Vermilion Flycatcher
Vermilion Flycatcher
Vermilion Flycatcher
birds
Common Black Hawk on Nest. Big Bend National Park, TX.
One of my favorite of my lifers from our south Texas trip was the Common Black Hawk. I would have been happy for a glimpse, but finding this one on a nest was more than I could have asked for.
Common Black Hawk. Big Bend National Park, TX.
Common Black Hawk. Big Bend National Park, TX.
Common Black Hawk. Big Bend National Park, TX.
Common Black Hawk. Big Bend National Park, TX.
Common Black Hawk. Big Bend National Park, TX.
Blackburnian Warbler, Carondelet Park, May 2017
Along with finding the typical rarities that everyone looks for during spring migration, I will not count spring as arriving until I lay eyes on a male Blackburnian Warbler. This past Saturday, not only did Miguel and I find my prize at Carondelet Park, but I got my best photos to date of this tree-top dwelling, piece of greased lighting.
Blackburnian Warbler, Carondelet Park, May 2017
With a throat this bright and luminous, a song that is so high-pitch that dogs aren’t safe for blocks and a never resting habit, more than one birder has assumed these guys must be powered by a battery. Seriously, there’s a reason these guys eat all day long. They have to!
Blackburnian Warbler, Carondelet Park, May 2017
Well, hopefully I might have another before the season has completed springing. If not, I’ll always have something to look forward to next year.
-OZB
Veery, Tower Grove Park, St. Louis Missouri
Miguel Acosta and I decided, along with many other birders and bird photographers, to head to Tower Grove Park to check out the latest migrant action. Although the migrant songbirds were overall pretty disappointing, the morning was surely not a bust for me as I was able to photograph my 282nd species in Missouri and contiguous states – the Veery.
Veer!
This guy’s polyphonic vocalizations have been among my favorite of bird songs for a long time. On the rare occasion these guys sound off during migration, the songs come from a deep thicket and I rarely get to lay eyes on the songster. The beauty of migrant traps like Tower Grove and Carondelet Park in the heart of the city is being able to get great looks at these northern nesters.
Veery
-OZB
For the first time since junior high I did not watch a single down or minute of the NFL this season and I couldn’t be happier for it. Rape my town three times, NFL – shame on you. I’ve been pleased to get those precious free minutes back for my Sundays, several of which I found I could spend not dreading the upcoming workweek.
Short-eared Owl
When the forecast showed a near perfect meteorological condition for shooting the Short-eared Owls of BK Leach, I figured this could be promising. While most other naked apes with functioning vision would be in front of the picture box and ingesting mass quantities of wings and beer, I would enjoy the warm and lightly breezy evening in my own kind of chair with friends of a different sort.
Short-eared Owl
Of course there is never a sure thing. Often, when I have expected the best due to light and temperature, the owls don’t show where I set myself. On this particular day, all conditions came together and I had a super time.
Short-eared Owl
I want to give huge thanks for my lovely and talented wife, Sarah, for the special help she gave me this season in getting my best to date SEOW in flight shots.
Short-eared Owl
A perfect day ended in the perfect way – with a great sunset on the Lincoln Hills.
Sunset on the Lincoln Hills
Until next time…
-OZB
Common Goldeneye, Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, St. Charles County, MO
Just a few of my favorite Goldeneye shots from RMBS this season.
Common Goldeneye, Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, St. Charles County, MO
Common Goldeneye, Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, St. Charles County, MO
Common Goldeneye, Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, St. Charles County, MO
Common Goldeneye, Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, St. Charles County, MO
Common Goldeneye, Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, St. Charles County, MO
Common Goldeneye, Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, St. Charles County, MO
Until next time…
-OZB
Laughing Gull – Galveston Ferry Crossing, TX
When traveling to a new location it is always interesting to see what gull species is the local equivalent to our Ring-billed Gull. In the case of the Texas gulf coast, that is definitely the Laughing Gull. We found that a really great place to see hundreds at great distance is the ferry ride between the Bolivar Peninsula and Galveston. Be sure to check the water as well as the skies if you take this 20 minute boat ride. Steve and I were able to spot a bottlenose dolphin or two during the crossing.
Laughing Gull – Anahuac NWR, TX
After hearing their vocalizations for quite a long period, we can say this species is quite aptly named!
Laughing Gull, Anahuac NWR, TX
In summer plumage, this is obviously one of the easier gulls to identify. Largest of the hooded gulls, with red bill, legs and feet, slate-colored back and black primaries.
Laughing Gulls, East End Lagoon Preserve, TX
