Be sure and check all of the great photos in our last thread-
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1186837/
I think I'll start off with one of my Yellow-headed Blackbirds. They stay mostly in the tules around our lake, but when you hear the sound of a squeaky door hinge, you know to start looking for this bird. This guy happened be land in a tree to serenade a nearby female.
Burn, we posted at the same time in that last thread-cute family photo of the mallards.
We took our dogs to a park on the lake and watched this Double-crested Cormorant having a great time just splashing water.
One more of the cormorant. It was having such a great time all by itself.
The Green Herons are finally starting to appear along the shores.
I think this is the youngest Green Heron I've found.
Strange on blackbird sound. Red wings sound like a rusty gate. I have seen one yellow head near Madison WI. that must be its far eastern edge of the range. Luckily DH was with me or I would have throught it was someone's escaped pet. We were in our 20s.
duc, its fairly rare for us to SEE smaller herons, but I love that Blackbird!
Wonderful pics duc!
Thanks for starting the new thread!
Beautiful start, duc!
Fun start Duc!
Yesterday while driving along a country road, a couple of little kildeer were running along the road, parents on the other side!
So I got out and tried to get a picture with my stinky point and shoot. I could not get those adorable legs as they scoot along, but I DID get the little one hiding in the grass. Pity you can't see the eye
Here's one of the parents doing the "i'm injured, look at me" routine.
So cute Mrs-Ed, I never seen babies but have seen the adult earlier this Spring. we went for drive yesterday to where I had seen them, none in sight.
Duc some wonderful birds, to start the new thread, thanks.
A Bobolink back in May.
Again on May 23, took this pic of the Crow.
Mrs Ed I think you did great to get the picture of the young Kildeer. I have seen them . and they are darling babies, and so fast.
I'm pretty sure there are killdeer, and Meadowlark nests in the alfalfa fields near my house. They will be mowing and baling this week, I just hope most of the nests are in the nearby sagebrush open area and escape the mowers and balers.
Donna
Duc, thank you for a wonderful start of the new thread. Love that Yellow headed Blackbird, it must be seen only out West. Love the Cormorrant's entertaining itself. I happened on Green Heron once, they are more secretive when fishing unlike Great Blue Heron and others big birds. Mrs. Ed. What's a treat to find Kildeer and its baby. Burn Nice pix of the Bobolink and Crow. Donna hope the birds are 'smart' enough to know where is safe to nest.
Animals have a marvelous sense of survival. For example, I've noticed Northern Cardinals nesting. They usually build the nest just about the eye level above ground. This recent one (nest) was built 2 feet above the usual height. At first I thought they are building up to escape 'pradetor'. But one day I happen to noticed; the nest was just well above the springler sprays level in the garden. How clever is that? Their survival skill is heightened due to the environment that they chose to live in I do believe.
Great Egret with its snack that I spotted couple of days ago.
Oh, I like Bobolinks. We had them here until the hay was mowed, but I did hear some on my bird walk last night up near the creek. That's never mowed, so a safe spot for them.
Donna, I know what you mean. I was so disheartened when the farmer came to mow and then bale the hay. It was my first time noticing we had bobolinks. The dickcissels and meadowlarks were still singing after the mowing, so I think they got out of the way or their nests were not in the pasture, but the Bobolinks were silent. I think what does our killdeer the worst damage is the county motor graters that come by after every rain or at least every month and grates the gravel roads, whether needed or not. The killdeer here like to nest along the edge of the roads.
It wasn't until I began to have an interest in the birds that I realized how much we humans effect their (and other animals') environment. It is so much more than just putting out a few feeders. I talked to my husband about a grass free lawn, which would not require any herbicide. He is interested because of the grass allergies he and one of my sons have. We have quite a bit of clover and dandelions already.
I hope to really see a yellow-headed blackbird. I thought I saw one, but we were going down the road too fast for a good look.
A fresh from the nest Chipping Sparrow.
I live about a mile from nearest small pond, which is where I THINK the blackbirds should live and eat. Not here in my dry yard. I know where 3 or 4 blackbird nests are in evergreens here in my yard. Have seen several Yellow Headed blackbirds in my yard eating the Chicken scratch that I put out for the Quail. They are really noisy birds, but pretty.
We had rain again yesterday afternoon, so I didn't work in the garden. Our lakes and rivers are at flood stage. Temp. was 42 degrees this morning. Pretty chilly for this time of year.
Donna
brrrrr, donna!
Cute house wren.
Mrs. Ed, sweet photos of the killdeer. Love the cute wren shot-so cute!
Burn, nice shots of the bobolink and crow.
Lily, good one of your egret and its catch.
Chillybean, your little baby sparrow is so cute.
Donna, I do hope the water levels go down quickly and that you're not in any danger. We've had a cold spring too, but we're finally starting to warm up.
I was so sad to see the crossed bill on this young oriole this morning. I don't know how it's surviving, but it looks healthy.
Here's a female House Sparrow.
The Tree Swallows on our back deck seem to have moved on, but we still have a pair on the front of the house.
Here's the male tree swallow that I meant to post.
Found these two Nuttall's Woodpeckers yesterday. The lower one has the red farther forward on the head and I'm wondering if it's a juvenile?
My 9 year old got this one.
Chillybean, tell your 9 yr old he/she did very well.
Nice shots Duc.
Just IDed from Chillybean and Resin, a Broad-winged Hawk.
Red-winged Blackbird at a pond I visit once in a while..
Another shot of the Broad-winged Hawk.
Black-capped Chickadee.
burn, love seeing your Chickadee. I had a pair here in my yard for several years. They raised families and were so neat to watch. At least I think it was the same pair. Sadly what I think happened was that the Sharp Shinned Hawk that cruised thru looking for dinner either caught them or scared them away. I have seen the occasional one or two since but none to my sorrow have come to stay.
Have lots of Bullocks Orioles, busy building nests and eating the now expensive grape jelly and orange halves. But they are so pretty and I love seeing them.
Donna
Wonderful shots guys!
CB, Your 9 yr old did a great job!
My 9-year old is a boy. :) He has a better knack with photos than I. I am just happy to get a shot of the birds, but he has wow-ed me more than a few times. I am not sure he knows what he is doing, but he catches them in the right lighting or something. He has more patience than I and will move about slowly to get closer to the birds.
This picture he took really amazed me.
CB, you've gotten a rising star on your hand. He's talented! Awww, guys I just posted an egret's pix on a wrong thread. Oooops.
Chillybean, your little one sure did a great job on the photos.
Burn, great job with the hawk shots. Love the blackbird and dee too.
Resin, thanks for the id on my juvie wp.
This Hooded Oriole is from a few days ago.
I think this is my favorite one of him.
Here's a pair of Mallards that let me take their picture.
A Spotted Towhee enjoying a bath.
Lily_Love,
I looked at your egret picture. Just beautiful!!
All the pics are outstanding & I loved the oriole as it is a western bird not seen here.
Great photos you all! The girls are here so I don't get much chance on the computer! lol
We went to the Indianapolis Zoo on Monday. The Desert Building and I got these pics....sorry I don't remember the ID's. O know these are finch!
This message was edited Jun 15, 2011 5:39 PM
