Super Sunday Water Birds

It's halftime and Rose, you're my kind of gal!

Yah, right in town, I can go on my lunch hour!


Well I assumed Tundra Swans, because the Illinois Bird listserv reported it as such. Hmm, you might be right, check out how pointy the feathers are that come to the bill.

But I'm no expert. Here are some more.

another

Hey, Laptops make it easy to watch the game at the same time.

Resin, I KNEW you'd ID the Buffleheads in that wider shot pix. Ha. that's why I put it in there. (hee).

Very nice Mrs_Ed, but it sure looks COLD to me.

Hack

Yeah, certainly look very Trumpetery. Try posting a query on that Illinois Bird listserv and see what they say.

Resin

will do.

Looks like they are Trumpeter indeed. Either Way, life bird for me.

Very nice shots Mrs. Ed!! If the roads were not soooo bad still out here I would love to go looking around.

You sure saw a variety of wonderful birds and the photos were wonderful. Congrats on the lifer. Sure was brave of you to go out in that cold. Thanks, I enjoyed all your photos.

Thanks Duc!

Several lifers, actually:

American Wigeon
Hooded Merganser
Trumpeter Swan
Bufflehead
Greater Scaup

You know, it looked colder than it was. Given temperatures in the teens to sub-zero, Upper twenties can seem like a heat wave. Sunny but cold predicted the next three days.

Here are the Swans from this morning. TODAY was very cold. Poor things.

So it was FREEZING (3 degrees, plus wind), but the sun was out. And you know it's all about the light!

Anyway, as I was leaving, the eagles showed up to fish.

The Juvie on the left had just attempted and failed to catch a fish. In swooped the adult and snatched up the fish. I'm not sure it was the same one, but by the way it came in so fast I would not doubt it.

It was just a snack size.

Awesome photos of the eagles!! I love that last one with the "snack" size. Love the swans too, I bet they're more beautiful in person.

Cool!! ^_^

Nice ones Marna...nice light too but I know your fingers were freezing!! I really feel for those Swans.

Congratulations on the 5 lifers...that is a lot for one day and how great that it is so close. Of course...I'm jealous!!

Nice ones, Mrs_Ed. For starters, one can't beat an adult Bald Eagle against the blue sky. Glad to see the weather cleared up for you. And, congratulations on your lifers.

Thanks all,

Charlie, I experimented with some Shadow/Highlight settings in photoshop to light the underwings, but then I got a halo. Boo. But it is so amazing to see these birds.

Was so fun to see these ducks and geese feeding. They are all waiting to find a stunned fish by the dam.