Birds - personal observations
Re: Birds - personal observations
Finally seeing some summertime visitors. Orioles, Goldfinches, and Hummingbirds. Only managed to catch a hummer, lousy picture, from about 15 feet away and thru 3 layers of glass.
Protected by a large LOUD dog, and Smith & Wesson...
Re: Birds - personal observations
Waukonda wrote: ↑Mon May 08, 2023 12:20 amNice pictures, Jim.
I was able to get a few Bobolink pics this afternoon. Their time here is fleeting, so I am glad they cooperated.
The males are obvious, the more plain, "Dickcissel looking" bird, is the female.

Re: Birds - personal observations
MadeinUSA wrote: ↑Mon May 08, 2023 1:08 am
The Bobolink is bird I have yet to see! I have just over 450 on my life list and would like to add that one!
Re: Birds - personal observations
450+ is an impressive # for your life list. The range map for the Bobolink shows all of Iowa to be in the breeding range, there should be some not too far from you. I am lucky enough to have some stopover for a few days every Spring.
Ike
Re: Birds - personal observations
I went on many guided birding trips with my father-in-law who shared his love of birding with me beginning many years ago.
Hence the relatively high number.
Re: Birds - personal observations
Ma and Pa Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks showed up this morning (as did a Baltimore Oriole... But no pics yet of the Oriole)
Re: Birds - personal observations
Nice Goldfinch Jim.
Lively shots Ike.
Lively shots Ike.
Re: Birds - personal observations
Managed to catch an Oriole a bit ago. Think I have 2 or 3 pairs. Time to stock up on grape jelly!
They also are liking the hummingbird juice
Protected by a large LOUD dog, and Smith & Wesson...
Re: Birds - personal observations
Beautiful shots, Boji. Have you ever tried quartering an orange and putting it out for them? A nephew of mine has great luck attracting them to his yard with oranges
Ike
Re: Birds - personal observations
Nice shot of the Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks, Jim. And that is a colorful Oriole, Boji. You fellows have some beautiful birds.
My Waxwings are still hanging around. Here they seem to be doing a bit of communing and grooming. This Mississippi Kite was soaring over my house this week. Along with this Black Vulture.
My Waxwings are still hanging around. Here they seem to be doing a bit of communing and grooming. This Mississippi Kite was soaring over my house this week. Along with this Black Vulture.
Mel
Re: Birds - personal observations
Nice, Mel! A group of Waxwings are always enjoyable to watch.Dinadan wrote: ↑Tue May 09, 2023 1:21 am Nice shot of the Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks, Jim. And that is a colorful Oriole, Boji. You fellows have some beautiful birds.
My Waxwings are still hanging around. Here they seem to be doing a bit of communing and grooming.
Waxwings22.jpg
This Mississippi Kite was soaring over my house this week.
Mississippi_Kite11.jpg
Along with this Black Vulture.
Black_Vulture.jpg
Ike
- Quick Steel
- Silver Tier
- Posts: 18017
- Joined: Thu Dec 16, 2010 5:39 pm
- Location: Lebanon, KY
Re: Birds - personal observations
Cedar Waxwings, obviously one of the most elegant of birds. You are blessed to have that handsome group.
Re: Birds - personal observations
Great pics everyone... I love the sharing!
I snagged this pic as this Baltimore Oriole had a precarious position on the shepherds hook
I snagged this pic as this Baltimore Oriole had a precarious position on the shepherds hook
Re: Birds - personal observations
As a rule, the grosbeaks show up on my birthday, April 29, this year they arrived the 29th. Orioles show about 2--3 days later. This year they came May 5. usually 3 pairs of grosbeaks and 3 pairs orioles. poor male grosbeak flew into the sliding glass door, sat there stunned for an hour and moved on. The wife puts out 1/2 an orange as well as grape jelly, they really go for them.
Blue Heron visited the pond a few times. And no Eagles as yet. Last year an eagle took a 2 foot red koi, neighbor got a photo of him sitting with it on the pond bank. . A friend lost all of his koi to eagles a couple years ago so he filled in his pond!? Their nest is only about 300 yards from his pond.There are about 6 eagle nests within a 10 mile radius of us. All are visable from the roads and draw a lot of camera action.
Blue Heron visited the pond a few times. And no Eagles as yet. Last year an eagle took a 2 foot red koi, neighbor got a photo of him sitting with it on the pond bank. . A friend lost all of his koi to eagles a couple years ago so he filled in his pond!? Their nest is only about 300 yards from his pond.There are about 6 eagle nests within a 10 mile radius of us. All are visable from the roads and draw a lot of camera action.
Re: Birds - personal observations
The red-bellied woodpecker is a frequent visitor
Re: Birds - personal observations
Gray Catbirds were awaiting their turn... After the woodpecker above
Re: Birds - personal observations
Mel, Jim some great pics.
I was privileged to visit Davis Mountains State Park in far west Texas over the weekend. It is a birders paradise during migration season. A few pics .
I was privileged to visit Davis Mountains State Park in far west Texas over the weekend. It is a birders paradise during migration season. A few pics .
Re: Birds - personal observations
A few more
Re: Birds - personal observations
Mr Floyd, those are some most impressive pics, would love to visit that area. Most of the birds pictured are not found in my area. That Vermillion Flycatcher, the Scott's Oriole, and the Acorn Woodpecker really stand out. I felt fortunate to get a Blue Grosbeak picture today, but that really pales with your collection, very awesome post!
Jim, nice feeder action, Catbirds don't seem to be as common around here as they were years ago.
Jim, nice feeder action, Catbirds don't seem to be as common around here as they were years ago.
Ike
Re: Birds - personal observations
Excellent pics from Texas, Doglegg!
Re: Birds - personal observations
Thanks for the kind comments, fellows.
Doglegg, that is a great array of photos from the Davis Mountains. I have visited the Davis Mountains a few times over the decades. I often thought that it would be a very fine area to retire. As long as you are happy to be a bit isolated, which I would love: my wife not so much. Now that I see those bird photos I am really thinking that between the night skies and birds, ot to mention mammals, it is just a nice area.
Doglegg, that is a great array of photos from the Davis Mountains. I have visited the Davis Mountains a few times over the decades. I often thought that it would be a very fine area to retire. As long as you are happy to be a bit isolated, which I would love: my wife not so much. Now that I see those bird photos I am really thinking that between the night skies and birds, ot to mention mammals, it is just a nice area.
Mel
- RobesonsRme.com
- Posts: 10060
- Joined: Wed Jan 28, 2009 3:44 pm
- Location: The Heart of Dixie.
- Contact:
Re: Birds - personal observations
A friend in Navarre, Florida, took this photo last week
It is one half of a nesting pair across the street from his house.
He id’d it as an Osprey, but I’m pretty sure it’s a Red Shouldered Hawk.
Photo will enlarge.
Bill is an accomplished photographer with good equipment.
It is one half of a nesting pair across the street from his house.
He id’d it as an Osprey, but I’m pretty sure it’s a Red Shouldered Hawk.
Photo will enlarge.
Bill is an accomplished photographer with good equipment.
DE OPPRESSO LIBER
"...Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons ___but they are helpless against our prayers. "
Sidlow Baxter
"...Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons ___but they are helpless against our prayers. "
Sidlow Baxter
Re: Birds - personal observations
Ike, you would love it. The variety is overwhelming.
Jim thanks for the kind words.
Mel, I like the isolatedness of that area. Skies beautiful, mamals abundant and a super highway during migration. What is sad is all the pics I missed.
RobesonesRme, that is a beautiful Red Shouldered Hawk.
Jim thanks for the kind words.
Mel, I like the isolatedness of that area. Skies beautiful, mamals abundant and a super highway during migration. What is sad is all the pics I missed.
RobesonesRme, that is a beautiful Red Shouldered Hawk.