:-)
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.
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