Daily Photo's Volume #303

One time I played owl hoots on my laptop to scare away the rats coming to the feeders during the day. OK, I guess I shouldn't admit to an occassional rat problem. Really, everyone has rats. Some people just don't know it.

Cool osprey shot! Love the shadow of the Great Blue Heron. Like the male and female red-bellies together. Just lots of great shots here!

I have to share with you how sneaky those Cedar Waxwings are. I wondered why they never bathe in the pond like the other birds. Today, easily two dozen took a bath while I wasn't looking! I went to get the laundry and saw them after-bath preening above the pond. It's really cloudy now, but a couple of shots turned out OK.

I lightened these photos up. Waxwings seem to like it when it's dark and cloudy out. I can hear them out there again. Those little devils!

Oh Elphaba, Your waxwings are such cute sneaky little buggers!
Can't wait to see some here. Wonderful shots!

Elphaba: Love that branch full of those beauties!

By George, this thread is zooming by at a rate of knots. Wonderful shots.

Burn, it's so good to see you back again.

Welcome Leslie. It's good that you've joined us.


This is an old shot of Ben, the Grey Butcherbird with the dislocated leg which has been coming here for years now. I just wish I could post the sound of the Grey Butcherbirds on the patio rail, singing their glorious mellow, deep, melodic, fluting song, in unison. When they sing, they partially extend their wings and then pull their wings into their bodies, almost like they're pumping the sound out. Each birds head also is thrust forward towards its chest at the same time. When there are three or four of them singing, it is one of the most beautiful sounds you could ever wish to hear.

Margaret: What a great looking bird! I had to google and found this site where you can listen to the different calls of the Grey Butcherbird. Just scroll a little ways down and on the left are links to the sounds: http://www.sydneynature.com/birds/butcher.html

Oh my goodness, it would be wonderful having those songs in the trees in my yard! Love it!

That is just the coolest bird! I found a video on you-tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqLVrEcm0Ds

That shows a bit of the pumping action, Lin, but that song is their slightly cross sound. I've gone through a few on U-tube but none of them capture the sound of the rich, piping sounds when they're singing. See, I really do NEED a 7D so I can capture it on video myself.

sacarvounis - you are most welcome.

LaLambchop - I'm looking forward to seeing some BB pics.

nanny_56 - Good luck with your new new pole setup for the Baltimore Orioles. I'll be watching with much interest. AND you two-for-one Female & Male Red-bellied Wp shot is super.

Lily_love - the Mallard pic makes me wonder if you live by a lake or something.

Elphaba - great shots of all those Cedar Waxwings. All mine are gone - I guess.

MargaretK - be sure and say "Hey" to Ben for me - wonderful.

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I have some pics that I have to work up before I post.

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Hey, guys, pelle asked me if I wanted to start the next thread (#304) when this one hits 135. I said, YEAH!

Just so you know :-)

Hack

This message was edited Apr 2, 2010 10:20 PM

These threads are soaring by....here are two Painted Buntings.

White Ibis in formation.

Crow flying over.

Female Red-Bellied Woodpecker at the upside-down feeder. The new feeder is keeping other birds from eating the suet, and now I am not replacing it every day.

Collared Dove.

Catbird is a daily visitor lately.

Still a few Cedar Waxwings hanging around.

My gosh! You all are flying!!!! Great shots to everyone!

gardenpom - so many great shots. But for me the Blue Ribbon goes for the Collared Dove - stunning.

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Well I got my pics worked up and I had a lot of visitors today. I sat outside for about an hour. I sit in my car and they pay me no mind at all. And as you can see, I'm pretty close, some of the time.

My first two pics are of a female and male Brown-headed Cowbird.

Hack

This message was edited Apr 2, 2010 10:21 PM

The guy.

Hack

My next two are a female and male Cardinal. She's pretty.

Hack

I can't remember ever seeing a Chipping Sparrow with its crown raised.

Hack

Beautiful lady cardinal, Hack!!

Saw a bit of yellow overhead and spied this Goldfinch.

hack

Thanks, sacarvounis, I thought so, too

Hack

Here's a Grackle enjoying the Peanut Suet.

Hack

This Mockingbird landed on a fence rail across the yard from me (about 30 yards), but the Bigmos did the job.

Hack

My next two pics are of a female and male Red-bellied Woodpecker. I do believe they have a home in the tree my feeder is hanging on. Both of them backed down the trunk, ate a bit, and went back up - and never flew away, while I was there. They did the feeding routine several times.

Hack

Here's the guy headed back up.

Hack

Man, I haven't seen a Tufted Titmouse in a few days. This one came to visit.

And of course, I saw a White-throated Sparrow. It seems that if I see anything, its a W-t Sparrow, or a Cardinal.

Hack

And my last pic is of one of my favorites, a Yellow-rumped Warbler. I see more guys than gals, though.

Hack

Nice ones Hack, I thought most of the American Coots have left us. Wrong! while taken a boat ride this afternoon Hubby and I spotted a flock of these fun 'water chickens'.

Lily_love - I think we still have some Coots at the area park (Cooper creek park, with lake) - Least ways we did about a week ago. What'd you do, hollar at them? :-) I will probably with the Harley-sidecar rig over tomorrow and see what's there.

Hack

Someone has posted a pic. of a Great Blue Heron making this currious pose before. I don't remember what's going on with the bird. Any idea anyone? Anyhow, soon there after we discovered a many other herons in the same tree, and perhaps a nest nearby. Does anyone know if the bird was trying to intimidate intruders (people on the boat -- namely us)?

Hack, it must be "a guys' thing" hubby headed straight at them full trottle on our vintage Bass boat. lol. He even remark "The Old Girl still has it" implies the old boat can still run, I hope that was he meant and not .....moi. lol.

Here is a pic. what does look like the mention mentioned Heron nest. (pic. follows).

This message was edited Apr 2, 2010 9:36 PM

That flasher! I have no idea. I've seen herons do that too. I thought they were drying themselves off?

Nice pics Hack. The goldfinches are really getting colorful now. They attract my eye too.

GP, cool stuff! I didn't know Ibis flew in formation. That is so cool.

I'm off to listen to Margaret's bird. Thanks for the link Plantladylin!

This message was edited Apr 2, 2010 9:41 PM

The nest?

A Crow came by after the Herons flew off-- to check out what all the comotion was all about.

Lily - it is sunning itself. I see Cormorants doing it all the time.

http://www.jrcompton.com/photos/The_Birds/herons/Herons.html - 4th photo down.

Hack

This message was edited Apr 2, 2010 11:29 PM