ANGRY WARBLER POST!!!!!!

I hope the title got your attention! I can take a hint, everyone wants me to post photos of warbly things. I guess it's still spring and they are fresh in our minds, not to mention I don't get much sleep because of them. I am STILL editing and labeling photos from the month of May, or MAYHEM as Kimm Kaufman calls it. Hi Kimmay and Kennay!

As you can see from the first photo, tonight's blog star is the Chestnut-sided Warbler. They can have an especially grumpy look on their feathery little face due to that very bold moustache. I have a moustache also, but mine is going white and not as cute and feathery. I can look grumpy too, at least until I start laughing. Why be serious? Seriously, why?

I'll be waiting for a set of instructions. Thank you. ;)

"I see Doodles down there, Hi Doodles, I hope you have a hat on!"

What would "Birds from Behind" be without a bird from behind? Don't stop shooting photos just because they turn around!

Why looky there, the top of my head is starting to resemble his head! Sort of that 'Friar Tuck' look... that's why I have lots of hats.

This one is from last spring. It's still one of my favorites. Kind of the formal portrait pose.

Magee Marsh is a gorgeous place to be in May! If you haven't been there for IMBD, you owe it to yourself to make the trek next year!

What Warbly thing should I post next...

Maggie May

He's looking at the Fat Birder number...he doesn't like the term "Fat Bird." Very sensitive you know. "I'm just bulking up for my long trip north!"

As in Magnolia Warblers at Magee Marsh in May! What a month for warbly things. I have so many great shots, I don't know where to start...so I'll start here. These are my favorite Maggies from this season, though you never know, I may have to add a few more...

I've also noticed if I post anything other than warblers lately, my "Fat Birder 500" number drops. I guess it's spring and everyone just wants more warbly things. Okay by me!

You know there's gonna be a booty shot in here somewhere, so I MAY as well get it over with now.


Oh my, here's something different for you! Birds from Below! Watch your head...

Here's a shy one. It'll be okay, honest...

He's trying to read the patches on my vest, "Oh yeah, I've been there too!"

Peeking to see whether it's safe to come out yet.

Hi to my buddies at Black Swamp! Thanks for helping everyone at the boardwalk this past month. And congrats to Ethan Kistler, volunteer extraordinaire and recent high school grad, on his way to do research in Barrow, Alaska.

Stay tuned for more warbling warblers!

The Master of the Skies

This gorgeous specimen is from Back to the Wild rescue and rehab center.

Yes, the Great Horned Owl. The Tiger of the Sky. A master of flight, silent, swift, deadly. Capable of swooping in, unheard and unseen to catch prey in one powerful , but incredibly quiet move.

Except for the first time out of the nest. The goofball of the skies. Loud, clumsy and ungraceful. Landing, what's that? At this point in an Owl's career of deadly flight, landing is, obviously, the last thing learned and the hardest thing to master. At least judging from this graceful and acrobatic youth.

The look on his face says it all, "I think I did something wrong."

We were at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, getting ready for a little picnic snack. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw something large and raptor-like coming out of the woods and hit a tree. By the time I got my camera and Doodles her binos, whatever it was, was flapping wildly and apparently caught in a few limbs. As we got a little closer, as close as was possible, we realized it was a fledgling Great Horned Owl on its maiden voyage. It was not a happy camper. He managed to land upside down and he was hanging at first by one leg. Yep, the Goofball of the Skies! Eventually he got hold of the limb with both legs, after another five or ten minutes of wild flapping.

He's looking around to make sure no one saw him.

He took a little rest and then just let go, dropped into the clearing and took off back home to tell his folks of his daring first flight. I'm sure, like any kid on his first time out alone, he'll tell them how great and impressive he was.

We know better.

Free at last! He's running home to safety...being chased by a Tree Swallow. Who's the brave boy?

This is the proper way to perch in a tree. He was at Sandy Ridge Reservation earlier this year.

This little guy was at Clague Road Park, a small city park just down the road from us. Taken in 2004 with my first digital camera and a very low quality zoom lens. Ya gotta start somewhere.