Larry Ostby's Wild Critters

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Some Florida Birds...

As it would be, a trip south has given me some new birds. They may be common to the locals but I really enjoyed seeing and photographing them. A Moore Hen, a Palm Warbler (I think not sure), a Little Blue Heron and an Anhinga. Also photographed some old favorites, the Great Blue Heron, a Great White Egret and a Boat-tailed Grackle.

Here a Boat-tail Grackle sits in a large leafless tree...

A Great Blue Heron exits the area...

A Great Blue Heron giving me his best side...

A Great White Egret searching for its lunch...

A Common Moore Hen showing its big feet...

A Little Blue Heron...

I believe this might be a Palm Warbler...

Same warbler different perch...

Here an Anhinga is perched on a tree limb...

Anhinga...

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Local Feathers...

I have to say the Northern Cardinals and the Starling were photographed from inside the house. I was sitting at my computer and happened to look out the window at my feeders and saw a host of Cardinals, I had to take a photo. Later that same day I sat down to read the local paper. I heard a commotion outside the front door and noticed the Starlings, they were stealing cat food. I thought I would try a couple photos through the window. The Downy Woodpecker and the Tufted Titmouse paid a visit as I was prepping the grill for a BBQ. The Red-shouldered Hawks made themselves available while I was on my morning walk.

Five male Northern Cardinals and friends pick and scratch for their lunch...

Northern Cardinals (m and fm) sparrows and others...

Here you see a cat food thieving Starling...

He is not as innocent as he appears...

A Downy Woodpecker eyes me as he skitters around the tree...

Tufted Titmouse stares... Are you getting sleepy...

Checking out the dining possibilities...

A pair of Red-shouldered Hawks...

Red-shouldered Hawk...

Red-shouldered Hawk takes flight...

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Great Horned Owl and a Screech Owl

A long time friend and nature and wildlife photo blogger ["Natural World" Through My Camera] invited me to one of his many haunts. He had been photographing owls for the last couple weeks and invited me to join him today. We did have some luck. First, as we were waiting for the owls to show up, a Great Blue Heron dropped by and allowed us a couple of shots. Then a couple of Great Horned Owls gave us some attention. This was a first for me and quite exciting. The Screech Owl was another first. He was setting, sleeping and warming himself in the sun. A very cooperative subject.


A Great Blue Heron waiting for his breakfast...

He has his eyes on something...

Two Crows keep an eye on a Great Horned Owl...

Great Horned Owl...

A Great Horned Owl...

A Screech Owl setting in its den hole, do you see him?

Screech Owl soaking up the sun...


Sleeping in the sun... He never did open his eyes...

Thanks for stopping by...

Monday, January 30, 2012

Another Day and A Gray Squirrel

I started out the day with a pasture dotted with Black Angus cattle. Nothing wild here, I just liked the setting, kind of calming. Today, another 40 degree January day, offered a very cooperative Gray Squirrel. He didn't seem to mind me photographing his activities. He got nervous once and left but was back within a couple minutes. My guess hunger was the easyer demon to deal with than the threat of me being there. While in the same area as the squirrel a Red-breasted Woodpecker, House Finch and Northern Cardinal were using the tree line as a food source and a place to rest.

Bovine burger on the hoof...

A Grey Squirrel tears apart a hedge apple...

Trying to manage his lunch...

Grey Squirrel with a fist full of hedge apple...

Just can't seem to get enough...

He continues his lunch...

A Red-breasted Woodpecker...

A Red-breasted Woodpecker gives a quick glance...

A House Finch sitting in the sun...

A Northern Cardinal watches over all below...

Friday, January 27, 2012

This is what I saw this morning...

My walk this morning presented me a surprise seeing a nice seven point buck laying at the edge of the woods soaking up the sun. Seeing a nice buck this time of year is pretty rare. He still has his antlers, many have lost them by now and he is still alive after the hunting season. A Red-tailed Hawk was perched in a tree across a field. He gave me one shot before exiting out and away. The away shot is not so good but identifies from where he gets his name. The Eastern Bluebird stopped long enough for one shot. I got lucky with the Northern Cardinals, both a male and a female gave me a photo op. Lastly a tufted Titmouse was struggling with a large piece of hedge apple. It was a nice morning.