Things I've Seen Lately

FOY Yellow-rumped Warbler (Butterbutt). I called him in closer, but he wasn't very cooperative. Oh well, FOY's are for documentation. Hopefully the "good" shots are to come later!



Brown creeper. Cute lil guy, but always in the shadows!



FOY Hermit Thrush. He was with 3 others, but they were camera shy.



FOY Eastern Towhee. He called quite a bit before we saw him. He was right in front of our eyes. I hate that. All this time I could have gotten a possibly better angle. He flew off just after this shot.



Eastern Bluebird Female- The male wasn't so cooperative. They are now in a battle with the Tree Swallows for nest box rights. The swallows always win. They have the numbers to chase them out. I hate that though, they dominate all of the boxes!



Ring-necked Pheasant- First flight shot...Ever!



Blue-winged Teals-Last week at a nice pond, as most of you know, Teals are very flighty!



FOY Eastern Phoebe- I got this one while in Chicago a couple of weeks ago, shooting the wood ducks.

The Pursuit of Spring

Yesterday held mostly sunny, 60 degree temperatures with some strong winds, but that couldn't stop me from looking for the newest signs of Spring. It was so odd, taking off my winter coat as I arrived at the park. It felt really good, but as soon as I hit the path, the soggy earth had me slipping immediately and keeping my eyes to the sky for birds wasn't going to happen. I spent the entire trek looking for the best footing along the trail. I depended on my hearing and came up with these two.





I thought I might spot some early warblers but the strong winds might have hindered that a bit.

Don't forget the Caption Contest! Enter by Monday for your chance to win! See "Deer Tracks" for more info.

It's Been a Slow Week...

I've taken a few opportunities this past week to get some nature in, but the rain, wind, and temperatures have kept me indoors more than out. Here is what I found on a trip to Gebhard Woods:

Squirrels are usually my "default" when not a whole lot is happening. If you can't find much, the squirrels will do...





I barely saw this little fella. I happened to hear a bird in this tree, and there he was...





The Nuthatches were beeping all over, but were not cooperative. I was lucky to find him before he found me.





The Brown Creepers were plentiful too...





The battle for mates was in full force as I watched 2 drakes chase the pour female mallard until exhaustion. Eventually she took flight, but so did the drakes, so her escape plan was void.

Wordless Wednesday-Where's the Creep?

(Click on photo to find the Brown Creeper)

Barred Owl Day Roost Sighting & Some Migrators

On friday, I went to my favorite spot for migratory bird finds. While walking on the normal path, I thought back to the barred owl I had heard hooting during the day, a few weeks ago. I remembered that over a year ago, I had flushed a barred while walking, and remembered where its location was. I decided to go off the path and investigate that area again, just for kicks. I go to where it was seen, with my eyes to the upper branches, when something out of place caught my eye. Could it be? I looked thru my lens, and lo and behold, there it was!


It was backlit, but I didn't care too much. I finally found my first ever daytime Barred Owl! I took some shots, and adjusted my position for a clearer shot. He flushed, but I watched where he went. I gave him a few minutes to calm down, and strolled in a lazy manner towards him. He flushed again. This time, I could get on his good side (not backlit), so I attempted again. Nope, he wasn't having anything to do with me, so I left him alone, for another lucky day...

I went back with Cuttidad on Saturday, to see if we could get lucky again, and stopped at my last sighting. We both checked the trees, and after a few minutes, I see him. I can't believe it. I turn around, tell Cutti, turn back and lost him. I retrace my steps, but am coming up empty. Cutti questions a spot, asks for my camera, and views the owl again. YEA! I tell her to stay put, that I am going to walk to other side where there is a high path, and get a shot that is not backlit. Her quest was to tell me when to stop to look for it on the other side using our cellphones. I wanted to put me, Cutti and the owl in a straight line, so I would know precisely where to search. I stop where she tells me to, and scan the trees for what seems like forever and am getting frustrated. I can't find him. Thats how well they can blend in. Cutti tries to describe the tree, but I just can't see which tree she is talking about. Finally, I see him and am amazed at how far away he was. I thought for sure, I would be closer on this side. I take a few shots, but can't get a clear view, so I decide to go into the woods alittle deeper, but am careful not to spook him. I stayed parellel to him the whole time, and acted like I wasn't looking directly at him. He stayed for quite a long time, but when I decided to try a few feet closer, he flushed. This is the shot I got with my 75-300mm Canon IS. I mention that lens, because hopefully my next shot of him will be with my new 100-400mm CanonL IS. I'm very excited about this new purchase which was recommended by Craig from Craigs Birds.



After an I.D. given to me by Owlman, this bird was identified as a Golden Crowned Kinglet-Thanks Owlman!




I also found a Brown Creeper, while scouting for the Barred Owl.