Very nice, Rich! Those are some nice birds. Oddly enough, there was actually an avocet in the Kent Valley a number of years ago.
Got any bird pics?
- Thread starter Wadin' Boot
- Start date
As a Canadian, for me also it is the Loon. Loons are of course on our 1-dollar coin (the Loonie); but it is their call that does it for me. There are few things more beautiful than the call of the Loon in the early morning on a still and foggy lake, or in the evening at sunset with the sky glowing red.
Cheers
That is a very solid collection.
Steve
I see loons here in the Columbia Basin from time to time but rarely get to hear them. I always look forward to seeing and hearing loons on our fishing trips to the Kamloops area. There's a pair of loons on a lake we frequent - one day a bald eagle came and perched on a large pine tree overlooking the lake. The loons were making noises that I assumed were "hey, there's Baldie, be careful". One of the loons came up with quite a large trout, one he was going to have to work at to swallow. The eagle dove and Mach-5 towards the loon. There was a lot of loon "screams", splashing/thrasing and an eagle flying away with the trout. So cool to watch and listen to.
Nice story, Buzzy.
There are a couple of lakes out of Oroville that have loons nesting on them every year. They are a real treat to listen to, and so pretty. They also try to steal hooked fish.....
There are a couple of lakes out of Oroville that have loons nesting on them every year. They are a real treat to listen to, and so pretty. They also try to steal hooked fish.....
Gyrfalcon22
Life of the Party
One of my favorite loon experiences was at the early "hot" lahontan cutthroat lake in the middle of the state. I would see them there on and off.
Once when I was tubing I had one submarining right under me. Incredibly big birds ! Sort of spooky, actually !
Common loons have one of the great creature calls in nature. Whistling/tundra swan and sandhill cranes are a couple more, but the call of the loon is special.
Last year there was a Pacific loon in breeding plumage stuck in the Westport marina. It had an injured leg and could not run to take off as they must do.
Smaller than the common loon, beautiful none the less. One of only 5 species on the planet.
Once when I was tubing I had one submarining right under me. Incredibly big birds ! Sort of spooky, actually !
Common loons have one of the great creature calls in nature. Whistling/tundra swan and sandhill cranes are a couple more, but the call of the loon is special.
Last year there was a Pacific loon in breeding plumage stuck in the Westport marina. It had an injured leg and could not run to take off as they must do.
Smaller than the common loon, beautiful none the less. One of only 5 species on the planet.
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Speaking of loons, I wasn’t familiar with a yellow billed loon. Interesting place to take up residence and glad they were able to relocate it.
SF
apnews.com
SF
Bellagio resumes Vegas Strip fountain show after rare loon from the north rescued and relocated
A visit from a rare, fine-feathered tourist on the Las Vegas Strip interrupted a hotel-casino’s prominent water show before wildlife biologists captured the yellow-billed loon and relocated it unharmed.
apnews.com
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I know of three heron rookeries in the local area. We had one started across the street from my office. Didn't last long, the local eagles found it.
Kilchis, great lighting, wonderful pic!
Gyrfalcon22
Life of the Party
Found a roadkill raccoon on the side of the road on a walk today and moved it out into the field so the birds could eat in safety. Always hoping for a closer view of the golden eagle, but that was not to be. Two bald eagles came in shortly and the big female stayed, left, then came back for more.
Not a lot of pleasant photos for sure, but pretty neat to be within 35-40 yards of such an amazing beast !
Below: "I think I'll go home and get the car for a blind" I surmised as the big lady bird relayed, "You are close enough!"
As if the scene wasn't gory enough, the eagle showed off its nictitating membrane for great zombie effect !
Not a lot of pleasant photos for sure, but pretty neat to be within 35-40 yards of such an amazing beast !
Below: "I think I'll go home and get the car for a blind" I surmised as the big lady bird relayed, "You are close enough!"
As if the scene wasn't gory enough, the eagle showed off its nictitating membrane for great zombie effect !
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SpeyrodGB
Steelhead
Great pics.
For a few years the Bushtits built those sock nests in a maple by our kitchen window. When the chicks would hatch, the crows, who had eyed the nest for a few weeks, tore the bottom out of the sock and feasted. This happened a few years in a row and it's been about 4 years since the bushtits tried to build. Though if you walk around Green Lake's outer loop a lot of the hawthorns on the north side of the lake have bushtit nests, particularly around Duke's.
Wrens are nesting in my birdboxes, spring is here!
