chipperatl Posted July 17, 2021 Share Posted July 17, 2021 I was not aware that woodpeckers, let alone Red-headed Woodpeckers engaged in fly-catching. All About Birds says they are very adept at it, with only Lewis' Woodpecker being better at it. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clip Posted August 23, 2021 Author Share Posted August 23, 2021 We all know fall is great for migrant birds but one of the places to look for those migrant and resident birds is in freshly mowed or plowed fields as the birds flock to take advantage of the bugs unearthed. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clip Posted August 23, 2021 Author Share Posted August 23, 2021 Another example of birds in freshly mowed or plowed fields. This one in Colorado. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avery Posted August 23, 2021 Share Posted August 23, 2021 2 hours ago, Clip said: We all know fall is great for migrant birds but one of the places to look for those migrant and resident birds is in freshly mowed or plowed fields as the birds flock to take advantage of the bugs unearthed. I’m very jealous of that Cattle Egret... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted August 23, 2021 Share Posted August 23, 2021 Just now, Avery said: I’m very jealous of that Cattle Egret... They're not native to the US, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avery Posted August 23, 2021 Share Posted August 23, 2021 1 minute ago, Quiscalus quiscula said: They're not native to the US, though. So? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted August 23, 2021 Share Posted August 23, 2021 Just now, Avery said: So? Just saying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clip Posted August 23, 2021 Author Share Posted August 23, 2021 (edited) 46 minutes ago, Avery said: I’m very jealous of that Cattle Egret... Those Cattle EgretS-most of what you see are Cattle Egrets. Most have already gone back to non-breeding plumage. Edited August 23, 2021 by Clip 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clip Posted August 23, 2021 Author Share Posted August 23, 2021 (edited) 40 minutes ago, Quiscalus quiscula said: Just saying. No they originated in Africa but they have been here long enough ( over 15 years) and have reproduced with out mans help....to now be countable in the U.S. They were introduced in Florida but have spread so that even Colorado has them in the summer. Edited August 23, 2021 by Clip 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted August 23, 2021 Share Posted August 23, 2021 4 minutes ago, Clip said: No they originated in Africa but they have been here long enough ( over 15 years) and have reproduced with out mans help....to now be countable in the U.S. They were introduced in Florida but have spread so that even Colorado has them in the summer. Yes, they made their way here in the 1940s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seanbirds Posted August 23, 2021 Share Posted August 23, 2021 1 hour ago, Quiscalus quiscula said: They're not native to the US, though. 1 hour ago, Quiscalus quiscula said: Just saying. 47 minutes ago, Quiscalus quiscula said: Yes, they made their way here in the 1940s. They weren’t introduced, they introduced themselves. 😉 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted August 23, 2021 Share Posted August 23, 2021 3 minutes ago, Seanbirds said: They weren’t introduced, they introduced themselves. 😉 Yeah, that's why I said they made their way here. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floraphile Posted August 23, 2021 Share Posted August 23, 2021 Until I started birding, I had no idea sewage lagoons were so birdy. 💩 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floraphile Posted August 23, 2021 Share Posted August 23, 2021 1 minute ago, floraphile said: Until I started birding, I had no idea sewage lagoons were so birdy. 💩 Whoops--let me find a photo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floraphile Posted August 23, 2021 Share Posted August 23, 2021 14 minutes ago, floraphile said: Whoops--let me find a photo. This is actually an industrial waste pond, but also a surprise to me as far as birds 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacMe Posted August 23, 2021 Share Posted August 23, 2021 I've learned a few things to help me get closer to a bird without flushing it (if you don't have a meter long telephoto lens). 1) Most birds, it seems to me, get nervous at my presence at either 10, 20, or 30 yards. Birds used to human presence will let me get much closer. 2) When trying to get closer, don't walk directly towards it or even look at it. Instead, walk straight but at an angle, at a constant speed, and not looking at the bird. I find stopping with my back to the bird for a bit helps de-threat me. Tacking the other direction if you still need to get closer. 3) Using a bush, mound, or other cover to hide your approach helps. This is how I got close enough to photo the Blue-winged Teal below. Actually, I couldn't show myself at all. I had to get right to the edge of the cover and wait for the bird to come around the corner 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clip Posted August 24, 2021 Author Share Posted August 24, 2021 12 hours ago, MacMe said: I've learned a few things to help me get closer to a bird without flushing it (if you don't have a meter long telephoto lens). 1) Most birds, it seems to me, get nervous at my presence at either 10, 20, or 30 yards. Birds used to human presence will let me get much closer. 2) When trying to get closer, don't walk directly towards it or even look at it. Instead, walk straight but at an angle, at a constant speed, and not looking at the bird. I find stopping with my back to the bird for a bit helps de-threat me. Tacking the other direction if you still need to get closer. 3) Using a bush, mound, or other cover to hide your approach helps. This is how I got close enough to photo the Blue-winged Teal below. Actually, I couldn't show myself at all. I had to get right to the edge of the cover and wait for the bird to come around the corner I have noticed this as well. It is best not to look at them. Somehow they know even if they don't seem to be watching you. I would also suggest if you need proof of the bird to prove a rarity or something. Take the distant photo! Then try to get closer. If you don't no matter how careful you are you could lose the opportunity. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seanbirds Posted August 24, 2021 Share Posted August 24, 2021 3 hours ago, Clip said: I have noticed this as well. It is best not to look at them. Somehow they know even if they don't seem to be watching you. I would also suggest if you need proof of the bird to prove a rarity or something. Take the distant photo! Then try to get closer. If you don't no matter how careful you are you could lose the opportunity. Also crawling works well, especially for shorebirds. It's kinda hard for a human to do anything threatening when they're lying prostrate on the ground. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clip Posted August 24, 2021 Author Share Posted August 24, 2021 23 minutes ago, Seanbirds said: Also crawling works well, especially for shorebirds. It's kinda hard for a human to do anything threatening when they're lying prostrate on the ground. Are you going to help me up😆 Just kidding but at my age it isn't as easy as it use to be. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted August 24, 2021 Share Posted August 24, 2021 38 minutes ago, Seanbirds said: Also crawling works well, especially for shorebirds. It's kinda hard for a human to do anything threatening when they're lying prostrate on the ground. Makes for good pictures too! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seanbirds Posted August 24, 2021 Share Posted August 24, 2021 12 minutes ago, Kevin said: Makes for good pictures too! Yeah, eye level. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floraphile Posted August 24, 2021 Share Posted August 24, 2021 1 hour ago, Seanbirds said: Also crawling works well, especially for shorebirds. It's kinda hard for a human to do anything threatening when they're lying prostrate on the ground. It's hard for us older humans to do anything at all when lying prostrate on the ground...especially getting up off the ground. 😄 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seanbirds Posted August 24, 2021 Share Posted August 24, 2021 1 hour ago, Clip said: Are you going to help me up😆 Just kidding but at my age it isn't as easy as it use to be. 22 minutes ago, floraphile said: It's hard for us older humans to do anything at all when lying prostrate on the ground...especially getting up off the ground. 😄 Sorry, forgot about that! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seanbirds Posted August 24, 2021 Share Posted August 24, 2021 2 hours ago, Clip said: Are you going to help me up😆 Of course I will! 😉 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clip Posted August 25, 2021 Author Share Posted August 25, 2021 18 hours ago, Seanbirds said: Of course I will! 😉 That is so nice! You have seemed like a very nice young man all along but this confirms it. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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