First Egret and Pheasant Pride

Apr 182010

The first bird this morning was an Egret. My first of the 2010 season. I will never get tired of these incredibly beautiful birds. Luck was on my side with the backlit wings when it took flight. Incredible!

The pheasants out west are in this crazy territorial funk right now. They are constantly yelling at each other. I’m not sure but I think it is to warn other males. Or maybe it is an invitation for the opposite gender. The pheasant in the photo above would first raise up and make a unique call or yell. then it would……

Flap it’s wings. It almost sounds as if he is beating his chest with his wings. An amazing spectacle of nature.

The whole time I was watching the pheasant this Kestral was making sure that I was not to get any closer to it’s nest. No dive bombing just a lot of “hey look at me” moves. Another beautiful bird that I love to watch.

Meadowlark

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Apr 172010

Morning silence is broken by the familiar song of a Meadowlark. The song is short but it is usually in response to another singer in the distance. This particular bird is shy. It allowed me a chance to get a few frames before it chose a new location to serenade all that would listen.

Gobble, Gobble….in Buffalo, Wyoming

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Apr 152010

Tank set day in Buffalo, Wyoming today. Usually an early start. The Fire Marshall couldn’t be at the site until 2:00 p.m. I heard the wild turkey hunt was open. Lot’s of Wild turkeys around. Off I went late tonight.

It was my first experience with wild turkeys. And boy it was “wild”

I am sorry but these guys are really ugly. Though the female gobblers aren’t exactly cute either!

Reno Wall Murals

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Apr 122010

Reno has some unique Wall Murals. Just a few:

Windy Day

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Apr 112010

The wind was blowing like the Dickens this morning. Not a lot of bird action. If it was me I would be out dive bombing other birds using the wind to my advantage.

I am not sure that I have ever seen Mallards hunkered down in a plowed field. Lazy or just scared of the wind?

I love the way most of the birds run on the water as they take off. It was a little tough today with the undulating water surface.

Coot Action

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Apr 102010

There is a heck of a lot of “THIS” going on out at the refuge right now!

Nate – “The Pilot”

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Apr 092010

Today was a another milestone for me. It has been about a year since I flew on our company plane. Not for any cause other than my stupid Mental Disorders.

We have the best pilot out there-“Nate”.

I feel that way because he is not only a master at his craft (I have personally witnessed him at his best as a pilot), he is also a gentleman and someone that cares about others. Nice traits for a pilot within reach of his passengers. It finally occurred to me that there is no one else I trust to take off in a aircraft that finds itself 22,000 feet above the ground and flying at 320 knots and only seats 6 people. The knot is a unit of speed equal to one nautical mile per hour, which is equal to exactly 1.852 km/h and approximately 1.151 mph. That means today at 22,000 feet we were flying the equivalent of 483 mph on the ground. Then lands the plane like a flying carpet on butter. Man he’s good. I trust this man. I really trust this man. He is good to me.

The views were spectacular today!!

Pheasants and Coots

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Apr 082010

It’s the time when the pheasants are bold with color and courage. Trying to impress the girl. I just missed a scuffle with this guy and another suitor. It was dramatic watching the two. Just couldn’t get my camera out and all ready in time. This is probably the winner. The loser flew off. And he looks like he is standing pretty tall and “cocky”.

American coot Fulica americana

Identification Tips:

Length: 12 inches Wingspan: 25 inches
Fairly large, duck-like waterbird with short wings and a short tail
Very short, thick bill
Frequently seen both swimming and walking
Often flicks and cocks short tail while walking, exposing white outer undertail coverts
Sexes similar
Toes have lobed webbing, unlike gallinules

Adult:

White bill with dark reddish ring just before tip
White frontal shield with reddish oval near tip
Slate gray head, neck, back, upperwings, breast and belly

Juvenile:

Lacks the frontal shield of the adult
Horn-colored bill may lack ring near tip
Pale gray-brown head, neck, upperwings, breast and back; feathers on underparts often with paler edges

Similar species:

Common Moorhen is of similar size and shape but has a reddish bill with a yellowish tip, a white stripe along the flanks, and a brownish back.

A real common bird in our area. And a real joy to watch.

It’s definitely SPRING!

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Apr 072010

Out with the Bald

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Apr 062010

The Bald Eagles are thinning out somewhat. The new migrators are “flocking” in. From now till late summer it’s an exciting time for the birders in Utah.