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

*****************





Wednesday, March 07, 2012

I just appreciate beautiful things...

A good deal of my birding is done at East Fork State Park. That being said, I haven't been able to get out and do much quality birding. I like East Fork cause it is close to my home and I can zip by there on my way to other locations.

People with off-leash dogs has gotten to the point that I have been avoiding the areas that I usually bird. One guy in particular brings his two bird dogs down, clearing all birds off the beach and the immediate surrounding area. They are trained bird dogs, and they do their jobs well. The owner has them fitted with a beeping location device that would drive anyone crazy. He also whistles to them his commands when clearing the beach of birds. It kinda goes like this:

I see a Common Merganser up ahead...

Female Common Merganser


And there goes the Common Merganser...


Female Common Merganser

Ah-hah, here comes the dogs...

Look master, no birds over here!
Look master, no birds to the left...

Master, your clear of birds on this side!
No birds to the right master...

Too bad that some people have to be self centered and have no respect for others or other creatures. This situation has been brought to the attention of the parks, so hopefully something will be done. I have been venturing out to other locations I don't get out to much. This has lead to some interesting finds!

Decided to venture out to Grant Lake State Wildlife Area in Brown Co. OH to see what I could find. I found a flock of Redhead ducks. I then stumbled across a lone immature swan. I don't see swans often around my neck of the woods. I immediately thought Tundra. Trumpeters aren't native to this area, so Tundra would be the most likely. I still believe this to be an Imm. Tundra Swan.

Imm. Tundra Swan

Imm. Tundra Swan

Comments to ID welcome.

I recently traveled down to the Ohio River to check my favorite spots out. I ended up at Crooked Run State Nature Preserve/ Clermont Co. park. I ran into a couple pairs of Hooded Mergansers in the estuary. I love these birds! They have a big part in my becoming a birder.

The males were chasing and displaying for the females.

Hooded Mergansers

Hooded Mergansers

Hooded Mergansers

Hooded Merganser

Hooded Merganser

Hooded Merganser

Hooded Merganser



Dang wind, messing up my crest!

Hooded Merganser

*****************