Cutts Nature Photography

03/07/2026

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Due to forecasted storms, the First Saturday Walk & Talk Bird Tour scheduled for March 7 has been cancelled. Please join us for our next Bird Tour on April 4!

03/03/2026

Tennessee Warbler

Bird Fact
Tennessee Warblers often pass through Texas during migration rather than staying year-round.

Some birds are just passing through.

Tennessee Warblers don’t usually linger long. They move with the seasons, pausing briefly before continuing north or south.

Catching sight of one feels different — like noticing a traveler mid-journey.

Birding deepens when you realize not every visitor is permanent.

My free Backyard Birds of Texas Quick Reference Guide focuses on common backyard birds you’re most likely to see regularly and the simple ways to attract them.

👉 Download it free — https://www.cuttsnaturephotography.com

Birding is a hobby that grows with you. Whether you're 7 or 70, my new book makes it easy to start your birding journey right at home.

03/02/2026

Monk Parakeet

Bird Fact
Monk Parakeets build large communal stick nests, often on utility poles and man-made structures.

Not all backyard birds are subtle.

Monk Parakeets are loud, social, and surprisingly adaptable. Their large communal nests stand out against city infrastructure, proof that wildlife adjusts in ways we don’t always expect.

They’re a reminder that birding isn’t limited to quiet rural spaces. It happens wherever birds decide to make a life.

My free Backyard Birds of Texas Quick Reference Guide focuses on the birds Texans regularly encounter and the basics that help support them.

👉 Download it free —https://www.cuttsnaturephotography.com/

(I’m getting closer to releasing my book, and stories like this are part of why I wrote it.)

03/01/2026

Dickcissel

Bird Fact
Dickcissels are often heard singing from fence posts and tall grasses in open fields.

Some birds feel tied to wide open spaces.

Dickcissels often perch high and sing over fields and prairies, their call carrying farther than you might expect. Even when they’re near neighborhoods, they bring a sense of openness with them.

Birding isn’t always confined to feeders — sometimes it’s just about looking up.

I included birds like this in my free Backyard Birds of Texas Quick Reference Guide, which keeps backyard birding simple and approachable.

👉 Download it free — https://www.cuttsnaturephotography.com

The book I’m preparing expands on this idea — helping people feel connected to what’s right outside their home.

02/28/2026

Painted Bunting

Bird Fact
Male Painted Buntings are often called one of North America’s most colorful songbirds.

Some birds look almost unreal the first time you see them.

Painted Buntings carry so much color that they hardly seem natural — until they settle on a branch and the light hits just right. Then it all makes sense.

They’re a reminder that extraordinary things can show up in very ordinary places.

My free Backyard Birds of Texas Quick Reference Guide focuses on birds Texans are likely to see and the simple feeder tips that attract them.

👉 Download it free — https://www.cuttsnaturephotography.com/

Stop wondering 'What bird is that?' and start knowing. Master the basics of bird ID with The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Backyard Birding—release day is almost here!

02/27/2026

Brown Thrasher (Song Repetition)

Bird Fact
Brown Thrashers often sing phrases twice before moving on to the next one.

If you hear a bird repeating itself in pairs, listen closely.

Brown Thrashers have a habit of singing each phrase twice. Once you recognize that rhythm, their song stands out from the background.

Sometimes birding isn’t about spotting color — it’s about picking up on pattern.

I included birds like this in my free Backyard Birds of Texas Quick Reference Guide, built around familiar Texas backyard species and simple ways to support them.

👉 Download it free — https://www.cuttsnaturephotography.com/

Mid-week stress? The best therapy is right outside your window. Discover how to create your own backyard sanctuary with my upcoming eBook.

02/26/2026

Black-chinned Hummingbird

Bird Fact
Black-chinned Hummingbirds migrate hundreds of miles each year despite weighing less than a nickel.

It’s easy to underestimate a hummingbird.

Black-chinned Hummingbirds are small enough to fit comfortably in your palm, yet they travel incredible distances during migration. That kind of strength in something so light always stops me for a moment.

When one pauses at a feeder, it’s not just a quick visit — it’s part of a much larger journey.

My free Backyard Birds of Texas Quick Reference Guide covers common backyard visitors and the basic feeder setups that make your space welcoming.

👉 Download it free —https://www.cuttsnaturephotography.com/

Did you know simple changes to your feeder can attract entirely new species? Learn the 'why' behind the wings in my new book, The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Backyard Birding.

02/25/2026

Bird Fact
Altamira Orioles build long, woven hanging nests that can stretch nearly two feet in length.

Some birds don’t just build nests — they engineer them.

Altamira Orioles weave long, suspended homes that hang from the ends of branches. If you’ve ever spotted one, you know it doesn’t look accidental. It’s deliberate and carefully constructed.

Watching birds like this shifts your perspective. You start seeing intention and design in places you may have overlooked before.

I put together a free Backyard Birds of Texas Quick Reference Guide that highlights common backyard species and the simple food and feeder setups that support them.

👉 Download it free — https://www.cuttsnaturephotography.com

Start your week with a new perspective. Turn your morning coffee into a front-row seat to nature with The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Backyard Birding—coming soon!

02/24/2026

White-crowned Sparrow

The Stripe That Stands Out

Sparrows can feel a bit tricky to identify—at least until one finally stands still long enough for a good look.

White-crowned Sparrows have these clean, striking black-and-white head stripes that make them a lot easier to recognize than your average "little brown bird." Once you lock onto that specific pattern, you’ll start spotting them in the brush with way more confidence.

It’s often just a matter of knowing exactly which small detail to look for.

I’ve featured similar species in my free Backyard Birds of Texas Quick Reference Guide, which focuses on the most common visitors you’ll see and the best ways to keep them coming back.

👉 Download it for free at https://www.cuttsnaturephotography.com/core-landing-page

02/23/2026

Pine Siskin

The Occasional Guest

Some winters just feel a little busier at the feeders than others.

Pine Siskins are "irruptive" visitors, meaning they don’t follow a strict schedule. They move in irregular patterns, showing up in huge numbers some years and barely appearing the next, depending on the food supply up north. When they do arrive, they usually blend right in with the local finches.

It’s a good reminder that bird activity isn't random—it’s all connected to the seasons and food sources in ways we’re still learning to notice.

Check out my free Backyard Birds of Texas Quick Reference Guide

👉 Download it for free at https://www.cuttsnaturephotography.com/core-landing-page

02/22/2026

Northern Mockingbird

The Neighborhood Performer

Northern Mockingbirds don’t just sing—they put on a full-blown performance.

These guys are the ultimate mimics, picking up everything from other bird calls to mechanical clicks and fragments of human noise. If you stop and listen for a minute, you’ll start to hear their playlist repeat in a specific, rhythmic sequence.

Once you catch that pattern, you’ll never hear the neighborhood the same way again.

Get my free Backyard Birds of Texas Quick Reference Guide

👉 Download it for free at https://www.cuttsnaturephotography.com/core-landing-page

02/21/2026

European Starling

Hidden Iridescence
European Starlings are easy to overlook—until you actually catch them in the sun.

Up close, those "plain" black feathers aren't black at all. They’re highly iridescent, shifting between shimmering greens and deep purples depending on the angle. They really are the perfect example of a bird that rewards a second glance.

Most people start birdwatching by chasing the flashy, colorful species, but it gets much more interesting when you start noticing the magic in the "common" ones.

Get my free Backyard Birds of Texas Quick Reference Guide because even the most familiar birds have a story to tell.

👉 Download it for free at https://www.cuttsnaturephotography.com/core-landing-page