Bird Migration and Misc Birding Thread

[wesley_w]

Birds in flight are hard.

To me the most difficult thing to photograph. Not only that but you have the extra burden of having to locate them and be in the right place at the right time. Last summer I finally went mirrorless and now have subject tracking which is a huge advancement. So maybe there is hope for me in the future.

 

[MTCyclone43]

I need help identifying what kind of birds these are. I went out this morning and there were 5 of these "large birds" eating at the buffet table. "Feathers and Fur."

 

[BoxsterCy]

First night a Santa Rita resort in Madera Canyon in SE Arizona and got 16 lifers. Guess that's not surprising for a Minnesota guy who's sort of a newb to actually keeping a birding list and never did bird in AZ before. Arizona Woodpecker, of course, cause Arizona. So many hummingbirds, need to look at some photos to figure a couple out.

Think favs were Acorn Woodpecker, Lazuli Bunting and Yellow-eyed Junco. Nothing special locally but I've never seen them and thought they were pretty cool.

Oh, and in two evenings in PHX metro I got to see Great Horned Owls nesting in a rock cavity, a palm tree and a Saguaro cactus. All cool for a MN boy to see. And the state bird, Cactus Wren nesting in a cholla cactus. Saw that while chasing the owls and it is the state bird.

Long ISU connection, birding with friends who met at our Dana House blizzard party in 1973. Gal I had just met recently invited her freind to the party and she and my freind hit if off. So 52 years later we are siting in a resort in AZ with their kids.

 

[Kinch]

Heard a Northern Parula at Lacey Keosauqua State Park.

 

[MTCyclone43]

Heard a Northern Parula at Lacey Keosauqua State Park.

Not my image. I have never heard of a Northern Parula. Thanks for sharing. They are round little birds.

 

[MTCyclone43]

View attachment 147804
Not my image. I have never heard of a Northern Parula. Thanks for sharing. They are round little birds.

The Northern Parula resembles our Western Meadowlark.

Both images were taken from The National Bison Range in NW Montana about 20 miles north of Missoula on Highway 93.

 

[MTCyclone43]

I also ran into a couple of other animal types there.

Bucky was not happy with me giving me the "Stink Eye" and no I was not antagonizing him.

 

[nfrine]

My son took this picture April 3 in West DSM...

 

[MTCyclone43]

Now those two Eastern Bluebirds are the "Round Mound of Rebound" bluebirds. Wow, they are plump little buggers. Thanks for sharing.

 

[BoxsterCy]

Beep! Beep!

Greater Roadrunner at Gilbert Riparian Ponds in Phoenix metro area. First time I've ever seen one and was able to nab a good image as a bonus.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

Beep! Beep!

Greater Roadrunner at Gilbert Riparian Ponds in Phoenix metro area. First time I've ever seen one and was able to nab a good image as a bonus.

View attachment 147971

Look at that mini dinosaur.

 

[MTCyclone43]

We have the Western Bluebird out here in NW Montana. Our version of the bluebird has a little sleeker physic and a longer beak. Doe anyone else no of any differences between the Eastern Bluebird and the Western Bluebird? I did not take this image.

 

[FallOf81]

Strangest thing, maybe one of you can explain because online search hasn't. Our Bluebirds returned and built nest in house about a week ago. Checked box Sunday and it was gone. Like every piece of grass. Not a racoon or squirrel. Too clean around base of pole. Checked yesterday ... built again. Thx!

 

[MTCyclone43]

Strangest thing, maybe one of you can explain because online search hasn't. Our Bluebirds returned and built nest in house about a week ago. Checked box Sunday and it was gone. Like every piece of grass. Not a racoon or squirrel. Too clean around base of pole. Checked yesterday ... built again. Thx!

"Eastern Bluebirds Nest Cleaning​

Eastern Bluebirds clean out their nest before nesting for the new season to ensure a safe and healthy environment for their eggs and chicks. Cleaning the nest box removes any parasites or debris that could harm the new brood. It is recommended to clean the box after each clutch and before the next breeding season begins.
This practice helps prevent the spread of parasites that could have been brought in by adult birds and could affect the nestlings. Additionally, maintaining a clean nest box can encourage bluebirds to return and nest in the same location."

This was an Ai response to my inquiry about "Nest Cleaning."

 

[FallOf81]

"Eastern Bluebirds Nest Cleaning​

Eastern Bluebirds clean out their nest before nesting for the new season to ensure a safe and healthy environment for their eggs and chicks. Cleaning the nest box removes any parasites or debris that could harm the new brood. It is recommended to clean the box after each clutch and before the next breeding season begins.
This practice helps prevent the spread of parasites that could have been brought in by adult birds and could affect the nestlings. Additionally, maintaining a clean nest box can encourage bluebirds to return and nest in the same location."

This was an Ai response to my inquiry about "Nest Cleaning."

Thanks.
I should have noted ... I cleaned the box out last fall. Not a piece of grass. They arrived, built a new nest, then took it out. SO odd. Anyway, that's nature!

 

[Cy Hard]

Beep! Beep!

Greater Roadrunner at Gilbert Riparian Ponds in Phoenix metro area. First time I've ever seen one and was able to nab a good image as a bonus.

View attachment 147971

 

[Kinch]

Thanks.
I should have noted ... I cleaned the box out last fall. Not a piece of grass. They arrived, built a new nest, then took it out. SO odd. Anyway, that's nature!

Sometimes they like a stick from last years nest to be left I have found out.

 

[BoxsterCy]

Was at the desert museum outside of Tucson earlier in the week when a Cooper's Hawk landed in one of the exhibits what had a pool for fish. Was crazy close and looking down rather than up so made for a high quality shot but the setting was a bit "artificial" since the pool was concrete made to look "natural". Then thought, heck, this would still make a great portrait shot of the head.

 

[MTCyclone43]

This guy was out over one of the local Rapeseed fields.

 

[Kinch]

Lots of birds at Lacey Keosauqua. Yellow rumped warbler, blue grey gnatcatcher, ruby crowned kinglet, cowbird, to name a few. This is a good week to get outside and listen and watch for the birds. Bird casts say lots of ducks moving Into Iowa.