Herons, Egrets, & Bitterns

The American Bittern

The American Bittern

View the March 2023 Nature Friend Magazine American Bittern. Photo © Shalom Shirk. Climbing off some logs in our pond, I didn’t expect the pleasant surprise God had in store for me.Wait! What was...

What a Splashing Success!

What a Splashing Success!

View the November 2022 Nature Friend Magazine Wood Duck drake swimming. Photo © Cheryl Shank. Slowly, quietly, yet steadily, I crept along, my binoculars in hand. Surely I can sneak in here without...

Spring Migration Photo Contest Honorable Mentions

Spring Migration Photo Contest Honorable Mentions

Least Bittern. Photo © Peter Shirk, 16. Barn Swallow. Photo © Alva Steury Jr. Rufous Hummingbird. Photo © Alvin Clair Auker. Great Blue Heron. Photo © Gabriel Schneider. Pileated Woodpecker. Photo ©...

The Big Catch

The Big Catch

Great Blue Heron eating Northern Pike. Photo © Lelund Shaum. The morning was beautiful as Mr. Heron made his merry way to the swamp called “Shining Waters.” He was hoping to satisfy his growling...

Marvels at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens

Marvels at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. Photo © Julia Dutill. If you ever have the chance to visit Charleston, South Carolina, I would suggest you visit a lovely public gardens close by—Magnolia Plantation...

Covers, April 2022

Covers, April 2022

Great Blue Heron and pumpkinseed sunfish. Artwork © Michael Stauffer. Broad-billed Hummingbirds at cardinal flower. Artwork © Mark Brueggemann, 14.

Wild Bird Art Contest Adult Winners

Wild Bird Art Contest Adult Winners

First Place Winner Great Blue Heron and pumpkinseed sunfish. Artwork © Michael Stauffer. Second Place Winner Blue Jay. Artwork © Lois Tschetter. Third Place Winner Snowy Owl. Artwork © Aneta Koehn....

Birding and Bull-rushes

Birding and Bull-rushes

Hooded Warbler. Artwork © Kenneth Gingerich. The sun had not yet risen when my brother Jesse and I neared the circle. Suddenly a Green Heron flew out of the cattails. Desperately we ran with long...

Life in a Pond

Life in a Pond

The first rays of sun break through the darkness, and the gray light of dawn appears. It does not last long, though, for as the sun rises higher, its light gains strength. The misty gray of dawn...

Exploring Nature, October 2021

Exploring Nature, October 2021

Photo ©Kevin Shank The Shenandoah Valley and surrounding mountains will likely be ablaze in peak fall foliage color the second or third weekend.October is the peak migration time for hawks,...