Monday, July 26, 2010
Swallows galore.July 14/10
On the holland river this evening as mentioned in the next set of shots. There were 1000's ( no word of a lie) of bank,barn and tree swallows. Everywhere. Almost could reach out and touch them from the boat. Frantically feeding while hundred's it seemed young ones waited for the tasted meals along the shoreline. It was like they came out of no where as soon as the sun started going down. Totally incredible. No photo in the world could show this scene like being right there. My family & I were totally amazed.
Sunset on the lake,July 14/10
Out on the Holland River one evening brought these spectacular sunset shots. The skies were alive with bank,tree and barn swallows. Which one of these shots has one touching down in the water. There were 1000's of swallows flying about everywhere in a feeding frenzy. While young waited along the shoreline with a hungry mouth open and awaiting the arrival of food. Just outside the river's entrance a lonely sailboat makes it's way back to the marina.
Pileated Mom & other baby,July,26th,2010
I was very lucky today to have the whole pileated woodpecker family. Dad and baby #1 a female this morning. And Mom with baby #2 another female this afternoon. Wonderful. What amazing little ones. So pretty. Mom has not been here yet with the other one so this was a nice treat. This little or not so little one came to the backyard. Mom went to the suet and baby watched. Then flew over to the back tree and onto the ground. We have had a couple trees over the 20 years here taken down. Only a couple. And we have always left a good sized stump. She went to the one in the backyard and started pecking away getting good grubs. Mom came over and joined her and started to feed her. Of coarse my camera was on the wrong mode for action. But I did get a few not to bad. Wouldn't ya know. At any rate it was a great way to spend a bit of time watching Mom & baby. Mom has a little feather thing going on the back of her head, one feather out of place, but otherwise lookin good.
Red Headed woodpeckers,July 24th,2010
My red headed woodpeckers arrived late this year on May 12th. This is not my usual pair that have come here for years. I don't know why they never came back. But for whatever reason it was very different without their daily visits. However this is one of their off spring and he was here last year as well. But did not bring a family. I believe this to be his first family. When he arrived back he had his mate with him. A first here. Last year the other pair arrived back April 28th and the mate came on the 29th. Very early. Usually they arrive back around May 5th-7th and the mate one week later.
So this year was different all the way around. Not many visits from them. Male would come once in a while for a treat at the feeders. But would be days in between. Sometimes over a week. Then on the 23rd. He started coming daily and more than once daily. He was here morning noon and night. I had a feeling about these visits. 24th the same. 25th my son was outside and caught a glimpse of what he was sure was a red headed baby in the tress and called me right away. Sure enough. It flew over head and into our big maple. The familiar sound of that high pitch baby red headed woodpecker cry followed. Later in the day while I was outside. I heard them feeding. I went out front and caught these shots of them in the side trees. 2 babies in the tree being fed.
I think Mom may be in the nest with the last young one. Last year I had 2 and a couple weeks later Mom showed up with a 3rd. So here are a few shots of them. It was late in the day and they were high in the dark trees. But I managed to get a few not bad shots. Young stretching and snoozing. Dad getting food and feeding. Not to bad for the first day. They were very secretive on where they nested but I have an idea. It is good to have this new pair here. And hopefully the other pair did make it back to a different area.
So this year was different all the way around. Not many visits from them. Male would come once in a while for a treat at the feeders. But would be days in between. Sometimes over a week. Then on the 23rd. He started coming daily and more than once daily. He was here morning noon and night. I had a feeling about these visits. 24th the same. 25th my son was outside and caught a glimpse of what he was sure was a red headed baby in the tress and called me right away. Sure enough. It flew over head and into our big maple. The familiar sound of that high pitch baby red headed woodpecker cry followed. Later in the day while I was outside. I heard them feeding. I went out front and caught these shots of them in the side trees. 2 babies in the tree being fed.
I think Mom may be in the nest with the last young one. Last year I had 2 and a couple weeks later Mom showed up with a 3rd. So here are a few shots of them. It was late in the day and they were high in the dark trees. But I managed to get a few not bad shots. Young stretching and snoozing. Dad getting food and feeding. Not to bad for the first day. They were very secretive on where they nested but I have an idea. It is good to have this new pair here. And hopefully the other pair did make it back to a different area.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Scenery
Tiny Marsh has so much to offer besides the beautiful variety of birds and their young. I couldn't resist the next few shots of various things along our walk today. And by the way. Yes those are red maple leaves!!!
Pileated feeding young
Although it was getting late in the day and lighting was bad. I managed to get a few shots of Dad feeding his little girl.
Baby pileated woodpecker,July 14/10
Every year my male pileated brings his new female baby to the house. Of coarse they have been coming for a few weeks now. They arrived earlier in fact than other years. She is a real sweetheart. And today actually attempted to go to the peanut feeder. But failed her first try. She will succeed.
Marsh wren fledgling.
This little guy was flitting about having a great time in the reeds. I was standing by the fence at the waters edge very quietly and still. He noticed me and turned and stuck it's butt up at me. Not sure what that was about. But it was cute. There was a lot of activity going on in the marsh today. And a lot of babies calling out.
Virginia rails and chick.
Standing there today being patient,quiet and very still paid off. Although it must of taken a good 2 hours. I was surrounded by the calls of virginia rails and their chicks. All of a sudden one adult started walking across in front of me. Beautiful. Then 2 young,I must say I was lucky to get this one shot. Those young ones can literally walk or run on water! It did not take this one long before it saw me. Some strange being standing on the sidelines. The first chick was moving to catch Dad. And wasted no time. This one was also running. But took a quick moment ,and I mean quick to stop and check which way Dad was calling from. So out of 3,2 were blurry but the 3rd I was lucky with. What amazing little things. The parents and young are very busy running in & out of the reeds. And as I stood in one spot ,every now and again I saw a little black bird leap from one reed patch to another. These are pretty cool little birds. And extremely hard to catch still. They make some half a dozen or so different calls. And are very well camouflaged. Absolutely amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed todays outing. So many babies every where.
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