tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9497099787742087432024-03-19T03:26:09.358-04:00 Philly Bird Nerd Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13890797717061217855noreply@blogger.comBlogger614125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949709978774208743.post-81155012084371280602020-05-18T21:39:00.002-04:002020-05-18T21:39:45.820-04:00My CRAZY Yard This SpringWhen we saw this house 20 years ago, the yard was overgrown but definitely had potential. The house was perfect for us but needed a lot of work. We fixed up the house and the yard over the years. We built a pond with a little stream that attracts birds. We have come to know many backyard bird species over the years and even seen some good migrants come through. A few warblers have stopped by here and there. This year is different. Really different.<br />
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First - we had our old sunroom torn down and rebuilt last year. The construction tore up the back yard pretty bad. It has taken some time but we finally have a landscaper trying to make the backyard livable again.<br />
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Second - we are in the midst of a global pandemic which is forcing both of us to work from home everyday. Connie has claimed the new sunroom as her makeshift office.<br />
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Third - the weather has been wacky. Lots of rain and colder than normal. But it is finally beginning to feel like spring.<br />
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I guess those factors all add up to WOW in the yard. It stared last Monday when I spotted this male Rose-breasted Grosbeak in the Dogwood tree above the pond.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S6th3eGi414/XsMw2M1SmGI/AAAAAAAAJXQ/ECgP4eHs7sETQFZD73A8VcYdH1kFLHNQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Rose-breastedGrosbeak-2894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S6th3eGi414/XsMw2M1SmGI/AAAAAAAAJXQ/ECgP4eHs7sETQFZD73A8VcYdH1kFLHNQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Rose-breastedGrosbeak-2894.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rose-breasted Grosbeak</td></tr>
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Later that same day, I saw a bright red streak go across the patio and into the pond. A male Scarlet Tanager taking bath!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ekIO-wI7e2s/XsMydEM5IXI/AAAAAAAAJX8/J6ngwSfUvUAizjvOvPH9Acfywj_wEXJowCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/ScarletTanager_pond-2937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ekIO-wI7e2s/XsMydEM5IXI/AAAAAAAAJX8/J6ngwSfUvUAizjvOvPH9Acfywj_wEXJowCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/ScarletTanager_pond-2937.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarlet Tanager</td></tr>
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We've had Common Yellow-throats in the yard before. I photographed this one through the window from my office so it is not a great photo. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g7QA1Pdu660/XsMw11OpPRI/AAAAAAAAJXg/xcdt143CW0oIllBJyzw-TQV4Nn8guOmXACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/CommonYellowthroat-2943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g7QA1Pdu660/XsMw11OpPRI/AAAAAAAAJXg/xcdt143CW0oIllBJyzw-TQV4Nn8guOmXACPcBGAYYCw/s320/CommonYellowthroat-2943.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Yellowthroat</td></tr>
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Eastern Kingbirds are birds of open country so imagine my surprise when this bird showed up at the pond on Tuesday morning.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m3v6gs5wE1w/XsMxHA8pIcI/AAAAAAAAJX0/T7seRZNy2dgcrFQIFtEp9Ol1LcaZ1XITwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/EasternKingbird-3196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m3v6gs5wE1w/XsMxHA8pIcI/AAAAAAAAJX0/T7seRZNy2dgcrFQIFtEp9Ol1LcaZ1XITwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/EasternKingbird-3196.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern Kingbird</td></tr>
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I looked to the left and spotted this male Baltimore Oriole in the next tree. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RIEnzpgPlrE/XsMwr5MtaTI/AAAAAAAAJXY/O3GJahwsvD8dGRiivj_862HEwTQhRr7JQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/BaltimoreOriole-3375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RIEnzpgPlrE/XsMwr5MtaTI/AAAAAAAAJXY/O3GJahwsvD8dGRiivj_862HEwTQhRr7JQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/BaltimoreOriole-3375.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baltimore Oriole</td></tr>
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The funny thing is that I was actually working while all of this was going on. It's a good thing that my coworkers understand my obsession. I had to hang up on a video call when this Chestnut-sided Warbler started splashing around in the pond.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cLzCajWaHZc/XsMwrzdu53I/AAAAAAAAJXc/iETh_4VKwrsHAPDLiMWgqNFtsNTv7oaKQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Chestnut-sidedWarbler-3248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cLzCajWaHZc/XsMwrzdu53I/AAAAAAAAJXc/iETh_4VKwrsHAPDLiMWgqNFtsNTv7oaKQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/Chestnut-sidedWarbler-3248.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chestnut-sided Warbler</td></tr>
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A Black and White Warbler isn't unusual but he showed up as I was outside watching the other birds, so I snapped a photo. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IfrRosWV_b4/XsMwrhz3iRI/AAAAAAAAJXU/qw8DLGe_BSY6pm-_yps7tatR3X9r92snQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/BlackandWhiteWarbler_moth-3127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IfrRosWV_b4/XsMwrhz3iRI/AAAAAAAAJXU/qw8DLGe_BSY6pm-_yps7tatR3X9r92snQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/BlackandWhiteWarbler_moth-3127.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black and White Warbler</td></tr>
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Northern Parulas are also a common visitor to our yard. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IfKOL8D_DsI/XsMwsDAEZEI/AAAAAAAAJXg/sxZkTJ3vGQMDcPRhhvGdbmyyjOtZVrs3gCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/NorthernParula-3387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IfKOL8D_DsI/XsMwsDAEZEI/AAAAAAAAJXg/sxZkTJ3vGQMDcPRhhvGdbmyyjOtZVrs3gCPcBGAYYCw/s320/NorthernParula-3387.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northern Parula</td></tr>
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I know this isn't a bird, but it just goes to show how active the yard has been this week. I found a soccer ball in the yard and assumed it belonged to the neighbor so I kicked it into their yard. The next morning, Peanut started barking at the window. Connie and I looked out and saw the neighborhood Fox trotting down the hill. He stopped and to our surprise, he started playing with the ball! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IxkunBnWeLk/XsM1sShYpiI/AAAAAAAAJYI/-2YxxZhGl8Uc0sFBHbyIBLjsUApk64HTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Fox_Soccerball-3649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IxkunBnWeLk/XsM1sShYpiI/AAAAAAAAJYI/-2YxxZhGl8Uc0sFBHbyIBLjsUApk64HTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Fox_Soccerball-3649.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soccer!</td></tr>
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Bird action slowed down on Thursday and I headed to the shore which was a kind of a bust for birds. We did have a few good birds including this Bay-breasted Warbler at Cox Hall Creek. This is probably the best photo I've been able to get of one. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qyfJ0DbPjvU/XsM2lpwCROI/AAAAAAAAJYU/d_a0TbY924A2GgZH4AuISR8NyFrHhR-awCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Bay-breastedWarbler-4050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qyfJ0DbPjvU/XsM2lpwCROI/AAAAAAAAJYU/d_a0TbY924A2GgZH4AuISR8NyFrHhR-awCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Bay-breastedWarbler-4050.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bay-breasted Warbler</td></tr>
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Back home and to work today and here come the birds again! Today, I peered outside and to my surprise, another Bay-breasted Warbler in our pond! Unfortunately, I missed the photo. I also missed a photo of a Tennessee Warbler in the pond. I did manage to photograph our resident Blue Jay getting a quick drink. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6iy14AGQWM/XsMwKkWQgzI/AAAAAAAAJW4/cUkf6lDdj-8f_Sd2hFfc9MiYgDjmoG8sgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/BlueJay_pond-4247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6iy14AGQWM/XsMwKkWQgzI/AAAAAAAAJW4/cUkf6lDdj-8f_Sd2hFfc9MiYgDjmoG8sgCPcBGAYYCw/s320/BlueJay_pond-4247.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Jay</td></tr>
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And, the Scarlet Tanager seems to be hanging around the neighborhood. He patiently waited his turn for the pond.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xxZBgqp6ey8/XsMwKjvCMuI/AAAAAAAAJW4/W9CB_EPeHsYjhG-TEkaiXQux4Rzl2D3hQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/ScarletTanager-4273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xxZBgqp6ey8/XsMwKjvCMuI/AAAAAAAAJW4/W9CB_EPeHsYjhG-TEkaiXQux4Rzl2D3hQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/ScarletTanager-4273.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarlet Tanager</td></tr>
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Our Ruby-throated Hummingbird is making the most of the trumpet honeysuckle. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CbfrpXaBf7w/XsMwKmb0HiI/AAAAAAAAJW0/Qg8Vi2OA4SsWjViEQm276itEfM6zOZeNACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Ruby-throatedHummingbird-4287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CbfrpXaBf7w/XsMwKmb0HiI/AAAAAAAAJW0/Qg8Vi2OA4SsWjViEQm276itEfM6zOZeNACPcBGAYYCw/s320/Ruby-throatedHummingbird-4287.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hummingbird</td></tr>
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What a week! </div>
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<br />Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13890797717061217855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949709978774208743.post-7973427982927376832020-04-18T14:37:00.001-04:002020-04-18T14:37:23.095-04:00The Owl and the PussycatGreat-horned Owls begin their breeding season in the depths of winter. Courting begins in December when you can hear them hooting a lot in the evenings and see them perched out in the open during the day. Nesting begins in January and once that happens, the owls disappear. The female is hidden on the nest which is usually in a large cavity in a tree and the male is hiding out nearby keeping a careful watch on his mate. This continues through February and March. We hike the trails and never see an owl. In late March or April, things change again and we begin to see an adult owl sitting out during the day. She is watching the nest from nearby now because her babies are so big that she doesn't have room to sit with them in the nest.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-emqHuwPwijg/XptElwFghbI/AAAAAAAAJUs/W6TAoQ2GiL07OG0WJg6MWurdDNvMmlF8wCEwYBhgLKs0DAL1Ocqy3smgPNVT550kBezFRPnkwO-qbvEOUurzrlghLUcI1c7FmTOnwE_Ej9aOZCLAUC_dnxix7NQEUGowa856-2VMiAoOYQ1NPvra1sZVLePZd7wDAZfiN28Q_L4oiCAJQpnt-RHigy7C5S8QsLXQlqfbW7v7ULV_Z_OJLx2lJCxL6YohdP3O9N2KlH8APX9-ScRN7c-sKmmcMhi5yBjqX-8Ghgi_uFtwLP8zk1HGAwSBTVqJiLxUqjsrNVaU4EkM2icz7ae-MsR1Zk8Ytd3Khgmp6tdyBag4LWe6cnLQwjCIIo1EU9xppQ2jEjNsoHXxsOh6neMrLSgsBb5Tor-A3B376lSuAHTIm0fMOUFVnfdR-wo-8fv0cYbil9AKRCeIfSW0_UHPhpsxGOZbdnMY3wHppHfKwhu5EsBCCfTnRZPaK10nBrPYAAuNY_ZqSQ-CxsXglBLhOGznhLr6ya3WxWPB1xh_KlCVhlsW_6h2QEnoM-P900L-nip-g22CaFhZUooeNtM1i_tshqYBGwUE8PlYWzEpauk_lIFlrLa54-FwempAy5HaWRJSaj_flYgngCZiXNqI17-VefMgCMvYcjEDNo4MVmUhqgxUwpY7t9AU/s1600/GreatHornedOwl_parent1-0520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-emqHuwPwijg/XptElwFghbI/AAAAAAAAJUs/W6TAoQ2GiL07OG0WJg6MWurdDNvMmlF8wCEwYBhgLKs0DAL1Ocqy3smgPNVT550kBezFRPnkwO-qbvEOUurzrlghLUcI1c7FmTOnwE_Ej9aOZCLAUC_dnxix7NQEUGowa856-2VMiAoOYQ1NPvra1sZVLePZd7wDAZfiN28Q_L4oiCAJQpnt-RHigy7C5S8QsLXQlqfbW7v7ULV_Z_OJLx2lJCxL6YohdP3O9N2KlH8APX9-ScRN7c-sKmmcMhi5yBjqX-8Ghgi_uFtwLP8zk1HGAwSBTVqJiLxUqjsrNVaU4EkM2icz7ae-MsR1Zk8Ytd3Khgmp6tdyBag4LWe6cnLQwjCIIo1EU9xppQ2jEjNsoHXxsOh6neMrLSgsBb5Tor-A3B376lSuAHTIm0fMOUFVnfdR-wo-8fv0cYbil9AKRCeIfSW0_UHPhpsxGOZbdnMY3wHppHfKwhu5EsBCCfTnRZPaK10nBrPYAAuNY_ZqSQ-CxsXglBLhOGznhLr6ya3WxWPB1xh_KlCVhlsW_6h2QEnoM-P900L-nip-g22CaFhZUooeNtM1i_tshqYBGwUE8PlYWzEpauk_lIFlrLa54-FwempAy5HaWRJSaj_flYgngCZiXNqI17-VefMgCMvYcjEDNo4MVmUhqgxUwpY7t9AU/s320/GreatHornedOwl_parent1-0520.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Dad is also sitting nearby to keep an eye out for trouble.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a6n9OguvUPs/XptElsdXDDI/AAAAAAAAJUw/7YBnbjJUT9s9V3aitbGJ_VQHMwOsNlfRgCEwYBhgLKs0DAL1Ocqzap4JxrdMZH6DBr1XIzFmYBfWMotwBec-SbMPZbRpW3xZvXkEmZWqOXsvcqi7ZbVJxKvCq7F0-poateMzV00yXUciZTJ3a_6sv5C97OM8iBDajUfklYtpdIDCCuHrpUM0J_zuuHAjYMGF4QsFZqXIrHOKE-GLk4bIxUQ-Mof8-SHgqOJQyyxeF0lwK3lnMa1wL2a0z0_YmnA_Uk0jA9p0hvflzTjzg5YbMOU046T3DGU4waZOHgVt7BxgMWTF6TxLwkKFc4gZiZI81MmPqROiTECubjZ0AxPcISBOxi34BgNEvTLs4i-pp9aSGswJqlA_QWjviLd6SEyj68SdVgh5tl4lM7h9HUztAtOGldl1qXtl__DrJgeC5ClTha41QPiqqmhNVVIvhRnT3rZvbd-xRA2uWiFF-oVswgfZkhX6LNxkAfRRC_euY9fTWl2V7-Ctivo4-y02G-e_B6RjrTFvw4WLXGZ-kUeLsv6aS8JYLbMVIFmNGXrcozIbQBvwSMhbS4TbXFgmi-C0n9xqNLbuvciOltETanYeicPqNVPsOe0BOmgsKnSaEbaMB_mz1gzHjhkW5RhBpRZxDgpfU8UNqMaCM7Jal8S4wsY7t9AU/s1600/GreatHornedOwl_parent2-0523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a6n9OguvUPs/XptElsdXDDI/AAAAAAAAJUw/7YBnbjJUT9s9V3aitbGJ_VQHMwOsNlfRgCEwYBhgLKs0DAL1Ocqzap4JxrdMZH6DBr1XIzFmYBfWMotwBec-SbMPZbRpW3xZvXkEmZWqOXsvcqi7ZbVJxKvCq7F0-poateMzV00yXUciZTJ3a_6sv5C97OM8iBDajUfklYtpdIDCCuHrpUM0J_zuuHAjYMGF4QsFZqXIrHOKE-GLk4bIxUQ-Mof8-SHgqOJQyyxeF0lwK3lnMa1wL2a0z0_YmnA_Uk0jA9p0hvflzTjzg5YbMOU046T3DGU4waZOHgVt7BxgMWTF6TxLwkKFc4gZiZI81MmPqROiTECubjZ0AxPcISBOxi34BgNEvTLs4i-pp9aSGswJqlA_QWjviLd6SEyj68SdVgh5tl4lM7h9HUztAtOGldl1qXtl__DrJgeC5ClTha41QPiqqmhNVVIvhRnT3rZvbd-xRA2uWiFF-oVswgfZkhX6LNxkAfRRC_euY9fTWl2V7-Ctivo4-y02G-e_B6RjrTFvw4WLXGZ-kUeLsv6aS8JYLbMVIFmNGXrcozIbQBvwSMhbS4TbXFgmi-C0n9xqNLbuvciOltETanYeicPqNVPsOe0BOmgsKnSaEbaMB_mz1gzHjhkW5RhBpRZxDgpfU8UNqMaCM7Jal8S4wsY7t9AU/s320/GreatHornedOwl_parent2-0523.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The babies are big enough to move around and can be seen in the nest cavity most days. Connie and I have been keeping tabs on the family for the past week.<br />
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And now for the pussycat. Well, not exactly a cat. More like our dog Peanut acting more like a cat than a dog. While Connie and I were watching the owlets (who were watching us right back), Peanut found a tree to climb.<br />
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She was up there so high, it scared me to death. Here she is scrambling back down.<br />
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<br />Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13890797717061217855noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949709978774208743.post-41241254283681655232020-04-08T12:58:00.004-04:002020-04-08T12:58:58.885-04:00That's Why They Call it Fox Chase FarmLike all of America, I'm doing my best to stop the spread of Corona Virus by staying home and keeping up with the social distancing requirements. I generally work from home anyway, so that part is easy for me. Connie and I are set up in different parts of the house to work (somehow, she got the sunroom). We still get outside every day to walk Peanut. We are going to Pennypack and Lorimer parks which is really nice. Lorimer Park butts up against Fox Chase Farm which has big open cow pastures and a beautiful view.<br />
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The other day, I noticed a fox one of the cow pastures at Fox Chase Farm. And, as the name suggests, I watched her as she stalked and chased her prey. She would sit very still with laser focus on the grass in front of her.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Listening for critters</td></tr>
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Then, she would leap into the air and come down hard hoping to pin the prey.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pounce!</td></tr>
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She did this several times. Stare. Pounce. Stare. Pounce.<br />
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And finally, one last pounce lunging directly away from my camera lens . . .<br />
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Victory! A rodent of some sort to bring back to her kits. She looked directly at me as if to say "Got it!"<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uumxoWu4Krs/Xo4A2HjwbmI/AAAAAAAAJUA/QBAiJAUF0jE_3N8nLIQiunsLuWSePkbAgCEwYBhgLKs0DAMBZVoB_lhiB_RFSS1GGNX-lHAvSs3Cjmk1fOnvlEpsbx6Etj_TPbKA5B3BPMqbws_ZT_SZy-yoA-acZvF9pMIKbOW19bvi7XJHifo_Fvd6dMNztuayA0Owz9m8dA34J2d-axr_D8w7KPIKodam2fpKhJIqCZ2qPM1aIQul1jWOyOQrPZkSqH-z1ISLG1MERz30UWde7Xc-Brz8OWI9IuAQsveYrkfzmLaT_3sk0sNvvwbe_iA_RYuZ9knNjAEFEW3W17-_naKWyyepuJzaW6ctDM5GcrNcSd_IdHemp4Cka7Wa7rRHaPA0tNyIl2yRzvJDcDF_DlfFHhcV0JzFyfeL4jiYiFlN3ZoyRKQEnnpuwA3LST_Arm_9UWx-ekhT5-NO_kx7PB4NJs54ydAxW-Xfkt5SVbAIT9AfI1irFn9jMr0EoIXoTmPiaTJFgICKJ3l_EPc8ijidMPx5OZh0s6W3fWDAWNOdWSdoz7ywMNgKqWuy9BGU2I6T_jjr1OaFjlwHLOdeSn1Bn_10EjnJ-w2PKPudNl-VhiILHBmxLPW-6muT1Sb6zTUdBNejwg7USXAwHv5HkrA-OrmoqLsdb4MH_uUH413FREf4D5QwwuYe49AU/s1600/Fox_hunt_victory_closeup-0415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uumxoWu4Krs/Xo4A2HjwbmI/AAAAAAAAJUA/QBAiJAUF0jE_3N8nLIQiunsLuWSePkbAgCEwYBhgLKs0DAMBZVoB_lhiB_RFSS1GGNX-lHAvSs3Cjmk1fOnvlEpsbx6Etj_TPbKA5B3BPMqbws_ZT_SZy-yoA-acZvF9pMIKbOW19bvi7XJHifo_Fvd6dMNztuayA0Owz9m8dA34J2d-axr_D8w7KPIKodam2fpKhJIqCZ2qPM1aIQul1jWOyOQrPZkSqH-z1ISLG1MERz30UWde7Xc-Brz8OWI9IuAQsveYrkfzmLaT_3sk0sNvvwbe_iA_RYuZ9knNjAEFEW3W17-_naKWyyepuJzaW6ctDM5GcrNcSd_IdHemp4Cka7Wa7rRHaPA0tNyIl2yRzvJDcDF_DlfFHhcV0JzFyfeL4jiYiFlN3ZoyRKQEnnpuwA3LST_Arm_9UWx-ekhT5-NO_kx7PB4NJs54ydAxW-Xfkt5SVbAIT9AfI1irFn9jMr0EoIXoTmPiaTJFgICKJ3l_EPc8ijidMPx5OZh0s6W3fWDAWNOdWSdoz7ywMNgKqWuy9BGU2I6T_jjr1OaFjlwHLOdeSn1Bn_10EjnJ-w2PKPudNl-VhiILHBmxLPW-6muT1Sb6zTUdBNejwg7USXAwHv5HkrA-OrmoqLsdb4MH_uUH413FREf4D5QwwuYe49AU/s320/Fox_hunt_victory_closeup-0415.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Success</td></tr>
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She trotted off through the field. What a way to spend 15 minutes before going back to the reality of our pandemic situation.Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13890797717061217855noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949709978774208743.post-37210874292395612492020-03-14T15:13:00.002-04:002020-03-14T15:13:28.020-04:00In The BoxThere are many birds that nest in cavities. Cavities are created naturally when trees loose a branch. Cavities are created on purpose by woodpeckers who drill out holes for themselves. Cavities are also created by us humans in the form of nest boxes. This week, I have photos of 2 nest boxes that I purchased and installed that actually have birds in them. First up, our resident Screech Owl. He or she went missing for a while but is back and sitting in the hole almost every afternoon.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PZ_imK8djWI/Xm0qT8BeyjI/AAAAAAAAJSc/YvJ5Zu3oIPQwBrMcoAK-2KzXiuV7psKiQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/ScreechOwl-0063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PZ_imK8djWI/Xm0qT8BeyjI/AAAAAAAAJSc/YvJ5Zu3oIPQwBrMcoAK-2KzXiuV7psKiQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/ScreechOwl-0063.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Screech Owl</td></tr>
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The second species is the Bluebird. We walk Peanut up at Lorimer park which butts up against Fox Chase farm. The farm is owned by Philadelphia Parks Commission and has acres of pastures and cows that are tended by the 4-H club. Someone, a long time ago, installed Bluebird boxes on the fence posts. I remember seeing Bluebirds in the park years ago but haven't seen any lately and wondered why. </div>
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At a recent DVOC meeting, the speaker told us that Bluebirds need clean boxes to build their nest. It dawned on me that the Fox Chase Farm boxes were probably filled with old nest material so I went around and cleaned out 9 boxes and purchased 5 new ones to install where I saw long stretches without an old box.<br />
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My work paid off! Today, Connie and I saw Bluebirds at 3 of the boxes including one of the new boxes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EpUmII6YuN8/Xm0siClTd9I/AAAAAAAAJSo/QUETtlUke_sYj3mVRiDOl8poapermUM6gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Bluebirds_Box-0119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EpUmII6YuN8/Xm0siClTd9I/AAAAAAAAJSo/QUETtlUke_sYj3mVRiDOl8poapermUM6gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Bluebirds_Box-0119.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern Bluebirds</td></tr>
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I can't wait to see if the couples actually have babies.<br />Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13890797717061217855noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949709978774208743.post-85804523237212963442019-12-21T21:15:00.002-05:002019-12-21T21:21:19.905-05:00Christmas Bird Count - Florida StyleLast weekend, I did the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count at Pennypack Park, just like I've done for the past 7 years. And, just like other years, the weather was crappy and the birds were common. Don't get me wrong, I like contributing to the Audubon's 120 years of bird data but it's not the most exciting day of birding ever. This year, I had an idea - what if I volunteered for another CBC count? What if that count was in Florida? Genius!<br />
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Lucky for me, the Harns Marsh CBC was scheduled for today AND . . . Connie and I were scheduled to visit BJ and Dave starting yesterday. Harns Marsh is only 45 minute drive from BJ's. I contacted the person in charge and got myself in on the count. I met Charly and Meg at 6:45 AM in the parking lot at the marsh. We counted 68 birds and, for me at least, they were way sexier than my hometown birds at Pennypack.<br />
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Take this Snail Kite for instance. This is an uncommon bird that can only survive by eating certain kinds of snails. The Kite's bill is adapted to eating only the snails. Harn's Marsh is lousy with the snails and therefore, we saw this Snail Kite along the edge of the marsh. Jackpot.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v2l6sLTPAG0/Xf7GvAsL89I/AAAAAAAAJQ0/rqsZmpA4Rrwk6Pw7o-1qa_itiRm4aNUwQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/SnailKite_crop-7994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v2l6sLTPAG0/Xf7GvAsL89I/AAAAAAAAJQ0/rqsZmpA4Rrwk6Pw7o-1qa_itiRm4aNUwQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/SnailKite_crop-7994.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snail Kite</td></tr>
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Another bird that eats the snails is the Limpkin. Limpkins can also eat other food like worms and other critters that live along the edge of the water. Harn's Marsh has plenty of these birds. They are pretty shy and move slowly. This one flew past us.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q3VBw68zfxw/Xf7GpGHX_nI/AAAAAAAAJQ8/ZwEyYMsFg94LX19lw2jwiHp1EnHDTexvgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Limpkin_fly-8205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q3VBw68zfxw/Xf7GpGHX_nI/AAAAAAAAJQ8/ZwEyYMsFg94LX19lw2jwiHp1EnHDTexvgCEwYBhgL/s400/Limpkin_fly-8205.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Limpkin</td></tr>
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Harn's Marsh is also a place to find Gray-headed Swamphens, an introduced species from Asia. Birders like to come here to add them to their life lists. I did that exact thing last year. This year, we saw plenty of them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UPHs6pf_u_c/Xf7GkZCTyMI/AAAAAAAAJQ4/KGhB00lRaqMSJguKkKJpF7w3c0PUS1Z3gCEwYBhgL/s1600/Grey-headedSwamphen-8162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UPHs6pf_u_c/Xf7GkZCTyMI/AAAAAAAAJQ4/KGhB00lRaqMSJguKkKJpF7w3c0PUS1Z3gCEwYBhgL/s400/Grey-headedSwamphen-8162.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gray-headed Swamphen</td></tr>
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Sandhill Cranes are common in this part of Florida. We see them in the marshes, in the Walmart parking lot and on the golf courses. At Harn's Marsh, the Cranes usually stay in the marsh but today, 11 of them were up on the path. We saw the group interacting from afar.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BY_u1uC9Pmg/Xf7N6xGQw7I/AAAAAAAAJRQ/fdn-mWqOlcgvm5DOI7wQ5tqZJ813v_JxgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/SandhillCranes-7975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BY_u1uC9Pmg/Xf7N6xGQw7I/AAAAAAAAJRQ/fdn-mWqOlcgvm5DOI7wQ5tqZJ813v_JxgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/SandhillCranes-7975.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandhill Cranes</td></tr>
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As we approached, the Cranes were not afraid. We ended up surrounded by them. Here is a cell phone selfie video showing how close they were to us. </div>
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My 400 mm camera lens could only capture the head of this bird squawking. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7P257bTdjlw/Xf7O0P5wjmI/AAAAAAAAJRc/8ohte7txRbQif5i-tRikFaNKOqWE4jMbQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/SandhillCrane-8061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7P257bTdjlw/Xf7O0P5wjmI/AAAAAAAAJRc/8ohte7txRbQif5i-tRikFaNKOqWE4jMbQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/SandhillCrane-8061.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandhill Crane</td></tr>
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We saw a few Bald Eagles flying around but then I saw one perch in a tree. When I went over to take a photo, I was surprised to find another bird in the tree. Here is the happy couple. She is on the right - a larger bird than her hubby on the left. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uyygLkGOK7c/Xf7PQguHiPI/AAAAAAAAJRk/TLWuFcpWr2UU-5l_e5YP8OUpXVT6DawpwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/BaldEagles-8240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uyygLkGOK7c/Xf7PQguHiPI/AAAAAAAAJRk/TLWuFcpWr2UU-5l_e5YP8OUpXVT6DawpwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/BaldEagles-8240.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Happy Couple</td></tr>
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Roseate Spoonbills are iconic birds of the mangroves in Florida. I was surprised that we found one in the marsh. This bird was hanging out with a mixed bag of waders. You can see why they are called "rose" and "spoonbills" in this photo. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roseate Spoonbill</td></tr>
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The biggest surprise of the day was spotting this River Otter right at the water's edge. He just looked at us for a few minutes before returning to his search for fish. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s813uOldCc0/Xf7PRFkG1-I/AAAAAAAAJRs/9EiwgQgfsc4plaKu6eyYxA48Ex5-hryVwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/RiverOtter-8227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s813uOldCc0/Xf7PRFkG1-I/AAAAAAAAJRs/9EiwgQgfsc4plaKu6eyYxA48Ex5-hryVwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/RiverOtter-8227.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">River Otter</td></tr>
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We don't get this stuff at Pennypack for sure. All in all, a good day of citizen science. </div>
<br />Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13890797717061217855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949709978774208743.post-4045141694722207742019-12-18T16:50:00.003-05:002019-12-18T16:50:41.362-05:00More on Ecuador<div>
Hummers and Antpittas were not the only birds that we saw on our trip. Ecuador is home to other fantastic and fantastical birds. One bird that I have really wanted to see since I first saw a picture in a magazine is the Long-wattled Umbrellabird. This is a black beauty in the Cotinga family that has some interesting adaptations. The feathers on the bird's head form an umbrella hairdo. Males have a long "wattle" which is similar to a Tom turkey only much longer with more feathers. You can see the wattle hanging over the branch in this photo. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2orRXJiWE2M/XfqU8ooH-LI/AAAAAAAAJOI/rkFWwq83Ms0NkaoEpq75bhvhBmQtSuv3QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Long-wattledUmbrellaBird-5945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2orRXJiWE2M/XfqU8ooH-LI/AAAAAAAAJOI/rkFWwq83Ms0NkaoEpq75bhvhBmQtSuv3QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Long-wattledUmbrellaBird-5945.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 80%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Long-Wattled Umbrellabird</span></td></tr>
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I was hoping to see one of these birds but never imagined that we would see 13 of them flying around the farm fields! The wattle is so long that it swings when the bird walks along the branch. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s0Hzh2w9iDg/XfqWgoOFN8I/AAAAAAAAJOg/wz-gno2FCHAlHEFikvD-qyZnOVCt6l0uQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Long-wattledUmbrellabird-5874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s0Hzh2w9iDg/XfqWgoOFN8I/AAAAAAAAJOg/wz-gno2FCHAlHEFikvD-qyZnOVCt6l0uQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Long-wattledUmbrellabird-5874.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 80%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Long-Wattled Umbrellabird</span></td></tr>
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Umbrella birds are the type of bird that uses "leks" like the Greater Sage Grouse that I saw in Colorado. Each morning, all of the males gather in one area to show off to each other and determine who is the king of the flock. Umbrella birds do a little dance and actually flare out the feathers on their wattle when a female is close by. you can see it here.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GBqXubbb0G4/XfqWglFhh4I/AAAAAAAAJOk/m-aGc7qiblg1oCYwX43OuKk-n2Ej-TfdwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Long-wattledUmbrellabird_display-5698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GBqXubbb0G4/XfqWglFhh4I/AAAAAAAAJOk/m-aGc7qiblg1oCYwX43OuKk-n2Ej-TfdwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Long-wattledUmbrellabird_display-5698.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long-Wattled Umbrellabird</td></tr>
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Unfortunately for me, the weather was overcast with off and on rain. Not great for bird photos, but a perfect opportunity for me to try to be funny. Here I am with my own umbrella and Umbrellabird. I couldn't resist. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Umbrella</td></tr>
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Another bird in the Cotinga family that many birders want to see is the Cock-of-the-Rock. Unlike the Umbrellabird which is black, the Cock-of-the-Rock is bright red. Like the Umbrellabird, Cock-of-the-Rock males gather each morning at a lek to show off to each other. The lek that we went to was part of Angel's tour. We arrived before dawn to gather in a bird blind so that we didn't disturb the birds as they arrived. This is the top bird in the lek. He had the best perch and chased of many of the other males that tried to get too close. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cock-of-the-Rock</td></tr>
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Both species are pretty large birds and easy to see which is why they need to be protected from local hunters. Having Angel and other local guides helps to protect the birds and educate the local people of the value of the lek site too. Our tour group paid each of the local guides $20 per person to see the birds which is quite a bit more money than they can make farming or hunting. A win-win for sure. </div>
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Other interesting birds of central and south America include the Toucans, Toucanettes, Aracari and Barbets. We saw a few species but only got photos of some. These two were easy to photograph since they were munching on bananas at our hotel's bird feeders. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toucanette</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barbet</td></tr>
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Believe me, I could post many more bird photos from Ecuador but birds were not the only subjects for photography. We also saw some animals, reptiles and plants that you may enjoy seeing. We saw many butterflies. Here are two species in the "glass wing" family. You can see right through the wing. </div>
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Our group is not afraid of snakes. In fact, we hope to see snakes when we are birding. We found 2 species in the rain forest. The first was this Green Vine Snake. It really looks like a vine. She was pretty approachable and completely harmless. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Vine Snake</td></tr>
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This snake was also very approachable but the opposite of harmless. This is the Choco Hognose Viper. I don't know how Marty spotted this snake. He was completely camoflauged surrounded by leaves. Our guide used a stick to move the leaves away so that we could get a better look. Check out those eyes! He is looking right at the camera. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Choco Hognose Viper</td></tr>
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Other reptiles that we encountered included several species of frogs. This guy was my shower buddy. He would come in and out of the bathroom window at night. Cute right? </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My shower buddy</td></tr>
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There are lots of lizards too. This one was right outside of the hotel entrance. It took me a few seconds to actually see it even when Todd was pointing right at it. It is 2 feet long and still undetectable. Can you see it? </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lizard</td></tr>
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The rain forest is home to Howler Monkeys. These primates are easy to find since they spend alot of time howling which can be heard for miles. This dude was upset that we were on the trail beneath him. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Howler Monkey</td></tr>
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Last on the list is this freakishly large grasshopper. We found him on the defunct sliding board at the hotel swimming pool (that's another story). Look at the size of that thing. Birds won't even try to eat these things because they are too big and have spikes on the back of their legs that can hurt the bird. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grasshopper</td></tr>
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Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13890797717061217855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949709978774208743.post-21183170867741013922019-11-15T21:30:00.000-05:002019-11-15T21:30:42.605-05:00Mr. Potatohead"It looks like a potato with legs". That's what Di said when she saw a photo of an Antpitta. You can be the judge.<br />
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Antpittas are a group of birds that make their living on the forest floor. They are most often heard but not seen. One of the best places to see Antpittas is in Ecuador at Refugio Paz de Las Aves (Peace of the Birds Sanctuary). The reason that this place is so special is because of this Angel. No really, Angel is his name. Angel is a farmer who figured out that he can make better money showing people Antpittas than actually farming.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selfie with Angel Paz</td></tr>
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He trains the birds to come out of the forest when he calls so that they can get a delicious meal of worms.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yummy Antpitta Breakfast</td></tr>
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Angel calls the birds by name - "Will-a-meeeee-na, Will-a-meeeeeeee-na" as he throws the worms out on a moss-covered log just off the forest path. "Will-a-meeeeee-na" and sure enough, the bird emerges from the dark forest.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-breasted Antpitta</td></tr>
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She's a beauty and allows us to photograph her while she dines. She gobbles up the last worm and disappears back into the forest until tomorrow. Angel leads us to another path. "Sha-keeeee-ra, <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Sha-keeeee-ra</span>". Same dance, different bird. Viola. Shakira appears for her breakfast.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ochre-breasted Antpitta</td></tr>
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Angel calls her Shakira because she moves like Shakira that singer. Watch how she wiggles.</div>
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The don't all have names. Angel used to have a Giant Antpitta called Maria but sadly the bird died after 15 years of fame. He calls out into the forest with a whistle that mimics the bird's call. Another bird emerges. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chestnut-crowned Antpitta</td></tr>
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She's striking and doesn't seem to mind the paparazzi. We also saw a very secretive Moustached Antpitta. Angel asked us not to photograph the shy bird so that we didn't scare him away so no photos of him. </div>
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After showing us the Antpittas, Angel invited us to the pavilion where his wife served coffee and Bolon de Verdes which are green plantain fritters. They were delicious! We ate our meal while watching some of the amazing hummingbirds featured in the last post. </div>
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We saw 2 other Antpittas on our trip. This Tawny Antpitta accompanied us along our trail at Yanacoacha. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tawny Antpitta</td></tr>
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And we found this Streak-breasted Antpitta in the rain forest at Playa de Oro. This one was the most wild of the bunch. I barely managed to get a photograph. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Streak-breasted Antpitta</td></tr>
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More birds and critters to follow. </div>
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Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13890797717061217855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949709978774208743.post-88812300169640374362019-11-12T14:17:00.003-05:002019-11-12T14:17:52.242-05:00Ecuador - HummingirdsEcuador is located in South America and as the name suggests is on the equator. Our gang just returned from a 10 day trip to explore the birds and nature of the country. We signed up for the trip last November so it was a long wait. The trip itinerary included a few days in the Andes mountains where we spent time in various locations and then ended with 4 days in the "Choco" region at a remote lodge.<br />
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The itinerary indicated that we could see as many as 600 bird species on the trip. We ended up seeing 360 species. 232 of those were life birds for me. There were so many birds that I have decided to break them up into multiple posts. This post concentrates on just the hummingbirds. The field guide lists 134 species possible - 134! We have exactly 1 specie here in Pennsylvania.<br />
<br />Our trip started on Sat Nov 2nd in Quito which is the capital of Ecuador and located at 9,340 feet elevation and <span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">-0.20562° N latitude, -78.5088° E longitude. Our first stop was to a preserve called Yanacocha which is at 12,000 feet elevation. Joco Toco Conservation Fund helps to protect the area. It was pretty cool at this elevation. We needed jackets for sure. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Who knew that we could find such cool birds and hummingbirds at such high elevation! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The first hummer that I saw was this cinnamon colored bird called Shining Sunbeam. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gHJxze5DviY/Xcr5aLbjnTI/AAAAAAAAJK8/3nrEOy91wCwkdtqcSZ9UHQRzecxvwKARQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/ShiningSunbeam-2238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gHJxze5DviY/Xcr5aLbjnTI/AAAAAAAAJK8/3nrEOy91wCwkdtqcSZ9UHQRzecxvwKARQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/ShiningSunbeam-2238.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shining Sunbeam</td></tr>
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Its a cute bird but I didn't understand why it was called Shining Sunbeam until it turned around.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HzzP0sus4Rs/Xcr5WK-iXNI/AAAAAAAAJLE/ngrUAahU0nkkZUynj7uXDg8widrEs036ACEwYBhgL/s1600/ShiningSunbeam-3058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HzzP0sus4Rs/Xcr5WK-iXNI/AAAAAAAAJLE/ngrUAahU0nkkZUynj7uXDg8widrEs036ACEwYBhgL/s320/ShiningSunbeam-3058.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 80%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Shining Sunbeam</span></td></tr>
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It should really be called "Rainbow Butt". Look at how it shines in the sunlight!</div>
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Next up, a little hummer called Golden-breasted Puffleg. Check out the white puffs on the legs. This dude was itching for a fight with any other hummer that flew past him. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tl3EP6jSJWg/Xcr5VRTQZuI/AAAAAAAAJLA/3V11hPQWHysNVVOAMHBJf2tzLbWiHOnxQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Sapphire-ventedPuffleg-2952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tl3EP6jSJWg/Xcr5VRTQZuI/AAAAAAAAJLA/3V11hPQWHysNVVOAMHBJf2tzLbWiHOnxQCEwYBhgL/s320/Sapphire-ventedPuffleg-2952.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Golden-breasted Puffleg - ready for action</span></td></tr>
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The most common hummer at Yanacocha was the Buff-winged Starfrontlet. What a name. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CeGXLdMCBQg/Xcr5VDkgx2I/AAAAAAAAJLM/LKa9XJmPKY850arqoDAT3DB6tR0IJXZSwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Buff-wingedStarfrontlet-2825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CeGXLdMCBQg/Xcr5VDkgx2I/AAAAAAAAJLM/LKa9XJmPKY850arqoDAT3DB6tR0IJXZSwCEwYBhgL/s320/Buff-wingedStarfrontlet-2825.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Buff-winged Starfrontlet</span></td></tr>
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And then my eyes almost popped out of my head when this bird arrived at the feeders. This is Sword-billed Hummingbird. Look at the size of that bill! It is designed to get nectar from really big flowers. He must have really good aim to get his bill in the feeder hole at that distance<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3-LBtTxKRRM/Xcr5Wbys5qI/AAAAAAAAJLM/2U_G2oDcb5k1OhK8jkO6DowMuzxh3n61gCEwYBhgL/s1600/SwordbillHummingbird-2981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3-LBtTxKRRM/Xcr5Wbys5qI/AAAAAAAAJLM/2U_G2oDcb5k1OhK8jkO6DowMuzxh3n61gCEwYBhgL/s320/SwordbillHummingbird-2981.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Sword-billed Hummingbird</span></td></tr>
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There were many other birds at this site but for now, just hummers. On Sunday, we headed out to a remote farm in the Andes located at lower elevation to see some amazing birds which I will tell you about in another post. The farmer has hummingbird feeders hanging around the pavilion where we had coffee and a delicious snack that his wife prepared. Here are some of the hummers from this site.<br />
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Andean Emerald isn't stunning but still really cute. This guy ruled the roost.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HcY5S-_X87s/Xcr-pmpuK1I/AAAAAAAAJLU/g9hG-kQKWKAu1K4ChOR_g74TmtO62ClkQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/AndeanEmerald-4588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HcY5S-_X87s/Xcr-pmpuK1I/AAAAAAAAJLU/g9hG-kQKWKAu1K4ChOR_g74TmtO62ClkQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/AndeanEmerald-4588.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Andean Emerald</span></td></tr>
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This Purple-bibbed Whitetip is aptly named. You can see both the bib and the white tips.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pmjr8FLFBUU/Xcr-8Z87E8I/AAAAAAAAJL0/KLzmU77rX90yhc7bCVhrwduE06hP7eIiACEwYBhgL/s1600/Purple-bibbedWhitetip-5120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pmjr8FLFBUU/Xcr-8Z87E8I/AAAAAAAAJL0/KLzmU77rX90yhc7bCVhrwduE06hP7eIiACEwYBhgL/s320/Purple-bibbedWhitetip-5120.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> Purple-bibbed Whitetip</span></td></tr>
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In the diminutive category, nothing beats this tiny Purple-throated Woodstar. She flies like a bumblebee!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AQNbY5-WBL8/Xcr-qee_hBI/AAAAAAAAJLs/_Wb7f28Clxs_MeJ543TI_MN37JezErEMgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Purple-throatedWoodstar-4771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AQNbY5-WBL8/Xcr-qee_hBI/AAAAAAAAJLs/_Wb7f28Clxs_MeJ543TI_MN37JezErEMgCEwYBhgL/s320/Purple-throatedWoodstar-4771.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Purple-throated Woodstar</span></td></tr>
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Hermits are category of hummingbirds that have long curved bills. Here is White-whiskered Hermit coming in for some sugar water.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WBg1inpvQlA/Xcr-q-Eg2hI/AAAAAAAAJLw/uj39pf73uvsdHnkt7q4RE-wuPTmPmq3nwCEwYBhgL/s1600/White-whiskeredHermit5030-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WBg1inpvQlA/Xcr-q-Eg2hI/AAAAAAAAJLw/uj39pf73uvsdHnkt7q4RE-wuPTmPmq3nwCEwYBhgL/s320/White-whiskeredHermit5030-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">White-whiskered Hermit</span></td></tr>
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In the afternoon, we headed to our 3rd hotel in 3 days. The hotel reminded me of an out-of-date Pocono lodge filled with dark wood paneling and smelling moldy. Our rooms were decorated in a Victorian theme with lacy pillow cases and valences around the bed posts. Not what I expected in Ecuador. Luckily, the hotel had some hummingbird feeders that attracted some amazing birds.<br />
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Of all of the hummers that I wanted to see, this Booted Racket-tail topped the list. I can't even!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uKcAl3TIu5g/XcsAcMgNkPI/AAAAAAAAJME/iGU6UOcpZpoOszdJI47rEG9UYs1lr5U0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/BootedRacket-tail-5162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uKcAl3TIu5g/XcsAcMgNkPI/AAAAAAAAJME/iGU6UOcpZpoOszdJI47rEG9UYs1lr5U0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/BootedRacket-tail-5162.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Booted Racket-tail</span></td></tr>
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Look at those "boots"!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jmi00HUmGkI/XcsAdXPXu9I/AAAAAAAAJMI/3cVmfM6dlyM_RXsGF8loqv4VBfaRuX8CACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/BootedRacket-tail-4904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jmi00HUmGkI/XcsAdXPXu9I/AAAAAAAAJMI/3cVmfM6dlyM_RXsGF8loqv4VBfaRuX8CACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/BootedRacket-tail-4904.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Booted Racket-tail</span></td></tr>
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This Violet-purple Coronet was a handsome devil - and I think he knows it too.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aQR4YrWwgWA/XcsA1sam8QI/AAAAAAAAJMU/TD7N3TfkPwUcZWBsTWKU2KDMRBuxFasiwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/VioletPurpleCoronet-4273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aQR4YrWwgWA/XcsA1sam8QI/AAAAAAAAJMU/TD7N3TfkPwUcZWBsTWKU2KDMRBuxFasiwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/VioletPurpleCoronet-4273.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Violet-purple Coronet</span></td></tr>
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The coup-de-gras of all hummers at this location had to be Violet-tailed Sylth. The bird has a really long tail which you may be able to see in this photo. He also has brilliant turquoise stripe on his head and purple throat patch that shines when the light hits it. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-37iunNQZu0M/XcsBT-dT_XI/AAAAAAAAJMk/yMfbN58Z6bU5DIcvKKtQPTxfKJBe1PSowCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Violet-tailedSylth4989-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-37iunNQZu0M/XcsBT-dT_XI/AAAAAAAAJMk/yMfbN58Z6bU5DIcvKKtQPTxfKJBe1PSowCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Violet-tailedSylth4989-2.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Violet-tailed Sylth</span></td></tr>
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That's all great but it is nothing like the full Monty! Here he is showing off the crazy shining long tail. It was truly something to behold.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_4tJ-oy93lg/XcsA1v02vPI/AAAAAAAAJMY/kJ_WGqDGou87LCUGZIbNh-qw-qsgzr3kACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Violet-tailedSylth4984-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_4tJ-oy93lg/XcsA1v02vPI/AAAAAAAAJMY/kJ_WGqDGou87LCUGZIbNh-qw-qsgzr3kACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Violet-tailedSylth4984-2.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Violet-tailed Sylth</span></td></tr>
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I'll stop there for now. We saw other hummingbirds throughout the 10 day excursion but it gets overwhelming after a while.<br />
<br />Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13890797717061217855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949709978774208743.post-3447324354254043822019-10-24T21:09:00.001-04:002019-10-24T21:09:55.504-04:00Circumnavigating Puerto RicoI think that most people who visit Puerto Rico do so on a cruise or go to one hotel/resort and stay there. Most of the resorts are near the San Juan in the northeast part of the island. Lori and I were determined to go birding so we rented a car and headed out on Highway 2 eastbound from the airport. About 25 minutes later, we were heading south and then 30 minutes later we were heading west <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">on the same highway.</span> 3 hours later, we arrived in the southwest corner of the island to start our birding adventure.<br />
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Puerto Rico has 15 or so "endemic" species that are only found on this island. We had a target list and hoped to find some of them. During our 2 days in the southwest, we birded 3 areas and did really well despite showing up at some of the parks when they were closed! We started with a quick drive around Bosque Estatal de Guanica (Guanica Dry Forest) where we found 3 life birds including Adelaide's Warbler. I posted this photo to Flickr and ended up with thousands of views and over a hundred people added it to their favorites list.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BG-zLRoiFKQ/XbJFroVuVAI/AAAAAAAAJJU/sEgZJwxNXak3IuAjjAkQSo1gWFG_a_KfgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/AdelaidesWarbler-0655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BG-zLRoiFKQ/XbJFroVuVAI/AAAAAAAAJJU/sEgZJwxNXak3IuAjjAkQSo1gWFG_a_KfgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/AdelaidesWarbler-0655.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The following day, we went to Laguna Cartegena and ticked off 8 more lifers including this gaudy Red Bishop. They call it a Bishop because of the red "hood". We saw a few of these guys along the road into the lagoon.<br />
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We also found many Smooth-billed Ani along the road. These are pretty large and noisy birds but they fly away if you get too close. This guy apparently didn't get the memo on that and just sat on the fence right next to the car. Look at that giant beak.<br />
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Another bird that usually doesn't let you get too close is the Kestral. I noticed this guy had a lizard for lunch and slowly drove the car closer. He let us get a few shots before turning his lunch into take out. The gross part of the photo is that the lizard doesn't have a head. Yuck.<br />
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The next day, we finally made it to Cabo Rojo NWR which is supposed to be the best birding in Puerto Rico. We walked 2 miles on the mosquito infested paths and found another 4 life birds including the Troupial which is a type of Oriole native to Puerto Rico. </div>
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One of the nice things about visiting the Caribbean or Central America in October is that you run into some old bird friends who have recently left our area for the winter. We saw over 50 Blackpoll Warblers at the park. </div>
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And also found this Prothonotary Warbler stalking bugs in the low shrubs. </div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">We detoured off of Highway 2 to get to these birding locations. We also tried to go birding in Maracoa which is up in the mountains and ended up on some pretty rough roads which went straight up the mountain in one lane. I got a work out just turning the steering wheel trying to keep the car on the twisting mountain roads. It was really harrowing and all for nothing since it poured rain when we finally made it to the top of the mountain. We sat there for an hour before giving up and going back to the hotel. We did manage to find 3 life birds on the way including this Antillean Euphonia. What a wild colored bird. He has a sky blue head. </span></div>
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We continued our Highway 2 journey heading west for a few minutes before turning north and eventually east to head back to San Juan and to the Caribe Hilton hotel where I was scheduled to attend a conference on Tuesday. </div>
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Between working and schmoozing at the conference, I did manage to find time to head out to Puerto Rico's famous El Yunque Rain Forest and found another 4 life birds bringing the total to 24 for the trip. The drive to El Yunque not only provided more birds but also completed the full circuit of Highway 2. </div>
<br />Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13890797717061217855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949709978774208743.post-39273376514851159752019-10-20T21:28:00.000-04:002019-10-20T21:28:29.896-04:00Shaking His Tail FeathersLori and I are in Puerto Rico on a fast and furious birding trip before I have to go to a conference in San Jan. We are down in the south west corner of the island looking for endemic species and having pretty good luck. I'll tell you about that later. For now, I thought you might be interested to see this Pin-tailed Whydah's courtship woes. Male Pin-tailed Whydah are really cool looking birds. They are only sparrow sized bird but they have incredibly long tail that cannot be overlooked. The birds never let us get close but I did manage to capture this series of photos that show how hard this dude works to impress his gal. She's sitting on the bare branch and he's working his ass off in flight literally shaking his tail feathers.<br />
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He finally goes in for the smooch . . .<br />
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But she is NOT interested<br />
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There she goes.<br />
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<br />Better luck next time dude.Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13890797717061217855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949709978774208743.post-88896244268754034202019-09-29T11:51:00.001-04:002019-09-29T11:51:32.020-04:00Whales, Condors and WarblersTodd and I definitely made the most of our trip to California. On our quest to find a few lifers for me, we also came across other birds and sea life. Here are a few follow up photos including these California Sealions on the Monterey Jetty.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">California Sealion</td></tr>
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And plenty of Humpback Whales. Here is a photo of Pink-footed Shearwater and a whale together.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pink-footed Shearwater and Humpback Whale</td></tr>
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I've seen plenty of Humpback whales but this is the best "fluke" photo that I've ever had. This photo is not cropped. That is how close the whale was to the boat!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Humpback Whale Fluke</td></tr>
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Remember, the boat is not allowed to chase the whale. We need to stop at some distance away. This one came really close. Very exciting. We also saw Risso's Dolphins on the trip. You can identify them at a distance because their heads look white. These guys came right at the boat and I was able to snap this shot. He looks like he's smiling for the camera! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Risso's Dolphin</td></tr>
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Back on land, we spent time just driving the roads along the coast, cattle fields and canyons looking for birds. Todd spotted a MacGillivray's warbler but I missed it. They are skulkers and hard to see. Todd is really good at understanding suitable habitat for birds and calling them out by "pishing". I used that information on another day and got to see this MacGillivray's warbler along another road. Ta-da!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MacGillivray's Warbler</td></tr>
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Another sweet warbler that we found along the canyon roads was Wilson's warbler. You can easily identify these warblers by the black "yamaka" that they wear on their head. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WIlson's Warbler</td></tr>
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Anna's hummingbirds are common in California. We rarely stopped along the road and didn't see one. Here is a young male perched. You can see his throat patch coming in like a teenaged boy trying to grow a goatee.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anna's Hummingbird</td></tr>
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Back along the coast, we stopped at a beach for a walk. We were treated to this harbor seal basking on the rocks. Look at the waves splashing behind her.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harbor Seal</td></tr>
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We were also able to photograph some beach birds. Black Oystercatchers are the common species on the Pacific coast. Like our Oystercatcher, they have that bright orange bill and flesh toned legs.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Oystercatcher</td></tr>
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Heerman'g gulls are some of my favorite. I love their muted gray tones. This one is ready to take flight.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TWPDhHGCYJ4/XZDQDsIkguI/AAAAAAAAJH4/d4STGHXB6pgSifhgTDVUyyrHr2cUWvregCEwYBhgL/s1600/HeermansGull_run-9491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TWPDhHGCYJ4/XZDQDsIkguI/AAAAAAAAJH4/d4STGHXB6pgSifhgTDVUyyrHr2cUWvregCEwYBhgL/s320/HeermansGull_run-9491.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heerman's Gull</td></tr>
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This crab was almost lunch for a Western Gull but the bird dropped the crab when he saw us walking up the beach. We snapped a photo before returning the crab to the water.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7A9VVhrE4KQ/XZDQBmLbFMI/AAAAAAAAJHw/Z2voEnbczIYdWrW5lEh162xV-X_Q3lgkQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Crab_rescued-9823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7A9VVhrE4KQ/XZDQBmLbFMI/AAAAAAAAJHw/Z2voEnbczIYdWrW5lEh162xV-X_Q3lgkQCEwYBhgL/s320/Crab_rescued-9823.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Shore Crab</td></tr>
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All-in-all, a great trip to northern California coast.Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13890797717061217855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949709978774208743.post-3089269381927136972019-09-20T20:43:00.000-04:002019-09-20T20:43:08.970-04:003 Days in California, 3 Life Birds for LindaI'm getting to that point in my birding "career" where I've seen a lot of species. My total life list is almost 1300 birds. That's a lot of birds. Of that total, I've seen 669 species in the ABA area. The ABA (American Birding Association) area comprises the US and Canada. Traditionally, Hawaii is excluded but recently, the ABA allowed birders to include Hawaii in their totals but I elected to keep Hawaii separate. I have a goal of seeing 700 species in the ABA by age 60. That goal is not as easy as you would think.<br />
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When planning my trip to California, I looked up my "target list" on eBird to review any species that I could see in the San Francisco area and was surprised to find such a short list:<br />
<ol>
<li>Tri-colored Blackbird</li>
<li>Lawrence's Goldfinch</li>
<li>Cassin's Auklet</li>
<li>Fork-tailed Storm-petrel</li>
<li>Flesh-footed Shearwater</li>
</ol>
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Other birds were on the list but had probability ratings of less than 1% which means that they are very rare.<br />
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We arrived in California around noon but had issues with the rental car and never got down to Monterey area until 4:00 or so. Despite the delay, we found our first target easily - Tri-colored Blackbird. They are easily found at the dairy farm.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AvcGWmN51mo/XYVcgeJPU4I/AAAAAAAAJF8/V2y4FRvrbcokDp5qc9BZLlsq6Z1jJPnTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/TricoloredBlackbirds-6137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AvcGWmN51mo/XYVcgeJPU4I/AAAAAAAAJF8/V2y4FRvrbcokDp5qc9BZLlsq6Z1jJPnTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/TricoloredBlackbirds-6137.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tri-colored Blackbirds</td></tr>
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Day 1, Bird 1 - check! We had the whole day on Friday to go birding around the area. We decided to take a drive out to Pinnacles National Park where bird #2 had been reported. Pinnacles is also a known area to see the very endangered California Condor. We arrived at the park around 9 AM and stopped at the Visitor Center to pay the fee. We met another birder who had his scope trained on some roosting Condors. The birds were in a tree at the top of a ridge. We asked if he had seen any Lawrence's Goldfinches. He said, "sure, they're at the pool". Dang if they weren't. We wandered over to the pool in the campground and viola. <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Day 2, Bird 2! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ij-vy12rmVo/XYVt-9X77TI/AAAAAAAAJGI/yBBHtObxDLQTdF-Ej2s-r05Ea3MROur0wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/LawrencesGoldfinch-7031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="875" data-original-width="1313" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ij-vy12rmVo/XYVt-9X77TI/AAAAAAAAJGI/yBBHtObxDLQTdF-Ej2s-r05Ea3MROur0wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/LawrencesGoldfinch-7031.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lawrence's Goldfinch</td></tr>
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We found some other birds in the park but our big find was more California Condors. The park is surrounded by cattle ranches. We saw something in the field under the lone tree.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wA1z3OLLWSQ/XYVt_NWWxMI/AAAAAAAAJGc/f8NwmbM0-XEYlAPESnI7cipCwTLMgSZlgCEwYBhgL/s1600/CaliforniaCondors-7388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wA1z3OLLWSQ/XYVt_NWWxMI/AAAAAAAAJGc/f8NwmbM0-XEYlAPESnI7cipCwTLMgSZlgCEwYBhgL/s320/CaliforniaCondors-7388.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 80%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">California Condors</span></td></tr>
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22 Condors roosting the shade. The calf wanted shade too but didn't dare to go too close to the huge birds. This photo shows the size comparison so that you can get a sense of how huge these birds are. Condors are the largest birds in North America. A member of the vulture family, they only eat dead animals. Unfortunately for the farmer, the flock had gathered to make the most of a dead cow in the field. Zooming in to the photo, we could see that the birds are tagged. Each bird was hatched in captivity and released into the wild with the wing band. We saw #97, 92, 58, 59, 31, 16, 40 and 78.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p2fHtZpqS-w/XYVt_ACBV8I/AAAAAAAAJGY/I4zRg_quiGgoPzyXRaI5bRmUuDjIMox9ACEwYBhgL/s1600/CaliforniaCondors-7357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p2fHtZpqS-w/XYVt_ACBV8I/AAAAAAAAJGY/I4zRg_quiGgoPzyXRaI5bRmUuDjIMox9ACEwYBhgL/s320/CaliforniaCondors-7357.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">California Condors</td></tr>
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On Saturday, we booked a pelagic trip out of Monterey Bay. We boarded the boat at 7:00 and by 9:00, I had bird #3 - Cassin's Auklet! Now, I know it doesn't look like much but it is a really cute alcid. Day 3, Bird 3 - check. My Total Life List is now at 1299 and our ABA list is now 672.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FM7h4bGLwR8/XYVw-GKCUtI/AAAAAAAAJGk/4xWeDg0bEO41T2xRZ7TR4ssYJiyilWHeACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/CassinsAuklet-8048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FM7h4bGLwR8/XYVw-GKCUtI/AAAAAAAAJGk/4xWeDg0bEO41T2xRZ7TR4ssYJiyilWHeACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/CassinsAuklet-8048.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cassin's Auklet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have more photos and stories from our boat trip that I'll share in another post.Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13890797717061217855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949709978774208743.post-33660969697045322332019-09-12T01:44:00.002-04:002019-09-12T02:20:39.132-04:00Sooty Shearwater Facts and FunSo, last month I went out on the Atlantic ocean for the day. This month, Todd and I went out on the Pacific ocean for more birding at sea. We booked 2 trips with Alvaro's Adventures. The first trip was out of Monterey Bay which was pretty good and I'll post about it later. The second trip was out of Half Moon Bay and unfortunately was cancelled due to rough seas. Alvaro and the boat captain felt bad for us and agreed to take us around the bay for an hour so that we could witness the spectacle of a huge Sooty Shearwater flock that had taken up residence in the bay feeding on a school of anchovies. This phenomenon does not occur often so it was worth the boat ride. You can see the black dots surrounding this fishing boat.<br />
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Our Captain drove the boat right into the flock slowly so that we could get a closer look. As the boat approached, the birds would run across the water.<br />
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You can see all of the splashing water behind the birds as they tried to take flight.<br />
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I took several videos so that you could see the birds but also hear the pitter-patter of their feet as they ran across the water to lift off.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/SwzzfUGWS3s/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SwzzfUGWS3s?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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It was tough to get a photo of a single bird. They are powerful flyers. In fact, Sooty Shearwaters complete the second longest migration of any bird traveling from their breeding grounds in New Zealand across the Pacific ocean to California and back each year. A total trip of 40,000 miles!<br />
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Unfortunately, with so many birds, there are bound to be casualties. We found this dead bird floating face down in the water with a big gash in its side. They are pretty hefty birds. I took this selfie with the bird and Alvaro. I guess its kind of morbid but at least the bird's death will have some positive effects. Alvaro will take it to the natural history museum for study. </div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div>
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OK, so now comes the interesting part. You need to listen to the video for the story that Alvaro told us. As you read earlier, the Sooty Shearwater phenomenon doesn't happen often. It happened in 1961 and due to weather and other circumstances, the birds lost their bearings and flew onto land. I'll let you listen to the rest of the story.<br />
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I really love that movie and now I love it even more.Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13890797717061217855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949709978774208743.post-62888201985831092192019-08-14T21:36:00.000-04:002019-08-14T21:36:51.478-04:00Best Day Ever at SeaIf you follow this blog, you have probably read about my "pelagic" birding expeditions. Pelagic birding means that we are out on a boat in the ocean looking for birds that live way out there. Our friends Paul and Anita Guris run the trips through their side-hustle company called SeeLife Paulagics ( a nice play on words). They run about a dozen trips every year in winter and summer. I didn't think I could make the summer trip this year due to work schedule but at the last minute, my calendar opened up.<br />
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I took a vacation day and boarded the boat on Sunday night at 10 PM. The trip started out great. The weather was delightful, the stars were bright, the Perseid Meteor shower was in full swing. I slept a little bit but mostly watched the shooting stars and the Milky Way until about 4 AM when the boat came to a stop 85 miles off of the NJ coast. In the dark waters, we could see squid and flying fish under the spot lights and then a few birds flew past the boat in the pre-dawn light. Leach's Storm Petrels are most active at night. Our best chance to see them is at first light. We were not disappointed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ggSmZIvrYFk/XVShq4Zo17I/AAAAAAAAJBQ/i9brfjTnD0wj0dq6NYUDkDGRwrp7hCJ-QCLcBGAs/s1600/LeachsStormpetrel_sunrise3885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ggSmZIvrYFk/XVShq4Zo17I/AAAAAAAAJBQ/i9brfjTnD0wj0dq6NYUDkDGRwrp7hCJ-QCLcBGAs/s320/LeachsStormpetrel_sunrise3885.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leach's Storm Petrel at first light</td></tr>
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Although we were out past the continental shelf, we were not alone. This ship was the backdrop for our first whale species of the day - Cuvier's Beaked Whale.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zp2XOCsGdw4/XVShrYLOjII/AAAAAAAAJBY/r1sVL_z9n0Ahj8_JmMuzamawsSakf-GmgCEwYBhgL/s1600/CuviersBeakeWhale_ship4007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zp2XOCsGdw4/XVShrYLOjII/AAAAAAAAJBY/r1sVL_z9n0Ahj8_JmMuzamawsSakf-GmgCEwYBhgL/s320/CuviersBeakeWhale_ship4007.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cuvier's Beaked Whale</td></tr>
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The birding and whale watching heated up quickly with many Band-rumped and Wilson's Storm Petrels following our boat. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-10W9mbTHong/XVSivOoh3wI/AAAAAAAAJBw/KI8AfFaNdJYFgaqwb5omki-1H227RRZxgCLcBGAs/s1600/WilsonsStormpetrel_sunrise4028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-10W9mbTHong/XVSivOoh3wI/AAAAAAAAJBw/KI8AfFaNdJYFgaqwb5omki-1H227RRZxgCLcBGAs/s320/WilsonsStormpetrel_sunrise4028.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wilson's Storm Petrel</td></tr>
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You can see the Pilot Whales heading toward the boat. The storm petrels are not afraid of the whales and stay on the surface of the water looking for food. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qaAY7hdg3kg/XVSisbAFaII/AAAAAAAAJB4/JAB2Aj5KrKg0u4cq2KjYGN1CzrOOAV93wCEwYBhgL/s1600/PilotWhales_Stormpetrels4600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qaAY7hdg3kg/XVSisbAFaII/AAAAAAAAJB4/JAB2Aj5KrKg0u4cq2KjYGN1CzrOOAV93wCEwYBhgL/s320/PilotWhales_Stormpetrels4600.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pilot Whales</td></tr>
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The whales came close to the boat. They didn't seem to mind us. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and the whales</td></tr>
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Many of the whales were resting on the surface. They call this "logging" because they whales look like logs floating on the surface. If you listen closely, you can hear them breathing in this video.<br />
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We saw over 200 Pilot Whales by the end of the day. The ocean currents often carry seaweed from far away lands like Africa and South America. We often find Bridled Terns sitting on the floating debirs. Here is an adult that found a tree at sea.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tDuDv2BoTEg/XVSorP4hUlI/AAAAAAAAJCQ/j_xJcvd7lBIIaqqOFgSA2_LZmij3gx4NwCLcBGAs/s1600/BridledTern_log4162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tDuDv2BoTEg/XVSorP4hUlI/AAAAAAAAJCQ/j_xJcvd7lBIIaqqOFgSA2_LZmij3gx4NwCLcBGAs/s320/BridledTern_log4162.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridled Tern</td></tr>
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The tern allowed the 100 foot boat to approach but then took off.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h19tk1P8V-4/XVSot17GnZI/AAAAAAAAJCU/uNDfeUwW92QlYXbHrzTC-aWdEdHg7x2twCLcBGAs/s1600/BridledTern_fly4171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h19tk1P8V-4/XVSot17GnZI/AAAAAAAAJCU/uNDfeUwW92QlYXbHrzTC-aWdEdHg7x2twCLcBGAs/s320/BridledTern_fly4171.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridled Tern</td></tr>
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This "weed line" is a favorite for fisherman since it attracts fish that feed on the critters that live in the sea weed. We took the opportunity to investigate the hidden life by scooping up the Sargassum seaweed. We found a bunch of crazy life forms.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WVL6Uk1pIw4/XVSpQAoD-zI/AAAAAAAAJC0/ZzovoQwAZygakHq-3kbzMtUXiqScXFBwACLcBGAs/s1600/file5-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WVL6Uk1pIw4/XVSpQAoD-zI/AAAAAAAAJC0/ZzovoQwAZygakHq-3kbzMtUXiqScXFBwACLcBGAs/s320/file5-3.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sargassum Weed</td></tr>
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This is the Sargassum crab which is completely camouflaged. We put the creatures into a little aquarium so that we could all get good looks and photos before returning them to the sea. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fSbjJFFoT3c/XVSpP1hu12I/AAAAAAAAJCw/6mQ9Naua-SEQiiQztX37oGMqUr0dsdR_wCEwYBhgL/s1600/file4-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fSbjJFFoT3c/XVSpP1hu12I/AAAAAAAAJCw/6mQ9Naua-SEQiiQztX37oGMqUr0dsdR_wCEwYBhgL/s320/file4-4.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sargassum Crab</td></tr>
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Can you see the File Fish in this photo? Another camouflage specialist. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3sSZEyYMSdU/XVSpNa980yI/AAAAAAAAJCo/SBUUN9a-l1AXuJ1P-KD9IN6PMRQcXN-zACEwYBhgL/s1600/file1-19.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3sSZEyYMSdU/XVSpNa980yI/AAAAAAAAJCo/SBUUN9a-l1AXuJ1P-KD9IN6PMRQcXN-zACEwYBhgL/s320/file1-19.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">File Fish</td></tr>
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This Jack fish is the opposite of camouflaged.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WQMAMUrArEg/XVSpNXWM2DI/AAAAAAAAJCk/Yo5Ou4hQGYMrqaUUX67nKhU3CIBQpeebACEwYBhgL/s1600/file2-10.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WQMAMUrArEg/XVSpNXWM2DI/AAAAAAAAJCk/Yo5Ou4hQGYMrqaUUX67nKhU3CIBQpeebACEwYBhgL/s320/file2-10.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young Jack</td></tr>
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This is a jellyfish called By-the-Wind Sailor. It floats on the open ocean.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AVvkg_6sJAA/XVSpOMkmxHI/AAAAAAAAJCs/ld791TImiv07yKwwda4ZkZtmEHYjEZzJQCEwYBhgL/s1600/file3-8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AVvkg_6sJAA/XVSpOMkmxHI/AAAAAAAAJCs/ld791TImiv07yKwwda4ZkZtmEHYjEZzJQCEwYBhgL/s320/file3-8.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By-the-Wind Sailor</td></tr>
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The best find in the net was this weird looking creature. It is a Sea Swallow. It is in the same family as a clam but doesn't have a shell. This mollusk is one of the only creatures that can eat a Man-of-War jellyfish. Man-of-Wars have a potent sting that can kill a person. The Sea Swallow becomes just as deadly when it has eaten the jellyfish. I was careful not to touch the creature as I moved it into position for the photograph. I swear it's looking at me. Creepy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DMEmu4Al5iY/XVSre70wCfI/AAAAAAAAJDM/Y9JmTEHsLOw9Go2rP9Wo8snmWikfMQndgCLcBGAs/s1600/SeaSwallow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DMEmu4Al5iY/XVSre70wCfI/AAAAAAAAJDM/Y9JmTEHsLOw9Go2rP9Wo8snmWikfMQndgCLcBGAs/s320/SeaSwallow.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sea Swallow</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;">As I said, the weed line attracts fish like Mahi-Mahi that feed on the smaller fish that are feeding on the jellyfish, shrimp and crabs in the weed. As luck would have it, a few of the guys brought fishing rods along. We landed 4 Mahi-Mahi. Here is one jumping as it was reeled in. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VYNpOKlqz44/XVSyl3dZFVI/AAAAAAAAJEM/4IYkL7NEu8UuEHSRpb035n4S799nYRxRgCEwYBhgL/s1600/MahiMahi_jump4195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VYNpOKlqz44/XVSyl3dZFVI/AAAAAAAAJEM/4IYkL7NEu8UuEHSRpb035n4S799nYRxRgCEwYBhgL/s320/MahiMahi_jump4195.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;">I helped reel one in and was rewarded with a filet to take home. Yum. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J3ZV6PfRwC0/XVSzw9QpRII/AAAAAAAAJEg/X-ghNH9SJv4ZwzfJVYY-dbDhl5tKOMGbACLcBGAs/s1600/file-65.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J3ZV6PfRwC0/XVSzw9QpRII/AAAAAAAAJEg/X-ghNH9SJv4ZwzfJVYY-dbDhl5tKOMGbACLcBGAs/s320/file-65.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<u><span style="color: #000120;"></span></u><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I've been on many pelagic trips off of New Jersey and seen some amazing birds, whales, dolphins and other sea creatures. There is one bird that I haven't seen - the White-faced Storm Petrel. This bird has eluded me for years. The bird is very uncommon but is seen almost every year - just not on the day that I'm out there. My luck changed on this trip. Someone shouted - "this might be a white faced" and sure enough, we all saw the diagnostic Kangaroo hopping bird. It was indeed the White-faced Storm Petrel! I tried to get a few photographs. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CAK_LXL3mJM/XVSvcBT5OyI/AAAAAAAAJDc/67k7c5Ady48jRXS_rElhMCXpF-xlakZ9QCEwYBhgL/s1600/WhitefacedStormpetrel_hop5122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CAK_LXL3mJM/XVSvcBT5OyI/AAAAAAAAJDc/67k7c5Ady48jRXS_rElhMCXpF-xlakZ9QCEwYBhgL/s320/WhitefacedStormpetrel_hop5122.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-faced Storm Petrel</td></tr>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">You can see the white face on the bird. You can probably also imagine that the bird just hopped off of the water where the splash is but photos do not do this bird justice so I tried to take a few videos. Taking videos with my big camera is challenging. You'll have to endure the shake but I think you can see the Kangaroo hop. </span><br />
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At last, my curse was broken. Little did we know that this would not be the only sighting of the day. We found 2 more in the same area as the first bird. Most trips find 1 at most. We already had 3 and then we found 10 more for a total of 13 White-faced Storm Petrels. I think that might be a record for New Jersey. Crazy.<br />
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Most of the time on these trips, we get a burst of excitement and then hours of nothing. Not on this trip. Between storm petrel sightings, we saw a pod of Atlantic Spotted Dolphins who played with the boat.<br />
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No rest for the weary. With many eyes on board staring out at the ocean, we find a lot of creatures that break the water's surface with fins. We found 2 shark species. One was a Great Hammerhead which is easy to identify as it swam past the boat. The other had a large dorsal fin but never came close to the boat for identification. Another fin popped up. This time it wasn't a shark fin but a Mola Mola. These freaky creatures look like giant man-hole covers with long fins on top and bottom.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ABuW_iKh5dA/XVSysuzmp5I/AAAAAAAAJEU/fZy0FHYPWaYNe3ftZGFY_qVAo-TcQnjowCEwYBhgL/s1600/MolaMola4839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ABuW_iKh5dA/XVSysuzmp5I/AAAAAAAAJEU/fZy0FHYPWaYNe3ftZGFY_qVAo-TcQnjowCEwYBhgL/s320/MolaMola4839.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mola Mola</td></tr>
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They often float at the surface on their sides to absorb the warmth of the sun - hence the common name of Ocean Sunfish. </div>
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The most common fish of the day was Flying Fish. We saw hundreds or thousands of these as they flew away from the boat. It is amazing to watch them fly for hundreds of feet before crashing back into the water. I managed to capture this photo. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CgVxcIDM9T8/XVSya0ZmvAI/AAAAAAAAJD8/naLW3uSFq1Qf02hQungz3-Ke-dGRfZhqwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Flyingfish4236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CgVxcIDM9T8/XVSya0ZmvAI/AAAAAAAAJD8/naLW3uSFq1Qf02hQungz3-Ke-dGRfZhqwCEwYBhgL/s320/Flyingfish4236.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flying Fish</td></tr>
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Our last creature of the day was a lifer for our host Anita - Humpback Whale. We spotted a mother and calf about 30 miles from shore. As we approached, the whales were under the water but we could clearly see the mother's white flippers. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gAP0Y-AhGzA/XVSyipsJCdI/AAAAAAAAJEY/0iKCWmiQrAYQLPADBjpWfMXaUGWdhV0XgCEwYBhgL/s1600/HumpbackWhale_underwater5410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gAP0Y-AhGzA/XVSyipsJCdI/AAAAAAAAJEY/0iKCWmiQrAYQLPADBjpWfMXaUGWdhV0XgCEwYBhgL/s320/HumpbackWhale_underwater5410.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Humpback Whale underwater</td></tr>
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Mom and calf were quite comfortable near the boat. You can see junior in the center. Mom is so big that only her blow hole is visible in the photo.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rtOpECsGzQk/XVSyickhkrI/AAAAAAAAJEI/MpTgL8EoxAIr0b7pGki6QE7ooHW_jKUswCEwYBhgL/s1600/HumpbackWhales_MomCalf5419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rtOpECsGzQk/XVSyickhkrI/AAAAAAAAJEI/MpTgL8EoxAIr0b7pGki6QE7ooHW_jKUswCEwYBhgL/s320/HumpbackWhales_MomCalf5419.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Humpback Whales</td></tr>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
What a great day! I'm afraid to go out again and be disappointed. LOL.Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13890797717061217855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949709978774208743.post-38863828243598207302019-07-28T17:55:00.001-04:002019-07-28T17:55:19.487-04:00Learning the Ropes Along the BayshoreLast week, the Bayshore had zero shorebirds. Zero. This week, hundreds of shorebirds were back from their arctic breeding bonanza. Connie and I spent some time on the beach watching the newly arrived birds feeding on the remaining horseshoe crab eggs and other stuff. There were mostly Semi-palmated Sandpipers and some Sanderlings too. Connie doesn't spend as much time studying birds as I do so we spent time today learning the difference between the species and differentiating between young birds and adults.<br />
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Our first lesson was to learn how to identify Sanderling. Sanderling are slightly larger than Semi-palmated Sandpipers. They also have more orange around the neck and only have 3 toes. We didn't focus on the toe thing since that requires a closer examination. At this time of year, Sanderling are molting from their bright brown/red breeding plumage to gray winter plumage. They will spend their time along our Bayshore making that change. This bird has just about begun the transformation. You can see a few gray feathers coming in on her back.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--9bcu-spD_o/XT4JNpsxynI/AAAAAAAAJAM/6nCDfvRlhvYDGwgB-SZM7NmpMezlIkbYgCLcBGAs/s1600/SAND_YN%253D_VillasNJ_07282019-3158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--9bcu-spD_o/XT4JNpsxynI/AAAAAAAAJAM/6nCDfvRlhvYDGwgB-SZM7NmpMezlIkbYgCLcBGAs/s320/SAND_YN%253D_VillasNJ_07282019-3158.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sanderling - YN=</td></tr>
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The fact that Sanderling are molting can make the identification either harder or easier. Harder because you can't look for the same pattern on each bird. Easier because you can assume that if the bird looks different, it is probably a Sanderling. On the other hand, the Semi-palmated Sandpipers are not molting which means that they all look the same. <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Whether they are well behaved like this little guy . . .</span><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vI_kJQoRvdY/XT4SDYGnCnI/AAAAAAAAJAg/slz8p-i-Mn8sGoKWpK80FheXRfeY9_C8gCLcBGAs/s1600/SESA-3141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vI_kJQoRvdY/XT4SDYGnCnI/AAAAAAAAJAg/slz8p-i-Mn8sGoKWpK80FheXRfeY9_C8gCLcBGAs/s320/SESA-3141.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Semi-palmated Sandpiper</td></tr>
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. . . or bickering like these two. Their feathers are all uniformly brown and boring. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WwJQkPAMkK4/XT4SUjCLj4I/AAAAAAAAJAo/8IEfX7y5T4kcxnGABTciKkO-07RXdGOnQCLcBGAs/s1600/SESA_Standoff-3016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WwJQkPAMkK4/XT4SUjCLj4I/AAAAAAAAJAo/8IEfX7y5T4kcxnGABTciKkO-07RXdGOnQCLcBGAs/s320/SESA_Standoff-3016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach Brawl</td></tr>
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The only way to really understand the birds that you are observing is to actually observe them. Spend time watching their behavior and noticing subtle plumage traits like molt. Only then will you truly learn about the bird. </div>
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Speaking of learning, our observation skills also alerted us to watch the Least Terns. Least Terns are an endangered species that nests on sandy beaches by the ocean. Cape May has protected areas for them and it has been very successful over the years. At this time of year, the babies are old enough to learn how to fend for themselves. They test their skills along the Bayshore since the water is calmer. Connie and I heard this guy calling to Mom while he tried his luck.<br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">He would fly along the shallow water . . .</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JrnfYBDFm1I/XT4JMU4tfcI/AAAAAAAAJAQ/BZNsVczyUc0YkjVsTf5DZLj_2oe_qCOzACEwYBhgL/s1600/LeastTern_juvenile_fly-3183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JrnfYBDFm1I/XT4JMU4tfcI/AAAAAAAAJAQ/BZNsVczyUc0YkjVsTf5DZLj_2oe_qCOzACEwYBhgL/s320/LeastTern_juvenile_fly-3183.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile Least Tern</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;">. . . <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">and hover like this. He dove a few times but came up empty. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4-Ygg9e1A7E/XT4JMbPGajI/AAAAAAAAJAQ/8PtaA7LBReIzjxl_Uk0JTU5tH3KBDkxDACEwYBhgL/s1600/LeastTern_juvenile_fly-3179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4-Ygg9e1A7E/XT4JMbPGajI/AAAAAAAAJAQ/8PtaA7LBReIzjxl_Uk0JTU5tH3KBDkxDACEwYBhgL/s320/LeastTern_juvenile_fly-3179.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile Least Tern hovering</td></tr>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>He called to Mom a lot as if saying "Look Mom. Look Mom". Mom watched from the sandbar.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9rQgHOe4uK0/XT4JMj1i-WI/AAAAAAAAJAU/TPitlmoXlMENUh4wRuV1WKZWSi3Y_KZqACEwYBhgL/s1600/LeastTern-3210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9rQgHOe4uK0/XT4JMj1i-WI/AAAAAAAAJAU/TPitlmoXlMENUh4wRuV1WKZWSi3Y_KZqACEwYBhgL/s320/LeastTern-3210.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Least Tern - Adult</td></tr>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I assume that she knew he would be successful and wasn't worried since she didn't budge to help. </span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Look at the plumage difference between Junior and Mom. Mom has a bright yellow bill, black cap and white forehead that make her look like she's wearing a mask. Junior has a black bill and not much of a cap at all. He'll get their next year but for now, he needs to use all of his energy learning to fend for himself before heading south for the winter. Once again, we might mistake these 2 birds for separate species if we didn't take the time to learn that they were on the beach as a family. </span><br />
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Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13890797717061217855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949709978774208743.post-23735764323502564142019-07-13T08:02:00.002-04:002019-07-13T08:02:36.841-04:00More Mountain TalesWe returned to the camp for our annual July 4th family trip. This year, Connie and I spent the whole week which gave me plenty of time for more nature hikes and photography. The first photograph isn't "nature" exactly but it is pretty interesting. To most, it just looks like a dirty window but look at the pattern of the dirt - bear paws!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3K-EA5ADzjg/XSnBb84t12I/AAAAAAAAI-4/EQ7LM13NWxkUCRV11d7SUZANgjAd40SVACLcBGAs/s1600/BearPrint_Window-2707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3K-EA5ADzjg/XSnBb84t12I/AAAAAAAAI-4/EQ7LM13NWxkUCRV11d7SUZANgjAd40SVACLcBGAs/s320/BearPrint_Window-2707.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bear Print</td></tr>
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Outside of the cabin, we found another "home" situation going on. Connie and I watched these dedicated Yellow-bellied Sapsucker parents as they flew back and forth the their nest hole with food for their screaming babies. Here is Mom. She would bring the food and then go into the hole and bring out the baby poop to remove it from the nest. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zYJjOq4dQ38/XSnCTuF855I/AAAAAAAAI_E/JHWbVL1fKx0loZuCSByelRcCc5crh9BhgCLcBGAs/s1600/Yellow-belliedSapsucker_female_nest-2540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zYJjOq4dQ38/XSnCTuF855I/AAAAAAAAI_E/JHWbVL1fKx0loZuCSByelRcCc5crh9BhgCLcBGAs/s320/Yellow-belliedSapsucker_female_nest-2540.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 80%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Mom- Yellow-bellied Sapsucker</span></td></tr>
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Here is Dad. He is truly a good provider. His beak was overloaded with bugs each time he returned to the nest. Typical male, he didn't do any dirty diaper duty. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad - Yellow-bellied Sapsucker</td></tr>
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We spent an hour just watching the daily routine. Pretty remarkable. We also took a good hike up at the top of Nelson Run Road and stumbled on a male Mourning Warbler as he was carrying out his fatherly duties. Here he is with a beak full of bugs. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LLbZ08JkM0s/XSnDktgtQKI/AAAAAAAAI_o/t229XHISLVADjid1gneRqaTq5A2EpdFGQCLcBGAs/s1600/MourningWarbler_bugs-2338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="848" data-original-width="1256" height="216" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LLbZ08JkM0s/XSnDktgtQKI/AAAAAAAAI_o/t229XHISLVADjid1gneRqaTq5A2EpdFGQCLcBGAs/s320/MourningWarbler_bugs-2338.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mourning Warbler</td></tr>
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Mourning Warblers are secretive birds that spend their time in bushes so getting a photo isn't easy. He never revealed the location of his nest and babies. We left him alone after a few minutes so that he could deliver the goods. </div>
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We expect birds to be singing in spring. The woods are loud with song in May and early June but we don't expect to hear birds singing in July. These 2 didn't get that memo. This male Towhee was singing away. He was either done with his first brood and looking to start a second family or maybe he missed out on a mate in May and is hoping for a late start. Either way, he was dedicated to the song. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern Towhee</td></tr>
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This Chestnut-sided Warbler was also singing. At closer look, I noticed that he isn't quite in his adult breeding plumage. He doesn't have the "chestnut side" that gives this species it's name and the rest of the feathers are also dull. Maybe "he" is really a "she" who likes to sing? Maybe he is a young male still in that awkward pre-adult phase? Regardless of the situation, the song filled the trail. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q9plVykvayk/XSnDjaFXEGI/AAAAAAAAI_s/o-9SSp71NY4pZEq-WQF1jqvxQh_9j8_GgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Chestnut-sidedWarbler_young_male_bugs2353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q9plVykvayk/XSnDjaFXEGI/AAAAAAAAI_s/o-9SSp71NY4pZEq-WQF1jqvxQh_9j8_GgCEwYBhgL/s320/Chestnut-sidedWarbler_young_male_bugs2353.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chestnut-sided Warbler</td></tr>
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Our neighbors, Linda and Frank mentioned that they have seen Flying Squirrels at their camp lately. The squirrels come out just before dusk. Come out from where? <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Apparently, the squirrels live in the rafters of the attic and come in and out through a tiny hole above the porch. We sat on the deck and watched for the critters to come out. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flying Squirrel</td></tr>
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How cute right? He would sit on the rafter for a few minutes and then run up to the roof and fly to a nearby tree. The whole motion takes a few seconds. Unfortunately, they are so fast and the light is so dim that capturing a photo is nearly impossible. </div>
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Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13890797717061217855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949709978774208743.post-83220200569420989532019-07-03T08:44:00.000-04:002019-07-03T08:44:15.340-04:00Potter County 2019Wow. Where did June go? I'll tell you where - to house projects, that's where. After 20 years in our house, we broke down and decided to do some renovations and upgrades. After weeks of disruption by contractors and painters, we headed up to Potter County with our friends Jill and Becky for the summer solstice weekend. The plan was for Becky to teach us how to fly fish but the weather made that impossible. It rained for 3 weeks straight prior to our arrival making the streams unfishable. We hiked instead and I got to show them some birds. Cedar Waxwings are easy birds to show to non-birders. They are beautiful and often pose like this one did.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cedar Waxwing</td></tr>
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Really pretty birds are great to show non-birders. Unfortunately, many of the pretty birds are often difficult to see. Blackburnian Warblers are usually bouncing around at the tops of trees which puts them in that "difficult-to-see" category. Not this guy. This guy was flitting around in a walnut tree at eye level right in our yard making it easy for Jill to see. She was impressed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7hCniSwkrHw/XRycFP8QbHI/AAAAAAAAI-k/ywa-NtgM7AQjQeNqQROb_mS3dkzmK7RVgCLcBGAs/s1600/BlackburnianWarbler1840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7hCniSwkrHw/XRycFP8QbHI/AAAAAAAAI-k/ywa-NtgM7AQjQeNqQROb_mS3dkzmK7RVgCLcBGAs/s320/BlackburnianWarbler1840.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackburnian Warbler</td></tr>
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I snuck away to do some early morning photography down by the stream while the others lounged at the camp. There is a place where I can stand on the road at the tree top level which makes it easy to photograph yellow warblers and willow flycatchers. On this day, the stream was running high and fast. I heard a quack and saw a mother Common Merganser swimming against the current followed by 3 tiny ducklings. Wait til you see how cute this is:<br />
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Look how fast #3 swam to catch up! And then it got cuter. I snuck upstream to get an angle for some photographs. Mom didn't know that I was there until I moved. Then, she sounded the alarm call and the ducklings hustled close and jumped onto her back for safety.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Mergansers</td></tr>
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I don't know where #3 was. Only 2 jumped on her back. I left them alone to continue their upbringing. </div>
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We did see a fish this weekend when we went to the Austin Dam. This is a Sucker Fish that was swimming around a clear pool of water below the dam ruins. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-edzbaHLZ_4A/XRyb3mW5IYI/AAAAAAAAI-s/6Mu-k_M3zvsYgS6QmnrLAjdHkbX3Pj0eQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Suckerfish1756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-edzbaHLZ_4A/XRyb3mW5IYI/AAAAAAAAI-s/6Mu-k_M3zvsYgS6QmnrLAjdHkbX3Pj0eQCEwYBhgL/s320/Suckerfish1756.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suckerfish</td></tr>
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Colorful birds aren't the only attraction on our hikes. Jill spotted this Red Eft along the logging road. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CmsKq6zzLQs/XRybhuKKRBI/AAAAAAAAI-U/b_GYmpXC9K4hmE2eSUqFRyT-lTci3PudACEwYBhgL/s1600/RedEft1310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CmsKq6zzLQs/XRybhuKKRBI/AAAAAAAAI-U/b_GYmpXC9K4hmE2eSUqFRyT-lTci3PudACEwYBhgL/s320/RedEft1310.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Eft</td></tr>
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All-in-all it was a great weekend despite not being able to fish. The good news for me and Connie is that we were headed back to Potter for a whole week over July 4th holiday. More about that soon.<br />
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<br />Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13890797717061217855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949709978774208743.post-23686051855874421802019-05-28T19:35:00.000-04:002019-05-28T19:35:00.778-04:00Back to Birds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TVxy4Nau3yo/XOsRYbeS6cI/AAAAAAAAI8c/16XGKfj8qu4_fu5koZk7EuBJXQm9moTWwCLcBGAs/s1600/Ruby-throatedHummingbird_nest-9388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
Let's start this post out with a Ruby-throated Hummingbird nest. Harvey found this nest in Belleplain State Park while looking for another bird. Here is the female sitting in the nest.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TVxy4Nau3yo/XOsRYbeS6cI/AAAAAAAAI8c/16XGKfj8qu4_fu5koZk7EuBJXQm9moTWwCLcBGAs/s1600/Ruby-throatedHummingbird_nest-9388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TVxy4Nau3yo/XOsRYbeS6cI/AAAAAAAAI8c/16XGKfj8qu4_fu5koZk7EuBJXQm9moTWwCLcBGAs/s320/Ruby-throatedHummingbird_nest-9388.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruby-throated Hummingbird Nest</td></tr>
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The bird that Harvey was looking for was this Kentucky Warbler. We heard the bird singing along Pine Swamp Road a few times. I went back to the spot to see if I could get a photo and was really pleased to get a few. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4cmemObH-Jk/XOsgOrBAo-I/AAAAAAAAI9A/tS4Mp3qja3Id3eeMKkQL0cHWWFW8ugCtwCLcBGAs/s1600/KentuckyWarbler9723-9723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4cmemObH-Jk/XOsgOrBAo-I/AAAAAAAAI9A/tS4Mp3qja3Id3eeMKkQL0cHWWFW8ugCtwCLcBGAs/s320/KentuckyWarbler9723-9723.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kentucky Warbler</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jmRb0BzHkKs/XOsgWN5LJXI/AAAAAAAAI9E/xzvdpRoSwOg_oBNVXwG10rDGG8rlijlSQCLcBGAs/s1600/KentuckyWarbler_sing9738-9738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jmRb0BzHkKs/XOsgWN5LJXI/AAAAAAAAI9E/xzvdpRoSwOg_oBNVXwG10rDGG8rlijlSQCLcBGAs/s320/KentuckyWarbler_sing9738-9738.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kentucky Warbler</td></tr>
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Another bird that we often here singing in Belleplain is Prothonotary Warbler. There is a place in the woods that has a post in the middle of the creek. I've waited and waited for the bird to perch on that post for years. It happened last week for about 3 seconds. I managed to get this photo.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yESrulWSU4U/XOsgj8-XaFI/AAAAAAAAI9U/7zGrZwVJdtwQqvnkunnkXlBm-xJw1KNogCEwYBhgL/s1600/ProthonotaryWarbler2-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yESrulWSU4U/XOsgj8-XaFI/AAAAAAAAI9U/7zGrZwVJdtwQqvnkunnkXlBm-xJw1KNogCEwYBhgL/s320/ProthonotaryWarbler2-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prothonotary Warbler</td></tr>
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Another bird that usually doesn't pose is the Brown Thrasher. Drew and I scared up a couple who were nesting in a shrub near the visitor center in Virginia. They both popped out of the bush squawking at us.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KxCSz0rCu68/XOsSQ2F1D_I/AAAAAAAAI84/CTq6GmCKCmwIj7Nt2jv9oQtrZEUh2aQXACEwYBhgL/s1600/BrownThrasher0316-0316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KxCSz0rCu68/XOsSQ2F1D_I/AAAAAAAAI84/CTq6GmCKCmwIj7Nt2jv9oQtrZEUh2aQXACEwYBhgL/s320/BrownThrasher0316-0316.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Thrasher</td></tr>
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Back on the beach, I was doing my volunteer duty watching the shorebirds and snapped this photo of a Common Grackle walking along in the wind. The wind was blowing so hard, the bird couldn't keep his tail down.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bn3J_r8BbF4/XOsR91yKFoI/AAAAAAAAI8w/PXBnpvhGwyAXrVsqKuW0L6NxI_fdr1KRwCEwYBhgL/s1600/CommonGrackle9963-9963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bn3J_r8BbF4/XOsR91yKFoI/AAAAAAAAI8w/PXBnpvhGwyAXrVsqKuW0L6NxI_fdr1KRwCEwYBhgL/s320/CommonGrackle9963-9963.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Grackle</td></tr>
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Overhead, this Osprey came back ashore with a fish. He flew right over my head with his catch of Menhaden.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ChWIUaaYv9g/XOsR-I2waaI/AAAAAAAAI8s/fzduteAJfTsgol1NKGi79AiHHplIHXWhgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Osprey_fish9912-9912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ChWIUaaYv9g/XOsR-I2waaI/AAAAAAAAI8s/fzduteAJfTsgol1NKGi79AiHHplIHXWhgCEwYBhgL/s320/Osprey_fish9912-9912.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Osprey with Menhaden</td></tr>
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I was just happy to have a few birds to photograph recently.Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13890797717061217855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949709978774208743.post-79413995413245085892019-05-26T18:19:00.000-04:002019-05-27T19:41:20.260-04:00Let's Call it Philly Reptile Nerd for TodayI haven't put as much effort into birding this spring as in previous years. A mix of weather, home projects and family obligations have made it a bit difficult to get out there for photos and stories. When I have been out, the birds are not quite posing either. Thankfully, the reptiles are giving me something to photograph. Here are a few starting with a baby Box Turtle crossing the path:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Box Turtle</td></tr>
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And this Fowler's Toad sitting in the sand path in Cape May.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SmgI6nMCgDQ/XOsOtEFQ3BI/AAAAAAAAI8A/LfzSYPLZ78E1P96KZd3NbUhHE-powUx7QCLcBGAs/s1600/FowlersToad-9483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SmgI6nMCgDQ/XOsOtEFQ3BI/AAAAAAAAI8A/LfzSYPLZ78E1P96KZd3NbUhHE-powUx7QCLcBGAs/s320/FowlersToad-9483.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fowler's Toad</td></tr>
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Drew and I found this American Toad down in Massanutten Virginia.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RoYj_vjRXkE/XOsPIfpofRI/AAAAAAAAI8M/uQScC4SbXaIbziUhR1fXmUZN37iI2IbZACLcBGAs/s1600/Toad0297-0297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RoYj_vjRXkE/XOsPIfpofRI/AAAAAAAAI8M/uQScC4SbXaIbziUhR1fXmUZN37iI2IbZACLcBGAs/s320/Toad0297-0297.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Toad</td></tr>
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And (Warning - adult content below) these Fence Lizards making more little lizards at the summit of Kaylor's Knob in Virginia.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KL0CtqKOq1Q/XOsPFTdEFdI/AAAAAAAAI8Q/NqSdQIQVgSYEk_3deQ_AGlu83-rqmG5OgCEwYBhgL/s1600/FenceLizards_mating0291-0291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KL0CtqKOq1Q/XOsPFTdEFdI/AAAAAAAAI8Q/NqSdQIQVgSYEk_3deQ_AGlu83-rqmG5OgCEwYBhgL/s320/FenceLizards_mating0291-0291.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fence Lizards Gettin' Jiggy</td></tr>
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Another lizard posed for me too. This is a Five-lined Skink. I love his orange head. Some of them also have a blue tail. </div>
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Good thing these creatures are content to sit still! Hoping to find some birds to photograph soon! </div>
Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13890797717061217855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949709978774208743.post-87808497828304351312019-05-14T09:15:00.000-04:002019-05-14T09:15:13.870-04:00World Series of Birding - 2019After many years of not competing in the New Jersey World Series of Birding contest, I was roped into participating this year. In years past, our little gang of women birders have participated in the contest but only in Cape May county. You may remember this post: <a href="https://www.phillybirdnerd.net/2014/05/world-series-2014-new-high.html" target="_blank">https://www.phillybirdnerd.net/2014/05/world-series-2014-new-high.html </a><br />
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This year, a fellow DVOC club member and friend asked if I would participate on the 1,000 Birds team to do a full state run. Why not? The team consists of Ken Walsh, Marc Chelemer and a few other guys that couldn't make it this year so they filled in with me, Harvey and Nicole Koeltzow. Marc, Ken and Harvey are all birding friends. You may remember Nicole from my trip to St. Paul Island in Alaska last September. She did a big year and won with 774 birds. We helped her get #750 White-tailed Sea Eagle and a few others. You might remember this post: <a href="https://www.phillybirdnerd.net/2018/09/birds-of-st-paul.html">https://www.phillybirdnerd.net/2018/09/birds-of-st-paul.html</a> Nicole is pictured in the Sea Eagle photo.<br />
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Doing the full state competition is really tough. You start up north in the Great Swamp at midnight and bird all night and day and end up in the south at Stipson's Island marsh at 10 PM or later. We put hundreds of miles on Harvey's mini van and counted 180 bird species in total. Don't confuse this contest with "birding". It isn't birding. It is identifying and checking off bird species. We rarely stopped to look at any birds. We mainly listened for their call or caught a glimpse of them before moving on to our next target and destination.<br />
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Our first bird was Great-horned Owl at midnight sitting atop a dead tree in the great swamp. We could see the silhouette against the night sky. We heard many other marsh birds including Virginia Rail, Least Bittern, Solitary Sandpiper ( a shorebird that happened to call out in the night ), Woodcock and then heard a King Rail which is an uncommon bird. We traveled to various marshy destinations until sunrise. My best bird of the night was Eastern Screech Owl which I called in by imitating its "whinny call". I whinnied and it whinnied back! Check. Let's move on.<br />
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Honestly, the morning was a blur of stopping at this lake or in these woods listening for birds. I was driving the van. Ken was navigating. Turn left, turn right, go straight, STOP! I had no idea where we were but Ken and Marc had the route planned out to the minute. We did a pretty good job of staying on time until the afternoon.<br />
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Another of my best birds of the day was Common Raven. We drove up to the highest point in NJ to look for them at the nest site on the AT&T cell tower but they were not there. We stopped at a parking area at the bottom of the mountain where the road crew has piles of stone stored. We were looking for warblers but didn't see any. I had to pee so I ducked behind one of the stone piles. Everyone else did the same. With my pants down, I spotted 2 Ravens soaring overhead and yelled out to the others. All 4 of us got the Raven with our pants down! Check. Let's move on.<br />
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You'll notice the lack of photos in this post. There is no time for photos when you are in the competition. I did manage to get a shot of another bird that I found - White-crowned Sparrow.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yfNtpJl-g50/XNq9PNS36fI/AAAAAAAAI7Y/LmnC2xK3zPQKKJx2p443qjCC_ZAY0_mYwCLcBGAs/s1600/White-crownedSparrow-9587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yfNtpJl-g50/XNq9PNS36fI/AAAAAAAAI7Y/LmnC2xK3zPQKKJx2p443qjCC_ZAY0_mYwCLcBGAs/s320/White-crownedSparrow-9587.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-crowned Sparrow</td></tr>
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We ended the day with 180 species and came in 2nd place. We got a trophy. That's me on the left, then Nicole, Ken, Eric Stiles and David LaPuma from NJ Audubon who presented the trophy.<br />
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The first place team had 207 species. That team is made up of Cornell University Ornithology majors and they win every year. Maybe next year we'll break the 200 mark.<br />
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We are raising money for the DVOC Interns Fund. If you are inclined to donate, here is a link:<br />
<a href="http://dvoc.org/Committees/Interns/Interns.htm">http://dvoc.org/Committees/Interns/Interns.htm</a> Please enter 1,000 Birds in the comment section. Or, send me a check.<br />
<br />Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13890797717061217855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949709978774208743.post-61156832522174146992019-04-17T07:53:00.000-04:002019-04-17T07:53:00.986-04:00Spring has SprungIt's April and officially spring. For us birders, we get really excited when we see or hear the first arrivals from the south. For me at home, spring is signified by Chipping Sparrows who showed up en-masse last week with a record high 7 of them hanging on the feeder at the same time.<br />
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Meanwhile, in the woods at Pennypack, I have been treated to seeing Louisiana Waterthrush on multiple occasions along the creek. I don't know if it is the same bird hanging around or a different bird moving through each day but one of them put on a show on Sunday morning singing his heart out.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Louisiana Waterthrush</td></tr>
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The Wood Ducks are up in the trees whistling. That only means one thing - love is in the air for them. Wood Ducks make their nests in holes in the tree just like an owl. Here is a crazy photo for you:<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AudubonEverglades/photos/a.1172524176139159/2695677033823858/?type=1&theater" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/AudubonEverglades/photos/a.1172524176139159/2695677033823858/?type=1&theater</a><br />
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That's a Screech Owl and a baby Wood Duck in the same hole!<br />
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More signs of spring in the woods include these wildflowers that Connie and I photographed on Saturday.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C_g6luXd7Jg/XLcSu2LOixI/AAAAAAAAI6k/-oJ2OPFHsjwqGaHproE892mVcq5tQkGEgCLcBGAs/s1600/file1-10.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C_g6luXd7Jg/XLcSu2LOixI/AAAAAAAAI6k/-oJ2OPFHsjwqGaHproE892mVcq5tQkGEgCLcBGAs/s320/file1-10.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Virginia Bluebell</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MxwkQeeOzII/XLcSuuYTdLI/AAAAAAAAI6g/mssvlkHkh1UcXGe2rAbH7Oq1fQxRYjRTACLcBGAs/s1600/file2-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MxwkQeeOzII/XLcSuuYTdLI/AAAAAAAAI6g/mssvlkHkh1UcXGe2rAbH7Oq1fQxRYjRTACLcBGAs/s320/file2-4.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trout Lily</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blood Root</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cut-leaf Toothworth</td></tr>
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Things are definitely ramping up for spring. and, I've been asked to participate in the World Series of Birding this year. Stay tuned for details.<br />
<br />Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13890797717061217855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949709978774208743.post-45702345835754082892019-03-29T11:03:00.000-04:002019-03-29T11:03:03.651-04:00Spring in My Yard<div>
I realized recently that I neglect to write about the birds in my own backyard. I guess this is because it is usually the same-old-same-old with cardinals, chickadees and sparrows. Well, that certainly isn't the case lately. I think I am one of the only birders in the area who has Pine Siskins visiting my feeders. I've had them for a few months. A high count of 6 during one of the snow days in January. They are still hanging around and have been really hitting the bird seed hard this week. I think they may be fueling up to head north back into Canada soon. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-csX3ANp4cQM/XJ4xG6LhHeI/AAAAAAAAI5o/I-j3zEUwgRojMuro97FUJAuCSNDmIMEXgCLcBGAs/s1600/Siskins.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1393" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-csX3ANp4cQM/XJ4xG6LhHeI/AAAAAAAAI5o/I-j3zEUwgRojMuro97FUJAuCSNDmIMEXgCLcBGAs/s320/Siskins.jpeg" width="278" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pine Siskins</td></tr>
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They are sure cute little buggers. Pine Siskins regularly mix in with Gold Finches. You can tell them apart easily. The Siskins are always streaky with a very thin bill. Some of them show yellow patches on the wings. You can see that on the right side bird above. Meanwhile, Goldfinches are not streaky. They are solid yellow with black wings most of the year. Take a look at the bird on the right below. This bird is in full molt going from dull gray to full yellow like the bird on the left. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-luftq5mmXnY/XJ4xGxqt8XI/AAAAAAAAI5k/AStH2mvIJZwu41ESlxqkJFXfKrn_uzVNQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Gold.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1443" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-luftq5mmXnY/XJ4xGxqt8XI/AAAAAAAAI5k/AStH2mvIJZwu41ESlxqkJFXfKrn_uzVNQCEwYBhgL/s320/Gold.jpeg" width="288" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goldfinches</td></tr>
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So, Siskins are fueling up to leave. Goldfinches are molting into their new breeding plumage. And at the same time, some birds are arriving from the south including Chipping Sparrows. They usually show up on tax day but this guy is early. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--cnxYATzwLM/XJ4xHKtq_NI/AAAAAAAAI54/7YdJ-uakbWcyjZd_HlUk4iSA2NZvkcgHwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Chip.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1517" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--cnxYATzwLM/XJ4xHKtq_NI/AAAAAAAAI54/7YdJ-uakbWcyjZd_HlUk4iSA2NZvkcgHwCEwYBhgL/s320/Chip.jpeg" width="303" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chipping Sparrow</td></tr>
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Brown-headed Cowbirds also arrived this week. Not that I like having them around since they lay eggs in the other birds nests but they are pretty to look at. All photos taken with iPhone out of my office window, so not that great. </div>
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Interesting times in the yard also include frogs emerging from hibernation in the pond. Spring is here! </div>
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Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13890797717061217855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949709978774208743.post-90801981214036317292019-03-20T12:08:00.000-04:002019-03-20T12:08:18.951-04:00Arabian NightsYou already read about my Kuwait birding adventures. Birding in Kuwait was a no-brainer since Kuwait was our work destination but I figured that I should also take advantage of the trip to spend another day in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) since my flight had a layover there anyway.<br />
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I hired another guide named Oscar in UAE. He is based in Abu Dhabi so that is where we met to spend a full day birding another area of the Persian Gulf. <span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Oscar did his homework and mapped out a route for the day so that we would hit the areas where the specialty birds would be found. </span>It is confusing to know which direction anything is in UAE. Here is a map of the region:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fDDxXg1VcbQ/XI7Sf8eG-GI/AAAAAAAAI24/fn71HrCpkvkdBOjJeIdnstdXBMrxYFqOQCLcBGAs/s1600/Gulf.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="895" data-original-width="1073" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fDDxXg1VcbQ/XI7Sf8eG-GI/AAAAAAAAI24/fn71HrCpkvkdBOjJeIdnstdXBMrxYFqOQCLcBGAs/s320/Gulf.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Persian Gulf</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">We started early and headed east toward the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">"mountains". And by mountains, I mean a few high elevation areas of bare rock that stick up from the desert. We hit paydirt right off the bat with a few new birds including Desert Larks, Water Pipits and </span>Gray Francolins that were in the public park at the bottom of the mountain. They didn't seem to mind the picnicking families.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J5OingEAUBs/XI7TnvGBDpI/AAAAAAAAI3c/HEf7z6I86EkuhQT_uxj1lzdn6eSYLOJEACEwYBhgL/s1600/GrayFrancolin-8219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J5OingEAUBs/XI7TnvGBDpI/AAAAAAAAI3c/HEf7z6I86EkuhQT_uxj1lzdn6eSYLOJEACEwYBhgL/s320/GrayFrancolin-8219.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gray Francolin</td></tr>
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And then I saw the Indian Roller - a bird that I have wanted to see since I first read about it in a magazine. They are colorful birds that command respect.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9FldDHk6tIo/XI7U0FUOU5I/AAAAAAAAI3o/E6QUXL5mz3ADSH5umDFarnSr0YcPT2zmACEwYBhgL/s1600/IndianRoller-8250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9FldDHk6tIo/XI7U0FUOU5I/AAAAAAAAI3o/E6QUXL5mz3ADSH5umDFarnSr0YcPT2zmACEwYBhgL/s320/IndianRoller-8250.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indian Roller</td></tr>
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The day was overcast with light rain which is not ideal for finding birds (or lugging expensive cameras around) but we perservered and headed up a winding road to the top of the mountain where we found a few more target birds including this Sandgrouse sitting on a windy pinnacle.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OwY42cpPNRw/XI7WBWAy3kI/AAAAAAAAI34/0WfLeJSsTZUzVHiKZpGPXN8HzX63UusdwCLcBGAs/s1600/Sandgrouse-8439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OwY42cpPNRw/XI7WBWAy3kI/AAAAAAAAI34/0WfLeJSsTZUzVHiKZpGPXN8HzX63UusdwCLcBGAs/s320/Sandgrouse-8439.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sand Grouse</td></tr>
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And this stunning Blue Rock Thrush. It's a "wow" bird for sure.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lz2qjKeNh5Y/XI7WBPzQ7qI/AAAAAAAAI38/osgHPBbs5yspcIEMubApwnamCIVP-I41gCEwYBhgL/s1600/BlueRockThrush-8446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lz2qjKeNh5Y/XI7WBPzQ7qI/AAAAAAAAI38/osgHPBbs5yspcIEMubApwnamCIVP-I41gCEwYBhgL/s320/BlueRockThrush-8446.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Rock Thrush</td></tr>
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There is a hotel at the top of the mountain complete with a pool and water slide. We found a few more birds hanging around the pool area including Hume's Wheatear sitting on a post.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MnDdL2idhYo/XI7WBWXXq-I/AAAAAAAAI4E/koSVNy6o1w0NEb_vM0AYfAyPWkSKdGmAACEwYBhgL/s1600/HumesWheatear-8415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MnDdL2idhYo/XI7WBWXXq-I/AAAAAAAAI4E/koSVNy6o1w0NEb_vM0AYfAyPWkSKdGmAACEwYBhgL/s320/HumesWheatear-8415.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 80%; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Hume's Wheatear</td></tr>
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Our best desert find of the day was this Hoopoe Lark. A true desert specialty that reminds me of a thrasher or roadrunner the way it scurries across the barren landscape. Oscar knew right where to go to find one and this guy put on a show.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B-UZk0NQ7Gs/XJI38-T_n2I/AAAAAAAAI4c/UtTtnKzYAXwBN_se81FaHilfbJ9q23TxwCLcBGAs/s1600/GreaterHoopoeLark-8656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B-UZk0NQ7Gs/XJI38-T_n2I/AAAAAAAAI4c/UtTtnKzYAXwBN_se81FaHilfbJ9q23TxwCLcBGAs/s320/GreaterHoopoeLark-8656.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We also looked for lakes which naturally attract birds. We found a few good ones at the lake near the horse race track. Clamorous Reed Warblers come by their name honestly - they are certainly clamorous. You often hear these loud birds but cannot see them hiding in the reeds right in front of you. It is maddening. Thankfully, this guy wasn't shy. He came right to the edge of the reeds and sang his heart out.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T4GsZmlHWYY/XJI37jrZGYI/AAAAAAAAI4o/GZUKoHxbLE8uHANgTLTxqr2KGrQbfcJJQCEwYBhgL/s1600/ClamerousReedWarbler-8775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T4GsZmlHWYY/XJI37jrZGYI/AAAAAAAAI4o/GZUKoHxbLE8uHANgTLTxqr2KGrQbfcJJQCEwYBhgL/s320/ClamerousReedWarbler-8775.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clamorous Reed Warbler</td></tr>
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Isabelline Wheatears are never shy. We saw many of these birds perched on top of posts or bushes in the desert.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J04eY6C4xdI/XJI39OhqcVI/AAAAAAAAI48/wp-_iIFiFikWg0PGuIBmExGxDgSsiTBsACEwYBhgL/s1600/IsabellineWheatear-8685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J04eY6C4xdI/XJI39OhqcVI/AAAAAAAAI48/wp-_iIFiFikWg0PGuIBmExGxDgSsiTBsACEwYBhgL/s320/IsabellineWheatear-8685.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isabelline Wheatear</td></tr>
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We often see other wildlife when birding but I never expected to see one of these! This is an Arabian Oryx. They were almost extinct from hunting. UAE has released some back into the desert after successful recovery program. I think the park people feed them to make sure of their success but it was still a pleasant surprise.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iiv6GBSmHrI/XJI37rfGVFI/AAAAAAAAI4s/UxCrEPoMpkYYgsN6-DJFjTItz6K14RkMQCEwYBhgL/s1600/ArabianOryx-8726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iiv6GBSmHrI/XJI37rfGVFI/AAAAAAAAI4s/UxCrEPoMpkYYgsN6-DJFjTItz6K14RkMQCEwYBhgL/s320/ArabianOryx-8726.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arabian Oryx</td></tr>
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We also caught a few glimpses of antelopes but they were too fast to catch with a photo. The only other desert animal that we found was this Desert Hare. He sat perfectly still as we walked by confident in his camouflage.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V_JFkCDSN3c/XJI37gj1gTI/AAAAAAAAI4w/VLoSFa6VmQsISJNQFhgQy-n0BrROogWWwCEwYBhgL/s1600/DesertHare-8839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V_JFkCDSN3c/XJI37gj1gTI/AAAAAAAAI4w/VLoSFa6VmQsISJNQFhgQy-n0BrROogWWwCEwYBhgL/s320/DesertHare-8839.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Desert Hare</td></tr>
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We ended the day on a high note by finding an Egyptian Nightjar. Oscar knows where they like to nest and had heard one singing a few days earlier. We arrived before sunset in hopes of hearing the bird but got even luckier when we spotted him moving through the desert between bushes. I was able to sneak up on him and snap a few decent photos.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4NxG8nkcTHY/XJI38eKmAiI/AAAAAAAAI4w/rezn5DLgsDAIzi3B4BDFU_gec3PnDTKdACEwYBhgL/s1600/EgyptianNighjar-8874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4NxG8nkcTHY/XJI38eKmAiI/AAAAAAAAI4w/rezn5DLgsDAIzi3B4BDFU_gec3PnDTKdACEwYBhgL/s320/EgyptianNighjar-8874.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Egyptian Nightjar</td></tr>
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Another great day of birding in Arabia. I highly recommend getting into the desert to see this amazing place. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9FldDHk6tIo/XI7U0FUOU5I/AAAAAAAAI3k/Fv4r-ekLmFkGJvscQQZqdQaNFo2Igc1MQCLcBGAs/s1600/IndianRoller-8250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SyrsQShjIk8/XI7TmweKyfI/AAAAAAAAI3Y/Ja21ZQlaqbQMjqPEaNb1mOJwj3gjwQGuwCEwYBhgL/s1600/EurasianHoopoe-8232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
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<br />Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13890797717061217855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949709978774208743.post-50388084422345629772019-03-11T04:43:00.001-04:002019-03-11T04:46:57.603-04:00Oh Mike, You Take Me To All the Nicest PlacesBirding in Kuwait is a sometimes like birding at home and then sometimes totally NOT like birding at home. Most of the "hotspots" are centered around water as you can imagine. We went out to a remote abandoned quarry to find true desert birds. The place was barren except for a few shrubby trees surrounding the quarry pit. The winds howl in the desert and blow sand and trash for miles. Every tree and fence line that we passed had at least one plastic bag tangled in the branches.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sgCmzsAJiGQ/XIUljjJXxyI/AAAAAAAAI0E/m4odK6N_YJwFKduo5Y-O7WowQMg9hy2oACLcBGAs/s1600/file3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sgCmzsAJiGQ/XIUljjJXxyI/AAAAAAAAI0E/m4odK6N_YJwFKduo5Y-O7WowQMg9hy2oACLcBGAs/s320/file3.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Along with the trash, the trees also hold birds. We were able to track down a few specialties. <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">The trees also attract migrants that are passing through. </span>In fact, here is a photo that shows both the migrant (Semi-collared Flycatcher) and the trash.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qb9AnMmYFTc/XIYgQnFRnkI/AAAAAAAAI2s/N3g4ABfWHzM71xs0PQ4W1JXl-lWMsm75wCLcBGAs/s1600/Semi-collaredFlycatcher-7249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qb9AnMmYFTc/XIYgQnFRnkI/AAAAAAAAI2s/N3g4ABfWHzM71xs0PQ4W1JXl-lWMsm75wCLcBGAs/s320/Semi-collaredFlycatcher-7249.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Semi-collared Flycatcher</td></tr>
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We saw a group of Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters which are really cool looking. Not the best photo but they barely stopped moving so I was happy to get any photo at all of these colorful birds. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DCy1JT4dKtk/XIUm_pLoLyI/AAAAAAAAI0Y/JkWcMLtL3DIVg9nuPGAFDCTkn__-GPzqgCLcBGAs/s1600/Blue-cheekedBee-eater-7222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DCy1JT4dKtk/XIUm_pLoLyI/AAAAAAAAI0Y/JkWcMLtL3DIVg9nuPGAFDCTkn__-GPzqgCLcBGAs/s320/Blue-cheekedBee-eater-7222.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue-cheeked Bee-eater</td></tr>
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Another really cool bird that blends into the desert is Crested Lark. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OzKFqnFkq3g/XIUm_i1rDNI/AAAAAAAAI0Q/X7ybXxaoex0NjB26QyCGsKCCZuYLMaAewCLcBGAs/s1600/CrestedLark-7138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OzKFqnFkq3g/XIUm_i1rDNI/AAAAAAAAI0Q/X7ybXxaoex0NjB26QyCGsKCCZuYLMaAewCLcBGAs/s320/CrestedLark-7138.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crested Lark</td></tr>
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We headed back toward the city to hit some other birding locations. I have to admit that I was a little worried when Mike pulled the car into a back alley that looked like this:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2vFgt20L_d4/XIYWW4mKR1I/AAAAAAAAI0s/GOvnzryggIMBuLB2oqN6BoWoGMtIrT-pwCLcBGAs/s1600/file-19.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2vFgt20L_d4/XIYWW4mKR1I/AAAAAAAAI0s/GOvnzryggIMBuLB2oqN6BoWoGMtIrT-pwCLcBGAs/s320/file-19.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alley</td></tr>
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Is this the part where I disappear and they only find pieces of my body years later? Gulp. Not to worry (of course). Would you believe that this is the entrance to Jahra Farms? Once we went inside of the walls, we found <span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">the "farms" which is more like a community garden co-op than the farms that we are used to in the US. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pl5_p7SjLwo/XIYXQ9Fn5HI/AAAAAAAAI04/X0tYCHK5lNwkkQgYoftUC3A_D0AZSuUfgCLcBGAs/s1600/file1-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pl5_p7SjLwo/XIYXQ9Fn5HI/AAAAAAAAI04/X0tYCHK5lNwkkQgYoftUC3A_D0AZSuUfgCLcBGAs/s320/file1-2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jahra Farms</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">The farm/garden attracts birds due to the water and vegetation. Strange to see Kingfishers and Herons in a farm setting. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0RcGiCpFMd4/XIYXmPekeII/AAAAAAAAI1A/S4jMWLP7gDsn76JYkCpXqIFUyFWN5fsNgCLcBGAs/s1600/SquaccoHeron_parsley-7318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0RcGiCpFMd4/XIYXmPekeII/AAAAAAAAI1A/S4jMWLP7gDsn76JYkCpXqIFUyFWN5fsNgCLcBGAs/s320/SquaccoHeron_parsley-7318.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Squacco Heron</td></tr>
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This Squacco Heron is sitting in the middle of a patch of parsley which will eventually end up in one of the local markets or restaurants. The "farms" ended up being a great stop on our tour not only for the birds but also for the cultural experience. In fact, here it is on my plate in tabouli salad - yum! </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6uTM2TVx9AY/XIYfd4Eg-MI/AAAAAAAAI2g/9x4PKswrVmM0AEbHh0i1RKb8jvIIWi1lQCLcBGAs/s1600/file-20.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6uTM2TVx9AY/XIYfd4Eg-MI/AAAAAAAAI2g/9x4PKswrVmM0AEbHh0i1RKb8jvIIWi1lQCLcBGAs/s320/file-20.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Back to more traditional birding locations after the farms including Sulaibikhat Bay . This spot is more like birding Delaware Bay in Cape May except that Sulaibikhat Bay has Greater Flamingos!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XgvFdrGoMJE/XIYaxGBfSlI/AAAAAAAAI1M/pNTOmKVpeCMWfx3gVvn7MCmDs0aVOMOdQCLcBGAs/s1600/GreaterFlamingo-7297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XgvFdrGoMJE/XIYaxGBfSlI/AAAAAAAAI1M/pNTOmKVpeCMWfx3gVvn7MCmDs0aVOMOdQCLcBGAs/s320/GreaterFlamingo-7297.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greater Flamingo</td></tr>
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Two Flamingo species in a month. Who would have thought? The bay also had multiple gull and tern species along with shorebirds. Unfortunately, the birds were pretty far out on the mudflats for photos. </div>
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Our last stop was by far the most familiar to me. We headed to Jahra Pools which is a large wetland area where we found and photographed birds up close. One of my favorite bird groups is the Kingfisher group. We found 2 very cooperative species at the pools. White-throated Kingfisher indeed has a white throat.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CmZzHBZg78M/XIYcA-K_QbI/AAAAAAAAI10/BMVy3wvTrI4nPWnHXl5T6dv7nNZ2uF-3ACLcBGAs/s1600/White-throatedKingfisher-7447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CmZzHBZg78M/XIYcA-K_QbI/AAAAAAAAI10/BMVy3wvTrI4nPWnHXl5T6dv7nNZ2uF-3ACLcBGAs/s320/White-throatedKingfisher-7447.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 80%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">White-throated Kingfisher</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">But the aqua color on the back is more impressive. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r-HU2DmnstA/XIYcAmCjVxI/AAAAAAAAI1w/MVctplIqROs2Hr55VbWjv2m3V3uewXVCQCEwYBhgL/s1600/White-throatedKingfisher-7425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r-HU2DmnstA/XIYcAmCjVxI/AAAAAAAAI1w/MVctplIqROs2Hr55VbWjv2m3V3uewXVCQCEwYBhgL/s320/White-throatedKingfisher-7425.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-throated Kingfisher</td></tr>
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The other Kingfisher that uses the pools is the Pied Kingfisher. "Pied" means black and white and this bird exemplifies the pied name. This bird posed for us balancing on a reed in the wind. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-whsBjoyy3iI/XIYb_xlszCI/AAAAAAAAI2I/X_5tiCSlz_Q6_95CYJx_XBBSTtjuEo49QCEwYBhgL/s1600/PiedKingfisher-7355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-whsBjoyy3iI/XIYb_xlszCI/AAAAAAAAI2I/X_5tiCSlz_Q6_95CYJx_XBBSTtjuEo49QCEwYBhgL/s320/PiedKingfisher-7355.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 80%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Pied Kingfisher</span></td></tr>
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Pied Kingfishers hover above the water looking for a fish.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Dug6kkXcYE/XIYb_yhyWcI/AAAAAAAAI2A/RfUfkFXv-rIi3AfN7E6lus5HOirGTiFBgCEwYBhgL/s1600/PiedKingfisher_hover-7365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Dug6kkXcYE/XIYb_yhyWcI/AAAAAAAAI2A/RfUfkFXv-rIi3AfN7E6lus5HOirGTiFBgCEwYBhgL/s320/PiedKingfisher_hover-7365.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pied Kingfisher</td></tr>
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It felt like home when we spotted an Osprey roosting in a dead tree. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nCvw2AICIIw/XIYb_m8-4QI/AAAAAAAAI2E/HkXPUaw48oITBt5yoUxneOpcKVlHlYRXwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Osprey-7568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nCvw2AICIIw/XIYb_m8-4QI/AAAAAAAAI2E/HkXPUaw48oITBt5yoUxneOpcKVlHlYRXwCEwYBhgL/s320/Osprey-7568.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Osprey</td></tr>
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But then, we found 6 Greater Spotted Eagles that use the marsh for night roost. We photographed a few soaring low over the marsh. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vaEW0RocGA4/XIYb_JRGjWI/AAAAAAAAI18/tQILjmv2sJQj6WR93r_S85YFd-Euw3S7QCEwYBhgL/s1600/GreaterSpottedEagle_fly-7388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vaEW0RocGA4/XIYb_JRGjWI/AAAAAAAAI18/tQILjmv2sJQj6WR93r_S85YFd-Euw3S7QCEwYBhgL/s320/GreaterSpottedEagle_fly-7388.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 80%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Greater Spotted Eagle</span></td></tr>
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As they were landing for the evening. Interesting to see that they like to roost low in dead trees. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pz2dluwMzLo/XIYb_CtDTDI/AAAAAAAAI2I/YMQf6DuRV3s6f62zC1swmR0ErKl6NfWxgCEwYBhgL/s1600/GreaterSpottedEagle-7401cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pz2dluwMzLo/XIYb_CtDTDI/AAAAAAAAI2I/YMQf6DuRV3s6f62zC1swmR0ErKl6NfWxgCEwYBhgL/s320/GreaterSpottedEagle-7401cropped.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 80%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Greater Spotted Eagle</span></td></tr>
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And even on the ground. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3UKKZs0G2hc/XIYb-8snWII/AAAAAAAAI14/ZM5zh4MnZvodkJQcvs-r4IIHULivbuqtgCEwYBhgL/s1600/GreaterSpottedEagle-7575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3UKKZs0G2hc/XIYb-8snWII/AAAAAAAAI14/ZM5zh4MnZvodkJQcvs-r4IIHULivbuqtgCEwYBhgL/s320/GreaterSpottedEagle-7575.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greater Spotted Eagle</td></tr>
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We spent some time looking for marsh birds like rails which are called "crakes" in Europe and Asia. Our patience was rewarded with up close views of 2 species. We had a typical view of Little Crake.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Crake - typical view</td></tr>
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Yup. That is about the best view that I usually get of rails and crakes. Barely visible through the thick reeds. Not so for the Spotted Crake. This bird really put on a show running out in the open water.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotted Crake</td></tr>
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A nice way to end an amazing day of birding in an amazing new area of the world - Kuwait. </div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<br />Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13890797717061217855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949709978774208743.post-37638378197943229072019-03-10T10:46:00.000-04:002019-03-11T13:21:35.810-04:00Where in the World? If I gave you 100 guesses, you would never guess where I am this week. Hints: they love the US military, it's really hot, and the language is Arabic. Answer: Kuwait. Yup. Kuwait. A random work trip popped up and after some careful thought, I said yes. Of course you know that I don't go anywhere without the binoculars and camera. In most places, I am pretty comfortable going birding on my own using eBird hotspots as my guide. Not when I am in a very different culture though. Lucky for me, my friend George knows a birder who lives in Kuwait so I hired him as my guide.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UE2QNILZ5WA/XIUWuTCxsJI/AAAAAAAAIyY/CvLKl1bGXosJTgFNXj3Myp-rxiVbU1lMACLcBGAs/s1600/Mike_Linda_JahraPools.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UE2QNILZ5WA/XIUWuTCxsJI/AAAAAAAAIyY/CvLKl1bGXosJTgFNXj3Myp-rxiVbU1lMACLcBGAs/s320/Mike_Linda_JahraPools.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Linda and Mike</td></tr>
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Mike is originally from South Africa but transferred to Kuwait for his real job and is now an expert in Kuwait birding. Check out his blog at<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <a href="http://kuwaitbirding.blogspot.com/">http://kuwaitbirding.blogspot.com/</a></span> for more info. We started the day early and headed north of Kuwait city into the desert to begin our day. Let me tell you, there is NOTHING out there for miles and miles except rocky, sandy desert. And, giant electric power lines.<br />
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There are more power lines running through this desert than I've ever seen in my life. This photo is only one row of them. The other very interesting thing that fills the desert are huge camping areas. Apparently, the Kuwaitis love to camp on the weekends in winter. Not my idea of camping but . . . </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camping Kuwaiti Style</td></tr>
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Oh, and if your going to be in the middle east in the desert, you gotta make friends with the locals. All I had to do was hold my hand up and this big fella walked right over looking for a handout.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Linda and friend</td></tr>
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Kuwait is experiencing a very interesting natural phenomena in the desert. Can you see all of the vegetation in the camel photo? The entire desert is "green" due to rain of biblical proportions in November. The middle east was flooded and the desert came to life with grasses and flowers and - butterflies. We saw a million Painted Lady butterflies - not an exaggeration. They were literally covering the desert on every flower and little tree.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IkhxSALDzf8/XIUYpb8OzHI/AAAAAAAAIzE/r1Zp94gmvSghhq03fJSkNgomzmuRfFQUQCLcBGAs/s1600/Butterfly_PaintedLady-6963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IkhxSALDzf8/XIUYpb8OzHI/AAAAAAAAIzE/r1Zp94gmvSghhq03fJSkNgomzmuRfFQUQCLcBGAs/s320/Butterfly_PaintedLady-6963.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painted Lady</td></tr>
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It was very windy and much colder that I thought it would be in the desert. Glad I had my jacket with me. We finally got to our first birding destination which is a "farm" in the middle of the desert. Mike says that the farm is out here due to a natural spring that allows the farmer to have animals like cows and exotic pets plus trees and vegetables. Our first bird of the day was actually a shorebird - Green Sandpiper which was hanging out at the little man-made pond.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X4p08z6CIqU/XIUazCk4TRI/AAAAAAAAIzQ/-r8Qd8JFQJYSwCdJ3fTI3dHa6B65chFTwCLcBGAs/s1600/GreenSandpiper-6925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X4p08z6CIqU/XIUazCk4TRI/AAAAAAAAIzQ/-r8Qd8JFQJYSwCdJ3fTI3dHa6B65chFTwCLcBGAs/s320/GreenSandpiper-6925.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Sandpiper</td></tr>
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Other birds used the pond for catching dragonflies. Here are 2 different types of wagtails with dragonflies. First is Gray Wagtail.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aouuOazOm7w/XIUazfQznAI/AAAAAAAAIzw/KuLqQid9xtI_gvKuuRVLI24DX6fF4xWHgCEwYBhgL/s1600/GrayWagtail_dragonfly-6939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aouuOazOm7w/XIUazfQznAI/AAAAAAAAIzw/KuLqQid9xtI_gvKuuRVLI24DX6fF4xWHgCEwYBhgL/s320/GrayWagtail_dragonfly-6939.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gray Wagtail</td></tr>
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This one is White Wagtail on the platform that the farmer uses to shoot ducks.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oaJwCyCDdDg/XIUa0_V24-I/AAAAAAAAIzw/0hOWqnY47GcgyvKMd3OcX6DFR58fkrVVQCEwYBhgL/s1600/WhiteWagtail_dragonfly-7163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oaJwCyCDdDg/XIUa0_V24-I/AAAAAAAAIzw/0hOWqnY47GcgyvKMd3OcX6DFR58fkrVVQCEwYBhgL/s320/WhiteWagtail_dragonfly-7163.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Wagtail</td></tr>
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I know, I know. It gets worse. Here is a Eurasian Kestral dead in a tree. The red flag is used to tether the Kestral to train the other falcons to kill it. Once it is caught, the Kestral is left to die in the tree. This is the trade-off with birding in other cultures. You can't be offended by the property owner's traditions if you want access to the land. Maybe the culture will change in the future. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UOHqnzIOjU0/XIUazcOHObI/AAAAAAAAIzo/j8CYrgA77XM-Fbg9PplbckzZUrTR__EngCEwYBhgL/s1600/EurasianKestral_bait-6984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UOHqnzIOjU0/XIUazcOHObI/AAAAAAAAIzo/j8CYrgA77XM-Fbg9PplbckzZUrTR__EngCEwYBhgL/s320/EurasianKestral_bait-6984.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dead Kestral</td></tr>
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On a brighter note, one of my target species to photograph is the Eurasian Hoopoe. What a cool bird. We saw about a dozen during the day. I was able to capture a few photos.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k88jQQDUXyQ/XIUa0kbagVI/AAAAAAAAIzs/Jz66lWwdDPsXsmzeQGtsLhuED40ip10tgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Hoopoe-6854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k88jQQDUXyQ/XIUa0kbagVI/AAAAAAAAIzs/Jz66lWwdDPsXsmzeQGtsLhuED40ip10tgCEwYBhgL/s320/Hoopoe-6854.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoopoe</td></tr>
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We saw many other birds at the desert farm including a few species of shrikes but the photos are not that great. The birds were pretty far away. I did manage to catch a shot of this Tawny Pipit. Talk about camouflage. We would never have seen the bird if it wasn't perched on a bush at first. Once it hopped onto the ground, it almost disappeared. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y8DV4czQT8s/XIUhmMO8RjI/AAAAAAAAIz4/WlSFTZVKsRUsg2nZaZyxKPpWCVlYgmDYQCLcBGAs/s1600/TawnyPipit-6829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y8DV4czQT8s/XIUhmMO8RjI/AAAAAAAAIz4/WlSFTZVKsRUsg2nZaZyxKPpWCVlYgmDYQCLcBGAs/s320/TawnyPipit-6829.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tawny Pipit</td></tr>
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We spent a few hours at the farm and then headed back towards the city to explore other birding spots.<br />
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<br />Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13890797717061217855noreply@blogger.com0