Saturday, February 7, 2009

Lost for words today...


A Green Heron at Green Cay, almost too close to get a shot!

I'm still going through the Florida pics and working on a slide show about the birds down there, as well as finishing up a show on birding in Britain. So, I have birds on the brain and I decided just to post photos today...some are even from behind, go figure!

An American Coot, just like me!

Uncommonly attractive Common Moorhen.

Our lifer Limpkin! Great pose, why is he looking at me like that?

A Little Blue Heron taking a break and looking suave.

I think Pied-billed Grebes are the cutest little things (corny, eh?)

Don't Royal Terns remind you of Peter Boyle?

A White Ibis, even being color blind, the eyes and bill are amazing to see.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

You like me, you really, really like me!

Well, at least one person likes my blog. Thanks to Kelly, author of "Red and the Peanut", http://redandthepeanut.blogspot.com/ , for recognizing my blog. I was afraid the silliness might not go over, but I've received a few good comments and emails from all over the world. The Internet sure has made this a small place, eh?

My main reason for the blog was to share my photos and love of birds to anyone that would listen and show folks that there is more than one side to every conversation and bird!
Not to mention, possibly getting help with the obsession of photographing the south end of north flying birds. Thanks for looking!!

The Dardos Award is given for recognition of cultural, ethical, literary, and personal values transmitted in the form of creative and original writing. These stamps were created with the intention of promoting fraternization between bloggers, a way of showing affection and gratitude for work that adds value to the Web.
The rules:1) Accept the award by posting it on your blog along with the name of the person that has granted the award and a link to his/her blog. [Note: Don't forget to copy and paste the award jpeg itself to include on your own blog!]
2) Pass the award to another five blogs that are worthy of this acknowledgment, remembering to contact each of them to let them know they have been selected for this award.
Ahhh, the hard part of picking my favorites. Well I have to start with Cheryl Harner's 'Flora and Fauna' blog http://www.flora-quest.com/blog.html (I haven't figured out how to embed address' yet!). She is the guilty party that has fanned the flames of this bird butt habit of mine. Not to mention a great friend, birder and conservationist. When does she ever rest?
Number two...my Hero, Kimm Kaufman http://birdingwithkennandkim.blogspot.com/ . She directs the Black Swamp Bird Observatory, the Ohio Young Birders and she keeps her trusty assistant, Kenn in line. Yoiks. Birding with them is an amazing treat, not to mention a hoot!
And then there's Jim McCormac's 'Ohio Birds and Biodiversity http://jimmccormac.blogspot.com/ . His knowledge of any and everything living while walking with him is astounding. Just don't say 'Seagull' next to him...
Nickolay Tilcheff is from quite far away from my neighbourhood, Tasmania to be exact.
http://tilcheff.blogspot.com/ If you want to see birds you don't see everyday, check him out.
I'm sure you've heard of Bill Thompson if you're a birder. http://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/blog/blogger.html His site is always good for a laugh and even the occasional butt shot!
Well, after this, my head is a little swollen. I have to go out into the snow and fill the feeders to cool off. Thanks again Kelly!

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Speaking of bird feeders!

Wowie, wow, wow.

Our watch cat, Heidi, went crazy last night around midnight. She keeps an eye out at all the windows for trespassers such as other cats, chipmunks, skunks and other furry critters. She was running from the living room window to the kitchen window making that weird chatter cats make when excited.

I looked out front and there was a small bunny. As you know, there is no such thing as ONE rabbit. I looked out the kitchen window and saw two more on my "Bird Proof Squirrel Feeder", (more on that another day). I then looked up at the bird feeder above and saw what I first thought was a Stoopid Mourning Dove (their technical name) out late for a midnight snack.
When I got the flashlight and looked closer, I discovered it was an Eastern Screech Owl! Another new bird for the feeder list!
I ran for the camera to get evidence. Boy, it ain't easy holding that 300mm lens in one hand and a maglight in the other while trying to focus and aim both at the same time! I managed to get a few shots, at ISO 12,400 and 1/24 of a second. Love that Canon 50D(free advertisement!). I then went to get the tripod, but too late.
That's okay, I'm a happy boy with dreams of Owls floating through my head all night!

Sunday, February 1, 2009

February is National Bird Feeder Month...

I was watching the feeders this morning as the weather temporarily warms and the birds are flying in and out of the shrubs. I started thinking big, REALLY big. My brain is still in the warmer climes of Florida. Maybe I could build a marsh in our little city lot. Think of the birds I would attract then! I'll have to stock it with fish...and a very big heater, new plants, big pumps...

A very hungry Anhinga


A Lesser Black-backed Gull may be hard to attract without a wave pool.


I think the fish is asking the Osprey to put him back in the water.



A Tricolored Heron playing 'flip the fishie'.


A Pine Siskin on one of our present feeders.

I don't think the neighbors, or the city, would be happy with my idea. I guess I'll stick to the feeders I have, that's more than enough to keep me busy right now...