Hi, I’m Mike Piston, a photo hobbyist who enjoys taking pictures at Rockefeller State Park Preserve. I’ve been hiking through the park two to three times a week, weather permitting, since my wife introduced me to Rockefeller State Park Preserve about a year ago. Typically, I hike 5 to 7 miles each trip, taking pictures along the way.

While hiking in March 2023, I came across a Pileated Woodpecker next to the path, perched on a tree, getting something to eat. Later on that trip, I saw a cardinal on a bush trying to find berries. I took some photos with my iPhone but decided to do more with my photography after that.

Initially, I used a Sony point-and-shoot camera with a 30x zoom lens. That worked “ok,” but focusing on birds was always challenging. Also, the small sensor in the camera didn’t deliver the quality I wanted. Now, I use a Sony a6700 camera with a Sigma 150mm to 600mm zoom lens, and I’m much happier with the results.

After collecting hundreds of photos of birds and scenery in the park, I created this website to share the pictures with others who enjoy the park. I also worked to learn a bit about the birds I found in the park and added posts with what I found using books and AI. As a “bird novice,” I’ve done my best to identify the birds in various pictures, but I’m sure I’ve misidentified more than a few. Please send a comment with any suggestions.

Thanks for visiting, and enjoy the pictures!