Winter has arrived here in West Newbury. A variety of things has kept me stuck at my desk, with lots of hunting through my photo archives. I’ve been setting photos aside for this post for some time, now is as good as any to get to it.
As I’ve spent hours and hours with the wildlife, I’ve gotten to know many of the cast of characters. With way too much time on my hands waiting for them, I’ve been able to find the names of many of them.
I still have a few of my 2026 Wildlife Calendars available. And, there is still time to order prints for Christmas – but hurry, anything I have to send out for printing is getting very close. Please take a look at my site: https://www.ianclark.com/.
Sadly, many of my references while fresh in my mind now seem somewhat dated. Hopefully they’ll provide a few chuckles.
We’ve met Hank Heron many times over the years. Let’s visit some of his lesser-known relatives.
This is Hank’s cousin, Heron Burr the green heron.
Meet their Irish cousin, Heron go Bragh the black-crowned night heron.
Crow Dimaggio is a regular visitor to my yard.
And Crow Magnon is one of his ancestors.
Atticus Goldfinch is also a regular yard visitor.
And this is Harold Finch, also known as the Finch That Stole Christmas.
Yitzhak Robin has been known to stop by now and again.
And this is the eagle Scout.
Shakespeare the barred owl lives up in the woods behind the house – but I’ve yet to find him in four years.
Thurston Owl III was briefly stranded in Newbury, VT several years ago.
Owl Capone peering out from his hideout.
I often encounter Theodore Cleaver in my travels.
Quill Smith out and about. How do you find Quill Smith in the snow? You look for the fresh prints.
Don Kingfisher is an elusive resident of the loons’ ponds.
And Martin Luther Kingfisher has a dream.
Blue Jay Edgar Hoover keeps a file on everyone.
And O Canada Jay stands on guard for thee.
Ulysses S. Brant at the ready.
Major Hawkstetter wants to know WHAT IS THIS MAN DOING HERE? (I know NOTHING!)
Margaret Thrasher warns me not to let my camera go wobbly.
Goose Springsteen putting on a show.
And Goosey van Pelt says the psychiatrist is in. Like so many girls Jenny Wren could sing But a broken heart Took her song away
Felix the Catbird always has a bag of tricks.
Thelonious Chipmunk is always improvising.
Elsie Borden is really milking it.
Morton Downy Woodpecker comes to the house to talk trash. Duck Rogers has successfully protected us from the Martians since 1953.
And Duck Norris as Squawker Texas Ranger keeps us safe.
Harry Hoodini, the hat-haired merganser is the master of escape.
And Wren Dee has stormy eyes That flash at the sound of lies And Wren Dee has wings to fly Above the clouds above the clouds Above the clouds above the clouds
My name is Indigo Bunting. You filled my feeder. Prepare to dine.
Paging Doctor Killdeer, paging Doctor Killdeer….
Dove Chappelle is best known for founding Famous Dove’s BBQ.
And meet Moose Ilaukee. Vermonters may know him as Moose Alamoo.
Went to a field, a camera I did wield Saw Bob O’Link so I thought I’d take a chance On Bob O’Link , Bob O’Link (bob, bob, bob, bob, Bob O’Link) You take my hand (bob, bob, bob, bob, take my hand) You got me rockin’ and a rollin’ (ho-oh), rockin’ and a reelin’
A very happy Hanukkah and a merry Christmas to all!
Thanks for all the individual portraits of characters you meet. Such a wonderful variety. Love their names. Enjoy the winter months and the holidays. Welcome the new year with new hope and peace.
This is fantastic! Thanks so much for the merriment. I will share it with my son who is my target for bird silliness…and beauty. Merry Christmas & Happy Hanukkah!
Major Hochstetter was the Gestapo man who would let the scene play out before noticing Hogan and yell ‘What is this man doing here?’ Sargent Schultz knew nothing.
Love your clever and delightful names for your bird neighbors. Beautiful photos of our feathered friends! Thank you, Ian. Wishing you a merry and bright holiday season!
Save the date if you will be near the Tenney Memorial Library in Newbury,VT, March 22, 2026 (snow date is March 29) at 2:30.
Ian will be presenting his wildly popular Puffins of Maine talk and photos! Perfect cabin fever timing. Free and everyone is most welcome. Thanks Ian!
The photos and your captions brought me cheer this morning. Thank you for these and all the magnificent photos and posts you share throughout the year! Happy Holidays.
Thanks for all the individual portraits of characters you meet. Such a wonderful variety. Love their names. Enjoy the winter months and the holidays. Welcome the new year with new hope and peace.
YOU made my day, Ian, with these photos and the names of each of those famous individuals! THANK YOU!
Happy Holidays!
Delightful, hilarious, and beautiful. Thank you.
I just loved your bit of nonsense! There are some memorable names and tunes here. Have a lovely holiday and all the best for next year!
These were absolutely terrific Ian. The resolution is remarkable.Thx for the added humor…we truly need it.
It’s almost Christmas. What a wonderful time to receive your always welcome pics. Thanks for spreading the joy!
This is fantastic! Thanks so much for the merriment. I will share it with my son who is my target for bird silliness…and beauty. Merry Christmas & Happy Hanukkah!
OMG…WHAT A TREAT on so many levels … hhmmnnn DIDN’T “I know NOTHING!” only rise to rank of Sgt?
Im especially saving this Ian’s Blog post
Major Hochstetter was the Gestapo man who would let the scene play out before noticing Hogan and yell ‘What is this man doing here?’ Sargent Schultz knew nothing.
Love your clever and delightful names for your bird neighbors. Beautiful photos of our feathered friends! Thank you, Ian. Wishing you a merry and bright holiday season!
Thank you for sharing your rich and beaitiful family.
Hi Ian!
What about a shot of Poindexter Puffin?
Save the date if you will be near the Tenney Memorial Library in Newbury,VT, March 22, 2026 (snow date is March 29) at 2:30.
Ian will be presenting his wildly popular Puffins of Maine talk and photos! Perfect cabin fever timing. Free and everyone is most welcome. Thanks Ian!
Puffins may appear in Part 2….
Astonishing photographs with whimsical names
gives me such smiling pleasure. Thank you, Ian.
Thanks, glad you enjoyed them.
Stunning! Thank you!
The photos and your captions brought me cheer this morning. Thank you for these and all the magnificent photos and posts you share throughout the year! Happy Holidays.