Friday, January 8, 2010

Lather, Rinse, Repeat...

A Solitary Sandpiper...rinsing...


My, my, I certainly have a lot of photos to label! I'm continuing the file of a trip to Conneaut on the shores of beautiful, but now frozen, Lake Erie. As you can see, no ice here! These were taken in September while the weather was still balmy. As I was labeling these birdies, or trying to, I discovered this complete file was saved twice in different places, nothing like doing the same work again! Seeing as it was a rough day outside and I played hooky from work, I didn't mind.

Oops, if the boss reads this, I wasn't playing hooky, I was , uh, "under the weather..."

Got to get behind the ears!

And other places as well...
A real long-legged beauty!
Shake it baby!
Comb it out and make sure every feather is in place...

And repeat...

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

In the Buff...

It's a 'beach bum!'...get it...you can see his 'bum' and he's on a beach.
Do I have to explain everything to you kids?!
I knew the title would get your attention! Fortunately for the world, I'm only going to post photos of this sandpiper in the buff...get it? A Buff-breasted Sandpiper!? Oh some nights, I'm so darned clever...and on this night, I'm not.
I'm back to going through all the lost and found files. I posted a couple of Buff's in a previous blog and I just discovered the rest of the photos from that day. I will post more of the peeps, included the ones I can't identify. Maybe you would be kind enough to help me figure them out...
Oh my, I just realized that I've had this blog for a year now! I should have had a party...with hats and horns...too late...Thanks for showing up anyway!!


This guy was doing the "Exorcist" thing with his head. I didn't know they could do that!

Please note the tracks around him. Yes, he is walking in circles.

Run, Forrest, run!!!
Most birds avoid people, this loon (well, not really a Loon) was running towards us. I had to keep backing up.

This is my brother Phil. Really. When I grow up, I want to be just like him. Well, maybe not JUST like him...Happy Birthday Bro!!

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Birds at the feeders...

This is my excuse for not cleaning out the gardens in the fall.

15 degrees out side. Not gonna go out there. Nope. I filled the feeders as fast as I could and came back inside to the warmth of our humble abode. I guess I'm just a fair weather birder...
At least I can see the birdies through the windows.

I counted seven Northern Cardinals at our feeders Saturday! I think that's a new record for us.
I don't mean to be 'politically incorrect'(though I am!), but these guys all look alike!

Somebody found some seed in my footprint!

Of course we always have a few Mourning Doves around for the Cooper's Hawk...ha.

As much as a pest European Starlings have become in the States, they certainly are a handsome bird in their winter plumage.

A member of our Blue Jay Gang, waiting for his turn at the feeder.

We haven't seen as many American Goldfinches as usual this year.
Has anyone else noticed?


Where's Waldo?
That big fuzzy lump in the back of the shrub is a Cooper's Hawk.
I had one chance at a photo and I couldn't focus him before he took off...with a Sparrow...yum...