tkww
Life of the Party
This is correct.
Got any bird pics?
- Thread starter Wadin' Boot
- Start date
Not even half of the species (yes, there are some repeats) I saw on a short afternoon walk around the 'hood where I grew up. I particularly liked watching the crow and oystercatcher going after the same prey in their own ways. The oystercatcher just surgically removed the clam meat while the crow had to break the shell open by dropping the clam on the rocks.
A friend took these at 5700 feet elevation at Lake Ouzel in North Cascades. It looks like a spotted sandpiper, no? which seems weird at that altitude, though the foreshore nesting looks about right...thoughts?
Boot:
I would say you are correct on spotted sandpiper. Nice next picture!
I would say you are correct on spotted sandpiper. Nice next picture!
Early August is the “dog days” at Nisqually Wildlife Refuge. I was hoping that some migrant birds had arrived, but the fall migration is only just beginning. But even if the wildlife are elusive or the lighting non-optimal, a single encounter can make my day. My standout pictures from the August 7th visit were of tree swallows. What attracted my attention first were loud begging calls from within a shrub at the mud-flat edge of the dike that separates the freshwater marsh and grassy meadows to the east from the saltwater marsh and mud flats to the west. From a better vantage point, I saw three fledgling tree sparrows tightly packed on a branch.
Adult tree swallows swooped low over the surface of the mudflat. Anticipating a food delivery, I was well-positioned when a parent returned with a mouthful of food. As it neared the branch, all three fledglings opened their bright-yellow mouths, made begging calls, and fluttered their wings.
While hovering, the parent deposited several morsels into the mouth of one fledgling
and then into the mouth of a second before heading back to the mud flat.
The youngsters settled back to await the next delivery.
Steve
Adult tree swallows swooped low over the surface of the mudflat. Anticipating a food delivery, I was well-positioned when a parent returned with a mouthful of food. As it neared the branch, all three fledglings opened their bright-yellow mouths, made begging calls, and fluttered their wings.
While hovering, the parent deposited several morsels into the mouth of one fledgling
and then into the mouth of a second before heading back to the mud flat.The youngsters settled back to await the next delivery.
Steve
Excellent pictures!
The highlight on Friday's visit to Nisqually Wildlife Refuge was an adult bald eagle that I was able to approach about as close as I ever have. I had decided to walk out onto the boardwalk that extends along the edge of McAllister Creek in the hopes of encountering some shorebirds further out (alas, no). There are covered viewing platforms at the start, middle, and end of this boardwalk that lies about where the old dike used to be to separate the larger freshwater marsh from McAllister Creek and Puget Sound. I was about halfway from the start and middle platform when I noticed an adult bald eagle perched at the peak of the roof of the middle platform.
So, I quick-walked my way down there before it might fly off. It was heavily preening its feathers - “self-care, baby”.
I was able to take full head-shots of this magnificent bird from both sides of the boardwalk leading to this middle platform. In general, the eagle was totally indifferent to my presence. A left side profile.
A regal right side profile.
An eagle stare down.
Nictitating membrane covering the eye
I also had a great view of the very impressive talons.
After shooting more than my share of pictures, I started back to the parking area. I hadn’t gone more than a few hundred feet along the boardwalk when the eagle took off for a different perch. A very cool experience that was due to being in the right place at the right time.
Steve
So, I quick-walked my way down there before it might fly off. It was heavily preening its feathers - “self-care, baby”.
I was able to take full head-shots of this magnificent bird from both sides of the boardwalk leading to this middle platform. In general, the eagle was totally indifferent to my presence. A left side profile.
A regal right side profile.
An eagle stare down.
Nictitating membrane covering the eye
I also had a great view of the very impressive talons.
After shooting more than my share of pictures, I started back to the parking area. I hadn’t gone more than a few hundred feet along the boardwalk when the eagle took off for a different perch. A very cool experience that was due to being in the right place at the right time.
Steve
Wow - 2 great opportunities and wonderful photo sequences, Steve!
Found this feather in my daughter’s backyard. Best guess is a Red Tailed hawk tail feather.
Anyone else know what it might be from?
Anyone else know what it might be from?
Red-tailed hawk.
saw this guy from my living room window, grabbed the camera and managed a few shots before they flew off
Tag says "88" not sure if coopers, ss hawk etc
Tag says "88" not sure if coopers, ss hawk etc
I agree. Looks like a juvenile.
Never seen one, where do they tend to hang out? looks like they are all over the PNW...I think crossbills are my favorite Washington bird
Any coniferous forest, but they usually stay higher in the trees. These were taken in Cle Elum where they come down to my water features for a drink. Some years they're plentiful, some years I hardly see them.
That is a beautiful shot, apart from just the great bird clarity, the scrolling detail on the branch is fantastic- what system are you using?Any coniferous forest, but they usually stay higher in the trees. These were taken in Cle Elum where they come down to my water features for a drink. Some years they're plentiful, some years I hardly see them.