Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Winter Birds in Yosemite

I didn't expect to see much birdlife on our Winter trip to Yosemite.
Crows of course are always around.
Can you find the little American Dipper?  I was surprised to see it in the cold water of the Merced River this time of year.


















I have only caught glimpses of a pileated woodpecker in the past.  This guy was hard at work, drilling a hole in a branch.  He paid us no attention.  Not a great shot but since it is my first of this species, I'll keep it until I can get a better one.








I though I was photographing a group of Mallards in the river.  There were Mallards but I didn't realize that some were Wood Ducks until I downloaded the images.  I also had a brief view of a rock wren and other birds were twittering out of view.  I have never found Yosemite to be a great birding spot so I was pleased to see what I did.

See what birds others are finding at World Bird Wednesday, hosted for us by Springman.

23 comments:

Gaelyn said...

I enjoy watching the dippers bounce up and down, then dive and disappear. For me, any shot of a bird, even fuzzy, will have to be good enough for now. I can tell it's pileated.

biebkriebels said...

The woodpecker is great. I have seen them picking in the wood, they are very fanatic. You realy hear them knocking, so funny.

Unknown said...

It's interesting how ducks hang out together. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

theconstantwalker said...

If your little dipper is similar to ours it'a a lovely bird to watch.
All your images are so lovely to see.

Sylvia K said...

Such lovely birds/ducks and wonderful captures as always, Martha! Enjoy your afternoon!

Sylvia

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

I usually hear the Pileated Woodpecker before seeing it. It is a big difference in a pecking sound than that of other species. It is as if someone is pounding on the tree with a hammer.

Adam Tilt said...

A surprisingly similar collection of birds to what we get to see here in the Uk at this time of year. Always been a big fan of Wood Ducks.

eileeninmd said...

I love the wood duck and Pileated. Great sightings and photos!

Sondra said...

You saw some great birds while there!! I saw my first Western Tanager in Yosemite..so that one always sticks in my mind.

Anonymous said...

I'd be happy to get any shot of a Pileated Woodpecker!

Linda Reeder said...

Any time you can see wood ducks and a pileated woodpecker, That's a good birding day!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Wow yes you should be pleased! Great sightings, especially since they were unexpected! Lovely to get the bonus sighting of the wood duck when you downloaded the pictures.

Kenneth Cole Schneider said...

Very nice shots! I've discovered unexpected birds in the computer view, especially warblers that get away before I can put the bins on them. Once a yellow spot behind the bird I was photographing turned out to be a chat!

Springman said...

Lovely birds to see and I'll bet you took some epic landscapes to boot. It would be fun to get your Ansel Adams on!

LindyLouMac said...

Lovely photos.

Brian King said...

Congrats on the Pileated Woodpecker sighting! Nice photos!

Tatjana Parkacheva said...

Beautiful birds.

Regards and best wishes

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Nice shots, I love the woodpecker photograph. You scavenged a pretty good outing.

Carol said...

Great photos! You are lucky to get a shot of the pileated woodpecker. I have not seen one in person. What a beautiful bird.

Leovi said...

Delicious photos, some beautiful birds. Greetings.

Larry said...

Nice job Martha! I love the Water Ouzel (American Dipper). They can swim underwater in the coldest places you can imagine, usually snow melt. Nice to catch a Pileated Woodie too!

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

pileated woodpecker : when I as in Singapore, I sat on my balcony and watch these woodpeckers.

Janie said...

I think wood ducks are especially beautiful. You got some great wintertime photos of birds.