Thursday, August 6, 2009

Gold Fever



I just realized this is my one hundredth post...yoiks!



I didn't think I would make it this long, let alone have anyone actually look at these pics of mine. Especially with a name like "Birds from behind!" Thanks for visiting! I looked at the map on the side and, wow, look at all the places people popped in from, France, Italy, Columbia. Norway and Peru most recently. Not to mention my friends in the U.S. and the U.K. that visit every day, some of you I actually know, and I apologize for that by the way.



Butt now back to the blog at hand...I got the feva for more Goldfinches...



This is one of those common birds that you see quite often. Butt, somehow, I can't seem to get a good shot of one. They're on our feeders everyday, butt I don't like feeder shots. When I see them in the field, they always seem so far away.



We were at Ottawa (of course) with the Doodles family, Mother Betty Doodles, Sister Debbie Doodles and Herb (a Doodles-in-law). We were visiting the gorgeous wildflower garden behind (where else!) the visitors center. There was a Ruby-throated Hummingbird and a number of butterflies, most notably Monarchs, a future post for sure. And there they were, a number of American Goldfinches attacking the sunflowers and not worried in the least about our presence.

So as the sun was going down, I think I got a few acceptable photos, woo-hoo!

You know, I tried eating ice cream upside down like this, but besides the Doodles getting upset about the carpet stains,
I got ice cream up my nose.
Here's a female American Goldfinch pondering the sunflower seeds and wondering about the fat content and calories contained within. "Maybe I'll go back to the thistle feeder..."

I'll bet you didn't know Goldfinches were good dancers!
Boogie down my man!
" Peek-a-boo! I see you trying to sneak a butt shot!"

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

The Wren't is due...


Stretch Armstrong...

Yes, it's way over due! I've been trying to get a shot of a Marsh Wren for quite some time, and at long last I have a few that aren't covered by grass, leaves, cattails, sticks or my finger. They still aren't the sharpest, but it's a good start.

Me and the Doodles were at our new hang out, Ottawa NWR with our birdin' buds, Judy and Hugh (aka Hudy). As usual we heard the Wrens calling but couldn't see them...until Hugh called back to them, he's got an amazing voice! Actually, he had his birdpod with him. He played it once and that little Wren came up so fast it made your head spin. And he bopped around in the weeds and grassy bits long enough for Judy and I to get a few shots.

I've been back to Ottawa again since I shot these photos, and guess what? Heard but not seen. I used up my Mojo on that one...


Here he is, singin' his brains out. His whole body vibrated when he sang, amazing!

I found another Marsh Wren calling this past Sunday morn. He wouldn't stay in the clear long enough, but I did spot his nest!

Once again, special thanks to our special friend, Mark Shieldcastle, King of the Banders, for trying to hold this perpetual motion machine long enough for me to TRY to get a photo. I think they must drink too much Coke...

This is the look I get from the Doodles when I stand in one place too long trying to get a photo of a bird that is clearly too far away, not sitting still, hiding is the weeds or I have 50 shots of already...and she's being eaten alive by the deer flies!
"What are you lookin at?! Let's go!"

Where's Waldo? This is the real view of the Marsh Wren. At least he's out in the open this time!

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Cuckoo for Katydids!


While I was wandering alone on the boardwalk at Magee Marsh, I heard this very odd sound coming from just above me. Yes, I know, I always hear odd sounds coming from overhead, but this one was real. I'm not going to try to type 'kukukuk' 'cause that would just look stoopid. But, just try to imagine hearing that sound emanating very softly from overhead. Being in the midst of summer with all the glorious leaves out in their full splendor (much to the dismay of all the birders trying to find the thing that's making that odd 'kukukukuk' sound overhead), finding the source was difficult.
Until I saw a little movement. And there it was, a smallish bird with a white belly and dark back, rather nondescript. Then I realized that little bird was just squeaking and the kukuking was coming from within the leaves. It was a very young Yellow-billed Cuckoo waiting for mom or dad to fill his empty gullet! This was only the second opportunity I've had to photograph a Yellow-billed Cuckoo and what a great opportunity it was!


As a side story, I went to visit my buddies at Black Swamp Bird Observatory and show off the rewards of my magnificent morning at the Marsh. Kimmay, Hugh Rose and Karen Zach were all excited to see my photos of the fledgling Cuckoo and Karen mentioned that she had never seen one in the 'feather' before.
As I was leaving Karen came out into the lot with me and lo and behold as we spoke, a Cuckoo flew across the lot and into the trees across from us. Then as if on command, he flew back into the tree behind BSBO! Karen has a new life bird now! What a coincidence!
Show me what you have there! Oh, a yummy young Katydid, delicious AND nutritious!
Anyone that has finicky kids will understand this feeding technique. Open wide and cram it down!

"Eeewwww, I can feel it wigglin' in me!"

This is what I first saw when I looked up. Them youngsters sure are hard to ID!


*Part Two of the "Marvelous Day at Magee"...
Here you can see the lovely Kimmay Kaufman making sure her finely manicured nails are still in tip top shape while my bro-in-law, Herb Simpson(visiting from Indianapolis) and the ever-muscular me, try to change a flat tire on the KimsterMobile. We managed to loosen three of the four lugs. That fourth one, @#*^$@^! I realize I'm not the heftiest birder alive, but I jumped up and down on that blasted lug wrench and it would not budge. Time to call AAA!
So now the Doodle's family knows how hard it is to be a birder...really, really hard...