While walking through the woods at the NC Museum of Art (Art Park) I spotted this juvenile Eastern Towhee sitting on a branch nearby.
I watched it preen for a few minutes as it set its feathers into place, calling out every now and again to an unseen counterpart somewhere in the dark forest.

This chunky species of sparrow prefer sheltered, secluded habitats including brushy thickets, forest edges, and shrubby riparian zones. You can also find them here in North Carolina in either deciduous or mixed deciduous and conifer forests up to 6,500 feet in elevation.
Eastern towhees are year-round residents in the southeastern United States, from Florida to as far north and west as eastern Massachusetts, Ohio, southern Iowa, eastern Kansas and southeastern Pennsylvania.

Speaking of Pennsylvania, I’ve been invited to takeover the @audubonpa Insta account during the week of 9/11-9/17
As a former resident of P.A. it’s pretty cool to get the opportunity to share what I’ve got with my good friends up north.
I hope you’ll join me over there and supporting this fine organizations efforts in getting the word out about all the great birding opportunities the Keystone state has to offer.

If you’re looking for some additional great bird & wildlife photography accounts to here on Insta, check out the list below!
These are the talented people that inspire me to get out there with my cameras to deliver the best content I can for you.
Give them a follow!

@gregpiperarts
@alaskaphototravel
@talktotheplume
@28204dan
@ncbirdnerd
@bdriscoll200
@eddesbigyear
@jeffgresko
@venturesbirding
@planet_chad_photography
@bill_jacksn
@deborahroyphotography
@ncwildlife
@friendsofmcneilriver
@wildsidetours
@tealbirding
@kolanderphotos
@ncbirdingtrail
@wakeaudubon
@ncaudubon
@audubonpa
@intheloopguideservice
@birdingwithmatt
@mother_earth_images
@christian_miller_photo

Photos by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc on the fabulous full frame SLR, the @canonusa
#5Ds