tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68785139749554450112024-03-14T09:43:03.432-05:00EcobirderEcobirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162282777887777041noreply@blogger.comBlogger2611125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878513974955445011.post-72100700293666475172017-04-22T21:20:00.000-05:002017-04-22T21:20:59.656-05:00Happy Earthday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqMN2cHQHzhxUmJXA8B55Ax6b9JZB0fKpm_ckr8DbBV88vE4fRrduM43btUez5CtRB2zn23nlofihlOvJfdUGNdi3SR5FC8Z3ionafm0I-N60o1PJB_PSrEJkff8DyfJEdWdMARsCnKzI/s1600/MN16+bard+owl+chick+504_5H1A3219+8x6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bard Owl Chick" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqMN2cHQHzhxUmJXA8B55Ax6b9JZB0fKpm_ckr8DbBV88vE4fRrduM43btUez5CtRB2zn23nlofihlOvJfdUGNdi3SR5FC8Z3ionafm0I-N60o1PJB_PSrEJkff8DyfJEdWdMARsCnKzI/s1600/MN16+bard+owl+chick+504_5H1A3219+8x6.jpg" title="Bard Owl Chick" /></a></div>
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Here is wishing everyone a happy Earth Day on this the 10th anniversary of the Ecobirder blog.</div>
Ecobirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162282777887777041noreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878513974955445011.post-35559886642581319682017-02-16T04:59:00.000-06:002017-02-16T05:02:14.520-06:00Florida Scrub-jay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vs5_VPTLrCVlCeYCjDZwe5mCvF6d411-3HNJymIbCIetLQmY6v0jsxkQiMAOl_By05veFDVM-WUBptERLCCmM31r-a-L6mK9yxPI0bJOuJPNcKfj7LWzawB5vR9pUYaPGRI8_B4LGpk/s1600/FL16+Florida+scrubjay+506_5H1A5763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Florida Scrub-jay" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vs5_VPTLrCVlCeYCjDZwe5mCvF6d411-3HNJymIbCIetLQmY6v0jsxkQiMAOl_By05veFDVM-WUBptERLCCmM31r-a-L6mK9yxPI0bJOuJPNcKfj7LWzawB5vR9pUYaPGRI8_B4LGpk/s1600/FL16+Florida+scrubjay+506_5H1A5763.jpg" title="Florida Scrub-jay" /></a></div>
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The Florida Scrub-jay is a rather unique bird. This member of the Corvidae family is found only in central Florida. It is the only bird that is endemic to Florida and one of only 15 bird species that are endemic to the U.S. At one time they were considered the same species as the western scrub-jay but scientific study showed that they were genetically different enough to be identified as a separate species. They live, as family groups, in Florida scrub habitat. Unfortunately as this type of habitat has given way to development their numbers have dwindled. In 1975 it was listed as a threatened species in Florida and in the 1990's it was estimated that their were only 4000 pairs left in the wild. Because they are a member of the Corvidae family they are fairly intelligent. I photographed this bird at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. </div>
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<a href="https://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.com/#" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-JOQrTYZI6oMHyMxxfFV60geCpwsuOC_QNZT-7f_Y_rET4S8qldwamvOFFOXwKuQyahmbj4Oo-mravBmao4i9Wb1pbdtQZhTRdSAU2tx1JQ2wVDSVC78Yc6pIubc1LbPBV81esqcZB0/s200/ABC20.bmp" width="200" /></a><a href="http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com/#" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Fl-pTR_ekV6oJOe5X4YsxSjeBDqlHWocmXCD7UK601-OmTVtayRoy_KVjgWBFeaD2hGK4wVsWDL26IKBtCP5QPd9eks-RbeM7QJAMcYW8HlWk32kulduzeM0cvQSbHlQ1XNcj8WNEdY/s1600/Wild_Bird_Wednesday.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />Ecobirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162282777887777041noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878513974955445011.post-50760225056700999002017-02-01T21:59:00.000-06:002017-02-16T05:02:31.056-06:00Double-crested Cormorant<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFmq1a7kuF-CJtJLXTSVWBc-ACUW2jfeKnUy8d3Kt-b8Rdmc0OvqVnENTAcidUAi2W54gnjzlQmePXebadbRiIIsVduD6BVYtR7ueD-yXkN-0-maFHo4GvU0gyF9P4-huYZTP22jLtS2o/s1600/Fl16+double-crested+cormorant+708_9751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Double-crested Cormorant" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFmq1a7kuF-CJtJLXTSVWBc-ACUW2jfeKnUy8d3Kt-b8Rdmc0OvqVnENTAcidUAi2W54gnjzlQmePXebadbRiIIsVduD6BVYtR7ueD-yXkN-0-maFHo4GvU0gyF9P4-huYZTP22jLtS2o/s1600/Fl16+double-crested+cormorant+708_9751.jpg" title="Double-crested Cormorant" /></a></div>
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Double-crested cormorants are found through out much of North America. They are usually found in fresh or salt water habitats where they hunt fish by diving under the water. They are great swimmers, partially because they do not produce preening oils like most other waterfowl. These oils help birds like geese and ducks keep their feathers waterproof. With out these oils the cormorants feathers can get wet, which makes them less buoyant. Having less buoyancy helps them swim better underwater than many other species of waterfowl. Unfortunately it means that they have to dry themselves off by holding their wings out in the sun in order to make themselves light enough to fly. In most places that I have traveled cormorants are quite skittish but things are quite different in south Florida. It was not uncommon to see cormorants perched on the boardwalk rails at locations like Green Cay Nature Center.</div>
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<a href="https://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.com/#" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyusGhSZ9vK0NxaidB2AsbVv-k8IpNN-hMs3leytfg-Dq8rgpBlfGdJXlm-fs1S-cEY4ThCbF8fhMT1yLyXF1Y-l2PbIohzk6rCprDTkF2RvqnKOICzBbVhv_msX3XKNR9j_A6WrLWhI/s200/ABC20.bmp" width="200" /></a><a href="http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com/#" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMlKElwNLEKjH1MlR-guv5NnvbDbuGkzU6t1xMAafQilCC8mPwoLNWgiVYSf3trc_8BFu-p2KzG4C-NRIeVJB6GG4WQtd6uD6m-JSVTC89zvwnRAhBN0SVZjjTlT2howacMTn_Wsn9kE/s1600/Wild_Bird_Wednesday.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Ecobirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162282777887777041noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878513974955445011.post-36245164179527359012017-01-19T05:19:00.001-06:002017-01-19T05:22:17.909-06:00Black Vulture<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFU5VECzNUA4Bfw5zyYSx0IWFdti5UJB5JuyTD-DFlVGe33YG6T-kKRenYa-b7gKEfWQ8LB2NUm2kfGNS0H2bwCSuJBYZMJvGg_QeVEDCr83wppqFL6AYxs1f5-VZwM0lNS0wyBINcww/s1600/FL16+black+vulture+506_5H1A5912.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Black Vulture" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFU5VECzNUA4Bfw5zyYSx0IWFdti5UJB5JuyTD-DFlVGe33YG6T-kKRenYa-b7gKEfWQ8LB2NUm2kfGNS0H2bwCSuJBYZMJvGg_QeVEDCr83wppqFL6AYxs1f5-VZwM0lNS0wyBINcww/s1600/FL16+black+vulture+506_5H1A5912.jpg" title="Black Vulture" /></a></div>
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Black Vultures are one of two vulture species found in North America. In the U.S. they range primarily in the southeast, although their range extends down through Mexico, Central America and through most of South America. Black Vultures do not have the olfactory sensitivity of Turkey Vultures so they often find food by following their cousins. Since the Black Vulture is smaller they have a hard time taking food from the larger Turkey Vulture but since they are more communal, than their cousins, they often make up for their lack in size with force of numbers. </div>
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<a href="https://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.com/#" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU1YmUeeNIPK821decD5wteFdkmUKimO3JrZgHWd5SLc9el1FTn0ewDPDlJFX24L-roTX5Aaw9G5Q2D1iL9FzISNM3OTTVT1Qze-9ImfrEYPZXCc-OaOS0btyULbkXbo4Oc_tC_2pFJBU/s200/ABC20.bmp" width="200" /></a><a href="http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com/#" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKkIEp8QHdsiwu0ImHLkybfpTpBgPeXoN9kK7GChELiSE9sVirJTyp5xDS1yfGc1b-Fb8AyihLVe8-2MRqAtYg54PQ07iFQErhwn-ipHrJ0rRQ7WD3Gy1qY5suLZl6LZFUk_NyabKIt5A/s1600/Wild_Bird_Wednesday.jpg" /></a></div>
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Ecobirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162282777887777041noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878513974955445011.post-57059720660784251832017-01-12T19:26:00.000-06:002017-01-12T19:31:20.157-06:00Anhinga<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPdtH5yOViBOg7iQ5SAXSHbSADkfuMXgFIEI2R8TmUa-jqb0ojrvYYIQIRmNULjSq6pjaV_m-Otg0I-AWmytEOEjOYRM0KP9WlExh2BXfccZb91XUvLNlqBT__Thw19vx86FWJsLRoMQ/s1600/FL16+Anhinga+506_5H1A3884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Anhinga" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPdtH5yOViBOg7iQ5SAXSHbSADkfuMXgFIEI2R8TmUa-jqb0ojrvYYIQIRmNULjSq6pjaV_m-Otg0I-AWmytEOEjOYRM0KP9WlExh2BXfccZb91XUvLNlqBT__Thw19vx86FWJsLRoMQ/s1600/FL16+Anhinga+506_5H1A3884.jpg" title="Anhinga" /></a></div>
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Anhingas are a waterfowl that is found primarily around fresh water swamps and marshes. In the U.S. they breed around the Gulf Coast from Florida to Texas, with he populations in Florida staying year round. They are more common in the coastal areas of Mexico and Central America as well as the northeastern half of South America. Their primary food source is fish, which they hunt by swimming under the water and stalking their prey though the aquatic vegetation and then stabbing them with their pointy beaks.Unfortunately anhingas do not produce the oils that ducks and other waterfowls use to waterproof their feathers, so after each swim the anhinga will look for a safe place where they can perch with their wings stretched out so that their feathers can dry. I took this photo at the Everglades National Park in south Florida.</div>
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<img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwz5QibpcRBFgPH4NLf94iAndpRk2La1DpiwQmUEdjFvS9hDd_Sz7rWtRUlNetaV7NpY9yA8Pzm33XFvwlejfaf3RDyzSfT9Zrf-Oa9t-b2HmNjSFo8RAfPdRj6nxIzsEcykGvrFkI1Q/s200/ABC20.bmp" width="200" /><a href="http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com/#" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfL7RhysXy1fF3zmuI3cmKS3_u741T8Fdog4zPh3f3DQeEsrmq8RKLRNv46Umj2SkOeT_jdLWE_TKjjngNp062AA4uyhN-HoMu9vO6oPoorlBR79rANrNi3bE05vRBvik50-NCOpaRtU/s200/Wild_Bird_Wednesday.jpg" width="166" /></a></div>
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<br />Ecobirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162282777887777041noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878513974955445011.post-5584958580959954522017-01-05T05:01:00.003-06:002017-01-05T05:04:01.924-06:00Zig Zag Darner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWo9CMYGRnEDnwIsxd3_9_iZacyGF5YRHcoD3BwP_NTJHNn8pGZSFDGmtGFIqFKQGgR4woecG2Ph3V__k3nRRa72AOPncjjQkLEzfUNisM6aec4S1W3L7bcbeHuKCOjFkt09aJ04kyMc/s1600/MN15+zig+zag+darner+502_5H1A5806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Zig Zag Darner" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWo9CMYGRnEDnwIsxd3_9_iZacyGF5YRHcoD3BwP_NTJHNn8pGZSFDGmtGFIqFKQGgR4woecG2Ph3V__k3nRRa72AOPncjjQkLEzfUNisM6aec4S1W3L7bcbeHuKCOjFkt09aJ04kyMc/s1600/MN15+zig+zag+darner+502_5H1A5806.jpg" title="Zig Zag Darner" /></a></div>
The zig zag darner is a dragonfly typically found primarily in eastern Canada. Their range does stretch down into a few northern states including some parts of Minnesota that are north of lake Superior, which is where I found this specimen. They are smaller than most other darners, prefer boggy type habitats, and emerge in late summer (August-September). They get their name from the wavy stripes on the side of their thorax.<br />
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<a href="https://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.com/#"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQNZbIKLx7NZbMTxEyAZMGCSUD-NQDwsST6KoMcMlA-H0s3UXk59w3B-AXL2ZII751iV4i-zRVbjx3CgqEzxKjxfR1tB1WjXv08YC0JVn5zPGF29k9p-uNO27ZQEO8eRjhubQ6om_M1E/s320/ABC.bmp" width="320" /></a></div>
Ecobirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162282777887777041noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878513974955445011.post-15268973451246104442016-11-25T17:26:00.000-06:002016-11-25T17:30:25.457-06:00Tundra Swans<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOInRsqSN7gco-qA74G308-F86PyR23h6txDr3iPF1qu2gbGh4XnZdAovuXiOk6j0AgJ7Sy-PT5dPFVJQ84HybiAJEj97q7cH_m7lpsezKqk3C-z5sjK3dF8p59jM9frP8eId9ro7ss-Y/s1600/MN16+tundra+swan+Brownsville+506_5H1A1456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOInRsqSN7gco-qA74G308-F86PyR23h6txDr3iPF1qu2gbGh4XnZdAovuXiOk6j0AgJ7Sy-PT5dPFVJQ84HybiAJEj97q7cH_m7lpsezKqk3C-z5sjK3dF8p59jM9frP8eId9ro7ss-Y/s1600/MN16+tundra+swan+Brownsville+506_5H1A1456.jpg" /></a></div>
Last weekend I made my third trip down to southern Minnesota to photograph tundra swans. Each year tundra swans migrate from their breeding grounds up in Alaska and northern Canada down to the Atlantic or Pacific coasts of the southern United States. A large population, numbering in the thousands, stop over on the Mississippi River in Southern Minnesota to fill up on tubers, roots, of the arrowhead plant before heading east to the Carolina Coast.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqvALxnSRmC1L0VNBbcw_mj1zQmHMV_u-wm-JPveI7GuKDUGlbGCQ0GYA6xhAqllztOwJ0Z1ijjrd63NukS8VR9EZInBFfS__Y51LUm2TiCHa7WNL-O3-aTRb-2yFYB8DgrivpFl0x-_0/s1600/MN16+tundra+swan+cygnet+506_5H1A1557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqvALxnSRmC1L0VNBbcw_mj1zQmHMV_u-wm-JPveI7GuKDUGlbGCQ0GYA6xhAqllztOwJ0Z1ijjrd63NukS8VR9EZInBFfS__Y51LUm2TiCHa7WNL-O3-aTRb-2yFYB8DgrivpFl0x-_0/s1600/MN16+tundra+swan+cygnet+506_5H1A1557.jpg" /></a></div>
The migration here usually starts at the beginning of November but when I traveled down to the Upper Mississippi River Wildlife and Fish Refuge on the first week of November there were very few swans to photograph, and most were in the middle of the river. The second weekend in November, which is typically when the most swans are in the area, was a little better but still there were not many swans in the water by the overlook. The problem was that the weather was so mild with temps in the 60s to 70s that the swans put off migrating. Finally a dip in the temps brought enough swans down on the third weekend that some finally were with in photo range.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwVFXjxxoMmVxN9tZ8NsJDNMSWeiJxIlmUAusX7E8m3XELYO-TyCxMKGUX8XRAY86XXNomLm8vxaDNGE33VPQ3CqrGob2LMWaedprIFnmAg4V20dflp3ZiMlZHCKXw_DpfxmB6McXixM/s1600/MN16+bald+eagle+506_5H1A1026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwVFXjxxoMmVxN9tZ8NsJDNMSWeiJxIlmUAusX7E8m3XELYO-TyCxMKGUX8XRAY86XXNomLm8vxaDNGE33VPQ3CqrGob2LMWaedprIFnmAg4V20dflp3ZiMlZHCKXw_DpfxmB6McXixM/s1600/MN16+bald+eagle+506_5H1A1026.jpg" /></a></div>
Since each trip was about a two and a half hour drive each way I found other subjects to photograph on the trips where the swans were not around. There are usually a lot of bald eagles on the river this time of year. This one had almost completely molted into its mature adults feathers. With the little bit of black still on the head and tails I would estimate its age at six to seven yeas old. Besides fishing in the river the eagles will also go after the small ducks that are also migrating south. In a few weeks most of the river may be frozen, the swans and ducks will be on their way south to their wintering grounds, and the bald eagles that remain will congregate in spots where the river stays open.<br />
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<a href="https://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.com/#"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLD0mncSpJPsJ90uFnS3hK5DCTT9u0Gv3-PwJLovsmINnf2KCA3C9Rhr4r-JLAq-SnQSTOzFHEenHaOur9M1BjdTvMuzD1oHWbrhfY9pR8peQizRcZnpdsjhXWgI1ZJt_lyYIj8_91gxY/s320/ABC.bmp" width="320" /></a><a href="http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com/#"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPOIRctLwUB9e6bSSzoQ_CRNqOogM72QMIHjd0PGa3duUsdP_DNm6WSefri29f3n9b2EoBqnzv-0sY5Y1YSyX-4l3PsjGRm3PRlG7LKW0xKRPDBXQrHCtwVTypA0uXBwu1LmQrIZa02E/s1600/Wild_Bird_Wednesday.jpg" /></a></div>
Ecobirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162282777887777041noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878513974955445011.post-83651871133687624962016-10-26T22:08:00.001-05:002016-11-02T22:03:52.171-05:00Olive Sparrow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-eqDGxyIvJz1J_YBUG0i83EDXDRZJe437jAgB72UIefVEQeEyJ1saWyJyg_-NmJuLnUR99qq6WQws-xrh9YdQPuCwMN0IWwp2xR0fv5KtGBHWT-3trBZcoHMAyNHcaKDsUsdDZEm4CE/s1600/TX16+olive+sparrow+Laguna+Seca+Ranch+100_1507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Olive Sparrow" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-eqDGxyIvJz1J_YBUG0i83EDXDRZJe437jAgB72UIefVEQeEyJ1saWyJyg_-NmJuLnUR99qq6WQws-xrh9YdQPuCwMN0IWwp2xR0fv5KtGBHWT-3trBZcoHMAyNHcaKDsUsdDZEm4CE/s1600/TX16+olive+sparrow+Laguna+Seca+Ranch+100_1507.jpg" title="Olive Sparrow" /></a></div>
The olive sparrow is a secretive emberizine sparrow that is found in Mexico and Central America. In the United States it is found only in south Texas.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0sESYdx3v-RZ-dJdKTQLyrZ-81DfbJ0rwyiPELHfWFahiEccXiODeFHlEgyx-Y0xnXB6C0kT_3IzTfhJxtTkgF-kH1nNvOYICuspHT8k19zA44Iuhy-lH_fV0T93hquw4Y0iZ8HUYykw/s1600/TX16+olive+sparrow+100_2167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0sESYdx3v-RZ-dJdKTQLyrZ-81DfbJ0rwyiPELHfWFahiEccXiODeFHlEgyx-Y0xnXB6C0kT_3IzTfhJxtTkgF-kH1nNvOYICuspHT8k19zA44Iuhy-lH_fV0T93hquw4Y0iZ8HUYykw/s1600/TX16+olive+sparrow+100_2167.jpg" /></a></div>
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Their preferred habitat includes dense thickets, semi-open scrub, chaparral and undergrowth near forests. They can often be heard foraging through the dense brush in search of insects, caterpillars and seeds. These pictures were taken in the Rio Grande Valley back in February.<br />
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<img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10IATZKGBi0qumxpfwZvRgnhk5_EU6c1ARwScRUX0J6Dk47ZjbPr5zROSs1KnTDKGojMfmoombxfzXueka0_hJ8H3YWBnKafcN8SeU7svDNP1L4quPUQPGox_bNjfDxGCegPwjoSwwRA/s320/ABC.bmp" width="320" /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjFwqgyMozvArAG97T0XvigNh4gSg_TijHJc8xV3KOs7pkcbbz_snr1AiiLofhz-Gh0wQ3xBrfKo4TBuQdUWiv8B_yJVYDFVYD0MP1mUWPGA1nWJc4tSFJnzWX77s2lW09UxkcqbMrx-s/s1600/Wild_Bird_Wednesday.jpg" /></div>
<br />Ecobirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162282777887777041noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878513974955445011.post-85813470773222808742016-09-29T21:33:00.001-05:002016-09-29T21:36:48.837-05:00Long-billed Thrasher<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJanVtsu2X6Y5kCVd5MpfU0S0cn25BmuB5D-ArtL7k8_DnZURwt_HtvFY7ghoZXJlxKTMq-FCO7k7XD4RGHR407cjkFfJ4pePRejzgmxbRslcWRwg4VM9tb6p1xjkP9KxdUM651rsiraQ/s1600/TX16+long-billed+thrasher+503_5H1A2185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Long-billed Thrasher" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJanVtsu2X6Y5kCVd5MpfU0S0cn25BmuB5D-ArtL7k8_DnZURwt_HtvFY7ghoZXJlxKTMq-FCO7k7XD4RGHR407cjkFfJ4pePRejzgmxbRslcWRwg4VM9tb6p1xjkP9KxdUM651rsiraQ/s1600/TX16+long-billed+thrasher+503_5H1A2185.jpg" title="Long-billed Thrasher" /></a></div>
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The long-billed thrasher is a southern relative of the more common brown thrasher. They are found in southern Texas and eastern Mexico. Their name is deceiving, since their beak is shorter then many other species of thrashers. They do however have a long tail. This photo was taken in the Rio Grande Valley of south Texas.<br />
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<a href="https://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.com/#"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjPgZTSNMD3QDMUiKdWTqjmvWdcX9ahVhRd88BjBTzQgrkKrg8IuPHU9bWpekoU9gmymksUsechGmx98xptSe7KGbXtwBkb2afRWYCbQldDCZBLwLDdKLOGNaWbCopcJSo-ClE-aT82Q/s320/ABC.bmp" width="320" /></a><a href="http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com/#"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoYwCrvxpZ_5fWkSz8znJjo4wZuYCljuK5G1oBWBv8sH1mpzbKyFwV1anou-pCIH5GBAqFNIFHri1LfH8cYWLdmjMQjh9iT-hKna36_s8jWC2XFcwFwZVGdcxycU0XWD8th4hKxareMk/s1600/Wild_Bird_Wednesday.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />Ecobirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162282777887777041noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878513974955445011.post-63757985373719703762016-08-24T05:12:00.001-05:002016-08-24T05:17:01.669-05:00Golden-fronted Woodpecker<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQj9kjEYa21N-RJcACo8v-e-IIr0Q0jC7tiPbWOBIkgnMA3NqFqxAbcGIK0rv2G-4Am25hbX6_wgTHCiTVqF9j17lNTxpeRvxGqOA7TRRJLwEpvIN6_VGA3zqL5ygzVvyNZ7apzudOzEY/s1600/TX16+golden-fronted+woodpecker+503_5H1A2308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Golden-fronted Woodpecker" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQj9kjEYa21N-RJcACo8v-e-IIr0Q0jC7tiPbWOBIkgnMA3NqFqxAbcGIK0rv2G-4Am25hbX6_wgTHCiTVqF9j17lNTxpeRvxGqOA7TRRJLwEpvIN6_VGA3zqL5ygzVvyNZ7apzudOzEY/s1600/TX16+golden-fronted+woodpecker+503_5H1A2308.jpg" title="Golden-fronted Woodpecker" /></a></div>
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The golden-fronted woodpecker is one of the most colorful woodpeckers found in North America. Their range extends from southern Oklahoma, through Texas and eastern Mexico and down into Central America. There are four different subspecies that vary slightly in color that were once considered different species. They are closely related to the more common red-bellied woodpecker and where their ranges cross the golden-fronted will aggressively defend their territory against the red-bellies. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXF4xCqq7SfZ44cZSoSC7lR3gEFrOgEvrrdXBom3IQ2ciGnR-o_NpA4AXUZlWzp8ie40h9tLvaqAJugDVtDtqWh1KZp9Au78Pq51tQuwhKg5RgVC8OPRORIan1eKwK5qog_Kj19oiPc0s/s1600/TX16+golden-fronted+woodpecker+503_5H1A2340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Golden-fronted Woodpecker" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXF4xCqq7SfZ44cZSoSC7lR3gEFrOgEvrrdXBom3IQ2ciGnR-o_NpA4AXUZlWzp8ie40h9tLvaqAJugDVtDtqWh1KZp9Au78Pq51tQuwhKg5RgVC8OPRORIan1eKwK5qog_Kj19oiPc0s/s1600/TX16+golden-fronted+woodpecker+503_5H1A2340.jpg" title="Golden-fronted Woodpecker" /></a></div>
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Golden-fronted woodpeckers are found in open to semi-open woodlands. In the U.S. this includes mesquite brush land, orchards, groves, along rivers, and second growth forests. They are omnivores with a diet consisting partially of insects (grasshoppers, ants,beetles and other insects) and the rest of fruits, seeds and nuts. This female was eating some of the fruit from a prickly pair cactus. These shots were taken earlier this year down in Texas' Rio Grande Valley. </div>
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<a href="https://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.com/#"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZs9jMh4UXzEfuFC1N8v4rsp_-uqfSvozwygdP2ERpuhxuZmU7j6wYqdPH5JWgSLY7p2fAGyBlLkLgaZj7_0cbkMP0xbzv58xAECUsPz-LhCPa4qy8Tp5gQvxjyDHzxjMpXxUYbEs5ffk/s320/ABC.bmp" width="320" /></a><a href="http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com/#"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5yR4VTYyHDB3cMeslJv66rxqA-m2OlX2ezqzPQmUTvHtTALYWh-CWenUIL33YAI3mLPyANbLCtETof36iy4JdEJ5_4WUfYfUoLdFiscWtGSNfTdU8vdc0Sx87YsKVpiUzXURDmttakU/s1600/Wild_Bird_Wednesday.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Ecobirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162282777887777041noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878513974955445011.post-59400071534050609962016-08-10T05:44:00.005-05:002016-08-10T05:48:22.216-05:00Eastern Screech Owl<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5lv5Tk6CK0f539j2LLWy3IAKJVpxDZqn5azwR3llAJZxMtbU9Go0Oxd7I80jm6csT-qNBkbeSsTsk6DaCzqOyz3EHcVhhkDd4BKM6n7lpIl6l3EO1t-HWqAP0k7IH8Jl2h_RYHvDJNw/s1600/MN16+eastern+screech+owl+504_5H1A0435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gray Eastern Screech Owl" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5lv5Tk6CK0f539j2LLWy3IAKJVpxDZqn5azwR3llAJZxMtbU9Go0Oxd7I80jm6csT-qNBkbeSsTsk6DaCzqOyz3EHcVhhkDd4BKM6n7lpIl6l3EO1t-HWqAP0k7IH8Jl2h_RYHvDJNw/s1600/MN16+eastern+screech+owl+504_5H1A0435.jpg" title="Gray Eastern Screech Owl" /></a></div>
The eastern screech owl is a small owl found in the eastern United States and north eastern Mexico. Although they are fairly common many people have never seen one. Looking at the picture above you may be able to guess the reason why? Eastern screech owls have pretty good camouflage. They are also primarily nocturnal or crepuscular, so they are most active at night or dusk and dawn. As a cavity nester they usually spend their day in a tree cavity or perched in dense tree foliage. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoqYoKtoM4db6Tsirz0qpoMA_NgGURC5efiiWniBc-2rMetP7rLCinlQ99OueKhm8WN4E21h9sQ78uWvXlH60pIko0JdxYyCRILdJeT88RE1c_shDwBPenxUNWDMKutPWTlvNOPNHw5Y/s1600/MN16+eastern+screech+owl+504_5H1A0439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gray Eastern Screech Owl" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoqYoKtoM4db6Tsirz0qpoMA_NgGURC5efiiWniBc-2rMetP7rLCinlQ99OueKhm8WN4E21h9sQ78uWvXlH60pIko0JdxYyCRILdJeT88RE1c_shDwBPenxUNWDMKutPWTlvNOPNHw5Y/s1600/MN16+eastern+screech+owl+504_5H1A0439.jpg" title="Gray Eastern Screech Owl" /></a></div>
This owl was quite popular back in March when I photographed it. On cold sunny days he would sit in the entrance to this cavity and sun himself. Many photographers new his location so he often had quite an audience. Unfortunately some photographers care more about a picture than they do the bird and while I was there one such photographer was playing calls to try and get the bird to open its eyes. The owl turned out to be smarter than the photographer and was not fooled. After the photographer left, I guess he did not like being confronted, the owl rewarded the rest of us by opening one eye to check us out.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ILWUnmBx7EUlqPB8MbkMEziFhQriIeipz447ZUylyG4nZcxxX85wLfa67b9laEmO9UaapUhYR2BHjDdYxcbJ2dpxPDRN2RzSctbDzIOzxfJhj7gPbgwGhZ2nFOKhg4z96MO80-9_W1M/s1600/MN15+Mestaae+TRC+500_5H1A0709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Red Eastern Screech Owl" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ILWUnmBx7EUlqPB8MbkMEziFhQriIeipz447ZUylyG4nZcxxX85wLfa67b9laEmO9UaapUhYR2BHjDdYxcbJ2dpxPDRN2RzSctbDzIOzxfJhj7gPbgwGhZ2nFOKhg4z96MO80-9_W1M/s1600/MN15+Mestaae+TRC+500_5H1A0709.jpg" title="Red Eastern Screech Owl" /></a></div>
Eastern screech owls also can come in a red color. This is Mestaae, an education bird at The Raptor Center. In the eastern portion of their range only about 30% of the birds are this rusty color but in the western portion of their range, which includes Minnesota, only about 15% are red. We have had 3 eastern screech owl education birds since I have volunteered at The Raptor Center, only one was gray the other two, including Mestaae, where both red.<br />
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<a href="https://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5AgTihWtJMkCbQKkEYrQInJCKBB5NbMlCzEx9EUPT1xQx7ij6moHSS_7FK9AJBN9ldALJ9znnz7cpjb9jRVsWeFK8ioAojNwmTlvOzP8kaIKsenuS_gzty4-VCQU5Aapk97fitbklKYE/s320/ABC.bmp" width="320" /></a><a href="http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com/#"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzLZkfXo-PZlzU_m7mAWQY9olp9Xtl1H5rrekveQtSa8TGzqDV-Y1ByZmrc1DA_aQgg7or77IiWCFhoQSElRrelSye8weudFkE7Tf5IILKLYM418pYM451mVZ80AihZnfk3FJaPQ17QcY/s1600/Wild_Bird_Wednesday.jpg" /></a></div>
Ecobirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162282777887777041noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878513974955445011.post-82158960089930077252016-07-28T06:01:00.002-05:002016-07-28T06:04:13.115-05:00Curve-billed Thrasher<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3aT-mGQ4ln0-CcIlu0voRN1NlHWaouJSLrw0jshPxWpfUkFzvDCY74wdJaDwTo1Oe5iVIEL-pXstQ-r-KDm4vuWoZayUp_Sp99RLLZ6XKB8HWQEbuqrqNS9LDzpEAfzYdjeG-z2b80Lo/s1600/TX16+curve-billed+Thrasher+503_5H1A1983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Curve-billed Thrasher" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3aT-mGQ4ln0-CcIlu0voRN1NlHWaouJSLrw0jshPxWpfUkFzvDCY74wdJaDwTo1Oe5iVIEL-pXstQ-r-KDm4vuWoZayUp_Sp99RLLZ6XKB8HWQEbuqrqNS9LDzpEAfzYdjeG-z2b80Lo/s1600/TX16+curve-billed+Thrasher+503_5H1A1983.jpg" title="Curve-billed Thrasher" /></a></div>
On our trip down to Texas last February we were fortunate to get some pictures of a curve-billed thrasher. We frequently see the long-billed thrasher when we are in Texas but the curved billed thrasher is usually more difficult to find.They live in scrub, mesquite and semi-desert in south Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and Mexico. Since this bird was photographed in southeastern Texas it would be a member of the eastern population. Birds found in the western portion of the range, like Arizona, would have a grayer breast, barely visible wingbars, and gray tis on the tail instead of white. When we are photographing in Texas we are always warned to make sure and drink plenty of water, it looks like this thrasher got the same message.<br />
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Ecobirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162282777887777041noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878513974955445011.post-18784873065842840002016-07-20T19:19:00.002-05:002016-07-20T19:29:25.318-05:00Brown Pelican<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1sHDto8kRkKxDMMoXxiBDI3_66FfQxG5TfKfoWO6KQr9vK5gwO1tFQxGfFfUyY629Vdr4LPPeTocB_zoBk5F5sIVhMda3Eg-IvqHkIi3dUP8hPE5INKNc_2TWMDestYjHSs13CkXPXbY/s1600/TX16+brown+pelican+503_5H1A5661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Brown Pelican Fishing" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1sHDto8kRkKxDMMoXxiBDI3_66FfQxG5TfKfoWO6KQr9vK5gwO1tFQxGfFfUyY629Vdr4LPPeTocB_zoBk5F5sIVhMda3Eg-IvqHkIi3dUP8hPE5INKNc_2TWMDestYjHSs13CkXPXbY/s1600/TX16+brown+pelican+503_5H1A5661.jpg" title="Brown Pelican Fishing" /></a></div>
Most people know how pelicans hunt. From an early age many of us have seen cartoons that feature pelicans whose bill can expand like a large pouch. This is fairly accurate at least when it comes to white pelicans.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuT-ggP6ew8WVmvP-B4lAd3-FwT7t_PiNTRIi9CPtxgqGFZG8ZmNFBwf_0QqarpYi6TT225EUSgpQO9n2BZ5AKU5HCC5GuYkKMPO_CTx3jzbM4eA_SWbS3wzDTjwCAp1bpsQUHxss1DuM/s1600/TX16+brown+pelican+503_5H1A5654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Brown Pelican Fishing" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuT-ggP6ew8WVmvP-B4lAd3-FwT7t_PiNTRIi9CPtxgqGFZG8ZmNFBwf_0QqarpYi6TT225EUSgpQO9n2BZ5AKU5HCC5GuYkKMPO_CTx3jzbM4eA_SWbS3wzDTjwCAp1bpsQUHxss1DuM/s1600/TX16+brown+pelican+503_5H1A5654.jpg" title="Brown Pelican Fishing" /></a></div>
Brown pelicans however are a different matter. They usually fly low over the water scanning for fish and when they see one they dive head first into the water. Often there dive is so sudden that the rest of their body tumbles awkwardly into the water behind their diving head.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPfPK2bRQcfhrmJ7FWSic4LTij5l3IdfhdkbVltwgeVRMslE3wYF9TR-Iy-EwgIQDxG2qGqb5kP6DhvEcV2drDrDR3z5l9zTlWZaC-vZJ-jQhfuidfU0VN2ZrNoPjWWf2PrcCijEy1vM/s1600/TX16+brown+pelican+503_5H1A5697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Brown Pelican Fishing" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPfPK2bRQcfhrmJ7FWSic4LTij5l3IdfhdkbVltwgeVRMslE3wYF9TR-Iy-EwgIQDxG2qGqb5kP6DhvEcV2drDrDR3z5l9zTlWZaC-vZJ-jQhfuidfU0VN2ZrNoPjWWf2PrcCijEy1vM/s1600/TX16+brown+pelican+503_5H1A5697.jpg" title="Brown Pelican Fishing" /></a></div>
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Like many predators hunting for prey there are many more failures then successes. But when a brown pelican fails it gets back up into the air and gets ready for another dive. These pelicans were photographed in south Texas near Brownsville.</div>
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<a href="https://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNPD98Ez8NU-XfRlfiI-Gax70knPTr578Z-EMArYH_WjkS1cLicHmn7gGheQFgafnrp-ZoulCmzDnNWFm9C6_jG9j7PYflODu31_p4Sxp4XctuNCSE9a9ziTqCRrjOFqfzZsDVh64Tro/s320/ABC.bmp" width="320" /></a><a href="http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com/#"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnTYskr3VwZl1N07oqN5swMRZBWyEMYDe4jmGVhXTPPppETEcfd4gc8naozuoFccnCmU9e7QGfnL6nZ-Q2o7Th8j-TRBpJJdFVjf6tRxKoc3FBur9XwVwIKH2caqap7xuX_j8MYqwg4Y/s1600/Wild_Bird_Wednesday.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />Ecobirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162282777887777041noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878513974955445011.post-31583601206730195892016-07-13T20:45:00.007-05:002016-07-13T20:50:01.735-05:00American Oystercatcher<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0eLQ-0iQ_KP2GKVSIkzkHxLQ6RS_j1e-jNpNB92iyuzs21bU4ZiSQv0kS4b3ivPIHPkhU5tRQmmMTYtxg-Z_6wWF9hNqttl-RYnu8UyxGJvgf_JJlCXKLqyHXEuaqflWbUbMl9fUsNA/s1600/TX16+American+oystercatcher+503_5H1A4033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="American Oystercatcher" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0eLQ-0iQ_KP2GKVSIkzkHxLQ6RS_j1e-jNpNB92iyuzs21bU4ZiSQv0kS4b3ivPIHPkhU5tRQmmMTYtxg-Z_6wWF9hNqttl-RYnu8UyxGJvgf_JJlCXKLqyHXEuaqflWbUbMl9fUsNA/s1600/TX16+American+oystercatcher+503_5H1A4033.jpg" title="American Oystercatcher" /></a></div>
The American oystercatcher can be found around the coastal areas of North, South, and Central America as well as the Caribbean. They eat primarily shellfish, crustaceans, and other aquatic invertebrates. To catch their prey they typically stab their beak into a partially open shellfish before it can close its shell. Since they rarely travel very far inland their nest consists of a scrape located at a higher spot on the beach.<br />
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<a href="https://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijkqTq4Y7M5KJcdCTXWDcxHjlhePs6S2u-w-ZOAqpB1-zG_UkkiI-eZ0mKsPJrjViu4Dy5Xs1kzcU-MnvPlutAIhA2_Sot6d9LhUnHOKHX7JcmQLx4-zT5PAjdDDOJ_97ILwAtZqcPNMI/s320/ABC12a.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com/#"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiztv2i847yakvAw5_OOHe05wmX4Wcw_wGsRmr7sObxMk4-uGClRu_XIYv99H6LPIJOUvEK9uCHF1Xbxl0SE_TMUndWQnCEgi-NerxDcnbVmEx1BBfonlcczBnkEOiq0Fm8za-HVoEIRWc/s1600/Wild_Bird_Wednesday.jpg" /></a></div>
Ecobirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162282777887777041noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878513974955445011.post-34787396233549842962016-05-18T19:27:00.003-05:002016-05-18T19:31:24.851-05:00Snowy Egret<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji6nVEhJsDBfJsVVB58ylxI9ghG30Oqn8JOLUCbaDg4iOIMchCTGB9YlxJfdyMWgK0iSH7aiCVnmMwb2nx-7ZvSUdiRcl8VIB4zW46SpfF-_31bmQfU1hnSh29wwHsAyODPZUWm4LMoRo/s1600/TX16+snowy+egret+503_5H1A5342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Snowy Egret" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji6nVEhJsDBfJsVVB58ylxI9ghG30Oqn8JOLUCbaDg4iOIMchCTGB9YlxJfdyMWgK0iSH7aiCVnmMwb2nx-7ZvSUdiRcl8VIB4zW46SpfF-_31bmQfU1hnSh29wwHsAyODPZUWm4LMoRo/s1600/TX16+snowy+egret+503_5H1A5342.jpg" title="Snowy Egret" /></a></div>
One nice thing about traveling to warm places during the winter is getting to see birds that you never get to see back home. In Minnesota the only egret that we usually see is the great egret.I still remember how excited that I got when I saw my first great egret as a kid. Down in Texas they have a few other species of egrets that are only rare visitors to Minnesota. One example is the snowy egret.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDdrEqLM9w4EjxsEnkder__2XTIBa56BTj1ziR2vUwOi6hyphenhyphen9knMKkyiElgdfzmgF2LuDLucxqckhyLdb3IEquklcJ8IGteZyy_IfVVpByij75IDuz_saVsOkEkn9uoY41lyv0VAT6VC4/s1600/TX16+snowy+egret+with+fish+503_5H1A5498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Snowy Egret Feeding" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDdrEqLM9w4EjxsEnkder__2XTIBa56BTj1ziR2vUwOi6hyphenhyphen9knMKkyiElgdfzmgF2LuDLucxqckhyLdb3IEquklcJ8IGteZyy_IfVVpByij75IDuz_saVsOkEkn9uoY41lyv0VAT6VC4/s1600/TX16+snowy+egret+with+fish+503_5H1A5498.jpg" title="Snowy Egret Feeding" /></a></div>
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Snowy egrets look very similar to great egret except that they are smaller. Sometimes size is tough to gauge, especially from a distance, so there are other a couple other field markings that you can look for to help determine whether a bird is a snowy or great egret. First of all snowy egrets have bright yellow feet where great egrets have black feet. Unfortunately their feet are often not visible in the water. Snowy egrets also have lacy plumes on the back of their head and tail. Great egrets have no plumes on their head and long plumes on their tail. Finally snowy egrets have a black beak with yellow lores, the area around the beak and eyes. Great egrets have a yellow bill with yellow lores.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglwA4MVllM8BqhE4TMf_dL5UmgDNz6VTIhXgsdTfWGoxmd9-oKUtYSIHCcvPFn_EjQZNmS4xntYz0Jt8rFGd1faoRxJX9MFLzciKBBcyj7ZzrlR-FugAuFZgO9TQfvPJ7qj3DZY3A18z0/s1600/TX16+snowy+egret+flight+503_5H1A5314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Snowy Egret in Flight" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglwA4MVllM8BqhE4TMf_dL5UmgDNz6VTIhXgsdTfWGoxmd9-oKUtYSIHCcvPFn_EjQZNmS4xntYz0Jt8rFGd1faoRxJX9MFLzciKBBcyj7ZzrlR-FugAuFZgO9TQfvPJ7qj3DZY3A18z0/s1600/TX16+snowy+egret+flight+503_5H1A5314.jpg" title="Snowy Egret in Flight" /></a></div>
Most species of egrets were hunted almost to extinction in the late 1800's and early 1900's. feathers were in fashion at the time and hunters killed millions of birds in order to adorn hats and other articles of clothing with lacy feathers. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 put a stop to the legal feather trade by protecting feathers, body parts, nests, eggs and the birds themselves for all native species of birds other than game birds like ducks and such. The illegal feather trade continued but eventually feathers went out of fashion. Even though most of the hunted species made a comeback and are not endangered today they are still protected.<br />
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I apologize for my neglect of the blog over the past couple months. Between work, volunteering, building two websites and several other projects my time has been limited. Summer usually is a busy time also, but I will try and post more often again <br />
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<a href="http://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP15w8bOjJHBqkT00aVo7jNQ3HdaxAPazRXIFg2emWaLpwnuw0_uskfNA1SuHhqT3QewxlCultsyKNwRqWzj3Pi6mUwou0TVNrnwIXuEuKILYtrZDvHM5__i41PV-v0MNcNQ5PmlC-Iso/s320/ABC12a.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com/#"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVLodCc1Sz9IUrjE6ZiO6DQcFOYtQGOJ0YcrpIdK1g3D_11Ho8g0q70e3XxAARVt7AYnuXBaWvWaaXALPtDQS8yiUDJjju5gjiF87d59lu1SO4L3vk3BiQe-ktIHkNTraUG6FeWsNxQDo/s1600/Wild_Bird_Wednesday.jpg" /></a></div>
Ecobirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162282777887777041noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878513974955445011.post-87480888074105738582016-04-22T23:55:00.000-05:002016-04-23T05:06:04.530-05:00Hey, hey, it's our B-Earthday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
That's right! Nine years ago, Earthday 2007, the Ecobirder blog began. So to celebrate I give you a 2015 Year in Review. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgGXmXMctvsyL0vvuYuj0gdO9p4gseGWW0ZIoLdC0SiWs28PaYEOG2Gt75Dm3Vi9uSWEqF5af-ZkgPF9WOgoLK3RrNrf8NVSCyh2H48qGQzJ2SSvdFZJXUh3Dj6jGnlNIwpcTE-sn42pU/s1600/MN15+barred+owl+Minnehaha+dog+park+500__5H1A1612a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Barred Owl" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgGXmXMctvsyL0vvuYuj0gdO9p4gseGWW0ZIoLdC0SiWs28PaYEOG2Gt75Dm3Vi9uSWEqF5af-ZkgPF9WOgoLK3RrNrf8NVSCyh2H48qGQzJ2SSvdFZJXUh3Dj6jGnlNIwpcTE-sn42pU/s1600/MN15+barred+owl+Minnehaha+dog+park+500__5H1A1612a.jpg" title="Barred Owl" /></a></div>
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I photographed this barred owl at the Minnehaha Falls dog park early in the year.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJQdySO-8ia8SyPrRGNOiEVE9fsBfXBHGbHsgy8hNwMtBkW6GTis_5XmtYhaTIObIGeZpjGIHrxREDRXDUGKTXyyqDwAZv2idwLbLtFh2etpy6Zf2O0FfMBy-RcXdnNICWU6S4tFxInM/s1600/MN15+Cedar+Waxwings+Minnehaha+Dog+Park+500_5H1A1934a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cedar Waxwing" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJQdySO-8ia8SyPrRGNOiEVE9fsBfXBHGbHsgy8hNwMtBkW6GTis_5XmtYhaTIObIGeZpjGIHrxREDRXDUGKTXyyqDwAZv2idwLbLtFh2etpy6Zf2O0FfMBy-RcXdnNICWU6S4tFxInM/s1600/MN15+Cedar+Waxwings+Minnehaha+Dog+Park+500_5H1A1934a.jpg" title="Cedar Waxwing" /></a></div>
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While photographing the barred owl at the dog park I ran into a small flock of cedar waxwings.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXPM4MxlCC1CCM3idosdLhJHOHryTX3WGIDLlgs5YBjTnS79j-7UqftqEMQr1_5SJwA1ODgMogVG81Yn8Nqcd4_odjT9jD1ry_2ONuUm3v5pk1f6ng82_N9jiPnjRdYI0xTeyyls1Zxo/s1600/MN15+eagle+flight+Brownsville+502_5H1A9898c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bald eagle" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXPM4MxlCC1CCM3idosdLhJHOHryTX3WGIDLlgs5YBjTnS79j-7UqftqEMQr1_5SJwA1ODgMogVG81Yn8Nqcd4_odjT9jD1ry_2ONuUm3v5pk1f6ng82_N9jiPnjRdYI0xTeyyls1Zxo/s1600/MN15+eagle+flight+Brownsville+502_5H1A9898c.jpg" title="Bald Eagle" /></a></div>
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In the fall I often travel to the southeast corner of Minnesota, near Brownsville, to photograph migrating tundra swans and bald eagles.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-_mW-z6uGDJCKgVpVdONGUwsCpHVYp7mmpe8bO-hsK8xiBISVCHB5AWyAxD5jr5r05jbFnS2vdqivFe8J_D0ODu1u9_Y179RZsxwTQz_Z82W2-r3BwlyLAPfjXLIxGDCG9179LjSQV8/s1600/MN15+eastern+bluebird+Silverwood+Park+500_5H1A6984a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Eastern Bluebird" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-_mW-z6uGDJCKgVpVdONGUwsCpHVYp7mmpe8bO-hsK8xiBISVCHB5AWyAxD5jr5r05jbFnS2vdqivFe8J_D0ODu1u9_Y179RZsxwTQz_Z82W2-r3BwlyLAPfjXLIxGDCG9179LjSQV8/s1600/MN15+eastern+bluebird+Silverwood+Park+500_5H1A6984a.jpg" title="Eastern Bluebird" /></a></div>
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While photographing great horned owls early in spring bluebirds migated back into the area.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8WUdMd0Pvf4aLi8ahMH4PIRCFpjUDYjxOb3DRGrqokbMMWsblFJ87u9_owkH1gUZS3HtvzM_trmD2rInMc-k5g0Id5YoJPqfNPKGEYdWUC4UiVC9wxt435mdEbR-JbxtZmZ8-49x0sQ/s1600/MN15+Pelican+Brownsville+502_5H1A9818a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="White Pelican" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8WUdMd0Pvf4aLi8ahMH4PIRCFpjUDYjxOb3DRGrqokbMMWsblFJ87u9_owkH1gUZS3HtvzM_trmD2rInMc-k5g0Id5YoJPqfNPKGEYdWUC4UiVC9wxt435mdEbR-JbxtZmZ8-49x0sQ/s1600/MN15+Pelican+Brownsville+502_5H1A9818a.jpg" title="White Pelican" /></a></div>
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I got this white pelican taking off while I was photographing swans and eagles near Brownsville.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQRFr48Aob-g6lfXy0-u94c07tZ0mSz3n91pZ5o0ZdSTI5vbXbmdtJcpB-5dkV1xzoc5ahN-nlnQCIIDWahH0TzBGDtG9Z9TzdAEZZjBKDzb5sQ28JLWqF-ZFA_0NaHuy0Zs6-lp0a9w/s1600/MN15+pileated+woodpecker+Minnehaha+dogpark+500_5H1A1890c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pileated Woodpecker" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQRFr48Aob-g6lfXy0-u94c07tZ0mSz3n91pZ5o0ZdSTI5vbXbmdtJcpB-5dkV1xzoc5ahN-nlnQCIIDWahH0TzBGDtG9Z9TzdAEZZjBKDzb5sQ28JLWqF-ZFA_0NaHuy0Zs6-lp0a9w/s1600/MN15+pileated+woodpecker+Minnehaha+dogpark+500_5H1A1890c.jpg" title="Pileated Woodpecker" /></a></div>
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There is a lot of old growth near where the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers converge. This is perfect habitat for the pileated woodpecker.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV4zkoY-ctYlaxNgthlTSw2MfInv6jmc9Snr2z3X87_idUaAPCaWKY7u6BsC6xIG1z22UqAP1Zwm91a4PaZ7h558L-jCNHYeWl6fmccboTIWqeuF6Tri8rxYWO5Qrcqwb9gA9jY3IFODI/s1600/MN15+Swan+and+cygnets+501_5H1A7201a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Trumpeter Swans" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV4zkoY-ctYlaxNgthlTSw2MfInv6jmc9Snr2z3X87_idUaAPCaWKY7u6BsC6xIG1z22UqAP1Zwm91a4PaZ7h558L-jCNHYeWl6fmccboTIWqeuF6Tri8rxYWO5Qrcqwb9gA9jY3IFODI/s1600/MN15+Swan+and+cygnets+501_5H1A7201a.jpg" title="Trumpeter Swans" /></a></div>
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During the summer I usually spend a good deal of time at Crex Meadows in Wisconsin. They usually have several pairs of nesting trumpeter swans which are fun to photograph when they have cygnets.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAl9IfkI_gjVlAm6Hi6PnlOvYI__j8B0XTXeCuX6yGHTdqiQ_hBNHCMEym-wGH__nHcNOqudaBnn-NixwR54Onas8GwVfu3ZNAabqeR3rXf7NxFf02JWKbMfGf_eKBdvPmSV_KBh7zlRk/s1600/WI15+yellow+ladyslipper+Ridges+502_5H1A2592b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Yellow Ladyslipper" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAl9IfkI_gjVlAm6Hi6PnlOvYI__j8B0XTXeCuX6yGHTdqiQ_hBNHCMEym-wGH__nHcNOqudaBnn-NixwR54Onas8GwVfu3ZNAabqeR3rXf7NxFf02JWKbMfGf_eKBdvPmSV_KBh7zlRk/s1600/WI15+yellow+ladyslipper+Ridges+502_5H1A2592b.jpg" title="Yellow Ladyslipper" /></a></div>
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While photographing dragonflies at the Ridges Sanctuary in Door County Wisconsin I found this yellow lady slipper. This is the only lady slipper that I have found in the wild.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibfl1NamSL1YaaFxXz_cBbhvuFE5MuAtIIi53Lu7gbR0sUxuoV-vPvSTMQfKKYnp3gwvCG4Ialc_14aznJblV7w62MMYyAz2K2LmXxHcwtJ_OuQ2CuFx1zoNsZWYQPrY73Hx_vWPq0qsQ/s1600/YS15+big+horned+ram+501_5H1A4507a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Big Horn Ram" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibfl1NamSL1YaaFxXz_cBbhvuFE5MuAtIIi53Lu7gbR0sUxuoV-vPvSTMQfKKYnp3gwvCG4Ialc_14aznJblV7w62MMYyAz2K2LmXxHcwtJ_OuQ2CuFx1zoNsZWYQPrY73Hx_vWPq0qsQ/s1600/YS15+big+horned+ram+501_5H1A4507a.jpg" title="Big Horn Ram" /></a></div>
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Our big trip of the year in 2015 was to Yellowstone in May. We photographed this big horn ram near the North Entrance </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5cABo3ctAXqFfRBqREcswW_V5A2pimAWNoRe6aIWmfWKA9EteETjtblrNSDupnZdPlFVuteuVCoOACnnqDlu2PAnJcFlyEhYSKNra7imnJL6mwPiCKEgzoYquqZqxG6-R2qBFzzAseA/s1600/YS15+black+Bear+COY+500_5H1A4023b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Black Bear COY" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5cABo3ctAXqFfRBqREcswW_V5A2pimAWNoRe6aIWmfWKA9EteETjtblrNSDupnZdPlFVuteuVCoOACnnqDlu2PAnJcFlyEhYSKNra7imnJL6mwPiCKEgzoYquqZqxG6-R2qBFzzAseA/s1600/YS15+black+Bear+COY+500_5H1A4023b.jpg" title="Black Bear COY" /></a></div>
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We like to go to Yellowstone in May because it gives us the opportunity to photograph a lot of babies. In 2015 we saw a lot of black bear cubs of the year, which had only recently come out of the den. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizbEEeWL9QyENu81R7aAnluVuK1Z3NvCILuz1N8zXQpH2KN6qAfwgGER30egKRXI0SjL3AQ7jl8886gSgnyZgh_8wEB4SH2suz8VxD6O7k-KZaw-1OZFxlEknzg6QAbmy1n_Qx3UcRJKo/s1600/YS15+Coyote+501_5H1A3502b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Coyote" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizbEEeWL9QyENu81R7aAnluVuK1Z3NvCILuz1N8zXQpH2KN6qAfwgGER30egKRXI0SjL3AQ7jl8886gSgnyZgh_8wEB4SH2suz8VxD6O7k-KZaw-1OZFxlEknzg6QAbmy1n_Qx3UcRJKo/s1600/YS15+Coyote+501_5H1A3502b.jpg" title="Coyote" /></a></div>
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Spotted this coyote moving parallel to the road on our way north in the park one morning. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtWe1FQNVndliZw03-VvnakHtysasXQKPbdWeCsV7vBbefzar-3I0BiVM7WZ3VWSZ3rP9IgZWCAjkjyZG6iiI8D14IxVR7dyyrJJoRxYubmkWlwN4jLMwYSoaBSj56hKUcS_IysTx2INA/s1600/YS15+fox+pouncing+501_5H1A2259b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Red Fox Pouncing" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtWe1FQNVndliZw03-VvnakHtysasXQKPbdWeCsV7vBbefzar-3I0BiVM7WZ3VWSZ3rP9IgZWCAjkjyZG6iiI8D14IxVR7dyyrJJoRxYubmkWlwN4jLMwYSoaBSj56hKUcS_IysTx2INA/s1600/YS15+fox+pouncing+501_5H1A2259b.jpg" title="Red Fox Pouncing" /></a></div>
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In years past we have had the opportunity to photograph red fox at their den with pups. This year we did not get to photograph a den but we did get to watch this spectacular beauty hunt. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhNf0p3QTVrxK0tX3bu5u-h5wvto4-N-7xt1RZNBu0qiKwubZEZ3DjJMMPp2-iNSRV-AotGBGUHLpDJVXNSeMY__razplCNlNu6Q2Qpyu0GbIE0RnHPJUSW9yWbbMuXdn5Vi62_fIchE/s1600/YS15+Marmot+500_5H1A4197a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Yellow Bellied Marmot" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhNf0p3QTVrxK0tX3bu5u-h5wvto4-N-7xt1RZNBu0qiKwubZEZ3DjJMMPp2-iNSRV-AotGBGUHLpDJVXNSeMY__razplCNlNu6Q2Qpyu0GbIE0RnHPJUSW9yWbbMuXdn5Vi62_fIchE/s1600/YS15+Marmot+500_5H1A4197a.jpg" title="Yellow Bellied Marmot" /></a></div>
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Marmots are very common in Yellowstone and will often pose for you. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5zI3KI1RxHHgiIfSsjftDlhLyB_AeB5RBPl8XOq3ElJpb68TYwFCwtkct02WI8BjdgBf67o-W-fWxtzfvoFM88We-9AIS_T9z6QMUCXi2l73_lYd3QUKjv24Y0iWSxn8PLGgrPx72j7E/s1600/YS15+pronghorn+Medicine+lake+500_5H1A6327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pronghorn Antelope" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5zI3KI1RxHHgiIfSsjftDlhLyB_AeB5RBPl8XOq3ElJpb68TYwFCwtkct02WI8BjdgBf67o-W-fWxtzfvoFM88We-9AIS_T9z6QMUCXi2l73_lYd3QUKjv24Y0iWSxn8PLGgrPx72j7E/s1600/YS15+pronghorn+Medicine+lake+500_5H1A6327.jpg" title="Pronghorn Antelope" /></a></div>
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On our way home from Yellowstone we stopped at Bowdoin NWR and Medicine Lake NWR. These are great places to photograph prairie birds and waterfowl. Every now and again you find something a bit larger to photograph. Such as this pronghorn antelope.</div>
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I hope you enjoyed some of my best pics from 2015. </div>
Ecobirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162282777887777041noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878513974955445011.post-67000475980696939512016-04-13T04:35:00.000-05:002016-04-13T04:38:50.473-05:00Northern Jacana<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LN3ZAnpUtwIRsSuFX-j_dmTEM9og7nmfb1oHN0Lt5gsZ94b-BfQsjgZJswor_4cG_haanbgEBaOM_7hihkxUsLtpx0aFRoUMLZ-JhbqkUXFSuTea0hI_7KHNyaWAIhTXFPPzqLIDTfA/s1600/TX16+northern+jacana+503_5H1A4427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Northern Jacana" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LN3ZAnpUtwIRsSuFX-j_dmTEM9og7nmfb1oHN0Lt5gsZ94b-BfQsjgZJswor_4cG_haanbgEBaOM_7hihkxUsLtpx0aFRoUMLZ-JhbqkUXFSuTea0hI_7KHNyaWAIhTXFPPzqLIDTfA/s1600/TX16+northern+jacana+503_5H1A4427.jpg" title="Northern Jacana" /></a></div>
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Another life bird that we photographed on our trip to Texas earlier this year is the northern jacana. The pictures are not the best. The bird was a good ways away on the other side of a pond. However south Texas is the only place in the US to see this species, and even there it is a rarity, so even though I could not get great pics I was excited. The typical range of the northern Jacana is from Mexico down to Panama.</div>
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<a href="http://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVsV0ruvaMNgWELLMfDLVzSQoE_LLOprXVsdK0LiFyFT8yyhpDeliezmlsqq-f8ADZRn08NR-Py-MyFMGYLGo5h3P40ytyAdsqPg-4yDfM3XzSfQi3rm3c14BDOq9kMhNCIkVcxgngY7Q/s320/ABC12a.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com/#"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0lxRMlW5_A6wsV8oZcXE_irSmT5DJftvl1GIU5wKJf6TENLsaxrIePK8q-oI4iTutat22LpHkG4AJtxOYwJ3Kp17OXeI01FwyCkySGJTAhR1w60zo9ZpBvZKWykDASeeYQwSwzqVDWpE/s1600/Wild_Bird_Wednesday.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Ecobirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162282777887777041noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878513974955445011.post-18121041176370621712016-03-28T19:32:00.004-05:002016-04-07T01:52:48.473-05:00Little Blue Heron<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4dlDNK2YZD-Uq0EI04fiInYSTXN6Lu5qAB0pZPBFMNYfqd-CfO2Ej4aWTa78sV_MSVpAOfneAOGXfyZRD4dypWLBbkkVpezrD6IEqPQZp6cWECVGWFXfBnFCbpKNeEZvcB79dvTdQcU4/s1600/TX16+little+blue+heron+503_5H1A6707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Little Blue Heron" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4dlDNK2YZD-Uq0EI04fiInYSTXN6Lu5qAB0pZPBFMNYfqd-CfO2Ej4aWTa78sV_MSVpAOfneAOGXfyZRD4dypWLBbkkVpezrD6IEqPQZp6cWECVGWFXfBnFCbpKNeEZvcB79dvTdQcU4/s1600/TX16+little+blue+heron+503_5H1A6707.jpg" title="Little Blue Heron" /></a></div>
This February we decided to take a trip down to south Texas for a week. This is about the fifth time we have made this trip. It is a great place to go in the winter. Michelle likes getting away from the Minnesota winter and enjoying the sun. I go for the wildlife. The Rio Grande in south Texas is probably the best birding location in the United States. There are many species of birds there that cannot be found any where else in the US. There are also many different species of butterflies and dragonflies. Unfortunately we went a little earlier this year so there were not as many insects as we have seen on past trips.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrKylGVT1qj9xa4kSqPuPMdgI3pQ3nUz05F9oNT4BHQQ5W-FgZySnF4KWXKmiVdKULqiJmLNHf5Bltc0mJol9A7Kfxqe_xoR846OEnqN0PkFNvvkpl5fTAgyZ6KvQxAxymmD6lK_rpv7o/s1600/TX16+little+blue+heron+503_5H1A6712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Little Blue Heron" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrKylGVT1qj9xa4kSqPuPMdgI3pQ3nUz05F9oNT4BHQQ5W-FgZySnF4KWXKmiVdKULqiJmLNHf5Bltc0mJol9A7Kfxqe_xoR846OEnqN0PkFNvvkpl5fTAgyZ6KvQxAxymmD6lK_rpv7o/s1600/TX16+little+blue+heron+503_5H1A6712.jpg" title="Little Blue Heron" /></a></div>
This year we were able to photograph quite a few new life birds. This however was not one of them. The little blue heron is fairly common around the gulf coast. But just because it is common in Texas does not mean that it is not something special for us to photograph. This is a species that we do not see here in the cold waters of Minnesota.It was fun to watch this one hunting around the vegetation. Several different times he caught what appeared to be crustaceans of some sort.<br />
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<a href="http://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmi1717zzkb9yvzc_6IoSgQc81TY-AwwXGVvvD0r38Zm38WGmuAekK7OOQg8DF3JDVIlPeHkvhROOwNQOuLA0EVZda2mnx469BBm1Ujh0WOVdgxbuqJC02eHpnwfDWQHA9cGK86Hgyho/s320/ABC12a.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com/#"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu3XQJcjCQUoDE5F-PMZHGJCzpwm-wfG9Y5JYqUz7suIqHLmox9AXHE5D2NWUusyHDjY2UKyWppkH6SMi25sN-jV39mM3QHR8fjPaC0C6Hyr-62qdmXf4MW0uHEzHv_i99QseLevO0fBs/s1600/Wild_Bird_Wednesday.jpg" /></a></div>
Ecobirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162282777887777041noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878513974955445011.post-22014702797685892962016-02-24T05:00:00.001-06:002016-02-24T05:03:43.874-06:00Gray Hawk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBLsi0KrtFwuG3d-WccO59Iv_ig3KVrlezpWuuABQzRfNISZBV_9LthYUHBrHeHURdE4mLd86GC5vLtbPfNojHB72WQtg6new0kugsQIBn3-dPAfOl1W_R7W-NlLdrjdQ96xP3BxPWIQ/s1600/TX16+Immature+Gray+Hawk+503_5H1A2874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBLsi0KrtFwuG3d-WccO59Iv_ig3KVrlezpWuuABQzRfNISZBV_9LthYUHBrHeHURdE4mLd86GC5vLtbPfNojHB72WQtg6new0kugsQIBn3-dPAfOl1W_R7W-NlLdrjdQ96xP3BxPWIQ/s1600/TX16+Immature+Gray+Hawk+503_5H1A2874.jpg" /></a></div>
I spent last week photographing in south Texas' Rio Grande Valley. The weather was near perfect with mostly sunny skies and temps getting up into the 80's. We made the most of a lot of great photographic opportunities including about 10 new lifers and 11 different species of raptors. This bird was one of our lifers. It is an immature gray hawk. I photographed it in Bentsen State Park. South Texas and southern Arizona are the only places in the US that you can find gray hawks. There range extends south through coastal Mexico, Central America, and the northern half of South America. Although they are a member of the Buteo genus, or soaring hawk, they are built more like an Accipiter with a long tail and shorter wings. Because of this they used to have their own genus. Adult gray hawks are gray in color with barring across the chest. We believe that we may have spotted an adult at the Laguna Atascosa but unfortunately it took off before we could get a good look, or a picture. I will have to add an adult to my target species for our next trip to Texas.<br />
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<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDEVTzIarYMpo4A4oHyuctYIR043XlzKDMoJ1R8xR3QG_Vla3i1dRGlMFphSoj3Rte8m3C7UxoLRJaxToyHjg333Gln03V_kHmR-Y_lBmCnixKzhBXWuVwPTfhf4MXNQU6rYat_z3QUo/s320/ABC12a.jpg" width="320" /></a></span><a href="http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com/#"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXAhPepYH5UIg136qnakvQs-_eXCYzku5HGDze7HKDK0sT0pUif-ocoanbjgZ6Ra1jDPUS0qlD9KhuNUxYnkCCiO9XxChPI_5YMK5tNipUAcjSxXqnRutuLUtiOBezENOS5BoEPpKczE/s1600/Wild_Bird_Wednesday.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Ecobirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162282777887777041noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878513974955445011.post-70050110948217939812016-02-04T05:29:00.002-06:002016-02-04T05:31:30.108-06:00Bordered Patch Butterfly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJehhBnSqJ9DCTE0H-X26tjyPyqCnKDD1oVUfnHrJynXC1hhMO0XuU0PEolpveBQXVb6ONNnyAYEKJyMgY_FXXuJ1cVUxrwRpWwvbL9PDGL271sqviFRpXvS4HMgwrhpVRhWMF5jj6dos/s1600/TX12+bordered+patch+123_2004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bordered Patch Butterfly" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJehhBnSqJ9DCTE0H-X26tjyPyqCnKDD1oVUfnHrJynXC1hhMO0XuU0PEolpveBQXVb6ONNnyAYEKJyMgY_FXXuJ1cVUxrwRpWwvbL9PDGL271sqviFRpXvS4HMgwrhpVRhWMF5jj6dos/s1600/TX12+bordered+patch+123_2004.jpg" title="Bordered Patch Butterfly" /></a></div>
The bordered patch is a butterfly found in the southwestern United States, Mexico, Central and South America. They are usually food in habitat such as desert hills, pinyon or oak woodlands, thorn and mesquite scrub, road edges and agricultural fields. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEint8ArfrFnW4OiuSauX5MyZ_dUlqOQDIwAQ6QKQd2hS_lqPxXhF3oqvT3HqOfObCKDOyBGyNkPve09EXvxurhnYEKK1KtPs11TknP87GmpQHRUOQQB140FzmjLhMmPOH7EYLxRN57S3gw/s1600/TX12+bordered+patch+empty+chrysalis+123_1973.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bordered Patch Butterfly Chrysalis Shell" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEint8ArfrFnW4OiuSauX5MyZ_dUlqOQDIwAQ6QKQd2hS_lqPxXhF3oqvT3HqOfObCKDOyBGyNkPve09EXvxurhnYEKK1KtPs11TknP87GmpQHRUOQQB140FzmjLhMmPOH7EYLxRN57S3gw/s1600/TX12+bordered+patch+empty+chrysalis+123_1973.jpg" title="Bordered Patch Butterfly Chrysalis Shell" /></a></div>
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This is what is left of the chrysalis once the bordered patch emerges. In south Texas, where I took these photographs the adults can be seen flying through out the year. Adults feed primarily on nectar from flowers while the larva (caterpillar) feed on members of the sunflower family.<br />
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<a href="http://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpMvvsG31QeGM2w0fhl2-5_-3d_3EFdWC4ehXY9mmHQDdumhZ2uXaQ3ZoPIHbfG2V8PgMOeDVpK3-bGdEhNt0vsByfKDKGVJeSOZW3_LQ7OvgwbLdd3viDbBi6MMc2carIwLx07asorI4/s1600/ABC12a.jpg" /></a></div>
Ecobirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162282777887777041noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878513974955445011.post-72351878713448842612016-01-27T21:32:00.000-06:002016-01-27T21:34:55.503-06:00Cassin's Finch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQOeqj9XIE12R3YAJKhZVPi8yBz5snOD5jMpCmPzHKhES5sirObnfvg9UtjAzeadc40S1j_3uUupjVVHy8DHfcKmzpYpUCX1f1kXoOdEtE3duuNgcR65GswGHpd5tipzcHpdjU0bLLmE/s1600/YS11+Cassin%2527s+Finch+male+118_3039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQOeqj9XIE12R3YAJKhZVPi8yBz5snOD5jMpCmPzHKhES5sirObnfvg9UtjAzeadc40S1j_3uUupjVVHy8DHfcKmzpYpUCX1f1kXoOdEtE3duuNgcR65GswGHpd5tipzcHpdjU0bLLmE/s1600/YS11+Cassin%2527s+Finch+male+118_3039.jpg" /></a></div>
On one of our trips to Yellowstone I had the opportunity to photograph a few Cassin's finch. I almost missed out because at first I thought they were house finch. House finch are pretty common through out most of the United States. But house finch have more streaking on the belly which this bird obviously does not have. Next I was thinking purple finch but Yellowstone would be a bit out of their range. It also has that distinctive red crown, a by product of the carotenoid pigments that are found in the colorful berries that they like to eat. The purple finch has a more uniform red color on the head. I finally identified the birds as a Cassin's finch, which were named after famous ornithologist John Cassin, who first recorded them in the 1850's while part of the Pacific Railroad Survey. Cassin's finch breed in the western third of the US and winter in the Pacific southwest and Mexico.<br />
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Ecobirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162282777887777041noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878513974955445011.post-61095497070319610612016-01-20T21:58:00.002-06:002016-01-20T22:01:38.014-06:00Black-billed Cuckoo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg83sDfXB-ucSZCCs-nHWf-CXTRvDSXUbPbq0y2eCdF1J8KS4SF5vm_NZMJ-OPMukliHI_wjAie0gRKMFhVvvo6qJRoIXgc63qo6gnD-x7EBNe9-2Mk1xClQEWL-0KK5lrq8gOqb9mQXsg/s1600/WI08+black-billed+Cuckoo+103_6341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Black-billed Cuckoo" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg83sDfXB-ucSZCCs-nHWf-CXTRvDSXUbPbq0y2eCdF1J8KS4SF5vm_NZMJ-OPMukliHI_wjAie0gRKMFhVvvo6qJRoIXgc63qo6gnD-x7EBNe9-2Mk1xClQEWL-0KK5lrq8gOqb9mQXsg/s1600/WI08+black-billed+Cuckoo+103_6341.jpg" title="Black-billed Cuckoo" /></a></div>
Black-billed cuckoos breed through out much of the eastern half of the United States and southeastern Canada. They prefer woody areas, typically building their nest in deciduous trees or shrubs usually fairly close to the ground. Black-billed cuckoos migrate down to northwestern parts of South America for the winter. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheibJpN5AffONqob-YFIPVmkGT5pAq21PGMVjQaHx4vmgHA0LzpHRJHqDa0w4zgbiCR7HrtSIperjIgdXrBsgj1Mfj-70KmfjLxr7hFfUKDcW9ss3sYxZDptq0IgAScmhC8BnDxnSA6A8/s1600/MN11+black-billed+cuckoo+117_3943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Black-billed Cuckoo" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheibJpN5AffONqob-YFIPVmkGT5pAq21PGMVjQaHx4vmgHA0LzpHRJHqDa0w4zgbiCR7HrtSIperjIgdXrBsgj1Mfj-70KmfjLxr7hFfUKDcW9ss3sYxZDptq0IgAScmhC8BnDxnSA6A8/s1600/MN11+black-billed+cuckoo+117_3943.jpg" title="Black-billed Cuckoo" /></a></div>
Black-billed cuckoos are insect eaters. They eat a variety of larger insects which they glean from trees and shrubs. They particularly prefer large caterpillars. They will often knock caterpillars against branches to dislodge their spines before they eat them. They are not always successful and end up with spines lodged in their stomach. To counter this they will shed their stomach lining to get rid of excess spines. <br />
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<br />Ecobirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162282777887777041noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878513974955445011.post-6280498321484015342016-01-14T05:49:00.001-06:002016-01-14T05:52:54.177-06:00American Avocet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbjZJ4L_n8Ov0KOZFnApdzqVMJyyGIQZoUpQ-7haY4gEsWs7YJfKYGWIWmklQQmpFeOUboNbr-tmx2e9R405KJdm4JPnSqbQoXNCuwC5BjXU5kFXoUYtHwXkbYTHDSn7bSRNkLAoJyPg/s1600/YS15+american+Avocet+501_5H1A5774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="American Avocet" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbjZJ4L_n8Ov0KOZFnApdzqVMJyyGIQZoUpQ-7haY4gEsWs7YJfKYGWIWmklQQmpFeOUboNbr-tmx2e9R405KJdm4JPnSqbQoXNCuwC5BjXU5kFXoUYtHwXkbYTHDSn7bSRNkLAoJyPg/s1600/YS15+american+Avocet+501_5H1A5774.jpg" title="American Avocet" /></a></div>
Every couple of years or so we make a trip out to Yellowstone National Park to photograph the wildlife. Since most of what we photograph at Yellowstone are mammals we usually stop at one or two Montana wildlife refuges on our way home. The two that we usually go to are Bowdoin NWR and Medicine Lake NWR. Both of these refuges are located around wetland areas in the Prairie Pothole region of North America. Both are typically a haven for waterfowl, waders, shorebirds and prairie species.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXLLvAR8ECrTCtwIOGU9xJ3OGdGithEvwaFp_BZkpGpyZQSBGLvQPWWzj9GLmKcs3KwN_IdwLxiAVRNAdHZHd8b-47kDUNUXEwF21M4x9DXe3f9wwdyzky5wKEnRPQYeg8QfcbP0qGSPY/s1600/YS15+american+Avocet+501_5H1A5843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="American Avocet" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXLLvAR8ECrTCtwIOGU9xJ3OGdGithEvwaFp_BZkpGpyZQSBGLvQPWWzj9GLmKcs3KwN_IdwLxiAVRNAdHZHd8b-47kDUNUXEwF21M4x9DXe3f9wwdyzky5wKEnRPQYeg8QfcbP0qGSPY/s1600/YS15+american+Avocet+501_5H1A5843.jpg" title="American Avocet" /></a></div>
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On last years Yellowstone trip we stopped at both refuges. At Bowdoin I snapped these images of an American avocet. The red coloration that you can see on the head and neck is breeding plumage. When it is not the breeding season these areas would be white. These birds typically winter in coastal water of southern California, Mexico, Florida, the Caribbean, and along the Gulf of Mexico.</div>
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Ecobirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162282777887777041noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878513974955445011.post-76243525959322655172016-01-06T05:17:00.001-06:002016-01-06T05:19:07.417-06:00Zebra Clubtail<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZ3OCNzXX1mO-Ljtf8KTmSr7VBSXcZk64-ExTJi5_CVJ3iXvzu6rVgyzldJR3ovdK1MI9V3xgellkfJzbWT80Z6EkECV1ub8AWFDw2QkflKil_CoL1vjl7WN_fwocTgxxcmhSjXzCVyk/s1600/WI15+Zebra+clubtail+502_5H1A4208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Zebra Clubtail Male" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZ3OCNzXX1mO-Ljtf8KTmSr7VBSXcZk64-ExTJi5_CVJ3iXvzu6rVgyzldJR3ovdK1MI9V3xgellkfJzbWT80Z6EkECV1ub8AWFDw2QkflKil_CoL1vjl7WN_fwocTgxxcmhSjXzCVyk/s1600/WI15+Zebra+clubtail+502_5H1A4208.jpg" title="Zebra Clubtail Male" /></a></div>
The zebra clubtail is a member of the Gomphidae or clubtail family. Cubtails are named for the wide or clubbed end of their abdomen that many species have. This is not a requirement though. Gomphidae are identified because they are the only clubtails that have eyes that are separated, like damselflies. The zebra clubtail is a Stylurus or hanging clubtail. They are often often hanging from vegetation.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbupmN-M732anB64ZC33iAGTnfpGLib644NUWoNEBASzDi2N8RBpvXd7dVFsONjpty5Q_s2qYDqvfBX03xmKzRyKmv8JoQ9_EvVYg4ameCpH4uLFRy48ZeCTBPQ8JY4HWVps3N_t9C35o/s1600/WI15+zebra+clubtail+female+502_5H1A5519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Zebra Clubtail Female" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbupmN-M732anB64ZC33iAGTnfpGLib644NUWoNEBASzDi2N8RBpvXd7dVFsONjpty5Q_s2qYDqvfBX03xmKzRyKmv8JoQ9_EvVYg4ameCpH4uLFRy48ZeCTBPQ8JY4HWVps3N_t9C35o/s1600/WI15+zebra+clubtail+female+502_5H1A5519.jpg" title="Zebra Clubtail Female" /></a></div>
Zebra clubtail are found around forest streams or sandy bottomed rivers. They usually emerge later in the summer, primarily late in the summer. The first photo is an example of a male while the second is a female. As you can see the female can be distinguished easily from the male because she has very little clubbing at the tip of the abdomen in comparison to the male..<br />
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Ecobirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162282777887777041noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878513974955445011.post-42476194050316752242015-12-30T22:02:00.004-06:002015-12-30T22:06:37.993-06:00Yellow-headed Blackbird<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjluwC3ZEW95r2NCk1kopAqBgNCCimFxfOW8-InF5W2TLTEBQ969A0L5LNYWX9WBp5PT1_ebA4S3HdjH54UW-3_iifF16PC-lI4NHeIlU6JAWiRjoJKnftzyX9lKup9_wNhMnnJX6Kcjnk/s1600/YS15+yellow-headed+Blackbird+501_5H1A6110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Yellow-headed Blackbird" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjluwC3ZEW95r2NCk1kopAqBgNCCimFxfOW8-InF5W2TLTEBQ969A0L5LNYWX9WBp5PT1_ebA4S3HdjH54UW-3_iifF16PC-lI4NHeIlU6JAWiRjoJKnftzyX9lKup9_wNhMnnJX6Kcjnk/s1600/YS15+yellow-headed+Blackbird+501_5H1A6110.jpg" title="Yellow-headed Blackbird" /></a></div>
Yellow-headed blackbirds are members of the Icteridae family which consists of their smaller cousin the red-winged black bird as well as bobolinks, cowbirds, grackles, meadowlarks, and orioles. They usually breed in the central and western plains region and migrate into the south western United States and Mexico for the winter. During their winter migration they often travel as part of large mixed species flocks.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kbWPaYWuk4FsgbBtHWrhTyAsV-rbjw0tik2tXVvRg0elJyao2K4aEq5nOSJ9dl6noGFfgUVpCcvIDS1EcTgM4FD1xQ-dnRQwiUWF3GXWrLmAY44CwB8hbzdNZth9f188vz1x8bN0vU0/s1600/YS15+yellow-headed+Blackbird+501_5H1A5912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Yellow-headed Blackbird" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kbWPaYWuk4FsgbBtHWrhTyAsV-rbjw0tik2tXVvRg0elJyao2K4aEq5nOSJ9dl6noGFfgUVpCcvIDS1EcTgM4FD1xQ-dnRQwiUWF3GXWrLmAY44CwB8hbzdNZth9f188vz1x8bN0vU0/s1600/YS15+yellow-headed+Blackbird+501_5H1A5912.jpg" title="Yellow-headed Blackbird" /></a></div>
The prefered breeding habitat of the yellow-headed blackbird are cattail marshes. They often share this habitat with red-winged blackbirds. Since the yellow-heads are larger they often dominate the smaller red-winged blackbirds and take the prime nesting locations for themselves. Males will fiercely defend their breeding territory and may mate with up to eight females nesting within his territory.Nests are built by the female out of vegetation and connected to four our five stalks of cattail, reeds or other marshland vegetation. <br />
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<br />Ecobirderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162282777887777041noreply@blogger.com9