Birdyes

[nozh2002]

Right under my roof.

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[tarsier]

Have you seen the parents yet? If so, do you know what they are? If you describe what the parents and the nest look like, we can probably figure it out.

Last year, I found a colony of Barn Swallows nesting under a bridge overpass. They picked a perfect spot for it. They were over water, so much less chance of getting disturbed by people. There were no ledges, so they were safe from raccoons and cats. Even a snake would have had a tough time getting there. The bridge of course was concrete, and they were tucked up underneath out of the wind and rain. As you might imagine, they successfully raised a huge crop of young. When the young birds fledged, they weren't wary of people yet, and would sit about 5' away, just looking me over. I hiked back there recently, and they are here again for another nesting season. I intend to keep an eye on them this summer.

 

[nozh2002]

Yes, I made picture of parent. I'll post it here tommorow, when I'll update my website.

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[underaged!]

:barf: That's a lot of S***!

 

[nozh2002]

The parent:

Most courios baby bird:

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[tarsier]

Looks like you got a House Finch. That one is pale orange-brown, most of the ones that I see are as bright as a Purple Finch. Must be quite a bit of variation, unless there is some other western finch that I'm not familiar with.

 

[nozh2002]

Yestarday morning I make another photo:

They grow up for 5 days and it were only three birdyes in the netst! When I checked again in 2 hours they all gone. I catch them in the process of leaving parent's nest.

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[roughedges]

Thats awesome vasili! I think its really cool to watch the quick birth and development process in birds.


I recently took some photos of some baby mourning doves that lived in my orchids for a week or so. I also took some photos of some baby green herons but they died in a thunderstorm unfortunately. the green herons make their nests over water and the babies drowned.

I don't want to hijack your thread though. Let me know if you want to see 'em!

 

[nozh2002]

I don't want to hijack your thread though. Let me know if you want to see 'em!

I am not owning this thread instead I think it will be great to see other photoes like this here. And mine are already fligh away.

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[nozh2002]

Here the parents:

Some bird - I don't know.

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[roughedges]

Very cool stuff Vassili! I've been taking lots of photos of birds ever since the doves landed on my doorstep. Got some of red shouldered hawks (eating a field mouse even!), osprey, wood storks... all kinds of stuff.

Never thought I'd be a bird watcher but there it is.
Mourning doves:

 

[roughedges]

green heron babes.

One of the parents. After the babies died they both left the area.

 

[nozh2002]

Great pictures! Too bad they did not make it.

I have this strange feeling - like I am responsible now. Probably I am getting older.

Initially, a year ago I found this HouseFinches making nest in the place which was absolutely unsuitable for it - it reminded me my own young years, so I put few pices of wood around to make it easier for tham to their own house, but they refused to build it there that time -may be smell of freshly cut wood or something. However this year they come back and succesfully raise four babies. And I am proud of all this staff.

Please put other pictures here also.

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[roughedges]

I am glad you liked Vassili. I will add some photos of hawks and other birds later. right now here is one of the mourning doves again, this time with the father dove.

 

[tarsier]

Outstanding pictures, guys!

The spring migration here seems to be just past its peak. For a few weeks in mid to late May, the woods are full of warblers. Some nest here, but a lot continue on further north. They are in their spring breeding plumage, so they are easier to see at this time of year. Also, a lot of species are pretty easy to identify by their song. By mid June, it gets a lot quieter.

Vassili, that second bird of yours is a puzzle to me. The yellow breast, white wing bars, and forked tail should be diagnostic, but I don't recognize it. The general shape reminds me of a kingbird of some sort. If anyone recognizes this bird, I would enjoy hearing your guess.

Roughedges, I see a lot of Great Blue Herons fishing the shallow parts of the rivers and creeks. They always seem to space themselves out along the water, giving each other some room. I'm surprised at the size of fish that they can swallow whole...

 

[roughedges]

It is amazing how large a fish they can swallow whole.

Here is a great blue heron that I photographed shortly after hurricane frances last year. First photo I took with this camera actually.

I also saw my first Bald Eagle since I was a child after the hurricanes. Didn't have my camera handy though as I was standing in pvc boots in 12" of water at the time. Later I saw this fella and thought it was a bald Eagle at first- it is an osprey. In the higher definition images I have you can see that he has 4 "opposable" (2 front, 2 back) talons. I've seen this bird catching fish but have yet to be able to get a photo.

And a red shouldered hawk. its in focus, my lens was dirty and hands shaking!

I have lots more photos of the hawks. and some of a pair of wood storks, cardinals, a gray catbird, anhinga (snake bird)... a lot of photos. And thats just birds! Recently there has been a fork-tailed kite (sorry, I am not sure of the true common name) in my neighborhood- if it ever sits still long enough I'll get shots if it too. And the burrowing owls!

 

[nozh2002]

Great pictures! I am really enjoy watching them!

This is my respond

And this is good shots, but picture quality of pocket camera is not as good as I like it to be. Sorry for poor quality:

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[mete]

Here on the Delaware River we have Bald Eagles, Ospreys, Great Blue Heron, and Kingfishers .Sorry no photos.My friend recently saw a goose driving off an eagle that was trying to get the goslings. I've seen an osprey going completely under water to get the fish.He had a hard time getting airborne ,it took 4 tries !! They can only carry a fish of half their body weight [osprey weighs 6 lbs, an eagle 12 lbs].Herons eat fish, frogs and even other birds.They are called the master fisherman.The little kingfisher here is not nearly as colorfull as the european one and I think many assume it['s a bluejay....Murphy's law holds when photographing wildlife - when you have the camera nothing is there, without a camera you see many things!!!

 

[roughedges]

Those are great shots Vassili! I especially like the ones where you can see the hummingbird getting the flowers nectar. or pollen, I dont remember which.

You are lucky to have the pocket cam I think. It seems like I always see the most amazing things when I don't have my camera with me.

Wood storks:

I am happy I got that last one, it was luck as I totally wasnt ready for him to fly off.

I forgot about the woodpeckers! red brocade I think? I am not sure though, someone else can probably tell me I hope.

 

[nozh2002]

Well, I have nothing to replay so far.

Just this two excavators in the nest in their natural habitad - megapolice (from Tokio Tower) :

Thanks, Vassili.