Thank you for posting your impressive shots with the P1000. I've been watching for P1000 images and yours are moving me one step closer to a P1000 purchase. The characteristic displayed by the heron is commonly called "spread-wing", but is actually thermoregulation-- the bird's way of regulating body temperature. Birds cannot sweat or shiver, so it is not uncommon in hot weather to view a bird with it's mouth open and wings in an open-drooped posture-- they are actually fluttering their throats when they are too hot, not unlike a panting dog on a hot day. The open-mouth & spread-wing behaviors cools the bird on hot days. Conversely, if the temps are cooler, herons will fluff their feathers to trap heat. Ain't nature grand!

Please post more when you can and any personal critique of the P1000 will be greatly appreciated.

Your first image is an American Goldfinch in summer (breeding) plumage, by late fall they begin their transition to a winter (nonbreeding) plumage. The latter images are American Goldfinches in winter plumage— hard to believe they are the same species. Based on your location in Michigan, these are not Lesser Goldfinch, but American. Pine Siskens are known to travel in flocks with American Goldfinches but have defined brownish streaking & the bill is slender & pointed.

Definitely a juvenile Black Crowned Night Heron. The large white spots on wings are a dead giveaway.

It looks like a Chestnut-backed Chickadee.

This little guy has been hanging with a large group of mallards for a few months. He's been noted several times by birding photographers on the WISBRDN discussion group. Apparently he has his eye on a particular female mallard who is not the least interested in him. Caught several shots of him myself about 2 weeks ago-- the crest when raised is an eye-catcher. The Hooded Merganser is migratory & not uncommon in Wisconsin. They can frequently be found with other diving ducks like Buffleheads & Ruddy Ducks-- Mallards not so much, which makes this one a bit unusual.