Daily Pictures Volume 282

Wow! The last Daily Pictures Volume filled up in only three days.

If you would like to go back the volume 281 the following link will take you there: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1072815/

I don't have many species of birds to photograph this time of the year. But, I did get pictures of three different species of Corvidae, on my Sunday drive to Whittier, AK. This was a rather tame Black-billed Magpie photographed, in the staging parking lot, while waiting for our turn to enter the tunnel through the mountain to Whittier.

We don't get Magpies in Northern New Jersey, I really enjoyed seeing your photo, I didn't know they were so colorful, thanks for sharing.

The tunnel to Whittier was originally only a railroad tunnel, 2 1/2 miles long. It was recently modified to handle both highway traffic as well as the trains. Computerized controls regulate the flow of all traffic. There is only a single lane so even highway traffic can only go in one direction at a time, and must be interrupted for railroad traffic. Some Ravens and Magpies have become rather tame around the staging parking lots, looking for handouts. By tossing bread out the truck window, they would come up next to the truck, for great closeups, like this Common Raven.

A definite reminded of Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds"

This woman was tossing chips out to Northwestern Crows, at a shop in Whittier.

Another shot of Northwestern Crows

Closeup of a Northwestern Crow. The Crows range does not extent to Anchorage, where I live.

Just a reminder, February 2nd. is officially "Marmot Day" in Alaska.

But, we don't claim Marmots can predict the weather, because they are all still hibernating on February 2nd. in Alaska.

Smart animals. Planning their gardens, I suppose.

Thanks for starting the new thread Gary! The Magpie is an absolutely gorgeous bird! The Crows are very handsome too. Love the Marmot!
Wonderful shots!

Dave, Lovely shots at the end of the last thread!

Gary, that magpie is amazing. Looks like it really did not know what color to go with that day.

That magpie photo is great! Beautiful colors!
We don't have mags in Virginia, and I had never seen them until I lived in Turkey for a year.
I thought they were fascinating birds!

Really good photos at end of last thread.

We have lots of crows here in my area of WA.

I'm pretty sure the groundhog won't see his shadow here today. It is pretty heavy overcast and predicted to be that way for a week. But I'm not complaining, we had warmer than normal weather for most of Jan.

Donna

From the last thread-they sure fly by fast!!
Nanny, love those starlings. Wish I could get my handful to go to one of my suets, but they don't seem interested.
Dave, thanks for the info on the lens. That 7:11 photo is fantastic. Also loved the series later on.
Mrs Ed, congrats on that new lens. Looks like you picked the right one for you.

Gary, thanks for the wonderful start of a new thread. That magpie is so beautiful!! That close-up of the raven is wonderful too. I had no idea there was a Northwestern Crow. Cute marmot too. I don't blame them for hibernating with all that snow!

I never get tired of photographing the female Brewers Blackbirds. They seem to love me watching them through the windows.

We were treated to an adult and an immature Bald Eagle pair sitting in "their tree" and just watching the lake.

Here's as close as I could get of the adult.

And junior.

Great shots duc! That's a lovely scene with both Bald Eagles. The female Brewers Blackbird is very pretty!

Red-tailed hawk stopped in for lunch…

These are our "BOYS " engaged in their usual morning activity -- "Bird Watching."

I put out 2 cups of dog food every morning, for the ravens and magpies. In addition to feeding the big birds, it entertains the cats, for several hours, most mornings. If you look closely there are two Ravens above the head, of the cat on the right.

Nice one Marna!

That is really cute Gary!

Grasmussen - that pic of the Black-billed Magpie was a great way to start the new thread.

ducbucln - I'd be thrilled, too, if I came across an adult and an immature Bald Eagle pair sitting in "their tree".

Mrs_Ed - That Red-tailed hawk sure was a nice catch. I havne't snapped a pic of any kind of hawk, but I'm still hoping.

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Well, I spent most my "birding time" with my Canon 100mm Macro trying to capture a drop of water. Darned if it wasn't frustrating. When I sent them to the computer, I saw they were grainy because the ISO was 3200 (I forgot to change it down, way down). So, I gave up, went outside and snapped a few pics of my birds.

As usual, I was covered up with Goldfinches.

Hack

This message was edited Feb 2, 2010 6:12 PM

Saw this crow (and 3 others) up on the hill and snapped the pic through the car windshield. It was eating corn I'd sprinkled on the ground.

Hack

The birds spend a lot of time on the ground, in the water, drinking. Only rarely do I see one on my bird bath. Here are a couple of -- you might have guessed it - Goldfinches.

Hack

This Chipping Sparrow (and a lot of its buddies) was on the ground feeding seed spillage from the overhead feeders..

Hack

Here is a pair of Mourning Doves feeding. I have lots of them, too.

Hack

'Course there are the ever-present male Cardinals (and females, too)

Here are a couple of male House Sparrows. I haven't seen as many House Sparrows as usual and my numbers of House Finches is also down. The focus is a bit off, but not enough to not see the birds.

Hack

Grasmussen, I'd love to see another pic of your "boys". What kind of cat is the one on the left?

Scrub Jay

Spotted Towhee.

A Fox Sparrow doing it's Road Runner imitation.

This message was edited Feb 2, 2010 3:45 PM

Mrs Ed, hope that hawk found a four legged critter for lunch rather than one of your birds.
Gary, love the kitties watching the birds. Your Christmas Cactus plants sure look healthy too!
Hack, I had to laugh, sorry, but you sound just like me when I try something new and finally just give up. You'll just have to try again another time. Love those goldfinches. Those cardinals sure are pretty-lucky you get to see them.
Adel, great shots! Loved that Fox Sparrow, it does look like a Roadrunner-cute!!

Beautiful pics everyone.....love that adult Bald Eagle. Here is my Red-Bellied Woodpecker.

Nice shots Hack and adel!

Good shot of your woodpecker GP!

I am really peeved. Had a redbellied wp check out our suet, & never came back. Not a good scouting report.

That's strange Iris. What type was it?

Iris, I've found that my R-b Woodpeckers love Peanut Suet. So do my Downy's.

Hack

Gary, That's a gorgeous cat!

What a nice bird to start the new thread with, Gary. Beautiful magpie and so much details in the Raven. And that Bangal cat is gor.....geous
Duc, Your so fortunate, to have the bald eagles so close to home!
Mrs-Ed, nice Hawk, Would like to see the Red-tailed Hawk in my yard, but have seen the Sharp-shined the other day. Didn't get a good photo of it though.
Hack you have such a nice variety. You must be in bird paradis.
Adel, your Sparrow did a great imitation of the Roadrunner, hope he got a standing ovation..:)
Good Job on the close up of the RBWP, GP

A BlueJay trying to stay warm.