Category: Birds

Splish splash!

Robin’s takin’ a bath!

Portrait.

This Mourning Dove remained on the shepherd’s crook long enough for me to take its portrait.

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Returned.

During mid-summer the number of birds – individuals and species – that visit the backyard decreases.

Activity is picking up now, and these two Mourning Doves are among the birds that have returned.

Let me know.

This Red-winged Blackbird did not hesitate to let me know I was too close to the nest it was guarding.

Too close.

This Red-winged Blackbird made it clear that I was too close to the nest.

Protecting.

I climbed 58 steps to the top of an outdoor platform for exercise, and to take a look around this very flat part of the world. After a moment or two this Merlin began diving on me, likely protecting a nearby nest. A moment of searching did not turn it up, and since my presence was an unnecessary (and obviously unwelcome) distraction, I decided to stop looking and take my leave.

It was interesting to learn, among other things, that they take over other birds’ nests.

Sentinel.

A juvenile American Robin stands sentinel as a storm rolls in.

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Whizzed by.

Same storm as I posted about last night. This Turkey Vulture whizzed by flying downwind. I was rapidly swinging the camera trying to keep up, snapping away, and am surprised to have caught it at all.

Quite an acrobatic show.

Yesterday evening a decaying thundershower moved in, and an outflow gust front from it brought brisk and gusty wind. Turkey Vultures returning to their nearby roost rode the wind and put on quite an acrobatic show, wheeling, tilting and rocking, power diving, a few blowing through at less than treetop height.

I caught this one in a stoop, wings drawn in, losing altitude in a hurry.

First sighting – of something.

A couple weeks ago I saw this unfamiliar bird hopping around the backyard, keeping away from the open lawn. I gave up ID’ing it after a short time.

While reviewing photos tonight I tried again and narrowed it down to either a Gray-cheeked Thrush or a Swainson’s Thrush, cannot decide which. I am inclined to say Swainson’s because of the distinct eyering, though they seem to forage mostly in trees.

Whichever it was, it is the first time I remember seeing such a bird.

ongbird