Hello all I am next up to start our new daily picture thread. I'm starting the new thread just a wee bit early because I am about to leave the house and did not want to miss my turn. Hope you don't mind.
We came from here: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/925269/
Today I was visited for the first time ever, at least that I know of, by a Dark-eyed Junco.
Nice pic Met! Thanks for starting the new thread!
Lovely shot!
The snow flakes here aren't nearly as big as those in Pelle's photos yesterday, but those white streaks are fine snow flakes. As for light, I shot this at ISO speed 400, F-stop 3.7, at 1/60 sec., from 10 feet. Then I used maximum photo enhancement to process the shot. This is why I'm fantasizing about heading south, to Hawaii, for a little bird watching.
Beautiful shot of a very handsome bird Gary!
Can you put in what type it is please?
I'm following you south but I may be going to Costa Rica. :-)
This is a wider angled shot of the Black-billed Magpie. I put out a cup of cat food, for the Magpies, on stormy days. The birds compete to see who can carry off, and hide the most food before it is gone. Some of the more timid birds will hang back watching others hide food, then steal the hidden food. I feed them on the moose corral. The corral is an attempt to fence out moose, so they don't stomp on too many potted perennial plants, in the nursery, during the winter. Haven't had any damage yet this season, but there were moose track 5 feet from the front door a few days ago.
What spectacular birds the Black-billed Magpie. The feathers seem so sleek, much like my beloved Rose-breasted Grosbeaks. . Lee
Thanks Methodical for the new thread, the junco s are very sweet. They have disappeared here for a little while, but they shall come back. Had them here last winter.
Was nice to look at everyone pic on the other thread.
Gary the magpie is really beautiful. Will they be around all winter?
Snowy day today, Got the Hairy Woodpecker and Chickadee on the suet feeder together.
Some American Goldfinches in the water bowl, or snow bowl. ;)
And some more
Here's a Cardinal I shot today at one of the local parks.
Nice shots everyone. Hey Gary and Pelle, take me with you!!!!!
I was watching a show on discovery channel called time warp... they showed how a humming bird moves in slow motion
the episode we watched they took an exray of the bird moving and eating... there is a pouch below the throat that holds nectar ... like a chamber... and the nectar sloshes around to absorb the movement of the wings.... and it's head stays still
bad news is that clip is not posted yet... but here is a cool slow motion video
http://dsc.discovery.com/video/player.html?playerId=203711706&categoryId=1466826798&lineupId=1886195443&titleId=1830029342
Hi everyone ... great pictures. It's been awhile since I had anything worth posting; but I just had to share a few photos from today. While those of you up north are getting bombarded with cold weather and snow, I'm getting to enjoy some of our winter visitors here in New Mexico. Today, I took a trip up to the Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge. This is the peak of their migration of sandhill cranes and snow geese.
To start off, here are a couple of sandhill cranes.
Next, here's a field full of snow geese. I stitched a few pics together to create a panaromic view. I don't know how well this will look on here; but hopefully you'll be able to get an idea of just how many snow geese there were. It was a truly awesome sight ... almost llike looking at a cotton field.
Next, here's an up close view of a few of the snow geese.
The highlight of my trip came just before sunset. In a mass assention, the snow geese all took off at once. I don't know what cues them to leave; but within less than a minute, the entire field of geese was up and away. The park ranger said they go back to the water at night so that the coyotes can't eat them.
This message was edited Nov 23, 2008 12:14 AM
Here's another shot of the mass assention. The flutter of wings and the clicking of cameras was all anyone could hear for a good couple of minutes.
Sorry ... I thought I had downsized my photos before posting them; but they seem to have come out huge anyway. I'll try using a different editing program to get them down to a decent size before posting any more of them.
NM_Jane, you are so lucky to have the sand-hill cranes visit. They are such wonderful and beautiful birds and I muct confess, I've never seen them in the wild. And the geese! I've never seen so many. Thanks for sharing them with us. Lee
Great pics Jane! Your so lucky to see the Sandhill Cranes and Snow Geese.
Thanks for posting them!
We some Cranhills fly over the other day but i missed getting a pic. WOuld lov to them on the ground. I have never seen a Snow Goose either.
Nice start for the new thread Met and thank you for starting it!
Great variety so far and Jane it is so nice to see your birds again...I was just wondering what had happened to you. Love the Sandhill Cranes and the Snow Geese!
Burn...I see you have snow...Brrrr!! Love that shot with the Dee and WP together.
Gary that Magpie is awesome...I got to see some in Cal but unable to get a pic of one!
This Carolina Wren actually took a bath yesterday very late afternoon!
one more!
Nice pics Rose! I only see my CW's from a distance anymore.
I reached 100 on my life list with the Lesser Scaup
Now my goal is a to reach 100 birds for the year 2008...I am at 96(always need a new list right??)
But, I went New Bird hunting today and found a pair of Mute Swans...so that makes #97 for the 2008 list!! Pics were from very far away so not great...not sure what that is off to the left either.
I have some duck pics I will put on the ID thread to see if there are any new ones.
Looks like a great day for birdwatching. I love the pictures of the sandhill cranes, snowgeese and especially those swans. I had a good afternoon myself. saw some great birds.
Here is a nice one I caught of a gull at the Marina near to where I live. I don't have a boat but I do have a camera and i had taken it with me :).
Then when I thought all the Pelicans were well on their way south : a flock of them flew over.
whoa!!! A flock of pelicans would be cool to see!!
Mockingbird watching over his territory.
2nd pic.
Blue Jay at the birdbath.
There were maybe 20 or so of them flying over together.
And then the greatest surprise although perhaps not the greatest photos was the Bald Eagle sitting in the tree. First one I have seen perched at the Marina this year. I did not get out of my car and stayed fairly distant but sat and watched for nealry half an hour. I will post another photo or two on the Bald Eagle thread as well.
Grackle at the same bath a second later.
Anhinga passing overhead.
I love Blue Jays too. They are beautiful. I see them occasionally but not often at all. I know their call very well though so I get a heads up when one is in the neighborhood.
I think this is an immature male Painted Bunting.
#98 on the 2008 bird list is a Canvasback drake...
he is the one on the left in the middle. White back & dark head.
Western Meadowlark
pair of Mute Swans
gull at the Marina
