Bird Sightings 2014 - 2015

[Carol Dee]

While on vacation we stopped to watch some barges and a river excursion boat lock through at Bellevue, IA . Lots of sea gulls and white pelicans. The pelican would cruse in as soon as the gates opened looking for fish to wash out. (I never realized the upper bill was so pink!)

 

[NwMtGardener]

Well it's been a while since I got some good bird pictures! Now that we're settled in our house we havemore free time to get out and camp, bird watch, etc. Here are a pair of cuties: juvenile waxwings. I'm not sure if they're cedar or bohemian waxwings, we get both here, and I didn't get a good picture of the adults to be able to tell. These two were just GLUED to each other, we had a pretty cold night and I think they were a little traumatized!

This is not the best picture but you can see more of their coloration:

A Cooper's Hawk was hunting from the road when we were driving home this morning.

 

[so lucky]

We had a Cooper's tormenting the chickens this afternoon. They're bigger than he is, but they sure scattered when he swooped down. You don't suppose he would try to grab one, do you?

 

[Carol Dee]

Photo of Great Blue Heron preening taken by DS friend on a fishing trip 2 weeks ago.

 

[catjac1975]

I have seen a few of these egrets in Massachusetts. They are rare here.

 

[Smart Red]

Yes, a Coopers' hawk will try for chickens, rabbits, cats, just about any smallish animal that moves. I heard one story of a Coopers' hawk landing and walking into a coop for a meal.

My red-tails are much nicer and better behaved.

 

[thistlebloom]

Well it's been a while since I got some good bird pictures! Now that we're settled in our house we havemore free time to get out and camp, bird watch, etc. Here are a pair of cuties: juvenile waxwings. I'm not sure if they're cedar or bohemian waxwings, we get both here, and I didn't get a good picture of the adults to be able to tell. These two were just GLUED to each other, we had a pretty cold night and I think they were a little traumatized!

View attachment 4155

This is not the best picture but you can see more of their coloration:

View attachment 4156
A Cooper's Hawk was hunting from the road when we were driving home this morning.
View attachment 4157

Really nice shots of those waxwing babies Heather! I love waxwings!

 

[journey11]

Well it's been a while since I got some good bird pictures! Now that we're settled in our house we havemore free time to get out and camp, bird watch, etc. Here are a pair of cuties: juvenile waxwings. I'm not sure if they're cedar or bohemian waxwings, we get both here, and I didn't get a good picture of the adults to be able to tell. These two were just GLUED to each other, we had a pretty cold night and I think they were a little traumatized!

View attachment 4155

This is not the best picture but you can see more of their coloration:

View attachment 4156
A Cooper's Hawk was hunting from the road when we were driving home this morning.
View attachment 4157

Adorable babies. Love how they're all fluffed up.

 

[digitS']

A Blue Heron flew over the garden yesterday morning. Fun to watch the slow pace of their flight.

I'm not sure about Cooper's Hawks here. I believe it is their close cousins the Sharp-shinned that we often see scattering the sparrows and pigeons. All birds of prey that I'm familiar with are serious predators and very aggressive, @so lucky .

I've wondered if Montana had Bohemian waxwings and why are they called that, anyway?? They will show up here in late winter sometimes - feasting on mountain ash berries. The Cedar Waxwings hang out along the rivers and I think that they must leave during the winter.

Steve

 

[bobm]

The Cedar Waxwings migrate to Cal. in late fall / early winter. Upon arrival they start going to Toga parties and feast on overripe berries, get DRUNK and crash into house and/ or car windows, building / barn sides, etc..