Ornithology (Bird) Thread

[doglegg]

Ike, your picture taking ability is a lot better than mine. You get some great shots. Occasionally I get lucky but most of mine are out of focus.

While I was having a late breakfast this morning we had a visit from a Roadrunner. It stayed around by the hen house and I managed to get a couple of pictures. When the Guinea fowl discovered it, they sent it packing. It’s interesting watching a Roadrunner hunt. They mostly stay on the ground, quickly run a few feet, then stand erect and still watching for something to eat. If nothing moves after a minute or so they do it again. When they see anything edible, an insect, lizard, small snake, etc they grab it in their beak and eat it.

Ken

Fun bird Ken

[Waukonda]

Ike, your picture taking ability is a lot better than mine. You get some great shots. Occasionally I get lucky

I just took 10 pictures of a Brown Thrasher scratching around a brushpile in my backyard, I deleted 9 of them. I consider it "luck" on any halfway good one that I happen to get.

I always enjoy your posts, Ken, whether it is of your dogs, around your yard/farm, and definitely nice to see birds that aren't found in my area.

[GSPTOPDOG]

Gamble's quail....

[doglegg]

Gamble's quail....

Cool photos. Gamble quail are such pretty birds. Thanks.

[GSPTOPDOG]

Gamble's quail....

Cool photos. Gamble quail are such pretty birds. Thanks.

I love quail D.L. I grew up out in the middle of the desert and I remember them always passing through our front yard in and out of the cactus and mesquite trees... The three types of quail in my part of the state are Gambel's quail (The most prevalent species, found throughout the state),
Scaled quail and Mearns' quail. ... My GSP Zeus loves them a lot too ... ... only in a different way....

[doglegg]

Gamble's quail....

Cool photos. Gamble quail are such pretty birds. Thanks.

I love quail D.L. I grew up out in the middle of the desert and I remember them always passing through our front yard in and out of the cactus and mesquite trees... The three types of quail in my part of the state are Gambel's quail (The most prevalent species, found throughout the state),
Scaled quail and Mearns' quail. ... My GSP Zeus loves them a lot too ... ... only in a different way....

No better eating.

[Mumbleypeg]

Great pictures. I saw some of those quail when I was working in Phoenix several years ago.

Sadly we no longer have quail here on the ranch. Used to be several coveys about 30 years ago but I havent seen or heard any in years. I think the fire ants and feral hogs have killed them off.

Ken

[Dinadan]

Nice quail photos, GSP. I am very fond of a plated of quail, myself.

[Waukonda]

Gamble's quail....

Great pics!

[bighomer]

Bobwhites are rare as hen's teeth around here.

[treefarmer]

Bobwhites are rare as hen's teeth around here.

Same here. However I saw a pair this morning on the side of the road. Have heard a few calling but haven't seen them in the yard.
Used to be everywhere but farming practices changed. The changes were not in the Bobwhite's favor.
Treefarmer

[philco]

My wife snapped this photo of an osprey bringing home some nesting material. This was while we were on a boat tour looking for manatees on the Crystal River in Florida. Note the young ones in the nest.

[Quick Steel]

Very interesting photo, Phil. The nest appears to be highly exposed to predation. Eagles, gulls, pelicans?

[GSPTOPDOG]

Great pictures. I saw some of those quail when I was working in Phoenix several years ago.

Sadly we no longer have quail here on the ranch. Used to be several coveys about 30 years ago but I havent seen or heard any in years. I think the fire ants and feral hogs have killed them off.

Ken

I never would have thought that fire ants could harm a bird, then I saw a Nature Channel show were the ants swarm all over the baby chicks as soon as they hatch.

[GSPTOPDOG]

Nice quail photos, GSP. I am very fond of a plated of quail, myself.

Thanks Mel and Ike ,

[doglegg]

My wife snapped this photo of an osprey bringing home some nesting material. This was while we were on a boat tour looking for manatees on the Crystal River in Florida. Note the young ones in the nest.

Cool pic Phil. Looks like it was a great trip.