Ornithology (Bird) Thread

[Mumbleypeg]

One thing I get a kick out of is when the barn swallows escort me as I mow the pastures. Often I'll have a small squadron of them circling and swooping to harvest the insects stirred up by the tractor and bush hog. They really put on a show.

Thanks everybody.

Phil, the same thing happens here when I mow pastures or cut hay. The other interesting birds that invariably show up are red-tailed hawks, usually at least two but sometimes three or four. They perch in tree tops near the field if there are any close by, or just circle and hover, much higher up than the circling swallows.

The swallows are after insects stirred up by mowing, the hawks are watching for field mice and rabbits, and invariably they get a few. They swoop down at high speed and deliver a knock-out blow, then land nearby, pick up the victim and fly off with it. Usually they return a few minutes later and start the process again. But a couple of times I’ve witnessed a hawk catch or knock down a swallow, in mid-air.

Ken

[Mumbleypeg]

Normally when I check nest boxes I knock on the side if I think anyone might be home. If any adult birds are present they usually fly out and perch nearby. Today I knocked at this box and nothing flew out, so I assumed momma was off somewhere. To my surprise when I opened the box she was sitting on the nest. I snapped a quick picture, quickly closed the box and left. This was my reward!

Mom on the job. Click to enlarge.

Ken

[philco]

That's a wonderful picture Ken.

We had a hard rain here this evening. A brown headed cowbird sought refuge on my window sill as the rain poured down. He chose the window that faces out to my bird feeding station , but it's also the window where our cat enjoys bird watching. Apparently the bird was more concerned with the downpour than he was with that large tomcat just inches (and a pane of glass) away from him.

[WillyCamaro]

Good one Ken, and Mr. Tom .
Willy

[doglegg]

Ken, that is a fabulous picture. Thanks for sharing.

Funny pic and story Phil.

[Dinadan]

Beautiful and interesting Bluebird photo, Ken!

Phil, like yours, our cats a dedicated bird watchers.

[Quick Steel]

Ken, a really fine shot.

Phil, I thought that was a humorous moment you captured. Wondering what your cat was thinking.

[WillyCamaro]

Normally when I check nest boxes I knock on the side if I think anyone might be home. If any adult birds are present they usually fly out and perch nearby. Today I knocked at this box and nothing flew out, so I assumed momma was off somewhere. To my surprise when I opened the box she was sitting on the nest. I snapped a quick picture, quickly closed the box and left. This was my reward!

Mom on the job. Click to enlarge.

Ken

Beautiful shot Ken, bluebirds are most wonderful/beautiful/stately birds, aren't they . Thank you for sharing .
Willy

[geocash]

I've looked at this thread occasionally & really enjoy it but have never posted in it. However, when I took this, I remembered to share. We've been watching a pair of robins from the dining room window since the day they started construction of this nest & I took this shot two days before they vacated. It's definitely not a glamour shot. They're just prepared for another worm.

[FRJ]

This was my reward! Ken

That's a great picture, Ken.
Did you take that with your phone?

[doglegg]

Pretty wonderful shot geocash. All packed together until the worm comes then it is every bird for itself.

[Mumbleypeg]

This was my reward! Ken

That's a great picture, Ken.
Did you take that with your phone?

I did. With my Blackberry KeyOne.

Ken

[bighomer]

I can't get close enough to see the babies but there's a family of mocking birds in this basket. When the boss or I go on the back porch we get fussed at, and the pore ole crows that come for a little snack really get chewing out as well as dive bombing. Don't let anybody tell you a mocking bird can't hover and even back up a bit.

[Mumbleypeg]

Mockingbirds are tough. And highly territorial. I’ve watched them take on cats, squirrels and people, especially those that get near their nests. Several years ago a mockingbird nested and raised a brood in a hanging basket on our porch. When anyone got near, the bird would fly out and “dive bomb” the intruder. We encountered her wrath every time we watered the basket. But after the babies fledged the nest she didn’t come back. I guess she’d had enough!

Mockingbird is the state bird of Texas - they’re protected by law here I think.

Ken

[bighomer]

Well now it's T for Texas & T for Tennessee. They are our state bird also as well as several other states. When I was a younster they made their nest in the pole bean sticks from the year before that dad had saved.they were leaning up against the chicken house, and every time I went to gather the eggs they'd dive bomb me. One day I picked up a corncob and chunk it at him/ her and evidently hit hit him/her right in the head and he/ she dropped like a rock. I thought I'd killed it but when I finished getting the eggs there he/ she was, a little addled but recovering, I was glad because momma would have busted that butt if she'd found out I'd killed it.

[Paladin]

I was hesitant to post since I was unable to get a photo or 2 of this but I had a family of woodpeckers in my big back yard oak this morning. Along with Mom and Dad woodpecker there were 2 little peckers, pecking away.
If they stop in again, I'll try to be better prepared.

Ray

[doglegg]

Hope they do Ray.

[Dinadan]

I was hesitant to post since I was unable to get a photo or 2 of this but I had a family of woodpeckers in my big back yard oak this morning. Along with Mom and Dad woodpecker there were 2 little peckers, pecking away.
If they stop in again, I'll try to be better prepared.

Ray

It is hard to always be prepared! Basically, if I take my camera out out the garden, no birds show up. But a couple of weeks ago I did catch these Downy Woodpeckers. It seems that they had a successful nesting!

Downy Woodpecker

I think the Red Tail Hawks that nested nearby have also have fledged their brood. In the last few days I have seen this Red Tail: very different from the strongly marked adults I had been seeing.

[Steve Warden]

Some very nice pics, Mel.

[FRJ]

Great pictures, Mel.

[Dinadan]

Thanks, Steve, Joe!

[doglegg]

Great pics Mel and commentary. Thanks.

[Quick Steel]

Very fine shots. Very.

[Mumbleypeg]

Nice pictures Mel. Your efforts paid off!

Ken

[treefarmer]

I was hoping to capture some Hummingbird pictures several weeks ago, we had lots of Hummingbird activity at the feeder and then it just quit.
Looking around there were several things that must be taste better to them. The wild and invasive Mimosa trees are in full bloom as are the Gloriosa lilies and the Trumpet Creeper vines, so Hummingbird picture opportunities are at a minimum until these blooms fade.
Treefarmer