Saturday, March 31, 2012

I must bore the birds!

Why is it that every time I get lucky enough to see ducks up close, they are always asleep? Many times I have ducks swim up and then just go to sleep right in front of me when I bring out the camera.

These two male Ring-necked Ducks were swimming with some coots. When they seen me, they fell right asleep.

Ring-necked Ducks



Sleeping Ring-necked Ducks

And again it happens, this time with Bufflehead. Only this time, it was kind of comical. A group of three females and one male Bufflehead were swimming just off the shore. Only one female in the group was awake. They kept drifting closer and closer to me as I just stood there clicking pics.

Sleeping Bufflehead

The females all eventually woke up, leaving only the male sleeping. The females started getting antsy as they drifted closer, following the male. Finally, they must have heard a noise, as out of nowhere they exploded off the water. I think they startled me just as much as I did them!

Spooked Bufflehead


Just down the bank from the Bufflehead, I spotted a male Red-breasted Merganser. Only he was more alert and quickly headed away from me. Such a cool bird.

Red-breasted Merganser

And, more American Coots swimming around. I think coots are unappreciated. They look cool when seen up close. Coots are always good, cause they are not too weary of people and draw in waterfowl that would normally keep their distance.

American Coot

Once I had scoped the lake, I headed for the woods and fields to look for land birds. Saw quite a few Red-shouldered Hawks flying around. Here is one that was cooperative.


Red-shouldered Hawk

Nice looking bird for sure!

When I approached the fields, they were initially very quiet. I decided to make some noise via pishing. I heard then noticed a Swamp Sparrow skulking around. I can never get a good shot at one. Always uncooperative!

Uncooperative Swamp Sparrow


They are such a nice looking sparrow. Speaking of sparrows, I came across one that originally threw me off. It was in bad lighting and acting odd for the habitat. Then, it decided to fly to a close tree and land right in front of me. Seemed curious about me. Ah, a very dull Savannah Sparrow.

Savannah Sparrow

Why can't all sparrows be this cooperative! Odd behavior for a Savannah Sparrow, as it spent more time in the trees then in the grass.

Haven't seen much lately in the shorebird department, so I was glad to stumble upon six Wilson's Snipe hanging out in a wet field just down the road from my house. It was funny to see all the people that kept driving back and forth trying to figure out what I was looking at. Unfortunately, no one stopped so that I could have showed them. I would of gave them one of my new birder cards! ;-)

Wilson's Snipe at end of road

Wilson's Snipe

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7 comments:

  1. Ha I love the Cooperative Hawk, great shot. You've got a great diversity of species there. You must just have a very calming, secure presence that lulls the waterfowl to a state of contended slumber.

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  2. Love them ducks. But then again I did go to the U of Oregon

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  3. Hee hee..You need a disguise next time.

    Darn tweetmeme still not working...whats up with that?

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  4. They duck when they see you..Lots of great birds & pics!

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  5. Maybe it's not that you bore them, but make them feel calm and at ease.

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  6. Wonderful images to see..

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  7. What a fun post to read down through and view the lovely series of images! O course, I must due to the name of my blog, go with the gorgeous beauty of your Red-Shouldered Hawk image...what a great shot you got!
    Happy Easter season~

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