Thursday, June 9, 2005

BIRDS OF A FEATHER

My husband has gone to Kentucky to pick up my neices and nephew, and has taken my camera with him so I have decided to revisit my old files.  I have thousands of exposures on my computer, of various degrees of quality.  Some of the files are almost identical to pictures taken on another date and then some pictures I swear I've never seen before.  Robins are very cooperative subjects for me.  This little guy may actually be the same one I photograph on each visit to the Cattail Marsh.  Sometimes he will actually hop over within a few feet of me and casually peck at the gravel near my feet.

The northern flicker is also a familiar sight along the path to the marsh.  They are extremely camera shy and will move around the opposite side of the tree upon my approach.  This is about as good a shot as I've ever gotten of one so far.

I captured this tender shot at the man-made-pond in town.  The parents hovered protectively over the little chicks but once they felt reassured that I meant no harm, the lessons resumed.

The spotted towhee is one of the noisiest little creatures in the forest.  This little guy scratched through the fallen leaves and twigs for a meal for over an hour.  I can't say that I recall it ever making a cheep or chirp, but it sounded like a herd of elephants crashing through the undergrowth.  The red eyes give it an almost evil appearance.

These redwinged blackbirds fluttered almost welcomingly to me as I explored the edge of the pond by the cattail field.  It took me a while to comprehend that their gestures and musical calls were not playful at all.  They were trying to get me to move away from their nesting ground.  The dried reeds hid dozens of nests woven into the leaves.  Disappointed that I had not suddenly developed Doolittle skills in animal communication after all, I left the poor birds in peace. 

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great photographs I really love the one of the mother duck watching over that baby, cute butt shot...LOL.    The red wing black brids are just so striking aren't they.  You see this black,black,black shinny bird and then this brilliant red on their wings.  Mother Nature is certainly the greatest of all artist.

Marlene-PurleyPoetry
http://journals.aol.com/mkolasa101/SweetNSimple

Anonymous said...

You have some really beautiful birds over there. Also your Robins are very different from ours too.  They are really gorgeous!  :-)

Sandra xxx

Anonymous said...

Wonderful pictures!!  The pond that I visit is home to many red winged blackbirds.  I've found the males to be very skittish...they always retreat to the trees.  It's the females that fly about and squawk.  I've had to be REAL patient to get any pictures of them.

Anonymous said...

I really enjoy your photos. You live a very pretty area allowing you great photo opportunities :).
Betty

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad I was led to your journal - I simply love the pictures. :-)

Monica
http://journals.aol.com/photographybymon/Mamarazzi/
http://journals.aol.com/sonensmilinmon/SmilinMonsAdventures/

Anonymous said...

I just love birds - gorgeous pics!

Anonymous said...

That pic with he baby chick is sooooo cute!
http://journals.aol.com/astaryth/AdventuresofanEclecticMind

Anonymous said...

These pics are a feast to the eye. Interesting that your Robins are totally different to the English species. Thanks.
Sylvia

Anonymous said...

Your photos are incredibly professional looking to me...  You do a fantastic job with your camera!  Your bird shots are great.

Anonymous said...

Hi, there!  I've been in Oklahoma for awhile so I haven't had a chance to make any entries or respond to yours!  These are wonderful.  I have some cute photos of some fawns that you will just love...as soon as I get through all 80 emails....LOL....it's great to go on vacation!  These are so wonderful. I just love birds.  I tried to get some pictures of a Cardinal while in Oklahoma visiting my brothers family but they are quick littler buggers....Talk to you later, keep up the great work....
http://journals.aol.com/gotomaria/TheLittleThings/

Anonymous said...

I really enjoyed your bird pictures, actually I've enjoyed alot of your pictures!  Keep em coming!!  Thanks :) I'm a bird lover anyway!  

Anonymous said...

I love the chicks but feature it is so cutee. You were right about the eyes that look evil. If they make a lot of noise then they're evil.

Followers