Monday, November 14, 2011

Autumn is for the Birds

In the Summer I don't see much bird life around here.  Perhaps it is me, I don't like the heat and hide inside much of the time.  Now that the weather is cool, I'm outside and the birds are here, like old friends they have come to keep me company.  Here are some birds I have seen on my walks over the last week




The Spotted Towhee is not uncommon.  What is uncommon is to get a good shot.  Ground feeders, they are often seen in the shade and they scurry under some brush when I come near.  This one was catching some sun after a day of rain.













His cousin, the California Towhee




A Meadow Lark shows off his bright plumage.















I've shown you the Acorn Woodpecker, here is another woodpecker that frequents my community, the Northern Flicker.

















Phoebes are flycatchers, they can often be seen hawking bugs out of the air.  This one is a Says Phoebe, we also see the Black Phoebe on our walks.



I noticed this ball of fluff perched on top of a branch.  I couldn't get a view of the entire bird, I think it is a Mockingbird but it is hard to be sure from this view.













Our numerous wetland areas offer a different variety of birds.  There are plenty of mallards, coots and Canada geese, but others are around as well.

It is not unusual to see an egret, either hunting in the grasslands or by a pond.  The cormorant has it's favorite snag, often this location is too backlit  for a good shot.



I think this little heron is a juvenile Green Heron.

I was pleased to get some great images of this Great Blue Heron.  He posed, stretched, fluffed his feathers and then flew away.  I got some great shots.

See more of our wonderful world at Our World, Tuesday; hosted for us by Arija, Gattina, Lady Fi, Sylvia and Sandy

See more birds at World Bird, Wednesday,  hosted by Springman.

47 comments:

Gaelyn said...

Ah yes, winter is a good birding time and you've gotten some great captures. Most of my winter birding is done from inside where it's warm through the window at the feeders. Birds are so quick I have to take hundreds of pics to get a few good ones. Especially the ground feeders. And moments ago a titmouse darted in but I wasn't quick enough.

Sylvia K said...

So many beautiful birds and what terrific captures! I could swear they all look as though they're delighted to see you!! Enjoy your day, Martha!

Sylvia

Shannara said...

Beutiful pictures, so well captured.

Carver said...

You got some great shots of the birds. Interesting seeing ones that we have here and ones we don't.

Esther Garvi said...

Wow, you get to see a lot of birds!! The Spotted Towhee was my favourite, although the green heron is wonderful too!! Amazing what a variety there is out there!

EG CameraGirl said...

I haven't seen a lot of birds lately and I think it's because there's still so much they can find in the wild. Soon, though, I hope to see many.

Nice photos and I'm envious that you've seen so many birds lately.

Unknown said...

Great sequence!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Penelope Notes said...

This is quite a variety of birds … each species has its own distinct shape, size, markings and characteristics that suggest a persona in some ways. I wouldn’t be surprised if the bird we pick as a favorite revealed something about our individual personalities.

Kay L. Davies said...

I love the meadow lark, Martha. Fabulous color!
We get northern flickers here occasionally, and I'm always so happy to see them.
You know, the fluffed-up bird on top of the branch almost looks like the phoebe above it. Similarity in the beak and coloring, anyway. It sure is cute, whatever it is.
Now I'm wondering what my choice of favorites says about my own personality. I must discuss this with my friend aka Penelope who commented above.

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel

John @ Beans and I on the Loose said...

Wow, you show all your birds at once. I stretch it out over a long period as they are so uncooperative. I'm with you on the towhees. Why can't the Spotted ones be as friendly as the California? I'm practically shoeing the California ones aside in my yard as if they were chickens.

marieDee said...

I really enjoyed these photos!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Oh my gosh Martha those are absolutely fabulous bird shots. (If I could only fwr pictures that good, I'd make this be one poar for each bird -- you on the other hand have ao much talent and so many birds that you can put them all together!

How are the eyes doing?

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Ha -- obviously my eyes aren't doing well -- I can't believe all the typos in my comment. (The roadtrip lap top keyboard and I don't agree very well.)

Barb said...

What a great birding post, Martha - your shots are so sharp - I do love the ball of fluff one. The Phoebe looks like a painting!

Arija said...

Martha, your bird shots and collection are astonishing.Wonderful sightings and shots of all of them. That little ball of fluff is such a darling.

Anna said...

What a beautiful bird world Martha!
They are so beautiful to look at... specially number 6 gorgeous... ;-))
Greetings from a misty Holland,
Anna :-))

Anonymous said...

wow - what amazing bird shots! So gorgeous.

Indrani said...

You got a good variety of winged ones here. Great captures.

??? said...

You collected some great poses there. The lark made me laugh out loud and I love the mockingbird, it looks so weird sitting there.

Brian King said...

Great shots, Martha! The yellow on the lark is wonderful and I love your heron pics!

carol l mckenna said...

Awesome photos ~ You know your birds! ~thanks, namaste, Carol (A Creative Harbor) Happy RT ^_^

Anonymous said...

What a great selection of birds you have. I see quite a few during the summer with the feeders and the pond, but it is easier to get photos here in NY in the fall...Michelle

Diane AZ said...

I've also started to see more birds here this season than in the summer. Beautiful shots, I especially like your Towhee, fluff ball and waterbirds. :)

Modesto Viegas said...

Good sequence, great shots!

mick said...

A very nice collection of birds. I especially like the last photo of the Great Blue Heron.

holdingmoments said...

A fantastic selection of your birds Martha.

theconstantwalker said...

Lovely images of all your beautiful birds Martha.

CameraCruise said...

Fantastic photos of all your beautiful birds!

Springman said...

Astounding series Martha, what a amazing variety of species. Loved the Towhee shot, then went crazy for the meadowlark, wait the flycatcher is phenomenal! All to say outstanding post!

TexWisGirl said...

love the 'pantaloon' shot of the heron! :)

Anonymous said...

Seems you found many birds out and about in the cooler weather. Lovely shots!

eileeninmd said...

Gorgeous photos and great birds. I love the meadowlark, the colors are stunning.

eileeninmd said...

Gorgeous photos and great birds. I love the meadowlark, the colors are stunning.

Arija said...

I came back for a second look and I'm glad I did because I enjoyed the birds so much more second time around. Love the shot of the heron!

Linda Reeder said...

You did get some great shots! I'm envious of your birding opportunities.

Larry said...

Wow Martha, what an incredible collection of avian fauna! Beautiful shots all. I agree with your IDs of the juvie Green Heron and the Northern Mockingbird. The yellow iris clinches the mocker and I love that pose ;-) Nice shots of the Towhees too. Not easy to capture those guys!

Hilke Breder said...

Awesome series, Martha! I love the GBH taking off; but they are all beautiful.

Katney said...

I've never had great luck with herons. You would think that, as big as they are, they would be easier to photograph. But despite the fact that they stand still for long stretches of time, they decide it's time to leave as soon as I get the camera out. The stretching is a treat.

Unknown said...

Hello Martha,
It is great that you were able to see and take pictures of all these birds! They are so beautiful. I am a big bird enthusiast. My twin and I even started a collection of bird figurines about 15 years ago and it grew into a huge collection that I now have in a display unit. I was really thrilled to see these pictures. I am a new Follower of your Blog. Take care and enjoy the rest of your week.
Judy - JUDY H-J'S THOUGHTS

Paulie said...

You have captured many great birds and I am so impressed that you know all their species! I only recognize the great blue heron because they are plentiful here around our Vancouver Lake area. You should put a book together of all your bird photos and sell it. BTW, that ball of fluff bird is so cute with its tail hiding. . .

Adam Tilt said...

Great selection of photos Martha. I really enjoyed looking through them.

Hootin Anni said...

I'm an avid 'bird watcher' so these photos, all are super, are fabulous. What a TWEET [treat].


DUCK SONG -- and photos of ducks 'round town.

Laura said...

beautiful Martha...I especially love the brilliant yellow of the meadow lark!

SandyCarlson said...

Dreamy and beautiful. These are really amazing photos.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Ms. Becky said...

oh, you've been visited by John Rambo I see...I think he has a really small _____. you fill in the blank.
these are great bird shots - I love the meadowlark and great blue. we have a great blue hanging around the mill pond here and every once in a while I'll see him fishing. he's been named Henry I'm told. happy weekend to you Martha.

NatureFootstep said...

so many great birds. And fine shots.

It is the same for me where I live. Almost no birds in the summer. Migration times is the best here.