Just got back from Gulf Shores AL and saw several different birds throughout the week.
Ran into this majestic guy while we were on a bike ride. He was pretty far away at the top of a tree, so unfortunately, the pictures didn't come out too well.
This little fella was running back and forth on our balcony.
Waukonda wrote: ↑Mon Mar 03, 2025 11:38 pm
Good pics, Kevin, did you have that Grackle eating from your hand before you left?
I hope you checked out Papa Rocco's at least once while there????
Thanks Ike! Wish I had thought of that. I didn't feed him, but he sure was friendly and probably would have been open to it.
And I sure wish I could have gotten better pictures of that Eagle.
And yes... We did have pizza there one day and it was quite good.
knifeaddict1965 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 03, 2025 11:30 pm
Just got back from Gulf Shores AL and saw several different birds throughout the week.
Ran into this majestic guy while we were on a bike ride. He was pretty far away at the top of a tree, so unfortunately, the pictures didn't come out too well.
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This little fella was running back and forth on our balcony.
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And these guys are chilling out on the beach.
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They are on the nest already around here. There are 3 or 4 nests scattered around within a few miles of me, and I noticed a couple of weeks ago that one was already occupied.
Been trying to photograph this Kalij Pheasant cock that frequently passes through my yard with his harem of three hens for quite a while but he's so skittish it's really hard to get a decent shot. Today he totally surprised me by coming right up to my slider window...I think he probably saw his reflection in the glass and thought it was an intruder coming to steal his ladies. I managed to take a couple of pics before he noticed my movements and took off running for cover.
QTCut5 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 06, 2025 12:30 am
Been trying to photograph this Kalij Pheasant cock that frequently passes through my yard with his harem of three hens for quite a while but he's so skittish it's really hard to get a decent shot. Today he totally surprised me by coming right up to my slider window...I think he probably saw his reflection in the glass and thought it was an intruder coming to steal his ladies. I managed to take a couple of pics before he noticed my movements and took off running for cover.
Beautiful bird, nice pics!
Chris J.
"...Oh, little darling of mine
I just can't believe it's so
Though it seems strange to say
I never been laid so low..." (Paul Simon, Mother & Child Reunion, 1972, grieving the death of his beloved dog)
QTCut5 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 06, 2025 12:30 am
Been trying to photograph this Kalij Pheasant cock that frequently passes through my yard with his harem of three hens for quite a while but he's so skittish it's really hard to get a decent shot. Today he totally surprised me by coming right up to my slider window...I think he probably saw his reflection in the glass and thought it was an intruder coming to steal his ladies. I managed to take a couple of pics before he noticed my movements and took off running for cover.
Very fine photos of the Chickadee, big homer. I thought the chickadee that visited here was the Northern Black-Capped, but eventually, I realized that it was the Carolina version.
bighomer wrote: ↑Sat Mar 08, 2025 1:10 am
Don't know what this little feller was finding to eat on this old rose bush but he and his buddy was wearing it out.
I highly recommend an app for your phone called Merlin Bird ID. It's free, works great. IIRC it was recommended by a member here. I just came in from a walk out to the chicken coop to gather eggs, and had the app running while I walked. It listens through the phone's microphone and identifies birds from their calls. Here's what I got in 5 minutes. The down arrow next to each bird name opens a drop-down showing the type of sound heard, as in was it a song, call, juvenile call, etc. BTW I never saw any of them - they were in trees or bushes in the fence row.
Ken
Attachments
Member AKTI, TSRA, NRA.
If your religion requires that you hate someone, you need a new religion.
When the people fear their government, that is tyranny. When government fears the people, that is freedom.
chickenman62 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 08, 2025 7:07 pm
Snow is finally melting so some of the chickens are getting out. Modern Games and Sumatras.
What breed is the hen in the first picture? (She looks like one of my Cream Legbars, but doesn’t have the gray neck feathers). Our flock has Barnevelders, Cream Legbars, Speckled Sussex, and Millie Fleurs.
Ken
Member AKTI, TSRA, NRA.
If your religion requires that you hate someone, you need a new religion.
When the people fear their government, that is tyranny. When government fears the people, that is freedom.
Mumbleypeg wrote: ↑Sat Mar 08, 2025 11:23 pm
I highly recommend an app for your phone called Merlin Bird ID. It's free, works great. IIRC it was recommended by a member here. I just came in from a walk out to the chicken coop to gather eggs, and had the app running while I walked. It listens through the phone's microphone and identifies birds from their calls. Here's what I got in 5 minutes. The down arrow next to each bird name opens a drop-down showing the type of sound heard, as in was it a song, call, juvenile call, etc. BTW I never saw any of them - they were in trees or bushes in the fence row.
Ken
I agree Ken. It's not infallible but it sure helps us old deaf people. And to see a bird I don't recognize the app helps with identification both in hearing and in suggestions.
treefarmer wrote: ↑Wed Feb 26, 2025 11:25 pm
Agreed, a fine bird!
Those colorful bee hives are interesting also. Is there a reason/purpose or just available paint.
Treefarmer
Hi TF:
Talked to my neighbor today, and he said the hive colors are just available paint.
Chris J.
"...Oh, little darling of mine
I just can't believe it's so
Though it seems strange to say
I never been laid so low..." (Paul Simon, Mother & Child Reunion, 1972, grieving the death of his beloved dog)
treefarmer wrote: ↑Wed Feb 26, 2025 11:25 pm
Agreed, a fine bird!
Those colorful bee hives are interesting also. Is there a reason/purpose or just available paint.
Treefarmer
Hi TF:
Talked to my neighbor today, and he said the hive colors are just available paint.
Chris J.
That's a practical reason, available paint. I noticed the colors are maybe pastels.
The traditional white color is generally maintained due to the cooling effect of white surfaces, that is, not absorbing the sun's heat. Bees work hard to keep their hives cool, very interesting how they work.
Treefarmer
A GUN IN THE HAND IS BETTER THAN A COP ON THE PHONE.
chickenman62 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 09, 2025 3:55 am
That is a female modern game. Good Barnvelders seem to be the hot new show chicken lately. Just like dog breeds go in and out of fashion.
Mine aren’t show birds. They’re just egg layers. And they’re good at it! Large dark brown eggs. Funny though, contrary to most breeds the Barney hens are better looking than the roosters, at least IMHO.
Ken
Attachments
Barnevelder hen
Member AKTI, TSRA, NRA.
If your religion requires that you hate someone, you need a new religion.
When the people fear their government, that is tyranny. When government fears the people, that is freedom.
Wish I had thought of that. I didn't feed him, but he sure was friendly and probably would have been open to it. 
The down arrow next to each bird name opens a drop-down showing the type of sound heard, as in was it a song, call, juvenile call, etc. BTW I never saw any of them - they were in trees or bushes in the fence row. 
Large dark brown eggs. Funny though, contrary to most breeds the Barney hens are better looking than the roosters, at least IMHO.