Picus Blog

Final post

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 16:00:00 +0000

Hello!

As you can probably tell, I have not added anything to this blog for about a year, and for some time before that, posts were indeed very sparse.

This message is to finally put a nail into the coffin of this blog and to note that I will most definitely not be adding any more here in the future. I very much enjoyed bringing PicusBlog to the web and more so enjoyed the conversations and people I met through the medium. I do not have any immediate plans to remove/delete the blog, as I do think I had a few good posts, and from the number of current visitors, and occasional e-mails I get, I think that some folks still find good info here, but I will be turning off comments so if you have any questions, please contact me via e-mail.

In the last few years, I have spent more time birding and especially photographing, and in the future my web presence will exist only on Facebook and especially my personal photography page. Please visit with me there.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/cicconephoto
Personal web site: www.cicconephoto.com

Thanks for visiting!

Best regards,
Christopher

Leucistic Red-tailed Hawk Redux

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 01:23:00 +0000

Back in May, I posted about this bird, as well as a few pics. I've gone back to the same spot many times since then in hopes of seeing (and photographing) this individual again. Finally this past weekend, I was lucky enough to see her again...

Now I am getting ready to head off to the Midwest Birding Symposium - hope to have some great pics and stories to share when I get back!

American Avocet(s)

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 21:04:00 +0000

When we last left our dynamic birding duo (aka my wife and I) we had left Massachusetts's north shore about an hour before some really cool bids had been reported in in two different places. There were reports of an American Avocet at BOTH the boat ramp in Salisbury Beach State Park (a spot we regularly visit in the winter when there is no fee) AND at in Hampton NH, just north of Salisbury, MA - and it didn't take long for folks to work out that these were two different birds. First - they were being reported from the two different locations at the same time, and if that wasn't enough, the Massachusetts bird had some rusty color on the head, while the NH bird was clean white. Having seen this species before, we felt that the responsible thing to do was to NOT drain a half tank of gas to head back north in hopes that the birds might stay put on the rising tide. Instead we decided that since we'd probably be heading north to go birding again on Sunday that we would try the next day.

Thankfully, the birding gods looked upon us with benevolence - something that many a birder will tell you doesn't necessarily happen often! We were even forgiven for getting a bit of a late start, as when we arrived in Hampton NH (where I decided to go first as the light would be better for pics if the bird was there) one of the first birds i put my bins on was the Avocet. I grabbed my bins and camera and headed down to the beach to fire off a few shots in case the bird decided to fly. But it didn't - in fact, the bird really didn't seem to care about birders or photographers or beach goers, or boats. I plopped down in the wet mucky sand and the bird worked it's way towards me - love it when that happens. I continued to enjoy crippling looks and take pics until it was well past me, then drove to the other end of the beach and enjoyed the show again.

Eventually the bird flew to some more distant sandbars to try it's feeding luck there, so we packed up and decided to try for the bird with a little more color in Salisbury, and while certainly nowhere near as close/cooperative as the Hampton bird, we enjoyed some great looks at this one too!

With 'shorebirds' that look like this, I can get into shorebirding!

Stepping out for my 'peeps'

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 12:53:00 +0000

I took the opportunity of the holiday weekend to get out a bit for some birding and photography. I am working with a new piece of equipment - the Canon 500mm f/4L lens and I am absolutely loving it for bird photography. With the 1dMkiii body I can throw a teleconverter into the mix and get 700mm or even 1000mm of reach while keeping autofocus. (The quality seems to drop off a bit with the 2x teleconverter and 1000mm but it's not too bad.)

But this post (and for that matter, this blog) is not about equipment, it is about the birds. Not much happened with birding on Saturday (that day we enjoyed a cookout and some kayaking with friends) but started out early on Sunday and were rewarded with what I can only assume was a still storm-strewn bird from Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene a few weekends ago - a juvenile White Ibis!

We spotted this from the road at the Stage Island Pool at the south end of Plum Island - not a bad little find for MA. After trying to get the word out so that others who wanted to add this bird to their state and/or Plum Island lists would have the chance to do so, we continued on towards Sand Point - the beach that is at the very southern tip of Plum Island - a great place for a variety of shorebirds, and especially so for migrants at this time of the year. Earlier in the season, this is also a good spot for studying Least Terns (see my previous post) and Piping Plovers. We arrived about an hour or so after high tide and were able to spot the common/expected species pretty easily (I'm not particularly good at parsing out 'peeps' so there could have been some more interesting species that I missed) - Semi-palmated Sandpipers, few Semi-palmated Plovers, many Black-bellied Plovers in all stages of plumage, Sanderlings, a few dowitchers (mainly Short-billed), as well as gulls and terns (Common, Forster's, and Least). I tried to keep an eye out for Buff-breasted Sandpipers which we've seen here pretty regularly in the past as well as for Black Skimmers which had been seen in the area, with no luck with either species. I settled in to take photos of some of the Black-bellied Plovers and after shooting for a while (and having all the shorebirds moved by an immature Peregrine fly-by) was told my another photographer that there had been a Hudsonian Godwit there just before I had arrived. I scanned for the bird but did not see it so wandered on to check out a spit where there were several terns, gulls and cormorants resting. Best bird of the spit was a Great Cormorant mixed in with the Double-cresteds. Wandering back up the beach, the godwit had returned, so I chose a spot distant enough to not bother the bird (and that wouldn't interfere with another photographer that was already taking pics) and dropped myself down to kneeling in a few inches of water to try and get some pics. The bird was quite content to feed, preen, and rest and after getting a some photos I was happy with, I backed away, leaving the bird resting in the same spot as when I'd arrived. OK, that's a big wall of text for me - here's a few pics to break it up...

Black-bellied Plover

Sanderling

Hudsonian Godwit

As we headed back north on the island, we stopped in to check on the crown that had gathered at the Stage Island Pool to learn that only a few others had managed to see the ibis before it flew off in an unknown direction. Thankfully, is was re-found soon later at the north end of the island, and many birders enjoyed good scope-views of the bird. Stopping a the famed Newburyport boat ramp, I was able to pick out a Baird's Sandpiper among the 3 or 4 White-rumped SPs that were there, but when I went to grab the camera, somebody drove down the ramp to put in some kayaks, scattering all the shorebirds that were there and they did not return while we waited. With errands calling, we headed back home for the day with a great morning of birding (and not a few photos). Of course, (and as many birders will tell you this can often be the case) as we were approaching home, we checked the MA and NH bird reports (and got a call from a friend) to discover that an American Avocet had been spotted in Salisbury, MA. A cracker of a bird for New England with some rust on the head still, AND that another American Avocet that had been seen periodically along the NH coast was foraging very close to shore at an inlet in Hampton - both locations close to where we had been just a hour or so earlier. We decided to take the chance, not drive back, and hope that at least one bird would stay until the next day.

I'll let you know how we fared in the next post...

Least Terns

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 14:25:00 +0000

Even though the time between posts here has been growing longer and longer, I've not yet given up hope that this is something that I will come back to regularly updating again. I simply have not had it in me to write, and as much as I want to share pics, I feel like this might become a bit boring to some. Nevertheless, here are some pics I took recently at Sandy Point, which is the public beach at the south end of Parker River NWR on Plum Island. This is a pretty well know spot for nesting Least Terns and Piping Plovers, and the photo ops can be pretty good, assuming that you are able to read behavior, and know when you are not stressing the birds. The terns, interestingly enough did have some chicks, yet there were also several 'nests' (scrapes in the sand really) that had eggs with parents who were doing their dutiful best to incubate them while still keeping predators at bay (beach-walkers.) Unfortunately, many of these nests were beyond the boundaries that were set up to help protect the nesting birds, so unsuspecting beach-goers who aren't paying attention could potentially destroy a nest. I certainly hope that has not happened, and that the protective areas have been extended to include these additional nests.

Indigo Bunting

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 11:58:00 +0000

Just some more photos from this spring to keep the blog afloat...

As always, click the photos to see larger images. ('Original' size tends to look the best)

Least Bittern

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 03:47:00 +0000

Well, spring migration has pretty much wrapped up here in New England. The birds moving through to their breeding grounds in the northern boreal forests have done so. But that doesn't mean the birding stops - we still have plenty of local breeders that are fun to see and photograph. I've enjoyed some great experiences in the last week or so including watching a pair of adult Barred Owls feeding three owlets this past Friday around dusk. I managed precious few photos, but this one came out pretty well considering the circumstances.

But as you can probably tell from the title of this post, this isn't just to share an owl pic. Yesterday I was treated to great views of a Least Bittern for a full 5 minutes. Although I have seen these birds well in the past, they have always been a scope bird, remaining safely distant from both people and the length of my lens. This bird was a bit more confiding.

PS - as always click on the photos to see larger versions!

And to see some great bird photos from around the world, check out:

The Birds of Spring

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Tue, 24 May 2011 12:53:00 +0000

If there is one family of birds that defines spring for me, it has to be the Wood-Warblers. These brightly-colored (mostly) sweetly-singing (usually) little gems that migrate back here from warmer climes as winter releases is icy grasp on us (usually, seems the last year or so it has been rather reluctant to let go), are often what gets birder's hearts pumping. We look and listen for those regulars like old friends, as well as hope for that rare or uncommon one to cross our paths. I am also spending a bit more time trying to improve my photography, and although nowhere near the level of some of the pros out there, I like to think that I am getting a bit better. Honestly, I would rather make a good photo of a more common bird than go chasing a rarity and come up with a bad one. Some folks might think that I am less of a birder because of it, but I beg to differ. This in fact, forces me to slow down a bit and spend more time watching and studying a bird - to learn its behaviors and patterns a bit more so that I am prepared to take the photo when the opportunity is right, rather than just blasting away when something crosses my path (yes I still do that too) and then running to find the next bird. One down side to this is that I seem to have less of a variety of species that I have photographed this year (or at least that I am happy with). Nevertheless, Spring migration is a great time for photography, as there is a great variety of subjects, not to mention some beautiful settings if you can force yourself to widen your view beyond just the bird. Here are a few photos that I am relatively happy with from the last few weeks. Is there room for improvement? Hell yes! But I am continually learning and hope that you'll keep on checking back in occasionally to see how I'm doing.

Nashville Warbler - Vermivora ruficapilla

Black-Throated Green Warbler - Dendroica virens

Magnolia Warbler - Dendroica magnolia

Black-and-White Warbler - Mniotilta varia

Northern Parula - Parula americana

Prairie Warbler - Dendroica discolor

Chestnut-sided Warbler - Dendroica pensylvanica

And although not a warbler, this Rose-breasted Grosbeak definitely deserves his place among the colorful migrant songbirds. I had the great fortune of watching this male attend a female while she was collecting nesting material (and driving away another rather persistent male who was trying to get in on his action)

Rose-breasted Grosbeak - Pheucticus lodovicianus

PS - as always click on the photos to see larger versions!

And to see some great bird photos from around the world, check out:

Prairie Warblers are back

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Tue, 10 May 2011 02:48:00 +0000

Each year, I spend a few evenings trying to photograph the Prairie Warblers that nest just a mile or so from where we live. This afternoon, I think I had my best "sitting" yet with these bright little warblers.

"Prairie Warbler - Dendroica discolor

PS - as always click on the photos to see larger versions!

And to see some great bird photos from around the world, check out:

Leucistic Red-tailed Hawk

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Wed, 04 May 2011 12:14:00 +0000

While the writing and posting here at the ol' PicusBlog has been slow lately, the birding (thankfully) hasn't been. Spring is now in full swing here in eastern Massachusetts, with a lot of early migrants lighting up the list-servs like so many colorful christmas tree lights. Warblers that we don't expect to see for a few more weeks are already being seen in many places, and I hope to have lots of posts over the next few weeks of birds seen and photographed.

BUT, I simply could not let this go more than 24 hours without posting. Yesterday afternoon I finally caught up with an individual bird that I've been hoping to see for some time now, and was lucky to even get off a few photos. I've seen reports of a leucisitc Red-tailed Hawk posted in our area occasionally over the last few years - usually somebody who has seen the bird soaring just out of sight as they are cruising down Rt 95/128. Not too long ago, I received a tip that a large white bird had been seen somewhat regularly near a small swampy area in an office park a few miles down the road from where I work. I figured it HAD to be this same bird. Interestingly, this is a location I visited a lot in the last two years as I can usually see Eastern Kingbirds, Tree Swallows, Kingfishers, Great Blue and Green Heron, as well as a number of dragonflies. So I've started going back in the last two weeks when I have some time after work or if I was able to get away from the office for an hour. And I finally saw her yesterday. I'll definitely be heading back more hoping to get better photos - hopefully a bit closer (pics are pretty heavily cropped) and in better light, but for now, I really wanted to share these. I hope you like them!

I've been asked already a few questions from Facebook friends and family about this bird (easy to post to FB right away). Questions like - how do you know it's a Red-tailed Hawk, how do you know it is female, and what does leucistic mean? Even draining away the typical color on a Red-tailed Hawk, once you've seen a large number of them (and honestly, I see them easily over 300 days a year while traveling the highways of the area), you can pretty quickly ID them by size and shape. In the raptor world where this is sometimes little to no sexual dimorphism (i.e. males and females look the same), and particularly in hawks and falcons, the females are bigger than the males, and this particular bird struck me as quite big and bulky, so I am presuming a female. And finally, what is leucism (and why isn't this an albino)? To answer that I go to Cornell Lab of Ornithology for a more scientific explanation (click the lin kfor a fuller explanation and examples.) My non-scientific summary of this is that both leucism and albinism are genetic mutations that affect the way an individual bird looks. In albinism, the mutation prevents the production of melanin (which is needed to create the darker colored feathers in the bird) and these individuals show pink in bare skin areas like legs and usually have light or pink eyes. In leucistic birds, the melanin is produced but the mutation prevents it from being deposited properly in the feathers. Therefore, sometimes you get "partially leucistic" birds that might have white patches, or birds that are almost all white as with the hawk above, or anywhere in between where the bird looks pale or "bleached."

Yellow-legged Gull

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 13:13:00 +0000

The current "mega" that has been lighting up the local list-serv, a probable Yellow-legged Gull that was reported last week in Hyannis, MA and has been seen daily since. Doing a bit of reading up on this species, it is considered by some to be the European equivalent of our Herring Gull, and is in fact, quite similar, but with straw-yellow legs (I suppose you guessed that from it's name), a slightly darker mantle, and brighter red eye-ring, slightly different bill shape, and a different pattern in the wingtips. Although not unheard of, it is pretty rare to see it this side of the Atlantic, and kudos to those who noticed and called attention to the minor differences this bird shows. (I note this as a 'probable' Yellow-legged Gull, as this is how the bird is being referred to by those who know better than I. There was some discussion at the beginning of it potentially be a Herring x Lesser Black-Backed Gull hybrid, but I believe at this point most believe it to be a Yellow-legged, and in fact that is how it is being reported to eBird and Rare bird reports)

"Yellow-legged Gull - Larus michahellis

PS - as always click on the photos to see larger versions!

And to see some great bird photos from around the world, check out:

Pileated Woodpeckers

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 00:28:00 +0000

Last weekend, Pamela and I took a ride to find Bohemian Waxwings (a venture in which we were successful in seeing the birds, but unfortunately, no photos.) After seeing the waxwings and enjoying a nice lunch, we took a more scenic route home. While driving and chatting, I noted a large bird out of the corner of my eye fly up to a pole on a power-line cut. At the size it was and the fact there there were no horizontal perches in the vicinity, I knew right away it had to be a Pileated Woodpecker. (And frankly, if you hadn't picked up on it by looking at the layout of this page, these are easily my favorite bird in North America, so I am pretty attuned to them.) A quick u-turn and pulling off the road got us some ok looks before flying a little further off. I grabbed the camera and decided to walk up the road to see what I could get for pic. The bird called a few times, and then I heard another bird call back from where we parked. Looking over my shoulder, I saw a second bird fly to the same wood pole where we'd seen the first bird. There were plenty of sizable holes, so figuring that they'd be staying close, I wandered back, and was treated to having both the male and female, hitching up and down a few different poles poking their heads into various cavities, and all in good light.

"Pileated Woodpeckers - Dryocopus pileatus

PS - as always click on the photos to see larger versions!

And to see some great bird photos from around the world, check out:

Hooded Merganser

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 14:43:00 +0000

Had a pretty good weekend of photography with some nice subjects. This Hooded Merganser was easily the most cooperative one I have ever encountered...

"Hooded Merganser - Lophodytes cucullatus

PS - as always click on the photos to see larger versions!

And to see some great bird photos from around the world, check out:

Common Redpolls

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 15:45:00 +0000

Not sure what the future of this blog will be. In case you haven't noticed, I've not really been keeping up with it much of late... I've not finished trip reports I've started (Ecuador from last November) or even posted anything from more recent trips (Florida in Feb), much less reports of big days (Superbowl of Birding) or any reviews (Crossley ID Guide, IPad apps, etc)

I've been focusing a lot more of my time on improving my photography skills (not sure that is evident though in the posts I've put up) and for the time being, keeping this blog alive as a venue/place to post photos.
Here are some that I took over the weekend, finally catching up with some of the Common Redpolls that have been reported at feeders all over New England (we don't have any feeders in our tiny condo yard, so we tend to miss out on the feeder birds.)

"Common Redpoll - Carduelis flammea

PS - as always click on the photos to see larger versions!

And to see some great bird photos from around the world, check out:

Bird Photography Weekly #130

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 03:27:00 +0000

"Roseate Spoonbill - Platalea ajaja

Been a few weeks since I posted anything, but I have good reason - we took a mid-winter break from the New England winter and spent a week birding and photographing in Florida. I've got plenty of photos to share, but I think I will start with a set of one of my favorite birds from Florida, the beautiful Roseate Spoonbill. These beauties were all photographed at Ding Darling NWR on Sanibel Island.

PS - as always click on the photos to see larger versions!

And to see some great bird photos from around the world, check out:

Bird Photography Weekly #127

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 13:07:00 +0000

Quite a few photo opportunities this past weekend, but I seem to have been getting the most feedback from this series of Peregrine Falcons that we photographed Friday evening at Gloucester City Hall.

"Peregrine Falcon - Falco peregrinus

PS - as always click on the photos to see larger versions!

And to see some great bird photos from around the world, check out:

Ecuador - Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 01:54:00 +0000

AKA - dreaming of the tropics. You see, I am currently sitting at home here in New England while yet another snowstorm dumps the white stuff outside, and although by 6am I have already shoveled over 8-9" of the stuff so my wife can get to work, I refuse to do any more until it stops. I'm sorry if I sound a bit bitter - I had scheduled today off from work so that I could do a last scouting and timing run for our our Superbowl of Birding competition on Saturday, but the weather has pretty much put an end to that. Instead, I am daydreaming about being someplace warm and tropical. What a better time to finally blog about the trip we took to Ecuador in November?

I should start with a bit about logistics. First and foremost, I should say that we did this trip with the fine folks at Tropical Birding. The trip that we took was their "Andes Introtour" which took place from Nov 20-27, based at the very comfortable Tandayapa Lodge, where we also stayed for an extra two nights after the tour ended. Dominique from Tropical Birding was very helpful, professional, and responsive to my e-mails inquiring about the tour and in setting up things for the extra few nights stay.

The first day was simply a travel day. We flew to Quito, Ecuador via American Airlines with a several hour stopover in Miami - in all a rather long but uneventful trip. We made it through customs without a problem, met our driver and were transported to the Hotel Sebastian in Quito. I can't tell you much about Quito as we arrived well after dark and had a quick meal at the hotel before going to bed.

Early on the 21st, we showered and went down to breakfast at the hotel where we met Sam, our guide for the trip, our driver Nico, and the other folks on the tour. We packed out things on the bus and headed off to our first destination - Yanacocha Reserve with a quick stop on the way for everybody to get a look at the nearby Pichincha Volcano...

It was still quite early morning as we made our way to the reserve, so we made few stops for birds along the way - although one of the first birds we did stop for was a big target bird for me - Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, a gorgeous but distant bird. Upon arriving at the reserve, we were quickly treated to views of Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager, and then probably the most easily seen of all the antpittas, a very cooperative Tawny Antpitta.

We then proceeded to bird for a mile or so along a wide and easy trail (mountain road really) spotting mountain tanagers, flycatchers, a Blackish Tapaculo, a Barred Fruiteater, and a few hummingbirds along the way to a spot where there were feeders set-up, and boy did that start things off with a bang! Even the light rain couldn't dampen the spirits of this group as we were treated to eye-popping views of hummingbirds that dreams (and nature specials) are made of! I cannot recall which was the first species we saw, but they were all quite stunning.
Buff-winged Starfrontlets were common, and we saw quite a few on the walk in to the feeders, but here there were photo opportunities rather than just buzzing by us...

Sapphire-vented Pufflegs were pretty easy to see and identify:

And hummingbirds weren't the only visitors to the feeders -there were flowerpiercers visiting as well.
Masked Flowerpiercer:

and Glossy Flowerpiercer:

Also seen (but not depicted here) were Speckled Hummingbird, Golden-breasted Puffleg, Black-tailed Trainbearer, and Tyrian Metaltail.

Easily though, the stars of the feeder show for me were the goliath Great Sapphirewing:

and one of the birds that had been on my "top ten list of birds to see in the world" - the aptly named Sword-billed Hummingbird:

The first time I learned of this bird was years ago when I first watched David Attenborough's "Life of Birds" series, and have been dying to see it since. (Now that I think about it, probably all of my top 10 birds to see, I learned about originally from that series!) This bird does not disappoint in person either. With a bill that is longer than its body (the only bird in the world I believe in which this is the case) it has to preen with its feet, and actually has to sit in the position you see above, or else he'll probably topple over. I'd say the only disappointing part of seeing this bird, is actually having to leave. But there were more birds to see, and leave we must. Due to the rain, we birded a little less on the way back to the bus. And then we headed to the Old Nono-Mindo road - an unpaved road that used to be the main route between the cities for which it is named, but with newer paved roads, it seems to become more of a nature/birding route, and we encountered little traffic as we made stops at spots the Sam knew for some of the target species of the trip - including Beautiful Jay and Turquoise Jay, White-capped Dipper, Slaty-backed Chat-tyrant, and then another bird that was on my "top ten list of birds to see in the world" - Andean Cock-of-the Rock. (How often can you knock off TWO species on a list like that in one day!) At first, they were little specs of orange on the other side of the valley, but as evening progressed, they because a little more active, and eventually we got pretty nice scope looks. And almost as exciting, while we were all enjoying these bright orange cotingas, Nico quietly pointed out that there was a Plate-billed Mountain Toucan in a small tree right next to where we had parked the bus. Everybody got spectacular looks at this iconic, endemic Ecuadorian bird. (And not only endemic to Ecuador, but only to this area as well - called the Choco region). Unfortunately for me, I was completely unprepared for this, the settings on the camera were completely off for the situation, and I didn't have my monopod to try and steady the bigger lens in the waning light (this by the way is another thing that separates the pros from the hacks like me - being prepared for the unexpected!) so I missed some of the better possible shots, but to give you a hint of what this beautiful bird looks like...

By all means, go do a google search on this bird and see some other images of this beauty- I won't blame you for doing it now... just be sure to come back.

By the time we arrived back at the lodge, it was starting to get dark, and although some made it to the porch for their first looks at the hummingbirds at Tandayapa - I was trying to recover from climbing the stairs to the lodge. Not sure if it was not being used to the elevation (I tend not to notice elevation problems until I am out of breath and on my knees from trying to go too fast) or if I was just feeling the fatigue more than I expected - but either way - I learned that for the next several days, when we returned to the lodge to take it much easier doing the last climb of the day.
We had out first of many excellent meals, and that evening a few of us headed out to see if we could find an owl, and were rewarded with excellent looks of Columbian Screech-Owl - a great way to end a spectacular day of birding.

Back to the Superbowl of Birding

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 13:51:00 +0000

Yes folks, you heard right - the Bloggerhead Kingbirds are going back to the Superbowl of Birding. If you're from New England, or have followed this blog for any period of time, you might know about this birding competition. And if not, they click the link above for the MassAudubon's competition home page. (And heck, if you've got time and the brass cojones to pull a team together we wouldn't mind another team on the playing field to beat - though I warn you, brass can get mighty cold in these parts in late January.)

This will mark the third year where I will be captain of a team of bird bloggers - all of whom really ought to be familiar to you - and if not, than you should most definitely follow the ring of introductions that we are doing. (Actually, you should follow the links from each of my teammates no matter what, because honestly, I've had a sneak peak at some of what these guys are writing, and they are some very *witty guys... which make me wonder why I am still allowed to be counted among them)

Next up, the one, the only (thank god) Corey of 10,000 Birds fame! As an original member of the Bloggerhead Kingbirds, Corey will be returning for his third year of ~~punishment~~ competition in whatever weather New England feels fit to throw at us. His drive to compete and win is something astounding - as well as his Barred Owl, which you know if you ever heard it. (And believe me, birds several counties away can hear it when he does!)

(And in case you happened to stumble upon my blog first - do make sure to visit Andrew also)

PS - I want to also give a shout out to Amy and Arthur over at Birdorable.com who generously designed the team logo for us a few years ago - still lovin' that logo!!! When you're done reading the team posts, go over to their site and show them some love. Buy a shirt, hat, something with your favorite bird on it.

Bird Photography Weekly #126

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 13:27:00 +0000

"Ispwich" Savannah Sparrow - Passerculus sandwichensis

A subspecies of the Savannah Sparrow, and typically paler than the nominate, the "Ipswich" Savannah Sparrows breed in Nova Scotia, and can be found along the North Atlantic coastline, especially during the winter.

PS - as always click on the photos to see larger versions!

And to see some great bird photos from around the world, check out:

Bird Photography Weekly #125

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 17:46:00 +0000

White-winged Crossbill - Loxia leucoptera

PS - as always click on the photos to see larger versions!

And to see some great bird photos from around the world, check out:

Bird Photography Weekly #124

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 13:36:00 +0000

Trying to improve my results with photos of birds-in-flight, and this one from the past weekend appeals to me. It was not planned, I just noticed it flying towards me out of the corner of my eye while fighting the wind to try and photograph a few Gadwall, and got this one shot off as she passed me. Still need to work on technique, but getting there...

Red-breasted Merganser - Mergus serrator

PS - as always click on the photos to see larger versions!

And to see some great bird photos from around the world, check out:

Bird Photography Weekly #123

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 15:30:00 +0000

American Kestrel - Falco sparverius

PS - as always click on the photos to see larger versions!

And to see some great bird photos from around the world, check out:

Bird Photography Weekly #122

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 13:47:00 +0000

Merlin - Falco columbarius

PS - as always click on the photos to see larger versions!

And to see some great bird photos from around the world, check out:

Bird Photography Weekly #121

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 15:57:00 +0000

Black Guillemot- Cepphus grylle

PS - as always click on the photos to see larger versions!

And to see some great bird photos from around the world, check out:

Bird Photography Weekly #120

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 15:18:00 +0000

Harlequin Duck - Histrionicus histrionicus

PS - as always click on the photos to see larger versions!