Thursday, March 24, 2011

First Day of Spring...

Look closely and you'll see an American Tree Sparrow.

A friend told me recently as I was complaining about some moron politician, "Shut up and bird!"
So here ya go...me and the Doodles went birding on the first day of spring. Magee Marsh and Ottawa of course.

Have a nice day...

Bald Eagle sitting on a nest.

Bald Eagle flying.

Juvenile Bald Eagle chasing Mallards.

American Woodcock resting.

Bufflehead looking the other way.

Double-crested Cormorant...doubled.

Downy Woodpecker pecking wood.
(How long did you think I could go before turning back into a smart Alec?)

Great Blue Heron saying "Here fishy, fishy, fishy!"

Hooded Mergansers. So trendy. I wish I had a hoodie.

Pied-billed Grebe. I will have pie this weekend.

A Trumpeter Swan that doesn't find this amusing and is going to land on me!

Just a fly by to get my attention...

A Red-winged Blackbird with gas.

Canada Geese got...
Junk in the trunk...

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Cockeyed!

The Doodles and her new friend, Doodlette on the Hawk watch tower at Magee Marsh.

Cockeyed? Yep, that's the Doodles! She received Doodlette from our birdin' buddy Judy as her new mascot(Shhh, don't tell Bobb!) We both hoped it would bring good luck in spotting American Woodcocks, otherwise known as "Timberdoodles."

We decided to check out Magee Marsh to see if Doodlette would help us out. So, we were driving through the parking lot near the boardwalk and I said to the Doodles, " Doodles, (I say that a lot) I sure would like to see a Woodcock!" Then the Doodles said(with a little chuckle in her voice) "There's one right there! No, there! About ten feet in the woods near the tree!" Now if you've ever been to Magee Marsh you would realize that there are quite a few trees there. That's also one of the main reasons they call areas full of trees "The Woods." Anyway, being a good significant other, I smile and listen, scanning the ground about twenty feet in(I know she said ten! Her distance and mine are different.) Then I back up WRBLRZ a couple of feet, and lo and behold! An American Woodcock buried in the leaves!

How she spotted that little football of a bird in there I'll never know. I do know that Doodlette will be with us every where we go from now on...I wonder if she can find that mysterious Yellow-headed Blackbird for us? Hmmmm.....

Why looky there! It's a Timberdoodle!

Look out Bobb, Doodlette is taking over!
I shot from the security of WRBLRZ, you never know when those Woodcocks will attack!

Almost actually size when driving by at 15 miles per hour...
(Twist your head really fast from left to right to re-enact the actual experience.)

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Shreve Migration Sensation!

Beautiful downtown Shreve, Ohio...where birders are always welcome, and birds too!

Spring has Sprung and it's time once again for the Shreve Migration Sensation! We've attended every year since 2006 and we have always had a great time. If you're any where near Ohio this coming weekend (March 26th,) you really need to make plans for a visit.

As always great speakers will be on hand as well as wonderfully informative workshops to hone your birding skills. Did I mention pies? The finest Amish baked pies you have ever tasted! Even if I don't see anything butt those @#*@ Starlings, I would still be happy with a slice of pie. Anyway, back to birds...yep, they got birds there.

This area has some of the finest wetlands in Ohio with a few guaranteed rarities every year. Ducks galore, Swallows, Sandhill Cranes and even a few warbly things if the weather holds out!

Not to mention Me and the Doodles! If you're in for the weekend look for us and be sure to say "Hello, get out of my way!"...every one else does...

Some of the Funkiest Bottoms in the state!

Even American Bitterns like to visit.

You'll see lots of old Coots hanging around...
especially near the pies...


This Bufflehead heard me mention the pie.
He wants to make sure he gets his share!


I wonder if Hairy Woodpeckers eat pie?

Oooo...Horned Grebe!

Cheryl Harner will speak about native plants, our greatest hero, Kim Kaufman of BSBO will give a great motivational talk for all of us to heed!
And of course, good buddy Hugh will be there with the mobile BSBO store selling guide books and gifts!


Who knows, maybe Kenn and Bobb with do a joint presentation!

Jim McCormac of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, a veritable fount of information on everything natural will give a presentation on Ruby-throated Hummingbirds
...and how to get rid of Bobb...


Muskrats will be on hand to eat marshy stuff and have their photos taken.

If you're lucky, you will hear the melodious call of the Sandhill Crane,
or if you're like the rest of us, you'll hear their scream...

Please be careful while visiting!
You wouldn't want a Snowy Owl to eat your face.

...Or a Song Sparrow to poop on your lens...it's really hard to get off...

Another sing of spring are the hundreds of Tree Swallows you'll see!

White-winged Scoter, still my biggest thrill and lifer at Shreve!

If you don't visit...you're a butt.
Not really.
Well, maybe...