Daily pics Vol. 416

Pink-eared Duck with single chick.

After having been out in the water for a feed.

Last one for now.

Wonderful pictures everyone.

Wow, Gary, the Steller's Jay is very different from the Eastern Blue Jays in which I'm used to. Margaret, what a delightful collection of birds. And I tend to forget it's spring time where birds are in their nesting season over there. I love, love each and every one of them.

Do the ducks have more than one brood, Margaret? Heron was facinating. We have large snapping turtles which will eat ducklings.

I agree with Lily, Margaret. Every one of the dozen you posted was special and very interesting. We are so fortunate that you are such a dedicated (and talented) photographer.

This hawk showed up late this afternoon as I was feeding the bluebirds. He perched in a gum tree about 100 feet away and I had a great view. He stayed there for 24 minutes and I got almost 200 pretty good shots of him. (Hand held with the Mark 3 and 500mm f/4, no less).

Here is a question for Resin and any other hawk experts. Notice he has a bulge in the lower neck area. Also, he seems to have blood on his feet. Is this bulge a hernia, or does this mean he just had supper?

The bulge is particularly noticeable in flight

One more. Probably should have led with this one.

Beautiful day here today, but it began with fog. Here is one taken before the fog totally lifted.

And here is the Mrs. Taken about the same time.

And Pelle, I am going to start a new bluebird thread very soon.

Great shots Dave! The bulge looks like it might be from whatever he just ate.

Ewwww, the hawk is one impressive bird, but next to the Owl? Sweet Blue bird, Cousin Dave.

Nice to see your posts again Gary and Al.
Wonderful photography. I enjoy seeing the migrating birds, everyone is sharing.

The White-throated Sparrow are here in abundance. The Junco and White-crowned Sparrow, have arrived yesterday. And saw five Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) in my Crab tree, a few days ago.

Hi Gary, Love the shots of the Steller's Jay!

Great pics everyone!

It's usually a case of "Once Bittern, twice shy", but not this time!

Resin

It stayed in full view for over 5 minutes, very unusual!

Great Bittern (a.k.a. Eurasian Bittern)

Resin

Steller's jay is one of my faves...so nice to see it ...Thanks Gary!

Margaret....LOVE that Heron too...beautiful!

mrs ed, your robin looks quite happy with the water. did you notice if they arrived on the same date as last year?

i agree with margaret, glad to have al and gary back! you both have beautiful pictures.

margaret, loved all your photos, especially that pink-eared duck.

dave, great shots on the hawk and bbs.

lily, beautiful owl-wow!

burn, great photos of your birds too.

resin, you were really lucky to see that bittern for so long-great pictures.

had surgery on my hand so please forgive my typing. here's a yellow warbler from days ago.

i forgot to tell you all that if you should happen to see the november issue of birds and blooms "extra", my photos of my deer and scrub jay made it to page 13! i wasn't too happy with the changed wording under the pictures, but oh well.

Absolutely amazing shots ! Beautiful birds and gorgeous colors. This little bird came to my feeder yesterday. Is it a tufted titmouse ?

I thought mourning doves were ground feeders - lol ! One of mine decided to try the feeder today, much to the dismay of the sparrows.

And this is a picture of one of the six crows who visit the yard every afternoon. I know they can be pesky, but I think they are beautiful and intelligent.

duc....congrats on the Birds & Blooms!

Nice shots Countrymom!! I am a big crow lover here!

Saw a little grey & yellow bird today. don't think it was a mytle warbler but it refused to come close enough to ID. Working in the iris bed so could not really see into the shrubery.

Great pictures, all.

Really enjoying all the lovely pictures, here. Countrymom, yes I think that is a titmouse and my mourning doves make themselves at home like that on my feeder, too. If they stay too long I walk out there and sometimes get within 2 ft. before they will move their fluffy little butts.

I have a hawk patrolling my yard lately, so the little birds are being very careful and not staying on the feeder. They flit out and back from the bamboo stand which is just slightly too far and too shadowy to get pictures. So sorry, no pics lately.

Great shots all!

Countrymom, Your right that is a Titmouse.

Double-crested Cormorant
Watched them swimming and diving under water for over an hour.

This message was edited Oct 10, 2011 8:50 AM

Thank you Lily_love and Dave. Your comments are very special.

IrisMA, I don't know if the Pink-eared ducks would have a second brood. Often by this time of year, the heat is kicking in and the vulnerable wetlands are drying out. I haven't watched these wonderful ducks long enough to know all that much about them, other than that mostly they are shy.

Thanks, duc and nanny. Duc, congratulations on your photo being published in Birds and Blooms.

A distant shot of a Pacific Black Duck.

Green Heron
Stuck around and posed for the camera!

Nice shots everyone!! DG is the place to be if you want to learn about bird's and has many great photographer's. I have learned quite a bit here in both aspects! Congrats Duc on your B+B shots!!!
A few shots to share..more migrant's...Sanderling

Here's a Greater Yellowleg's and a Hudsonian Godwit...

The Hudsonian was new to my list as were these American White Pelican's...huge bird's and quite entertaining.

cmom, i'm a crow lover too.

ladi burd, nice shot of the cormorant. loved your green heron too.

margaret, thanks, great lighting on your duck.

here's a female brewer's blackbird.

also new were these American Golden Plover's...

I also may have a White-rumped Sandpiper...will submit it to the Id forum to confirm at another time....last another shot of the Hudsonian Godwit's.