Daily pics vol. 219

Maybe a Swainson's Hawk? Only one in my book that matches the underflight shot.

I would agree with Swainsons. Lets see what Resin says.

Cool catch!!

Nice shots burn! love the Goldfinch.

Lovely pix, everyone.

Good to see you back again, Knip.

I went to the river this morning and there were countless dozens of Cormorants flying from the northern end of the bay, heading up river. I only had my big lens with me and so the pic doesn't show the breadth.

Then, following the Cormorants were a broad flock of Silver Gulls heading in the same direction and not making a sound (unusual for them).

Cool shots Margaret!

Swainson's Hawk, and American Kestrel, enjoying a bit of play-fighting.

Resin

Wow Margaret, there must have been a big fish convention somewhere.

Yesterday I took a nature hike at a nearby grasslands that is managed by the Nature Conservancy. I added at least two new birds to my lifelist (one sparrow might be new, I have to get it IDed).

One new bird was a Bobolink (no pix though, boo!) and the other was a Dickcissel. I saw two separate males, but this one was by far the loudest.

There were lots of Brown Thrashers in one area too…

Nice ones Mrs Ed!

congrats on the new birds Mrs. Ed...I am still looking for the elusive Bobolink!! Nice shots!

i tell you, there were a bunch of Bobos! But they were scaredy cats. not like the second dickcissel who just sat in front of the truck while we clicked away.

And then I had one of those "Dave" pictures. Completely by accident of course!

Female Red-winged Blackbird I'm assuming.

Nice catch! Congrats on the new birds!

Thanks!

I've checked my photos and I think the sparrow I saw is a song sparrow, so not new for me. Were tons of birds that I could not see, but hear and did not recognize.

I'm told there are loads of pheasant there and they are not necessarily welcome because they are not native. We heard them but I did not see anything. The cover is just too great. Of course they'd love to get the prairie chicken reintroduced as it was native here.

That would be great.

Congrats on the new birds Mrs. Ed!! I am being lazy this year so far. I think I burnt myself out last year...so just taking it easy and enjoying what I have. Busy with the plants and garden this year too.

Downy Woodpecker on the suet...

House Finch...

Nice ones nanny!

Great photos everyone.
Mrs. Ed that "Dave's moment" photo is beautiful.
Nanny, love your H. Finch and Downy.
Margaret great photos!

My Bullock's Orioles were a little grumpy the other morning.

Another one...

Nice ones duc!!!

Our Bushtits are back for their morning showers on the wet shrub leaves.

Very cute!

The lighting was awful; but this young curve-billed thrasher found my ground feeder area this evening.

A minute later, mama thrasher showed up and started eating. The chick immediately opened wide for mama to feed it. After she fed the chick a couple times, she nudged its head toward a piece of food. as of to say, "What do you think you have that big beak for? Feed yourself youngster!"

This message was edited Jun 1, 2009 9:41 PM

So cute Jane!

Nice Bushtit duc!

Resin...just for you....lucky (not so good) snap! African hoepoo

Very neat Little!

Good catch!

For anyone that's wondering, most of the time, Hoopoes have their crest flat down, but every now & then, they fan it up like this for about half a second. So not easy to catch!

Resin

Wow, that's quite the feathered Mohawk!

Here's a series of the American Gold finch

2nd shot

3rd shot

4th shot

5th shot

last shot

Methodical, those American gold finches are adorable! The Hoepoo's hairdo is so cool! Great pix everyone!

Ahh what the heck, one more

Sorry my typing was too slow to include with the series

This message was edited Jun 2, 2009 10:43 AM