DAILY BIRD PICS VOL # 421

I got behind, but congratulations to Burd and to GP-great photos!

Here's one of my Brewer's Blackbirds.

A Mourning Dove looking sweet.

This is the first time in a few months that I've seen a female Cowbird at the feeder.

A House Finch enjoying a berry.

A Dark-eyed Junco.

Those shots are wonderful...I especially like the Brewers Blackbird.

Gorgeous birds, everyone.

Congratulations, GP. Well done!

Congratulation to GP and Burd, I didn't get to see, the contest pictures. Can anyone direct me to them, please.

This Towhee is another lifer for me.

A little Downy WP standing very still.

Nice, Burn. Here's a link to the photo contest. http://davesgarden.com/contest/2011-photography-contest/

Good pics, duc & burn. No pics posted today, so I'll dig into the archives.

Preening Trumpeter Swans from winter of 2010. They have been here the past two winters, hope they show up this year. They don't usually arrive until late Dec.

Yellow Rumps are aptly named. :-)

Carla

Great shots everyone. I'm still trying to catch up with all of the past action.

Dave, I have been to Conowingo several times this Fall. First the recent hurricane that came through did a lot of damage at Conowingo. If you remember there was a small wooden platform at the upper end. That is gone. The water was 1-2 feet high in the parking lot. It took down the entire fence that was there which has since been replaced. The rains were heavy up north so the Dam had to release a lot of water downstream. Things are sort of back to normal but the eagle's behavior hasn't cooperated with the photographers. It's not for a lack of Bald Eagles. I think I hastily counted 66 the other day and I'm sure I missed quite a few. But, they sit on the rocks across the river while we patiently wait for some action to come our way. It's been rather disappointing to me. That probably sounds silly to some but I'm comparing it to the past. When the Dam generates power and the water level rises, it creates small pools of water among the rocks. And when they turn off the generators and the water level goes down, the fish get trapped in those pools of water and the Eagles have their own smorgasbord. Nonetheless, I have still taken a lot of photos so I shouldn't complain.

Here are a few photos of an Osprey family taken back in July. I had last visited the location back in March despite it being very close to me. So 4 months had passed since my last visit. It appeared as though they raised two chicks. I like this location because there are no obstructions and they enjoy cavorting in the water. I have not seen this behavior at other locations. On this day, I think I took over 800 photos.

Here the two chicks are pulling on a recently caught fresh fish that the Mother brought to the nest ....

Here one of them skims along the surface. They certainly weren't fishing so they were either practicing, or just playing.

Believe me ! There is an Osprey in there somewhere ......

There he (or she) is .......

Hope you like "splashing water" !

The family together again ......

Coming out of the water ........ lift off !

I was using my 500mm lens. I probably should have used a 1.4x teleconverter, also - (700mm) to get a little closer but I'm satisfied. This activity went on and on. I didn't keep track of who was in the water, i.e. the adults or the chicks. When they're wet, they all look alike to me.

I do get some nice fly by shots, also. Like I said earlier, there are no obstructions. I forgot to mention but this site is located within Down's Park, along the Chesapeake Bay. I can see the Bay Bridge in the distance.

Edited for punctuation .......

This message was edited Nov 23, 2011 8:30 AM

Last one for now ......

Can you put rolled oats on a platform feeder? Do you have to cook them or anything else? I have a bag of oats that I would like toshare with the birds, but don't know what if anything I have to do with the oats. A little advice would be helpful.

Burn congratulations on the towhee lifer.

Red, love the swans.

Loonie, cute butter butt too.

Linth, your photos of the osprey are spectacular. That last closeup is breathtaking!

Here's one of my favorite closeups of a flicker.

Had to laugh when I saw the closed eye and open mouth on this flicker. I guess the berries are just right now.

Here's one of my dark-eyed juncos.

My quail are having a great time with their dust baths every day.

Teddy, I've never had any birds eat people food and I have tried quite a few different things. But there must be some success stories from what I have read online and in backyard birding books.
Oats should be fine, but not all species will eat them. Soak the oats in warm water before setting it out for the birds. Here's the link I found the info at:
http://www.justanswer.com/pet-bird/41g5y-okay-wild-birds-eat-raw-uncooked-rolled-oats.html

Oh, I enjoy those majestic love birds up top. Just beautiful. We think we've got some courting going on here with a couple Great Horned Owls we've been hearing some calling just before the sun rises.

OK, not the best picture, but I thought it was pretty funny.
Edit to say there are two birds in the picture, so you'll need to click on it. I probably should have shrunk it a little more.

This message was edited Nov 23, 2011 10:34 AM

Great osprey series, Linth. I agree with duc about that last close up. One of the best I've ever seen.

One of these Thursdays when we go up to Baltimore I am going to run on up to Conowingo Dam. Hopefully the eagles will be more active.

Great shots everyone!
Love the Osprey Linth!
Sweet Quail duc!

Linth, I have a large dose of Osprey envy. Brilliant shots.

You have every right to be pleased with your Flicker shot, duc, and all the others too.

Love your Osprey's Linth!!

Very nice Duc....your shots are always so pretty!

Great shots everyone!! Just wanted to say thank you to everyone for the last couple of years here at Dave's Garden Bird Watching Forum. I have learned so much from you all and I can't put into word's what each and everyone of you mean to me. By coming here back in June 09 it has really changed my life in many ways..you are the friendliest bunch of folks Ive ever met!!!
Now no more mushy stuff....I got a couple shots to share. lol

Double-crested Cormorant

a female Red-breasted Merganser...

one more of her..

female Downy Woodpecker...the blue background is actually blue tarps on top of stock at the company that;s on the other side of my property. lol

American Goldfinch...

last a shot of Elvis..I have to watch the back yard feeder more often now..a pair of Eastern Bluebird's were here and enjoying some suet...first time ever in the backyard. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone!

Wonderful shots Burd!