Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Some Bird Feeder Moments...

The female Cardinal decided to exit the moment I clicked the shutter but I thought it looked ok. The Goldfinches are in the middle of their winter/spring plumage not quite into their full color. The House Finch stood ready to exit as the Nuthatch was busy with a seed and then took a break. A Tufted Titmouse posed briefly. A Red-breasted Woodpecker visited feeder and then made a quick exit. A White-throated Sparrow sat patiently waiting it's turn at the feeder.      


A Northern Cardinal (fm)

Goldfinch in winter plumage









House Finch

Nuthatch







Red-bellied Woodpecker



White-throated Sparrow




Saturday, March 21, 2015

The Canada Goose...

A Canada Goose threat display may involve head pumping, bill opened with tongue raised, hissing, honking, and vibrating neck feathers. When an intruding goose doesn't retreat, geese may grab each other by breast or throat and hit each other with their wings. Fighting may result in injuries. 

A threat has been detected

The challenge is accepted 









Putting on the breaks





For the moment the clash has ended.

The threats are being voiced.

This is how big I am.



Another intruder.

































Just chillin'

I'm just a spectator.

Monday, March 16, 2015

American Coot...

Although it swims like a duck, the American Coot does not have webbed feet like a duck. Instead, each one of the coot’s long toes has broad lobes of skin that help it kick through the water. The broad lobes fold back each time the bird lifts its foot, so it doesn't impede walking on dry land, though it supports the bird’s weight on mucky ground. The lake was frozen over so the only option was to forage on the surrounding grounds. 








Note the size of the feet.









Friday, March 13, 2015

Pileated Woodpecker

The Pileated Woodpecker is one of the biggest, most striking forest birds on the continent. It’s nearly the size of a crow, black with bold white stripes down the neck and a flaming-red crest. Look (and listen) for Pileated Woodpeckers whacking at dead trees and fallen logs. This particular fellow was very busy looking for grubs.