DAILY PICS VOL.314

Aww, they are adorable GP!! Thanks for sharing with us!

Burn, Nice shot of the pretty female Cowbird!

A beautiful Blue Jay

Ya'all must be extraordinary good to your birds, thus they allow you so close for such great pictures. lol. I've yet captured a Blue Jay, Robins or Mockingbird at such close range. Nice one Pelle. Nite nite all.

Nanny, what a wonderful start to the new thread. Gorgeous Pileated.

I'm so glad you've finally got a Grosbeak, Mrs Ed. Now maybe you'll stop going on about dellrose hogging all the hummingbirds.

Good shot of the hawk, Pelle, and yes, that is a beautiful Blue Jay

Frank, that would have to be the funniest bird shot I've ever seen. I burst out laughing when I enlarged the thumbnail.

Burn, Love that shot of the Downy and the Goldfinch at the feeder.

GP, how wonderful are those Mockingbird bubs.

Duc, wonderful razor sharp shots. The tree swallows are just incredible.

dellrose, I just love your bluebird shots from this and the previous thread. Glad the dish by the window is working out.

Red, Frank and sacavounis, it is such a joy to follow what's happening with your Bluebirds.

Lily_love, your Red-headed WP is beautiful. You just have one big passing parade there, don't you?

Burd, sorry the house didn't work out. Everything for a reason. Love your little Chipping Sparrow.

I have finally managed a few bird shots. Here are a few from a trip upriver the other day. When I first saw these two birds on the shore, I thought they may have been immature Pacific Gulls, they were so big. When I got closer I could see they weren't gulls at all and when I checked my guide when I got home, saw that they are Caspian Terns.

I got a little too close for their liking and they took off, but landed only a short distance away.

Black-winged Stilts

Mockingbirds are both flying. The youngest is back in the original shrub this morning, and I saw the older one fly right over the house! I'm not sure if they had more than 2 babies, but so nice to see them both make it. Parents are still bringing them food. Margaret, those black-winged Stilts are awesome.

This message was edited May 1, 2010 8:02 AM

Thanks, GP. They're amazing to look at with those long legs that a supermodel would be proud of. Here's a shot of the Stilts in flight.

I'm glad you've seen both of the babies flying around. It's one huge hurdle completed.

Gathered on a point were Little Black Cormorants, Little Pied Cormorants and Silver Gulls.

I always love to see Black Swans on the river that was named after them.

A Little Pied Cormorant waiting for an assisted ride on a miniature torpedo.

I never thought anything could be as beautiful as a White Swan....but those Black Swans might be just as beautiful.

Second last shot from the other day. Australian Pelican.

Oh, GP, they are just gorgeous. We rehabbed one many years ago and it was an utter delight. Did you see any on your trip to the Zoo?

Last shot...for now.

Come to think of it, I did not see White OR Black Swans during my zoo visit. Lots of Flamingos. Also saw a Kookabura, and heard it!

Oh, that's so cool. I know you've always been keen on Kookaburras. Was this the first time you'd heard one live?

That I can remember, yes. Maybe as a child during zoo visits. When I upload my pics of birds, most of them were during the Australian section, so maybe you will know some of the names. I was told a few, but of course have forgotten.

Wonderful shots Margaret! The Caspian Terns are huge aren't they? I absolutely love those Black-winged Stilts, Black Swans and Pied Cormorant!! Always love seeing a Pelican!

Thanks Pelle. Yes they are huge. My book states that they are the largest of the terns.

I've just finished going through my shots from this afternoon. All taken from the southern side of the river, about 6km upstream of where I normally hang out.

Great Egret, White-faced Heron and blurry Black Swans in the background.

I reckon these two, which were together when I was there a few days ago, look decidedly guilty

...

Enoyed the Aussie birds and all the others. I'm not taking many pics except the BB's. I began keeping a diary on them just for my own records, then began to send it to some friends. A group I'm involved with put it on online at http://www.okmasternaturalist.org/blog/naturalists-notebook . I took my last pic of the babies yesterday, afraid they might fledge prematurely. I haven't uploaded yet. Here is a pic of Daddy watching a Red-tail circling the hill.

Black-winged Stilts and Black Swan from this afternoon

Oh, he certainly is wary, Red. Glad you enjoyed the Aussie birds.

My last shot for this evening. Sorry to have been a hog, it's just that I haven't had anything to post for so long. Yellow-billed Spoonbill.

Last shot of the babies for awhile. Taken yesterday at 13 days.

Margaret, I love that White-faced Heron! Thats a great flight shot of the Yellow-billed Spoonbill!

Nice pic of Dad Bluebird red! the chicks are adorable Can't wait to see when they fledge!

What great treat to have you back posting and sharing your wonderful Aussie birds Margaret. I agreed with GP the Black Swans are so gorgeous! Love those super models' long legged Stilts too. lol. Oh, and those different Herons. And the Terns, boys they have too much red lipstick on I said. LOL. All great pictures.

Red, ahhh, how sweet those baby blues are!

Eastern Phoebe this morning;

editted for typo.

This message was edited May 1, 2010 8:46 AM

So many cool birds Margaret...but am partial to the Black Swans and the pelican!

Red...great shots of the BB's.

A singing Song Sparrow in bad light...but I had to share it!

This message was edited May 1, 2010 10:16 AM

another Blue Jay shot...

Nice shots Lily and nanny!

This was the only pic I could get of the male American Goldfinch.

Well look at here, who decided to drop in for a visit.

Cute Blue Jay, Nan. Pelle the Goldfinch is so bright, such beautiful color transformation.

Beautiful photos everyone! I just commented on everyone's pictures separately and then pressed the wrong button and accidentally erased them-humpff. Please forgive me.

Margaret, it's always wonderful to see you here and your bird photos are all amazing.

Red, your group did a wonderful job on the bbs.

Thanks to Resin and Burd, I was able to identify a new bird in my backyard that I've never seen before. It's a Western Wood Pewee.

We're seeing Osprey fly by every day now.

This Tree Swallow was ready to take off.

Congratulations Duc!! It's so exciting to see a new bird!
Great shot of the Osprey and Tree Swallow too!

Ditto Pelle.

Nice one of your Canada Goose Lily!!

Here is a Common Grackle with a mouthful.

A handsome Robin after his bath.

Great pic of the Robin. Here is the youngest Mockingbird. He flew from the back into the Holly tree in the front yard. Daddy is feeding him/her.