Ornithology (Bird) Thread

[Mumbleypeg]

We’ve had a lot of rain this spring, with pools of standing water not uncommon. This bird was a new one on me, took some research to determine what it is. I think it’s a Yellow-crowned Night Heron. Research says their diet consists of crabs. Since we don’t have any crabs around that I’m aware of I’m guessing it’s feeding on crawdads.

Ken

[Quick Steel]

I also did some research and agree with your I.D. It has to be a Yellow-Crowned. Have never seen one. Good capture Mumbleypeg.

[doglegg]

Awesome sighting Ken!!!!

[Montanaman]

Great picture Ken, I have always wanted to see one. We have some beautiful Blue Herons around here. The pine siskin's and red breasted nuthatch's showed up over the weekend, a few Sandhill Crane's also.

[RobesonsRme.com]

When I was a boy, sixty years ago, there were some wetlands nearby and there were Great Blue Herons there.

I have lately seen an occasional bird, in flight, that I think might be the same.

I think it strange for them to be in North Central Alabama, with no salt marches for 250 miles.

Charlie

[treefarmer]

Charlie, we have Great Blues on our place on our place on a regular basis and being 35 miles inland, we are all fresh water. They are very spooky, very attentive to any intruder including man on a tractor or cart. Lots of critters will stay put as you ride by on a tractor but not a Great Blue! They seem quite content to "fish" in roadside ditches as the cars and trucks go by however if you slow down to watch they get nervous and fly away. Because they are so attentive I understand some hunters use Great Blue decoys while deer hunting around wet spots. Apparently all is well if the Great Blue is feeding. They make an awful sound squawk when startled.
Treefarmer

[Quick Steel]

Great Blues are in every State. In the Northern States only in the summer but everywhere else year round. They are not at all dependent on salt water. I saw one a few day ago at our local creek here in Ky. I imagine they are uncommon in some of the western desert states, but they are abundant the length and breadth of California.

[Steve Warden]

Occasionally see them 'round ponds, lakes, and marshes here in Jersey.

[FRJ]

Here's a .........

Hold on ....

Well!

Hey!

What the .....

Here's a little sparrow ...

[Doc B]

Ha! Like the post, Joe!

[FRJ]

Frisky little thing!

[Steve Warden]

Ha! Like the post, Joe!

Yup. A fun one!!

[doglegg]

Well played FRJ.

[Dinadan]

Cool sparrow, Joe! Chipping Sparrow, maybe? I am not too expert on sparrows. You know, I have quite a few photos similar to the first couple of photos in that sequence!

[Quick Steel]

[philco]

These are Turkey Vultures perched on a barn with their wings spread to dry out following a brief rain.

[doglegg]

Phil, I've seen them do that on a cool morning trying to soak up a little warm sunshine. Really pretty amazing birds.

[Dinadan]

Phil - I am not superstitious, but if I were that would sure seem like a bad omen if that were my barn!!

[bighomer]

Great blue herons abound in my neck of the woods, and the ones I see around the golf courses seem to get used to people and don't pay us much attention, that is true of golf course squirrels and crows. We watched a deer feeding in the next fairway Wednesday morning, they get used to people I guess. The hummers are hitting the feeders with a vengeance, got their babies hatched and are on the prowl.

[doglegg]

Great group of hummers BH, also the yard art shovel behind them is pretty cool too.

[Eustace]

One more fishing without fishes

[doglegg]

Cool pics Eustace. Big birds and little birds, you have them all covered.

[treefarmer]

Eustace, Great pictures but what is that strange weed in the last picture?
Treefarmer

[Paladin]

Eustace, Great pictures but what is that strange weed in the last picture?
Treefarmer

I noticed that also. Looks like weed alright. Not that I am familiar with that stuff.

Ray

[Eustace]

Eustace, Great pictures but what is that strange weed in the last picture?
Treefarmer

I noticed that also. Looks like weed alright. Not that I am familiar with that stuff.

Ray

When there is no fish, shoot all sorts of strange weeds