into action — the definition of a sit-and-wait predator.

Gregory Rothman@gregoryrothman· Jun 11

#BirdOfTheDay theme is #TheGathering Images showing flocks, colonies, or communal behaviour. Here we see a family of Wood Duck’s and everyone is declared safe from the stalking snapper’s.

Female Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) with Ducklings

A female Wood Duck stands on a weathered, mossy log partially submerged in a calm, greenish pond. She has her wings dramatically spread wide, her brown-speckled plumage and distinctive white eye-ring clearly visible. Surrounding her on the log are seven tiny, fluffy ducklings — dark brown with pale yellow undersides — clustered closely around her feet. Rain droplets are visible on the water’s surface. The photo is crisp and beautifully composed, credited to Gregory Rothman, 2026.

Wood Ducks are cavity nesters: Wood Ducks nest in tree hollows sometimes 60 feet off the ground. Within 24 hours of hatching, ducklings leap from the nest cavity — a free-fall the tiny birds survive thanks to their light weight and fluffy down.
• Remarkable recovery: By the early 1900s, Wood Ducks were nearly extinct due to overhunting and habitat loss. Conservation efforts and nest box programs helped them rebound to become one of North America’s most common ducks.
• The mother calls, ducklings jump: She doesn’t carry them down — she flies to the ground and calls, and the ducklings leap on their own, one by one.
• The male looks very different: The female’s subtle brown camouflage contrasts sharply with the male’s stunning iridescent green, chestnut, and white plumage — one of the most colorful ducks in North America.
• Wings spread = alert posture: The mother’s open wings here likely signal she’s drying off, stretching, or responding to a perceived nearby threat.

Gregory Rothman@gregoryrothman· Jun 4

I don’t know if this strictly meets today’s theme. You decide. #BirdOfTheDay and his theme is #BadFeatherDay #LeastBittern #SPond #ECK #PhotographersUnited

Gregory Rothman@gregoryrothman· Jun 2

At the height of the Dutch Tulip Mania of 1634-1637, a single the highly prized Semper Augustus bulb, sold for as much as 10,000 guilders. The single bulb's value in modern terms is ~ $1 million - $15 million. #coloraday #bluetue #bloomscrolling #tulips #ECK #PhotographersUnited

Gregory Rothman@gregoryrothman· May 29

#fishyfriday a critically #endangered #spottedHandfish ponders the meaning of life. More info with photo. #ECK #EastCoastKin #photographersUnited #oceanlife #nikonZ8 #Hobart #underwaterphotography #Nauticam #emwl160 #RetraStobes

A spotted handfish resting on the sandy seafloor. The fish has a pale, cream-colored body densely covered in dark brown spots, giving it a leopard-like pattern. Its most striking feature is visible in the photo: leg-like pectoral fins that it uses to “walk” along the bottom rather than swim. The fish is facing the camera directly, revealing a large, dark eye with a golden iris ring. Its dorsal fin stands upright like a small sail. The background shows dark sediment and rocky substrate, typical of the cold ocean floor. Photo credit: ©Gregory Rothman 2026.

It walks, not swims — Handfish use modified pectoral fins as “hands” to walk along the seafloor, making them one of the few fish that locomote this way.

Critically endangered — The spotted handfish (Brachionichthys hirsutus) is found only in the Derwent River estuary near Hobart, Tasmania, with only around 2,000 remaining in the wild.

Picky parents — They lay eggs on stalked sea squirts and sea grasses, and the invasive Northern Pacific seastar devastated their breeding habitat by eating the sea squirts that handfish wrap their eggs around, reducing spawning activity.

Ceramic artist to the rescue — Local Tasmanian ceramic artist Jane Bamford handcrafts artificial spawning habitats (ASH) designed to replicate the stalks that handfish would normally lay their eggs on. These are then planted on the seafloor by conservation divers, who later return to count eggs and female fish guarding them.

It’s working — Scientists also maintain an “insurance population” of fish in commercial aquariums, breeding juveniles and releasing them back into the river to boost wild numbers.

Handfish belong to a family (Brachionichthyidae) that has remained largely unchanged for millions of years.

Gregory Rothman@gregoryrothman· May 28

This is an old, but favorite image. A #waterlily taken in Ubud Bali in the pond in front of the hotel. #yellowthu #coloraday #bloomscrolling #EastCoastKin #ECK #NymphaeaCaerulea

A single water lily bloom rises on a slender, dark stem above a still pond. The flower sits slightly left of center and is the clear focal point of the image.

The bloom is fully open, with two rings of elongated petals radiating outward in a star-like pattern. The petals are a soft violet-purple on their upper surfaces, deepening to a richer magenta-pink near the base. The heart of the flower is a vivid, warm golden-yellow, filled with densely packed stamens tipped with tiny lavender-purple anthers, creating a striking color contrast.

Behind and below the flower, large, flat lily pads in deep green spread across the water’s surface. They overlap one another and vary slightly in shade. The water beneath is dark and barely visible. In the upper left, a dark, unopened bud on its own stem hints at a bloom yet to come.

The background is softly blurred (shallow depth of field), keeping all attention on the flower. The overall mood is calm, lush, and serene. A photographer’s copyright water

Gregory Rothman@gregoryrothman· May 26

This would have been a good shot for StaringRightAtYou. Today #BirdOfTheDay is #Anatidae Alt is #K - bird name beginning with K. #birds #ECK #EastCoastKin #birdphotography #photography #DuckLife #NikonZ8 #urbanWildlife #Chicago #NPond

A duck swimming directly toward the camera on calm water.

The bird is facing the viewer head-on, creating an unusually intimate and slightly comical portrait. It is a female Wood Duck (Aix sponsa), identifiable by her blue-green iridescent cap, distinctive white eye-ring, yellow-orange eyes, and mottled brown-and-gray plumage on her puffed-out chest.

She has a wide and round look— almost like a floating pillow. The bill is pale gray-blue and points directly at the camera. Her expression, due to the forward-facing eyes and slightly furrowed brow, reads as intensely serious or even mildly indignant.

The water around her is a muted olive-green with gentle ripples fanning out from her body, and her reflection is faintly visible below. The background is softly blurred — a shallow, rocky or muddy shoreline — keeping all focus on the duck.

The photo credit: © Gregory Rothman 2026 watermark in the upper right corner.

Gregory Rothman@gregoryrothman· May 26

Today’s #BirdOfTheDay theme is #BirdOnAWire, any bird on a wire and the alt is #T. Today, I am fulling owning the alt choice. A #SnowyEgreT named TimoThy after an evening bender. #EgrettaThula #ECK #EastCoastKin #PhotographersUnited #NikonZ8 #Chicago #UrbanWildlife #Birds

A Snowy Egret Preening on Driftwood

A small, all-white wading bird stands on a weathered gray log partially submerged at the water’s edge. This is a Snowy Egret (Egretta thula), identifiable by its distinctive features: a slender black beak with a yellow patch at the base, long black legs, and bright yellow feet — a signature field mark of the species.

The bird’s feathers are dramatically puffed out and ruffled, with wispy, lacy plumes fanning upward from its head and body — likely mid-preening or reacting to a breeze. Its eyes appear partially closed, giving it an almost comical, windswept look.

The background shows calm, dark water and several large pieces of bleached driftwood, rendered softly out of focus by the shallow depth of field. The overall palette is muted grays and browns, making the bright white egret the clear visual centerpiece.

Photo Credit: ©Gregory Rothman, 2026, with warm golden watermark text in the lower right corner.

Gregory Rothman@gregoryrothman· May 22

#birdoftheday #headshot A #GreatBlueHeron that I haven’t yet seen this year. #eastcoastkin #eck #photographersunited #birds #Urbanwildlife #NikonZ8

Gregory Rothman@gregoryrothman· May 20

Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #WingsWideOpen, the Alt Theme is #Laridae, any of the species. A #CommonTern #SternaHirundo is my twofer. I don’t think they can be photographed poorly. #birds #photography #ECK #nikonZ8 #birdphotography #naturephotography #BirdLife #BirdsInFlight #PhotographersUnited

A Common Tern, a slender white seabird in the gull family Laridae, is shown flying against a bright, nearly blank white sky. Its long, narrow wings are swept upward and outward in a graceful arc. The bird has a black cap, pale gray-white body, red-orange pointed bill, and a deeply forked tail with long trailing streamers. Its beak is open, as if calling while in flight. The overall impression is delicate, agile, and swift.

Common Terns are sometimes called “sea swallows” because of their forked tails and buoyant flight. Around the Great Lakes, including Chicago’s Lake Michigan shoreline, they may be seen during migration and breeding season. They often hover briefly before diving to catch small fish. Despite their elegant appearance, they can be very bold when defending nests, swooping at intruders that get too close.

Gregory Rothman@gregoryrothman· May 19

today’s #birdofthe day is #scrollback to most recent bird photos. Took these late in the day yesterday at N Pond. Still don’t have the image I want, but dems da breaks… #ECK #EastCoastKin #PhotographersUnited #Birds #z8 #UrbanWildlife #chitown

A white wading bird, a Snowy Egret, stands upright on dark, weathered driftwood. It has a slender black bill, bright yellow eyes, a patch of orange-yellow skin near the bill, black legs, and vivid yellow feet. Wispy white plumes lift from the back of its head like a small crest, giving it an elegant, wind-tossed look. The background is soft and gray-brown, keeping attention on the bird’s bright feathers and delicate posture. Photo Credit:©Gregory Rothman 2026

Snowy Egrets use their yellow feet like lures, stirring shallow water to flush fish and insects. During breeding season, they grow beautiful head, neck, and back plumes. Those plumes once made them targets for the fashion trade, but conservation efforts helped them recover. They nest in colonies with other wading birds and feed in marshes, tidal flats, ponds, and mangroves.

This image shows a male Northern Cardinal in takeoff on a stone path in a garden-like setting in Chicago. The bird is vivid red-orange, with its wings lifted high and partly spread, revealing pale pinkish-gray flight feathers underneath. Its tail is raised behind it, and one thin leg stretches back while the other is tucked forward, giving the image a lively sense of motion.

The cardinal’s black face mask around the beak and eyes, bright red crest, thick orange-red cone-shaped bill, and brilliant red body identify it as an adult male Northern Cardinal. The background is softly blurred, with gray stones, green plants, and a rock wall, which helps the bird stand out sharply. A watermark in the lower right reads “© Gregory Rothman 2026.”

A few curious facts about cardinals:

Northern Cardinals are year-round residents in Chicago, so they do not migrate away in winter. Their bright red color can look especially dramatic against snow.

Only the male is this intense red. Females are usually warm tan or brownish with reddish highlights on the wings, tail, and crest.

Their red feathers come from carotenoid pigments in their diet, from foods like berries and seeds. A healthier diet can help produce richer red plumage.

Cardinals are one of the few North American songbirds where both males and females sing. Female cardinals may sing from the nest, possibly communicating with the male.

Their thick, triangular beak is perfect for cracking seeds, especially sunflower seeds.

Unlike many birds, Northern Cardinals are highly territorial and may attack their own reflection in windows, mirrors, or shiny car surfaces, thinking it is a rival.

The Northern Cardinal is the state bird of Illinois, making this Chicago photo especially fitting.

Gregory Rothman@gregoryrothman· May 13

Today’s #BirdOfTheDay theme is #FeatheredFemmes. Meant to post this earlier. A female wood duck.