More Bohemian Waxwing photos

Just when I was beginning to think the Bohemian Waxwings had move on, I saw a massive flock numbering in the thousands yesterday.

I wasn't able to get any pictures from yesterdays massive flock because it was getting dark.

Today there was a flock of several hundred feeding just up the street from my house.

When I first saw the flock up the street they were in heavy shade, and not suitable for photographing.

Fortunately they stayed for over an hour, and the sun moved around to illuminate them for these photos.

We are having the longest cold spell in a decade. I had to get back in the truck several times to warm my fingers, in order to keep taking pictures. I shouldn't complain. The interior is having much colder temperatures than we are. It hit -41F. in Fairbanks, AK last night!

This message was edited Jan 9, 2009 9:42 PM

This message was edited Jan 9, 2009 10:31 PM

It's only 4 below here at the moment.

One last shot, for tonight.

Brrr Gary. Great shots!

Wow, your weather even made MY weather forecast down here in the Ozarks last night. That is brutal weather. I can't help but think of Hawaii and it's paradise weather, year round.
I have only seen the waxwings once in real life. Thanks for showing so many of them for us to enjoy.

The cold was worth it as far as I'm concerned. You did an incredible job with these photos. I know how hard it is to get the Waxwings to sit still. I love the colors of these birds and with the frozen branches, wow. Great job on all of them. Hope the sun warms things up a little for you soon.

I went back and edited the original low temperature posted, because I couldn’t confirm the 80 below I had heard on TV. That is so low I just couldn’t believe it.

However, quoting this mornings Anchorage Daily News page A8:

“ About 50 miles north of Northway is Tok, where local blogger Aliza Sherman Risdahland posted a photo this week of an electronic temperature gauge seen at the Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge office.

It read 80 below”

“ That minus-80 doesn’t count for the record books, however.”

“ The coldest official reading in Tok this week was 63 below.”

I agree completely. I bought the ticket on Wednesday. I will be leaving for two weeks in Hawaii, on Feb. 16th.

Have a nice trip and bring back some interesting pics!

Resin

You are smart to go now! You live in a really beautiful place, but that is just plain ridiculously cold! I don't know how anyone survives it. I was just complaining about how cold I was outside a while ago and it is only 47 here! (yesterday it was 78 - that would feel like 150 to you!) I almost fell out of my seat when I read "it is ONLY -4 here now" :)

I love the waxwing hanging upside down to eat. Who knew they were such acrobats? One of my very favorite birds. (right up there with cardinals & chickadees)

Gary, Have a great trip!

Gary, thanks for braving the cold for us, so we can enjoy your pictures. Your a trooper.
Enjoy your well deserve trip to Hawaii!!!

Nice set of photos, Gary. Glad to hear you're going to Hawaii. After being in darkness for so long you'll need to wear sunglasses all of the time. The cold weather up there is an excellent test for camera equipment, especially batteries.

Enjoy your trip. I'll be looking forward to your photos. Hopefully you are making a list of the birds that reside in Hawaii.

linthicum,

I won't have to make a list. I've already purchased a copy of "The Birds of Hawaii and the Tropical Pacific" by H. D. Pratt.

On a more serious note, the "Eagle Lady" in Homer, AK., passed away today.

We're having a heat wave now. It's 34 degrees, and raining on frozen ground! When I got up this morning, cars were spinning their tires, unable to get up the hill, in front of my house. It was mid-morning before traffic was moving up the hill normally. I live on the main south bound street out of the central business district. Schools were closed today, the first time in years.

Gary

Hi Gary. Thanks for letting me know about the passing away of Jean Keene, "The Eagle Lady". I would have missed it. Hopefully, the discontinuance of feeding the eagles won't have a noticeable impact. Perhaps they could continue to be fed until weather conditions improve which would allow them some time to adjust.

I knew you would be prepared for any birding expeditions. Hope you get to see a a lot of new species. For a week, birders had been seeing three new birds in my general area, ironically in the same marina. They were the Tufted Duck, Eurasian Wigeon and Barrow's Goldeneye. But with my luck, I struck out on all three. It was so windy, I was afraid I'd be blown off of the pier. And, this weekend is supposed to be COLD (by our definition), i.e. 7 degrees (F).

We've been fortunate thus far this winter with no measurable snowfall. But the biggest snowfalls often come in February.

linthicum,
Following is a link to an article about Jean Keene, which appeared in my morning paper. It addresses your concerns, if the feeding was to stop suddenly.
http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/wildlife/eagles/story/654023.html

For me a Barrow's Goldeneye is a common bird. I'm still waiting to see a Eurasian Wigeon, not common, but seen fairly regularly in this area.

This morning the temperature is up to 46 degrees. Hard to believe it was double digits below just a few days ago, but January thaws are rather common. We're not at all sorry the cold front has moved off in your direction.

Gary

This message was edited Jan 15, 2009 9:50 AM