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Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Broad-winged Hawk
Overview
Broad-winged Hawk: Medium hawk, dark brown, mottled upperparts and brown-barred, white underparts. Pale underwings with black margins visible in flight. Tail is dark banded. Feeds on amphibians, reptiles, small mammals and birds, large insects. Flap-and-glide flight, soars on thermals and updrafts.
Range and Habitat
Broad-winged Hawk: Occurs north from Alberta east to Nova Scotia, south through North Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa to eastern Texas, through the Gulf coast to northern Florida; not found west of the Rockies. Preferred habitats include dense deciduous and mixed woodlands, often near openings created by roads, trails, or wetlands.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
white breasted nuthatch
This tiny little bird is very interesting....starts at the bottom of the tree and goes all the way to the third of the height of the tree eating something on the tree trunk.
Broad-winged Hawk
You have to see it yourself to believe the width of the wing span of this huge hawk...I underestimated the wingspan and as a result lost the shot which could have been one of the best shots in my collection.
I never thought it's wing will be out of frame...
Broad-winged Hawk
It was a Saturday afternoon and it was raining for most of the morning and sun was still behind the clouds. The conditions were very gloomy. So after lunch at around 2:30 I decided to leave for a shoot as my previous experience was after rains the birds become very active.
So I left and took a road less traveled. I drove on the back side of the hilly area and took a most unexpected turn and as I was passing on the narrow road I saw this magnificent Hawk sitting on top of this dead branch in the open....
My dream finally came true....
without second thought I put the hazard lights on and grabbed my camera and fired this shot out of my car window (I didn't even relaxed by releasing the seat belt).....few passer by inquired if I am alright and even though they were courteous I wished they leave me alone.
How I wish there was little bit of sunlight on this gloomy afternoon. I took this pictures at very high ISO and wasn't sure about the outcome. But to my surprise the pictures were fine after some NR in PP.
It stayed there for very few minutes before it flew deep into the woods. It didn't even give the warning sign that it is going to fly away (Usually all birds look around restlessly before they make a move)... I even tried to take a look if I can go in to that side of the forest but it had fencing so no luck...
Mourning Dove silhouette
I love the way this beautiful bird carries it self. Not sure why it is called "Mourning" Dove...
Red-eyed Vireo
I do not know the name of this one but it was also attracted by the Finch calls but left after a quick visit. The eyes of this bird are blood red and gives it interesting look.
Got the name and info of this bird...
It's a Red-eyed Vireo.
Overview
Red-eyed Vireo: Medium vireo with olive-brown upper parts and white underparts. Head has a gray cap, white eyebrow, black eye stripe, and red eyes. Blue-gray legs and feet. Alternates short glides with series of rapid wing beats. May hover briefly to pick berries or insects from foliage.
Range and Habitat
Breeds from British Columbia, Ontario, and Gulf of Saint Lawrence south to Oregon, Colorado, the Gulf Coast, and Florida. Spends winters in the tropics. Inhabits mature deciduous woodlands; also found in shade trees in residential areas.
INTERESTING FACTS
* Red-eyed Vireos were once considered one of the three most abundant bird of the forests of Eastern North America.
* The males are among the most persistent singers of all birds and have been recorded singing more than 10,000 songs a day in spring.
* Vireos living year-round in South America may be a separate species.
* A group of red-eyed vireos are collectively known as a "hangover" of vireos.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
I was waiting near a tree which I knew bears some fruits so in came this Rose-breasted Grosbeak and started eating fruits when I clicked few images it got interested in the shoot and started making calls non-stop....I took few pictures and decided to end the shoot for the day as I was out for almost 4 hours that evening.
I moved away from that tree and this Finch immediately followed me and the calls became more louder so I was looking at it to understand it's behaviour...but then came a baltimore oriole to the tree...So i took few pictures of it...the finch continued the loud calls and trust me it attracted almost all the species of the Tarrywile Park to that one tree and it literally made them dance at it's tune... It made my day.
Warbler
Another picture of warbler... The conditions were overcast after rain and this was in the shadow of tree so not a very detailed picture but I liked it...
Warbler
I saw this tiny warbler for the first time in Tarrywile park and took few pictures it is a very shy and restless as any other warbler.
Northern Flicker
This was one bird that I saw many times but never got an opportunity to capture it as it used to sit on the top of trees.
This time to my surprise this was eating worms on ground along side few juvi female cardinals....I took this shot and tried to go little closer but before that it flew away.
Telephoto Macro
I knew that 100-400 has a very nice MFD but never tried it.
Last weekend I saw this bee and tried my hand at telephoto macro and I am amazed with the result.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Salt Meadow Unit
Salt Meadow Unit The approximately 2 miles of trails at Salt Meadow Unit in Westbrook wind through grassland, forest, and marsh habitats. The 9 acres of fields provide a view of woodcock, bluebirds, tree swallows, wild turkeys and numerous species of butterflies and dragonflies. While down at the marsh you can expect to see great egrets, glossy ibis, snowy egrets, belted kingfishers, osprey and many other species. If you are lucky, you just might catch a glimpse of a red fox, a coyote, or a red tailed hawk. In partnership with Potopaug Audubon Society, the refuge hosts many wildlife events at Salt Meadow Unit throughout the year. These events have included owl walks, waterfowl walks, woodcock walks, bird banding demonstrations, and a presentation on live birds of prey.
In Flight Snowy Egret
My first BIF. I am happy with the outcome but I need more practice.
The snowy egret gets its name from its all-white plumage, although the species’ black legs and yellow feet also distinguish it. Upon reaching maturity, adult birds develop long, fine plumes of feathers along the chest, back and neck.
This one is Snowy Egret this is distinguished from that of Common or Great white Egret with the help of following features:
# Snowy Egret is smaller, has black bill, and yellow feet.
# Great White Heron, the white form of the Great Blue Heron, has a heavier bill, and pale, not black, legs.
Ospray
I love this bird. I saw it fishing in the waters of salt marsh and even managed to capture an image with a snake catch but it's not worth posting. I have located nest of this bird and it has 3 young ones. Before these young ones fly away I will go there to capture few shots from the distance. I do not intend to disturb the parents by going closer to the nest.
Plastic Beauty
While returning from Wildlife refuge I found this Mourning Dove and few Fly Catchers around the bird feeders at the entrance.
Preening Practice
This Kid was surely learning fast!
It was practicing almost everything it learned and with the amount of different activities it made in an hour or so I can say this one is going to be one of the most active Swallows in the field.
Yellow Warbler
Finally I succeeded in getting reasonably sharp and in focus image of this hyperactive bird. This was the most active evenings I have witnessed to date at
Tarrywile Park.
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