A Pretty Bird: Cedar Waxwing

There are so many beautiful birds that I hesitate to say which is the prettiest. Of course such a statement would only be that of my own personal opinion so with that in mind I can only state that in my opinion the Cedar Waxwing is high on my list.

My closest encounter with the Cedar Waxwings this year occurred on a day when our cherries were ripe. As I stood under the tree picking cherries, a pair of Cedar Waxwings busied themselves picking in the tree top. I could not begrudge the birds the fruit for many years ago the tree was planted by a bird and grew up wild in what was then a fence row. When I cleared the fencerow to make way for my humble abode over thirty years ago, I allowed the tree to stand. Since moving here the birds and I share the tasty cherries when they ripen each season.

The birds always get the lions share but that is as it should be, for without their ancestors the cherry tree would not exist.

Killdeer: Our most common Plover

Named for its call, the Killdeer is commonly seen in meadows, pastures, and golf courses over most of North America. This Killdeer was unconcerned about my presence while hunting worms in the soggy pasture.

Killdeer have drawn my attention from an early age. I well remember being enthralled with them from an early age. As a boy, I enjoyed watching them run about the pastures, always able to maintain a healthy distance between themselves and an inquisitive little boy.

When viewed up close their brilliant markings are striking but at a little distance those same sharply contrasting colors serve as excellent camouflage

Hummer with a ‘Tude

When my wife viewed this image for the first time she exclaimed “that hummer has a ‘tude”.

I must agree with her, this Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird does not appear to appreciate being the subject of a Country Capture!

Sunday Afternoon Action

While sitting on our deck and chatting with Chad by phone, I noticed a Mocking Bird fly down from our roof top and flare near the ground. After it had exhibited this behavior a number of times I thought this may be a perfect opportunity to capture it in flight. Retreating into our home as we ended our conversation I grabbed the Canon 30D with the 100-400mm lens.

Once the bird had my full attention, I soon found out what all of the fuss was about. A black snake was trying to cross our lawn only to be driven back in the high grass by the feisty Mocking Bird. As I photographed the scene the bird dive-bombed the snake numerous times being careful each time to peck at its tail. Not once did it approach the snake’s head.

I have seen Mocking Birds harass cats like this many times but, this is the first time I ever witnessed one taking on a snake. The encounter ended with the snake finally returning to the high grass and the Mocking Bird taking up station on our TV antennae where she could command a full view of the area.

Air Brakes: Great Blue Heron

With landing gears down and reverse thrust activated, a Great Blue Heron comes in for a smooth touch down.

I have photographed the Great Blue Herons many times over the past few months. They have been wading, standing, catching fish, flying, and taking off; but today for the very first I captured this magnificent bird as he was landing.

For more Camera Critters visit Misty

I’m Going Cuckoo: Yellow-billed Cuckoo that is

Prior to this spring and my foray into bird photography, I did not know that Cuckoos inhabited our area or even what they looked like.

A few weeks ago, I captured an unusual bird which my research proved to be a Black-billed Cuckoo. While reading the description of its call I realized that what I had been hearing throughout the evening was not the Black-billed Cuckoo in my photo, but rather a Yellow-billed Cuckoo. I began to notice on subsequent evenings that I was hearing the Yellow-billed Cuckoos calling frequently; thus began my search for a good photo of the Yellow-bill.

Soon I located my first Yellow-billed but I was unable to capture a good image. Since the Cuckoos tend to stay in brushy areas; catching one exposed and well lighted proved to be a challenge. During many evening forays I heard the elusive Yellow-billed and on a few occasions was able to get identification quality photos, but a good quality photo eluded me, until last evening.

My wife & I visited my favorite lake. As I was fishing I heard a nearby Yellow-billed Cuckoo calling. Soon I located the bird sitting in some low trees along the lake shore. Upon retrieving my camera from the rear deck and checking the settings, I began approaching slowly. The Cuckoo flew from branch to branch searching for caterpillars. When conditions were right I began burst firing. The photo session ended as quickly as it began when the Cuckoo flew deeper into the woods.

Dinner Guest: Red-tailed Hawk

While my wife & I dined on our deck this evening I noticed two raptors in the sky. One was quite high wheeling in circles with the other much lower approaching directly towards our home. As the nearer bird passed overhead, I realized that it was a mature Bald Eagle. What an inopportune time for my camera to be in the house!

Hoping for another fly-over I retrieved my camera in time for the other bird, a Red-tailed hawk to pass by. This evening proved to be a painful reminder to never leave the camera behind.

Mourning Dove

Mourning Doves are quite plentiful around our area. As they are a hunted game bird, our doves tend to be a little shy around humans. This dove only sat for a moment until it noticed me, giving me time for only one frame.

I realize that many of you may think that Country Captures has became a bird blog but please allow me to say that I don’t think that this is the case. I find that my interests go through different phases with this being my "bird" phase. I must credit my good blogging friend Abe Lincoln with drawing my attention to the wonderful world of birds. I have sat in awe viewing his beautiful images collected in his backyard.

Thanks Abe for the inspiration and for opening my eyes to this wonderful aspect of nature.

Red-bellied Woodpecker

I noticed this Red-bellied Woodpecker’s head is much sleeker than what I am accustomed to seeing. Thinking back, I realized that most of my encounters with these birds have been in the winter.

SkyWatch Friday: Birds on a Wire

A pair of resting Barn Swallows against a clear blue sky

Since my earliest recollections, Barn Swallows have nested in our barn. I remember as a child checking out their mud nest attached to the sides of the support beams. I would wonder how they managed to stick them so securely to the beams using only mud.

I remember many times climbing up to check if they had young in the nest. I was always amazed at how quickly the little ones grew to where they too could join the graceful flock; wheeling and darting about through the skies above our pastures, hay and grain fields.

This evening while penning a few head of cattle for market, I took time to capture this image. The sight of the swallows flying above the cattle brought back some of my early memories of these beautiful, beneficial little speedsters.

Singing from on High: Chipping Sparrow

A Male Chipping Sparrow sings while sitting high in a black walnut tree

Chipping Sparrows are normally found either on the ground or in low brush. During their mating season, males such as this one, perch high above the ground to sing their mating songs.

While gathering information on the Chipping Sparrows, I found that they commonly line their nest with hair. They will use any type of hair they can find and have even been observed picking strands of hair from sleeping dogs.

Understated Beauty: Gray Catbird

The subtle tones of the Gray Catbird require one to look closely to appreciate its beauty. An inhabitant of brushy areas, these bird make themselves at home in the shrubbery around our home. Often its soft mewing call is the first indication of its presence.

As my wife and I sat quietly in a small brushy area behind our home, this catbird busied itself hunting caterpillars. I was hoping that it was targeting our over-abundant gypsy moth, but as you can see in this capture it has found some type of green caterpillar,

Upset: Female Robin

This Robin built her nest under my shed roof overhang. Whenever I approach the shed she flies out into the surrounding tree and raises quite a commotion flitting about and chirping loudly.

In this capture you will notice her crest raised; a sure sign that she is distressed over my presence.

In Flight: Great Blue Heron

To the small fish, the Great Blue Heron is public enemy number one. This ranking also holds true for the fish farmer, who raises his fish in shallow ponds.

For the wildlife photographer the Great Blue Heron bird is a study in both awkwardness and grace.

For more Camera Critters vist please visit Misty

Fishing: Great Blue Heron Style

While fishing on the nearby lake Memorial Day morning, I noticed a Great Blue Heron standing along the shore. As I began my approach it flew south along the lake shore and disappeared into a small cove. This time I was able to approach to within about fifty yards before leaving cover and as usual, I set the trolling motor at its very slowest speed. To slow my approach even more I would bump the switch on and off giving it only enough power for steerage. Finally I ran up against a submerged stump and just sat quietly waiting and watching from about thirty yards away.

The Heron watched me intently once I broke cover but then found the small fish in the shallow water to be of more interest. Slowly ever so slowly she stalked her prey until with a lighting fast strike she deftly caught a small bluegill.

Guarding the Nest: Male Baltimore Oriole

The brightly colored male Baltimore Oriole keeps a close lookout over the nest.

As I related in the previous post, he was quick to rush in when an intruder landed in the sacred nest tree. I have visited the nesting site three times so far. Although never far away; this male is not nearly as aggressive since the nest building is complete. The female continues to flit about, coming and going from the nest but is not carrying nest building materials. I assume she is now laying her clutch of 4 to 6 eggs.

While visiting the nest tree last evening, I was treated to a rare view of a yellow-billed Cuckoo. The Cuckoo landed in a place that made capturing a post-worthy photograph impossible; but I was able to shoot a couple of frames which allowed me to make positive identification. Previously I posted a shot from my first sighting of a Black-billed Cuckoo. Amazingly, these are my very first encounters with Cuckoo’s and both sightings of the two different species were made in the very same brushy ravine only a few days apart.

Modern Nest-Building: Baltimore Oriole

The female Baltimore Oriole, not content with traditional nest materials, gathers plastic strips with which to build her nest.

As I sat watching, she made numerous trips, each time returning with these plastic strips. After surveying her surroundings, she would hop into her nest and weave the new material into the nest basket that was taking shape.

During this time the male kept his distance except when another bird happened to stop in the nest tree, then he would arrive calling loudly, fluttering and diving until the intruder left. He repeated this tactic each time visitors dropped by with but one exception, the cat-birds. For reasons only known to him, he completely ignored a pair of catbirds who spent quite a few minutes catching and eating caterpillars.

Spotted Sandpiper

During my early morning outing, I noticed a flock of Spotted Sandpipers running about on the earthen breastwall of the dam. Upon my approach all but two flew to a shaded area so I concentrated my attention upon the remaining birds. I adjusted my trolling motor to its slowest setting and over the next one-half hour worked these birds until they allowed me to maneuver to within a few yards.

By the conclusion of this session I had shot over one hundred images. As these birds move quickly, many were poorly posed and some blurred. After heavy deletion, I still had thirty eight images that made the grade. Of the image, this one which caught the bird with wings momentarily lifted while posed by the waters edge and it’s reflection visible in the water, stood out above all of the rest

For more Camera Critters visit Misty

Black-billed Cuckoo

Yesterday, as I washed the lunch dishes I watched a Northern “Baltimore” Oriole fly into a wooded ravine across the hollow behind my home. This evening, with the intention of trying to relocate the Oriole, I walked into the area, set up my folding chair and sat a spell. I was fortunate in that I was able to observe the female Oriole busily engaged in nest building while the male stood guard; but that is a story for another post.

As I was returning home a jay sized bird flitted through the underbrush and landed where I was able to capture this image. I couldn’t identify the bird so upon loading the images on the computer I referred to Audubon’s field guide.

I learned that this bird, the Black-billed Cuckoo is quite reclusive, spending most of it time in the thick underbrush and is rarely seen. The favored food of the Black-billed Cuckoo is hairy caterpillars with the gypsy moth listed along with tent caterpillars. The gypsy moth outbreak underway this year will keep these birds well fed over the coming weeks.

Too Close for Comfort; Belted Kingfisher

Seeing that another fisherman (woman) was present, I laid down my rod and began to seriously pursue this female Belted Kingfisher. She would sit on a branch and watch me intently as I slowly motored her way. Her tolerance level was just a little too far for my 400mm lens but after a number of tries she allowed me to ease within reasonable range.

Soon she tired of the game and dropped off her branch just as the shutter fell for the umpteenth time giving me this lovely unplanned “action” capture.