Karen Straus, Writer/Editor/Photographer

It all started when a hawk flew into my backyard and landed in the birdbath. My husband and I
grabbed cameras and took pictures through the kitchen window as the magnificent bird splashed and preened. An old field guide to North American birds helped us ID the bird.

My life has not been the same since. I watched the hawk and its mate make a nest and successfully hatch four eggs. All four fledglings frequently visited our yard, splashing in the birdbath and running through the sprinklers.

Now I photograph birds any chance I get: in my backyard, on walks and bicycle rides around my neighborhood, in local parks, at nearby beaches and wetlands, and on business trips and vacations.

The best thing about watching birds? I can do it every day, wherever I am, plus I always see or hear something new: a new bird, a new behavior, a new bird song, or new bugs and beasts I wasn’t even looking for, from dragonflies to deer.

I hope you enjoy my photo galleries as much as I enjoy learning about and photographing birds.

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