Birds – Page 18 – Earthwatcher

Green Heron

May 31, 2018 by Earthwatcher, posted in Bird Photography, Birds, Photography, Wildlife

This week, I was blessed to be able to observe and photograph a green heron for 10 minutes. I see green herons from time to time but only one other time did I see one long enough to take a photo and one shot was all he gave me. This colorful bird is much smaller than its more familiar cousin, the Great Blue Heron. Why it is called the green heron, I do not know. I only see gray, blue, chestnut red and yellow. Regardless, they are beautiful. I hope you enjoy these images.

Regards,

Larry.

Note: Click on caption to see image at larger size and greater resolution

Note: These and other images are available to purchase at my website: www.earthwatcher.us or by contacting larry@earthwatcher.us.

Images of A Few Birds

May 14, 2018 by Earthwatcher, posted in Birds, Photography

Here are some images of birds I took over the past few weeks.

Note: Click on image caption to see image in larger size.

Thought magpies are common in many areas, the Yellow Billed Magpie is found only in Sacramento, CA and surrounding areas.

Common Moorhen in Bed of Yellow Water Lillies — Common Moorhen

These and other images are available to purchase at http://www.earthwatcher.us or by contacting larry@earthwatcher.us.

Visitors to the Saguaro

May 5, 2018 by Earthwatcher, posted in Birds, desert, Photography, Wildlife

Image of a Gila Woodpecker perched atop a saguaro cactus — Gila Woodpecker

I visited Phoenix, AZ recently. I stayed at a beautiful place at the foot of South Mountain. The place had a patio that overlooked the city and at the corner of that patio was a large saguaro cactus. The mornings were beautiful, so I sat on the deck and watched the birds as they visited the cactus. Here is some of what I saw.

The starling was not taken on the same cactus. It was sitting outside its nesting hole on a cactus at another location.

Note: Click on caption to see image at a larger size.

Image of a Cactus Wren perched atop a saguaro cactus — Cactus Wren

Image of a European Collared Dove perched atop a saguaro cactus — Eurasian Collared Dove

Image of an Anna's Hummingbird hovering alongside a saguaro cactus — Anna’s Hummingbird

Image of a Gilded Flicker perched atop a saguaro cactus — Gilded Flicker

Image of a Gila Woodpecker hidden among the arms of a saguaro cactus — Gila Woodpecker

Image of a European Starling standing by its nesting hole in a saguaro cactus — European Starling

More Common Views from Sacramento and Colusa National Wildlife Refuge

January 21, 2018 by Earthwatcher, posted in Bird Photography, Birds, Colusa National Wildlife Reserve, Duck, Fujifilm Cameras, Photography, Sacramento National Wildlife Reserve, Wildlife

Snow Geese, Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, JAN 2018

A few days ago, I shared some images of the less common sightings at these 2 major refuges on the Pacific Flyway. But, the usual suspects were there also. Today, I will share a few images from this set.

Regards,

Larry

Note: Please click on caption to see image in larger size.

Western Pond Turtle, Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge; JAN 2018

Western Meadowlark, Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge; JAN 2018

Great Blue Heron, Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge; JAN 2018

Whte Fronted Goose — White Fronted Geese, Colusa National Wildlife Refuge; JAN 2018

American Wigeon, Colusa National Wildlife Refuge; JAN 2018

An American Coot in High Key — American Coot in High Key, Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge; JAN 2018

Killdeer, Colusa National Wildlife Refuge; JAN 2018

Note: These and other images are available to purchase on my website, www.earthwatcher.us or by contacting larry@earthwatcher.us.

Less Common views from Sacramento and Colusa National Wildlife Reserve

January 18, 2018 by Earthwatcher, posted in Bird Photography, Birds, Colusa National Wildlife Reserve, Fujifilm Cameras, landscape, landscape images, Photography, Sacramento National Wildlife Reserve

Ring Necked Pheasant, Colusa National Wildlife Refuge, JAN 2018

Our visit to the Sacramento and Colusa National Wildlife Refuges found us in fog an low light. These conditions make photography more difficult but also present some interesting opportunities for unique and special images. Additionally, on this visit, we were treated to some birds that we don’t normally see. I hope you enjoy these images.

Regards,

Larry

Note: Please click on caption to see image in larger size.

American Bittern, Colusa National Wildlife Refuge, JAN 2018

Birding on a Peaceful, Foggy Morn — Birding on a Foggy Morn, Colusa National Wildlife Refuge, JAN 2018

Double Crested Cormourant — Double Crested Cormorant, Colusa National Wildlife Refuge, JAN 2018

Fading Into the Fog, Colusa National Wildlife Refuge, JAN 2018

Female Northern Harrier (aka Marsh Hawk) — Female Northern Harrier, Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, JAN 2018

Wilson's Snipe — Wilson’s Snipe, Colusa National Wildlife Refuge, JAN 2018

American Whimbrel, Colusa National Wildlife Refuge, JAN 2018

Common Moorhen (Waterhen, Swamp Chicken, Rail, closely related f — Common Moorhen, Colusa National Wildlife Reserve, JAN 2018

Note: These and other images are available for purchase on my website www.earthwatcher.us or by contacting larry@earthwatcher.us.

Standoff at Sacramento NWR

January 10, 2018 by Earthwatcher, posted in Birds, Photography, Sacramento

Peregine Falcon — Peregrine Falcon; The falcon clings to the dead female mallard while plucking its feathers.

No, not government agents vs. protestors. On Jan 7^th, Donna and I visited the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge near Willows, CA. The highlight of the trip was a standoff between a peregrine falcon, a gull, and a Turkey Vulture. The falcon was standing guard over a female mallard. It was not clear if he brought it down himself or found it. Regardless, he was guarding his prize. The first interloper was the turkey vulture. He made some strafing runs at the falcon and was able to drive him off for a short period of time, but the falcon eventually prevailed. The second interloper was a gull, possibly a herring gull. It was a lot more reticent. It mostly stood watch while the falcon ate. But, he did try one attack. The falcon would have nothing of it and expressed his displeasure. In the end, the falcon consumed his meal while the vulture and gull looked on. We left before any battle over the leftovers ensued. There wasn’t much leftover to fight about.

Regards,

Larry

Note: Click on caption to see image in larger size.

Peregine Falcon, Turkey Vulture — Peregrine Falcon, Turkey Vulture; The falcon protects his prey from the turkey vulture.

Peregine Falcon, Herring Gull — Peregrine Falcon, Herring Gull; The gull arrives and begins apprising the situation. The falcon gives a threatening stare.

Peregrine Falcon, Herring Gull, Turkey, Vulture — Peregrine Falcon, Herring Gull, Turkey Vulture; The standoff ended with the falcon consuming his meal while the others waited, hoping for scraps.

Note: These and other images are available for purchase at www.earthwatcher.us or by contacting larry@earthwatcher.us.

Icebergs, Auroras and Birds

October 2, 2017 by Earthwatcher, posted in Aurora, Birds, Iceland, Photography

Aurora Borealis - Perspective 4 — Aurora Borealis and Big Dipper

I am mashing together 2 different subjects in this post: Aurora Borealis and the interaction of icebergs with each other and with the avian life that inhabits them. I hope you enjoy these images.

Regards,

Larry

Note to see these images in larger size and higher resolution, please click on caption.

Aurora Borealis - Perspective 1 — Aurora Borealis – Perspective 1

Aurora Borealis - Perspective 3 — Aurora Borealis – Perspective 2

Aurora Borealis - Perspective 2 — Aurora Borealis – Perspective 1

Icy Aviary - Perspective 4 — Icy Aviary – Perspective 4

Icy Aviary - Perspective 5 — Icy Aviary – Perspective 5

Icy Aviary - Perspective 3 — Icy Aviary – Perspective 3

Icy Aviary - Perspective 1 — Icy Aviary – Perspective 1

Icy Aviary - Perspective 2 — Icy Aviary – Perspective 2

These and other images are available to purchase by visiting www.earthwatcher.us or contacting larry@earthwatcher.us.

A Visit to Yosemite

June 20, 2017 by Earthwatcher, posted in Bird Photography, Birds, Fujifilm Cameras, landscape, Photography, Yosemite

Image of Yosemite's Half Dome at Sunset — Yosemite’s Half Dome at Sunset

A few weeks ago, we spent an evening and early morning at Yosemite. Water was running everywhere. The Merced River was a raging snake of whitewater. The granite cliffs of Yosemite are amazing anytime but, when they are covered with ribbons of water falling 3,000 feet, it is really amazing.

I hope you enjoy these images.

Regards,

Larry

Note: Click on caption to see image at larger size.

Image of a tree stump reflected in a pond. Glacier Point Road, Yosemite National Park, MAY 2017 — Reflection in a Pond, Glacier Point Road, Yosemite National Park, MAY 2017

Yosemite's North Dome in mottled early morning light. MAY 2017 — North Dome at Sunrise, Yosemite National Park, MAY 2017

Yosemite's Nevada Falls at Sunset. MAY 2017 — Nevada Falls, Yosemite National Park, MAY 2017

Image of a Steller's Jay, Yosemite National Park, MAY 2017 — Steller’s Jay, Yosemite National Park, MAY 2017

Birds and Flying Bugs

June 10, 2017 by Earthwatcher, posted in American River Parkway, Birds, Butterfly, Eagle, Fujifilm Cameras, Photography, Sacramento, Wildlife

Image of an Eaglet - Bald Eagle Chick, American River Parkway, Folsom, CA, MAY 2017 — Bald Eagle Eaglet

I want to share a few images from some recent walks around the American River Parkway near Folsom, CA. I’ve also included one from Oak Alley Plantation near New Orleans. Nature provides some beautiful creatures for us to appreciate. I hope you enjoy these few.

Regards,

Larry

Note: Click on caption to see image at larger size.

Image of a Female Eastern or Common Pondhawk Dragonfly, Oak Alley Plantation, LA, APR 2017 — Eastern or Common Pondhawk

Image of a California Quail, American River Parkway, Folsom, CA, JUN 2017 — California Quail

Image of a Northern Mockingbird, American River Parkway, Folsom, CA, JUN 2017 — Northern Mockingbird

Image of an Ash-throated Flycatcher, American River Parkway, FOlsom, CA, JUN 2017 — Ash-throated Flycatcher

Image of a Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly, American River Parkway, Folsom, CA, JUN 2017 — Spicebush Swallowtail

IMage of a Spanish Swallowtailbutterfly, American River Parkway, Folsom, CA, JUN 2017 — Spanish Swallowtail

Image of a pair of Tree Swallows, American River Parkway, FOlsom, CA, JUN 2017 — Tree Swallows

Image of a California Towhee, American River Parkway, Folsom, CA, JUN 2017 — California Towhee

Note: These and other images are available for purchase on my website: www.earthwatcher.us or by contacting larry@earthwatcher.us

Some Birds From A Recent Trip

May 19, 2017 by Earthwatcher, posted in Bird Photography, Birds, Fujifilm Cameras, Photography

Image of Tufted Titmouse — Tufted Titmouse – Cameron, OK MAR 2017

On a recent road trip, we got to see a number of interesting birds that we don’t get to see here in California. We also got to see some of the usual suspects.

Here are some interesting tidbits:

The typical vulture we see in the US is the Turkey Vulture. While the black vulture has a gray head, the turkey vulture has a red head. The black vulture is found in southeastern US.
The blue jay is found in the eastern half of the US. In the west, we have the scrub jay. The stellar jay and the gray jay are found in areas of the west with cooler temperatures.

Here are images of some of those birds. I hope you enjoy them.

Regards,

Larry

Note: To see the images at a larger size, please click on bird name.

These and other images are available for purchase by visiting www.earthwatcher.us or by contacting larry@earthwatcher.us