My Birds, Part II

Next up is the Morning Dove. Perched beautifully

And she's been all over the suet cakes feeding the little ones

And this one here can eat anything and by any method, even hanging upside down on the suet cake like the woodpeckers, chicadees and titmice. They are truly survivors.

Starling

Oh, one more Bluejay

Take care 'til next time

Enjoy



This message was edited May 26, 2011 6:24 PM

Excellent shots Met!

Wonderful shots as always Met!

Wowee, Al, they are absolutely brilliant!

Thanks again for taking the time to visit my thread.

Take care.

Hello again. Well my luck with photographing little babies fledging has not been good this season, but my nest finding is up 200%.

I was watching this Chicadee family for a couple weeks in hopes of catching the little ones fledging. I did not get to see them fledge, but I got some photos of the parents doing what parents do. Below is a series of the images

Chicadee #2

Chicadee #3

Chicadee #4

Chicadee #5

Last Chicadee

Well, as a stated previously, I had been watching the Chicadee family hoping to catch the little ones fledge, but on my last visit when I rounded the corner, I spotted these two Bluebirds preparing to take up shelter in the nest box, so I knew the Chicadee family was gone. These two Bluebirds were bringing nesting material so I hoped to be able to follow that family, but when I went back last weekend, I saw no signs of the Bluebirds - well strike 2 for me. Here are the Bluebirds

She was keeping an eye on me

And, he was keeping a close eye on me, too.

Here, I backed away from the nest box a bit so they would not feel threatend and she finally came to the box.

Here she is peeping out the nest box. Well I hope they indeed decided to make the nest box their home. I will check back to see.

I was off a few days this week and besides taking my daughter to the zoo, I went birding on a Friday, something that happens rarely. On my way back from visiting the Bluebirds, I decided to visit one of the local places I visit from time to time. I saw the usual Wood duck family - mom in tow with 6 babies and bunch of Grackles, the Least Flycatcher and I spotted yet another bird nest. This time it was the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. So, again I am hoping to spot the little ones fledge. Since this is a local place, I can get to it after work if need be so we will see. Wish me luck. Here's the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher's nest.

2nd shot of her in the nest

I went to another favorite spot today, Huntley Meadows, hoping to catch the Red-wing Blackbird family fledge. Yes, I found yet another nesting bird family, but momma is still feeding them so hopefully I will see them fledge. It was slow, but I did capture this beauty - Red-wing Blackbird.

Alright take care and as always thanks for stopping in and viewing my photos.

RWBB #2

Last RWBB shot

Fantastic shots, Al. The first one of the little Gnatcatcher in the nest is perfect. I hope you get to see the chicks fledge.

Wonderful shots Al!

Love the nesting photos Al, hopefully you'll get to see them all fledged.

Hello everyone and happy new year. Well, it's been awhile since I've been through. I hope everyone has been doing well and capturing many bird shots. Well, I will start of the new year with a lifer for me. This little guy was following or chasing another wren and I guest they got separted, but he or she gave me the pleasure to capture some images of it. These images were capture at one of the local spots I visit - Jugs Bay.

The Winter Wren

2nd image

last image

Well, here's one more

Beautiful images, Al. Glad to see you posting again. My camera gear is getting rusty since I have recently been doing very little photography. However, I was down your way over the weekend. I went to Schoolhouse Pond in Upper Marlboro to look for the Wilson's Snipes that have been seen there. I did see a number of them but too far away for the lens. Not much else there outside of a Belted Kingfisher and a few Northern Shovelers. I was also looking for a Black-headed Gull that was seen there last week but no luck.

Again, glad to see you back ......

Lovely shots of the little one, Al and yes, good to see you again. Happy New Year.

Thanks Charley and Margaret. I've been shooting once a week as usual, but have been doing lots of sports photography lately, but this remains my passion though. I do pop in ever so often to see what's going on. Hope all is well with you'll. Margaret, how's the 500? Lith, you need to knock the rust off of the gear. I may head up to the North tract this weekend - have not been there for awhile.

Take care.

Al

Beautiful shots met! You captured great detail on this sweet little bird.

Hi Al. I haven't been using the 500 lately. The 400 and especially the 300 are better for grabbing flight shots. But when I do use the 500, I love it. I got myself a 7D as well. That's a beautiful camera.

Thanks Pelletory.

Margaret, I see you can some new equipment. How do you like the 7D?

Here's the American Coot

Here's the Coot's alien feet

last Coot

Nice shots, Al. They are the strangest feet, aren't they?

I love the 7D, but there are a couple of improvements I'd like to see.