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+--Forum: After the Bar Closes...
+---Topic: Wildlife started by Albatrossity2


Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Jan. 24 2008,14:26

A while back Wesley suggested that a wildlife thread might be fun, or even useful. Since I am teaching a field ornithology class this semester (1 hour of credit for three hours of birdwatching per week), I thought I'd kick this off with our bird sighting checklist for today. The whole list is < available from a link here >; just go to the column for 2008 and click on the link for the checklist for week2. There are lots of checklists from previous spring semesters at that site as well.

We say 29 species in two hours this morning. Mid-winter is not a good time to see a lot of birds, but because this is a class to teach students about the birds, they probably don't want to see a lot of birds, and keep the IDs straight, right now. There will be lots more by May! They also don't want to spend a lot of time outside right now; the temperature was just about zero F (-18 C) when we started out this morning. That should be better by May as well.

The highlight was an adult Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) perched in good light for several minutes; our typical accipiter sighting is a flyby at about Mach 0.5 or so...
Posted by: argystokes on Jan. 24 2008,14:44

We had an interesting incident involving a what I think was a sharp-shinned hawk:

Posted by: J-Dog on Jan. 24 2008,14:49

Quote (argystokes @ Jan. 24 2008,14:44)
We had an interesting incident involving a what I think was a sharp-shinned hawk:

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I think you had better tell us the rest of the story!

I have a picture of a red-tailed hawk sitting on my back yard fence, but why would I bother to post it when you have even potty-trained your hawk?

What's next, putting it in pre-school?  Teaching it to talk?
How's the driving lessons going?

Man.  Some people can really spoil it for the rest of us...

But sriously - come on spill your guts dude!
Posted by: Mister DNA on Jan. 24 2008,15:00

I don't have a back yard, but in the immediate area we've got a ton of sparrows, grackles and seagulls. We get a lot of hummingbirds during the Spring/Summer, too.

There's a couple of woodpeckers, too. I always feel bad for them because they're so outnumbered. I'll try to dig up so photos I took of one of them.

Late at night the possums come around and eat the food that people put out for the feral cats in the area. During the day, the squirrels come out and taunt the cats and the grackles. I need to get some video of the squirrels; they are hilarious.

It's not in my immediate backyard area, but every few years or so I make the trip to the < Aransas Wildlife Refuge > to see the whooping cranes.

It's so cool that the whooping crane numbers are growing. The first time I saw them was probably in 1973 and they were damn near extinction.
Posted by: Assassinator on Jan. 24 2008,15:11

The best we're getting here are herons, pigeons and Apache's. But I've got my own personal wildlife:
< >
(I so love my cat, and this is a really small one)
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on Jan. 24 2008,15:11

recently at my house in the limestone country

Dark Eyed Junco
Acadian Fly Catchers (nesting in my back room as we speak).  is this the right time of year or have i missed an ID?
Cardinal
Downy woodpecker
blue jay
cedar waxwing
bluebird
a smaller buteo, probably sharp shinned but I didn't get a good luck
raccoon
possums
skunks
grey squirrels
screech owl
drunk guy next door
Posted by: carlsonjok on Jan. 24 2008,15:19

I don't manage to get many wildlife pictures as it is rare that I ever take a camera out back with me, but my neighbor did take this picture a few of summers ago over the fence onto my property.  We had a flock of 17 turkeys that year.  This past summer we only ended up seeing 1 young turkey and even that was rare.



I've also seen a Great Blue Heron, a pretty good size black ratsnake, an occasional white-tail deer, and innumerable coyotes.
Posted by: Dr.GH on Jan. 24 2008,15:21

I have a very small yard in an urban, high density neighborhood.  We have been here 14 years, and I have been planting  regionally local native plants since we moved bought the house.  We have about 30 species of plants in the 30X20 ft yard, and 8 in a 30X5 ft front strip.  The trees are 2 species of willow for upper story and insect fodder.  Alan’s humming birds have nested (successful), as have crows (failed).  The hummers like two species, gooseberry, and California Fuchsia, both with red hanging flowers The Gooseberry blooms from about now until June, and the fuchsia in late summer to winter.  They also like the non-native bottle brush and rosemary next door.   The willows also support a wood-boring beetle, many lepidoptera most obvious being the Morning cloak, but also a lot of cool moths.  I have 2 species of buckwheat, and 2 evening primroses that also support a number of leps, the largest being a white lined sphinx moth.  The buckwheat and a few of the various asterace feed metal marks, and marine blues.  There are at least a dozen species of “lady beetles” that reproduce, and loads of other beetles (God loves beetles).  And I can’t ID the spiders much, but there are about 5 orb-weaver speceis, and an assortment of others.  I watched a wasp the other day provisioning her burrow with a violin spider.  The wasps are another interesting population- I have watched the little killers drag around caterpillars, spiders, and whatnot.  

The migrant English Sparrows devastate the Morning Cloak caterpillars, and when the survivors hit the ground to disperse, the wasps and spiders take over.  From about 50 chrysalii I kept an eye on, only 2 emerged.  The rest were all parasitized by wasps.  (I did get to watch some of the little wasps emerge, 50-60 per chrysalis).

All these critters attract vertebrates.  The bush tits, assorted warblers join the sparrows (including a few native species) eating insects off the trees, etc.  We also are visited by downy woodpeckers occasionally.  We also see orioles, tanagers, sparrow hawks, sharp shinned hawks, doves (eaten by the sharp shinned hawks).  We get raccoon, skunk and opossum that wander through.

Resident breeders include golden salamanders, western fence lizards and southern alligator lizards.  The alligator lizards eat the salamanders as well as crickets and so on. Two years ago the lizard numbers took a bump.  It turned out that the they had been found by a young king snake.  I have no idea where he came from, he was quite small unlikely to have been an escaped pet.  I noticed him one morning when he was trying to swallow an alligator lizard almost as large as he was.  I decided I preferred lizards, and so “Elvis the King” moved to a terrarium.  He is about 3 ft now, and lives up to his name (at least re: eating).

I have not watered, fertilized, or used any other crap for 10 years.  If everyone used native plants, we would not have nearly the environmental problems.  In spite of this, the City Lawn Nazis aka “code enforcement officers” were on my ass for years for growing “weeds.”  I shook them off when I received a “Registered Wildlife Habitat” sign from the National Wildlife Federation and posted it in the yard.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Jan. 24 2008,15:22

Quote (argystokes @ Jan. 24 2008,14:44)
We had an interesting incident involving a what I think was a sharp-shinned hawk:
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yep, that's a sharpie all right. Lookit those scrawny legs!

I really do want to hear how it ended up in your bathroom...
Posted by: argystokes on Jan. 24 2008,15:27



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
I think you had better tell us the rest of the story!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



The picture is from almost exactly a year ago. I was hanging around the apartment and saw a hawk kinda hopping along the ground. I pointed it out to my wife and we both agreed that this was peculiar behavior for a hawk, so she went outside to see if it was all right. The fact that she was able to capture it with a towel confirmed that it wasn't. Unfortunately, it was a Sunday evening, and all the wildlife rescues were closed. We planned to take it up to the nearest rescue first thing in the morning. We wrapped it up and kept it in a box for the evening to keep it warm and from fluttering around and hurting itself. My wife couldn't resist taking a couple of pictures while it was out, though. Tragically, it didn't survive the night.
Posted by: Assassinator on Jan. 24 2008,15:32



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
doves (eaten by the sharp shinned hawks)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


We ain't got hawks, someone else is eating our doves, *points at previous post* ;)

My cat would be a great LOLcat with that picture, won't it :p


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Tragically, it didn't survive the night.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Such a shame :( Wildlife housings should alwayse be open.
Posted by: C.J.O'Brien on Jan. 24 2008,15:52

I've been meaning to take a day trip up to Point Reyes to see the elephant seals that are congregating on a beach up there, but the weather's been pretty brutal, and it seems like winter on Point Reyes even in the summer. Plus, I've been busy. But this weekend or next, I'm going to make the trip. If I spend all day, I should have a good shot at spotting some migrating gray whales to boot.

And then, on the inland side, there's just an amazing profusion of waterfowl in Tomales Bay and Bolinas Lagoon.
Posted by: Mr_Christopher on Jan. 24 2008,16:00

Assorted cardinals, blue jays, mockingbirds, hummingbirds (summer), occassional screech owl, geckos, lizards, children, etc.  Key to wildlife in the yard is keep the agent orange and other toxins away.

I live in the city but have a large lot (1/2 acre).  I grow a ton of stuff in my yard - various palm trees, agaves, yuccas, cannas, and more!
Posted by: Lou FCD on Jan. 24 2008,18:03

Saw a big flock (50-60) of red winged blackbirds the other day, right on the front lawn.  Off the top of my head, from my yard I've seen blue jays, blue birds, robins, European starlings, mockingbirds, catbirds, wood thrushes (I'm a little iffy on that ID, so many birds look kind of similar but the call seemed to match), cardinals, Carolina chickadees, laughing gulls, mourning doves, rock pigeons, red headed woodpeckers, yellow shafted northern flickers, pileated woodpeckers, grackles, crows, turkey buzzards, and the odd ruby throated hummingbird.

I spent a lot of time two summers ago watching birds in the yard and keeping a list.  Alas, when my hard drive took the Big Dirt Nap, that file was one of the ones that was scrambled beyond all retrieval.

I'd been thinking about starting again, since the blackbirds passed by.

Stray cats, squirrels, etc.

Last summer I accidentally ran over a juvenile rat snake with the tractor mower, decapitating it.

We also have fire ants (and I think some other kind of nasty biting/stinging ant which leaves a big welt - one got me last year).

That's not a complete inventory, but what sticks out.
Posted by: Richard Simons on Jan. 24 2008,18:13

Everyone is making me wonder why on earth I am here - I went for a walk at the weekend and saw ravens, 2 grey jays, 4 black-capped chickadees and heard a boreal chickadee before my forehead started to ache and I went back inside. But it did look beautiful.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Jan. 24 2008,18:40

I also sight at least two or three ospreys a day, but they are of the mechanical variety, living all next to Lejeune.

Richard, the biggest advantage I have for watching the critters is having a butt load of time on my hands.  It contributes significantly to my ADHD-like eclecticism, I think.

Or I might just be politely referred to as eccentric, who's to say?

When I was on my bird-watching binge (before the computer purged for me), I just spent a lot of time quietly in the kitchen looking out the windows with and without binoculars.  I can't sit or stand for very long periods, but sometimes I can alternate for good stretches, and being inside tended to disturb the wildlife less.

Of course, once the kids get out of school for the summer, that's pretty much the end of that.
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Jan. 24 2008,18:59

Sharp-shinned hawks and kestrels have very high metabolism. They may eat about a quarter of their own weight in food per day. A sharp-shinned hawk or kestrel that has been injured such that it cannot feed itself will not last long.

Once, Diane and I were called to a county road maintenance facility, where they had found a juvenile kestrel in a pit, with a generous helping of tar and ants on it. They had already had it in their keeping a couple of days, and apparently it was given the occasional bit of meat from someone's sandwich. We thanked them for calling, picked up the bird, and left. We drove directly to a grocery store, and got the only packet of meat they had that could be given immediately in small pieces, as it turned out about a pound of ground veal. Now, you don't want to feed raptors processed meat as a steady diet, but our assessment of the kestrel was that it was likely already starved beyond recovery, and any delay on getting some nutrition in would make it that much more likely it would die. We fed it as much as it would take at a sitting right there in the car in the grocery store parking lot. Fortunately, it did live through that epsiode. Unfortunately, it seemed to have made some developmental problem, as it never grew a completely normal set of feathers thereafter.
Posted by: rhmc on Jan. 24 2008,20:28

i live on an island on the coast of georgia.  not a barrier island so no sandy beaches but plenty of marsh.
in the yard we have skinks, glass "snakes", black snakes, rat snakes, visiting racoons, possums and a colony of wood rats live nearby - which is probably what keeps the black snake hangin' around and keeps the hawks coming by.
in the marshes and hammocks are the occasional alligator, white tail deer, bald eagle, osprey, blue herons, great blue herons, tri-colored herons, snowy egrets, wood storks, ibis, the occasional spoonbill and the usual assortment of birds including painted buntings, redheaded wood peckers and pileated woodpeckers..
in the water there are redfish, spotted seatrout, flounder, sharks of varying types and sizes, jellyfish, southern stargazers, mackeral in several varieties....
and then there are the insects....
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Jan. 24 2008,21:58

Wildlife here... let me think back over the last year.

Canada goose, mallard ducks, turkeys, raccoons, lots and lots of deer, rabbits, cardinals, blue jays, crows, red-tailed hawks, Cooper's hawks, pond sliders, minnows, bream, bass. Fireflies. Wasps. Harvestmen and wolf spiders. Plenty of mosquitoes. Praying mantis. Ladybugs. Some other sort of beetle that shows up in the hundreds in the springtime. Garter snakes. Mice.

The Cooper's hawk in the vicinity has helped itself to probably a half-dozen pigeons from the loft. I saw a Google news alert today about a pigeon fancier back in California getting charged for his hawk-killing ways. Myself, I'm rooting for the Cooper's hawk. Diane would like to hang on to some pigeons for training the dog.
Posted by: IanBrown_101 on Jan. 25 2008,00:36

The only really exciting thing we get around here are red kites. There's actually quite a few near here (Aberystwyth) which is pretty cool. Other than that it's pretty much just your basic list. Although we do get dolphins (not sure which species) in the sea off south beach (about 30 seconds from my house) and I think there are red squirrels in the local woods (it wouldn't surprise me, since they're pretty much limited to Wales, but seem to live i a large number of places within the country).

Back home, there isn't that much special either, but fairly close to where I live there are breeding ospreys, which is pretty cool.
Posted by: bfish on Jan. 25 2008,00:51

Quote (carlsonjok @ Jan. 24 2008,13:19)
We had a flock of 17 turkeys that year.  This past summer we only ended up seeing 1 young turkey and even that was rare.


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


The place I work has a flock or two or three of wild turkeys. I'm still not sure if they are natives or not here in Northern California. A few weeks ago I counted 43 turkeys in one flock on a hillside. I don't know if you can tell from Carlsonjok's picture, but they are actually quite beautiful birds. Not in body shape, but in color. Their feathers are gorgeous, shimmering bronze in the sunlight. They have a wide range of vocalizations, too. It ain't just gobble gobble. A lot of trills and twitters. I've been meaning to try to make a recording. Better act quickly, though - the higher ups have announced that they're going to hire "turkey wranglers" to rid the hill of the wattled menace.

I'm lucky, in that I get to look out my lab window and see wildlife 20 or 30 feet away. Usually deer. Helps to relaxify you.

Edited to add: We also have a lot of red-tailed hawks. One day last summer I was riding my bike up the hill/mountain towards work. The hills were in the clouds, with the wind blowing in hard off the bay, and you could visualize the flow of the wind over the steep slope by watching the clouds approach the road and then rise above it. I spotted a hawk, only about ten feet above my head and another ten feet over the edge of the cliff. He looked like he was hovering in one spot, so much so that I stopped my bike to see if it was an optical illusion. No illusion. His position did not move, like he was stuck with a tack. Just a little turn of a feather now and again to keep him from drifting. It was amazing.
Posted by: snoeman on Jan. 25 2008,01:09

Recently, in the core neighborhoods of Seattle, there has been an uptick in the population (or at least sightings) of coyotes.  < There's a site dedicated to tracking them. >  If you look at the larger map that links from the site, you can see the high concentrations of sightings east of I-5, north of I-90 and south of SR520.  That area (Madrona, Madison Valley, North Captiol Hill, Interlaken Park) is apparently a nice haven for coyotes, and it's barely 2-3 miles outside the downtown core.

Recently there's been a coyote spotted in < my neighborhood. >  This one apparently likes the taste of Magnolia Domesticated House Cat.  Fortunately, the city asked the Fish & Wildlife Service to < leave the little guy (gal?) alone. >
Posted by: dhogaza on Jan. 25 2008,03:13

Well, I'm spending part of winter in a suburb on the outskirts of Madrid, and have recently had the time to start exploring some of the empty country that's barely within walking distance (littered with construction cranes building new flats, unfortunately).

Nothing interesting for a european birder, but ... (eurasian) goldfinch, black redstart, stonechat, crested lark, grey partridge (one, and it's a bit out of place), robin, chiffchaff, spotless starling, white wagtail, (eurasian) kestrel, hen harrier, and for Wesley ...

a peregrine wearing jesses and bells.  The guy flying it spoke no english, and my spanish sucks, but he had another peregrine hooded in the back of his SUV, and gradually got me to understand that it was the mother of the bird-of-the-year he was training.  And that it was from the US.  And previously owned by some famous animal trainer I've never heard of.  And was in some famous movie whose title in spanish doesn't ring a bell.  He flies his peregrine at the airport, part of the scare-the-birds regime there.  The kid was beautiful, a very nice rich brown.

Apparently I can take a bus this weekend to a place where seeing griffon is quite likely, with spanish imperial eagle a possibility, too.

When here last summer I managed to see a bunch of other species, including a golden eagle in the picos de europa.
Posted by: Nomad on Jan. 25 2008,05:00

While it's likely that we get SOME interesting birds out here, I couldn't recognize most of them to save my life.  But we did have an interesting incident involving a heron.  I live in the suburbs, and some neighbors (a house behind mine) have a small decorative pond.  One day I saw a heron walking through the pond, apparently eating.  It was then that I realized that they stocked it with fish.

Apparently the herons only ate the expensive fish.

There's a park near me that I think has or at least had beaver.. I thought I saw one in the river once, and in the winter I've seen slides in the snow leading into the water.  We definitely have raccoons, I say that because they keep trying to live in my attic.  I still hear them walking around on the roof at night trying to get in through the usual entry point, but it's been closed off with wire mesh.

My basement computer room is infested with lady bugs.  If I remember the explanation right, they're an introduced Asian species that can't handle cold winters so they infiltrate people's houses and apparently live in the basement waiting for it to warm up again.  They get into EVERYTHING.. every so often I open up my computer case and find a few ladybug corpses in there.  I found a few shell pieces on the heatsink for my CPU last time.  And I regularly have to sweep up all the ladybug corpses that end up on the floor.  I swear I've seen one flying, then fall out of the air and land on the floor dead.  It's like a ladybug graveyard down here.


I had a female Mallard make a nest in the mulch near the front walkway, but unfortunately the nest was raided and the eggs were eaten, I'm assuming by raccoons.  I was really disappointed, I REALLY wanted to see the baby ducks.  I was especially hopeful that I could catch the mother leading them to water.  I don't live too close to water, it would have been a reasonable trek to get to anything bigger than the pond in the neighbors yard, and they would have had to cross a busy road.

And regarding coyotes, apparently we have them too.  I'd heard stories about them, but didn't believe them.  A google search turned up video a local resident shot of a coyote in his backyard though, along with a story from a local paper about them.
Posted by: Jim_Wynne on Jan. 25 2008,07:54

I'm in an urban area in southeast Wisconsin, and we get the standard complement of birds--finches, cardinals, blue jays, black-capped chickadees, downy woodpeckers, crows, etc. This past summer, due to the large numbers of small birds (my neighbor has a lot of feeders), we also had regular visits from a hawk--either Sharp Shinned or Cooper's, I'm not sure which.  

We get plenty of mammals as well--skunks, opossums, raccoons, and this year a couple of Gray Foxes, one of which I was surprised to see sitting in my backyard one morning.
Posted by: Richard Simons on Jan. 25 2008,18:37

The reference to coyotes reminds me that over Christmas we visited a national park to the south of our house (Riding Mountain, Manitoba) and had excellent views of a moose standing in the road and a few minutes later of a wolf in snow by the side of the road. My son, who was a few minutes ahead of us, said five had crossed the road and this was the last one who stopped to watch the people watching him.

One of my more gratifying (in retrospect) wildlife experiences was when we stopped at a small town in South Africa just south of Springbok. I spent a long time studying the larks that were running around the short grass near the filling station, with my binoculars in one hand and the field guide in the other trying to figure out just what they were. I had no success, but a few months later a new field guide came out with them illustrated - they had not been noticed as a different species earlier.
Posted by: argystokes on Jan. 25 2008,19:39

Quote (snoeman @ Jan. 24 2008,23:09)
Recently, in the core neighborhoods of Seattle, there has been an uptick in the population (or at least sightings) of coyotes.  < There's a site dedicated to tracking them. >  If you look at the larger map that links from the site, you can see the high concentrations of sightings east of I-5, north of I-90 and south of SR520.  That area (Madrona, Madison Valley, North Captiol Hill, Interlaken Park) is apparently a nice haven for coyotes, and it's barely 2-3 miles outside the downtown core.

Recently there's been a coyote spotted in < my neighborhood. >  This one apparently likes the taste of Magnolia Domesticated House Cat.  Fortunately, the city asked the Fish & Wildlife Service to < leave the little guy (gal?) alone. >
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


We used to hear coyotes when we lived by Magnuson Park, and of course there are coons all over the UW campus. And this one time I caught a cougar by the tail...


Posted by: J-Dog on Jan. 25 2008,20:48

Quote (argystokes @ Jan. 25 2008,19:39)
Quote (snoeman @ Jan. 24 2008,23:09)
Recently, in the core neighborhoods of Seattle, there has been an uptick in the population (or at least sightings) of coyotes.  < There's a site dedicated to tracking them. >  If you look at the larger map that links from the site, you can see the high concentrations of sightings east of I-5, north of I-90 and south of SR520.  That area (Madrona, Madison Valley, North Captiol Hill, Interlaken Park) is apparently a nice haven for coyotes, and it's barely 2-3 miles outside the downtown core.

Recently there's been a coyote spotted in < my neighborhood. >  This one apparently likes the taste of Magnolia Domesticated House Cat.  Fortunately, the city asked the Fish & Wildlife Service to < leave the little guy (gal?) alone. >
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


We used to hear coyotes when we lived by Magnuson Park, and of course there are coons all over the UW campus. And this one time I caught a cougar by the tail...


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Argy - You took this pic in Madison?  If not, where?

(Or is UW University of Washington where you come from...)
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Feb. 09 2008,17:05

I just uploaded the < checklist > for last Thursday's Field Ornithology class. It had snowed (4-6") a couple of days before, so we made a lot of noise crunching along, and I can blame that for the relative scarcity of birds. That's probably OK with the class as well, since their bird ID skills are still at an early stage.

But the class got good looks at a couple of Bald Eagles, which elicited the usual ooohs and aaahs. We also found a lone White Pelican, which should be < well south of here > at this time of year. It probably can't fly, but it seemed healthy enough, and almost certainly has made it through the coldest part of the winter.
Posted by: Peter Henderson on Feb. 10 2008,09:47



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Mid-winter is not a good time to see a lot of birds, but because this is a class to teach students about the birds, they probably don't want to see a lot of birds, and keep the IDs straight, right now. There will be lots more by May!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Plenty of birds in my back garden despite the winter, really just a continuation of the summer these days only a little colder (a mild winter yet again this year).

Nothing exotic though. The normal population at this time of year is mainly blackbirds, thrushes, sparrows, robins, magpies, crows, and starlings (am I right in thinking that starlings aren't native to the UK but immigrants ?), chaffinches and the odd seagull or pigeon. I would imagine the swallows will be back in a couple of months nesting under the eaves/in the roofspace. We also see the occasional sparrow hawk from time to time.
Posted by: fusilier on Feb. 11 2008,07:23

Dr. GH:
Your hummies feed at the gooseberries?  We have gooseberries and I've never seen 'em feeding there.  Instead, they feed at our Nicotinea and morning glories.

This time of year (currently cold enough to freeze the family jewels off the appropriate metallic monkey) we don't have too much wild-life.
Posted by: ppb on Feb. 11 2008,09:42

We live in suburban Boston (Lexington) so our wildlife consists mainly of squirrels, chipmunks, various songbirds, and the occasional possum or raccoon.   One day though I looked out and saw this perched on top of our screened tent.



My first thought was "Oh cool!  We have a Great Blue Heron in our back yard."  Then I remembered our fish pond and thought "Oh sh*t!  We have a Great Blue Heron in our back yard."
Posted by: C.J.O'Brien on Feb. 12 2008,13:20

Finally got out to Point Reyes to see the elephant seals. So cool. Most of the action was over a few weeks ago. ("The action" being the fighting and dominance displays between the bull males for the prime spots and the biggest harem.) There were about 200 females on the beach, divided into (I think) three harems. The big-daddy alpha bull was 20 feet long if he was an inch. The docent at the viewing site (overlooking the beach) said they were estimating he was about 5000 pounds. There were some younger males hanging around, too (poor guys --most of them, after getting sand kicked in their faces, depart to other, nearby, beaches), and I actually saw a fight between two. Not sure why they were fighting, since the prizes were all spoken for. And it wasn't two alpha-males going at it, but still quite impressive. Two 15 to 17 foot long, 4000 lb. beasts makes for quite a bout. Very interesting creatures that you don't see every day. And a nice day on Point Reyes, which it almost never is.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Feb. 12 2008,13:41

Quote (C.J.O'Brien @ Feb. 12 2008,13:20)
Finally got out to Point Reyes to see the elephant seals. So cool. Most of the action was over a few weeks ago. ("The action" being the fighting and dominance displays between the bull males for the prime spots and the biggest harem.) There were about 200 females on the beach, divided into (I think) three harems. The big-daddy alpha bull was 20 feet long if he was an inch. The docent at the viewing site (overlooking the beach) said they were estimating he was about 5000 pounds. There were some younger males hanging around, too (poor guys --most of them, after getting sand kicked in their faces, depart to other, nearby, beaches), and I actually saw a fight between two. Not sure why they were fighting, since the prizes were all spoken for. And it wasn't two alpha-males going at it, but still quite impressive. Two 15 to 17 foot long, 4000 lb. beasts makes for quite a bout. Very interesting creatures that you don't see every day. And a nice day on Point Reyes, which it almost never is.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Wow!  I didn't know that elephant seals had made it to Point Reyes; when I was in grad school they weren't any further north than Ano Nuevo. And that was in the days when you could walk on the mainland beach, strewn with bachelor males who got kicked off the island. Probably not the brightest thing I ever did... Here's a pic from those days, ca 1974-75.



Don'cha just love those cute eyebrows?
Posted by: C.J.O'Brien on Feb. 12 2008,14:01

Albatrossity:
They've been making a comeback. From the < National Park Service website >



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
After being absent for more than 150 years, elephant seals returned to the sandy beaches on the rocky Point Reyes Headlands in the early 1970s. In 1981, the first breeding pair was discovered near Chimney Rock. Since then, researchers have found that the colony is growing at a dramatic annual average rate of 16 percent. When severe storms occurred in 1992, 1994, and 1998, many pups were killed. During the El Niño winter of 1998, storms and high tides washed away approximately 85% of the 350 young pups before they had learned to swim. Nevertheless, the Point Reyes elephant seal population is between 1,500 and 2,000. Fanning out from their initial secluded spot, the seals have expanded to popular beaches, causing concern for both their safety and that of their human visitors.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Feb. 12 2008,14:20

I think somewhere around the beginning of the 20th century, the Northern Elephant Seal was assumed to be close to extinction. A report of eight seals galvanized the Smithsonian Institution into action. They sent a crack team... to kill the remaining seals so they could be added to the museum's collections while there were a few available.

Fortunately, that apparently was not the very last of the population. I know people who do studies on NESs, and the genetics of a very recent and drastic population bottleneck are an ever-present part of any population work done.


Posted by: BWE on Feb. 12 2008,18:53

Close up



This guy was standing on my neighbor's roof. Shot from my back porch.




Full view.








Taking off close up:





Full view:



The summer before last, a female Perigrine landed on our fence not three feet outside the kitchen window. I ran to get the camera but when my wife saw our kitten hiding under the wheelbarrow not three feet from the perigrine I had to change course and chase her away. Too bad on that one.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Feb. 12 2008,20:08

Quote (BWE @ Feb. 12 2008,18:53)
The summer before last, a female Perigrine landed on our fence not three feet outside the kitchen window. I ran to get the camera but when my wife saw our kitten hiding under the wheelbarrow not three feet from the perigrine I had to change course and chase her away. Too bad on that one.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


A peregrine is probably not much of a threat to your cat; they generally eat birds, and they generally have to knock them out of the sky. They rarely take prey from the ground; unless your cat develops wings, it's probably safe!

Of course, it can be tough to convince the cat about that...
Posted by: BWE on Feb. 12 2008,20:35

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Feb. 12 2008,20:08)
Quote (BWE @ Feb. 12 2008,18:53)
The summer before last, a female Perigrine landed on our fence not three feet outside the kitchen window. I ran to get the camera but when my wife saw our kitten hiding under the wheelbarrow not three feet from the perigrine I had to change course and chase her away. Too bad on that one.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


A peregrine is probably not much of a threat to your cat; they generally eat birds, and they generally have to knock them out of the sky. They rarely take prey from the ground; unless your cat develops wings, it's probably safe!

Of course, it can be tough to convince the cat about that...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I'm aware that they are suppose to eat birds, but I wasn't sure if the peregrine knew that. She landed on the fence in order to inspect the kitten (now a cat).

She was easily 3 times the size of the kitten.
Posted by: J. O'Donnell on Feb. 12 2008,20:40

A friend of my friend had a stream at the back of his house so I went looking for critters and found this:



More pictures < here >.

And yes, the little bastard does have my thumb.
Posted by: nuytsia on Feb. 13 2008,06:01

Quote (IanBrown_101 @ Jan. 24 2008,16:36)
The only really exciting thing we get around here are red kites. There's actually quite a few near here (Aberystwyth) which is pretty cool. Other than that it's pretty much just your basic list.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Ian I saw my first ever chough in Aberystwyth (actually it was a small flock) and I was ever so excited.

In terms of my backyard - well I don't actually have one but out of the back window I do see blackbirds, house sparrow and starlings... but occasionally I get some native birds like New Holland Honeyeaters, Yellow Wattlebirds and the Sulphur Crested Cockatoos have returned now that the neighbours almonds are starting to ripen. :-)

I was out rockpooling (US translation: looking at stuff in tidepools) over the weekend and had a brilliant time. I haven't done this in years and have never done this in Australia and it was so cool.
(Few clicky images below)

Saw my very first live keyhole limpet - not IDed as yet.
< >
Weird shell to body ratio?

There were lots of these cool decorator crabs Naxia tumida
< >

This little half crab was pretty cool. Lomis hirta
< >
Apparently this is in it's own monotypic family.

Some pretty variable seastars. Patiriella calcar
< >

Oh and a sea anemone that actually stalks it's prey. Phlyctenanthus tuberculosa
< >

And loads of other bits and pieces including some of the largest starfish I think I've ever seen. Selected image from the day < here >.
This was so much fun, that I've ordered a load of Australian marine life books and hope to get back out there again ASAP.

This is the dawn of my second third childhood! :-)
Just need a decent net and bucket....
Posted by: Richard Simons on Feb. 13 2008,08:01

Nuytsia, unless things have changed since I was there, you were lucky to see choughs in Aberystwyth. Although they were in the Cwm Rheidol area they seldom seemed to reach the town. I remember watching my first choughs on Bardsey Island. With their bright red beaks and the habit of making a loud, cheerful sounding caw while flicking their wings I could see where the expression 'I felt chuffed' came from.
Posted by: rhmc on Feb. 13 2008,10:02

Quote (nuytsia @ Feb. 13 2008,07:01)
[quote=IanBrown_101,Jan. 24 2008,16:36]
I was out rockpooling (US translation: looking at stuff in tidepools) over the weekend and had a brilliant time. I haven't done this in years and have never done this in Australia and it was so cool....
This is the dawn of my second third childhood! :-)
Just need a decent net and bucket....
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That's also one of my favorite activities.
To add to the experience, several years ago I bought a 100' long seine to drag the beaches with.
You simply have no idea what lives right off the beach until you do something like that.

A side benefit of the seine is that you can also feed the family on a fairly regular basis.  :)
Posted by: Dr.GH on Feb. 13 2008,10:46

Photos from Photobucket?   ???

They don't seem to link.

Size a problem?





Ah, that seems to do the trick.

That is the yard (plus dog).  The growing area is about 5X5 meters, and we have about 35 plant species.  You can see we are in an urban area.  (The occasional shootings are an urban bonus).

Here are some gooseberry that I trained up w/ flowers popular with humming birds.  I also vined some goosberry into the willows which discourages cats and other critters from raiding nests.




Posted by: Richard Simons on Feb. 13 2008,12:36

Dr. GH:

Your gooseberries don't look like what I know as gooseberry (Ribes spp. - currant). Do you know their scientific name?
Posted by: Dr.GH on Feb. 13 2008,13:58

Quote (Richard Simons @ Feb. 13 2008,10:36)
Dr. GH:

Your gooseberries don't look like what I know as gooseberry (Ribes spp. - currant). Do you know their scientific name?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


According to the Jepson Manual, and Munz (they don't always agree- understatement!), Ribes speciosum, Fuchsia-flowered Gooseberry.  Recall I have woven them together.  In the wild they are climbers, or small shubs if browsed.
Posted by: Richard Simons on Feb. 13 2008,17:15

Quote (Dr.GH @ Feb. 13 2008,13:58)
Quote (Richard Simons @ Feb. 13 2008,10:36)
Dr. GH:

Your gooseberries don't look like what I know as gooseberry (Ribes spp. - currant). Do you know their scientific name?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


According to the Jepson Manual, and Munz (they don't always agree- understatement!), Ribes speciosum, Fuchsia-flowered Gooseberry.  Recall I have woven them together.  In the wild they are climbers, or small shubs if browsed.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That explains it. I do not know the species but it is in the same genus as the one I know, which is a small shrub with off-white, greenish flowers. The flowers did strike me as being like those of fuchsia. I had no idea that Ribes flowers could be so conspicuous.
Posted by: Reciprocating Bill on Feb. 13 2008,19:18

You guys!

When I look out the winder I keep it simple. You got your birds. You got your bugs. You got your cats, dogs, other four-leggity critters. You got your worms. You got your people. You got your bunnies. I thought that about covered it.

But the other day I was pissing out back when this thing jumped out of my chest. Anybody know the species?


Posted by: Dr.GH on Feb. 13 2008,21:36

The images from Aliens are basic wasp or beetle larva.

For example, these from my front yard;


Posted by: ck1 on Feb. 13 2008,21:59

Suburban location near a stream and park.  We have squirrels, chipmunks, foxes, racoons, black snakes, box turtles, and a family of beavers.  

But mainly deer.  Lots and lots.  They eat everything.    Except daffodils.  And create problems for drivers - we have hit two of them on the road.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Feb. 14 2008,14:23

My field ornithology class this morning saw relatively few birds, but they did see some that are relatively uncommon here. These included Purple Finches (nice flock of about a dozen) and a Loggerhead Shrike. This latter species has become quite scarce in the northern part of its winter range in recent years; it has been almost a decade since we saw one on the Manhattan Christmas Bird Census, for example.

The complete checklist can be found < here. >
Posted by: rhmc on Feb. 14 2008,18:21

Quote (ck1 @ Feb. 13 2008,22:59)
But mainly deer.  Lots and lots.  They eat everything.    Except daffodils.  And create problems for drivers - we have hit two of them on the road.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


are you from a part of the world that considers "road kill" to be manna from heaven?

i once got into a discussion about whether or not eating road kill was moral but how long could it lay on the road before it was not really edible.  :)

we decided if it was still twitchin', it was worth grillin'.

only in the south, eh?
Posted by: Dr.GH on Feb. 14 2008,22:27

Quote (ck1 @ Feb. 13 2008,22:59)
But mainly deer.  Lots and lots.  They eat everything.    Except daffodils.  And create problems for drivers - we have hit two of them on the road.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



road kill deer would be perfectly OK if you avoided the meat with massive bleeding.  (Oh, and if you like deer meat).  I'd rather bleed it out myself.

I had road kill mountain lion once- a bit like pork, but very dry.


Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Feb. 21 2008,15:06

The intrepid students in the KSU Field Ornithology class braved snow and sub-zero wind chill temperatures today, but were rewarded with some nice bird sightings. The highlight was a Barred Owl; the entire checklist is < here. >

We're all hoping for warmer weather and a lengthier checklist next week...


Posted by: EoRaptor013 on Feb. 21 2008,16:03

Quote (ck1 @ Feb. 13 2008,22:59)
Suburban location near a stream and park.  We have squirrels, chipmunks, foxes, racoons, black snakes, box turtles, and a family of beavers.  

But mainly deer.  Lots and lots.  They eat everything.    Except daffodils.  And create problems for drivers - we have hit two of them on the road.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Sounds like New Joisey. I was born and raised out West; moved to NJ back in '93 (in a covered wagon, up hill both ways, by crackey!) These mangy varmints they call deer out here are a real nuisance. Did, however, see an albino once. It was cool except for what it said about predator depletion and likely over-population too.

The one fantastic/disappointing experience I had was driving back West with my son a couple of years ago (he goes to school in Olympia, WA). We stopped in Yellowstone, in the middle of Elk rutting season. The bull elk were magnificent in appearance but I couldn't believe their rutting calls! Nothing that big and regal should have a call like a cranky 6 mo. old baby!

Saw the rest of the big five while we were there: bison (hard to miss - they're all over the place), prong horn, moose (in the Tetons), a single Griz.
Posted by: EoRaptor013 on Feb. 21 2008,16:20

Gotta tell you a story. I swear on a stack of Origin of Species that this is true.

Sr in college -- '73 I guess it was -- my girlfriend in those days and I drove down to San Diego to a relatively new Lion Country sort of thingy (can't remember if it was an actual Lion Country or a clone). Back in them days, you drove through the park and there were plenty of warning signs about keeping windows closed, don't harass the citizens, etc. So, we drive along the road and come around the bend just in time for an indian elephant to step onto the road, then just stand there sweeping up bunches of grass from the road's shoulder. My girlfriend, never the patient type (think that's why she dumped me), sat for a couple of minutes drumming her fingers on the steering wheel. Finally, she can't stand it any more, rolls forward a foot or two, and honks the horn! While I'm going "GAAAK!", packy looks over, hrm.. her(?) shoulder, twitches her ears a bit and then... I SWEAR... sat on the hood of the car!!! (would that have been the bonnet even though the boot was in front?) Well, maybe it was more like leaned one haunch on it for a second; doesn't matter, put a goodly sized crunch on the hood of her car.

The rest of the story has to do with a chain-reaction accident we just barely avoided on the freeway and a CHP officer who didn't believe the story, either.
Posted by: carlsonjok on Feb. 22 2008,08:29

Earlier in this wildlife thread, I mentioned that I rarely carry my camera out back with me.  This morning was one such occasion I wish I did.  Oh, well. But what happened does raise an interesting animal behavior question that I thought someone here might be able to answer.

I have three large dogs, who accompany me out to the barn in the morning when I throw hay to the horses.  They usually explore the properties to the north or west of me while I go about my morning chores.  This morning was no exception. However, one of my dogs (who is scared of everything) came running back barking her fool head off, with her dorsal hair standing straight up.  That generally isn't a good sign.  So I ran in the direction she came from and, after crossing onto my neighbors property, found my other two dogs facing off with two coyotes.

Now this is where it gets strange.  Very quickly, the coyotes caught sight of me and ran off, with my dogs in pursuit.  But from what I saw of the "incident" and the subsequent chase, there was no signs of aggressiveness in either my dogs or the coyotes.  My Aussie was barking alot, but there was no growling or teeth being bared.  If I didn't know they were coyotes, I would have sworn it was two pairs of friendly, but unfamiliar dogs, checking each other out.  Is that even possible or am I over-analyzing what I saw?
Posted by: Dr.GH on Feb. 22 2008,12:33

Quote (EoRaptor013 @ Feb. 21 2008,14:20)
Gotta tell you a story. I swear on a stack of Origin of Species that this is true.

Sr in college -- '73 I guess it was -- my girlfriend in those days and I drove down to San Diego to a relatively new Lion Country sort of thingy (can't remember if it was an actual Lion Country or a clone). Back in them days, you drove through the park and there were plenty of warning signs about keeping windows closed, don't harass the citizens, etc. So, we drive along the road and come around the bend just in time for an indian elephant to step onto the road, then just stand there sweeping up bunches of grass from the road's shoulder. My girlfriend, never the patient type (think that's why she dumped me), sat for a couple of minutes drumming her fingers on the steering wheel. Finally, she can't stand it any more, rolls forward a foot or two, and honks the horn! While I'm going "GAAAK!", packy looks over, hrm.. her(?) shoulder, twitches her ears a bit and then... I SWEAR... sat on the hood of the car!!! (would that have been the bonnet even though the boot was in front?) Well, maybe it was more like leaned one haunch on it for a second; doesn't matter, put a goodly sized crunch on the hood of her car.

The rest of the story has to do with a chain-reaction accident we just barely avoided on the freeway and a CHP officer who didn't believe the story, either.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I recall reading this many years ago.  In 1973, I was a student at UC Irvine just a few miles from Lion Country Safari- Orange County not San Diego.  As I recall the story, it was a volkswagon that was sat on.
Posted by: Arden Chatfield on Feb. 22 2008,13:10

Okay, enough with the pitiful HOMO stories of your Rock Doves, House Sparrows, and Starlings. :angry:

Just got back from the eastern Sierras. There I saw a Townsend's Solitaire, a White-Headed Woodpecker, Mountain Chickadees, Black-Billed Magpies (the western limit of their range; 50 miles west over the mountains it's Yellow-bills), and Dark-Eyed Juncos (which I still think of as Oregon Juncos). Probably would have been more, but there's two feet of snow on the ground there. Got to hear coyotes yelping frenziedly around dusk, too.

For some reason the Feather River Canyon was full of a ginormous number of Shovelers. The Central Valley had the usual array of YB Magpies, Acorn Woodpeckers, White-Tailed Kites (my personal fave), Cooper's Hawks, Kestrels, and about eight dozen Red-Tail Hawks, which seem to be about as numerous as all the other Buteos put together for some reason.

Okay, back to your "I saw some sparrows in my back yard I think", ladies. :angry:

(Except for Albatrossity. I tip my bird nerd cap in his direction, now and always.)
Posted by: improvius on Feb. 22 2008,14:27

We have a wide range of customers at our backyard feeders.  Currently we have:

Dark-eyed Juncos (slate form)
Black-capped Chickadees
Tufted Titmice
House Finches
Northern Cardinals
Red-bellied Woodpeckers
Downy Woodpeckers
Goldfinches
White-breasted Nuthatches
House Sparrows

At other (warmer) times we have had:

Bluejays
Indigo Buntings
Wild Turkeys
Rose-breasted Grosbeaks
Red-breasted Nuthatches


Though they are dull little birds, I have a certain affinity for the juncos.  Maybe I just feel sorry for them because they don't seem to be built correctly for perching on feeders.  I'm hoping we get the buntings again this summer - I had no idea what the hell they were when we first saw them.

The coolest thing we've seen was definitely the turkeys.  We had a "rafter" of maybe a dozen of them walking/hopping around the yard. I wasn't expecting them to perch, and was frankly surprised to see several of them them hop up onto our chain link fence.  One of them saw us and took off into a tree.  A very TALL tree.  The bird made a nearly vertical ascent that seemed to take forever.  Most birds make flying look easy.  But to the turkey, getting up to that branch was clearly a herculean effort.  Anyway, I just hope they didn't all get shot by hunters.  I'd love to see them again.

Oh yeah, and of course we have tons of deer all over the place.
Posted by: EoRaptor013 on Feb. 22 2008,18:09

Quote (Dr.GH @ Feb. 22 2008,13:33)
   
Quote (EoRaptor013 @ Feb. 21 2008,14:20)
Gotta tell you a story. I swear on a stack of Origin of Species that this is true.

Sr in college -- '73 I guess it was -- my girlfriend in those days and I drove down to San Diego to a relatively new Lion Country sort of thingy (can't remember if it was an actual Lion Country or a clone). Back in them days, you drove through the park and there were plenty of warning signs about keeping windows closed, don't harass the citizens, etc. So, we drive along the road and come around the bend just in time for an indian elephant to step onto the road, then just stand there sweeping up bunches of grass from the road's shoulder. My girlfriend, never the patient type (think that's why she dumped me), sat for a couple of minutes drumming her fingers on the steering wheel. Finally, she can't stand it any more, rolls forward a foot or two, and honks the horn! While I'm going "GAAAK!", packy looks over, hrm.. her(?) shoulder, twitches her ears a bit and then... I SWEAR... sat on the hood of the car!!! (would that have been the bonnet even though the boot was in front?) Well, maybe it was more like leaned one haunch on it for a second; doesn't matter, put a goodly sized crunch on the hood of her car.

The rest of the story has to do with a chain-reaction accident we just barely avoided on the freeway and a CHP officer who didn't believe the story, either.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I recall reading this many years ago.  In 1973, I was a student at UC Irvine just a few miles from Lion Country Safari- Orange County not San Diego.  As I recall the story, it was a volkswagon that was sat on.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yep. That was us. We were at USC. Orange County... well, to us it was most of the way to San Diego. ;-)
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Feb. 29 2008,09:01

The KSU Field Ornithology class visited the Cecil Best Birding Trail (in Manhattan's Northeast Community Park) yesterday morning. We got good looks at Brown Creepers and White-Crowned Sparrows, and the Red-winged Blackbirds and Western Meadowlarks were singing lustily. The most impressive aspect of the morning, however, was the numerous skeins of geese (both Canada and Snow), all very high and all heading north.

Today's checklist (as well as previous checklists from this year and previous years) can be found < here >.

 

---------------------QUOTE-------------------
One swallow does not make a summer, but one skein of geese, cleaving the murk of March thaw, is the Spring. — Aldo Leopold.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------




(image by < Mark Chappell, > used with permission)
Posted by: Dr.GH on Mar. 02 2008,17:55

It is egg layers in the open air;



Here is a battered Mourning Cloak female;


Posted by: Dr.GH on April 09 2008,14:03

I was thinking about D'Tard's truck picture sporting a butterfly, and I thought to post a photo of wildlife growing on my truck.  I get the most kick out of the lichen:


Posted by: Nomad on April 09 2008,23:37

I traditionally have freaky nearly transparent white (ghostly white was how I always thought of them) spiders growing on my vehicles.  They seem to have stayed away from my latest car, I'm not really sure why.

I have no pictures, but you have to understand that I have a fairly strong fear of spiders bordering on phobia level.  They're small, fragile looking spiders.  The freaked me out not because they're big or dangerous but because they're spiders and because they had a tendency to appear without warning while I was trying to drive.  You think cell phones make for distracted drivers?  Try the time I had a spider rappelling down into my lap while I was driving.  I came close to pulling over to get rid of it.

I've gotten a little better since then, perhaps they've decided that they can't have as much fun torturing me anymore and have buggered off to find someone new to harass.
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on April 09 2008,23:43

< Painters!!!!! >
Posted by: jeffox on April 13 2008,23:55

I saw my first barn swallows of the year today.
Posted by: skeptic on April 14 2008,15:57

Just this morning I watched a brilliant red cardinal right in the back yard.  He comes so frequently that the dogs let him stand right on the top of the dog house without a second glance.  I've even seen him pinch a bit of dog food from time to time.
Posted by: rhmc on April 14 2008,17:21

had a bald eagle soaring over the house friday afternoon.  

setting sun highlighting the white head, white tail, brown wings.

and i hope to view a bunch of seagoing crustaceans this weekend as i've deployed the crabtraps in the estuary.
Posted by: khan on April 14 2008,18:08

A Cooper's Hawk grabbed a bird (finch?) out of midair about 6 feet from my front window (near the bird feeder).  There's also a Northern Harrier that favors doves.
Posted by: Henry J on April 14 2008,22:58

Can deer eat cactus without hurting themselves on the spines? There's a patch of some kind of cactus near the parking lot where I live, and something has taken bites out of some of its flat oval shaped sections. The shape of the missing pieces suggests something with a fairly large mouth, maybe deer sized.

Henry
Posted by: Dr.GH on April 14 2008,23:19

Quote (rhmc @ April 14 2008,15:21)
had a bald eagle soaring over the house friday afternoon.  

setting sun highlighting the white head, white tail, brown wings.

and i hope to view a bunch of seagoing crustaceans this weekend as i've deployed the crabtraps in the estuary.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Baldies are really fun to watch grab fish.  Santa Catalina Island has 4(?) mated pairs.  Last years chicks are quite large and have already learned to hit on the sport fishing boats. We spilf a mackeral so that it stays on the surface and get a good view of the eagles taking the fish.  Last year we got to see an eagle nail a seagull which is the obverse of most of their interactions.  A half dozen or so gulls, or some of the island ravens will often harass an eagle until they are forced to perch.
Posted by: Dr.GH on April 14 2008,23:26

Quote (Henry J @ April 14 2008,20:58)
Can deer eat cactus without hurting themselves on the spines? There's a patch of some kind of cactus near the parking lot where I live, and something has taken bites out of some of its flat oval shaped sections. The shape of the missing pieces suggests something with a fairly large mouth, maybe deer sized.

Henry
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yeah, I have seen them do it.  Cattle too, even with needles all over their faces.  I saw a photo of a steer with pads stuck to his face.

Coyotes are passionate for prickely pear fruit.  They get terribly spiked up, and even get diarrhea from the amount of fruit they eat- scat that are merely purple stained mucus and opuntia seeds.  

We have junkies, so I see there is no need to feel superior.
Posted by: J-Dog on April 15 2008,08:11

Couger in Chicago - Of course, the Police Department shot it.  

Link goes to the story and has some sad looking pictures.

< http://www.wbbm780.com/Cougar-Shot-In-Roscoe-Village/2001618 >
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on April 15 2008,08:30

I ain't no junkie so git yer paws off my superiority pal.  I have never even heard of a steer, with catcus pads in his lips or not, that could fiddle the Wildwood Flower.  now i can't swat flies with my tail but I don't want to anyhow.  on a related diminished triad...

1:Do cows prefer to experience their Opuntia eating full flavor, glochids and all, or is it just any way you can get it?

b3:Why do the dogs never learn the skunk stinks?

b5:Why does Paul Nelson still show up around here?
Posted by: Assassinator on April 15 2008,10:06

Quote (Erasmus @ FCD, Posted on April 15 2008,08:30 )
b3:Why do the dogs never learn the skunk stinks?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Do dogs care if they stink or not ;)
Anyway, you guys sure have some fascinating wildlife around there. It's just boring crap here in Holland, the little and plain birds (blackbirds, pigeons, several species of tits and unfortunatly not the interesting types of tits) we have here are mostly chased away by my 2 cats (who still occasionally catch one, picture on 1st page). The best I can spot here, are grey herons who occasionally fly over. They like my neighborhood (densly build quarter build like 12 years ago) because lots of people have small ponds in there backyards, thus fish. Also the nightly sky isn't that woopy, because I live 200 meters from a freeway. And still the area where I live would be labeled as "country-side".
Yay for Holland...
Posted by: Dr.GH on April 15 2008,11:39

Quote (Erasmus, FCD @ April 15 2008,06:30)
b3:Why do the dogs never learn the skunk stinks?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I once had a dog that liked skunk spray.  Even when the skunk missed him, he would go for a good roll in it.  Otherwise he was normal.
Posted by: EyeNoU on April 15 2008,19:52

In South Texas, ranchers will burn the spines off prickly pear pads so the cattle can feed on it, especially in times of drought.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on April 17 2008,14:15

The KSU Field Ornithology class dodged the thunderstorms this morning and found some good birds. Shorebirds are coming through this part of the world right now, and we found American Avocet, Long-billed Dowitcher, Greater Yellowlegs, Wilson's Snipe, and Spotted Sandpiper. We also found a few sparrows, a few ducks, and some terns and gulls.

The final < species list > was 48 species. Hopefully we will get better weather next week, but we did pretty well for a rainy and blustery day. (note - the American Avocet image at the linked checklist was NOT shot today)
Posted by: Richardthughes on April 17 2008,14:18

I was never a big biology fan at school, but one of the best lessons was definitely collecting a fixed amount of leaf litter and counting and classifying the species...
Posted by: J-Dog on April 17 2008,14:42

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ April 17 2008,14:15)
The KSU Field Ornithology class dodged the thunderstorms this morning and found some good birds. Shorebirds are coming through this part of the world right now, and we found American Avocet, Long-billed Dowitcher, Greater Yellowlegs, Wilson's Snipe, and Spotted Sandpiper. We also found a few sparrows, a few ducks, and some terns and gulls.

The final < species list > was 48 species. Hopefully we will get better weather next week, but we did pretty well for a rainy and blustery day. (note - the American Avocet image at the linked checklist was NOT shot today)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Hey - I just got a PM from FTK!  

She and her kids would like to know just exactly where those birds are located, and where the biggest concentration of prey , easy targets, birds might be located.*




* Just kidding, in case FTK gets outraged.  They don't need to know where the birds are located, they'll just call in an air-strike and do some saturation bombing.**

**Really, she didn't PM me.  But it sounds believable, right?
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on April 17 2008,15:39

Quote (J-Dog @ April 17 2008,14:42)
Hey - I just got a PM from FTK!  

She and her kids would like to know just exactly where those birds are located, and where the biggest concentration of prey , easy targets, birds might be located.*




* Just kidding, in case FTK gets outraged.  They don't need to know where the birds are located, they'll just call in an air-strike and do some saturation bombing.**

**Really, she didn't PM me.  But it sounds believable, right?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Bad J-Dog! Bad!

FtK's appreciation of the avifauna of Kansas has < advanced  significantly in recent weeks. >

On a lighter note, here's a < story about an Avocet rescue >, using a bird dog, from carlsonjok's area (well, not exactly, but it was within 100 miles or so).
Posted by: J-Dog on April 17 2008,15:52

If those are Canadian Geese that FTK's kids are harassing, they could be in BIG Trouble - they are a Federally protected species.  I'm thinking they could even be Expelled...

Rich might be interested in some of FTK's upcoming Prison Blog's, if there is a live feed.  I understand that this type of "docu-drama" has a niche market.  And by niche market I mean Adult Films - and I bet a single malt bottle of scotch that if FTK winds up in a Women's Prison Movie, it will gross more than Expelled.  

If it's "tastefully" done of course.
Posted by: dnmlthr on April 17 2008,18:08

Guess the type of area that I live in...

We have:
- Rats of all shapes and sizes, with some really big ones every now and then
- Rabbits AKA rats with big ears
- Pigeons AKA rats with wings
- Too few dogs and definitely too few cats
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on April 17 2008,18:12

yeah J-D the niche market for people who like "nasty people who are willfully hooked on stupid and have disgusting bodies (butter faces) and lame personalities anyway having uninspired protected sex like inuits doing it only no invoking the deity" I'm sure pays well.  millionaires and stuff.

-rolls eyes, queefs-

-throws up in beard just a little bit at thought of the sad scene-

-changes channel-

for wildlife I am preparing fresh morels (yellows greys and blacks) poke sallet and wild asparagus I clipped on the side of the road.  I have been watching that asparagus for 8-9 months waiting for today.  I have found 60+ morels in two days.  there just aint no ramps around here.  i blame it on the sevier family, and with good reason.

Also, wild phlox, wild geraniums, some bloodroot (still), some spring beauties (still), yesterday a host of bellwort (theyre nice), trillium luteum everywhere that is worth being, solomons seal up and big, so is zig zag, trout lilies done already, some asters i don't know that were in deep forest, still lots of violets in the woods, may apples blooming (there stand my wan soldiers), hexastylis and little brown jugs are both blooming, turkey mustard blooming, several others i didn't know.  not much wildlife.  saw a couple nice bass finning around in a hole under the river bank this morning.  my eyes are to the ground.

dnmlthr  what kind of place is that?  we have too many cats.  it is debatable though because there is too much privet.
Posted by: carlsonjok on April 17 2008,18:22

Quote (Erasmus, FCD @ April 17 2008,18:12)
for wildlife I am preparing fresh morels (yellows greys and blacks) poke sallet and wild asparagus I clipped on the side of the road.  
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Okay, I am calling shenanigans.  It is way too early in the year for pokeweed.  I don't think you are that far from me and poke doesn't come up here until late summer.
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on April 17 2008,19:55

Quote (carlsonjok @ April 17 2008,18:22)
Quote (Erasmus @ FCD,April 17 2008,18:12)
for wildlife I am preparing fresh morels (yellows greys and blacks) poke sallet and wild asparagus I clipped on the side of the road.  
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Okay, I am calling shenanigans.  It is way too early in the year for pokeweed.  I don't think you are that far from me and poke doesn't come up here until late summer.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


what are you, an inuit?

poke has been up for a couple of weeks here in the valley.  some of it is damn near too big to eat.  that is if you care what they say about it.

i knew an old indian that ate the berries like a bear.  said it didn't hurt the bears, wouldn't hurt him.  he was pretty old.  might be true.  white people tell me it is pizen.
Posted by: carlsonjok on April 17 2008,20:05

Quote (Erasmus @ FCD,April 17 2008,19:55)
 
Quote (carlsonjok @ April 17 2008,18:22)
 
Quote (Erasmus @ FCD,April 17 2008,18:12)
for wildlife I am preparing fresh morels (yellows greys and blacks) poke sallet and wild asparagus I clipped on the side of the road.  
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Okay, I am calling shenanigans.  It is way too early in the year for pokeweed.  I don't think you are that far from me and poke doesn't come up here until late summer.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


what are you, an inuit?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Okie.


---------------------QUOTE-------------------

poke has been up for a couple of weeks here in the valley.  some of it is damn near too big to eat.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


The only thing that has really taken off so far is the rye and henbit.  I don't really start seeing any poke until July or later.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on April 19 2008,19:08

It was a stunning spring morning here on the edge of the Great Plains, so I hauled the camera and the binoculars out to a local birding spot. I got some pictures of a few migrants and a few residents, which can be seen < here. >

Enjoy!
Posted by: nuytsia on April 19 2008,20:54

Those are some really nice shots of great birds Albie.
I particularly like the 2nd yellow rumped warbler shot.

I found this on my living room window earlier this week.
< >
I love moths but they're such b4st4rds to identify.
This might be Syneora mundifera but IANAL* so it could be something totally bloody different. :-(

I picked up this a few days later at a friends house.
< >
No idea what it is but  I assume it's another Geometridae.


* I am not a lepidopterist - in a perfect world this phrase would be used more often. :angry:
Posted by: k.e.. on April 20 2008,04:57

I don't have a photo and it wasn't in the backyard, that only has boring Australian parrots anyway...this was in my kitchen.

A mouse ran around the counter top and thought the toaster would be a good place to hide.......
Posted by: Duvenoy on April 20 2008,09:09

I live in a rural area and my winter bird feeders usually have:
goldfinch
titmouse
redpolls
eastern nuthatch
eastern chickadee
junkos (who the hell names these things, anyway?)
hairy woodpecker
golden fronted woodpecker
mourning dove
boat tailed grackle
carolina sparrow
cardinals
bluejays
grey squirrels, one of which was a rehab and is still pretty tame.
a couple of optomistic but seldom lucky cats, mine and a neighbor's.
and some other stuff that slips my mind at the moment.

My feeders are made from small, galvenized garbage cans and hold someting like 15# of black oil seed each.

Beyond the feeders, I'm not all that intense a bird watcher. This time of year, I'm usually herping, and later on it'll be bug watching. Having finally gotten a decent camera, I hope to finally get some photos worth keeping.

I have a house (of sorts) 'possum that visits through the cat flap and hustles handouts. He's also a damned good mouser.

doov
Posted by: Quidam on April 20 2008,10:15

< >
Photographed: Pine Marten, Deer, Black bear, dinosaurs.

Sighted but not photographed: Elk, moose, cougar, skunk, various raptors, woodpeckers, etc.

And an infinite supply of squirrels
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on April 20 2008,12:03

Part of the crop gathered this morning.


Posted by: dnmlthr on April 20 2008,13:13

Erasmus: Let's just say that by swedish standards it's an urban area. However, I came back from a week in New York a week ago, so it has a certain rural charm about it that I didn't notice two weeks ago.
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on April 20 2008,15:20

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ April 20 2008,12:03)
Part of the crop gathered this morning.


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


NICE

I am up to 114 morels this year.  I got fresh wild asparagus and poke sallet again thursday and we had pasta.  Friday we took about 30 giant yeller ones like you got there and Sweet Thing made a chip dip with sauteed mushrooms and i don't know what all, fake crab meat, artichoke hearts, who knows. yum.

my neighbor just walked across the street and said do you know what this thing is?  it was a giant yellow.  he didn't know what it was.  i'm going to see if there are any more.
Posted by: Dr.GH on April 20 2008,16:51

These were from a project I worked on back in 1989.

Mommy Kitty (angry)



Boy Kitty (stoned)




We tagged these about 10 miles from the house.  Boy Kitty got his first radio collar and a tatt.  Mommy Kitty got a new battery for her collar.  They both got shots.  We used dirty stinky bandanas to cover their eyes so they would associate people stink with sore butts and headaches.  The anal probes were just rectal thermometers (we had to keep them cooled below 104 F, preferably <102 F).


Posted by: Albatrossity2 on April 20 2008,18:21

Quote (Erasmus @ FCD,April 20 2008,15:20)
I am up to 114 morels this year.  I got fresh wild asparagus and poke sallet again thursday and we had pasta.  Friday we took about 30 giant yeller ones like you got there and Sweet Thing made a chip dip with sauteed mushrooms and i don't know what all, fake crab meat, artichoke hearts, who knows. yum.

my neighbor just walked across the street and said do you know what this thing is?  it was a giant yellow.  he didn't know what it was.  i'm going to see if there are any more.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


But this can't be true. FtK says that you have no morals :D

We probably harvested 70-80 morels this morning; it is just the first day here, as far as I can tell (previous trips to the same spots yielded zilch). So I am looking forward to lots more, if I can get away from work over the next few days.

We also found lots of the false morels (Gyromitra sp.), like this one



We're not going to eat those...
Posted by: Arden Chatfield on April 20 2008,18:38

So, evidently you are operating under a morel code!











Sorry. I'll get my coat.
Posted by: Henry J on April 20 2008,19:00



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
So, evidently you are operating under a morel code!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Well, at least he's a fun gi.

:p

Henry
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on April 20 2008,21:51

albie that is great.  how long does your season last?  the gyromitras were up in the first of the month in my neighbors yard.  he found a giant yellow one there in the same place yesterday.

Sweet Thang, Littlun and I found 32 more this evening.  Most were weird shaped yellows that I am fairly sure have just emerged.  a few yellows but no bigguns.  we only looked for an hour or so, this is a patch i've already got 50 out of or so last week.  it rained yesterday so i will be looking here again.  

I swear I'm going to get some pictures up.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on April 21 2008,07:12

Quote (Erasmus @ FCD,April 20 2008,21:51)
albie that is great.  how long does your season last?  the gyromitras were up in the first of the month in my neighbors yard.  he found a giant yellow one there in the same place yesterday.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Our morel seasons here are incredibly variable, since the weather in the spring can be incredibly variable here. Two years ago it was so dry in the winter and spring that there were no morels, or at least we found none, and I heard no positive reports from anyone else. Last year we got the first batch, then a ridiculous cold snap hit (temps in the teens for three days in a row), and there were no more after that. In 2004 (the best year I remember) the season lasted a couple of weeks; we had a good combination of rains and warm nights. We gathered and dried enough mushrooms that we only finished off the last of that batch in mid 2007.

I'm hopeful that this will be more like 2004!

Maybe FtK is partially right. I have a morel code, but it changes from year to year...
Posted by: jeffox on April 22 2008,22:31

I saw my first chipping sparrow of the year today!  Still no fungi yet, though.
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on April 23 2008,07:21

I'm up to 160 for the year, the last four a buddy gave me.  last friday one of my patches was invaded by the homeless and there are Scott blossoms in my fishin hole.  some old drunks, said he was a 'plumber, by trade'.  I knew something was wrong when I walked in and saw a cat sitting in the woods looking at me.  Then another.  wtf.  then a truck parked in the bushes.  then two old drunks.  then some more cats.  then a bunch of shit strowed around the woods.  then a mushroom.

there were a few there.  they didn't know what they were and i told them there was a poisonous lookalike that would kill you and the person next to you.  jeff where are you that the funguseses ain't amongusus ye?
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 23 2008,07:50

Birdie porn:

Couple of Mockingbirds doing the mid-air mambo just outside my bedroom window.
Posted by: k.e.. on April 23 2008,07:56

Quote (Lou FCD @ April 23 2008,15:50)
Birdie porn:

Couple of Mockingbirds* doing the mid-air mambo just outside my bedroom window.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


They had feathers right?

*Bird is English slang for female
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 23 2008,08:08

Quote (k.e.. @ April 23 2008,08:56)
Quote (Lou FCD @ April 23 2008,15:50)
Birdie porn:

Couple of Mockingbirds* doing the mid-air mambo just outside my bedroom window.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


They had feathers right?

*Bird is English slang for female
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


When we were kids, bird was our word for penis.

But yeah, they were the feathered kind of Mockingbird.
Posted by: jeffox on April 23 2008,20:57

Erasmus, FCD did ask:



---------------------QUOTE-------------------

jeff where are you that the funguseses ain't amongusus ye?

---------------------QUOTE-------------------



And, to answer, I currently live in Oak Lair, (not it's real name :)) Wisconsin.  I was born & raised & lived most of my life in Minnesota, however.  

Just to let you all know, there is still snow on the ground in a few isolated spots in town here.  

I'm currently attending UWEC as a nontraditional student (I'm 46) studying for a geology major.  (I hear it pays well :)).

Fun thread, spring is short here; and I find it an especially fun time to birdwatch - I'll keep you all posted on the stuff I see.

Thanks for asking!
Posted by: Richard Simons on April 23 2008,21:48

Today a colleague was going to treat us to (Canada) goose for lunch but as just a few have arrived so far he was only able to get one which we divided amongst us. The flavour was good but from the part-leg I had I think it must have walked here.

At the weekend I saw the first rusty blackbird, a grey heron (we are at about the northern limit of their range) and a flock of about 20 sandhill cranes. The ravens seem to be paired up and are doing aerobatics. A colleague saw two bald eagles feeding on road kill the previous weekend but so far I've not seen any.

The lakes are still mainly ice-covered but most of the snow has gone. In a melting snow-bank at the edge of town I saw what looked distinctly like wolf droppings (large, more hair than anything else).  The pussy willow is out, the trees are changing colour as the buds expand and there are a few tiny green shoots showing here and there.
Posted by: J-Dog on April 24 2008,18:49

Quote (Richard Simons @ April 23 2008,21:48)
Today a colleague was going to treat us to (Canada) goose for lunch but as just a few have arrived so far he was only able to get one which we divided amongst us. The flavour was good but from the part-leg I had I think it must have walked here.

At the weekend I saw the first rusty blackbird, a grey heron (we are at about the northern limit of their range) and a flock of about 20 sandhill cranes. The ravens seem to be paired up and are doing aerobatics. A colleague saw two bald eagles feeding on road kill the previous weekend but so far I've not seen any.

The lakes are still mainly ice-covered but most of the snow has gone. In a melting snow-bank at the edge of town I saw what looked distinctly like wolf droppings (large, more hair than anything else).  The pussy willow is out, the trees are changing colour as the buds expand and there are a few tiny green shoots showing here and there.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Please visit Chicago, where there are @ 1,000,000 Canadian Geese that you can eat.  All they do here is eat and shit, usually all over my kid's sports fields.

Maybe FTK and her kids can stop by and help.
Posted by: hereoisreal on April 24 2008,20:26



ALBINO PEACOCK
 A friend sent me this picture of the
rare bird.  Kinda looks like a snow flake.
As I was scanning this, I heard one calling near my home.

Zero
Posted by: nuytsia on April 28 2008,16:26

Not quite in my backyard but I thought I'd share...

I saw my very first velvet worm last week
< >
This is the Tasmanian Giant Velvet Worm (Tasmanipatus barretti), a monster of almost 75mm!!!111
This is a rather rare species only occuring in an area of 600 square km up in the north east of Tasmania. Luckily for me I was out with a friend who knew exactly the kind of habitat to look in.

Here's a shot that gives a better sense of scale
< >
After reading about these and seeing them on TV documentaries it was very cool to see one for real. :-)
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on April 28 2008,17:07

Quote (nuytsia @ April 28 2008,16:26)
Not quite in my backyard but I thought I'd share...

I saw my very first velvet worm last week

---snip----

After reading about these and seeing them on TV documentaries it was very cool to see one for real. :-)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That is wicked cool! On my sole trip to the Southern Hemisphere I looked for these guys, but didn't find any. Congrats!

My best wildlife sighting of the weekend was three species of Zonotrichia sparrows, White-throated, White-crowned, and Harris' Sparrow, all feeding on the ground beneath my feeders, within a few inches of each other. I ran for the camera but they had dispersed before I could get it deployed.
Posted by: J-Dog on April 28 2008,20:47

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ April 28 2008,17:07)
Quote (nuytsia @ April 28 2008,16:26)
Not quite in my backyard but I thought I'd share...

I saw my very first velvet worm last week

---snip----

After reading about these and seeing them on TV documentaries it was very cool to see one for real. :-)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That is wicked cool! On my sole trip to the Southern Hemisphere I looked for these guys, but didn't find any. Congrats!

My best wildlife sighting of the weekend was three species of Zonotrichia sparrows, White-throated, White-crowned, and Harris' Sparrow, all feeding on the ground beneath my feeders, within a few inches of each other. I ran for the camera but they had dispersed before I could get it deployed.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


You need the New LePage Brand Bird Feeder.  They'll never fly away before you get your camera again.

Posted by: carlsonjok on April 28 2008,21:03

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ April 28 2008,17:07)
My best wildlife sighting of the weekend was three species of Zonotrichia sparrows, White-throated, White-crowned, and Harris' Sparrow, all feeding on the ground beneath my feeders, within a few inches of each other. I ran for the camera but they had dispersed before I could get it deployed.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


While out filling in collapsed gopher tunnels in my pasture, one of my dogs flushed a wild turkey. The poor thing was having a hard time getting altitude and did a faceplant into a wire mesh fence. Dog almost caught it before it took off again, this time parallel to the fence, and hightailed it into a juniper tree.  I looked where it came from and found it a nest with 13 eggs in it.  I'm not sure how long they have been there, so I'll need to keep an eye out to see when they hatch.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on April 28 2008,21:08

Quote (carlsonjok @ April 28 2008,21:03)
While out filling in collapsed gopher tunnels in my pasture, one of my dogs flushed a wild turkey.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That's a pretty impressive dog.  How did you train it to fill in gopher tunnels?  :p
Posted by: carlsonjok on April 28 2008,22:17

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ April 28 2008,21:08)
Quote (carlsonjok @ April 28 2008,21:03)
While out filling in collapsed gopher tunnels in my pasture, one of my dogs flushed a wild turkey.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That's a pretty impressive dog.  How did you train it to fill in gopher tunnels?  :p
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Simple.  I told them that I wasn't going to feed them for free.  If they wanted to eat, they needed to work.  They were so intent on survival that they evolved opposable thumbs. Praise Darwin!
Posted by: Henry J on April 28 2008,22:40

All these critters being described here make the local rabbits and deer seem boring... Cute, yes, but maybe nothing to write home about (so to speak).

Henry
Posted by: Dr.GH on April 28 2008,23:14

Well, I have had some other sphinx moths today, mostly white lined.  The most cool visitor was a downey woodpecker.  If you are in an area where they are common, they might not be a big deal.  Here they are rare so I get a kick out of seeing them.

The english sparrows have wiped-out the mourning cloak caterpillars.  We had several painted lady butterflies this morning.  I watched a 12 spot lady beetle emerge.  Sorry I forgot pictures (I tried on the woodpecker, but they were cummy).

I went fishing at Santa Catalina Island today (about 10 species of fish cuaght) and saw quite a number of gulls, terns, cormerants, shearwaters, pelicans etc...  Also a bald eagle. Sea Lions were all over the place as usual. Just outside Dana Point harbor we saw a blue whale.


Posted by: Albatrossity2 on April 29 2008,14:19

Got a call that there was a bee swarm near one of our buildings this afternoon, so I went to see it. It was pretty cool, and a decent size swarm, as you can see.



We contacted the extension entomologist to see if anyone wanted to collect it (it is worth about $80-100 to a beekeeper). That question was answered in the affirmative, and so we helped collect them. That is a very high-tech process, involving a cardboard box and a couple of people shaking the branch to dislodge the bees, allowing the swarm (hopefully containing the queen) to drop into the box.



A chemistry prof (not shown) who is an amateur beekeeper was the lucky recipient. As the old English rhyme goes:

   A swarm of bees in May is worth a load of hay;
   A swarm of bees in June is worth a silver spoon;
   A swarm of bees in July isn't worth a fly.

We also found the parent hive from which this swarm originated; it is in a hollow branch of an oak tree about 30-40 feet from where this swarm was found. Maybe we'll get to find another one next spring!
Posted by: Assassinator on April 30 2008,12:25

Question: how the hell do you keep those bees in the box, and isn't such a hive way to heavy for a cardboard box like that?
Anyway, 2 days ago I saw a pretty nice bird, wich I've never seen here before. I didn't take a picture, because I was just on my way back from school, but I think it was this one:

The Eurasian Nuthatch, mainly because it was spurting down up and down the trunk of a tree so smoothly. But I could be wrong ofcourse, I'm far from a connaiseur ;-)
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on April 30 2008,13:24

Quote (Assassinator @ April 30 2008,12:25)
Question: how the hell do you keep those bees in the box, and isn't such a hive way to heavy for a cardboard box like that?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


The bees stay in the box as long as the queen is there. It was really interesting; the bee guys knew that they had captured the queen because immediately some of the worker bees positioned themselves around the vent at the top of the box, and started fanning their wings rapidly, to keep the temperature in the box comfy enough for a queen.



And it is not a permanent home, but merely a transport device to get them to a regular wooden new hive/home. I'd imagine that the whole swarm weighed under a kilogram, so the box could easily hold them.

Nice bird, BTW.
Posted by: Nomad on May 02 2008,00:59

Well look who I caught in the act:


This cute little guy (or girl, I have no idea on the gender) has been living in the attic above my bedroom for years.  The truth is the roof needs to be repaired, there's a gap on the side with plenty of room for inquisitive wildlife to enter.  All attempts to keep him from climbing up to the roof have failed, it appears he's shimmying up the drainpipes.  The drainpipes now have a spiked collar around them, but somehow he climbs up in spite of them.

At least he's been penned in, most of the attic is blocked off by a wire mesh fence.  So instead of a luxury suite he's limited to a sort of studio apartment.

It was fascinating to catch him up there (that's the lower level of the roof just above the front door).  Once he saw me he seemed to be about to climb back up that drainpipe, but then he thought better of it and curled up in the corner, it's like he decided to out wait me.  It was evening and he was headed out, but clearly wasn't interested in hopping down with me out there.  He stayed put long enough for me to bring my camera and tripod (it was getting dark fast, the exposure on this shot was 3.2 seconds) and take as many pictures as I wanted.

Eventually I went inside and watched from a front door window as he climbed down via a tree, demonstrating fairly impressive dexterity.  I tended to think raccoons were a bit less limber than that, they seem too heavy to gently lower themselves down onto the end of a branch while supporting their weight on their front legs (on the end of the branch, not a very large surface).

I'm hoping that this encounter will deter him, but I kind of doubt it.  I'm sure he knows he's living above humans, finally seeing one can't be that scary.
Posted by: J-Dog on May 02 2008,09:26

That is a cute little bugger - and he looks a lot more intelligent than those pictures of Nein Stein in shorts...
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on May 02 2008,11:56

It's been hectic here as we near the end of the semester, but I finally got around to posting the checklist of birds seen by the KSU Field Ornithology class yesterday. Here is < the list > (49 species), along with an interesting story about our encounter with a black rat snake.

Enjoy!
Posted by: rhmc on May 03 2008,21:26

was southeast of savannah today for a "derby" party.
wandering the grounds we saw a 4' black snake (probably a racer but didn't see the white chin), brown pelicans and a flight of wood storks.
some bottle nose dolphins cruised up the creek.
beautiful day.  mostly cloudy, 15kt winds, around 80f.
Posted by: Richard Simons on May 04 2008,00:28

Assassinator:
The European nuthatch is fairly common, especially around old deciduous, rough-barked trees like oak. They are the only bird that habitually goes head-first down tree trunks and under large branches. Usually you hear them first - their call has been described as like fairy trumpets. And yes, they are attractive, especially as they can be more stongly-coloured than the one in the photo.
Posted by: jeffox on May 04 2008,01:24

I got out of town today on a geology field trip.  I saw numerous vultures at the landfill we visited, one marsh hawk later, and one common merganser.  Oh, and a good ol' sloughpumper (great blue heron).  

The day started out very cool and drizzly but the sun came out by mid-afternoon for a nice day.  Still too cool here for most fungi.

I hope e1 had as nice a day as I did.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on May 04 2008,17:01

It was cold last night, with a north wind, which should keep some of the northbound migrants grounded for an evening. So I ventured out this morning to see what I could see, bird-wise. There were lots of migrants, but some of the best views I had were of some of our regular summer breeding birds. These included this male Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra)



and this female Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus)


Posted by: Reciprocating Bill on May 05 2008,06:42

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ April 29 2008,15:19)
Got a call that there was a bee swarm near one of our buildings this afternoon, so I went to see it. It was pretty cool, and a decent size swarm, as you can see.



We contacted the extension entomologist to see if anyone wanted to collect it (it is worth about $80-100 to a beekeeper). That question was answered in the affirmative, and so we helped collect them. That is a very high-tech process, involving a cardboard box and a couple of people shaking the branch to dislodge the bees, allowing the swarm (hopefully containing the queen) to drop into the box.



A chemistry prof (not shown) who is an amateur beekeeper was the lucky recipient. As the old English rhyme goes:

   A swarm of bees in May is worth a load of hay;
   A swarm of bees in June is worth a silver spoon;
   A swarm of bees in July isn't worth a fly.

We also found the parent hive from which this swarm originated; it is in a hollow branch of an oak tree about 30-40 feet from where this swarm was found. Maybe we'll get to find another one next spring!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I had a very similar experience 15 years ago. I returned from work one cool spring evening to find a large swarm nestled under one of the eves of my house. We called an exterminator, but they suggested bee keepers. An elderly couple arrived with a box and a broom. They climbed out a window onto the porch roof below the eve, dislodged the swarm with the broom and it dropped into the box.

Plop.

I was amazed.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on May 08 2008,15:42

On our last field trip for the semester, the KSU Field Ornithology class found 68 species on a calm, bright, and pleasant morning. The highlights included good looks at American Redstarts, Northern Parulas, Orchard Orioles, and a Green Heron. The entire checklist can be seen < here >.

This is a fun class to teach, but unfortunately only 3 of the 7 enrolled students managed to get out of bed in time to come to class today, and it was the nicest day of the semester, both in terms of the birds seen and in terms of the weather...
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 10 2008,14:28

I just spent about a half-hour tossing the ball with Shakespeare in the back yard.

While I was standing by the back tree line, a < Catbird > alighted on a branch about ten or twelve feet from me and decided it was safe to serenade us.  Shakespeare just took a seat beside me and watched him rather calmly.

It seemed like he pulled out every piece of sheet music he had.  Catbirds always fascinate me in that such a wide repertoire is contained all in one animal.
Posted by: carlsonjok on May 10 2008,15:14

Quote (Lou FCD @ May 10 2008,14:28)
I just spent about a half-hour tossing the ball with Shakespeare in the back yard.

While I was standing by the back tree line, a < Catbird > alighted on a branch about ten or twelve feet from me and decided it was safe to serenade us.  Shakespeare just took a seat beside me and watched him rather calmly.

It seemed like he pulled out every piece of sheet music he had.  Catbirds always fascinate me in that such a wide repertoire is contained all in one animal.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I just spent an hour and a half rescuing a baby barn swallow out of my barn loft.  The swallows like to build nests in the rafters of the lower level of my barn. I normally tear them down immediately, but they managed to put a nest in a new location and by the time I discovered it, there were already chicks in it. Those chicks are now learning to fly and one managed to find its way into the loft. I opened the loft doors and gave the little fella some time, but he never managed to fly out.  So I grabbed a towel and captured the little fella and took him down to ground level where his sibling was hopping around.  They have both now disappeared, so I assume my rescue was successful.

I have dubbed the episode "another chapter in the book why animal lovers shouldn't live in the country."
Posted by: Arden Chatfield on May 10 2008,15:34

Quote (Lou FCD @ May 10 2008,12:28)
I just spent about a half-hour tossing the ball with Shakespeare in the back yard.

While I was standing by the back tree line, a < Catbird > alighted on a branch about ten or twelve feet from me and decided it was safe to serenade us.  Shakespeare just took a seat beside me and watched him rather calmly.

It seemed like he pulled out every piece of sheet music he had.  Catbirds always fascinate me in that such a wide repertoire is contained all in one animal.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


While we sadly don't have Catbirds out in the West Coast, I've always thought Mockingbirds were even better for that. When I was a kid there was a nesting pair in my back yard for several years. The male used to attack cats during the nesting season, and he had a song that he basically sang all day for 6 months of the year. In peak summer you'd hear it all night, even at 2-3am. The song took about 3-4 minutes to 'recite' in full and was so consistent that after a few years I actually knew what notes were coming up next.
Posted by: stevestory on May 10 2008,15:53

Just moved back to Carrboro. Nice little garden out back. Mint, basil, rosemary, tomatoes, etc. Only wildlife to report around here are lots of deer.
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 10 2008,16:04

Quote (Arden Chatfield @ May 10 2008,16:34)
Quote (Lou FCD @ May 10 2008,12:28)
I just spent about a half-hour tossing the ball with Shakespeare in the back yard.

While I was standing by the back tree line, a < Catbird > alighted on a branch about ten or twelve feet from me and decided it was safe to serenade us.  Shakespeare just took a seat beside me and watched him rather calmly.

It seemed like he pulled out every piece of sheet music he had.  Catbirds always fascinate me in that such a wide repertoire is contained all in one animal.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


While we sadly don't have Catbirds out in the West Coast, I've always thought Mockingbirds were even better for that. When I was a kid there was a nesting pair in my back yard for several years. The male used to attack cats during the nesting season, and he had a song that he basically sang all day for 6 months of the year. In peak summer you'd hear it all night, even at 2-3am. The song took about 3-4 minutes to 'recite' in full and was so consistent that after a few years I actually knew what notes were coming up next.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I get regular visits from mockingbirds as well, though for whatever reason it seems like the catbirds, the robins, and the red-bellied woodpeckers are the most frequent "serenaders" in my yard.  (I don't guess that's the best word for the woodpecker's call, but whatever.)

I have a line of azaleas about 30' long and 5' tall across the back fence, and there's always some very pretty music emanating from the depths of that, but even with 10X50 binoculars from the window, it's usually not possible to see exactly who's making it.  Sometimes I can recognize the songs, sometimes I can figure it out from the Cornell site, but a lot of times I can't, so I just sit and listen.

There's a Catbird (the same one as earlier maybe? - the song is definitely different but similar) out there letting it rip now, in fact, accompanied by a Cardinal and someone else who just seems to be "peep"ing (that might be another Cardinal, but I can't locate the exact source).  There's a Blue Jay in the background, further away somewhere, and some other bird I haven't heard before just joined them.

The latest guest sounds like a Cardinal's peep 8 or 9 times in a row in quick succession, like a machine gun.  Almost a trill, but not quite.  'bout the same pitch as a Cardinal, too, but I've never heard a Cardinal do that before.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on May 10 2008,16:29

My bird adventure of the day was an excursion to try to photograph a Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea), aka the "Golden Swamp-warbler"). These are rare and local around here, but there are at least a couple of pairs at a local campground, so I headed out before the thunderstorms hit this afternoon. I got lucky.



In keeping with the FtK theme that science=religion, I should also note that the name of this bird derives from its bright yellow color, which is the same yellow as the color of the robes of < papal officials > known as "prothonotaries apostolic". These high ranking monsignors were (and still are) keepers of the papal documents.

In keeping with the FtK and Wee Willy Wallace theme that science=atheism, I should also note that the Prothonotary Warbler figured prominently in the HUAC investigation of < Alger Hiss >, an accused communist whose prosecution initiated the rise of the political career of Richard Milhous Nixon.

But sometimes a bird is just a bird.
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 10 2008,16:48

That is an amazing shot.
Posted by: stevestory on May 10 2008,16:58

Quote (Lou FCD @ May 10 2008,17:48)
That is an amazing shot.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


It's less amazing if it's a telephoto lens, but the blurry leaves in the background suggest it might not be such a thing. Impressive.

(also, lovely plumage ;-) )
Posted by: khan on May 10 2008,19:17

I live in a small house on a small lot (~50' x 100').  Electric wires run across the back of the property.

Observed: a cardinal on a wire singing; another cardinal on a wire ~50 or so feet along, singing;  first cardinal walks sideways on the wire and resumes singing; second cardinal responds; first cardinal walks sideways a bit more and resumes singing...
Posted by: jeffox on May 10 2008,22:26

Finally got some fungi up here in WI.  Coprinus Micaceous (sp.) in copious amounts on and around an ash tree stump near my apartment.

Keep in mind, we've only had one day all year in the 70-80 F range, so far.  Today was mid-60s F.
Posted by: nuytsia on May 10 2008,23:34

Quote (stevestory @ May 10 2008,08:58)
 
Quote (Lou FCD @ May 10 2008,17:48)
That is an amazing shot.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


It's less amazing if it's a telephoto lens, but the blurry leaves in the background suggest it might not be such a thing. Impressive.

(also, lovely plumage ;-) )
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Well speaking as someone who has a telephoto lens (not a swanky one, mind) I'd be bloody chuffed with that shot. :p

That's a great shot and a gorgeous bird.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on May 11 2008,07:10

Quote (nuytsia @ May 10 2008,23:34)
 
Quote (stevestory @ May 10 2008,08:58)
     
Quote (Lou FCD @ May 10 2008,17:48)
That is an amazing shot.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


It's less amazing if it's a telephoto lens, but the blurry leaves in the background suggest it might not be such a thing. Impressive.

(also, lovely plumage ;-) )
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Well speaking as someone who has a telephoto lens (not a swanky one, mind) I'd be bloody chuffed with that shot. :p

That's a great shot and a gorgeous bird.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks.

The lens is a 100-400 mm telephoto zoom (Canon). To most folks, that upper end (400 mm, or about 8X in telescope terminology) seems plenty powerful enough for shots of small birds. But it's not; warbler-size birds have to get really close (4-5 m) before you can get a decent shot. And they don't get that close very often... People who do small bird photography for a living often use a 500 mm lens and a 1.4 tele-extender to get an effective focal length of 700 mm. The rest of us just have to wait for the odd bird to pop up close enough.

So yeah, I was bloody chuffed when I got home and saw those pics on my computer screen. Thank goodness for (nearly) instant gratification!
Posted by: Arden Chatfield on May 11 2008,11:08

Indeed, the fact that's also a rather scarce (and gorgeous) species of bird makes it even better. Even the big mosquito in his mouth is a delightful touch.

Do you take requests? How about a Bachman's Warbler next?  :p
Posted by: khan on May 11 2008,12:03

Quote (Arden Chatfield @ May 11 2008,12:08)
Indeed, the fact that's also a rather scarce (and gorgeous) species of bird makes it even better. Even the big mosquito in his mouth is a delightful touch.

Do you take requests? How about a Bachman's Warbler next?  :p
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


< http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki....nesbury >



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Dick Davenport - Lacey's longtime friend later married. An avid bird watcher of endangered bird species. Died in a controversial 1986 strip asking God to take a picture of a bachman's warbler.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Posted by: Dr.GH on May 15 2008,16:30



Today's shot of a Mourning Cloak laying eggs
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 18 2008,06:56

The woodpeckers are not shy this morning.  In the last hour or so, I've heard through my window the calls of a Red Bellied, a Northern Flicker, and a Pileated.

I listened to the Plileated pecking for a while, matched the sound on the Cornell Ornithology site, then got out the 10X50s and crept to the window for a look.  I located the general area way up on a pine tree along the back tree line, but he was behind a bough and all I could get was little pieces of him.  Then a little flash of movement caught my eye just to the left, so I moved the field of view a little to see what it was.

There on the trunk of an adjacent tree was a perfect shadow of him in the morning sun, and I watched him pecking around for a little while, in shadow.  I really wish I had a nice long-lens SLR.  The shot would have been beautiful.
Posted by: Zachriel on May 18 2008,09:49

From Ben Bova's Jovian Travelogue,



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Huge balloonlike creatures called Clarke's Medusas drift in the hurricane-like winds surging across the planet. Birds that have never seen land, living out their entire lives aloft. Gossamer spider-kites that trap microscopic spores. Particles of long-chain carbon molecules that form in the clouds and sift downward, toward the global ocean below.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



< >

(Sometimes, if you're patient, Earthling spaceships can be seen flying by!)

< >
Posted by: Arden Chatfield on May 18 2008,16:12

Quote (Lou FCD @ May 18 2008,04:56)
The woodpeckers are not shy this morning.  In the last hour or so, I've heard through my window the calls of a Red Bellied, a Northern Flicker, and a Pileated.

I listened to the Plileated pecking for a while, matched the sound on the Cornell Ornithology site, then got out the 10X50s and crept to the window for a look.  I located the general area way up on a pine tree along the back tree line, but he was behind a bough and all I could get was little pieces of him.  Then a little flash of movement caught my eye just to the left, so I moved the field of view a little to see what it was.

There on the trunk of an adjacent tree was a perfect shadow of him in the morning sun, and I watched him pecking around for a little while, in shadow.  I really wish I had a nice long-lens SLR.  The shot would have been beautiful.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That's an amazing coincidence, since I saw my first Pileated woodpecker this weekend -- Saturday and Sunday.

Staying in cabins in the Santa Cruz mountains, I was sort of half-dozing at about 7am when I heard a loud "BAK BAK BAK BAK BAK BAK" that sounded really close by. I sleepily got up to see what kind of bird it was, not expecting much, when I looked thru the front window of the cabin, and the big guy was no more than 10 feet in front of me. He was alternating between running up and down an oak tree and picking for food inside a fire pit in the campsite. All in all he gave me a nice, 6 minute long look at him.

Then this morning he reappeared at the same time and did exactly the same thing, for about 3 minutes. Also I kept hearing his hammering all morning. Now I know what they sound like.

I know this isn't a big deal for folks in the Eastern US, but Pileateds are *not* common in California. After 25+ years of birding in Calif., it's the first one I've seen. I had no idea they had them in Santa Cruz County -- it appears to be on the extreme southern tip of their West Coast range.
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 18 2008,17:16

Quote (Arden Chatfield @ May 18 2008,17:12)
Quote (Lou FCD @ May 18 2008,04:56)
The woodpeckers are not shy this morning.  In the last hour or so, I've heard through my window the calls of a Red Bellied, a Northern Flicker, and a Pileated.

I listened to the Plileated pecking for a while, matched the sound on the Cornell Ornithology site, then got out the 10X50s and crept to the window for a look.  I located the general area way up on a pine tree along the back tree line, but he was behind a bough and all I could get was little pieces of him.  Then a little flash of movement caught my eye just to the left, so I moved the field of view a little to see what it was.

There on the trunk of an adjacent tree was a perfect shadow of him in the morning sun, and I watched him pecking around for a little while, in shadow.  I really wish I had a nice long-lens SLR.  The shot would have been beautiful.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That's an amazing coincidence, since I saw my first Pileated woodpecker this weekend -- Saturday and Sunday.

Staying in cabins in the Santa Cruz mountains, I was sort of half-dozing at about 7am when I heard a loud "BAK BAK BAK BAK BAK BAK" that sounded really close by. I sleepily got up to see what kind of bird it was, not expecting much, when I looked thru the front window of the cabin, and the big guy was no more than 10 feet in front of me. He was alternating between running up and down an oak tree and picking for food inside a fire pit in the campsite. All in all he gave me a nice, 6 minute long look at him.

Then this morning he reappeared at the same time and did exactly the same thing, for about 3 minutes. Also I kept hearing his hammering all morning. Now I know what they sound like.

I know this isn't a big deal for folks in the Eastern US, but Pileateds are *not* common in California. After 25+ years of birding in Calif., it's the first one I've seen. I had no idea they had them in Santa Cruz County -- it appears to be on the extreme southern tip of their West Coast range.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Funny, 'cause I'd never seen one until I moved here.  Of course, I never really paid a great deal of attention before that, I don't think.

If I happened to notice a blue jay, it was worth noting to someone later in the day.

"Hey, I saw a blue jay earlier."
"Doesn't take much to impress you, does it?"
"But he was right there in the yard!"
"You're an idiot."
"I saw a Cardinal, too."
"I'm gonna go watch paint dry."
"Hey they're pretty rare!"
"No, Cardinals are pretty common."
"This one had lasers for eyes."


Posted by: ashwken on May 20 2008,13:35

Tales from North Georgia

Some years ago my mother had a hanging basket of fuchia on the porch in front of a picture window. Even though there we many of us sitting on the porch one afternoon a determined hummingbird was not threatened by our presence.

Unfortunately, as the hummingbird worked its way around the hanging basket it got tangled up in a spider web that was present in a portion of the picture window. The spider web "glued" some of the wing feathers together and effectively grounded it.

The task fell to me to rescue the little fella and we tried a wet wash cloth on the webbing to no avail - and I was real concerned about aplying too much pressure to its wings, the thing seemed so fragile in the palm of my hand.

Abandoning the wet wash cloth I just started removing the webbing with my fingers. At some point the hummingbird felt that it had had enough of this nonsense and tried flying off, but there was still enough webbing to prevent it from flying and it just fluttered to the floor.

Eventually I was able to remove enough webbing so that it was able to take flight.

On another occassion, we have a row of dogwoods along the back property line and I had laid out some bird seed on the ground between a couple of them. After awhile some of the larger ground feeding birds found the seed and as I was watching a beautiful male cardinal, there was a flash of brown and white feathers as a hawk swooped in and carried that cardinal off into the woods for lunch.
Posted by: Assassinator on May 20 2008,17:23



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
The task fell to me to rescue the little fella and we tried a wet wash cloth on the webbing to no avail - and I was real concerned about aplying too much pressure to its wings, the thing seemed so fragile in the palm of my hand.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Then I can say again, poor spider, deprived from his food ;)
Posted by: keiths on May 25 2008,00:14

Check out < this amazing video > taken off the coast of Japan of a flying fish that remains aloft for 45(!) seconds.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on May 25 2008,06:23

I'm gonna be off the grid for about 10 days, camping and hiking and photographing in the lovely states of Arizona and New Mexico. Hopefully I'll have some wildlife shots to share when I return; I only wish that this was my backyard!
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 25 2008,06:39

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ May 25 2008,07:23)
I'm gonna be off the grid for about 10 days, camping and hiking and photographing in the lovely states of Arizona and New Mexico. Hopefully I'll have some wildlife shots to share when I return; I only wish that this was my backyard!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I'll be looking forward to those, Alby.
Posted by: Assassinator on May 25 2008,16:41

Can't wait as well. Ya know, you guys sure revived my love for the outdoors ;)
Anyway, maybe a funny little "wildlife" story to tell as well. Yesterday, at work, we had ourselfs a bird in the supermarket's storage. For some odd reason, all my co-workers were scared shitless from the little fella. I just found it a pretty nice experience to watch a bird up close, and his singing sounded even better! And because I was the only guy around (all my co-workers are girls, except for the boss who wasn't around) I was the one who could scare it away, and thus I got crap all over me (thanks girls!).
I think it was one of these:

A female blackbird, a kinda dull and normal bird but the song it sang was still really nice, but I'm definatly not sure (1 of the reasons I would like a camara on my cellphone).
All in all another fun day at work, at least my newest co-workers who just had her first day has one to remember.
Posted by: Richard Simons on May 25 2008,20:54



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
A female blackbird, a kinda dull and normal bird but the song it sang was still really nice, but I'm definatly not sure
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


The male blackbird (which is the one that does the singing) is jet black with a bright yellow beak. The starling is chunkier with a dull beak but if you see it reasonably well you can see it is spotted, not uniform black and I would not describe its song as sweet. If it was brown, likely contenders are the thrushes but they are light underneath with obvious dark spots. They, like the blackbird, have clear, fluty songs.

The blackbird is the one that is most likely to be comfortable enough around people to enter a building (at least, in the UK). I remember one that used to come into a lunch room and pick up crumbs from under the tables while people were sitting there. When the janitor saw it he rushed at it, shouting and waving his arms. The bird would quickly fill its beak with everything within reach and casually fly out inches in front of him.
Posted by: EyeNoU on May 26 2008,06:56



Can anyone identify this fellow? Several of them joined us every morning for breakfast while in Costa Rica.
Posted by: fusilier on May 26 2008,08:24

Right now we've got cardinals, robins, grackles, and pigeons all over the place.  Lots of wrens and goldfinches at the feeder.  Don't know what's happened to the Cooper's and sharp-shinned hawks that we used to see all the time - maybe that we had to eliminate the pond.*

We're also pretty over-run with carpenter bees - the big solitary ladies are damned territorial.



*Lousy quality-control on pumps.
Posted by: Assassinator on May 26 2008,09:51

Quote (Richard Simons @ May 25 2008,20:54)


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
A female blackbird, a kinda dull and normal bird but the song it sang was still really nice, but I'm definatly not sure
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


The male blackbird (which is the one that does the singing) is jet black with a bright yellow beak. The starling is chunkier with a dull beak but if you see it reasonably well you can see it is spotted, not uniform black and I would not describe its song as sweet. If it was brown, likely contenders are the thrushes but they are light underneath with obvious dark spots. They, like the blackbird, have clear, fluty songs.

The blackbird is the one that is most likely to be comfortable enough around people to enter a building (at least, in the UK). I remember one that used to come into a lunch room and pick up crumbs from under the tables while people were sitting there. When the janitor saw it he rushed at it, shouting and waving his arms. The bird would quickly fill its beak with everything within reach and casually fly out inches in front of him.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Hmm yes then it was definatly not a female blackbird. I can only recall it was a slim bird who was totally brown, with a fluty song. It could be a European Starling, but I can't recall it being that spotted. The beak was also different, it had a darker color.
Posted by: midwifetoad on May 26 2008,17:14

Your bird looks a bit like a Magpie Jay.

< http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-throated_Magpie-jay >
Posted by: EyeNoU on May 26 2008,19:46

Thanks, Midwife. I believe you are correct. Saw them every morning at breakfast, and they didn't appear to be too afraid of humans.
Posted by: k.e.. on May 28 2008,09:19

Is it a bird or a moth?


From my recent rip to PNG










Posted by: Albatrossity2 on May 30 2008,21:12

Nice Magpie Jay!  There is an interesting story about JJ Audubon and that species that will have to wait until later. We are temporarily back on the grid, in a hotel in Albuquerque NM, cleaned up from 5 days of sand and heat. Tomorrow we head to Chaco Canyon for a couple of days, then back home.

I'll post more pics later, but I really thought you all needed to see this one. Two nectar-feeding bats hitting the hummingbird feeder after sunset in Cave Creek Canyon, AZ. It appears that that one on the right is very pregnant...


Posted by: Lou FCD on May 30 2008,21:42

That right there's pretty damned nifty.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on May 31 2008,09:01

A bit of googling revealed that the bats we observed were probably Mexican Long-tongued Bats (Choeronycteris mexicana), and furthermore revealed that their tongues can be up to one-third of their body length. More information on the Portal AZ population of these critters can be found < here. >

Here's another image, of a Blue-throated Hummingbird, also from Cave Creek Canyon AZ.


Posted by: Bob O'H on June 03 2008,13:42

I don't have anything as exciting as Albatrossity, but I < have discussed the latest goings on on my balcony >.  Little feather bastards taking the piss out of the cat.
Posted by: Richardthughes on June 03 2008,14:01

Quote (Bob O'H @ June 03 2008,13:42)
I don't have anything as exciting as Albatrossity, but I < have discussed the latest goings on on my balcony >.  Little feather bastards taking the piss out of the cat.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I had two birds on a balcony once, Bob. Magic, magic times.
Posted by: carlsonjok on June 03 2008,14:16

Quote (Richardthughes @ June 03 2008,14:01)
Quote (Bob O'H @ June 03 2008,13:42)
I don't have anything as exciting as Albatrossity, but I < have discussed the latest goings on on my balcony >.  Little feather bastards taking the piss out of the cat.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I had two birds on a balcony once, Bob. Magic, magic times.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I always figured you were a furry.
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on June 03 2008,22:16

what the heck is this thing?




weird looking critter.  and the file is too big too.
Posted by: k.e.. on June 04 2008,09:33

Quote (Richardthughes @ June 03 2008,22:01)
Quote (Bob O'H @ June 03 2008,13:42)
I don't have anything as exciting as Albatrossity, but I < have discussed the latest goings on on my balcony >.  Little feather bastards taking the piss out of the cat.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I had two birds on a balcony once, Bob. Magic, magic times.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


YEAH WELL, I KNOW GUY WHO KNEW A GUY WHO HAD SEVEN. dT
Posted by: Moorit on June 06 2008,10:57

Erasmus, where was the plant located?  And if you say, "On the ground" or "Up to its sepals in leaf mold", I'll smack ya.  I like plants and I'd like to take a shot at identifying it.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on June 06 2008,17:04

To "honor" FtK's release from the BW birdcage of stench and moaning, I'll post the next image in the series of shots I collected in the American Southwest in the last couple of weeks.

Yellow-eyed Junco (Junco phaeonotus) - a local specialty species, sought by birders in the Chiricahua Mountains of SE Arizona. Carrying food to the nest, for the kids.



No piranhas in that part of the galaxy, alas.

I'll try to post one image a day for the next few weeks.
Posted by: Lou FCD on June 06 2008,17:18

You're such a tease.
Posted by: Dr.GH on June 07 2008,09:54

I snaped this yesterday just before some crows made him fly off with his prize.


Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on June 07 2008,09:59

Quote (Moorit @ June 06 2008,10:57)
Erasmus, where was the plant located?  And if you say, "On the ground" or "Up to its sepals in leaf mold", I'll smack ya.  I like plants and I'd like to take a shot at identifying it.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Er, it was on the ground up to its sepals in leaf mold.  But all of that was in Jackson County, AL in the Walls of Jericho.  Cumberland Plateau.  There were several, this one was about 50 feet from a small spring head but I saw a few more on an old log skid trail.  Lots of red clay dirt high in silica.  Kalmia, Rhododendron, oak-hickory usual suspects.

hope that helps!
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on June 07 2008,13:52

Today's image is another bird, the Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus), perched on an Alligator Juniper (Juniperus deppeana). This is a really cool bird, with a complicated social system (hoards acorns in communal locations, juvenile birds from previous broods help raise the nestlings, etc.)


Posted by: Albatrossity2 on June 08 2008,18:12

Today's installment - a young mule-eared deer (Odocoileus hemionus), browsing near Sunny Flat, Cave Creek Canyon, AZ


Posted by: Albatrossity2 on June 10 2008,13:39

Here's another bat pic, showing the leafy flap at the end of the nose of these critters. More information (along with a nice portrait) on this species can be found < here >.

Of some interest to some folks on this list is the fact that this is one of the major pollinators for agave plants, the source of tequila. So the next time you enjoy a margarita, thank a bat!


Posted by: Albatrossity2 on June 11 2008,16:44

The image for today will be the last one from the Chiricahua section of the trip; I'll screen through the images from Chaco Canyon and the Gila River to see if some of those need to be posted tomorrow or thereafter.

This one is a lovely female Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri). A common hummer in the southwest US, this was the most common hummer at our feeder in Cave Creek Canyon as well.


Posted by: Albatrossity2 on June 12 2008,14:08

No wildlife today, but < here > are some pictures of the damage from the tornado that hit the KSU campus last evening. This is a shockwave file, so it may some time to load. When it loads, just click on the image to view the next slide.
Posted by: rhmc on June 13 2008,18:38

we've had a different looking feathered visitor in our garden.  took a few weeks to get close enough to intentify it but today we pegged it as a great crested flycatcher.  a first for us here on de island, mon.

berry cool.
Posted by: rhmc on June 16 2008,18:57

had an upclose look at a bottlenose dolphin on sunday.
he/she came up right at the stern of the boat and between the starboard gunnel and the outboard.
it would surface (inhale/exhale rapidly) and then drop down to about a 2 foot depth and remain practically motionless, letting the boat's pressure wave drag it along.
the fact that there was a stainless propeller spinning at 1200rmp 18 inches from it's head didn't seem to phase it a bit.  
it was close enought that you could have leaned over the transom and stuck a finger in it's blowhole if you'd been so foolishly inclined.
it hung with us for about a mile and then scooted off....

i've seen a lot of dolphin but never one that close to the boat.

we also managed a close encounter with 5 spotted sea trout and 4 redfish earlier in the day.
the redfish are only moments away from meeting a skillet.  blackened redfish.  :)
Posted by: Lou FCD on June 16 2008,19:42

Quote (rhmc @ June 16 2008,19:57)
had an upclose look at a bottlenose dolphin on sunday.
he/she came up right at the stern of the boat and between the starboard gunnel and the outboard.
it would surface (inhale/exhale rapidly) and then drop down to about a 2 foot depth and remain practically motionless, letting the boat's pressure wave drag it along.
the fact that there was a stainless propeller spinning at 1200rmp 18 inches from it's head didn't seem to phase it a bit.  
it was close enought that you could have leaned over the transom and stuck a finger in it's blowhole if you'd been so foolishly inclined.
it hung with us for about a mile and then scooted off....

i've seen a lot of dolphin but never one that close to the boat.

we also managed a close encounter with 5 spotted sea trout and 4 redfish earlier in the day.
the redfish are only moments away from meeting a skillet.  blackened redfish.  :)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Pisces yummicus?
Posted by: rhmc on June 17 2008,19:14

Quote (Lou FCD @ June 16 2008,20:42)
Pisces yummicus?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


i dunno, i've never tried dolphin.  :)
Posted by: k.e.. on June 18 2008,07:32

I have .......the variety with two legs!

They have endless enery, are total pleasure seekers, don't know the meaning of let's rest, can drink you under a table, eat everything in sight, speak many foreign languages, eat a lot of fish,  are more comfortable in water, exquisite athletes, hold their breath for a long time, firm all over, incredibly playful, not in the least bit shy or afraid of danger and a diabolical sense of humor.

My kind of mammal!
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on June 18 2008,07:45

and when you get near their blow hole they start saying "ehnhuh ehnhuh ehnhuh ehnhuh" and nailing you with their tail.
Posted by: k.e.. on June 18 2008,07:55

Quote (Erasmus, FCD @ June 18 2008,15:45)
and when you get near their blow hole they start saying "ehnhuh ehnhuh ehnhuh ehnhuh" and nailing you with their tail.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I knew you wouldn't surface too far away.

I'm off for a nailing.
Posted by: k.e.. on June 18 2008,09:24

Sorry 'ras I was remarking on a Solomon Sea Dolphin and the Indian Ocean Porpoise my Solomoan Sea Dolphin is probably doing this right now.

< The faithful mammal >
Posted by: rhmc on June 20 2008,20:04

for anyone in the neigborhood:

beach seining, south end of tybee island (eastern terminus of highway u.s. 80), saturday morn, 6/21.
dawn - or shortly thereafter.

you'll see stuff you never knew lived that close to land.

hopefully, lots of it will be edible.  :)
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on July 02 2008,17:45

I'm a bit late in reporting on this, but last Sunday I ran the Olsburg BBS (< Breeding Bird Survey >) route, (38-318 in the BBS database), and ended up with 69 species. This is a bit lower than in recent years; I found 77 species in 2003 and again last year.

I wanted to run it the weekend before, but the Black Vermilion River was out of its banks and a chunk of the road, about 200 ft across, was under water. So I had to wait until it dried out.

There were a couple of highlights. I added one species when I found a singing male Scarlet Tanager on Shannon Creek Road. Despite the lateness of the season, the Shannon Creek Bald Eagles were still there, thankfully. I also saw (and heard) a Song Sparrow. That was the second time I have found that species on the route; I found two Song Sparrows in 2006 in the same general area of that route. I also saw a hen Greater Prairie-chicken and 8 young-uns crossing the road at one stop. And before you ask, no, I don't have any idea why the chickens crossed the road... I had a record number of Dickcissels (111, previous high was 91 in 2006), and a record number of Cliff Swallows (131, previous high was 96, also in 2006). A lovely male Dickcissel is pictured below.

Misses included Loggerhead Shrike (not seen on this route since 2002), Red-headed Woodpecker, Black-billed Cuckoo, and Bell's Vireo.

The most interesting aspect of this year's count was a bird I hoped to see. On my scouting run up there on Saturday, I found a road-killed male Bobolink, near the Black Vermilion Marsh. It was very flat, and embedded with gravel, so I didn't bother to bring it back to KSU for the collection, but it was definitely a Bobolink. Unfortunately I found no Bobolinks there, or along the rest of the route, on Sunday...

I think that these wet years along the Blue River allow some more northerly birds like Bobolinks and Song Sparrows to trickle down here from Nebraska.


Posted by: Dr.GH on July 02 2008,17:52

great photos. Tell us the camera and lens details.  

I have had a Nuttels woodpecker visiting for 2 days now which is very fun.  They are rare here, and then mostly winter migrants. Climate change?

The sharpshinned hawk is still around too.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on July 02 2008,20:55

Quote (Dr.GH @ July 02 2008,17:52)
great photos. Tell us the camera and lens details.  

I have had a Nuttels woodpecker visiting for 2 days now which is very fun.  They are rare here, and then mostly winter migrants. Climate change?

The sharpshinned hawk is still around too.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks. That dickcissel in the picture was a bird we just banded, and my daughter was holding him. You can't see her hands, but that allowed me to use a very sharp lens (Canon 100 mm macro) on a Canon EOS 30D body.

I'd love to get a good pic of a Nuttall's Woodpecker. When I lived in California I didn't have the equipment to do that, and now that I do, I find that those birds don't make it to the Great Plains very often...
Posted by: carlsonjok on July 18 2008,14:32

I need some help from the resident birders here. Last night, my wife and I were standing on our front yard observing a hawk perched ontop of one of our blackjack trees.  He was mostly brownish in color, but had a white head.  I've looked around some and couldn't identify what it was?  Any pointers to a better site where I can look?

What was really fascinating is that we have about three pairs of barn swallows nesting in our barn and the little suckers actually ganged up on that hawk and chased it off.  They are nasty little buggers.
Posted by: Arden Chatfield on July 18 2008,14:40

Just got back from several days on an island in the Puget sound. We got abnormally beautiful, sunny weather that gave us a totally misguided notion of what the area is really like. Then on the last day, the other shoe dropped and it was totally overcast and gray.

Anyway, only two new birds -- several Bald Eagles, and a bajillion Northwestern Crows. I also saw a Pigeon Guillemot while out boating, but I've seen them before.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on July 18 2008,15:02

Quote (carlsonjok @ July 18 2008,14:32)
I need some help from the resident birders here. Last night, my wife and I were standing on our front yard observing a hawk perched ontop of one of our blackjack trees.  He was mostly brownish in color, but had a white head.  I've looked around some and couldn't identify what it was?  Any pointers to a better site where I can look?

What was really fascinating is that we have about three pairs of barn swallows nesting in our barn and the little suckers actually ganged up on that hawk and chased it off.  They are nasty little buggers.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


What size was it? If it was a regular buteo sized bird, it was likely a red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis). If you look in a standard bird book you will find a picture of a standard red-tailed hawk; the only problem with that is that you probably will never see one that looks exactly like the one in the book. They are among the most variably-plumaged birds on the planet. From < here >  

---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Due to its extreme variability though, the Red-tailed Hawk can be very difficult to identify.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Here's one with a white head.


Posted by: jeffox on July 19 2008,00:42

I walked over to a city park in town here, yesterday.  I saw a pair of downy woodpeckers and one hairy.  I also saw a guy at the dock catch 3 nice smallmouth bass while I was there.  Nice outing, but I had to come in because it started raining.
Posted by: Alan Fox on July 19 2008,05:03



Found a couple of months ago (dead or dormant) under the edge of a pool cover. The larger one was about 80mm or 3" long. Could they be some kind of moth larva?

The friend who found them just reminded me I said I had an idea where I could get some info. on a science site bursting with eminent academics.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on July 19 2008,06:52

Quote (Alan Fox @ July 19 2008,05:03)


Found a couple of months ago (dead or dormant) under the edge of a pool cover. The larger one was about 80mm or 3" long. Could they be some kind of moth larva?

The friend who found them just reminded me I said I had an idea where I could get some info. on a science site bursting with eminent academics.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Looks more like a dobson fly, alder fly, or caddis fly. Which makes sense since these insects have aquatic larvae, and might be found under a pool cover.

Here's an image of a dobson fly larva



You might see what kinds of Neuroptera are found in your vicinity and then you should be able to get closer to a specific ID.
Posted by: fusilier on July 19 2008,10:09

We're getting some new, small, birds at the feeder and sunflowers.

I'm pretty sure that one variety is a scarlet tanager - and we've never seen them before, in Indianapolis.  Then there are some new chickadee/finch-sized birds - is there a black-capped chickadee found in the midwest?

Tons of gold-finches and assorted small warblers.

The cats are fascinated.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on July 19 2008,10:38

Quote (fusilier @ July 19 2008,10:09)
We're getting some new, small, birds at the feeder and sunflowers.

I'm pretty sure that one variety is a scarlet tanager - and we've never seen them before, in Indianapolis.  Then there are some new chickadee/finch-sized birds - is there a black-capped chickadee found in the midwest?

Tons of gold-finches and assorted small warblers.

The cats are fascinated.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Maybe, except that Scarlet Tanagers don't eat seeds. If you had one at a seed feeder, it would be highly unusual. How large is it? A bit bigger than the Goldfinches?

How about House Finch?



I think Carolina Chickadees are more likely in Indy, according to this < range map >. But the dividing line between Black-capped and Carolina Chickadees is fairly fluid, and that is a relatively old map. The other pages at that USGS website linked above will help you distinguish between the two species; it is a bit tricky but it is possible if you get good looks.
Posted by: Arden Chatfield on July 19 2008,11:01

Hey, Alby, I just spotted your work < here! >

Those are hard to find -- my sister's been in southern AZ for 8 years and still hasn't managed to see one.
Posted by: Alan Fox on July 19 2008,11:12



Thanks for your suggestions, Dave. It does look very similar to the < image > above, described as Larva of Chrysoperla carnea or perhaps C. mediterranea feeding on an aphid. But there does seem to be a difference in scale as the thing I saw was about 70 - 80mm long, while the C. mediterranea in the Wiki photo must be smaller unless it is eating a giant aphid.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on July 19 2008,11:15

Quote (Arden Chatfield @ July 19 2008,11:01)
Hey, Alby, I just spotted your work < here! >

Those are hard to find -- my sister's been in southern AZ for 8 years and still hasn't managed to see one.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yeah, I've got a bunch of pictures scattered across that USGS website. I wish that they would update it; in many cases I have better images now for some of those species! But, as is typical in this administration, education and outreach re wildlife has little support, budgetary or otherwise.

Trogons are not hard to see if you are in the right place. We were camping at Sunny Flat in the Cave Creek area this May, and there was a pair of trogons that visited our campground. Here's the male



and the female



Tell your sister that she just needs to camp out at Sunny Flat for a day or two!
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on July 19 2008,11:18

Quote (Alan Fox @ July 19 2008,11:12)
But there does seem to be a difference in scale as the thing I saw was about 70 - 80mm long, while the C. mediterranea in the Wiki photo must be smaller unless it is eating a giant aphid.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I don't know about your Mediterranean species, but I have seen adult dobson flies here that were easily 3 inches long. So I wouldn't worry about the size of the thing; they can get pretty big!
Posted by: Arden Chatfield on July 19 2008,11:24

I'll pass that on!

Southern Arizona is really interesting for birding. My sister took me to the ONE park in the state where you're guaranteed to see Gray Hawks and I saw one flying about 20 feet over my head within 2 minutes of getting out of the car. There's only a dozen or so breeding pairs in the state, I'm told, and that's where they are. But I also saw some other birds far more easily than she found them. Stopping in Tumacacari for soft drinks, I instantly saw a Zone-Tailed Hawk. My sister was very irked since she said it took her a year of birding and deliberate searching to see one. But on the other hand I was out there for 5 days with NO Roadrunners, even tho they're not rare. My sister was baffled -- usually they're all over. It was starting to look like I'd have to leave without seeing one, til finally one ran in front of me in the parking lot of the Sonora Desert Museum, of all places. (Nice place, BTW -- if only for the fact that it's the only way you're ever gonna see Thick-Billed Parrots in Arizona.)
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on July 19 2008,11:36

Quote (Arden Chatfield @ July 19 2008,11:24)
I'll pass that on!

Southern Arizona is really interesting for birding. My sister took me to the ONE park in the state where you're guaranteed to see Gray Hawks and I saw one flying about 20 feet over my head within 2 minutes of getting out of the car. There's only a dozen or so breeding pairs in the state, I'm told, and that's where they are. But I also saw some other birds far more easily than she found them. Stopping in Tumacacari for soft drinks, I instantly saw a Zone-Tailed Hawk. My sister was very irked since she said it took her a year of birding and deliberate searching to see one. But on the other hand I was out there for 5 days with NO Roadrunners, even tho they're not rare. My sister was baffled -- usually they're all over. It was starting to look like I'd have to leave without seeing one, til finally one ran in front of me in the parking lot of the Sonora Desert Museum, of all places. (Nice place, BTW -- if only for the fact that it's the only way you're ever gonna see Thick-Billed Parrots in Arizona.)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Zone-tailed Hawks are a nemesis bird for lots of birders, so you are lucky. In my experience NM is better than AZ for seeing that one.

I have a similar story about birding luck in AZ. My youngest daughter was not quite 4 the first time we took her camping there. We were with a large group birding along the San Pedro BLM land near Sierra Vista (great place if you haven't been there). We saw lots of birds, including my lifer Botteri's Sparrow. But the target species was the Green Kingfisher, and we hadn't seen one as we were heading back to the parking lot. Naturally, since I was shepherding a four-year old and her 6 year old brother, I was bringing up the rear with the kids.

As we headed down the path toward the parking lot, Ellen stopped and said "I think that's the kingfisher". Sure enough, it was a gorgeous Green Kingfisher, sitting in full sunlight over the river about 30 yards away. We called the group back so that everyone could see it!

She hasn't quit birding since then; she's a lot better ear birder than I am, for sure!

This will be my last message for a while. I'm headed to Scotland in a few hours, hopefully to meet up with Louis sometime in August and plot the next conquests of the evil Darwinist Empire. Or maybe we'll just have a beer and haggis...
Posted by: Dr.GH on July 19 2008,11:39

Yesterday’s fishing disadventure turned into a $250 marine mammal cruise. The conditions were perfect with the only problem a full moon. But the marine layer was very thick, and when I went on deck at 11PM, and 3AM, it was very dark. We set out lines at ~ 4:30 and the next 6 hours saw nothing but lots of water. We started fishing about 65 miles SSW of San Diego in an area that was holding fish. There were about 10 purse seiners in the area, two of them had deployed their nets. We worked a temperature break between the outer NW swell ~66F, and the south dominated inner water ~70F. The marine layer stayed solid all day. Clean water, 10 to 15 knot NW winds, plenty of flying fish. Everything was perfect- except no tuna. About 12 Noon, a tiny albacore committed suicide on a trolling feather. We let the youngest kid on-board reel it in. This was the sixth time I have not caught tuna on a targeted trip. (Sea Horse, Cherokee Geisha, Sea Horse, Admiral, Doctors Orders, and now the Pacific Star) Two trips went into gales with high seas, one I had been sick and stayed in my bunk. The trip on the Cherokee Geisha was the weirdest- people who couldn’t tie on their own hooks caught tuna but I couldn’t even get a bite.

But, we did see several pods of Dall’s porpoise who put on some great aerial displays as well as some their larger cousins, the common porpoise. The first whales we saw were two finback calves and an adult (?) mother. The adult was ~70 feet long, the light colored calves ~20-30. About 20 miles south of San Diego, just north of the Coronado Islands, we started seeing blue whales. In all we saw 7, one solo, a pair, and a quartet.


Posted by: Arden Chatfield on July 19 2008,11:53

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ July 19 2008,09:36)
This will be my last message for a while. I'm headed to Scotland in a few hours, hopefully to meet up with Louis sometime in August and plot the next conquests of the evil Darwinist Empire. Or maybe we'll just have a beer and haggis...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Be sure and report back on that. I think we're all curious to know if Louis is as physically repulsive as he's rumo(u)red to be.  ;)
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on July 19 2008,12:24

Quote (Alan Fox @ July 19 2008,05:03)


Found a couple of months ago (dead or dormant) under the edge of a pool cover. The larger one was about 80mm or 3" long. Could they be some kind of moth larva?

The friend who found them just reminded me I said I had an idea where I could get some info. on a science site bursting with eminent academics.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


i don't think they are aquatic, and they are definitely not megaloptera (dobsonflies or their ilk).

i'd say probably a beetle larvae but my inordinate fondness for beetles does not cover the terrestrial forms.  the size tends to rule out Neuroptera.  there are some structural differences between the first pic and the lacewing larvae, or whatever it was that was a few posts below.

are their fleshy prolegs along the abdomen?  what does the posterior end of the abdomen look like?  hooks?
Posted by: fusilier on July 20 2008,11:49

Thanks for the ID's!

Definitely a house finch or three.  The pale red color extends over most of the animal, just like the photo.

Also, probably a Carolina chickadee.  The black head and black throat separated by the white band is also clear.
Posted by: J-Dog on July 20 2008,14:58

This Just IN!

I had never heard of this, but noticed a Dragonfly Swarm last night out front of our house.

A little google indicates that dragonfly swarms ( @50)are not unknown, but not all that common either.

The Designer Must Work In Mysterious Ways.

I have a movie, .mov file extension, but my pc ineptitude does not allow me to link or post to it.  The pics I took are too small to be useful.

If you have hints on How To Do It, and of course, if you are interested in it, let me know.
Posted by: carlsonjok on July 20 2008,17:19

A little wildlife from around my property.  I have two of these that live in the brush around my house and graze in my front yard every morning.



This photo of a coyote pup isn't real good resolution as I took the photo from about 80-100 yards away and had to zoom in and resize some.


Posted by: J-Dog on July 20 2008,19:13

Quote (carlsonjok @ July 20 2008,17:19)
A little wildlife from around my property.  I have two of these that live in the brush around my house and graze in my front yard every morning.



This photo of a coyote pup isn't real good resolution as I took the photo from about 80-100 yards away and had to zoom in and resize some.


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I think your coyote saw your first photo and said "Mmmmm! Breakfast!"
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on July 21 2008,03:18

Wildlife report from near Tyndrum, Scotland. (in no particular order)

Red deer
some kind of lemming or vole
Chaffinch
Wren (known as the Winter Wren in the US)
Magpie
Pied Wagtail
House Martin
Barn Swallow
European Robin
Rook
Herring Gull
Osprey!
Linnet
Coal Tit

and probably a few more that I can't recall right now (jet lag). I got some pics of the Chaffinch and the Wren (including young un's), but will wait til I get back to edit those. Today we head to the Isle of Lewis, so I should get some seabirds for the list.
Posted by: fusilier on July 21 2008,07:42

Quote (J-Dog @ July 20 2008,15:58)
This Just IN!

I had never heard of this, but noticed a Dragonfly Swarm last night out front of our house.

A little google indicates that dragonfly swarms ( @50)are not unknown, but not all that common either.
{snip}
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


yeah, ain't they amazing?

We had one in front of our house, maybe ten years ago.  We sit at the corner of three streets - in an ordinary subdivision - and they were just soaring up and diving down for over two hours.  It started late afternoon and just went on and on and on til dusk.  Just about twilight, a flock of swifts arrived and the display was over in minutes.
Posted by: khan on July 21 2008,18:16

Once, 20 or more years ago, the Monarch butterfly migration came through my street (SW Ohio).  Thousands of them settling into the trees for the night.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on July 22 2008,09:41

Latest wildlife report from the Outer Hebrides (again in no particular order)

Greylag goose
Grey Heron
Merlin
Eurasian Curlew
European Oystercatcher
Northern Lapwing
Common Buzzard
Corn Bunting
Twite
Meadow Pipit
Corncrake!!! (walked across the road in front of us)
Greater Skua
Whooper Swan (pair with 6 cygnets)
Grey Seal
Carrion Crow
Snipe
Posted by: J-Dog on July 22 2008,11:15

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ July 22 2008,09:41)
Latest wildlife report from the Outer Hebrides (again in no particular order)

Greylag goose
Grey Heron
Merlin
Eurasian Curlew
European Oystercatcher
Northern Lapwing
Common Buzzard
Corn Bunting
Twite
Meadow Pipit
Corncrake!!! (walked across the road in front of us)
Greater Skua
Whooper Swan (pair with 6 cygnets)
Grey Seal
Carrion Crow
Snipe
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Don't forget to tell us about the weather, and the food!

(Unless you just listed the menu at the Scottish Arms Hotel?)

Just kidding! :)
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on July 22 2008,11:42



---------------------QUOTE-------------------

I have two of these that live in the brush around my house and graze in my front yard every morning.

---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Rusty and I could fix that if you wanted.


Posted by: carlsonjok on July 22 2008,11:53

Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ July 22 2008,11:42)
 

---------------------QUOTE-------------------

I have two of these that live in the brush around my house and graze in my front yard every morning.

---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Rusty and I could fix that if you wanted.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


LOL.  You'd have to work your way through about a half-dozen nasty little barn swallows that didn't appear too afraid of a hawk that landed on one of my blackjacks last week.

Actually, I haven't seen the rabbits in a number of days.  Their "disappearance" seems to coincide with both Mike Gene's bowing out over at TT and the appearance of a coyote in my backyard recently.  So, they may have been eaten, or perhaps they have been called to MG's secret lair to prepare for the inevitable war on the monolithic Darwinian priesthood.


Posted by: dvunkannon on July 22 2008,14:03

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ July 22 2008,10:41)
Latest wildlife report from the Outer Hebrides (again in no particular order)

snip
Carrion Crow
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I saw a hooded crow on Castle Hill in Budapest about two weeks ago. Given that King Matthias was the Raven King, I thought it highly appropriate. Bird was too smart for me to catch a picture of, almost made me drop my camera as I tried to follow it.
Posted by: jeffox on July 22 2008,14:08

CarlsonJOK wrote:



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Actually, I haven't seen the rabbits in a number of days.  Their "disappearance" seems to coincide with both Mike Gene's bowing out over at TT and the appearance of a coyote in my backyard recently.  So, they may have been eaten, or perhaps they have been called to MG's secret lair to prepare for the inevitable war on the monolithic Darwinian priesthood.


---------------------QUOTE-------------------



It's that darn holy hand grenade of Antioch!

:)   :)   :)   :)   :)
Posted by: Henry J on July 22 2008,20:55

This < thread on another bb > has a right interesting youtube (but I'm not sure how to post one of those directly).

Henry
Posted by: Alan Fox on July 23 2008,12:01

Quote (Erasmus @ FCD,July 19 2008,07:24)
Quote (Alan Fox @ July 19 2008,05:03)


Found a couple of months ago (dead or dormant) under the edge of a pool cover. The larger one was about 80mm or 3" long. Could they be some kind of moth larva?

The friend who found them just reminded me I said I had an idea where I could get some info. on a science site bursting with eminent academics.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


i don't think they are aquatic, and they are definitely not megaloptera (dobsonflies or their ilk).

i'd say probably a beetle larvae but my inordinate fondness for beetles does not cover the terrestrial forms.  the size tends to rule out Neuroptera.  there are some structural differences between the first pic and the lacewing larvae, or whatever it was that was a few posts below.

are their fleshy prolegs along the abdomen?  what does the posterior end of the abdomen look like?  hooks?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Hi Erasmus

Only just spotted your reply, for which many thanks. You are right in that they are not aquatic. If they had come from the pool they would have been bleached. Also I don't think we get dobsonflies or fishflies in Europe.

I am sorry to report that my friend did not keep the specimens, so I can only report what I remember from looking at them around Easter. I saw six walking legs towards the front of the body, don't remember obvious prolegs or abdominal hooks.

I'll try googling coleopteran larvae.
Posted by: nuytsia on July 24 2008,21:52

Quote (Alan Fox @ July 23 2008,04:01)
 
Quote (Erasmus @ FCD,July 19 2008,07:24)
   
Quote (Alan Fox @ July 19 2008,05:03)


Found a couple of months ago (dead or dormant) under the edge of a pool cover. The larger one was about 80mm or 3" long. Could they be some kind of moth larva?

The friend who found them just reminded me I said I had an idea where I could get some info. on a science site bursting with eminent academics.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



---------------------QUOTE-------------------


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Ooops I missed this as well.

This < gentlemens flickr set > might prove useful.

I wonder if it's a Lycidae beetle larvae.

I found something rather similar a while ago and haven't been able to pin it down either
< >
but I think it's probably Lycidae as well?
Posted by: Alan Fox on July 27 2008,10:13

Thanks Nuytsia.

There is an abandoned orchard next to my friend's property which is carpeted in dead and decomposing wood, and lycid beetles seem quite evident around. But they tend to be on a much smaller scale, perhaps 20mm. What scale are the larvae in your photos? They do seem very similar in general appearance.
Posted by: Jkrebs on July 27 2008,10:56

Taken in my backyard in more-or-less the center of Lawrence, KS.  The doe and two fawns have been around all summer, and this is my best picture.


Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on July 27 2008,20:37

oddly enough the other day i was helping some local folks with identifying some specimens they had collected during biological monitoring of streams near some surface coal mining activity (National Coal Corporation is peopled by incompetent douchebags) and a grad student had a jar of critters with (what appeared to be) this exact same larvae.  No label of course (and he calls himself an entomologist... actually no he calls himself a herpetologist perhaps he has Total Recall and forgoes the label) and I didn't yank the critters out of the jar.  

But it sure did tickle me to death.  Coincidence?  I think not.  O, synchronicity, thou cruel mistress.
Posted by: Arden Chatfield on July 27 2008,21:21

Quote (Erasmus @ FCD,July 27 2008,18:37)
oddly enough the other day i was helping some local folks with identifying some specimens they had collected during biological monitoring of streams near some surface coal mining activity (National Coal Corporation is peopled by incompetent douchebags) and a grad student had a jar of critters with (what appeared to be) this exact same larvae.  No label of course (and he calls himself an entomologist... actually no he calls himself a herpetologist perhaps he has Total Recall and forgoes the label) and I didn't yank the critters out of the jar.  

But it sure did tickle me to death.  Coincidence?  I think not.  O, synchronicity, thou cruel mistress.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Oh sure. And I assume it's just an accident that this happened right after Altenberg. What are you trying to hide, Erasmus?  :angry:
Posted by: Arden Chatfield on July 27 2008,21:28

Down to the Carquinez Straits, saw several of these:



And a pair of these:



Only one of these, but he flew real low over us and gave us a great view:



And about 1.5 bajillion of these:



None of these were new to my list, but it was cool anyway.
Posted by: nuytsia on July 28 2008,03:52

Quote (Alan Fox @ July 27 2008,02:13)
Thanks Nuytsia.

There is an abandoned orchard next to my friend's property which is carpeted in dead and decomposing wood, and lycid beetles seem quite evident around. But they tend to be on a much smaller scale, perhaps 20mm. What scale are the larvae in your photos? They do seem very similar in general appearance.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Hi Alan,

Goodness hard to recall really but I think around 40mm.

The curious thing about this larvae was it was actually found in Eucalypt foliage harvested from a low branch of a tree. Not in keeping with the general description of this famiy but I'm assuming there are, as ever, exceptions?

It had a single pseudopodium at the base of the abdomen. The abdomen contracted and expanded to aid movement.
Posted by: nuytsia on July 28 2008,04:57

Quote (Arden Chatfield @ July 27 2008,13:28)
Down to the Carquinez Straits, saw several of these:
(snip)
None of these were new to my list, but it was cool anyway.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Looks like a very cool day Arden!

I < popped over to Canberra > a fortnight ago to visit friends and had a very nice time.

Saw my third wild platypus and got my first ever shots!
< >
Not brilliant, I know, but I was rather chuffed.

Saw the usual Kookaburra
< >
Sulphur Crested Cockatoos, Eastern and Crimson Rosellas, Galahs, Crested Pigeons, an inordinate amount of Aussie Magpies and Magpie Larks (don't get these in Tassie).
Also saw Wedge-tailed Eagle, Kangaroo, Wallaby, Emu, Darters (Anhinga), Cormorants and some snow. :-)

Also got my first really good look at Common Myna
< >
which are an introduced pest species to mainland Australia. Thankfully they've not got into Tassie.
Posted by: dhogaza on July 29 2008,12:14

Well, walking from my girlfriend's flat, out towards the Royal Preserve that surrounds the palace at El Pardo (Madrid area), saw a short-toed eagle today.  Very cool.

But it was soaring overhead and I didn't see its short toes.  Oh well.

It was carrying something fairly large and furry in its mouth, and young rabbits are quite noticable in the area, I'm guessing less noticable by a count of one as of this morning.  Perhaps its toes are so short it has to carry it's prey in its mouth!

The edge of the suburb where my girlfriend lives, Las Rozas, has open fields and slightly shrubby grassland, good raptor country.  Common buzzard, hen harrier (why, oh why, have I only seen the species that exists back home in north america?), red kite, eurasian kestrel ...

While hiking along the glorified stream (they call it a river) that the palace of El Pardo was built on, I've seen large kettles of griffon and a couple of spanish imperial eagles.

And each once while talking my morning bird walk outside Las Rozas.  And the other morning, while walking through the central plaza right in town, happened to look up as a griffon soared right overhead about 50 meters up.  Startled me.

The dickey birds on these morning walks aren't particularly special for Europe, i.e. serin, melodious warbler, goldfinch, house-but-never-spanish sparrow, crested lark, red-legged partridge, wood pigeon (never in the woods, though, except in the botanical garden next to El Prado, not to be confused with El Pardo), several other species I'm forgetting at the moment.  Oh, black redstart, that's a nice bird.

Not bad birding for 10km morning walks in a suburb in sight of downtown Madrid.
Posted by: Alan Fox on July 29 2008,13:29


The nearest I have got to a wild griffon vulture while hiking in the Cerdagne last month. There was a group of about half a dozen that seemed to come and check us out for a few minutes before moving on. Best I could do with a basic  digital.
Posted by: Jim_Wynne on July 29 2008,17:58

A friend sent me the photo below of some sort of insects he found in his apple tree.  Anybody know what they are?


Posted by: nuytsia on July 30 2008,01:42

Quote (Jim_Wynne @ July 29 2008,09:58)
A friend sent me the photo below of some sort of insects he found in his apple tree.  Anybody know what they are?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Some sort of Hemiptera.
Look like < shieldbug larvae > to me?
< Wikipedia > page.
Posted by: Jim_Wynne on July 30 2008,10:12

Quote (nuytsia @ July 30 2008,01:42)
Quote (Jim_Wynne @ July 29 2008,09:58)
A friend sent me the photo below of some sort of insects he found in his apple tree.  Anybody know what they are?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Some sort of Hemiptera.
Look like < shieldbug larvae > to me?
< Wikipedia > page.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That looks like it.  Thanks!
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on July 30 2008,16:30

We're back on the grid in Aberdeen, after a few days in the Highlands and a couple of days on Orkney. In regard to the latter, I wish we could stay another month!

Here are some shots of northern wildlife.

Northern Fulmar and chicks, Butt of Lewis (Outer Hebrides)



Northern Fulmar in flight (from the Orkney Ferry)



Common Eider ducklings (Orkney)



And Professor Steve Steve at the Butt of Lewis


Posted by: J-Dog on July 30 2008,17:47

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ July 30 2008,16:30)
And Professor Steve Steve at the Butt of Lewis


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That IS a Big Butt... but I thought it was spelled Louis?
Posted by: qetzal on July 30 2008,21:10

OK, I really don't have much of interest in my backyard these days. Am I allowed to indulge my inner geezer & reminisce?

We lived in southern Illinois for a year in junior high. There were probably 20 chipmunks living in the back yard. We'd hand-feed them peanuts; they got quite tame. We gave them all names and learned to recognize them on sight.

We had a great horned owl that nested in the woods behind us. I climbed an adjacent tree to see the chicks, and the female strafed me. Almost fell out of the tree.

There were also flying squirrels. We discovered them when we heard little chirps in the trees at night. At first, we couldn't see what was making the noise, but it didn't sound like a frog or cricket. Took a while before we saw the dark shapes gliding from tree to tree.

Best was the time we caught a coatimundi in the field across the street! Turns out it was an escaped pet from down the street, but still.

Those were the days, I tell you! (Get off my lawn!)

[/geezer]
Posted by: Arden Chatfield on July 30 2008,22:27



---------------------QUOTE-------------------

Northern Fulmar and chicks, Butt of Lewis (Outer Hebrides)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



You saw Louis's butt?

I can understand why you didn't post pictures. You need satellite photos for something that big.
Posted by: bystander on July 31 2008,02:11

I'll have to grab a camera. The most common non-bird critters around our place are red bellied black snakes. Even though they are poisonous, they leave you alone unless you step on them. I always think that these guys are pretty cool and like to watch them until they disappear.

Blue Tongued lizards under scrap sheet metal (until the Dogs get to them).

We sometimes find  Echidna's curled up next to the house and in the mountain behind us there are Wallabys. There are a lot of Wombat holes around but we haven't seen one yet.

As for birds, Where I live is supposed to have the highest diversity of parrots in the world. Our favourite is the Black Cockatoo. Their call is not as raucous as the white Cockie.

Wes would like the Wedged Tailed Eagle. Another bird that is fascinating to watch, especially when the dive to grab a rabbit or lizard.
Posted by: dhogaza on July 31 2008,05:28

Wedge-tailed eagles are cool, one of the dozen or so raptors on my oz list from my three week visit there.  The Oz Aquila, closely related to the northern hemisphere's golden eagles and the (spanish or otherwise) imperial eagles of europe.

< This > was my favorite Australian raptor, though ...

Not sure where you are in Australia, but the parrot diversity is great.  I remember leaving the airport at Cairns, driving toward a place we were staying on the edge of a state forest as a base for a week of birding (cassowary male with chick on one of the dirt logging roads, how cool is that?).  We passed a very large plowed field full of white birds that back home, in winter, might've been mew gulls or the like.  Sulphur-crested cockatoos, a thousand or so of them, more than I've *ever* seen in a pet store in North America! :)

Black cockatoo are cool, won't disagree with you on that score.

Lorries, parrots, cockatoos ... nice.
Posted by: Jim_Wynne on July 31 2008,11:38

My neighbor has a lot of bird feeders in his backyard, and it resulted in periodic visits from a small hawk. I think it's a Cooper's.  Yesterday I got to see it grab a Goldfinch off of one of the feeders.
Posted by: nuytsia on July 31 2008,17:32

Quote (bystander @ July 30 2008,18:11)
(snip)

We sometimes find  Echidna's curled up next to the house and in the mountain behind us there are Wallabys. There are a lot of Wombat holes around but we haven't seen one yet.

As for birds, Where I live is supposed to have the highest diversity of parrots in the world. Our favourite is the Black Cockatoo. Their call is not as raucous as the white Cockie.

Wes would like the Wedged Tailed Eagle. Another bird that is fascinating to watch, especially when the dive to grab a rabbit or lizard.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Bystander what part of Australia are you in?

Blue tongues are cool as are echidnas.
This was my very first echidna I saw in Tassie. :-)
< >

I also agree on the black cockies. Their call is just so eerily gorgeous. Here in Tassie they tend to be a mountain bird, but during the winter they come down into Hobart and strip the cones of the pine trees and ring bark the branches of elms.
All good fun! :-)

 
Quote (dhogaza @ July 30 2008,21:28)
(snip)
We passed a very large plowed field full of white birds that back home, in winter, might've been mew gulls or the like.  Sulphur-crested cockatoos, a thousand or so of them, more than I've *ever* seen in a pet store in North America! :)

Black cockatoo are cool, won't disagree with you on that score.

Lorries, parrots, cockatoos ... nice.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


When I first got to Tassie I saw a field full of Sulphur crested Cockies and Forest Ravens. It was a most bizarre site.
According to my local guru, in Tassie you rarely see these birds feeding with any other species, but when you do it's almost always this combination. He reckons there's some kind of stand off between them.

Think my favourite parrot has to be the galah.
On my very first visit to Australia I spent an hour watching a flock in Kalbari play on a climbing frame and in the sand pit below (and I do mean play). It was the first time I'd really seen a bird expend so much energy doing bugger all.
It was fascinating!

Apparently the locals don't like them that much as they keep destroying the lawn and they killed the top of the Norfolk Island Pine in front of the police station.
I read a report that a flock of Galahs was observed to fly straight into a twister, apparently just for the hell of it.
Posted by: khan on July 31 2008,18:25

Quote (Jim_Wynne @ July 31 2008,12:38)
My neighbor has a lot of bird feeders in his backyard, and it resulted in periodic visits from a small hawk. I think it's a Cooper's.  Yesterday I got to see it grab a Goldfinch off of one of the feeders.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I saw a Coopers grab a finch (sparrow?) out of mid air near the bird feeder.
Posted by: Jim_Wynne on Aug. 01 2008,08:42

Quote (khan @ July 31 2008,18:25)
Quote (Jim_Wynne @ July 31 2008,12:38)
My neighbor has a lot of bird feeders in his backyard, and it resulted in periodic visits from a small hawk. I think it's a Cooper's.  Yesterday I got to see it grab a Goldfinch off of one of the feeders.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I saw a Coopers grab a finch (sparrow?) out of mid air near the bird feeder.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


This could have been the case in my sighting as well. I saw the hawk swoop down, disappear behind a fence, and then come back up with the finch in its talons.  It went flew into a large evergreen tree nearby and although I couldn't see the hawk, I could see small feathers floating down from the tree.
Posted by: dhogaza on Aug. 01 2008,12:38



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
My neighbor has a lot of bird feeders in his backyard, and it resulted in periodic visits from a small hawk. I think it's a Cooper's.  Yesterday I got to see it grab a Goldfinch off of one of the feeders.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Or sharpshinned hawk, which are considerably smaller.  They're easy to distinguish once you know how but ...

Cooper's hawk have much more robust legs.  The sharpshinned hawk gets its name from a prominent ridge on its "shin" (metatarsal), which gives it a bit more fore-and-aft rigidity, otherwise its legs are glorified toothpicks.

Cooper's hawks also have blockier heads due to longer feathers on the rear of the head, that they lift to make their head "look big" (and scary, I guess) when nervous/scared < see here >.

Sharpshinned hawks are more heavily streaked (though there's a great deal of variation in Cooper's hawks - I've banded literally thousands of north american accipiters).

If you've got a kid - a brown-backed bird with brown streaking on the breast - the plumage is going to be grown in and fresh (migration cometh soon).  A Cooper's hawk will show a distinct white terminal band.  A sharpshinned will normally show a greyish terminal band though quite white (but narrow) is not totally unknown.

With an adult bird at this time of year, it's hard to tell, their tail will be molting enthusiastically and the old feather that haven't dropped yet beat to shit (i.e. any white band likely to be worn off).  Sharpies are farther along in molt than Coops at this point (it's a size thing, male sharpies, the smallest, will be very far along now in august).

Far too much data, right?

Go find that hawk and look again!
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on Aug. 01 2008,13:15

Quote (dhogaza @ Aug. 01 2008,12:38)


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
My neighbor has a lot of bird feeders in his backyard, and it resulted in periodic visits from a small hawk. I think it's a Cooper's.  Yesterday I got to see it grab a Goldfinch off of one of the feeders.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Or sharpshinned hawk, which are considerably smaller.  They're easy to distinguish once you know how but ...

Cooper's hawk have much more robust legs.  The sharpshinned hawk gets its name from a prominent ridge on its "shin" (metatarsal), which gives it a bit more fore-and-aft rigidity, otherwise its legs are glorified toothpicks.

Cooper's hawks also have blockier heads due to longer feathers on the rear of the head, that they lift to make their head "look big" (and scary, I guess) when nervous/scared < see here >.

Sharpshinned hawks are more heavily streaked (though there's a great deal of variation in Cooper's hawks - I've banded literally thousands of north american accipiters).

If you've got a kid - a brown-backed bird with brown streaking on the breast - the plumage is going to be grown in and fresh (migration cometh soon).  A Cooper's hawk will show a distinct white terminal band.  A sharpshinned will normally show a greyish terminal band though quite white (but narrow) is not totally unknown.

With an adult bird at this time of year, it's hard to tell, their tail will be molting enthusiastically and the old feather that haven't dropped yet beat to shit (i.e. any white band likely to be worn off).  Sharpies are farther along in molt than Coops at this point (it's a size thing, male sharpies, the smallest, will be very far along now in august).

Far too much data, right?

Go find that hawk and look again!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


which one tastes the best?
Posted by: Jim_Wynne on Aug. 01 2008,13:43

Quote (dhogaza @ Aug. 01 2008,12:38)


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
My neighbor has a lot of bird feeders in his backyard, and it resulted in periodic visits from a small hawk. I think it's a Cooper's.  Yesterday I got to see it grab a Goldfinch off of one of the feeders.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Or sharpshinned hawk, which are considerably smaller.  They're easy to distinguish once you know how but ...

Cooper's hawk have much more robust legs.  The sharpshinned hawk gets its name from a prominent ridge on its "shin" (metatarsal), which gives it a bit more fore-and-aft rigidity, otherwise its legs are glorified toothpicks.

Cooper's hawks also have blockier heads due to longer feathers on the rear of the head, that they lift to make their head "look big" (and scary, I guess) when nervous/scared < see here >.

Sharpshinned hawks are more heavily streaked (though there's a great deal of variation in Cooper's hawks - I've banded literally thousands of north american accipiters).

If you've got a kid - a brown-backed bird with brown streaking on the breast - the plumage is going to be grown in and fresh (migration cometh soon).  A Cooper's hawk will show a distinct white terminal band.  A sharpshinned will normally show a greyish terminal band though quite white (but narrow) is not totally unknown.

With an adult bird at this time of year, it's hard to tell, their tail will be molting enthusiastically and the old feather that haven't dropped yet beat to shit (i.e. any white band likely to be worn off).  Sharpies are farther along in molt than Coops at this point (it's a size thing, male sharpies, the smallest, will be very far along now in august).

Far too much data, right?

Go find that hawk and look again!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks for all the information. I was guessing Cooper's based on size alone (and pictures/descriptions from Peterson's field guide); our bird seems a little larger than a big crow. The banding on the tail is clear.  It's making fairly frequent appearances now, so it shouldn't be long before I can get a good look. He was perched on the neighbor's TV antenna yesterday, but was gone by the time I'd gotten my binoculars out.
Posted by: dhogaza on Aug. 01 2008,14:20



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
which one tastes the best?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


The chicken hawk, of course.

That's the cooper's hawk, honest!  Cooper's hawks have a fascination with pigeon-sized and chicken-sized birds that has to be seen to believed.  If one shows up outside a locked coop (nice pun) made of chicken wire so the birds are visible, a Coop will sit and stare forever.  And try to figure out how to get in.  "mmm ... all that food ... if I only had a brain I could figure out that door-like contraption and eat for hours!".

Jim - crow-sized+ points to not only Cooper's hawk, but a female one (they're larger than the males, in the western US typically 450-550 grams weight, eastern US a bit heavier).  And that broad band, yes, Coop.  A kid, I imagine (brown not grey-brown), if it's that obvious - an adult female, esp. one that laid this year, would be looking pretty ragged in the tail by now I should think (they start dropping flight feathers after they lay, males get an earlier start and their smaller feathers grow in faster, too).

So drop the "he" bit :)   Believe me, it's the female Cooper's hawk that has the mentality of an NFL linebacker, they're amazing - the boys are chickenshit chicken hawks by contrast.
Posted by: Jim_Wynne on Aug. 01 2008,16:56

Quote (dhogaza @ Aug. 01 2008,14:20)


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
which one tastes the best?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


The chicken hawk, of course.

That's the cooper's hawk, honest!  Cooper's hawks have a fascination with pigeon-sized and chicken-sized birds that has to be seen to believed.  If one shows up outside a locked coop (nice pun) made of chicken wire so the birds are visible, a Coop will sit and stare forever.  And try to figure out how to get in.  "mmm ... all that food ... if I only had a brain I could figure out that door-like contraption and eat for hours!".

Jim - crow-sized+ points to not only Cooper's hawk, but a female one (they're larger than the males, in the western US typically 450-550 grams weight, eastern US a bit heavier).  And that broad band, yes, Coop.  A kid, I imagine (brown not grey-brown), if it's that obvious - an adult female, esp. one that laid this year, would be looking pretty ragged in the tail by now I should think (they start dropping flight feathers after they lay, males get an earlier start and their smaller feathers grow in faster, too).

So drop the "he" bit :)   Believe me, it's the female Cooper's hawk that has the mentality of an NFL linebacker, they're amazing - the boys are chickenshit chicken hawks by contrast.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


SHE is very brown.  Just a little while ago I was walking the dog and she (or another one just like her) was standing in a neighbor's driveway, not much impressed with the presence of me or the dog, even though we were no more than 20 feet away. It was the first really good look I've had, and I think it's indeed a Cooper's.
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Aug. 01 2008,17:53

A Cooper's hawk figured out how to get into our pigeon/quail house... < The Curse of the Blue Streak >.


Posted by: khan on Aug. 01 2008,17:59

The favorite prey of Coopers Hawks & Northern Harriers is doves (at least in my front yard).

I'll see if I can dig up some photos of feathers.
Posted by: jeffox on Aug. 01 2008,22:12

One of the advantages of being a former medical secretary who once worked at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN was that I got to see the resident (no pun intended) perigrine falcons hunt and eat the local pigeonry.  :)  It was an easy task, as long as one worked at the 10th story or higher.

Occasionally they'd land on one of the window ledges with a freshly killed pigeon and proceed to (quite literally) tear it apart eating it.  The feathers literally flew, and it usually took about 30 seconds to 1 minute for the hawk to eat a full-grown bird.  

If you were anywhere downtown, you could tell that the perigrines were hunting by observing the way the flock of pigeons flew.
Posted by: Arden Chatfield on Aug. 01 2008,22:22

Quote (dhogaza @ Aug. 01 2008,10:38)
 

---------------------QUOTE-------------------
My neighbor has a lot of bird feeders in his backyard, and it resulted in periodic visits from a small hawk. I think it's a Cooper's.  Yesterday I got to see it grab a Goldfinch off of one of the feeders.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Or sharpshinned hawk, which are considerably smaller.  They're easy to distinguish once you know how but ...

Cooper's hawk have much more robust legs.  The sharpshinned hawk gets its name from a prominent ridge on its "shin" (metatarsal), which gives it a bit more fore-and-aft rigidity, otherwise its legs are glorified toothpicks.

Cooper's hawks also have blockier heads due to longer feathers on the rear of the head, that they lift to make their head "look big" (and scary, I guess) when nervous/scared < see here >.

Sharpshinned hawks are more heavily streaked (though there's a great deal of variation in Cooper's hawks - I've banded literally thousands of north american accipiters).

If you've got a kid - a brown-backed bird with brown streaking on the breast - the plumage is going to be grown in and fresh (migration cometh soon).  A Cooper's hawk will show a distinct white terminal band.  A sharpshinned will normally show a greyish terminal band though quite white (but narrow) is not totally unknown.

With an adult bird at this time of year, it's hard to tell, their tail will be molting enthusiastically and the old feather that haven't dropped yet beat to shit (i.e. any white band likely to be worn off).  Sharpies are farther along in molt than Coops at this point (it's a size thing, male sharpies, the smallest, will be very far along now in august).

Far too much data, right?

Go find that hawk and look again!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Also, I get the impression that Cooper's Hawks are more common than Sharp-Shinned Hawks, and much more adapted to heavily built up, residential neighborhoods. I see Cooper's Hawks around town here pretty routinely, but I've never seen a Sharp-Shinned anywhere except out in the countryside.

Two years ago I got to see a female Cooper's Hawk scarfing a Common Bushtit in a Chinese Elm tree in front of my house. I was first alerted to her presence by these little feathers drifting down from the tree. I found her in the tree and started watching her, first as she de-feathered it, and then as she started ripping hunks off it and eating. At one point she seemed to have swallowed too big a piece and started gagging, but she soon got it down and resumed. All told, she was in that tree for around 25 minutes. She stared at me with her beady red eyes a couple times but otherwise didn't seem to much care that she was being watched.
Posted by: dhogaza on Aug. 02 2008,02:06



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
A Cooper's hawk figured out how to get into our pigeon/quail house
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nice big 'ole adult coop photo there.  You can see she's (I think) molting one or more inner primaries.

Where I've banded most frequently, in Nevada, our pigeon/dove/starling coops are Coop- and Gos-proof.  It took us years, though, to figure out how to thwart ...

Skunks!

(not for the faint of heart ...)

Problems with them digging under pigeon coops - ours tend to be about 8 feet high and first attempts were just on the ground, skunks would get in, and it would be like a dog in a herd of sheep.

Then we tried chicken-wire flooring to keep them out, one dug under and left us with some legless pigeons (even with plenty of things to roost on, there will always be a few that prefer to roost on the ground, hey, they're domesticated, you expect smart?)

Anyway, we finally figured it out.  And now the skunks no longer hang out around our camp, which is too bad, because we no longer have skunk stories to share.  Like the time our cook fell half-asleep in our central tent, in the rocking chair I used to carry up there, in front of the wood stove on a cold october night at 9,000 feet in the Great Basin ... stroking the back of the cat that was rubbing up against her leg ... wait ... cat?  There ain't no cats in field camp!  SCREAMING "oh my god I've been petting a skunk!" ... poor skunk, just wanted a little lovin'!



---------------------QUOTE-------------------

Also, I get the impression that Cooper's Hawks are more common than Sharp-Shinned Hawks, and much more adapted to heavily built up, residential neighborhoods. I see Cooper's Hawks around town here pretty routinely, but I've never seen a Sharp-Shinned anywhere except out in the countryside.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Depends on where you live, really.  Sharp-shinneds are common around feeders in new england in winter.  Where I live (portland, oregon) both are common in winter.  Only coops nest here in the city, though, and are  doing so with increasing frequency over the last couple of decades (true throughout the willamette valley).

Coops nest throughout the lower 48 and southern Canada, while the sharpies range extends much further north and they don't nest in the more southern parts of the US.  So depending on where you live, and the time of year, you may be much more likely to see a Coop than a sharpie.

While plenty of Coops and sharpies winter in the US, most of our band returns from eastern Nevada are from Sinaloa and Sonora, probably due to our banding site being east and south of where most Coops and sharpies migrating to winter in western OR/WA/CA are headed.  And a lot of our wintering sharpies are just coming down from the Cascades, like many of the yellow-rumped warblers and other small birds they like to prey on.
Posted by: bystander on Aug. 02 2008,02:08

Quote (nuytsia @ Aug. 01 2008,05:32)
Quote (bystander @ July 30 2008,18:11)
(snip)

We sometimes find  Echidna's curled up next to the house and in the mountain behind us there are Wallabys. There are a lot of Wombat holes around but we haven't seen one yet.

As for birds, Where I live is supposed to have the highest diversity of parrots in the world. Our favourite is the Black Cockatoo. Their call is not as raucous as the white Cockie.

Wes would like the Wedged Tailed Eagle. Another bird that is fascinating to watch, especially when the dive to grab a rabbit or lizard.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Bystander what part of Australia are you in?

Blue tongues are cool as are echidnas.
This was my very first echidna I saw in Tassie. :-)
< >

I also agree on the black cockies. Their call is just so eerily gorgeous. Here in Tassie they tend to be a mountain bird, but during the winter they come down into Hobart and strip the cones of the pine trees and ring bark the branches of elms.
All good fun! :-)

   
Quote (dhogaza @ July 30 2008,21:28)
(snip)
We passed a very large plowed field full of white birds that back home, in winter, might've been mew gulls or the like.  Sulphur-crested cockatoos, a thousand or so of them, more than I've *ever* seen in a pet store in North America! :)

Black cockatoo are cool, won't disagree with you on that score.

Lorries, parrots, cockatoos ... nice.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


When I first got to Tassie I saw a field full of Sulphur crested Cockies and Forest Ravens. It was a most bizarre site.
According to my local guru, in Tassie you rarely see these birds feeding with any other species, but when you do it's almost always this combination. He reckons there's some kind of stand off between them.

Think my favourite parrot has to be the galah.
On my very first visit to Australia I spent an hour watching a flock in Kalbari play on a climbing frame and in the sand pit below (and I do mean play). It was the first time I'd really seen a bird expend so much energy doing bugger all.
It was fascinating!

Apparently the locals don't like them that much as they keep destroying the lawn and they killed the top of the Norfolk Island Pine in front of the police station.
I read a report that a flock of Galahs was observed to fly straight into a twister, apparently just for the hell of it.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I live on the coast 140km south of Sydney. Another strange bird when you see it in the wild is the lyrebird. I often see them crossing the road when I go to customer's houses further up in the hills (almost ran one over yesterday). They have a strange hopping run using their wings for balance and speed. It reminds me of some of the CGI reconstructions of feathered dinosaurs, very much unlike any other birds.
Although it is probably the animators using a lyrebird as a model for the dinosaur.
Another thing about Lyrebirds is that they are fantastic mimics and it is common to hear them imitating a chainsaw.

The cassowary is another bird that seems ancient. I was bicycle riding through FNQ and when I heard a loud noise in the forest, I always wondered if it was a Cassowary, although I don't know if I would want to meet one.

Galah's are funny but do a lot of damage.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Aug. 02 2008,06:02

Alas, it seems that Louis has been called away to France on a work-related trip, so we will not be meeting up with him for a visit to Hutton's Uncomformity (Siccar Point). Professor Steve Steve was disappointed to learn of this change of plans, and so was I.

I'll append below a couple of other pictures from the trip thus far. The first is not a wildlife shot; it is the Standing Stones of Callanish (Callanais), on the Isle of Lewis. This structure is about 4000 years old.



The second is a female Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus). We've been seeing large flocks (up to 300 birds) of Lapwings, but they seem quite camera-shy. This is the best shot I have to date, and it was taken this morning near Rattray, north of Aberdeen.



Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Aug. 02 2008,08:23

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Aug. 02 2008,06:02)
The first is not a wildlife shot; it is the Standing Stones of Callanish (Callanais), on the Isle of Lewis. This structure is about 4000 years old.


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Hmmm... let's turn up the drama...


Posted by: Arden Chatfield on Aug. 02 2008,11:33



---------------------QUOTE-------------------

I'll append below a couple of other pictures from the trip thus far. The first is not a wildlife shot; it is the Standing Stones of Callanish (Callanais), on the Isle of Lewis. This structure is about 4000 years old.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Alby, did you hear much Gaelic spoken on Lewis?
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Aug. 02 2008,12:00

Quote (Arden Chatfield @ Aug. 02 2008,11:33)
Alby, did you hear much Gaelic spoken on Lewis?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yes, we did hear a bit of it on Lewis, and also on North Uist, where we spent a couple of days. Actually, we didn't run across lots of people very often, but on the ferries it seemed that lots of folks (families with kids especially) were speaking Gaelic. One of the other guests at one of the B&B's where we stayed on Uist seemed to speak it fairly well, and gave us some hints on pronunciation (sorely needed). All of the roadway signs gave place names in Gaelic as well as the Anglicized versions.

It's an interesting part of the world...
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on Aug. 02 2008,12:17

mmmmmm Gaelic




proof that asheville has done something right, every once in a while.  god dam hippies.
Posted by: Arden Chatfield on Aug. 02 2008,12:23

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Aug. 02 2008,10:00)
   
Quote (Arden Chatfield @ Aug. 02 2008,11:33)
Alby, did you hear much Gaelic spoken on Lewis?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yes, we did hear a bit of it on Lewis, and also on North Uist, where we spent a couple of days. Actually, we didn't run across lots of people very often, but on the ferries it seemed that lots of folks (families with kids especially) were speaking Gaelic. One of the other guests at one of the B&B's where we stayed on Uist seemed to speak it fairly well, and gave us some hints on pronunciation (sorely needed). All of the roadway signs gave place names in Gaelic as well as the Anglicized versions.

It's an interesting part of the world...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nice news that you were hearing kids speak it. And yes, the pronunciation of Gaelic, especially Scots, is VERY hard. Definitely one of the weirdest European languages, setting aside Basque, Finnish & Hungarian.

I've always wanted to visit that part of Britain. Once upon a time very long ago I was considering doing linguistic fieldwork in the Inner Hebrides, but my grad student path took a very different direction.

In 1985, I visited the Isle of Arran (as a tourist), which is a gorgeous, spooky place (and the hotel restaurant at Brodick served the best curry I'd ever had), but from what I gather Gaelic died out there in the 70's. The island is basically a huge, densely wooded mountain with a little 1-lane road going around it. When I was there, it boasted the largest nesting colony of Golden Eagles in Britain.
Posted by: khan on Aug. 02 2008,18:30

A rebuttal to the nature crunchy granola types: it's a jungle out there.

Cats killing birds squirrels rabbits chipmunks.

Grackles killing finches.

Hawks killing finches sparrows doves.

Blue Jays stealing worms from robins.

And all just in my front yard.
Posted by: Arden Chatfield on Aug. 02 2008,20:05

Quote (khan @ Aug. 02 2008,16:30)
A rebuttal to the nature crunchy granola types: it's a jungle out there.

Cats killing birds squirrels rabbits chipmunks.

Grackles killing finches.

Hawks killing finches sparrows doves.

Blue Jays stealing worms from robins.

And all just in my front yard.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Well. None of that happened before the Fall, though. Back then, T-rexes ate coconuts.  :angry:
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Aug. 05 2008,01:25

Well, Louis didn't make the trip, but two other friends accompanied us to Siccar Point, the site where James Hutton found the evidence that the earth had to be more than 6000 yrs old. We had a stunning day to visit, and the tide was out, so we could clamber down to the rocks and wander around a bit. The red sandstones in the picture overlay the folded and eroded gray stone (greywackes in the local vernacular). That original deposition and folding, followed by erosion and then deposition of the red stone, would have required much longer than 6000 years.

So here's a picture, with evidence, so that FtK can finally make up her mind about the age of the earth.


Posted by: Louis on Aug. 05 2008,04:03

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Aug. 02 2008,12:02)
Alas, it seems that Louis has been called away to France on a work-related trip, so we will not be meeting up with him for a visit to Hutton's Uncomformity (Siccar Point). Professor Steve Steve was disappointed to learn of this change of plans, and so was I.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Don't blame me, blame a) recalcitrant French "chemists"*, b) insistent boss and c) an incipient pay review date!

No one is more disappointed than I. First and foremost meeting the REAL Prof Steve Steve as opposed to some cheap panda knock off (which I have met many times) would have been the culmination of my hero worship. Also meeting some Kansans who are ACTUALLY reasonable would have been nice too. And of course to collect my winnings for a certain bet about a certain Kansan who is most certainly not reasonable at all (despite claims to the contrary). Although the latter is vastly less important than the former two reasons.

Of course this means I now have to schlep over to the US of A for a combined Howlerfest/PTfest/AtBCfest at some point in the not too distant future. Make sure you have warm beer, indifferent cuisine and bad dentistry ready for the event.

Anyway, since this is WILD(life)LY off topic thus far I shall redeem myself slightly by mentioning that my Dad telephoned me upon my return to inform me that he has adders in his pond. This is not a euphemism.



An adder, yesterday.

He then asked me (since I used to keep a snake, although I'm no Lenny Flank {snicker, giggle, shrug}) how best to deal with them since they were eating all his fish.

Leave the poor buggers alone and buy new fish in the autumn, was my advice.

Louis

* I have no desire to speak ill of French chemists in general. Many of my most capable and brilliant chemistry colleagues and collaborators have been/are French. This band of merry muppets however were trying to pull a fast one on we Rosbifs and claiming things they could not support as part of an outsourcing collaboration. Naughty naughty. They have been duly, but politely and diplomatically, dealt with.
Posted by: J-Dog on Aug. 05 2008,19:33

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Aug. 05 2008,01:25)
Well, Louis didn't make the trip, but two other friends accompanied us to Siccar Point, the site where James Hutton found the evidence that the earth had to be more than 6000 yrs old. We had a stunning day to visit, and the tide was out, so we could clamber down to the rocks and wander around a bit. The red sandstones in the picture overlay the folded and eroded gray stone (greywackes in the local vernacular). That original deposition and folding, followed by erosion and then deposition of the red stone, would have required much longer than 6000 years.

So here's a picture, with evidence, so that FtK can finally make up her mind about the age of the earth.


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That is totally beautiful - Do you think Walt Brown has seen this?  FTK?  Have you sent this to him yet?
Posted by: J-Dog on Aug. 05 2008,19:41

Quote (Louis @ Aug. 05 2008,04:03)
Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Aug. 02 2008,12:02)
Alas, it seems that Louis has been called away to France on a work-related trip, so we will not be meeting up with him for a visit to Hutton's Uncomformity (Siccar Point). Professor Steve Steve was disappointed to learn of this change of plans, and so was I.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Don't blame me, blame a) recalcitrant French "chemists"*, b) insistent boss and c) an incipient pay review date!

No one is more disappointed than I. First and foremost meeting the REAL Prof Steve Steve as opposed to some cheap panda knock off (which I have met many times) would have been the culmination of my hero worship. Also meeting some Kansans who are ACTUALLY reasonable would have been nice too. And of course to collect my winnings for a certain bet about a certain Kansan who is most certainly not reasonable at all (despite claims to the contrary). Although the latter is vastly less important than the former two reasons.

Of course this means I now have to schlep over to the US of A for a combined Howlerfest/PTfest/AtBCfest at some point in the not too distant future. Make sure you have warm beer, indifferent cuisine and bad dentistry ready for the event.

Anyway, since this is WILD(life)LY off topic thus far I shall redeem myself slightly by mentioning that my Dad telephoned me upon my return to inform me that he has adders in his pond. This is not a euphemism.



An adder, yesterday.

He then asked me (since I used to keep a snake, although I'm no Lenny Flank {snicker, giggle, shrug}) how best to deal with them since they were eating all his fish.

Leave the poor buggers alone and buy new fish in the autumn, was my advice.

Louis

* I have no desire to speak ill of French chemists in general. Many of my most capable and brilliant chemistry colleagues and collaborators have been/are French. This band of merry muppets however were trying to pull a fast one on we Rosbifs and claiming things they could not support as part of an outsourcing collaboration. Naughty naughty. They have been duly, but politely and diplomatically, dealt with.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Whoa - I think that's close enough...(I would have used a telephoto lens, BTW...

Where does your Dad live, that he gets adders in his yard???!!  Not England, right?

And in Other News - nice story Louis!  I would say more, but I don't want to offend Jeannot.  Shrug.
Posted by: Louis on Aug. 06 2008,02:06

Quote (J-Dog @ Aug. 06 2008,01:41)
Where does your Dad live, that he gets adders in his yard???!!  Not England, right?

And in Other News - nice story Louis!  I would say more, but I don't want to offend Jeannot.  Shrug.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


South of England, next to some heathland. We get adders in the UK, but they are weak European types whose bite is only mildly worse than a bee sting. Not proper venomous snakes like those you get in Furrin Parts and Teh Colonies.

My dad didn't take that photo btw! It's a stock one from teh tubes.

Louis
Posted by: J-Dog on Aug. 06 2008,08:41

Quote (Louis @ Aug. 06 2008,02:06)
Quote (J-Dog @ Aug. 06 2008,01:41)
Where does your Dad live, that he gets adders in his yard???!!  Not England, right?

And in Other News - nice story Louis!  I would say more, but I don't want to offend Jeannot.  Shrug.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


South of England, next to some heathland. We get adders in the UK, but they are weak European types whose bite is only mildly worse than a bee sting. Not proper venomous snakes like those you get in Furrin Parts and Teh Colonies.

My dad didn't take that photo btw! It's a stock one from teh tubes.

Louis
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks.  I must have read too much Sherlock Holmes when I was a kid - The Adventure Of The Speckled Band stuck with me.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Aug. 06 2008,16:50

Thankfully we saw no snakes while in Scotland. St. Columba must have driven them down to Brighton.The only herps we saw were frogs and toads aplenty. We did see several road-killed foxes, as well as bunnies. Other mammals included both roe and red deer. I wanted to see a badger, but I was disappointed in that desire.  Maybe next time.

I have had time to only go through a small subset of the pics, but here are a few more.  The first is Siccar Point, on the East Lothian coast just south of Dunbar (John Muir's birthplace). It is a remarkably beautiful site, well worth the trip. It is a bit hard to find, but having found it, I can now provide explicit directions for any who want to venture there. J-Dog, if you get to Edinburgh to visit your daughter this year, you ought to take her there. You can see what you need to see from the overlook (where this shot was taken). It is a steep (about 45-60 degree slope) grassy clamber down the 300 ft cliff. I clambered back up before Elizabeth. She wanted to look at more of the tide pools and I wanted to get back on to level ground (silly Kansan). You can spot her there just to the left of the leftmost tide pool; it's a long ways down. But on the right of the picture you can see the geology for which the site is famous - red sandstones overlaid on folded, uplifted and eroded gray sedimentary rocks. If that can happen in 6000 years, it truly would be a miracle!



We also visited a nature reserve in Kinross (on Loch Leven, north of Edinburgh), where I got these two pictures. Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis, aka Dabchick), which was a new bird for the life list, and Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula), which I had previously seen in California, where they are regular vagrants (a few show up there  every year).





Finally, here is a Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) amongst the cow parsnips and Scottish thistle at ye old Rintoul estate a few miles west and north of Kinross. It consists of an abandoned 19th century house (two stories) and caved-in barn (complete with resident Barn Owl).  My great-grandfather emigrated from this area of Scotland in 1849. It was quite interesting to visit the place from whence my family name originated...


Posted by: Dr.GH on Aug. 06 2008,17:50

Quote (J-Dog @ Aug. 06 2008,06:41)
Thanks.  I must have read too much Sherlock Holmes when I was a kid - The Adventure Of The Speckled Band stuck with me.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Wasn't that a Fer-de-Lance?
Posted by: J-Dog on Aug. 06 2008,19:45

Quote (Dr.GH @ Aug. 06 2008,17:50)
Quote (J-Dog @ Aug. 06 2008,06:41)
Thanks.  I must have read too much Sherlock Holmes when I was a kid - The Adventure Of The Speckled Band stuck with me.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Wasn't that a Fer-de-Lance?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


The fer-de-lance was actually the first Nero Wolfe story.

< http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fer-de-Lance_%28book%29 >

A little more googling gets me to the Speckled Band, which is an adder.

< http://www.nomig.net/radiodr....%20Band >
Posted by: J-Dog on Aug. 06 2008,19:47

[quote=Albatrossity2,Aug. 06 2008,16:50]Thankfully we saw no snakes while in Scotland. St. Columba must have driven them down to Brighton.The only herps we saw were frogs and toads aplenty. We did see several road-killed foxes, as well as bunnies. Other mammals included both roe and red deer. I wanted to see a badger, but I was disappointed in that desire.  Maybe next time.

I have had time to only go through a small subset of the pics, but here are a few more.  The first is Siccar Point, on the East Lothian coast just south of Dunbar (John Muir's birthplace). It is a remarkably beautiful site, well worth the trip. It is a bit hard to find, but having found it, I can now provide explicit directions for any who want to venture there. J-Dog, if you get to Edinburgh to visit your daughter this year, you ought to take her there. You can see what you need to see from the overlook (where this shot was taken). It is a steep (about 45-60 degree slope) grassy clamber down the 300 ft cliff. I clambered back up before Elizabeth. She wanted to look at more of the tide pools and I wanted to get back on to level ground (silly Kansan). You can spot her there just to the left of the leftmost tide pool; it's a long ways down. But on the right of the picture you can see the geology for which the site is famous - red sandstones overlaid on folded, uplifted and eroded gray sedimentary rocks. If that can happen in 6000 years, it truly would be a miracle!



We also visited a nature reserve in Kinross (on Loch Leven, north of Edinburgh), where I got these two pictures. Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis, aka Dabchick), which was a new bird for the life list, and Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula), which I had previously seen in California, where they are regular vagrants (a few show up there  every year).

.jpg[/img]



Finally, here is a Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) amongst the cow parsnips and Scottish thistle at ye old Rintoul estate a few miles west and north of Kinross. It consists of an abandoned 19th century house (two stories) and caved-in barn (complete with resident Barn Owl).  My great-grandfather emigrated from this area of Scotland in 1849. It was quite interesting to visit the place from whence my family name originated...


Absolutely tremendous - and holy ID, that IS a long way down!
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Aug. 07 2008,06:19

Quote (J-Dog @ Aug. 06 2008,19:47)
Absolutely tremendous - and holy ID, that IS a long way down!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yep, and a longer way back up. Elizabeth took a picture (included below) as I was climbing back up; the little dot toward the top of the grassy slope, near the fenceline, is me. The fence looks useful, but the top strand is barbed wire; not the thing that you need to grab if you start to slip. If you need a sense of scale, I am 6'4" tall...

The impressive geology of the site can be seen again in the righthand section of the picture.


Posted by: JohnW on Aug. 07 2008,11:52

<FTK>Wow, Scotland must have been travelling pretty fast to bang into the sandstone so hard!</FTK>
Posted by: Jim_Wynne on Aug. 08 2008,08:57

In addition to the aforementioned Cooper's hawk that's been frequenting my yard, yesterday afternoon there was a female American Kestrel perched on my neighbor's TV antenna, smack in the middle of what appeared to be a finch convention.  There were eight of them (Gold, Purple), apparently unaware of the feeding habits of the kestrel.

As I understand it, kestrels are more likely to eat small mammals (mice, voles) and large insects (grasshoppers, dragonflies) than small birds, and are themselves considered a delicacy by Cooper's Hawks.  Nonetheless, the grouping on the antenna looked like a lion-sleeping-with-lambs situation.
Posted by: dhogaza on Aug. 08 2008,16:26



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
As I understand it, kestrels are more likely to eat small mammals (mice, voles) and large insects (grasshoppers, dragonflies) than small birds
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


You'll see them frequently hover-hunt over open fields, looking for voles and/or bugs.  They'll take birds, too, but very small ones.  Though, one year while banding hawks, with a trainee on the large (pigeon) lure, a kestrel came into the station and the trainee was so excited I couldn't get her to stop moving the pigeon around.  Usually we immediately work on them with a house sparrow, before they get a good look around and see all the station hardware which tends to freak them out, causing them to perch on a mistnet pole or the like, giving alarm calls.  And looking with suspicion into the blind.

On this occasion I finally got the trainee to park her pigeon in small hideaway built of rocks for just that purpose.  The female kestrel walked into the little hideaway and jumped on the pigeon's back.  The trainee dragged the pigeon and tiny kestrel (outweighed by the pigeon something like 6:1) into the bownet and caught it.

That was one optimistic kestrel.

But usually birds sorta freak them out unless they're very tiny.  Kestrels, like all falcons, have relatively tiny and weak feet (compared to hawks and eagles of comparable size) so they grab prey and kill vertebrates by severing the spinal cord in the neck (their bills have a notch in them, one of the morphological characteristics differentiating them from hawks).
Posted by: dhogaza on Aug. 08 2008,16:30

Beautiful blue tit photo above, nice job (and I speak as someone who's sold a fair number of nature photos to the international book and magazine market).
Posted by: nuytsia on Aug. 08 2008,17:03

Last weekend I popped down to South Arm in search of Greenhood orchids (Pterostylis species) but sadly failed to find one.

So I ended up at the beach and found this....
< >

Isn't that cool?
No?


Well here's another shot
< >
I took a bit of < video too >. Not brilliant, but it shows the animal vanishing as it settles into some weed.

I find these decorator crabs very cool, partly I suppose because we didn't have anything like this in the UK. I've purchased a few books and browsed the web for information on Australian Majidae but there seems to be a bit of confusion. I'm not 100% on the species but I'm reckoning it's Notomithrax ursus.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Aug. 09 2008,12:46

I have managed to go through about a third of my pictures from Scotland, and posted a couple dozen of the highlights, mostly from the Outer Hebrides, at this URL

< http://www.davidrintoul.com/hebrides/ >

There are some birds, some scenics, and, just for Arden, some more pictures of the Butt of Lewis.
Posted by: Dr.GH on Aug. 09 2008,15:21

I was on the ocean yesterday, and had some Delicious results.



This was a 10 lb male dorado.



This was a 25 lb male Albacore Tuna. (The dog's name is Yoggie).

The fishing was slow over all. I only lost one fish (a larger albacore) when my reel momentarily locked up. We caught 11 albacore, 2 Yellowfin Tuna, 2 Yellowtail jack, and 41 dorado for 32 people fishing. Mine was the largest dorado, with the majority barely over 3 lbs. (I had a several of those but released them). The per pound cost of the meat was still well above market, 15 lbs of trimed meat for ~$300.  The local fish market charges $10.
Posted by: nuytsia on Aug. 10 2008,04:14

This was rather cool.
Saturday was a beautiful day in Hobart so I popped into the Botanic Gardens to photograph some of the rarer endemic flora that's beginning to go into flower.
< >
As I came round a corner I scared a White Goshawk that had been sitting on a wall.
I followed it through the garden till it settled in an Araucaria and took a few shots.
< >
Right on the limitations of my 75-300 lens but I was still pretty pleased with these.
A friend had said they'd seen a White Goshawk in the gardens a few months back, but this was still a surprise as these tend to be a rural bird and the BG is in the center of Hobart.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Aug. 10 2008,10:20



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Wildlife: What's in your backyard?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------

Fire ants in my cousin's back yard, and I now have intimate knowledge of them.

Bastards.
Posted by: Dr.GH on Aug. 10 2008,12:32

Quote (Lou FCD @ Aug. 10 2008,08:20)


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Wildlife: What's in your backyard?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------

Fire ants in my cousin's back yard, and I now have intimate knowledge of them.

Bastards.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


OUCH!

Sorry to hear that.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Aug. 10 2008,13:03

Quote (Dr.GH @ Aug. 10 2008,13:32)
Quote (Lou FCD @ Aug. 10 2008,08:20)


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Wildlife: What's in your backyard?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------

Fire ants in my cousin's back yard, and I now have intimate knowledge of them.

Bastards.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


OUCH!

Sorry to hear that.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks for the sympathy, I need it just now.

I have about half a dozen good sized welts and another dozen smaller ones on my legs.  Stepped right into a small nest of them, and I knew the damned things were there.

That's the real pain.
Posted by: Henry J on Aug. 13 2008,21:17

Saw a black bear this evening, along one side of block where I live.

Several cars seemed to be loitering in the area.

Being on foot at the time, I decidedly did not loiter in the area.

Henry
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on Aug. 13 2008,21:23

wow where do you live?

a yearling attacked an 8 year old boy in the park here last weekend.  boys daddy run it off, unh huh.  a-hittin it with sticks and rocks, unh huh.  hit coulda been worse i reckon.  said they had been a-eatin fried chicken before hit come up on em, unh-huh.
Posted by: Henry J on Aug. 13 2008,22:39

Colorado Springs. I was just walking around the block, when a car stops along side and the guy says there's a bear up there where those cars are. Well, I crossed to the opposite side of the street, and walked slightly faster than normal until well past it. Got a couple of glimses of the bear, which seemed to be exploring around a building.

If I'd been in my car I'd have gotten a closer look. Deer aren't that unusual to see around this block, but that's the first bear I recall in the neighborhood. (Though a couple years ago a coyote trotted by while I was pulling out to go to work; no road runners in area so it probably kept going. Well, unless that one likes rabbit.)

In other wildlife sightings, couple of times in the last week I saw a bird collecting bait. A couple of weeks ago there was a very brief glimpse of what was presumably a lizard (quickly getting off the sidewalk); lizards are rarely visible (to me, anyway) around here. (How many are around but out of sight, I have no clue.)

Henry
Posted by: ppb on Aug. 14 2008,10:05

We justs moved to a new home in Lexington, MA (suburban Boston).  There are some wild turkeys in the area.  I've seen a few of them on my street, although none in my back yard yet.  Should be interesting when my dogs discover them.

Haven't gotten a photo yet, but I did have one fly almost head-on at my car.  I saw a big, black bird coming toward my windshield.  They are huge!
Posted by: J-Dog on Aug. 14 2008,11:02

Quote (ppb @ Aug. 14 2008,10:05)
We justs moved to a new home in Lexington, MA (suburban Boston).  There are some wild turkeys in the area.  I've seen a few of them on my street, although none in my back yard yet.  Should be interesting when my dogs discover them.

Haven't gotten a photo yet, but I did have one fly almost head-on at my car.  I saw a big, black bird coming toward my windshield.  They are huge!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


When first married, we lived in Beverly MA, and loved it.

Once we saw a tom turkey - not wild, a domestic - might have just escaped - while roaming around Walden Pond - does that count?

If you haven't been there I recommend it, BTW, and 2 years ago re-visited Lexington and Concord.*



* For Louis and all the Brits here - It's why we don't waste ink on superfluous vowels in words like "color".  





Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Aug. 14 2008,11:09

Also for Louis and all the Brits here, some more < pictures >of Scotland. All in colour...
Posted by: ppb on Aug. 14 2008,11:18

Quote (J-Dog @ Aug. 14 2008,12:02)
When first married, we lived in Beverly MA, and loved it.

Once we saw a tom turkey - not wild, a domestic - might have just escaped - while roaming around Walden Pond - does that count?

If you haven't been there I recommend it, BTW, and 2 years ago re-visited Lexington and Concord.*



* For Louis and all the Brits here - It's why we don't waste ink on superfluous vowels in words like "color".  





---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yeah, Walden is a favorite spot.  It's only a few miles from my house.

Beverly is nice too.  When I first moved to the area in the early 90's I looked at houses in Beverly.  It would have been a tough commute though given where I have worked over the last decade.
Posted by: J-Dog on Aug. 14 2008,11:29

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Aug. 14 2008,11:09)
Also for Louis and all the Brits here, some more < pictures >of Scotland. All in colour...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Beautiful Pictures* - thanks, I forwarded them to my daughter Erin.  

I also just read The Man Who Found Time by Jack Repcheck, the story of James Hutton, and I understand a heck of a lot better how important your trip to Skepic Point was.

Thanks for the pics and the posts.


* I liked your coloured pictures.  Plus it looks so peaceful there with not a lot of lorries to spoil the view.  I noticed that you didn't have any night pics though - Did your electric torch run out of charge?
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Aug. 14 2008,13:42

Quote (J-Dog @ Aug. 14 2008,11:29)
I liked your coloured pictures.  Plus it looks so peaceful there with not a lot of lorries to spoil the view.  I noticed that you didn't have any night pics though - Did your electric torch run out of charge?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yeah, and we didn't figure out that we had to go to the chemist's shop to get batteries.  So we just ate haggis, and hoped that the fluorescent flatulence would be sufficient lighting...
Posted by: Louis on Aug. 14 2008,13:58

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Aug. 14 2008,19:42)
Quote (J-Dog @ Aug. 14 2008,11:29)
I liked your coloured pictures.  Plus it looks so peaceful there with not a lot of lorries to spoil the view.  I noticed that you didn't have any night pics though - Did your electric torch run out of charge?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yeah, and we didn't figure out that we had to go to the chemist's shop to get batteries.  So we just ate haggis, and hoped that the fluorescent flatulence would be sufficient lighting...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Was it deep fried Haggis? I did warn you that Scottish cuisine involves a lot of batter and deep frying.

The NHS has thought about introducing a policy regarding deep fried pizza. Each time you eat a piece of deep fried pizza you get a stamp. Three or more stamps a year and they refuse to treat you for heart disease.

Louis

P.S. Thanks very much for the wonderful photos. I'd share you some of mine from the same period if I'd taken any. even if I had they'd have all been of moody Frenchmen, labs, offices and NMR spectra.

P.P.S. J-Dog: With that many colours in your foliage, a beautiful sight I agree, I think you need the extra vowels to fully encompass the magnificence of such a sight.
Posted by: Arden Chatfield on Aug. 14 2008,14:19

Quote (J-Dog @ Aug. 14 2008,09:29)
* I liked your coloured pictures.  
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Please. The correct term these days is 'pictures of colo(u)r'.
Posted by: Bob O'H on Aug. 15 2008,00:52

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Aug. 14 2008,11:09)
Also for Louis and all the Brits here, some more < pictures >of Scotland. All in colour...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks - gorgeous, as always.  Scenery like that is one thing I miss in Finland.  And hey, the fulmar is almost an albatross.

One question - should the wagtail be a pied wagtail?  I'm not really sure what the distinction is: my bird guide implies that it's pied in the British Isles and white elsewhere.  I'm confused about this at the moment.

Earlier this summer there was a pair around here that spent their time < winding up The Beast >.  They even managed to hover just inside the French window.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Aug. 15 2008,04:14

Quote (Bob O'H @ Aug. 15 2008,00:52)
One question - should the wagtail be a pied wagtail?  I'm not really sure what the distinction is: my bird guide implies that it's pied in the British Isles and white elsewhere.  I'm confused about this at the moment.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I don't claim to be an expert on wagtails; they are not common birds in the US. Indeed most field guides would give you the impression that the birds found throughout the UK are pied wagtails.

But my understanding is that the grey-backed birds found in the northern parts of the UK are Motacilla alba alba (aka white wagtail). The black-backed birds (found in most of the UK) are M. a. yarelli (pied wagtail). We did see some of the black-backed versions as well, near Edinburgh and Kinross. I didn't get any decent pics of those; the bird in my picture was from Orkney (pretty far north!), and has a grey back.

Some of the taxonomy is discussed < here >, but I'm not sure if a Wikipedia article is the best authority. If anybody else has other information, I'd be glad to hear about it.

Since all of these birds are just subspecies, I only got to count one species for my trip list.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Aug. 16 2008,18:07

We've had a lot of rain lately; the logs on which we grow shitake mushrooms have been overproducing  :)

But the most interesting thing in the yard today was a myxomycete (slime mold). A little research indicates that this thing is called Fuligo septica, aka the Dog Vomit Slime Mold.

Here's the whole thing; it's about 4 inches long.



and a detail


Posted by: rhmc on Aug. 16 2008,18:32

slime molds are cool.  to my knowledge, its the only fungus that travels.  we have the the yellow one and a pepto-bismal pink one.  they'll wander several feet in the right conditions, until the weather changes and they dry up.  

for the birders, when one sees a titmouse (the bird) and then one sees several more, is that  "titmice" or  "titmouses"?
(we went through the "a murder of crows, a parliament of owls, a flock of geese..." but no one knew about the multiplicity of titmouse...)
Posted by: Lou FCD on Aug. 16 2008,18:59

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Aug. 16 2008,19:07)
aka the Dog Vomit Slime Mold.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That thing needs a new PR guy.

Possibly also an attorney, as I think that name is tradmarked < for someone else >.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Aug. 16 2008,19:26

Quote (rhmc @ Aug. 16 2008,18:32)
slime molds are cool.  to my knowledge, its the only fungus that travels.  we have the the yellow one and a pepto-bismal pink one.  they'll wander several feet in the right conditions, until the weather changes and they dry up.  

for the birders, when one sees a titmouse (the bird) and then one sees several more, is that  "titmice" or  "titmouses"?
(we went through the "a murder of crows, a parliament of owls, a flock of geese..." but no one knew about the multiplicity of titmouse...)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yeah, but it's not a fungus, despite the name. The myxomycetes are considered to be protists. But the taxonomy has always been controversial, and I suspect that it still is!

As for the plural of titmouse, I've always used titmouses. But a google search (an arbiter that might be suspect) indicates that there are 5,400 uses of titmouses on the web and 152,000 uses of titmice on the web. Titmice is definitely winning!
Posted by: jeffox on Aug. 24 2008,02:54

Testing 1, 2, 3. . . .We'll see if THIS works, now.  



This photo was taken back in about mid-May.  There is a place in town that is part of the older, higher riverbank - now an isolated "mound".  That's where I ran into these "road rabbits".  :)   Enjoy!
Posted by: jeffox on Aug. 24 2008,03:01

IT'S ALIVE!!!  :)   :)   :P

Ok, let's do a few more!  This is a nice smallie caught in the dam-pool in the Chippewa River as it passes through town, about 6 blocks from my apartment:



And a pair of mallards in front of the public library downtown, photo from (about) early May this year:


Posted by: midwifetoad on Aug. 31 2008,12:20

Some pics from my travelling spawn.














Posted by: J-Dog on Aug. 31 2008,13:51

Mid-toad - NICE PICS!!!  What?  You climbed Mt Everest, without telling us???!!!

But seriously?  When and where dude?
Posted by: midwifetoad on Aug. 31 2008,14:23

Quote (J-Dog @ Aug. 31 2008,13:51)
Mid-toad - NICE PICS!!!  What?  You climbed Mt Everest, without telling us???!!!

But seriously?  When and where dude?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Last week, taken in Peru by my son. Possibly on the Inca Trail, but I'm not in frequent touch.

I think it's nice to be able to upload travel pictures to Flickr as you go, in case your stuff gets lost or stolen.
Posted by: Assassinator on Sep. 03 2008,14:39

Maybe some of you guys can help me identifying an odd bug I've seen at work (supermarket) this evening.
It was black, a bit shorter then an inch, it's head looked like 1 from an ant and it had a pretty long abdomen wich it could curl up like a scorpion's tail. It made me think of an earwig, but it was bigger, black, I didn't really see a pincher on the back of it's tail and I've never seen an earwig curl it's tail up like that.
Anyone knows what I'm talking about?
Posted by: Richardthughes on Sep. 03 2008,14:43

what flavour was it?
Posted by: JohnW on Sep. 03 2008,15:18

Quote (Assassinator @ Sep. 03 2008,12:39)
Maybe some of you guys can help me identifying an odd bug I've seen at work (supermarket) this evening.
It was black, a bit shorter then an inch, it's head looked like 1 from an ant and it had a pretty long abdomen wich it could curl up like a scorpion's tail. It made me think of an earwig, but it was bigger, black, I didn't really see a pincher on the back of it's tail and I've never seen an earwig curl it's tail up like that.
Anyone knows what I'm talking about?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Sounds like a < rove beetle >.  Something like this?


Posted by: Richard Simons on Sep. 03 2008,17:56

I too have an insect I'd like identifying.

It looks basically like a large ladybird larva, about 1.5 to 2 cm long, with a small, slender head and short legs. The abdomen looks like it is covered with large scales that give it a conspicuous serrate appearance. The whole animal is black on top, lighter below. I found it in a rotting log in boreal forest.

A colleague says it is a beetle larva but I do not know how good her identification skills are.

I'm sorry, my camera is not up to taking a decent photo of it but perhaps I'll get a close-up lens for Christmas . . .
Posted by: Henry J on Sep. 03 2008,22:50



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
what flavour was it?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



More to the point, did it taste like chicken? (or early semiaquatic vertebrates, whichever.)

Henry
Posted by: Assassinator on Sep. 04 2008,06:02

Quote (Henry J @ Sep. 03 2008,22:50)


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
what flavour was it?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



More to the point, did it taste like chicken? (or early semiaquatic vertebrates, whichever.)

Henry
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Doesn't everything exotic ;)

But yes JohnW, that´s exactly the bug I saw. Thanks a lot.
Posted by: fusilier on Sep. 04 2008,12:09

Quote (Assassinator @ Sep. 03 2008,15:39)
Maybe some of you guys can help me identifying an odd bug I've seen at work (supermarket) this evening.
It was black, a bit shorter then an inch, it's head looked like 1 from an ant and it had a pretty long abdomen wich it could curl up like a scorpion's tail. It made me think of an earwig, but it was bigger, black, I didn't really see a pincher on the back of it's tail and I've never seen an earwig curl it's tail up like that.
Anyone knows what I'm talking about?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Sounds like a rove beetle -Staphylinidae - to me.

See

No, not THAT Rove.

ETA:  poo, JohnW beat me to it.
Posted by: fusilier on Sep. 04 2008,12:16

Richard Simons - ya gotta remember that one in five animal species are coleopterans.  Haldane wasn't joking when talking about "an inordinate fondness for beetles."

Look anything like this?




powderpost beetle larva
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Sep. 04 2008,12:43

There was an adult red-tailed hawk perched near our house this morning. We usually don't get buteos hanging around due to the Harris' hawks.
Posted by: Richard Simons on Sep. 04 2008,14:08

Fusilier,

Thanks, but I did what I should have started with and searched through Google Images. On the 15th page I found something similar - a lycid beetle larva.
(Sorry - I don't know how to reduce the size of the image) The one I have is somewhat different (more taper to the abdomen, smoother thorax, all black) but it is clearly related. I currently have it living under some moss and rotting wood in a take-out salad container so I can show it to my Adult Ed Biology students when we reach a suitable point.
Posted by: Dr.GH on Sep. 18 2008,17:41



Well, this 25 lb Yellowfin Tuna is of great interest to the dog. I caught her yesterday on the Fury out of Dana Point Warf.
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Sep. 18 2008,17:44

One doesn't usually need a charter boat to hook a dog.
Posted by: Dr.GH on Sep. 18 2008,17:48

Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ Sep. 18 2008,15:44)
One doesn't usually need a charter boat to hook a dog.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


The sound of the can opener is usually all the bait needed.
Posted by: Arden Chatfield on Sep. 18 2008,18:31

Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ Sep. 04 2008,10:43)
There was an adult red-tailed hawk perched near our house this morning. We usually don't get buteos hanging around due to the Harris' hawks.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Harris's Hawks? Where are you living these days?

We get little but Redtails here. I think some Harris's hawks would be some wonderful variety.

The first Western bluebirds seem to have arrived for the winter. They're early -- usually I don't see them here til the first big rainstorms around New Years. They're inevitably gone by Spring.
Posted by: nuytsia on Oct. 15 2008,05:16

As way of a political break...

Went for a stroll on Sunday and came across four echidnas during the day.

< >
Check out those front claws!

< >
The rear leg of these animals is quite odd as it faces outward. I can't think of another mammal that does that.. other than perhaps the platypus?
Anyone else?

In the late afternoon I met one at the top of a hill and took the opportunity to roll it over (the soil was too dry and hard for it to burrow down).
< >
You get a good view of the rear legs here. Apparently the large claws on the rear legs are important for grooming between the spines.

These are such cool creatures. The < wikipedia entry > on the short beaked echidna is well worth a read.
Posted by: J-Dog on Oct. 15 2008,08:21

Nice Work on the Pics and story - thanks.  I am looking forward to FTK's explanation of how they swam to Australia after Walt Brown's Big Flood.  

And now back to our Regularly Scheduled "Friendly" Political Discussions...
Posted by: JohnW on Oct. 15 2008,10:31

Quote (nuytsia @ Oct. 15 2008,03:16)
As way of a political break...

Went for a stroll on Sunday and came across four echidnas during the day.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I suspect McCain would be doing better in the polls if he'd picked an echidna instead of Sarah Palin as his running mate.  Cuter, and a much better understanding of foreign policy.
Posted by: Henry J on Oct. 15 2008,11:07



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
The rear leg of these animals is quite odd as it faces outward. I can't think of another mammal that does that.. other than perhaps the platypus?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Could that be characteristic of egg-laying mammals in general?
Posted by: J-Dog on Oct. 15 2008,11:07

Quote (JohnW @ Oct. 15 2008,10:31)
Quote (nuytsia @ Oct. 15 2008,03:16)
As way of a political break...

Went for a stroll on Sunday and came across four echidnas during the day.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I suspect McCain would be doing better in the polls if he'd picked an echidna instead of Sarah Palin as his running mate.  Cuter, and a much better understanding of foreign policy.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


BaDump - CHING!
Posted by: nuytsia on Oct. 16 2008,05:21

Quote (Henry J @ Oct. 15 2008,03:07)
 

---------------------QUOTE-------------------
The rear leg of these animals is quite odd as it faces outward. I can't think of another mammal that does that.. other than perhaps the platypus?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Could that be characteristic of egg-laying mammals in general?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Aaaaahhhh...  good point.
From wikipedia
 

---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Monotremes retain a reptile-like gait, with legs that are on the sides of rather than underneath the body.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Hmmm.. wish I'd thought to look that up originally.


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
I suspect McCain would be doing better in the polls if he'd picked an echidna instead of Sarah Palin as his running mate.  Cuter, and a much better understanding of foreign policy.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


The difference between McCain and an echidna?
One is an ancient organism surrounded by pricks. The other is an egg laying mammal.
VOTE ECHIDNA!!!!
Posted by: Louis on Oct. 16 2008,07:57

Quote (nuytsia @ Oct. 16 2008,11:21)
Quote (Henry J @ Oct. 15 2008,03:07)
   

---------------------QUOTE-------------------
The rear leg of these animals is quite odd as it faces outward. I can't think of another mammal that does that.. other than perhaps the platypus?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Could that be characteristic of egg-laying mammals in general?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Aaaaahhhh...  good point.
From wikipedia
   

---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Monotremes retain a reptile-like gait, with legs that are on the sides of rather than underneath the body.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Hmmm.. wish I'd thought to look that up originally.
 

---------------------QUOTE-------------------
I suspect McCain would be doing better in the polls if he'd picked an echidna instead of Sarah Palin as his running mate.  Cuter, and a much better understanding of foreign policy.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


The difference between McCain and an echidna?
One is an ancient organism surrounded by pricks. The other is an egg laying mammal.
VOTE ECHIDNA!!!!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Applause! (for both the echidna pictures and joke)

On a similar humour theme:

Q:What's the difference between {insert politician of choice} and a plaice?

A:One is a scum sucking bottom dweller and the other is a type of fish.

Or my personal favourite, guaranteed to get one into trouble with ladies across the globe:

Q:What's the difference between premenstrual tension and bovine spongiform encephalopathy?

A:One is mad cow disease, and the other is some kind of agricultural problem.

Back on topic, those echindas are exceptionally nice. Sadly in the UK we don't have such exciting wildlife. Don't get me wrong, a crested newt has its charms and an adder is delightful, but monotremes are where it's at.

Louis
Posted by: J-Dog on Oct. 16 2008,08:29

Quote (nuytsia @ Oct. 16 2008,05:21)
The difference between McCain and an echidna?
One is an ancient organism surrounded by pricks. The other is an egg laying mammal.
VOTE ECHIDNA!!!!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yes!  BaDum  CHING!
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Dec. 20 2008,21:29

The 60th annual Manhattan CBC was held today, and the cold and windy conditions (plus a few snow flurries) kept our numbers of participants and species rather low. Waterfowl  and gull diversity was quite low; we managed to tally only 82 species (+ 2 count week species so far), including a Northern Shrike, some Rusty Blackbirds, 2 Prairie Falcons, and lots of Canada, Cackling and Snow Geese. Notable misses included Canvasback, Redhead, Lesser Scaup, Loggerhead Shrike, Bufflehead, Greater Prairie-chicken, Field Sparrow, Merlin, and Red-breasted Nuthatch. The highlight of my part of the count was a stunning dark-phase Rough-legged Hawk (the only Rough-legged Hawk seen on the count today).

My daughter Ellen and I also rescued a very fancy rooster who was apparently abandoned; he was cold, hungry, and headed toward the vehicle as soon as I opened the door. He was grateful for a warm place, food and water, and will soon be back amongst other chickens at an acquaintance's farm near Alma. And no, this chicken is not included in the species total above.But he is very handsome!



One interesting sighting that is awaiting more details before inclusion in the list is a report of a very large tern ("size of a ring-billed gull") seen along the Kansas River by two experienced observers. If these details are correct, we will add Caspian Tern to the Manhattan CBC checklist, bringing that list up to a total of 170 species over the last 60 years.
Posted by: EyeNoU on Dec. 29 2008,14:50

Question for Albatrossy:



Saw this fellow on the drive home from the oil rig I was working at (I apologize for the poor photo, but all I had was my cellphone). The location is near Lake Limestone in central Texas. The nest in the picture was approximately 5' across and appeared to be made of sticks and twigs. The bird's beak appeared to be curved downward at the end. Could this be a Bald Eagle?
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Dec. 29 2008,15:14

Quote (EyeNoU @ Dec. 29 2008,14:50)
Question for Albatrossy:



Saw this fellow on the drive home from the oil rig I was working at (I apologize for the poor photo, but all I had was my cellphone). The location is near Lake Limestone in central Texas. The nest in the picture was approximately 5' across and appeared to be made of sticks and twigs. The bird's beak appeared to be curved downward at the end. Could this be a Bald Eagle?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Looks like a Bald Eagle (and nest) to me.

I'm sure that somebody with the TX Wildlife/Game agency, or some Texas branch of the USFWS, has tabs on every Bald Eagle nesting in the state. You might see what they can tell you about this guy.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Dec. 29 2008,16:32

I am currently in the San Francisco Bay area, where the temps are moderate and the wildlife is abundant. This morning I went to a place called Shoreline Lake, between Palo Alto and Mountain View, on the west side of SF Bay. It was foggy early in the AM, but that made the spiderwebs much more visible.



It was a good place to see Surf Scoters and Great Egrets as well.




Posted by: EyeNoU on Dec. 30 2008,08:34

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Dec. 29 2008,15:14)
Quote (EyeNoU @ Dec. 29 2008,14:50)
Question for Albatrossy:



Saw this fellow on the drive home from the oil rig I was working at (I apologize for the poor photo, but all I had was my cellphone). The location is near Lake Limestone in central Texas. The nest in the picture was approximately 5' across and appeared to be made of sticks and twigs. The bird's beak appeared to be curved downward at the end. Could this be a Bald Eagle?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Looks like a Bald Eagle (and nest) to me.

I'm sure that somebody with the TX Wildlife/Game agency, or some Texas branch of the USFWS, has tabs on every Bald Eagle nesting in the state. You might see what they can tell you about this guy.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks, Alb. I have contacted both agencies you mentioned, hopefully they will respond with some information about him.
Posted by: EyeNoU on Dec. 30 2008,18:08

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Dec. 29 2008,15:14)
Quote (EyeNoU @ Dec. 29 2008,14:50)
Question for Albatrossy:



Saw this fellow on the drive home from the oil rig I was working at (I apologize for the poor photo, but all I had was my cellphone). The location is near Lake Limestone in central Texas. The nest in the picture was approximately 5' across and appeared to be made of sticks and twigs. The bird's beak appeared to be curved downward at the end. Could this be a Bald Eagle?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Looks like a Bald Eagle (and nest) to me.

I'm sure that somebody with the TX Wildlife/Game agency, or some Texas branch of the USFWS, has tabs on every Bald Eagle nesting in the state. You might see what they can tell you about this guy.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I e-mailed both agencies. I received a reply from someone at Texas Parks & Wildlife.He said they have been monitoring sites at or near the lake since 1986. He said they knew of one active site that has been quite productive, usually producing two young eagles per year. He also asked me exactly where I saw this guy, there is a possibility it is a site they are unaware of. I'll keep you informed.
Posted by: Steviepinhead on Dec. 31 2008,15:03

We saw a trio* of young male red-breasted sapsuckers pecking away at a sappy streak on a Dougfir in snowbound Western Washington the week before Chrismas.

Not to be confused with Casey Luskin, the yellow-bellied sapsucker...




_
*The collective noun for multiple sapsuckers is apparently "slum," which would've been a pretty good set-up for my Luskin joke, if only I'd have thought of it in time...
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Jan. 04 2009,08:56

Some of the pics from my recent trip to the San Francisco Bay Area can be seen < here. > I tried to get together with Arden, another bird aficionado who lives in the Bay Area, but he apparently was in LA for the holidays. Since I also failed to get together with Louis last summer in the UK, I can only conclude that Louis and Arden are the same person...

Enjoy!
Posted by: Bob O'H on Jan. 04 2009,09:45



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Enjoy!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I did - thanks!  But you should have done something about the red-eye on photo 16.
Posted by: keiths on Jan. 04 2009,14:35

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Jan. 04 2009,06:56)
Since I also failed to get together with Louis last summer in the UK, I can only conclude that Louis and Arden are the same person...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That would explain their inordinate fondness for each other's mothers.
Posted by: keiths on Jan. 04 2009,14:42

Those shots are terrific, Alby.  Could you identify the species for the less bird-literate among us?
Posted by: Arden Chatfield on Jan. 04 2009,17:03

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Jan. 04 2009,06:56)
I tried to get together with Arden, another bird aficionado who lives in the Bay Area, but he apparently was in LA for the holidays. Since I also failed to get together with Louis last summer in the UK, I can only conclude that Louis and Arden are the same person...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Given how fat Louis is, I'd say he's several of the people here.

Very nice pix, BTW. I haven't seen a Golden-crowned sparrow in ages.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Jan. 04 2009,17:13

Quote (keiths @ Jan. 04 2009,14:42)
Those shots are terrific, Alby.  Could you identify the species for the less bird-literate among us?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Sure.

1 - Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)
2, 3, and 4 - spider webs, species unknown
5 and 22 - White-crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys), although 22 should be renamed Homeland Security Sparrow (Zonotrichia dmz)
6 and 8 - shorebird flocks, mostly Marbled Godwits (Limosa fedoa) with a few Willets (Catoptrophorus semipalmatus)
7 - Short-billed Dowitchers (Limnodromus griseus)
9 - Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes)
10 and 11 - Great Egret (Ardea alba)
12 - Great Egret and Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)
13 and 15 - Snowy Egret
14 - Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca)
16 - Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus)
17 - Female Common Goldeneye (Bucephela clangula)
18 - Pied-billed grebe (Podilymbus podiceps)
19 and 20 - Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata), male (19) and female (20)
21 - American Pipit (Anthus rubescens)
23 and 24 - Golden-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia atricapilla)
25 - Male Anna's hummingbird (Calypte anna)
26 and 27 - Common Raven (Corvus corax)
28 - Sanderling (Calidris alba)
29 - View north from the lighthouse trail at Pt. Reyes National Seashore
Posted by: keiths on Jan. 05 2009,13:59

Thanks, Alby.
Posted by: subkumquat on Jan. 09 2009,13:57

These critters were about 10ft behind the house. We have a motion sensor activated light and we always hop up to see what's out there when it comes on. All of these were within a span of 10 minutes.

The first player brought along what looked like chocolate cake, probably from the neighbor's house.








This "attacked" my wife when she opened the door one day a month or so ago.



Posted by: khan on Jan. 09 2009,14:08

Is that a fox?
Posted by: subkumquat on Jan. 09 2009,14:17

Yes. Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus).
Posted by: Arden Chatfield on Jan. 09 2009,14:21

Nice photos -- whereabouts are you located?
Posted by: subkumquat on Jan. 09 2009,14:37

Thanks.

I live in Montgomery, TX.
Posted by: Henry J on Jan. 09 2009,14:54

Which one attacked the wife, the black and white one (Pepe Le Pew), or the green one (the bug)?
Posted by: Tony M Nyphot on Jan. 09 2009,15:50

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Jan. 04 2009,07:56)
Some of the pics from my recent trip to the San Francisco Bay Area can be seen < here. > I tried to get together with Arden, another bird aficionado who lives in the Bay Area, but he apparently was in LA for the holidays. Since I also failed to get together with Louis last summer in the UK, I can only conclude that Louis and Arden are the same person...

Enjoy!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Those are beautiful pics, better than most I see from the "professional" photographers I deal with.

May I inquire as to your camera setup?
Posted by: subkumquat on Jan. 09 2009,16:09

Quote (Tony M Nyphot @ Jan. 09 2009,15:50)
May I inquire as to your camera setup?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


My guess would be a Canon 5D with a Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS lens.
Posted by: subkumquat on Jan. 09 2009,16:10

Quote (Henry J @ Jan. 09 2009,14:54)
Which one attacked the wife, the black and white one (Pepe Le Pew), or the green one (the bug)?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


The leaf insect did the attacking. Had the skunk attacked, she'd no longer be my wife.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Jan. 09 2009,16:27

Quote (Tony M Nyphot @ Jan. 09 2009,15:50)
Those are beautiful pics, better than most I see from the "professional" photographers I deal with.

May I inquire as to your camera setup?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks. The camera body is a Canon EOS 5D. The lens for the bird/wildlife photos is a Canon EF 100-400 mm zoom; the lens for the scenic vistas is a Canon EF 17-40 mm zoom. I use a < monopod > to stabilize the camera and long lens; this doubles as a walking stick in rough terrain!

If you want to see some really gorgeous photos of California (and other) wildlife (including the kite photo that I use as my avatar here), check out my friend < Mark Chappell's site >. Mark is a biology professor at UC-Riverside; he really could make a living with his photography!
Posted by: Tony M Nyphot on Jan. 09 2009,16:50

Quote (subkumquat @ Jan. 09 2009,12:57)
These critters were about 10ft behind the house. We have a motion sensor activated light and we always hop up to see what's out there when it comes on. All of these were within a span of 10 minutes.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Those are fantastic photos as well. The two creatures dancing around chocolate cake at night are especially neat. It conjures up visions of Louis and Arden prancing around the ladies on 42nd Street.

Perhaps it should be obvious, but do you also have the camera connected to a motion sensor or are those taken hand-held? Have the camera mounted on a tripod and pre-focused on the lit spot?
Posted by: subkumquat on Jan. 09 2009,17:08

Quote (Tony M Nyphot @ Jan. 09 2009,16:50)
Those are fantastic photos as well. The two creatures dancing around chocolate cake at night are especially neat. It conjures up visions of Louis and Arden prancing around the ladies on 42nd Street.

Perhaps it should be obvious, but do you also have the camera connected to a motion sensor or are those taken hand-held? Have the camera mounted on a tripod and pre-focused on the lit spot?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thank you. The camera is not connected to the motion sensor. I shot those hand-held (should have grabbed the monopod, but didn't have time) with a Canon 40D and 135mm f/2 L lens through a door that faces the light.

I need to take more shots, really. It's a parade of animals out there every night - multiple white-tailed deer, raccoons, opossum, fox (a breeding pair), skunk, etc. are always setting off the light. I should bait them with more chocolate cake.  ;)
Posted by: Arden Chatfield on Jan. 09 2009,17:10

Quote (subkumquat @ Jan. 09 2009,12:37)
Thanks.

I live in Montgomery, TX.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I like that "okay, what the fuck is he going to do?" expression on the possum's face as he stares at the fox.
Posted by: stevestory on Jan. 09 2009,17:26

Quote (EyeNoU @ Dec. 30 2008,19:08)
Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Dec. 29 2008,15:14)
Quote (EyeNoU @ Dec. 29 2008,14:50)
Question for Albatrossy:



Saw this fellow on the drive home from the oil rig I was working at (I apologize for the poor photo, but all I had was my cellphone). The location is near Lake Limestone in central Texas. The nest in the picture was approximately 5' across and appeared to be made of sticks and twigs. The bird's beak appeared to be curved downward at the end. Could this be a Bald Eagle?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Looks like a Bald Eagle (and nest) to me.

I'm sure that somebody with the TX Wildlife/Game agency, or some Texas branch of the USFWS, has tabs on every Bald Eagle nesting in the state. You might see what they can tell you about this guy.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I e-mailed both agencies. I received a reply from someone at Texas Parks & Wildlife.He said they have been monitoring sites at or near the lake since 1986. He said they knew of one active site that has been quite productive, usually producing two young eagles per year. He also asked me exactly where I saw this guy, there is a possibility it is a site they are unaware of. I'll keep you informed.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I've mostly ignored this thread, but it's turning out to be pretty cool.
Posted by: khan on Jan. 09 2009,17:39

Several years ago I had a 'possum show up with 5 babies attached. I was worried that they would come off as she climbed through the fence, but they held on.
Posted by: carlsonjok on Jan. 09 2009,17:49

Quote (khan @ Jan. 09 2009,17:39)
Several years ago I had a 'possum show up with 5 babies attached. I was worried that they would come off as she climbed through the fence, but they held on.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


If they had, you should have stomped 'em. Opposums are carriers for the organism that causes Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM), a rather nasty neurological disease in horses.  

How could you risk hurting such a noble and handsome creature?


Posted by: jeffox on Jan. 09 2009,22:42

Just to add my 2c to the discussion, :) in central Minnesota, one of the major prey for fox is skunk.  Don't ask me how I know that.  :)   :)   :)

BTW, mink (and other weasel-heads) eat FAR more chickens than fox.  Honest!  ;)
Posted by: Arden Chatfield on Jan. 09 2009,22:45

Quote (carlsonjok @ Jan. 09 2009,15:49)
 
Quote (khan @ Jan. 09 2009,17:39)
Several years ago I had a 'possum show up with 5 babies attached. I was worried that they would come off as she climbed through the fence, but they held on.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


If they had, you should have stomped 'em. Opposums are carriers for the organism that causes Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM), a rather nasty neurological disease in horses.  

How could you risk hurting such a noble and handsome creature?


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Hey, possums are native to the US and horses are not. Possums were here first.  :angry:
Posted by: Arden Chatfield on Jan. 09 2009,22:46

Quote (stevestory @ Jan. 09 2009,15:26)
I've mostly ignored this thread, but it's turning out to be pretty cool.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Uh oh, does this mean we can't use this as the "talk shit about Steve behind his back" thread anymore?  :(
Posted by: khan on Jan. 09 2009,22:48

Quote (Arden Chatfield @ Jan. 09 2009,23:46)
Quote (stevestory @ Jan. 09 2009,15:26)
I've mostly ignored this thread, but it's turning out to be pretty cool.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Uh oh, does this mean we can't use this as the "talk shit about Steve behind his back" thread anymore?  :(
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Crap, we've been found out.
Posted by: carlsonjok on Jan. 09 2009,22:58

Quote (Arden Chatfield @ Jan. 09 2009,22:46)
Quote (stevestory @ Jan. 09 2009,15:26)
I've mostly ignored this thread, but it's turning out to be pretty cool.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Uh oh, does this mean we can't use this as the "talk shit about Steve behind his back" thread anymore?  :(
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Pffft. You can talk shit to Steve's face.  Just don't use two specific adjectives describing the color and olfactory characteristic of, umm, well,......shit.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Jan. 10 2009,08:31

Quote (Arden Chatfield @ Jan. 09 2009,22:45)
Hey, possums are native to the US and horses are not. Possums were here first.  :angry:
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Au contraire. Horses evolved in North America, and spread from here to the rest of the world. They went extinct here and were reintroduced by the Spanish. Possums are a much later addition (approx 4 million years ago) addition to the fauna.
Posted by: EyeNoU on Jan. 10 2009,11:26

Quote (stevestory @ Jan. 09 2009,17:26)
Quote (EyeNoU @ Dec. 30 2008,19:08)
Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Dec. 29 2008,15:14)
 
Quote (EyeNoU @ Dec. 29 2008,14:50)
Question for Albatrossy:



Saw this fellow on the drive home from the oil rig I was working at (I apologize for the poor photo, but all I had was my cellphone). The location is near Lake Limestone in central Texas. The nest in the picture was approximately 5' across and appeared to be made of sticks and twigs. The bird's beak appeared to be curved downward at the end. Could this be a Bald Eagle?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Looks like a Bald Eagle (and nest) to me.

I'm sure that somebody with the TX Wildlife/Game agency, or some Texas branch of the USFWS, has tabs on every Bald Eagle nesting in the state. You might see what they can tell you about this guy.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I e-mailed both agencies. I received a reply from someone at Texas Parks & Wildlife.He said they have been monitoring sites at or near the lake since 1986. He said they knew of one active site that has been quite productive, usually producing two young eagles per year. He also asked me exactly where I saw this guy, there is a possibility it is a site they are unaware of. I'll keep you informed.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I've mostly ignored this thread, but it's turning out to be pretty cool.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I have exchanged a few more e-mails with Mr. Brent Ortego of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. He asked me to send him a Google map with the location of the nest I saw marked on it. This was the reply:

"This is a new site, but it might involve a pair we have already been tracking.  Eagles have problems maintaining their very large nests.  It is not unusual for tree branches to break under the strain when a major storm rolls through.  Nests typically are replaced at 4 year intervals and many times this is due to tree failures.

We will log this nest location into our files and will keep track of this new nesting location"

I then e-mailed Brent asking about their diet. I mentioned that I thought I saw an eagle take off from a roadkseveral weeks earlier, but had only a brief glimpse since i was driving. His response:

"While the eagle is near the top of the food chain, it is not the most efficient predator.  It generally needs to be easy.  Food habit work has shown that catfish, softshell turtles and coots are some of the most abundant food items at nest sites.  They will opportunistically kill waterfowl and when they get desperate/lazy they will work road kills."

I'll post any further information as I get it.

Do you think Wes might like to recruit this bird for those days he would rather fish than hunt?
Posted by: EyeNoU on Jan. 10 2009,11:29

Sorry about the typo. That should read, "roadkill several" rather than "roadkseveral"........
Posted by: Arden Chatfield on Jan. 10 2009,11:40

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Jan. 10 2009,06:31)
Quote (Arden Chatfield @ Jan. 09 2009,22:45)
Hey, possums are native to the US and horses are not. Possums were here first.  :angry:
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Au contraire. Horses evolved in North America, and spread from here to the rest of the world. They went extinct here and were reintroduced by the Spanish. Possums are a much later addition (approx 4 million years ago) addition to the fauna.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Horses lost their place in line by being extinct for 10 thousand years.  :angry:
Posted by: carlsonjok on Jan. 10 2009,12:13

Quote (Arden Chatfield @ Jan. 10 2009,11:40)
Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Jan. 10 2009,06:31)
Quote (Arden Chatfield @ Jan. 09 2009,22:45)
Hey, possums are native to the US and horses are not. Possums were here first.  :angry:
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Au contraire. Horses evolved in North America, and spread from here to the rest of the world. They went extinct here and were reintroduced by the Spanish. Possums are a much later addition (approx 4 million years ago) addition to the fauna.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Horses lost their place in line by being extinct for 10 thousand years.  :angry:
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Jan. 10 2009,12:26

Quote (EyeNoU @ Jan. 10 2009,11:26)
"This is a new site, but it might involve a pair we have already been tracking.  Eagles have problems maintaining their very large nests.  It is not unusual for tree branches to break under the strain when a major storm rolls through.  Nests typically are replaced at 4 year intervals and many times this is due to tree failures.

We will log this nest location into our files and will keep track of this new nesting location"

I then e-mailed Brent asking about their diet. I mentioned that I thought I saw an eagle take off from a roadkseveral weeks earlier, but had only a brief glimpse since i was driving. His response:

"While the eagle is near the top of the food chain, it is not the most efficient predator.  It generally needs to be easy.  Food habit work has shown that catfish, softshell turtles and coots are some of the most abundant food items at nest sites.  They will opportunistically kill waterfowl and when they get desperate/lazy they will work road kills."
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Cool!

Those nests can get pretty big. Several years ago I was privileged to accompany a USFWS crew who wanted to band the two baby bald eagles in a nest about 25 mi north of here. It was interesting.

The nest was in an old oak tree that had drowned during the 1993 flood season here. They used a large slingshot to shoot a line over the branch under it, and then hauled up a bigger line. A local tree surgeon used the line to climb the tree. He sat in the nest (!) and put the eaglets into a large cloth bag and lowered them to the crew on the ground, one at a time. After they were banded, weighed, and had theor blood drawn, they were hauled back up and put back into the nest. The parents sat in a nearby tree and twittered, but they never made any attempt to strafe or attack the guy sitting in the nest.

He reported that the bottom of the nest was littered with bones and shells of turtles... Must have been a good year for turtle-hunting, but that seems like a hard thing to feed a baby eagle.

Here's a pic of one of the little darlings. They had a boy and a girl; this was the girl.



If the nest is successful, maybe they'll let you tag along when they band the babies.
Posted by: nuytsia on Jan. 13 2009,04:56

Had a very cool day on Saturday.

Went to visit a friend living down the coast at Taroona (Tasmania) and we went exploring the local beach as there was a very low tide that day.
Late in the afternoon we were walking amongst some rocks and we (literally) stumbled upon a native water rat.
< >
This is only the second time I've seen one. They tend to be very shy and rarely seen out during the day. This is one of Australia's native placental mammals.

Later on I popped inland to a local nature reserve and watched a Spider Wasp (Pompilidae) species excavating and then resealing a nest chamber
< >
If you follow the link through on the image there's a few bit of video of it in action. The sand flying out of the burrow is pretty impressive. :-)
Interestingly it was getting hassled by another Pompilidae species which looks to be have been attempting to take the chamber and/or I assume the spider that was stashed inside.
< >
Reading the wikipedia entry one subfamily of Pompilidae actually has members that are kleptoparasites of other Pompilidae wasps.
Not sure of the identity of either of the wasps as yet, but will be interested to find out.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Jan. 14 2009,15:00

< First Kansas record > for Ross' Gull (Rhodostethia rosea), photographed at 1 PM today near Manhattan KS. The bird was first sighted and identified by Ted Cable around noon today.
Posted by: Arden Chatfield on Jan. 14 2009,15:24

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Jan. 14 2009,13:00)
< First Kansas record > for Ross' Gull (Rhodostethia rosea), photographed at 1 PM today near Manhattan KS. The bird was first sighted and identified by Ted Cable around noon today.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That bird is seriously lost.

I remember a Ross's Gull sighting in the SF Bay Area circa 1977. Every birder around here just about went nuts.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Jan. 14 2009,17:27

Quote (Arden Chatfield @ Jan. 14 2009,15:24)
   
Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Jan. 14 2009,13:00)
< First Kansas record > for Ross' Gull (Rhodostethia rosea), photographed at 1 PM today near Manhattan KS. The bird was first sighted and identified by Ted Cable around noon today.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That bird is seriously lost.

I remember a Ross's Gull sighting in the SF Bay Area circa 1977. Every birder around here just about went nuts.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


There was a more recent sighting at the < Salton Sea > a few years back.  That was a seriously lost bird...
Posted by: khan on Jan. 14 2009,17:42

I have at least two hawks that have decided that my front yard is a lunch buffet.  

When the red tailed shows up, even the squirrels stay hidden.

Oh well, I spend less on bird food.
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Jan. 14 2009,18:03



---------------------QUOTE-------------------

"While the eagle is near the top of the food chain, it is not the most efficient predator.  It generally needs to be easy.  Food habit work has shown that catfish, softshell turtles and coots are some of the most abundant food items at nest sites.  They will opportunistically kill waterfowl and when they get desperate/lazy they will work road kills."

---------------------QUOTE-------------------



In Florida, they seem to mostly force ospreys to give up their lunch. The ospreys are efficient predators.

Inefficiency is actually pretty much a requirement for a species used in falconry. It's been said that red-tailed hawks miss 19 out of 20 flights at prey, but ospreys get that fish 19 out of 20 times. A falconer can make a real difference for a red-tailed, but doesn't have a chance to help an osprey.
Posted by: subkumquat on Jan. 18 2009,13:08

Few more from the yard yesterday and today:

White-tailed deer:


Pileated woodpecker (to be fair he was in the front yard):


Mallards:




American Coot:

Posted by: khan on Jan. 18 2009,13:42

Yesterday evening, for the first time (I've been here 30 years) I saw a skunk on the patio.
Posted by: subkumquat on Jan. 19 2009,19:37

Couple from this morning's walk.




Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Jan. 19 2009,21:14

Quote (subkumquat @ Jan. 19 2009,19:37)
Couple from this morning's walk.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Handsome bird!

Whereabouts are you located?
Posted by: subkumquat on Jan. 19 2009,21:35

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Jan. 19 2009,21:14)
Quote (subkumquat @ Jan. 19 2009,19:37)
Couple from this morning's walk.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Handsome bird!

Whereabouts are you located?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks! I was hoping he'd go for a fish, but never did. He took flight and circled around and I lost him in the sun.

I'm located in Montgomery, TX on Lake Conroe. It's a ~21000 acre lake with about 5000 acres in the Sam Houston National Forest (which is over 161000 acres). It's a pretty good area for birding.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Jan. 22 2009,12:30

The KSU Field Ornithology class had their first field trip of the spring 2009 semester this morning. Weather was nice, and we saw 26 species. < Checklist > can be found here.

The highlights included a pair of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers chasing each other around a tree trunk, and some Bald Eagles. The class even got to hear the < impressive sounds > that our national symbol makes...
Posted by: subkumquat on Jan. 24 2009,18:41

Went for another walk today. Nothing as cool as the osprey, but decent birding overall.

Great blue heron:


Green heron:


Spotted sandpiper (non-breeding plumage):


Red-bellied woodpecker (female):

[img]
Posted by: khan on Jan. 24 2009,18:58

Today a hawk (Cooper's I think) came soaring under the patio cover, grabbed something (sparrow or finch) and kept going.

I'm maintaining a bird buffet.
Posted by: Dr.GH on Jan. 29 2009,01:53

We have a local lake operated by a fishing club. This time of year they plant thousands of 2 to 4 pound trout every week.  These are easy to catch, but they taste terrible. The ospreys love the live ones, and the turkey vultures love the dead ones.

No photos, but I watched some alligator lizards do their mating display today in the front yard. "We are going to have a family!" to quote my lovely wife. I thought we should amend that to "We are going to host a family."

We also have a captive king snake from the front yard. He has had the easy life for about 5 years now. He grew from about 24 cm to today's 90!  I captured him while he was engaged in swallowing a lizard almost as long as he was. I decided I would rather have lizards to watch than one ornery king snake. He is such a hearty eater (and a King snake) that we named him Elvis. He lacks hips, but he has the appetite and the attitude.  

The alligator lizards are active this time of year eating the lungless slender salamanders that breed in our yard. I really like them too, but I think that the ALs are the highest predator our little yard can support. I would like to introduce some western fence lizards, or maybe some tree frogs.


Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Jan. 30 2009,11:28

Gary

Alligator lizards are pretty cool; they definitely are convinced that they are top predators!

We have been having rather warm weather here for the past few days, which is nice. But that means that the birds are less active, since the imperative to eat constantly is lessened when it is warmer. My Field Ornithology class yesterday only saw 23 species, the full checklist is < here. > Highlights included some gorgeous Eastern Bluebirds.


Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on Jan. 30 2009,11:38

coon in my attic last night.  i am going to close up the soffets this weekend.  he could have easily dropped down through an unfinished section of drywall in the closet and into my little boy's room.  i peppered him with a bb gun by headlamp but that only drove him further into the house.  guess it works better on the cats.  

While on the roof the other day I saw a pair of pileated woodpeckers, a downy or a northern (didn't get a good look), cedar waxwings, starling, peewees, cardinal, blue jay, robins, a smaller Buteo hawk on the wing and my favorite, yellow shafted flicker. i know some cherokees that'll give you $15 for such a bird.  FtK if you are reading this perhaps you will direct your children to shoot these birds instead of big cranky.

i had a nice collection of flicker feathers (we call them yaller hammers) but the dermestids got into my fly tying box and ruined every damn thing, including the quills of the yaller hammer feathers.  i had had them for almost 20 years, at mom and dad's the cats would get them occasionally and I could just pick them up.  they make an absolutely FANTASTIC wet fly mimic of Perlid/Perlodid stonefly nymphs.  dyed dove feathers are not the same thing.

not sure if i want to start plinking away at the local avifauna with a BB gun just to restock.  anyone finds a dead yaller hammer PM me.
Posted by: Richard Simons on Jan. 30 2009,12:41

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Jan. 30 2009,11:28)
My Field Ornithology class yesterday only saw 23 species,
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


You make me envious! On a 2-hour walk at the weekend I saw 4 - four ravens, two grey jays, a black-backed woodpecker and a black-capped(?) chickadee.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Jan. 30 2009,13:25

Quote (Erasmus @ FCD,Jan. 30 2009,11:38)
my favorite, yellow shafted flicker. i know some cherokees that'll give you $15 for such a bird.  FtK if you are reading this perhaps you will direct your children to shoot these birds instead of big cranky.

i had a nice collection of flicker feathers (we call them yaller hammers) but the dermestids got into my fly tying box and ruined every damn thing, including the quills of the yaller hammer feathers.  i had had them for almost 20 years, at mom and dad's the cats would get them occasionally and I could just pick them up.  they make an absolutely FANTASTIC wet fly mimic of Perlid/Perlodid stonefly nymphs.  dyed dove feathers are not the same thing.

not sure if i want to start plinking away at the local avifauna with a BB gun just to restock.  anyone finds a dead yaller hammer PM me.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Erasmus, you might enjoy Merril Gilfillan's collection of essays entitled "Chokecherry Places". He has a really interesting story about his travels with a Southern Ute fellow across Kansas, and the search for a yellow-shafted flicker to kill so that the Ute could get the tail feathers. The entire essay (not the whole book, alas) is on Google Books < here >.

And if you like that one, Gilfillan's "Burnt House to Paw Paw", with its Appalachian motif, might amuse you as well.

Enjoy!



[eta picture of Yellow-shafted Flicker]
Posted by: dhogaza on Jan. 30 2009,13:29

black-backed woodpecker's a nice sighting, where are you at?  Obviously some place with (at least some dead) coniferous trees, let's see grey jays ... might be mountain, not black-capped, chickadees.  In the places here in the PNW where I'd see grey jays and black-backed or three-toed 'peckers it would almost certainly be mountain...
Posted by: Richard Simons on Jan. 30 2009,18:24

Quote (dhogaza @ Jan. 30 2009,13:29)
black-backed woodpecker's a nice sighting, where are you at?  Obviously some place with (at least some dead) coniferous trees, let's see grey jays ... might be mountain, not black-capped, chickadees.  In the places here in the PNW where I'd see grey jays and black-backed or three-toed 'peckers it would almost certainly be mountain...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I'm at Cross Lake, Manitoba (54o37'N, 97o47'W), about 150km due south of Thompson.

The other chickadee possibility is the boreal. The last time I saw some, they alerted me to the presence of a boreal owl sitting on a stump. There are several woodpeckers around in the winter including pileated, hairy and downy but they are in small numbers. Two weeks ago I nearly hit a spruce grouse that was standing in the middle of the road, convinced it was well camouflaged. We are in the coniferous forest region and, although some has been logged, most is in a fairly natural condition with quite a few dead trees, especially in old burn areas.

At other times I've seen plentiful tracks of snowshoe hares and foxes and (once) wolf but there were few last weekend.
Posted by: dhogaza on Jan. 30 2009,18:49



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
We are in the coniferous forest region and, although some has been logged, most is in a fairly natural condition with quite a few dead trees, especially in old burn areas.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yeah, that's stereotypical black-backed 'pecker habitat.

Mountain chickadee ain't it if you're living up there in Manitoba, boreal is one that's not on my list ...
Posted by: stevestory on Feb. 13 2009,21:21

Some people I know report that birds use the birdbath like crazy in the winter, even though it's 50 degrees, much more than they use it in the summer. They are perplexed because it is cold and why would you want to be wet in the cold. I told them I'd ask some biologists I knew. What do you guys think?
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Feb. 14 2009,07:36

Quote (stevestory @ Feb. 13 2009,21:21)
Some people I know report that birds use the birdbath like crazy in the winter, even though it's 50 degrees, much more than they use it in the summer. They are perplexed because it is cold and why would you want to be wet in the cold. I told them I'd ask some biologists I knew. What do you guys think?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Hmm. Where I live the water in the birdbath has to be warmer than the air temperature at this time of year...

What kind of birds are we talking about?  And I assume that the habitat is backyard, northern Florida?
Posted by: Henry J on Feb. 14 2009,17:06

Could it be a question of where they're bathing rather than if they are? Might be other places they like better in warmer weather.

Henry
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on Feb. 14 2009,17:14

maybe they piss in it first to heat it up.

hey works for a wet suit.
Posted by: Schroedinger's Dog on Feb. 16 2009,05:22

Maybe not the appropriate topic, but hey, feel free to move this somewhere else.

I've stumbled upon this nice series of documentaries about wildlife in Australia. Just thought I'd share the link. (This is a link to part one, but normaly all four parts follow each other in the right-hand menu):

< Autralia's wildlife >

I found it quite interesting. (3 and a half hours, mind you)
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Feb. 25 2009,08:26

A good friend of mine is currently in Chile, and he sent some pics of the wildlife there, including the target species of his quest, the Monito del Monte ("little mountain monkey"), which is not a monkey but is a small marsupial. It sounds like he is having a good time, and he sent lots of pics of birds and mammals. But the best one is this stag beetle, Chiasognathus granti, aka Darwin's beetle. Apparently these guys can be up to 8 cm in length!


Posted by: Henry J on Feb. 25 2009,20:40

So, what late night movies has that guy been the star of? ;)
Posted by: khan on Feb. 25 2009,20:43

There are 6 squirrels that take peanuts from my hand; and 2 blue jays that demand such.
Posted by: carlsonjok on Feb. 25 2009,20:56

Don't tell Chatfield, but I killed a gopher tonight. The college student that keeps a horse with us called from out at the barn and said she got bit by a gopher and it was heading across the backyard.  

I went out and, on my way to the barn to get my Weapon of Gopher Destruction (otherwise known as a shovel), I walked past it. As I went past, the little booger turned and came for me.  I got my WGD and found it up by the house.  It actually attacked the shovel.  So,  I conked it on the head rendering it unconscious.  With the varmint thus incapacitated, I dispatched it as efficiently as I could.


Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Feb. 25 2009,21:07

Uh... rabies? The question should be raised. That is not normal gopher behavior.

Over here, we took Beka, the mini-dachshund out. She found two rabbits and tracked another. At the start, I saw at least three turkeys maybe fifty yards away. They moved on well before Beka got anywhere close.
Posted by: carlsonjok on Feb. 25 2009,21:21

Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ Feb. 25 2009,21:07)
Uh... rabies? The question should be raised. That is not normal gopher behavior.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Oops, I guess I should have added that she was wearing heavy paddock boots and it didn't even break leather. I had seeded its den with poison earlier in the day (it was taking up residence right by our hitching rail). I was hoping it was just a side effect of the poison, but Google says no.

I have seen this fellow below outside my home office window. The picture look a little blurry because it was taken through a screen window.

Red-bellied Woodpecker


Posted by: Dr.GH on Feb. 26 2009,02:17

Our dog loves to hunt. We live in town, and one would think that his chances were limited. Last night he nailed a possum, his fourth in 6 years. The possum played possum to perfection (and crapped himself very thoroughly). The dog was quite pleased and missed the fact that the possum (bloody, crap covered, and inert) was still alive. I put it under some sagebrush in the front yard, and after two days he headed out for a new adventure. Probably I'll see him on the road, flat.

(I forgot to take a picture. D'oh).


Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Feb. 26 2009,07:46

Carlson, remind me never to bring the hawks to your place.
Posted by: EyeNoU on Feb. 26 2009,11:09

Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ Feb. 26 2009,07:46)
Carlson, remind me never to bring the hawks to your place.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I guess Wes doesn't want to do any research on how rodent poison affects creatures further up the food chain......
Posted by: carlsonjok on Feb. 26 2009,12:00

Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ Feb. 26 2009,07:46)
Carlson, remind me never to bring the hawks to your place.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


In my defense, the poison is not left on the surface. I have far too many domestic and non-destructive wild animals to ever do that.  It is put into the den underground and it is supposed to work quickly after ingested.  

Are hawks carrion eaters?
Posted by: dnmlthr on Feb. 26 2009,12:49

Quote (carlsonjok @ Feb. 26 2009,02:56)
Don't tell Chatfield, but I killed a gopher tonight. The college student that keeps a horse with us called from out at the barn and said she got bit by a gopher and it was heading across the backyard.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Does this mean six more weeks of winter, rain or what? I'm confused.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Feb. 26 2009,13:15

Quote (carlsonjok @ Feb. 26 2009,12:00)
Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ Feb. 26 2009,07:46)
Carlson, remind me never to bring the hawks to your place.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


In my defense, the poison is not left on the surface. I have far too many domestic and non-destructive wild animals to ever do that.  It is put into the den underground and it is supposed to work quickly after ingested.  

Are hawks carrion eaters?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yes, many hawks will scavenge carcasses, especially during winter.
Posted by: carlsonjok on Feb. 26 2009,13:26

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Feb. 26 2009,13:15)
Quote (carlsonjok @ Feb. 26 2009,12:00)
 
Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ Feb. 26 2009,07:46)
Carlson, remind me never to bring the hawks to your place.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


In my defense, the poison is not left on the surface. I have far too many domestic and non-destructive wild animals to ever do that.  It is put into the den underground and it is supposed to work quickly after ingested.  

Are hawks carrion eaters?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yes, many hawks will scavenge carcasses, especially during winter.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Ahh, okay.  I guess I need to limit my gopher eradication program to summer and take care to get rid of any bodies found on the surface.  No problem. It will take longer that way, as I have alot of activity, but that is okay. I always figured it would be an ongoing project.
Posted by: KCdgw on Feb. 26 2009,13:37

Quote (carlsonjok @ Feb. 26 2009,13:26)
Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Feb. 26 2009,13:15)
 
Quote (carlsonjok @ Feb. 26 2009,12:00)
   
Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ Feb. 26 2009,07:46)
Carlson, remind me never to bring the hawks to your place.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


In my defense, the poison is not left on the surface. I have far too many domestic and non-destructive wild animals to ever do that.  It is put into the den underground and it is supposed to work quickly after ingested.  

Are hawks carrion eaters?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yes, many hawks will scavenge carcasses, especially during winter.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Ahh, okay.  I guess I need to limit my gopher eradication program to summer and take care to get rid of any bodies found on the surface.  No problem. It will take longer that way, as I have alot of activity, but that is okay. I always figured it would be an ongoing project.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Or use gopher traps.

KC
Posted by: carlsonjok on Feb. 26 2009,13:45

Quote (KCdgw @ Feb. 26 2009,13:37)
Or use gopher traps.

KC
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Gopher traps are not feasible because the vast majority of my problem is in the pastures where I graze my horses.
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on Feb. 26 2009,13:48



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
vast majority of my problem is in the pastures where I graze my horses
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



ahh that is your love nest i see. may i suggest getting a room?
Posted by: Bob O'H on Feb. 26 2009,13:48

It was snowing today here in Helsinki, so this little beast was sheltering on my balcony:
< >

And here's a better shot, from closer and without the banana plant in the way:

< >

I was still taking the photos through about 18 layers of glass, hence the quality isn't great.  The little thing was cute, and makes a change from the tits.
Posted by: J-Dog on Feb. 26 2009,14:45

Quote (carlsonjok @ Feb. 26 2009,13:45)
Quote (KCdgw @ Feb. 26 2009,13:37)
Or use gopher traps.

KC
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Gopher traps are not feasible because the vast majority of my problem is in the pastures where I graze my horses.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I belive that Carl Spackler, Esq.  is available for consultaion on eliminating your excess golfer gopher problem.




Posted by: hereoisreal on Mar. 02 2009,12:37


Posted by: midwifetoad on Mar. 03 2009,19:22

< Some wild, some not so wild, some rocks by the side of the road. >
Posted by: Reciprocating Bill on Mar. 03 2009,19:33

VERY nice Peru photos. I notice the photo of Cusichacca - my wife and I spent about 3 1/2 weeks as an EarthWatch participant at that location in 1985.

(See my profile).
Posted by: Lou FCD on Mar. 03 2009,20:13

Quote (midwifetoad @ Mar. 03 2009,20:22)
< Some wild, some not so wild, some rocks by the side of the road. >
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Some GREAT shots!
Posted by: midwifetoad on Mar. 04 2009,08:38

Quote (Lou FCD @ Mar. 03 2009,20:13)
Quote (midwifetoad @ Mar. 03 2009,20:22)
< Some wild, some not so wild, some rocks by the side of the road. >
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Some GREAT shots!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


These are my son's photos, if it isn't clear from context.

The telephoto shots are blurred because one of the lens elements came unglued. Not a nice thing on a once in a lifetime trip.
Posted by: Wolfhound on Mar. 04 2009,10:39

You are reminding me that I really need a new camera.  I have an old Mavica with the mini discs as a storage medium.  Ideal for taking photos of my dogs and puppies plus little video clips for my website but really, really sucky for trying to get pictures of the other critters around here.  I miss some great photo opportunities every day.  I've tried with the Mavica but it only has x8 zoom, utterly worthless for wildlife photography.

I have a pair of sharp shinned hawks nesting in one of my pine trees so I typically begin my day by seeing one of them fly from the tree to one of the fence posts.  The downy woodpecks, mocking birds, and scrub jays proceed to divebomb him/her.  

Once down the road I have to watch for the wild turkeys and sandhill cranes who are prone to sauntering across the two lane highway, although this morning I almost hit a flock of blue India peafowl that have been very busy birds of late.  There's about a dozen of the crazy things running loose now compared to the two pair I saw last year.

A mile from my place of employment I can watch the swallow tailed kites wheeling overhead.  There are three pair I see on a regular basis.

Living in the sticks sucks as far as having to tolerate the ignorant redneck human population goes but it's pretty cool for other beasts.
Posted by: midwifetoad on Mar. 04 2009,11:24

Best buy currently is the Canon Rebel line. Assuming you want the ability to swap lenses. Point and shoot (non-SLR) cameras are cheaper, but have unacceptable shutter lag and poor battery life. This means that when you push the button there's a half-second delay before the picture is taken -- really bad for wildlife photography.

And if you leave the camera on, the battery will be dead when you need it most. Leave it off, and it takes a minute to boot while your subject finishes doing whatever was cool.

SLR cameras can be left on for days at a time and take thousands of shots on one charge.
Posted by: khan on Mar. 17 2009,16:48

The blue jay is wooing his mate by demonstrating his ability to get me to provide peanuts.

He perches near the patio and makes blue jay love sounds, then does blue jay scream, I toss out several peanuts, they both swoop in and grab one, fly away to whack them open, and when finished eating again make blue jay love sounds.
Posted by: Henry J on Mar. 17 2009,17:27

Sounds like the bird has successfully trained the erect biped... :p
Posted by: carlsonjok on Mar. 17 2009,19:40

Quote (khan @ Mar. 17 2009,16:48)
The blue jay is wooing his mate by demonstrating his ability to get me to provide peanuts.

He perches near the patio and makes blue jay love sounds, then does blue jay scream, I toss out several peanuts, they both swoop in and grab one, fly away to whack them open, and when finished eating again make blue jay love sounds.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


How exactly do blue jays say "Oh, God!! Oh, God!! Don't stop!!"????
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on Mar. 17 2009,21:50

trillium luteum is up but not blooming.

anemone, spring beauty and squirrel corn are all a bloom.
spicebush is in flower.

saw 4 Gyrinophilus (two different species) and about 30 metamorphosing red efts yesterday.  also a pickerel frog and a couple of Desmognathus sp.  and four deer.  yawn

i think my ginseng seeds have sprouted, i mail ordered a couple dozen and planted some berries that i found locally.

yesterday We searched for adult caddisflies in rock houses and shelters where a quasiterrestrial species is known to live, but only collected a single female.  the identity of this critter is not entirely certain, whatever it is, it is a new state record at least.  i have been unable to capture a male despite about 5 visits to this site in the past 3 years.

peas are up about 2" in the yard, both patches.

crocuses long gone, grape hyacinths are currently rocking.  

daffodils and jonquils in full bloom, some of ours are doubles and other old timey varieties.  many other hyacinth looking things are blooming, i can't name them all.  our house is 100 years old and many of the bulbs are heirloom and rare.  tulips are up, at least 3.  

i searched in vain for the elusive morchella elata today and sunday.  it was fun to get out but i have found none yet.  a friend found a couple of M deliciosa today.  i can't wait to harvest a batch.

wild asparagus is just about to bust.  my one wild plant in my yard has a purple bud about 2 inches long but has not made a break for it yet.  i can't wait til it does, i know a field around the way with about 100 clumps in it.  i will have wild asparagus out the frikkin wazoo if i hit it right.

sprung has springed and the sap is risin', as old ron dalton used to say.  he was a drunk anyway.
Posted by: carlsonjok on Mar. 17 2009,23:28

Quote (Erasmus @ FCD,Mar. 17 2009,21:50)
wild asparagus is just about to bust.  my one wild plant in my yard has a purple bud about 2 inches long
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Wild asparagus?  Is that your pet name for Arden?


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
i will have wild asparagus out the frikkin wazoo if i hit it right.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Okay, that is at least 10% gayer than your delicate purple noses comment over on the Libations and Comestibles thread.
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on Mar. 18 2009,07:36

i've got the gayest one yet saved up, just for you sugar.  and this ain't it.

c'mon carlson, let's go pick asparagus.  you can practice ballet in the meadow wearing nothing but a leather thong and some chaps, I'll collect enough food to barely keep you alive for the following three weeks while you are locked in your cage doing your little 'experiment'.
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on Mar. 18 2009,10:34

Quote (carlsonjok @ Mar. 17 2009,23:28)
Quote (Erasmus @ FCD,Mar. 17 2009,21:50)
wild asparagus is just about to bust.  my one wild plant in my yard has a purple bud about 2 inches long
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Wild asparagus?  Is that your pet name for Arden?
 

---------------------QUOTE-------------------
i will have wild asparagus out the frikkin wazoo if i hit it right.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Okay, that is at least 10% gayer than your delicate purple noses comment over on the Libations and Comestibles thread.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


arden has a purple pit, not a purple bud.  he'll tell you that he is like a hyena but don't be fooled.
Posted by: Henry J on Mar. 18 2009,22:47

Does all that mean that it's the dawning of the age of asparagus?

Henry
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on Mar. 18 2009,22:55

hell yeah.  and then feces and we've done a lap.

trout lilies and hepatica today.

i saw hepatica today with bluish petals.  others with white.  anyone know their flarrs?
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Mar. 19 2009,09:07

I agree that a DSLR is the way to go if you really want to get some wildlife photos.

I have DSLRs that take Nikon lenses, primarily because I already had Nikon lenses. Currently, I have a Nikon D2Xs and a Fuji S2. The D2Xs has speed and endurance going for it. It is built like a tank and weighs like one, too. It does 5 frames per second at the full 12 megapixel size, and 8 frames per second in a 6.7 megapixel "crop mode". The Fuji S2 design dates back to 2002, and will shoot at a leisurely 2 frames per second. It is considerably lighter than the D2Xs. But both work fine with the lenses, including my Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lens.

My in-laws recently were burgled, and their camera gear stolen. They find weight a major consideration. So I suggested that they look at some of the Four-Thirds system DSLRs. The Four-Thirds system is designed around a sensor size that is comparable to the APS-c sensor in my Nikon cameras. But because the whole system is designed to that spec, the cameras are smaller, and the lenses can be smaller and lighter.

As with any photography, plan to spend any money on a camera body that can do the job you want, and more money on a good lens or lenses. Your lens purchase is likely to last you decades. Your digital camera to use that lens? Probably not.

Most cameras are bundled with a "kit" lens. Standard fare these days is something around a 3x mid-range zoom, with a f/3.5 - 5.6 maximum aperture. Optically, these range all over the map. Some have excellent, if somewhat slow, optics. Others combine mediocre speed with mediocre resolution. For pretty much any camera you get, there will be available a fixed focal length "standard" lens that is fast, tack-sharp, and relatively cheap. For Nikon, that lens is the Nikkor-AF 50mm f/1.8. With the 1.5x crop factor considered that applies to all Nikon DX sensor cameras, it is like using a 75m lens on a film 35mm SLR. If you can set up the camera with a remote, this sort of lens can do the trick. Most of the time for wildlife work, though, a longer lens is needed.

You'll find that most systems offer essentially two grades of lenses. There are relatively inexpensive lenses with modest maximum apertures offered for the mass market, and pro-quality lenses with terrific resolution and large maximum apertures, with pro-level price tags. Both Canon and Nikon have this sort of split in the lens inventory. I have a Nikkor G 70-300mm f/4 - 5.6 lens that cost me a little over $100. It does nicely from 70 to about 250mm, especially if I can stop down at least two f-stops from the maximum. At the long end, resolution noticeably drops off. I also have a "AF-S VR Zoom-NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G IF-ED" lens. The alphabet soup describes various features. AF-S is Nikon's advanced in-lens focusing motor system, one that is both fast and quiet. VR is "vibration reduction", an in-lens system that moves around optical elements to counter the small movements everybody makes when hand-holding a lens. IF is for "internal focusing", where focusing happens by movement of sub-groups of optics in the lens, and not simple displacement of the optics via a helicoid. ED is for "extra-low dispersion", which means at least one element of glass in the lens has a particular composition that has much better dispersion characteristics than standard crown glass. This lens has five such elements. It also cost about $1,600 more than the 70-300mm lens. Is the price difference worth it? It depends. I have been able to get excellent images with the 70-200mm that would have been impossible to get with the 70-300mm. And the image quality is stunning. In comparison to a 105mm prime lens I have from way back, the 70-200mm holds its own, and the 105mm is one that is generally considered one of the sharpest lenses Nikon ever made.

So my advice is to figure out which lens is going to do the job you want, then pick the camera to match. That's how I got started with SLRs way back when. My photo mentor, Lamar Philpot, spotted an excellent used Nikkor-AI 24mm f/2.8 lens for sale at a good price and pointed it out to me. It was my first purchase of 35mm SLR gear, and it took me another couple of months to get a Nikon F2 to put it on. I still have the 24mm f/2.8 lens, though not that first Nikon F2.


Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on Mar. 19 2009,09:08

i just use my phone or like draw it on a receipt or something.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Mar. 22 2009,10:27

While I was in the kitchen getting a second cup of coffee this morning, I looked out the window and saw a White-winged Crossbill chowing down on the sunflower seeds. Not too often that I can add to my lifelist in such comfort!


Posted by: Dr.GH on Mar. 25 2009,18:44

Excellent advice, Wes. I have been very slow to convert to digital cameras. I have instead used the college computer lab's slide copier.

I am ready to buy one for myself.

Any recommendations?
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Mar. 30 2009,10:48

We made a quick excursion up to the Platte River this last weekend to see the Sandhill Crane migration/staging spectacle. We had great weather and a lovely sunset for our trip to one of the blinds at the Rowe Sanctuary near Kearney, NE. Here's one (of too many) images - a family group (mom, dad and last year's colt) of Lesser Sandhill Cranes, parachuting in to a sandbar on the Platte River for the evening.


Posted by: subkumquat on Mar. 30 2009,17:41

This was the last time I've seen my "pet" osprey this year. I miss him.




A couple of weeks ago there are a dozen or so great blue herons on the lake shore around sunset.


Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on April 02 2009,21:07

in the past few days i have scored.

Gould's turkey (1 tom two hens)
Blue Throated hummingbird
24 mule deer
buncha weird woodpeckers
buncha other birds i don't recognize
road runner
some kinda sceloporus, about a dozen

wish i knew my birds this place is frikkin full of them.

some yahoos saw a black bear.

another dude saw what he called a juvenile painter.  official word says there may be jaguaramundis (sp?) about, although it is not official.  lol.  plans to document that for real are on the horizon but you know what I hope they don't find out.  next thing you know some drunk will be up here shooting at them, they have never been reported from this state before.  supposedly.

tomorrow, civilization.  Ahhh, sweet sweet sweet humidity.  If  only that didn't mean going through dallas (PUUUUUUKE)

Oh yeah best part, was poking around on the side of a mountain and went in a cave sorta thing and there were CAVE DRAWINGS.  I was f-ing ecstatic, it made the entire event worth while.  I'll never forget that, or the big magnificent natural arch on the other side of the cave, it was a couple of hundred feet high (the arch wasn't that big but the rock was).

If the shit ever hits the fan big enough at Oak Ridge maybe I'll come be an Apache.  Fuck you white people.
Posted by: Henry J on April 03 2009,13:50

Last time I saw deer was a few weeks ago. Only time I've seen a bear since moving to Colorado was last year. Coyote once, several years ago. Lizards a few times in 11 years.

Several kinds of birds are around; there's apparently one kind that likes to throw parties in a certain kind of tree - do not park your car under that kind of tree, if you know what I mean! (Or even if you don't.)

And of course rabbits - can't hardly go outside without having one of those hare-brained critters twitch its nose at you.

Henry
Posted by: dhogaza on April 03 2009,18:37



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
If the shit ever hits the fan big enough at Oak Ridge maybe I'll come be an Apache.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That's magic country ... the chiricahuas, dos cabezas, huachucas, animas ...
Posted by: khan on April 03 2009,18:39

Another hawk kill of a dove, 3 feet from the bird feeder.
Posted by: carlsonjok on April 03 2009,20:49

Quote (dhogaza @ April 03 2009,18:37)


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
If the shit ever hits the fan big enough at Oak Ridge maybe I'll come be an Apache.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That's magic country ... the chiricahuas, dos cabezas, huachucas, animas ...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Don't forget the chupacabra!
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on April 03 2009,21:22

Quote (khan @ April 03 2009,18:39)
Another hawk kill of a dove, 3 feet from the bird feeder.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Well, you know, that's why they call it a "bird feeder"  ;)
Posted by: khan on April 03 2009,21:27

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ April 03 2009,22:22)
Quote (khan @ April 03 2009,18:39)
Another hawk kill of a dove, 3 feet from the bird feeder.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Well, you know, that's why they call it a "bird feeder"  ;)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Buteo buffet
Posted by: Henry J on April 03 2009,21:27

Sometimes it feeds the bird to the other bird? :O
Posted by: clamboy on April 03 2009,21:44

Today's take: starlings too numerous to mention; 3 great blue herons; several American coots (not including me); classic mergansers, male and female; bubbleheads; what looked like a pond turtle, but should not be; several red-winged blackbirds; red-tailed hawk; shovelers; pied-billed grebes; cormorants; Anna's hummingbirds; crows; violet-green swallows; an American goldfinch; a Northern flicker; black-capped chickadees; robins; Canada geese; junchos; mallards; wrens; warblers; and a gold-crowned sparrow!
Posted by: keiths on April 03 2009,22:23

Quote (clamboy @ April 03 2009,19:44)
Today's take: starlings too numerous to mention; 3 great blue herons; several American coots (not including me); classic mergansers, male and female; bubbleheads; what looked like a pond turtle, but should not be; several red-winged blackbirds; red-tailed hawk; shovelers; pied-billed grebes; cormorants; Anna's hummingbirds; crows; violet-green swallows; an American goldfinch; a Northern flicker; black-capped chickadees; robins; Canada geese; junchos; mallards; wrens; warblers; and a gold-crowned sparrow!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I was getting my motorcycle out of the garage today when an Anna's hummingbird flew in and tried to get nectar out of the bright red tag hanging from the garage door emergency release cable.  < Gorgeous bird. >
Posted by: keiths on April 03 2009,22:26

Quote (clamboy @ April 03 2009,19:44)
Today's take:  several American coots...bubbleheads...shovelers...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Visited UD, eh?
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on April 04 2009,00:01

Quote (Dr.GH @ Mar. 25 2009,18:44)
Excellent advice, Wes. I have been very slow to convert to digital cameras. I have instead used the college computer lab's slide copier.

I am ready to buy one for myself.

Any recommendations?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


With the lens-first advice, one needs to figure out what subjects are most likely to attract your attention. Pick the lens to suit that, then pick the body to provide the convenience features that you want/need. Good glass costs real money. Even good third-party lenses that have the right specs are going to be a significant fraction of the cost of most camera-brand lensmaker's products... except if one is talking Leitz or Zeiss. Picking good third-party lenses does open up the choices on camera systems, since the third-party manufacturers usually offer the same lens design in a variety of mounts.

For general wildlife and mid-scale subjects at modest distances, one can hardly go wrong with a 70-200mm f/2.8 constant aperture zoom lens, especially with image stabilization. Both Nikon and Canon make outstanding examples of these sorts of lenses, but expect to pay a bit over $1,600 new for either. Third-party lens makers often have good glass in this specification, but not often with image stabilization. Those are considerably cheaper. Nikon's legendary 80-200mm f/2.8 zoom is right around $1,000, and that has no image stabilization. One can get image stabilization in the camera body in Sony and Pentax DSLRs, giving another path to getting all the features together.

For scenics, wide is good. Recent years have seen the introduction of many ultra-wide lenses. Myself, I got the Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 lens. The 12mm covers a full-frame view on a 35mm camera, so I have shot some film specifically to take advantage of that.

If you want to do wildlife that is smaller or at longer distances, you need good telephoto gear. If you want to take photos of wildlife that isn't out in full daylight, your wallet is going to take a walloping. Long, fast lenses are the high-ticket items in photography. The entry level into that sort of gear would include the Canon 300mm f/2.8 lens at $4,100. One f-stop difference, as in the Canon 300mm f/4 lens, drops the price tag to $1,200. Step up to a 500mm lens, and Nikon offers an f/4 with image stabilization for $8,100. If you want to go the economy route, you can spend a fraction of the money to get a mirror lens and a good tripod. The mirror telephoto lenses offer long focal lengths in a compact and light package. The downside is that they are also usually slower, offer only a single aperture, and introduce odd out-of-focus background artifacts because of the lens design. Long lenses of whatever sort require more discipline to get good results.

If you don't need extreme shot-to-shot speed, you can likely get a camera body billed as being for digital SLR entry level. A few years ago, there were lots of ways to argue for particular cameras or camera systems. Now, just about any recent DSLR design is going to offer a good imager. Most people aren't really going to need anything beyond about 6 megapixels. If you are looking to publish, image editor resolution requirements have been rising with the capabilities of DSLRs, but otherwise 6 megapixels should be considered a sufficient baseline.

Some recent DSLRs also offer "live view" and HD video recording. If those features are needed, that will limit your choices. There are cameras with those features in the Canon and Nikon lineups.

Ken Rockwell offers the advice of getting the Nikon D40. If you are getting all-new gear, it is worth looking at. I believe that Rockwell also elsewhere argues for buying a film SLR and having the negatives or slides scanned, noting that the price of a used pro-quality film SLR is way cheaper than a new pro digital SLR. I've shot almost exclusively digital since 2002, basically only using film to get the most out of my ultra-wide angle lens. The single biggest thing you get with digital is immediacy of feedback. You can check the shot right then. That single thing is, IMO, worth it alone.
Posted by: midwifetoad on April 04 2009,01:45

When choosing a lens, you need to know the size of the image sensor. This is not an obvious or widely promoted feature of digital cameras, because it doesn't correlate with megapixel count.

But a full size sensor (the same size as a 35mm film frame) will give the same results with the same focal length as a film camera.

Most affordable cameras have smaller sensors, so the lenses seem "longer" than they would in the35mm world. A 24mm lens, for example, is not very wide.

To make this more complicated, some lenses are optimized for the smaller sensors, giving sharper results on the correct camera. If you are dropping a couple of grand on equipment, it's worth your time reading up on these issues.
Posted by: midwifetoad on April 04 2009,02:14

I'm not an expert on this stuff, but my first real job was at Altman's.

< http://www.photoreporter.com/article....eID=962 >
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on April 04 2009,14:38



---------------------QUOTE-------------------

To make this more complicated, some lenses are optimized for the smaller sensors, giving sharper results on the correct camera.

---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Mostly, lenses for smaller sensors simply don't have image circles that cover the larger sensor size, or don't cover the larger sensor size through all the zoom range. Improvement in resolution is a different consideration. It would be better to say that lenses designed to provide those smaller image circles can be produced more cheaply to attain similar MTF performance as lenses that must cover the larger image circle needed for full-frame film or sensors. There's nothing magic about MTF, and a lens with a particular MTF is going to perform the same at the center of the frame for any set of sensors with the same pixel pitch no matter the sensor size. It certainly is not the case that all lenses designated as being only for smaller sensors will perform better on those sensors with respect to resolution than a full-frame-capable lens.

Small pixel pitch to go with the small sensor makes things harder on a lens designer to achieve high resolution. An APS-C sized sensor is only capable of about 3/4ths the resolution of a 36x24mm sensor given the same number of total pixels and the same lens used on both, as I took up in an exercise several years ago and just < reposted >.

An excellent site for comparing lens data is < Photodo >.
Posted by: dhogaza on April 04 2009,15:22



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Step up to a 500mm lens, and Nikon offers an f/4 with image stabilization for $8,100.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nearly two decades ago, when I made the decision to upgrade from my old Minolta system to one offering a 600/4 for bird photography, I had my heart set on buying a Nikon system.

Then I priced out a full system and was staggered by the price differential for long lenses.  Canon was noticably cheaper *and* had fully integrated auto-focus.

Still true today - Canon's 500/4 with image stabilization is about $6K, enough cheaper than the Nikon price quoted above for one to toss in an additional 300/4 image stabilized lens, a 1.4x teleextender, and an extension tube for close focusing (500mm lenses typically only focus down to 5m, for songbirds it's nice to be able to focus a bit closer).

And, no, you're not going to lose quality.  Even Art Wolfe is shooting Canon these days (when did *that* happen?).

Not trying to start a brand war here - both Nikon and Canon are great, and Nikon offers the advantage of there being a huge pool of manual focus lenses available that will at least mount on modern bodies (autofocus is pretty meaningless for extreme wide-angle, or macro, lenses, though macro lenses generally are excellent for all-around use where AF will be more greatly appreciated).

For wildlife shooting I highly favor APS-sized sensors.  I've just upgraded from Canon's 20D to the 50D, but even the 8MP 20D allowed me to make extremely sharp and salable 14x20 prints.  Modern scaling algorithms used in PhotoShop along with a subtle bit of sharpening can yield some extremely impressive results.  Publishers tend to want more megapixels, but gladly accept uprez'd images from my 20D.

Question for Wes: when you did your resolution analysis for the same number of pixels on APC vs. full-frame, did you take into account resolution falloff at the edges?  One advantage of APC is that you're cutting out the sharper, center portion of the image circle when you use it with a lens designed for a full 35mm frame.

Anyway, I'd venture that in the field, any resolution difference due to sensor size when shooting wildlife with a long lens isn't worth worrying about.

One nice thing about digital is that the modern bodies perform extremely well at ISO 200, better than something like Sensia pushed to 200 (well, at least at the time I tried it - is Fuji still investing in improving their film?  I doubt it).

For those of us who grew up shooting Fuji Velvia at ISO 40 in order to give magazine editors the saturation and pallette they wanted (though in later years I found they loved Kodak 100SW, and I really loved that extra stop), decent performance at reasonable speeds like ISO 200 combined with image stabilization can make the difference between chasing stuff with a heavy, awkward tripod or skating around blithely with a nice, easily-handled monopod.

With APC sensor bodies, a 500/4 is adequate for bird photography, especially if you invest in a same-manufacturer 1.4x teleextender.  I bought my 600/4 back in the film days (and am looking to sell it, without much luck, thus far) but a 500/4 on an APC body is equivalent in field of view to an 800/4 on a film body.  Nice.

A 500/4 is noticably lighter than a 600/4 (Canon's is 8.5 lbs vs. 11.8 lbs) and cheaper.

I think it's true that Nikon still beats out Canon at the wide end, though Canon's high-end wide-angle zooms have greatly improved in the last decade.

I second Wes's endorsement of 80-200/2.8 lenses.

I've also been in love with my Canon 28-70/2.8 (now offered as a 24-70 2.8) for many, many years now.  Blindingly sharp.  So sharp, actually, that a manufacturer of a system to print digital images on photo paper (similar to the chromera system) selected one of my images shot with that lens to show off the level of fine detail and fine color rendition their printing system can deliver.  I'm old enough that I remember the days when zooms of any length were a real compromise regarding image quality.  Not so with today's better ones - however, they're expensive.

Hmm ... well, here's the image the printer manufacturer chose ... Canon 1N, Fuji Velvia, EF 28-70/2.8L at roughly 50mm, tripod, mirror lockup, and Monterey Bay giving me a nice neutral background for this pretty guy sitting on the railing of the Monterey Pier.


Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on April 04 2009,19:19



---------------------QUOTE-------------------

Question for Wes: when you did your resolution analysis for the same number of pixels on APC vs. full-frame, did you take into account resolution falloff at the edges?  One advantage of APC is that you're cutting out the sharper, center portion of the image circle when you use it with a lens designed for a full 35mm frame.

---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Nope. For long prime lenses of high quality, the MTF curves are far more similar center to edge than for wider lenses. For an example, see < this page's MTF curves >: once stopped down to f/8 or less, the center and edge performance is virtually identical. The particular  issue that I was addressing in the photo post was specifically about what the size of the sensor implied about resolution. APS-C and full-frame sensors of the same megapixel capacity have a clear resolution difference in favor of the larger sensor; whether that is balanced by edge resolution drop-off or not is going to depend on the specific lens: for some, that is a live issue, and for others it will not make that much of a difference. Generically, though, the back-of-the-envelope calculation I've done makes it such that a lens specifically for the APS-C needs about 1.5x the resolution capability overall of one for full-frame in order to make the total resolution come out even. I haven't done a survey of DX-style lens MTF figures, but I'd doubt offhand that those would generally exceed full-frame designs by that much in resolving power.



---------------------QUOTE-------------------

Anyway, I'd venture that in the field, any resolution difference due to sensor size when shooting wildlife with a long lens isn't worth worrying about.

---------------------QUOTE-------------------



I know that I could be getting  better resolution than my current camera offers by dropping $3,700 on a D700, $4,500 on a D3, or >$8,000 on a D3x, but given those are impossible numbers on my budget, I certainly don't worry about using APS-C sized sensors instead.

Once one starts running the sensor ISO setting up one isn't showing  ultimate concern for resolution, anyway. I often shoot at ISO 800 as a matter of course for outings with the dogs and hawks, just to keep the shutter speeds on the good side of 1/1,000th of a second as long as possible.


Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on April 05 2009,11:18

Quote (dhogaza @ April 03 2009,18:37)


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
If the shit ever hits the fan big enough at Oak Ridge maybe I'll come be an Apache.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That's magic country ... the chiricahuas, dos cabezas, huachucas, animas ...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


indeed, i was amazed at how much water there was, everywhere.  even fish in the streams.  wish i had grabbed a few.  can't weight to go back.
Posted by: dhogaza on April 05 2009,15:18



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
I know that I could be getting  better resolution than my current camera offers by dropping $3,700 on a D700, $4,500 on a D3, or >$8,000 on a D3x, but given those are impossible numbers on my budget, I certainly don't worry about using APS-C sized sensors instead.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


And all this assumes you can fill the frame in the first place, while the truth is that a bird ain't necessarily going to let me get closer just because I'm using an $8K full-frame sensor body rather than my $1050 50D.  What I find is that I use my 1.4x extender a lot less often than I did shooting with a full-frame sensor (umm ... film).

And the film body didn't do 20 FPS HDTV, either.

I just gave away the last of my 35mm film, 27 rolls of B&W, about 75 rolls of chrome, to people happy to be living in the film age.
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on April 05 2009,19:32

72 blacks and greys, including a bunch of thimbles.  about 20 big fat black ones, and probably 18 or so little tiny grey ones.  i love them, they are so dense and little.  very different cap color than all the others.  it is time, it is on, and i am stoked.  was afraid i'd miss the opening while i was out in the bush on holiday but it is all good.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on April 12 2009,12:39

A call from a local USFWS employee alerted us to the presence of 5 Whooping Cranes about 8 miles east of here. The migratory path of this endangered species, recovering but still perilously close to extinction, does not usually include our area, so this is a rare and exciting event. We scurried out to see them, and hear them trumpeting. It makes for a fine resurrection story on this Easter Sunday.


Posted by: rhmc on April 12 2009,18:59

i went to visit the 2nd most threatened river in the u.s.
< http://www.americanrivers.org/our-wor....nt.html >

we were at a place called sprewell's bluff.
< http://www.gastateparks.org/info/sprewell/ >

saw birdsfoot violets, trout lillies and many native azaleas...lots of granite cliffs and some serious whitewater...

we were supposed to take a 2 day canoe trip down the river and take out at sprewell's bluff but the recent deluges swamped our plans.  river was way too high to canoe safely...hell, it ain't all that safe at much lower levels.

'twere just as well as friday evening severe thunderstorms with embedded tornadoes swept through the area.  

tent camping isn't very reassuring in those conditions.
granma's house was much more comfortable...

we'll try again in early summer....
Posted by: hereoisreal on April 20 2009,17:36

< http://www.flixxy.com/cougar-vs-bear.htm >
Posted by: rhmc on April 23 2009,19:19

found a 4' black racer in the yard.  it was playing the "i'm a rattler" game.  it must be after the bumper crop of anoles and skinks we had last summer.

the last two michelia figo blooms of the season opened today.
no banana ever smelled that good.
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 10 2009,12:09

Caught this feller this morning. Jays are pretty and there are plenty of them around my yard for me to practice on.



ETA: Canon EOS Rebel xs with standard 18 - 55 stabilized lens. ISO was set at 1600, manual focus, shutter speed 1/1000, F5.6 (I'm still figuring out what all that means and how to tweak it). Taken from about 20 yards, and this is a 40% image reduction and cropped for your viewing pleasure.

ETAA: Twitpic apparently will not allow me to hotlink my shot, so I uploaded to WordPress. WP may have done further compression.


Posted by: Lou FCD on May 10 2009,21:47

An Eastern Bluebird on my gutter:



Somebody looks unhappy at having his photo taken:



and here's a better look at the bluebird's friend.



A few weeks ago I caught a luna moth with the cell camera:


Posted by: Lou FCD on May 11 2009,11:45

I tried dropping the ISO and shutter speed to see what would happen.

I shot this red-bellied woodpecker out my bedroom window.



I think I went too low.
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on May 11 2009,12:28

lou if you sprinkle salt on that little bastard's tail you can catch it
Posted by: khan on May 11 2009,14:06

I've seen a blue heron  couple times overhead.  Today I saw two bumblebees (I think they were having a property dispute).
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 11 2009,15:04

These are cropped versions of the two best shots I got of this little guy.

Any ideas on who he is? He was climbing the pine out back like a woodpecker, very small, and a long red streak from his beak, over his head, and down his back.

I took the shots quickly, and I know they suck, but I was afeared he'd get away.






Posted by: Albatrossity2 on May 11 2009,15:21

Quote (Lou FCD @ May 11 2009,15:04)
These are cropped versions of the two best shots I got of this little guy.

Any ideas on who he is? He was climbing the pine out back like a woodpecker, very small, and a long red streak from his beak, over his head, and down his back.

I took the shots quickly, and I know they suck, but I was afeared he'd get away.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


< Brown-headed nuthatch > (Sitta pusilla)
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 11 2009,15:24

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ May 11 2009,16:21)
Quote (Lou FCD @ May 11 2009,15:04)
These are cropped versions of the two best shots I got of this little guy.

Any ideas on who he is? He was climbing the pine out back like a woodpecker, very small, and a long red streak from his beak, over his head, and down his back.

I took the shots quickly, and I know they suck, but I was afeared he'd get away.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


< Brown-headed nuthatch > (Sitta pusilla)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks, Alby!

I looked at that in my Peterson's, but thought it was wrong.

ETA: P.S. He's new to my list. That makes me happy.


Posted by: clamboy on May 12 2009,00:38

Last weekend: muskrats; ravens; pigeons; deer mice; pocket mice; barn swallows; violet green swallows; some other species of swallow; red-winged blackbirds; a kingbird; a phoebe; canada geese; a gopher snake; a house finch; yellow headed blackbirds; cormorants; tree frogs; (probably) spotted bats; big sage brush; stiff sage brush; cheet grass (an invasive species); (heard) ring-necked pheasants; (heard) coyotes; a song sparrow; osprey; wild onion; etc.
Posted by: dhogaza on May 12 2009,11:28



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
cheet grass (an invasive species)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Cheat grass - so named because bad guys would sneak the seeds in with whatever seedy/grainy thingy they were selling therefore cheating the purchaser.  Apparently that's how it got there.

Very bad stuff, BTW.  Has totally changed the fire ecology in western rangelands.  It grows quickly and browns early, leading to earlier and hotter fires in areas where it grows thickly (which is almost everywhere it shows up).
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 12 2009,15:42

We have oodles of turkey vultures around. This one was kind enough to fly over the house a little bit ago:


Posted by: khan on May 12 2009,15:47

Quote (Lou FCD @ May 12 2009,16:42)
We have oodles of turkey vultures around. This one was kind enough to fly over the house a little bit ago:


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I see them now and then.
Posted by: Richard Simons on May 12 2009,21:09

Spring is slowly coming to the north end of Lake Winnipeg. In the past week I've seen various ducks - shoveller, pintail, green-winged teal, mallard, canvasback, redhead, lesser scaup, bufflehead - as well as red-necked and horned grebes and a loon. There are still snow-buntings passing through but the sandhill cranes and great blue herons are back. The birds of prey include bald eagles, merlins and one turkey vulture (well beyond its 'official' range but, as a colleague says, no doubt it knows a good garbage dump when it smells it). Today I saw the first robins, a palm warbler and a chipping sparrow.

The pussy willows are just past their best, the buds on the tamarack (larch) and poplars are starting to swell and if you look carefully at the school playing field the first shoots of grass are visible. Summer is on its way!

On a different topic, a few weeks ago I had a holiday in the Dominican Republic (Aah, sun!  Warmth!). The hotel had a series of ornamental ponds with many fish and frequented by great egrets and green herons. The egrets were mainly after the fish but also ate some of the bread that guests threw in for the fish. The green herons, though, would take a piece of bread, mash it up a bit and carefully put it in the water just within reach. If it did not attract any fish, they would move it to another spot and try again. Has anyone else seen birds using bait to attract prey like that?
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on May 13 2009,08:12

richard believe it or not i saw something like that on one of this shitty TV shows like Americas Funniest Home Videos or something similar

would be really innerstin' to know if there are examples like this from nature or is this a learned behavior that has arisen since people started throwing bread to green herons on boat docks etc

(see that would be intelligent agents introducing information into the environment...  ok i'll quit lol)
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 13 2009,10:18

A sparrow of some sort?






Posted by: Lou FCD on May 13 2009,11:12

Anyone have an idea as to the identity of the bluebird's friend? I'm coming up goose eggs. (heh)

Quote (Lou FCD @ May 10 2009,22:47)
Somebody looks unhappy at having his photo taken:



and here's a better look at the bluebird's friend.


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Posted by: khan on May 13 2009,11:37

A young one?
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 13 2009,16:23

I dunno.

But I think I'm getting the hang of this pichertakin stuff.



ETA: Damnit. twitpic.


Posted by: Richard Simons on May 13 2009,20:24

Quote (Richard Simons @ May 12 2009,21:09)
Spring is slowly coming to the north end of Lake Winnipeg. [snip] Summer is on its way!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I wrote too soon. This morning the ground was grey with ice and there was freezing drizzle. Since then it's got worse, with freezing rain, ice pellets and snow all day, driven by a strong wind. At lunch time I had difficulty crossing the road because the wind was strong enough to slide me back across the ice. However, today I had my first visitor to my bird feeder since I put it up 6 months ago - a grackle has been coming every few minutes.

I forgot to mention in my list of birds - I saw a glaucous gull hanging out with the others. They are quite unusual in this area. I've also seen a couple of thin bears around.

BTW: I agree with Khan that the bluebird's friend is likely to be a youngster. Many young birds (especially the thrushes and their kin) are speckled and you can see the blue starting to come through (but I'm not particularly familiar with bluebirds). The other bird? Yes, it certainly looks like a sparrow ;-)
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on May 13 2009,21:18

Quote (Lou FCD @ May 13 2009,11:12)
Anyone have an idea as to the identity of the bluebird's friend? I'm coming up goose eggs. (heh)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yep, that's a juvenile eastern bluebird.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on May 13 2009,21:19

Quote (Lou FCD @ May 13 2009,10:18)
A sparrow of some sort?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


As near as I can tell, that's a female House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 13 2009,22:05

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ May 13 2009,22:18)
Quote (Lou FCD @ May 13 2009,11:12)
Anyone have an idea as to the identity of the bluebird's friend? I'm coming up goose eggs. (heh)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yep, that's a juvenile eastern bluebird.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks again, Alby. I hope I'm not wearing you out.
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 13 2009,22:08

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ May 13 2009,22:19)
Quote (Lou FCD @ May 13 2009,10:18)
A sparrow of some sort?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


As near as I can tell, that's a female House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Ah, well then I seem to have located a matching set:


Posted by: Lou FCD on May 13 2009,22:13

Quote (Richard Simons @ May 13 2009,21:24)
 
Quote (Richard Simons @ May 12 2009,21:09)
Spring is slowly coming to the north end of Lake Winnipeg. [snip] Summer is on its way!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I wrote too soon. This morning the ground was grey with ice and there was freezing drizzle. Since then it's got worse, with freezing rain, ice pellets and snow all day, driven by a strong wind. At lunch time I had difficulty crossing the road because the wind was strong enough to slide me back across the ice. However, today I had my first visitor to my bird feeder since I put it up 6 months ago - a grackle has been coming every few minutes.

I forgot to mention in my list of birds - I saw a glaucous gull hanging out with the others. They are quite unusual in this area. I've also seen a couple of thin bears around.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Damn, that sounds uncomfortably cold.

 
Quote (Richard Simons @ May 13 2009,21:24)
 BTW: I agree with Khan that the bluebird's friend is likely to be a youngster. Many young birds (especially the thrushes and their kin) are speckled and you can see the blue starting to come through (but I'm not particularly familiar with bluebirds). The other bird? Yes, it certainly looks like a sparrow ;-)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Thanks for the assist, Richard.
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on May 13 2009,22:21

i saw a dog yesterday.  in my yard.  theres a leash law.  i knocked the fuck out of it with a chunk of stove wood.  he was sniffing around my baby chickens.  sombitches down the street let their younguns AND their animals run around with no supervision.  

sis says "ain't the dogs fault, its the shitty owners, so don't take it out on the dog".

i said well so far the owners haven't been sniffing around my chicken coop.  when they do then i'll view them as a problem too.
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 14 2009,15:42

Shot from the driver's seat, out the passenger's side window, hand held and fully zoomed in.

The color pattern sort of looks like a killdeer, but I'm not sure.





And my best guess on these guys which have been hanging around the docks for at least a couple of years, is Muscovy Ducks, though that would put them a long way from home.

Escapius domesticus duckii?




Posted by: Richard Simons on May 14 2009,19:50

Lou: yes and yes. Killdeers are easy to identify because of their size, their continual shrieking at any intruder and the bright chestnut on the tail and rump.
Muscovy ducks are often domesticated. The dark ones on your last photo are closest to the wild type, which I've looked for in the wild but never seen.

BTW: We are back to sun again, but I think people living here should really have a masochistic streak.
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 14 2009,19:58

Thanks, Richard. What was throwing me on the killdeers was the brown between the black stripes on the belly. All the photos and drawings I was finding had them white through there.

Glad you're getting some sun, finally.
Posted by: Richard Simons on May 14 2009,20:27

Sibley shows a juvenile with brown between the black stripes. I don't know if that means it is a juvenile trait or just individual variation. I tend to just dismiss them - 'Another noisy killdeer' but perhaps I should study them more carefully.

"Glad you're getting some sun, finally." On the whole, we have relatively clear skies but in the winter the days are too short and in the summer the sun is not high enough. The locals like the winter because that's when they can do the ice fishing, curling, hockey, sled dog racing, hunting and trapping but it's not for me.
Posted by: dvunkannon on May 21 2009,07:39

Not In My Back Yard!


I saw these guys when I was walking on the grounds of Bertramka, last Saturday. Bertramka is in the Smichov suburb of Prague, just across the Vltava River. Bertramka is famous for Mozart having stayed there during his visits to Prague. He finished Don Giovanni there.

In any case, these reminded me more of African masks than Mozart. Anyone know what they are?
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on May 21 2009,07:48

hemiptera nymphs, maybe lygaeids

nice pattern never seen that'un

monday I got a life list odonate Lanthus parvulus.  rare critter down here, range just barely extends into the south appalachians where it prefers bogs and seeps and springs.  

also two other very very rare caddisflies, one of which has only been collected 5 times (4 and 5 were Monday!!!!).  Other rarities abound, including at least 2 undescribed species (well, one is described and all but published which is why we were there.  now we'll be back again!)  


the other sites yielded cool bugs also. stoneflies Viehoperla prob ada and Beloneuria sp. nymphs.  i didn't even collect the mayflies but there were lots of things out and about.


May is a fantastic time of the year to stand in the spray zone of a wet rock face.
Posted by: clamboy on May 21 2009,12:07

The past few weeks: quaking aspen; noble fir; grand fir; douglas fir (not a true fir! pretender!); ponderosa pine; lodgepole pine;

the larch;

white bark pine; sub-alpine pine; vine maple; some other kind of maple; oregon grape; trillium; vanilla; western hemlock.

Western tanagers; evening grosbeaks; purple finches; mountain chickadees; black-capped chickadees; stellar's jay; mule deer; a cougar print; tree frogs; ants in stumps; elk poop; deer poop; osprey flying over Mariners stadium (eta: excuse me, Safeco Field) with Mike Lowell up to bat; ravens; hairy woodpecker.
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 21 2009,14:33

Saw a redwinged blackbird today, something else with a very red and black body that I didn't get a good ID on, cedar waxwing, and got pictures of some barn swallows, purple martins, a yellow shafted northern flicker, some kind of orange-billed goose thing (that's the scientific name for that bird I haven't IDd yet), a big ass turtle (like a foot from side to side), some unidentified lizard, and a bunch of crappy long shots of an osprey in its nest. I maxed out the long lens, but couldn't get any closer (the tree it was in was on an island in the river), and it was backlit badly.

OK boys and girls, it's time to play, Name that Critter:







And here's the flicker:



and the osprey:


Posted by: GCUGreyArea on May 21 2009,14:45

that first one is definitely the Loch Ness Monster.
Posted by: ppb on May 21 2009,14:45

I'm going to guess the top one is a Double-crested Cormorant.

Edit: Probably a juvenile.  < From Wikipedia: > "The plumage of juvenile Double-crested Cormorants is more dark grey or brownish. The underparts of a juvenile are lighter than the back with a pale throat and breast that darkens towards the belly. As a bird ages, it's plumage will grow darker. The bill of a juvenile will be mostly orange or yellowish."
Posted by: rhmc on May 21 2009,16:56

not wildlife seen but wildlife anticipated to be seen,
the wife is spending a week with the Caretta Research project:

Since 1973, the Caretta Research Project has been a hands-on research and conservation program dedicated to protecting the Loggerhead Seat Turtle, Caretta caretta.

The three goals of the project are:

To learn more about the population levels and trends / nesting habits of loggerhead turtles
To enhance survival of eggs and hatchlings on a nesting beach, and
To involve people in turtle preservation.
Each year, for 16 weeks during the summer, groups of volunteers travel to the beaches of Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge near Savannah, Georgia, USA. The volunteers monitor egg-laying activity / hatching rates and collect data on the loggerhead turtles...

< http://www.carettaresearchproject.org/ >
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on May 21 2009,17:11

Quote (Lou FCD @ May 21 2009,14:33)
OK boys and girls, it's time to play, Name that Critter:



---------------------QUOTE-------------------

Double-crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------



---------------------QUOTE-------------------

Beats me - looks like some kind of fence lizard

---------------------QUOTE-------------------



---------------------QUOTE-------------------

Some kind of rock that may have a Grey Catbird or an Indigo Bunting in the shadow in front of it.
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 21 2009,18:39

Thanks for the assist on the Cormorant, fellas.

The lizard was a fast little sucker, and the turtle went crashing through the undergrowth like nobody's business - That's what attracted my attention in the first place. I heard all the racket next to the boardwalk as I passed by, and went back to get a look.
Posted by: dvunkannon on May 21 2009,23:57

Quote (Erasmus @ FCD,May 21 2009,08:48)
hemiptera nymphs, maybe lygaeids

nice pattern never seen that'un

monday I got a life list odonate Lanthus parvulus.  rare critter down here, range just barely extends into the south appalachians where it prefers bogs and seeps and springs.  

also two other very very rare caddisflies, one of which has only been collected 5 times (4 and 5 were Monday!!!!).  Other rarities abound, including at least 2 undescribed species (well, one is described and all but published which is why we were there.  now we'll be back again!)  


the other sites yielded cool bugs also. stoneflies Viehoperla prob ada and Beloneuria sp. nymphs.  i didn't even collect the mayflies but there were lots of things out and about.


May is a fantastic time of the year to stand in the spray zone of a wet rock face.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks, i found this


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Pyrrhocoris apterus
Firebug
Family: Pyrrhocoridae
Again, not shield bugs but having the red markings that may be confused with other families. Pyrrhocoris species are common round the Mediterranean but only recent established in northern Europe.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



With picture at < this shieldbug website >.
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 24 2009,11:09

House Finch?





Presumably a mate?



Best shot I could get, Hairy Woodpecker (possibly a Downey, but some of the shots seem to suggest the longer thin beak). Long lens fully extended and hand-held. Sorry. Sunuvabitch wouldn't hold still and kept climbing behind the branches. How rude.



Brown Thrasher:



I went back to get some more shots of the Osprey in better light, but it was very windy, which caused a lot of shake and the shots came out worse, not better. The above crop is still the best one of the bunch.
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 24 2009,11:15

Quote (dvunkannon @ May 21 2009,08:39)
Not In My Back Yard!


I saw these guys when I was walking on the grounds of Bertramka, last Saturday. Bertramka is in the Smichov suburb of Prague, just across the Vltava River. Bertramka is famous for Mozart having stayed there during his visits to Prague. He finished Don Giovanni there.

In any case, these reminded me more of African masks than Mozart. Anyone know what they are?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Whoa, neat bugs.
Posted by: Tony M Nyphot on May 24 2009,11:36

Quote (Lou FCD @ May 21 2009,13:33)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Don't know much taxonomy, but this looks exactly like the "chameleons" we used to catch in the gravel pits as kids in Colorado.
Posted by: rhmc on May 24 2009,12:00

anole
Posted by: JLT on May 24 2009,12:03

Quote (Lou FCD @ May 24 2009,17:15)
Quote (dvunkannon @ May 21 2009,08:39)
Not In My Back Yard!


I saw these guys when I was walking on the grounds of Bertramka, last Saturday. Bertramka is in the Smichov suburb of Prague, just across the Vltava River. Bertramka is famous for Mozart having stayed there during his visits to Prague. He finished Don Giovanni there.

In any case, these reminded me more of African masks than Mozart. Anyone know what they are?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Whoa, neat bugs.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


< Firebugs! >

Gosh, sometimes I surprise myself ;)
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 24 2009,21:35

Quote (rhmc @ May 24 2009,13:00)
anole
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


See, I dismissed anoles as a possibility because of the color and I didn't see the flashy red thingy.

Five minutes worth of paying attention would have fixed that.

(Where's the 'i iz a idoit' smiley?)
Posted by: ppb on May 26 2009,10:01

Went to Plum Island, north of Boston, over the holiday weekend.  There were large areas of the beach roped off to protect nesting Piping Plovers and Least Terns.  I got a few nice pictures.


A pair of Piping Plovers



An adult and baby Piping Plover



A very fast Least Tern



Also spotted were Snowy Egrets, Song Sparrows, Semipalmated Plovers, Dunlins, assorted gulls and miscellaneous other little shore birds that I always have trouble identifying.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on May 26 2009,13:58

Quote (ppb @ May 26 2009,10:01)

An adult and baby Piping Plover

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nice! If there is anything cuter than a baby shorebird, I've yet to meet up with it...
Posted by: fusilier on May 26 2009,14:17

If I knew how to post images, I'd show a honeybee swarm setting up shop in one of our compost barrels.

This is a Good Thing.  When we first moved here, in 1986, there were honeybees all over the place.  You could enjoy a low hum as the ladies went about their business - 25 years of "development" ran them out.

The unfortunate thing is that we'll have to call a beekeeper to remove the hive.  There are too many small children nearby.


No, they aren't Africanized, I got within about 10-15 feet of the swarm.
Posted by: ppb on May 26 2009,14:33

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ May 26 2009,14:58)
Quote (ppb @ May 26 2009,10:01)

An adult and baby Piping Plover

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nice! If there is anything cuter than a baby shorebird, I've yet to meet up with it...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks.  This was taken with my 28-135mm Canon zoom.  That's the longest lens I have since I switched to a digital SLR.  The chicks were numerous, and very cute, but I couldn't get a very large image of one.  They were all so tiny.

I'm saving my pennies for something a bit longer, in the 300-400mm range.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on May 26 2009,15:51

Quote (fusilier @ May 26 2009,14:17)
The unfortunate thing is that we'll have to call a beekeeper to remove the hive.  There are too many small children nearby.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


A beekeeper will gladly remove it for you. The going rate for a bee colony in these parts (if you wanted to buy one) is $80-100. So you are giving him a nice present!
Posted by: khan on May 26 2009,15:57

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ May 26 2009,16:51)
Quote (fusilier @ May 26 2009,14:17)
The unfortunate thing is that we'll have to call a beekeeper to remove the hive.  There are too many small children nearby.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


A beekeeper will gladly remove it for you. The going rate for a bee colony in these parts (if you wanted to buy one) is $80-100. So you are giving him a nice present!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


OT:
I have an early memory (4 or 5) when parents called a beekeeper for a hive on the side of the house & he (Wolfgang Bauer) gave me a piece of comb to bite.
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on May 26 2009,23:12

my uncle will come get it if you are within an hours drive of montreat NC
Posted by: Henry J on May 27 2009,00:05

Middle of Indiana looks to be about 400 miles from eastern NC. I doubt that's under an hour's drive.
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 27 2009,17:53

Quote (Henry J @ May 27 2009,01:05)
Middle of Indiana looks to be about 400 miles from eastern NC. I doubt that's under an hour's drive.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


'pends on who's drivin'.
Posted by: Henry J on May 27 2009,23:36

I wondered if somebody might say that...

Henry
Posted by: dhogaza on May 28 2009,14:28



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
I'm saving my pennies for something a bit longer, in the 300-400mm range.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


The image stabilized 300/4 is a good choice.  I dumped my (non-IS) 300/2.8 and will buy the lighter IS f4 job.  It becomes an excellent 420/5.6 with a 1.4x extender.  Since modern digital bodies are so good at reasonable speeds like ISO 200, 250, even 400 - far better than say Sensia pushed a stop, much less two - and since image stabilization gets you a couple more working stops, I don't mind dropping from f2.8 to f4 (not to mention losing about 4 lbs in lens weight).

Canon's 400/5.6 isn't image stabilized so I think the 300/4 IS is a better choice.  Especially with an APS sensor camera, where the image circle is cropped to the smaller format, you'd be unlikely to see a difference with Canon's 1.4x extender vs. the 400/5.6.  Tamron's 1.4x isn't bad, either (I own both, Canon's has a "snout" that sticks up the rear of a telephoto and won't work with lenses with a flush rear element like my old 80-200/2.8).

OK, wildlife ...

Here's a photo I took last weekend of the 3rd glossy ibis ever recorded in Oregon (behind it is a white-faced ibis, common here).  The bird nerds are all atwitter over it:


Posted by: ppb on May 28 2009,14:58

Quote (dhogaza @ May 28 2009,15:28)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Very nice photo!  

Thanks for the suggestions.  I have a Rebel XT with the APS sensor, so 300mm should be plenty long.  Now I just have to squeeze it into the budget.  :(
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 28 2009,15:32

Quote (dhogaza @ May 28 2009,15:28)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Sweet.
Posted by: qetzal on June 01 2009,16:24

Was hiking this weekend at Huntsville State Park (north of Houston) & saw two otters in the lake. They were going down beneath the water lilies and coming back up with crayfish in their mouths. They'd hold their heads up above the water while they crunched on a crayfish, then head back down for another.

Sadly, my wife had taken the camera out of town with her. I didn't even realize otters lived around here!
Posted by: subkumquat on June 02 2009,06:00

Quote (qetzal @ June 01 2009,16:24)
Was hiking this weekend at Huntsville State Park (north of Houston) & saw two otters in the lake. They were going down beneath the water lilies and coming back up with crayfish in their mouths. They'd hold their heads up above the water while they crunched on a crayfish, then head back down for another.

Sadly, my wife had taken the camera out of town with her. I didn't even realize otters lived around here!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Interesting. I live a bit south of there, in Montgomery, and haven't heard of otters there. I might have to venture farther north to check it out this weekend when I go to the Stubblefield Lake area to look for/photograph endangered red-cockaded woodpeckers.

Where in the lake did you see them?
Posted by: George on June 02 2009,08:06

A couple of photos from last week of Neottia nidus-avis, bird's-nest orchid near St. John's Wood on the shores of Lough Ree (Ireland).  Bird's-nest orchid is a chlorophyll-less, saprophytic plant characteristic of old woodlands on base-rich soils.





Not bad for a mobile phone camera I reckon.
Posted by: qetzal on June 02 2009,09:22

subkumquat,

I saw them from the boardwalk marked "1" at the top of
< this map > (warning: pdf). It's basically the northernmost part of Lake Raven, about where Alligator Branch enters.

The lake is shallow there and fairly thick with water plants. I had stopped to watch a great blue heron that was standing motionless among the lilies. I had it in view in my binoculars when I saw some movement among the lilies nearby. At first I thought it was just a smaller water bird, but then saw an otter poke its head up, and then saw a second next to it.

I was pretty surprised to see otters, as I hadn't heard they lived here. But the only other aquatic mammal even close would have been nutria, and these weren't nutria.

Afterwards, one of the park rangers confirmed that they do get a few otters in the lake, but she said they were "few & far between."
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on June 02 2009,09:42

my buddies saw a female with two pups in the Smokies a few weeks ago.  They were near the Sawdust Pile campsite on Hazel Creek (NC side) far from what I would have thought would be good otter habitat.  I wouldn't be that surprised to see them at ABrams or in Cades Cove.  annyhoo they said they heard the awfullest racket all night and never knew what it was, next day they heard the beasts and actually got to see them or would have never figured it out.
Posted by: Aardvark on June 13 2009,00:30

ATBC exclusive:









Who can haz identification?
Posted by: Dr.GH on June 13 2009,09:16

Peahens?
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on June 13 2009,11:27

Aardvark

Where do you live, or, more pertinently, where were these photos shot?

In the meantime, I'd venture an ID of Guinea Fowl

which could be found anywhere, as they are common domesticated fowl, found in zoos, wildlife parks, and even private farmyards.
Posted by: Aardvark on June 13 2009,12:58

Albatrossity2,

I live in Durbanville, Cape Town & these are wild birds living in the Willowbridge area.

They are indeed Guineafowl, but the reason I posted these pictures was because of the unusually pale colouring of the one specimen.  

I've done a little reading but still can't decide if the paleness is due to < leucism > or < albinism >.  I'm tending towards albinism right now; mainly because the bird still has some colour around its head at least, unlike this bloke:


Posted by: Paul Flocken on June 13 2009,14:57

I wish i had some pics but all I had was my cell phone cam which is worthless beyond 10 meters.  Yesterday evening I happened by a flock(1-2 dz) of < White Ibis > foraging in the drainage ditch that follows the old trolley line behind my house.  There are a lot of owls around but have only seen them at night and on a rapid wing, so no way to catch identifying marks.  The only other really cool critters I have are the < Golden Silk Orb Weavers >; < Nephila Clavipes > aka Banana Spiders who build their webs under my back stairs.  To encourage them to stick around I throw light bulb stricken moths into the web whenever I can.  It is amazing how much effort a previously moribund and dying moth can produce when it is suddenly stuck in a  spider's web.<evil grin>  I have no pics right now but will post them as soon as I can.
Posted by: khan on June 13 2009,16:00

What is this:

< flickr >

For some reason I can't figure out how to display pictures.

ETA: that works, thanks
Posted by: J-Dog on June 13 2009,16:13

Quote (khan @ June 13 2009,16:00)
What is this:

< flickr >

For some reason I can't figure out how to display pictures.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


khan - I use Image Shack to post pictures.< Image Shack >
Posted by: deadman_932 on June 13 2009,16:16

Khan's picture of some manner of mushrooms:


I clicked on her link and then on the photo properties, then removed the bit following ".jpg" so Ikonboard accepts it.
Posted by: Dr.GH on June 13 2009,21:08

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ June 13 2009,09:27)
Aardvark

Where do you live, or, more pertinently, where were these photos shot?

In the meantime, I'd venture an ID of Guinea Fowl
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Are they good to eat?
Posted by: Aardvark on June 14 2009,04:59

Quote (Dr.GH @ June 13 2009,21:08)
Are they good to eat?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



According to < Wikipedia >:



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
The cooked flesh of guineafowl resembles chicken in texture, with a flavour somewhere between chicken and turkey.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



...
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on June 14 2009,07:50

Quote (Dr.GH @ June 13 2009,21:08)
Are they good to eat?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yeah, apparently they are, according to some friends who have a small flock. But mostly they are not kept for purposes of making a pot pie. They are noisy and curious, so a flock of them will make a racket if something unusual happens in the farmyard (itinerant preacher visits, coyotes, etc.) You don't need a watchdog if you have a bunch of these guys, and they have the added bonus of eating vexing insects, ticks, and other things that might pester you or your garden plants.

Re the paler specimen in the pictures, there is an interesting < discussion > of albinism/leucism on one of the bird forums. Albino birds can be quite striking; there is a small museum in one of the smaller colleges here in KS that has a collection of such things, including an albino crow!
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on June 18 2009,11:19

I watched a lovely burying beetle (Nicrophorus marginatus) on my walk in to work today. It was thoroughly investigating a stained spot on the street; probably a place where some critter got flattened recently. It gave up and flew off after figuring out that it wasn't a useful activity; I continued on to work, to engage in other less-than-useful activities...

This is the < most common of the large Nicrophorine species in this part of the world >; these critters are over an inch long and quite impressively marked, as you can see from the image below. They also have a truly wretched odor if you get close enough; I stayed back from this guy and just watched him decide that this smelly spot on the asphalt was not going to be a useful resource for raising the next generation of beetles!



In other news, my department head has accepted a position as the interim dean of our college (Arts and Sciences) for the upcoming year, and I have accepted the position as his replacement here in the Division of Biology at KSU. So for the next year I will be the interim Director of the Division of Biology, and that may cut down on my time available to browse, chuckle, and comment here. But I will be back!
Posted by: carlsonjok on June 18 2009,11:31

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ June 18 2009,11:19)
In other news, my department head has accepted a position as the interim dean of our college (Arts and Sciences) for the upcoming year, and I have accepted the position as his replacement here in the Division of Biology at KSU. So for the next year I will be the interim Director of the Division of Biology, and that may cut down on my time available to browse, chuckle, and comment here. But I will be back!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


HA HA THIS IS YOU



And, to keep this marginally on topic, I was out at the tow lot retrieving my personal belongings from my truck (darn teenage drivers *shakes fist*) and there was a killdeer nest right next to where it was parked.  I was rather fascinated with their behavior.  The male would run away from the nest and pretend to be injured to try and draw me away from the nest.  I realize that is no big deal to you bird types, but it was the first time I ever saw it.  

<Gil> I don't see how such behavior could have evolved, therefore Darwin was wrong </Gil>
Posted by: bfish on June 18 2009,12:22

< >

This picture is from last year, but it IS in my backyard. We had a mama and three babies wandering around for a couple of days. I was afraid my cat would go at them, but, though he watched with curiosity, he stayed well away.

I show the picture now, because of something that happened two nights ago. I was walking home from work at about 10:00 pm, listening to "Selected Shorts" on my iPod. I was coming up fast on a slower-moving pedestrian, and, not wanting to pass on the narrow sidewalk, I decided that if he went straight at the the end of the block, I would turn right, but if he turned right, I would go straight. He went straight. I turned right, around a tall fence, and was instantly in the midst of a group of small animals. Were they dogs? I peered at them in the darkness, and realized they were skunks. I had jumped into a crescendo of skunks (or whatever it is you call a group of skunks). They were all around me, and very close. I counted six. My appearance among them was rather sudden (imagine walking to the end of a block and suddenly someone whips around the corner), so I was most grateful and impressed that they were not trigger-happy. They let me pass through them without incident, and then went about their business.

ETA: a group of skunks is actually called "a surfeit of skunks." Ah, Google.
Posted by: Henry J on June 18 2009,13:17

Pepe Le Pew!
Posted by: dhogaza on June 18 2009,14:12

OK, skunk story, you've asked for it ...

So for many years I used to spend a month or two or more trapping and banding hawks, and doing migration counts, at sites in Utah and Nevada.  Mostly at 9,000 feet on a beautiful mountain in Nevada, backpacking situation, though with beginning-of-the-year helicopter logistical support (water, food, etc).

I'd always bring an old rocking chair to provide a more comfortable alternative to the plain wooden benches in our communal mess/office/equipment repair/hangout tent.  An old army surplus command post tent.

Anyway ... one year, we had a skunk hanging out most nights, enjoying the companionship, warmth from the pot-bellied stove (9,000 feet in the Great Basin in September/October often means temps cold enough to freeze your water bottle by morning), and I suppose in hopes of crumbs of food on the dirt floor.

One evening, our cook, exhausted from a day that had started at 6:00 AM cooking breakfast, was relaxing by the pot-bellied stove gently rocking in my rocking chair, half-asleep, as the rest of us talked etc.

The skunk came up ... began rubbing her leg, like a cat ... the rest of us  watched intently ... the cook, eyes closed, began petting the skunk, rocking gently ... petting ... skunk rubbing her leg with its body ... petting ... then ... suddenly.

SHRIEK!!!!!!!!

She realized what she was petting.

She leapt out of the chair to the far side of the tent ... the skunk scurried from the tent full-speed ... the rest of us laughed our ass off.
Posted by: k.e.. on June 18 2009,14:14

Quote (Henry J @ June 18 2009,21:17)
Pepe Le Pew!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Oui, Mon Chéri
Posted by: dhogaza on June 18 2009,14:15



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
I was afraid my cat would go at them, but, though he watched with curiosity, he stayed well away.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



BTW, don't try this with a dog.  Dogs are dumb, and skunks are freaked out by them.  If you ignore this advice, lay in a nice supply of tomato juice, you'll need it :)
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on June 18 2009,17:03

The non-tomato de-skunking recipe:

16 oz Hydrogen peroxide
1/2 cup Baking soda
Tablespoon Dish detergent or shampoo

Wet down the the dog. Mix the ingredients above and immediately apply, scrubbing the dog. Rinse. Repeat as needed.
Posted by: Dr.GH on June 18 2009,22:56

Quote (dhogaza @ June 18 2009,12:15)


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
I was afraid my cat would go at them, but, though he watched with curiosity, he stayed well away.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



BTW, don't try this with a dog.  Dogs are dumb, and skunks are freaked out by them.  If you ignore this advice, lay in a nice supply of tomato juice, you'll need it :)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


My last two dogs have delighted in killing skunks. One would even roll in the spray with apparent pleasure. I printed out Wesley's recipe; thanks.
Posted by: rhmc on June 27 2009,08:55

we saw a roseate spoonbill in the central part of the georgia coast (macintosh county).  they aren't supposed to be this far north...
Posted by: Bob O'H on June 27 2009,09:14

Damn those illegal immigrants!  Send 'em back where they came from!

As it's half-time in the rugby, I can ask for an identification of a bird.  I saw it last weekend in northern Helsinki.

It's pretty much in the middle of both shots:
< >

<
>
There are a couple more photos if you click through and look at the photostream, but they're not terribly good either.

Any ideas?  I know it's not a magpie.
Posted by: ppb on June 27 2009,10:46

Quote (Bob O'H @ June 27 2009,10:14)
Damn those illegal immigrants!  Send 'em back where they came from!

As it's half-time in the rugby, I can ask for an identification of a bird.  I saw it last weekend in northern Helsinki.

It's pretty much in the middle of both shots:
< >

<
>
There are a couple more photos if you click through and look at the photostream, but they're not terribly good either.

Any ideas?  I know it's not a magpie.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I broke out my German bird book.  It's hard to tell from the photos, but maybe a Great Grey Shrike.  Lanius excubitor.  German name is Raubwuerger.
Posted by: carlsonjok on June 28 2009,16:41

Found in our flowerbed/rock garden. Not particularly wild, but gave my wife, who was weeding, a start when it broke cover.


Posted by: Albatrossity2 on June 28 2009,17:58

Quote (Bob O'H @ June 27 2009,09:14)
Any ideas?  I know it's not a magpie.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe), based on plumage and bill structure (which is too delicate to be that of a shrike).

Lovely birds. I saw them in Scotland last year. They can be vagrants; there is actually one record for the state of Kansas from a few years back.

Here's a shot from google image search


Posted by: Bob O'H on June 29 2009,00:51

Thanks!  I'm surprised I've never seen it before.  Perhaps I've just not noticed.

I'm sat having breakfast to the sound of the swifts shrilling around outside chasing insects coming off the trees.  There are some benefits to living on the 8th floor.
Posted by: ppb on June 30 2009,21:56

Went to Cape Cod over the weekend.  When we came back from the beach we discovered a mom and her kids cavorting in our rental back yard.





I got to see lots of Ospreys too.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on July 04 2009,14:26

It is a cloudy Fourth of July here, but I managed to get some decent shots of a male Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, which is the state bird in Carlson's habitat. I can't believe that Oklahoma has a better state bird than Kansas, but it appears to be the case...




Posted by: ppb on July 06 2009,13:10

It is a beautiful day here, so I went to a local wildlife refuge for some lunch-time birding.  I saw my first < Black-billed Cuckoo >.  Now, I know with all the Creationists you guys deal with all the time that you've seen a lot of Cuckoos, but it was a first time for me.  

Very nice looking bird with red around the eyes.  Very secretive.  I almost missed him.
Posted by: Lou FCD on July 27 2009,11:02

I see a bunch of these around here. We just called them "grass spiders" growing up, but the body shape (what can be seen not covered with babies, anyway) doesn't look right to me and the closest thing the Audubon guide has a photo of is Lycosa rabida.









Bigger versions < at my Flickr page > by clicking "all sizes" just above each pic.
Posted by: rhmc on July 27 2009,20:09

Lycosidae of some flavor.  way cool with the babies.

we seem to get H. carolinensis inside sometimes.
had one live in the hall closet for weeks.
would only see it at night when it was roaming the hallway.
dunno what it lived on.
'twas big enough to tackle one of the cats...
Posted by: Lou FCD on July 27 2009,20:29

Yeah, she was a pretty good size.

Cruising around looking at photos, her coloring is kind of close to H. frondicola. You'd think those big light colored stripes along the cephalothorax would be a dead give away to her exact species, but that damned God Intelligent Designer is always trying to trick us...

ETA < some photos > of the aforementioned Rabid Wolf Spider (with updated taxonomy... Rabidosa rabida) at Bugguide.net.


Posted by: Albatrossity2 on July 30 2009,17:29

Just back from a trip to Bellingham WA and Orcas Island, in the San Juan Archipelago. Found an interesting "starfish sandwich" at low tide on Orcas Island one day; two orange starfish on either side of a purple one.


Posted by: ppb on July 31 2009,19:26

I seem to be stuck on a wild turkey theme in this thread.

Came home from work and found this on the swing set:



After hanging out there for a bit he decided to head for a nearby tree:



He stayed there for another 10 or 15 minutes before making a break for it.

We'll sometimes get a dozen or more in our yard.  They have been making < a comeback > here in Eastern Massachusetts.
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on July 31 2009,22:19

might be able to pick one of those dudes off with a wrist rocket.
Posted by: Jim_Wynne on Aug. 01 2009,09:57

I found the two feathers below in my backyard this morning. They're pretty big for most of the birds I see, with the exception of a Cooper's hawk that's attracted by the multitudinous finches that visit the feeders.

Any ideas what might have shed them?


Posted by: Dr.GH on Aug. 01 2009,11:15

Quote (Jim_Wynne @ Aug. 01 2009,07:57)
I found the two feathers below in my backyard this morning. They're pretty big for most of the birds I see, with the exception of a Cooper's hawk that's attracted by the multitudinous finches that visit the feeders.

Any ideas what might have shed them?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Hawk for sure.

How many of the posts here will be entered in the PT photo contest? There are some real contenders.


Posted by: Jim_Wynne on Aug. 01 2009,12:24

Quote (Dr.GH @ Aug. 01 2009,11:15)
Quote (Jim_Wynne @ Aug. 01 2009,07:57)
I found the two feathers below in my backyard this morning. They're pretty big for most of the birds I see, with the exception of a Cooper's hawk that's attracted by the multitudinous finches that visit the feeders.

Any ideas what might have shed them?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Hawk for sure.

How many of the posts here will be entered in the PT photo contest? There are some real contenders.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yeah, it's my friend the "Coop." I should've done teh googlez before asking here:


Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Aug. 01 2009,12:45

Quote (Jim_Wynne @ Aug. 01 2009,09:57)
I found the two feathers below in my backyard this morning. They're pretty big for most of the birds I see, with the exception of a Cooper's hawk that's attracted by the multitudinous finches that visit the feeders.

Any ideas what might have shed them?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Another excellent resource is the < Flight Feathers of N. American Birds > website.

Looks like a Coop to me too.
Posted by: subkumquat on Aug. 03 2009,00:13

Few from a recent outing a couple of miles from home.

Saw this guy in a tree while looking for egrets. First one I've seen in a while.


Decided to go in for a closer look, which meant walking through all sorts of nasty stuff.

Saw dragons along the way.


If you've ever "stalked" an osprey or other bird of prey, then you've probably gotten "The Look" at least once. It's a powerful stare...one that tells you that 8/10ths of the bird's vocabulary consists of synonyms for eviscerate and that he's always looking to add new ones. I received "The Look" quite often as I made my way down the edge of the bank towards the osprey.



While I was fixated on the osprey, another party came into play out of nowhere. From my left, almost sprinting through the water, was this tricolored heron.





I waited for 30+ minutes for the osprey to go fishing. He never did. At least the heron went for something to eat, even if the stupid osprey wouldn't.







It was tough to frame shots of him given my location and his. I had one foot stuck ankle-deep in black mud and he was often behind reeds.

I swear he sneezed. I probably have the heron flu now.



What would chairs look like if our knees were like this?



Stupid osprey is probably still in that damned tree.


Posted by: Jim_Wynne on Aug. 03 2009,10:17

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Aug. 01 2009,12:45)
Quote (Jim_Wynne @ Aug. 01 2009,09:57)
I found the two feathers below in my backyard this morning. They're pretty big for most of the birds I see, with the exception of a Cooper's hawk that's attracted by the multitudinous finches that visit the feeders.

Any ideas what might have shed them?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Another excellent resource is the < Flight Feathers of N. American Birds > website.

Looks like a Coop to me too.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks for that link.  Not only does it confirm the type, but based on some of the info there it looks like the feathers might have come from a young'un.
Posted by: Henry J on Aug. 03 2009,17:17



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
What would chairs look like if our knees were like this?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Are those its knees or its ankles?
Posted by: carlsonjok on Aug. 21 2009,19:23

New pictures taken from my property.

A flock of young wild turkeys I saw wandering off of my north pasture onto my neighbors property.



This fellow I named Jabba the Toad.



I mistook this guy for a leaf at first.  The picture lacks some detail since I resized it down from the 6Meg, 3130 x 2075 original.  it was about 4 inches across from wingtip to wingtip. Any idea what it is?


Posted by: rhmc on Aug. 21 2009,19:43

luna moth
Posted by: Lou FCD on Aug. 21 2009,19:48

Quote (carlsonjok @ Aug. 21 2009,20:23)
I mistook this guy for a leaf at first.  The picture lacks some detail since I resized it down from the 6Meg, 3130 x 2075 original.  it was about 4 inches across from wingtip to wingtip. Any idea what it is?


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


It's a Luna moth, < Actias luna >, as you would know if you'd looked back < through this very thread >.


Posted by: Timothy McDougald on Aug. 21 2009,19:59

I saw a hawk in the parking lot at my wife's work a couple of days ago. It had caught a smaller bird and was trying to eat it. Our, unfortunate, arrival distracted the hawk and the smaller bird got away. The hawk seemed to be a bit vexed with us after that. eventually flew off. Unfortunately, I didn't have my cell phone so no pictures. Later in the day I received some payback as I was sitting at a picnic table and a rather largish spider fell, or jumped since it was spinning a thread of web as it landed on my arm. I shook it off and it proceeded to act feisty and intimidating till I moved to a different bench. It then jumped onto the bench I had vacated - a distance of about a foot. Second time this year I have had a spider land on me from the trees near that picnic table. Doesn't seem to happen to my coworkers so I am developing a complex.
Posted by: Henry J on Aug. 21 2009,19:59



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
I mistook this guy for a leaf at first.  The picture lacks some detail since I resized it down from the 6Meg, 3130 x 2075 original.  it was about 4 inches across from wingtip to wingtip. Any idea what it is?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


An insect? :p
Posted by: carlsonjok on Aug. 21 2009,19:59

Moo-Joes grassy-ass.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Aug. 21 2009,20:30

Day knotta, for my part.
Posted by: Henry J on Aug. 21 2009,21:14



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Second time this year I have had a spider land on me from the trees near that picnic table. Doesn't seem to happen to my coworkers so I am developing a complex.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Is that complex specified or unspecified? :p

Henry
Posted by: Arden Chatfield on Aug. 21 2009,23:22

This morning I saw a Nuttall's Woodpecker going up and down a telephone pole very industriously. It must have been a very frustrating experience for the little guy.   ???
Posted by: Timothy McDougald on Aug. 22 2009,09:57

Quote (Henry J @ Aug. 21 2009,21:14)


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Second time this year I have had a spider land on me from the trees near that picnic table. Doesn't seem to happen to my coworkers so I am developing a complex.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Is that complex specified or unspecified? :p

Henry
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Specified - although I haven't determined if it is functionally specified   ;)
Posted by: Alan Fox on Aug. 24 2009,12:36



Evidence of intelligent design?

Spotted on a walk near my home this weekend.
Posted by: RDK on Aug. 24 2009,17:20

Apply the Explanatory Filter!
Posted by: Henry J on Aug. 24 2009,19:46



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Evidence of intelligent design?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


What, exactly, is supposed to be intelligent about that, er, formation? :p
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on Aug. 24 2009,19:51

i really like this blog

< http://rockpiles.blogspot.com/ >
Posted by: Alan Fox on Aug. 25 2009,05:55

Quote (Henry J @ Aug. 24 2009,14:46)
 

---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Evidence of intelligent design?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


What, exactly, is supposed to be intelligent about that, er, formation? :p
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



What are you insinuating?

Another view for clarification.


Posted by: deadman_932 on Aug. 30 2009,00:49


Here's what's been in my backyard-ish area lately. No worries, it's far away, but I liked this shot.
Posted by: bfish on Aug. 30 2009,01:42

I've been trying to follow this fire via the web, as it is in my old haunts. I guess I could not ride my bike up Angeles Crest Highway right now, eh?
The online maps kind of look like it is encroaching on JPL. Is that true? is it moving towards Pasadena?
Posted by: deadman_932 on Aug. 30 2009,14:36

The USDF closed some roads, as did Caltrans -- or limited access. It's pretty smoky in the area, so I dunno if *I'd* be biking up there anyway.

< http://portal.lacounty.gov/wps....09_0930 >



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Road Closures:

Soledad Cyn. Road between about soledad Cyn road (santa clarita side) to Bootlegger Road in Acton, agua dulce cyn Road and a section of the 14 fwy.

ANGELES CREST HWY @ VISTA DEL VALLE

ANGELES CREST HWY @ STARLIGHT CREST

ANGELES CREST HWY BETWEEN LA CANADA AND BIG PINES HWY

STARLIGHT CREST @ GREENRIDGE

ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST CLOSED

SOLEDAD CANYON AT 14 / AGUA DULCE AT 14 / ESCONDIDO AT 14 / RED ROVER AT 14 SOLEDAD CYN AT SIERRA


---------------------QUOTE-------------------



JPL should be fine, I can't imagine the kind of firestorm that would have to hit to put that site in real danger.

What with the very slight wind conditions, the fires have been kinda crawling around over the terrain, mostly moving north-westish, taking out some stuff that hasn't been burned in 20 years, minimum. I hate to be overly-optimistic, but it really doesn't look too bad in terms of human losses (3 structures).
Posted by: bfish on Aug. 31 2009,14:19

Quote (deadman_932 @ Aug. 30 2009,12:36)
JPL should be fine, I can't imagine the kind of firestorm that would have to hit to put that site in real danger.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


From < JPL website: >


JPL Update
August 30, 2009 5 p.m.

Fire conditions around JPL have continued to improve throughout the day, and the Lab is no longer threatened by the Station Fire.  However, there has been heavy smoke in the area.  To ensure acceptable air quality for employee safety, JPL will be closed Monday except for mission-critical personnel.


Also, it looks like the fire is creeping east above Sierra Madre, by favorite little burgh.
Posted by: dogdidit on Aug. 31 2009,16:44

Quote (Alan Fox @ Aug. 24 2009,12:36)


Evidence of intelligent design?

Spotted on a walk near my home this weekend.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That's an < inukshuk >, an Inuit land marker. Evidence of davetard.
Posted by: bfish on Sep. 02 2009,14:47

Quote (bfish @ Aug. 31 2009,12:19)
Also, it looks like the fire is creeping east above Sierra Madre, by favorite little burgh.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yikes!

The lead headline at the moment in today's < LATimes.com: >

Station wildfire marches east toward Sierra Madre

Sounds like it is well into the mountains there rather than threatening neighborhoods, but yikes! It's burning places I have hiked through. I might have to visit later this month, when the fire is hopefully long gone, and see what things look like.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Sep. 05 2009,10:21

Went down to North Topsail Beach last night to sit a nest of (probably) Loggerhead Sea Turtles, Caretta caretta, for a few hours. Alas, the turtles chose not to hatch last night, so no pictures of them.

I did however catch a few shots of shore birds (not great shots), the sunset (pretty pinks and oranges), the moon (one shot caught a plane crossing the face), and Jupiter with Callisto and Ganymede.

< The set is here >, on Flickr.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Sep. 06 2009,19:05

Quote (Lou FCD @ Sep. 05 2009,10:21)
Went down to North Topsail Beach last night to sit a nest of (probably) Loggerhead Sea Turtles, Caretta caretta, for a few hours. Alas, the turtles chose not to hatch last night, so no pictures of them.

I did however catch a few shots of shore birds (not great shots), the sunset (pretty pinks and oranges), the moon (one shot caught a plane crossing the face), and Jupiter with Callisto and Ganymede.

< The set is here >, on Flickr.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nice pics!

Isn't Topsail where Jesse Helms had a beach house?

Can't blame them turtles; I wouldn't want to be born near there either  ???
Posted by: Lou FCD on Sep. 07 2009,00:27

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Sep. 06 2009,20:05)
Quote (Lou FCD @ Sep. 05 2009,10:21)
Went down to North Topsail Beach last night to sit a nest of (probably) Loggerhead Sea Turtles, Caretta caretta, for a few hours. Alas, the turtles chose not to hatch last night, so no pictures of them.

I did however catch a few shots of shore birds (not great shots), the sunset (pretty pinks and oranges), the moon (one shot caught a plane crossing the face), and Jupiter with Callisto and Ganymede.

< The set is here >, on Flickr.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nice pics!

Isn't Topsail where Jesse Helms had a beach house?

Can't blame them turtles; I wouldn't want to be born near there either  ???
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks Alby. I don't know about Jesse owning a house there, though it wouldn't surprise me. I would, if I could afford it.

Night three of sitting the nest, and still no turtles. Two other nests laid the same day hatched last week a few miles up the beach. One hatched this evening about a mile up from where we are, but I didn't get to see it.

There seems to be a depression in the nest area, but that's just as likely to be wishful thinking as it is hatching turtles. The night wasn't as good for photos as the last two nights, but I haven't downloaded the shots to the laptop yet. I'll do that tomorrow and add any decent ones to the set.
Posted by: Zarquon on Sep. 07 2009,03:30



Ringneck parrot in my front yard.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Sep. 07 2009,07:57

Quote (Lou FCD @ Sep. 07 2009,00:27)
Thanks Alby. I don't know about Jesse owning a house there, though it wouldn't surprise me. I would, if I could afford it.

Night three of sitting the nest, and still no turtles. Two other nests laid the same day hatched last week a few miles up the beach. One hatched this evening about a mile up from where we are, but I didn't get to see it.

There seems to be a depression in the nest area, but that's just as likely to be wishful thinking as it is hatching turtles. The night wasn't as good for photos as the last two nights, but I haven't downloaded the shots to the laptop yet. I'll do that tomorrow and add any decent ones to the set.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I'm not sure I want a beach house there, given the transient nature of barrier islands, but I'd definitely like to have the money needed to even enter into that discussion! We've spent many weeks on Carolina beaches near Wilmington, and it is a lovely part of the world. Here's a story that will definitely date me!

The very first year that we spent a week on Ocean Isle with my brother, sister-in-law and their sons, we were out on the beach after dark and discovered a line of baby turtles wandering vaguely oceanward. This was before the days of the Turtle Patrol and the crime-scene tape and the nest monitoring and all of the other trappings that make a turtle nest hatching seem like a tightly-controlled event. We found the nest by following the line of turtles toward the high-tide line, it was, as with most nests in those days, completely unmarked by tape and stay-off warnings.

Some of the baby turtles were heading toward the lights of the houses, others were being attacked by large fiddler crabs, and a few were being threatened by kids with fireworks. So we shooed off the kids and the fiddler crabs, and dug a shallow trench from the nest toward the water. We probably didn't follow all the protocols that the Turtle Patrol folks would dictate; we even picked up a couple of those headed in the wrong direction and sent them toward the ocean, and I'm pretty sure that actual turtle contact is verboten these days! I took pictures with a flash on the camera, and I know that is verboten too. But we did our best, and probably saved a few turtles from an early death on the beach. We stayed until the turtles stopped coming out of the ground, and that was far past my regular bedtime!

That was the only time I've seen baby turtles. On subsequent trips we've sat with the Turtle Patrol folks, like you, and waited for nests to hatch, but no luck. One year I found the tracks where a female had lumbered up onto the beach to lay her eggs, but by the time I got back to the house to tell the others the Patrol had already cordoned off the area and were busy shooing folks away. The Ocean Isle Turtle Patrol can be a tad officious... I don't really blame them for their concern, but some of them could use a bit of help with their "people skills".

Enjoy your watching, and take lots of pics (without flash, of course). And you might enjoy some < pictures > that my friend Judd Patterson (a world-class photographer!) took of a Green sea turtle laying her eggs on a Florida beach recently.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Sep. 07 2009,09:56

Thanks for sharing, those are great shots.

No turtles last night, but I added a few more pics to the set.

You're right about the flash, but the Sea Turtle Hospital folks will pick up a turtle and get him pointed in the right direction if he's headed the wrong way. A ghost crab popped up in the sand in the nest area last night, and Sandy didn't think twice about shooing him away.

Our Turtle Patrol folks have been awesome, welcoming and educating, answering the same ten questions from the public over and over as new people come by to take a gander.

I seem to have annoyed this Great Black-Backed Gull (Larus marinus) enough that he let me know about it.



Dude, I just wanted a picture!

This little sandpiper dude looks like a Sanderling to me (Calidris alba?), but I don't know.



Sandpipers are hard for me to sort. There's like two basic kinds in my head. The little guys like that one, and then the tall lanky sort like this one:



The pelicans are tough because they're always flying parallel to the shore and a bit out, and it's hard to get a non-blurry shot of them.



And during a all-too-brief break in the very heavy cloud cover last night, I managed to catch Jupiter with all four Galileans showing for the astronomy buffs:



Left to right, they are Callisto, Io, Ganymede, Jupiter, and Europa.
Posted by: ppb on Sep. 07 2009,15:12

Lou,
Very nice pics.  As an astronomy buff, I particularly like the Jupiter shots.  How did you get them?

I was out on Cape Cod this past week and saw lots of seals.  They are very popular with the sharks however, and they closed the beach at Chatham due to some great white sightings.  We also saw a lot of whale spouts from the cliffs in Truro, and even saw a whale doing some pretty aggressive tail slapping.

I didn't get many wildlife pictures, but did get this picture of < the moon rising over Nauset Beach >.

The turtle watching sounds really interesting.  Keep up the reports.
Posted by: khan on Sep. 07 2009,18:53

I went on a 10 day leatherback turtle expedition with Earthwatch back in '93 (earthwatch.org) in St Croix USVI.

We intercepted & relocated eggs (beach erosion) retrieved hatchlings headed the wrong way, dug out nests (& the PhDs recorded hatched & unhatched & took latter for genetic tests), they took blood samples from turtle moms.

We located one w/ a radio harness: ancient large creature with antenna (cool & weird).

Standing on the point in the moonless night, in the trade winds, & the rolling surf: I guess as close to a spiritual experience as I will have.
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on Sep. 07 2009,19:39

just fly rodded a shit ton of smallmouth, longears, bluegill and a lone rock bass.  floated the most magnificent upper Clinch River on the VA/TN border.  If you don't like that sort of thing then you don't like nothing!

saw two deer, a million green herons, about 5 big blue herons, millions of plover(?), kingfishers, an osprey and what looked to be some sort of Falco sp that I don't know jack squat about.  Also saw a few gar, couple dozen giant Carpus delecti and a ton of stonerollers.  mussel shells pave the bottom and snails cover them in the shoals.  this is above all the dams which have ruined a beautiful river and treasure chest of freshwater biological diversity.

FUCK YOU TVA
Posted by: Lou FCD on Sep. 07 2009,19:50

Quote (ppb @ Sep. 07 2009,16:12)
Lou,
Very nice pics.  As an astronomy buff, I particularly like the Jupiter shots.  How did you get them?

I was out on Cape Cod this past week and saw lots of seals.  They are very popular with the sharks however, and they closed the beach at Chatham due to some great white sightings.  We also saw a lot of whale spouts from the cliffs in Truro, and even saw a whale doing some pretty aggressive tail slapping.

I didn't get many wildlife pictures, but did get this picture of < the moon rising over Nauset Beach >.

The turtle watching sounds really interesting.  Keep up the reports.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks.

I used a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS with a 300mm lens and a tripod. < Here's the meta-data for that shot >.

Mostly, I use the LouFCD Photography Method: Take lots of pictures while fooling with the buttons, and hope some of them come out good.

That's a pretty good moon shot of your own there. I like it. I'd love to do a whale cruise once. That'd be pretty frickin' awesome. We see some dolphins from shore here pretty regularly, but I think being out on the water while checking out the marine mammals would be the end all and be all of my week, at least. :)

I have a head cold and a ton of homework, and it's pouring out and I have an 8AM class, so no nest-sitting for me tonight. Of course that means the little bastards will hatch tonight.

The nest assessment will be done on Wednesday night for the nest that hatched up the beach from us last night. I'm going to try to make that, for sure.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Sep. 08 2009,19:37

Out back of the Natural Science building, we have a Science Garden. It attracts butterflies.

Today I caught a few with the camera:

Palamedes Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio palamedes) in the Science Garden today.



And we know that for certain as we can see the stripe on the underside of the wing, so we know it's not a Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes).



I also caught this Silver Spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus), a little later.



He was joined briefly by a friend.



One of them bailed, and this Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus) took his place.



And then the other Silver Spotted flew the coop, leaving only the Fiery.



At some point, I also caught this as-yet-unidentified butterfly.



So far, I've narrowed it down taxonomically to "Yellow Butterfly".
Posted by: Henry J on Sep. 08 2009,21:33

So, whose tail does the swallowtail swallow? :)
Posted by: sledgehammer on Sep. 09 2009,00:51

Quote (Henry J @ Sep. 08 2009,19:33)
So, whose tail does the swallowtail swallow? :)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


All the tales that a swallowtail would swallow if a swallowtail could swallow tales?
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on Sep. 09 2009,10:45

lou it's probably a Pierid if that helps.

i think i spelled that right.

that narrows it down to about 10 billion
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Sep. 09 2009,10:59

On the wildlife theme, but also in the spirit of pure stupid, here's a < link > to a church (and fossil courtyard) featuring the "World's Largest Horseshoe Crab".



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
The horseshoe crab splinters the evolutionary theory as it has not changed( as the fossil record shows) since it's creation on Day 5
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



This place has to be on the must-see list for at least one Topekan.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Sep. 09 2009,14:21

Quote (Erasmus @ FCD,Sep. 09 2009,11:45)
lou it's probably a Pierid if that helps.

i think i spelled that right.

that narrows it down to about 10 billion
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Actually, that helped a lot, 'Ras, as there are only 1100 species in the Pieridae family according to Wikipedia. In any event, that narrowed it down greatly, and I think I've got it down to two.

It looks to me like an < Orange Sulphur > (Colias eurytheme) or a < Clouded Sulphur > (C. philodice), or something closely related. There seems to be great skepticism of the Cloudeds being extant on the coast, so it's probably an Orange if it's either of those. It looks more like the Clouded to me, but I'm not a lepidopterist, so...

I sent an email off to my state butterfly guy from < butterfliesandmoths.org >, asking if he might take a look. I'll let you know if/when I hear something back.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Sep. 09 2009,18:02

Quote (Erasmus, FCD @ Sep. 09 2009,11:45)
lou it's probably a Pierid if that helps.

i think i spelled that right.

that narrows it down to about 10 billion
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae).

Very kindly identified for me by Harry LeGrand of the NC Natural Heritage Program.
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on Sep. 09 2009,21:19

wow that is a big gun.  sorta like pulling out a nuke to shoot a skunk.  how'd you pull that off?

ETA  never mind.  Harry LeGrand does spot email butterfly ID's?  what a guy.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Sep. 09 2009,23:27

Quote (Erasmus, FCD @ Sep. 09 2009,22:19)
wow that is a big gun.  sorta like pulling out a nuke to shoot a skunk.  how'd you pull that off?

ETA  never mind.  Harry LeGrand does spot email butterfly ID's?  what a guy.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I sent him an email and asked.

Simple as that.

:)
Posted by: rhmc on Sep. 10 2009,11:43

did the turkles hatch yet?
Posted by: Lou FCD on Sep. 10 2009,12:34

Quote (rhmc @ Sep. 10 2009,12:43)
did the turkles hatch yet?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Don't know about my nest. I haven't been back or heard anything since Sunday night. According to the Sea Turtle Hospital website though, it has not. I don't know how often they update, though.

I didn't make the nest analyses last night for the two nests that hatched Sunday. I've been battling some jungle lung disease, and just couldn't make it.

ETA: I see that the Sea Turtle Hospital folks updated as recently as yesterday, with a nest hatching the night before last. Mine had not yet hatched to that point.


Posted by: carlsonjok on Sep. 10 2009,12:56

Quote (Lou FCD @ Sep. 10 2009,12:34)
Quote (rhmc @ Sep. 10 2009,12:43)
did the turkles hatch yet?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Don't know about my nest. I haven't been back or heard anything since Sunday night. According to the Sea Turtle Hospital website though, it has not. I don't know how often they update, though.

I didn't make the nest analyses last night for the two nests that hatched Sunday. I've been battling some jungle lung disease, and just couldn't make it.

ETA: I see that the Sea Turtle Hospital folks updated as recently as yesterday, with a nest hatching the night before last. Mine had not yet hatched to that point.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Here is a turkle picture to hold you all over.


Posted by: deadman_932 on Sep. 10 2009,14:11

Re carlson's post above: Awww. That was a good guy.

I bet HE wouldn't let a minor thing like possible pulmonary edema stop him in his quest for understanding the mighty sea turtle.

Why, I bet he'd cough up a lung just to use it as a floatation device as he snorkled the seas in search of baby turtles. The utes of today are but a pale shadow of such giants, I tells ya.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Sep. 13 2009,14:01



Spiny Backed Orb Weaver (Gasteracantha cancriformis or Gasteracantha elipsoides depending on who you ask, apparently). Also sometimes called a Jewel Box Spider.

I walked outside today to find five individuals and their webs.

I had to chase this little guy all over the garden to get a decent picture of him:



I haven't had time to look him up yet, though.
Posted by: fusilier on Sep. 14 2009,13:58

I know...I know, without a picture it really didn't happen.

We have a red-tail hawk in our Indianapolis neighborhood, sat in a tree next door for a good ten minutes while we (My Beloved and Darling Wife and I) glassed it.

Lovely bird.
Posted by: Henry J on Sep. 14 2009,20:35



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
I know, without a picture it really didn't happen.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Does that mean I didn't really see that lizard scamper across the sidewalk the other day? :p

Henry
Posted by: Tony M Nyphot on Sep. 15 2009,17:42

Tourista snaps from Jellystone Park:






The Zombiecoons next door (2 different nights):




Posted by: Lou FCD on Sep. 16 2009,05:43

Barn Spider (Neoscona crucifera), near as I can tell.


Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Sep. 17 2009,04:25

OK, I got the following pics in email and a request for identification. Any international herpetologists in the house? These were taken in Lagos, Nigeria.





And here is the text of the email:

 

---------------------QUOTE-------------------

Please find attached 2 photos of an animal (probably a reptile/amphibian)
i saw lying on the fence of my house. Could you help identify what
particular animal it is? The picture resolution might not be so great
because i took the photo with my mobile phone standing in my room
upstairs. I believe it came from the bush behind the wall. Also note that
the bush is in a marshy land - its a bit water logged.

I came across your website on the internet when i googled for online
zoologist.

Regards,

Gbenga Fasusi.
+2348056702776
(from Lagos, Nigeria)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Posted by: jswilkins on Sep. 17 2009,05:31

Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ Sep. 17 2009,19:25)
OK, I got the following pics in email and a request for identification. Any international herpetologists in the house? These were taken in Lagos, Nigeria.





---------------------QUOTE-------------------

[/quote]
I think it's a Varanus niloticus or Varanus exanthematicus; a monitor lizard. Probably the latter:

< http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savannah_monitor >
Posted by: bfish on Sep. 17 2009,12:03

Quote (jswilkins @ Sep. 17 2009,03:31)
 
Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ Sep. 17 2009,19:25)
OK, I got the following pics in email and a request for identification. Any international herpetologists in the house? These were taken in Lagos, Nigeria.





---------------------QUOTE-------------------


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I think it's a Varanus niloticus or Varanus exanthematicus; a monitor lizard. Probably the latter:

< http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savannah_monitor >[/quote]


Definitely a monitor species.

I'm no expert, but Wilkins seems to have nailed it with his first try, Varanus niloticus.

The google images for that species look awfully like that feller, and the
< wiki page > on it says the Nile Monitor is happy in the water. Gets to be awfully big, as well.

ETA: In thinking Nile Monitor, I'm looking at the stripes made up of little ovals. Seems like they might be diagnostic.

ETA II: not sure why I'm having such formatting issues lately when quoting.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Sep. 17 2009,13:55

I found a pretty little Orchard Orbweaver (Leucauge venusta) in my bush this morning:



...and got a neat shot of one of my new pet Spiny-backed Orbweavers (Gasteracantha cancriformis or Gasteracantha elipsoides - What's up with the naming thing, btw? Pick one, please!) finishing up some lunch:


Posted by: Bob O'H on Sep. 17 2009,15:53



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Gasteracantha cancriformis or Gasteracantha elipsoides - What's up with the naming thing, btw? Pick one, please!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I know.  I had great fun a few years ago with the < scarlet tiger moth >.  It started out as Panaxia dominula, and ended up as Callimorpha dominula.  Along the way it got called Callimorpha (Panaxia) dominula.  I was using material from all 3 time periods, so the bloody thing kept on changing.

Mind you, this is even worse for mycologists.  They give different names to the sexual and asexual phases.  Which was a relief when the discovered that Pseudocercosporella herpotrichoides is really two Tapesia species.
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Sep. 17 2009,19:16

Back when I lived in San Diego, I was renting a house on Point Loma, about 200' away from the intersection of Nimitz Boulevard and Rosecrans. Even in that developed area, we got visitations from possums and raccons, unwelcome because we kept the hawks and pigeons in our back yard. One night, we got turned out and found there were at least five raccoons in the yard. At first I thought I was pretty vicious in the way I chased them out, but afterwards we discovered that while they had not gone after the hawks, they had eaten one of our pigeons by ripping it apart and pulling pieces out of the cage. At that point, I felt I had not been vicious enough.
Posted by: Louis on Sep. 17 2009,19:24

Quote (Lou FCD @ Sep. 17 2009,19:55)
I found a pretty little Orchard Orbweaver (Leucauge venusta) in my bush this morning:

[SNIP]
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


{Sounds of extreme straining}

Nnnnnnnnooooo. Mustn't do it. Nnnnnnnnoonononononono. Hold on tight. No. No. No.

{Sound of willpower snapping like 6 inch thick steel rope on a breakaway oil tanker}


Painful. I have a cream for that if you'd like.

Damn. Back to therapy.

Louis
Posted by: Lou FCD on Sep. 17 2009,20:01

Quote (Louis @ Sep. 17 2009,20:24)
Quote (Lou FCD @ Sep. 17 2009,19:55)
I found a pretty little Orchard Orbweaver (Leucauge venusta) in my bush this morning:

[SNIP]
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


{Sounds of extreme straining}

Nnnnnnnnooooo. Mustn't do it. Nnnnnnnnoonononononono. Hold on tight. No. No. No.

{Sound of willpower snapping like 6 inch thick steel rope on a breakaway oil tanker}


Painful. I have a cream for that if you'd like.

Damn. Back to therapy.

Louis
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


You are getting very slow in your decrepitude. I thought you'd have been all over that within minutes.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Sep. 17 2009,20:02

Quote (Bob O'H @ Sep. 17 2009,16:53)


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Gasteracantha cancriformis or Gasteracantha elipsoides - What's up with the naming thing, btw? Pick one, please!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I know.  I had great fun a few years ago with the < scarlet tiger moth >.  It started out as Panaxia dominula, and ended up as Callimorpha dominula.  Along the way it got called Callimorpha (Panaxia) dominula.  I was using material from all 3 time periods, so the bloody thing kept on changing.

Mind you, this is even worse for mycologists.  They give different names to the sexual and asexual phases.  Which was a relief when the discovered that Pseudocercosporella herpotrichoides is really two Tapesia species.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


It's all very annoying.

*shakes fist at all you damned Biologists*







oh wait...
Posted by: Louis on Sep. 17 2009,20:06

Quote (Lou FCD @ Sep. 18 2009,02:01)
Quote (Louis @ Sep. 17 2009,20:24)
Quote (Lou FCD @ Sep. 17 2009,19:55)
I found a pretty little Orchard Orbweaver (Leucauge venusta) in my bush this morning:

[SNIP]
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


{Sounds of extreme straining}

Nnnnnnnnooooo. Mustn't do it. Nnnnnnnnoonononononono. Hold on tight. No. No. No.

{Sound of willpower snapping like 6 inch thick steel rope on a breakaway oil tanker}


Painful. I have a cream for that if you'd like.

Damn. Back to therapy.

Louis
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


You are getting very slow in your decrepitude. I thought you'd have been all over that within minutes.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I had duct taped myself to a distant chair to prevent that comment. Luckily I escaped by chewing my own limbs off and typed that message with my nose.

I give myself a C-, could try harder.

Louis
Posted by: Richardthughes on Sep. 17 2009,20:25

Good pics, Lou. You has teh_gift!!!1111
Posted by: Lou FCD on Sep. 17 2009,20:34

Thanks Rich, I'm working on mah skilz.

You might find < some of these > to your liking, too.

;)
Posted by: Robin on Sep. 18 2009,11:13

Nice thread. Pity I'm late to this party.

I got into birding a few years ago and I have worked on creating a set of wildlife habitat zones in my backyard. Sadly I have rural 300 acre aspiration on a suburban 1/3 acre lot here in Northern Virginia, but hey...I can dream.

I have managed to get some unusual (for my local) migrants to stop by, in particular a few Rose-breasted grosbeaks, both Golden and Ruby-crowned Kinglets, a pair of nesting Mallards (there's no water within a few miles of my house folks, nevermind no real cover - move along), and a flock (not in the hundreds, but more than I could count) Cedar Waxwings (them's Red Mulberries are apparently good eatin'). The most spectacular was an enormous female Red-tailed who thought the yard (and neighborhood as a whole) was just peachy, though it did make me wonder what food-source critters were around in enough abundance that kept her around for 6 months or so. We do regularly get Cooper's, but a Red-tail (as I understand it) doesn't general eat feeder birds, so that perplexed me. Currently I'm trying to make a good snag for a pair of Northern Flickers who have taken a liking to my yard. We'll see how that goes since several Red-bellied, Harrys and Downys are also vying for lodging space.

As far as unual encounters goes though, nothing (yet) beats the Rough-legged hawk I saw at a nearby pond two weeks ago. Seems very out-of-character given the information I've read, but I'd be interested in any information from the resident ornithologists here on that one. Beautiful bird and not nearly as skittish as most of the other resident hawks around these parts.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Sep. 18 2009,13:12

Better late than never, Robin.

Today I found a very calm lizard who let me get very up close and personal,



and a very angry spider.



(In all fairness to the spider, I'd be kinda cranky too, were I missing a few appendages.)
Posted by: Robin on Sep. 18 2009,14:23

[quote=Lou FCD,Sep. 18 2009,13:12][/quote]
Better late than never, Robin.

Today I found a very calm lizard...



and a very angry spider.



(In all fairness to the spider, I'd be kinda cranky too, were I missing a few appendages.)


Hmmm...Mr. Cranky Spider looks suspiciously like a Brown Recluse. They can be VERY cranky indeed! I'm surprised he didn't try to take your camera away!


< http://images.search.yahoo.com/images....vadfvcn >


< http://www.brownreclusespider.com/info.htm >
Posted by: Lou FCD on Sep. 18 2009,16:15

Quote (Robin @ Sep. 18 2009,15:23)
Hmmm...Mr. Cranky Spider looks suspiciously like a Brown Recluse. They can be VERY cranky indeed! I'm surprised he didn't try to take your camera away!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That's where I keep ending up too, though Mr. Cranky doesn't have the signature violin on the back, the front end coloration is kinda off, and though it's hard to say for sure, I think Mr. Cranky has eight eyes in three rows (2-4-2, it looks to me like) where Loxosceles reclusa has only six, arranged in one row of three pairs.

< Here's the big size >.
Posted by: Richardthughes on Sep. 18 2009,16:27

You're getting far too good at this biology thing, Lou. Back to lolcats and crossdressing, puh-lease.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Sep. 18 2009,18:10

Quote (Richardthughes @ Sep. 18 2009,17:27)
You're getting far too good at this biology thing, Lou. Back to lolcats and crossdressing, puh-lease.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


:) I'll get out the little red dress this weekend, just for you. I hope it still fits!
Posted by: Lou FCD on Sep. 19 2009,16:38

We started the process of moving the Science Garden at school this morning to make way for some construction. While in the midst of that, I took a few shots.

Anybody got an idea as to what sort of caterpillar this is?

Here's the head:



and the tail:



we found this really honkin' big Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia). She was close in to the wall, and it was difficult to get anything of her dorsal side.



She had a pretty shadow, too:



Who says Biologists are serious all the time?



That's a live Carolina Anole (Anolis carolinensis) hanging from his ear. That's why Coastal pays him the big bucks. To entertain us. (Also maybe because he's almost a Dr.)

We keep these Pitcher Plants in both purple and yellow (Sarracenia flava)varieties:



and of course our indigenous Flytraps, the ever popular and also carnivorous Dionaea muscipula:



and I got a really nice shot of this Sphinx Moth (Xylophanes tersa)



It was a good day.
Posted by: rhmc on Sep. 19 2009,19:14

the 'pillar would appear to be one of the Hyles gallii flavors....

ETA:  http://usmo4.discoverlife.org/mp/20q?guide=Caterpillars
Posted by: Lou FCD on Sep. 19 2009,19:49

Quote (rhmc @ Sep. 19 2009,20:14)
the 'pillar would appear to be one of the Hyles gallii flavors....

ETA:  http://usmo4.discoverlife.org/mp/20q?guide=Caterpillars
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That's the one, thanks! I was having a time trying to find it.
Posted by: George on Sep. 21 2009,07:47

Quote (Lou FCD @ Sep. 19 2009,16:38)
We keep these Pitcher Plants in both purple and yellow (Sarracenia flava)varieties:

(snip image)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


You might be interested to hear that North American pitcher plants (S. purpurea) have been introduced to Irish bogs, where they are highly invasive.  One ecosystem's pretty plant is another's plague!

 
Quote (Lou FCD @ Sep. 19 2009,16:38)
Who says Biologists are serious all the time?

(snip image)

That's a live Carolina Anole (Anolis carolinensis) hanging from his ear. That's why Coastal pays him the big bucks. To entertain us. (Also maybe because he's almost a Dr.)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


When I was on staff at Boy Scout camp I'd hang live skinks from my ear to amaze the kids for peanuts.  Had no idea there was a big market for it.
Posted by: Robin on Sep. 21 2009,10:07

Quote (Lou FCD @ Sep. 18 2009,16:15)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------




---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Quote (Robin @ Sep. 18 2009,15:23)
Hmmm...Mr. Cranky Spider looks suspiciously like a Brown Recluse. They can be VERY cranky indeed! I'm surprised he didn't try to take your camera away!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That's where I keep ending up too, though Mr. Cranky doesn't have the signature violin on the back, the front end coloration is kinda off, and though it's hard to say for sure, I think Mr. Cranky has eight eyes in three rows (2-4-2, it looks to me like) where Loxosceles reclusa has only six, arranged in one row of three pairs.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Hmmm...you got me thinking and doing some research. Came up with either a male Southern House Spider (Kukulcania (Filistata) hibernalis):
< http://images.search.yahoo.com/images....04ljfsq >

See also:

< http://www.spiderzrule.com/housespider.htm >

Or maybe a male Brown House Spider (Steatoda grossa):

< http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_house_spider >

Not much else fits the description.

I found a really beautiful female Flat-faced Spider crawling around on my screen door on Saturday.

And that is a great photo of an Agiope, Lou! Nice stuff!
Posted by: Robin on Sep. 21 2009,10:11

Ooops...Broad-faced Sac Spider:

< http://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/broad-faced-sac-spider >
Posted by: Lou FCD on Sep. 21 2009,18:45

Quote (George @ Sep. 21 2009,08:47)
Quote (Lou FCD @ Sep. 19 2009,16:38)
We keep these Pitcher Plants in both purple and yellow (Sarracenia flava)varieties:

(snip image)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


You might be interested to hear that North American pitcher plants (S. purpurea) have been introduced to Irish bogs, where they are highly invasive.  One ecosystem's pretty plant is another's plague!

 
Quote (Lou FCD @ Sep. 19 2009,16:38)
Who says Biologists are serious all the time?

(snip image)

That's a live Carolina Anole (Anolis carolinensis) hanging from his ear. That's why Coastal pays him the big bucks. To entertain us. (Also maybe because he's almost a Dr.)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


When I was on staff at Boy Scout camp I'd hang live skinks from my ear to amaze the kids for peanuts.  Had no idea there was a big market for it.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


First breathtakingly inane creationism, then invasive pitcher plants! We're like the STI that keeps on giving.

My subsequent understanding is that this lizard-earring-for-entertainment trick has been done to death. I enjoyed it anyway, and will perform this trick at parties nonetheless.

Mostly because it entertains me, I don't even give a damn about the audience... :)
Posted by: Lou FCD on Sep. 21 2009,18:46

Robin, that certainly is closer than anything else I've found so far. I'll have to look into that. Thanks for the lead, and for the compliments on the photos.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Sep. 21 2009,19:17

Yesterday around dawn, Doc and I took a trip to a not-so-far-away undisclosed location in a pine savanna. We got positively eaten alive by mosquitoes, just to bring you all some lovely photos.

I took about 300 pictures, around 25-30% of which might be worth looking at. That's way too many to post here, so here are some highlights:

Some pretty purple flowers that came out nice



Mr. Bee, early in the morning



A pretty little orb weaver that I haven't gotten a positive ID on yet, but might be closely related to the marbled (Araneus marmoreus)



A long way off, my 300mm long lens all the way out in very early morning light and lots of shadows, but this is probably my best shot of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis) we saw playing with a couple of Downies



Viceroy Butterfly (Limenitis archippus)



I managed to get a dorsal view of a Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia) to go with the ventral shots of the one I took at school on Saturday



A really pretty red dragonfly. I haven't even thought about tracking IDs down for the different colored dragonflies I shot



I think this is an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), we saw both a male and female (this is the female)



Some Yellow Pitcher Plants (Sarracenia flava). (We saw about every damned type of carnivorous plant indigenous to the area out there!)



Note the folded-over hood that distinguishes the Yellow from the Purple (pictured in my previous post).

A Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus) that I think came out rather nicely



I even got a shot just for 'Ras, though I haven't even begun to try to figure out what it is



But the highlight of the day was when Doc stopped and pointed to a little butterfly that was acting very very strangely. For all the world, it looked like this guy was walking backwards up the stem of a flower



When the wind blew a little bit, we got an explanation for the butterfly's strange behavior



And then a much better view of this little predator, a crab spider I haven't identified yet



Doc smiled, and said to me

 

---------------------QUOTE-------------------
That's Nature, red in tooth and claw.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Sweet.

The entire set of half-way decent photos can be found in this set called < Daybreak in the Pine Savanna > on my Flickr page for anyone who cares to peruse.
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on Sep. 21 2009,20:10

amanita something or the other.  probly, it's hard to tell. without a picture of the volva
Posted by: Lou FCD on Sep. 21 2009,20:58

Quote (Erasmus, FCD @ Sep. 21 2009,21:10)
amanita something or the other.  probly, it's hard to tell. without a picture of the volva
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I tried that tactic with my fairer classmates. It got me slapped.
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on Sep. 21 2009,21:12

it's a pretty fragile structure, Lou.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Sep. 21 2009,21:14

I just checked my recycled shots, to see if maybe I accidentally got a shot of the volva, but I didn't.

I'm obviously not a mycologist, but next time I'll know.
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Sep. 21 2009,21:47

Diane has been checking out houses for sale here in Pinellas County. A house on the market happened to be near a park, so she looked at it and went over to the park. Well, now she's in the hospital for antibiotics and observation overnight because an alligator bit her.

She was walking by the lake and saw the water churn, and headed away. She had to go uphill to get away, but slipped and fell down. The alligator came up and bit her on the back of the calf. She ended up convincing it to let go, and got herself to an emergency room. Her parents and I came and got to see them dressing the wounds and hooking her up to IV antibiotics. Because the danger of infection is so high, they decided to admit her for 24 hours observation.
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on Sep. 21 2009,21:51

holy moly!

ummm are you gonna buy the house?  or is it too soon to ask?

ETA  only you guys are tough enough to get attacked by alligators while house shopping!
Posted by: jswilkins on Sep. 21 2009,22:07

My god, Wesley! You folk do lead interesting lives. Give her my best.
Posted by: Henry J on Sep. 21 2009,22:32

Crickey!
Posted by: Lou FCD on Sep. 21 2009,23:41

Eh, if she were really tough, she'd have taken pictures before making it let go.

:D

Wishing her well, tell her so.
Posted by: Bob O'H on Sep. 22 2009,02:02

Ouch, Wes.  I hope Diane's OK - give her my (well, our I guess) best wishes.
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Sep. 22 2009,04:02

As easy as Diane made it seem, I have the suspicion that things are serious yet. The emergency room led with intravenous Vancomycin, which is pretty much the antibiotic of last resort for all sorts of nasty resistant strains. She had tooth punctures on the left calf and left thumb, I'd estimate about sixteen of them on the calf. I haven't slept well, and it will probably be mid-morning before we get further word on how she's doing. Last night, we had a four-handed game of Rummi-Kub at her bedside as the IV antibiotic went in. I'm hoping things continue to proceed in that light vein.
Posted by: jswilkins on Sep. 22 2009,04:11

Well I'm thinking of her in the Antipodes. I thought such attacks were our sole domain. You guys aren't supposed to have dangerous wildlife; just us Aussies.
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Sep. 22 2009,04:32

I found a < paper online surveying alligator attacks in the USA >, which found 376 cases from 1948 to 2004. Part of the discussion of 15 known fatalities is a bit grisly:



---------------------QUOTE-------------------

The length of the alligators associated with fatalities ranged from 5 feet 7 inches to 12 feet 5 inches, and most were over 8 feet long. In 4 cases no information on the alligator was known. In 1 of the cases, up to 6 alligators may have been involved in the attack, but the majority of the victim’s body parts was found in only 1 of the animals.

---------------------QUOTE-------------------



And the part of particular interest at the moment:



---------------------QUOTE-------------------

If a person survives the traumatic injury, his or her wounds may be infected by various microbial organisms, especially gram-negative bacteria. Numerous aerobic, anaerobic, and fungal species have been cultured from the mouths of alligators and crocodiles. Pseudomonas, Enterococcus, Aeromonas, and Clostridium species were isolated from crocodile-attack wounds in Australia.13 Aeromonas hydrophila, Enterobacter agglomerans, and Citrobacter diversus were isolated from an alligator bite in Louisiana.8 A hydrophila, Serratia spp, and Pseudomonas spp have been isolated in other alligator-bite injuries in Florida.4 –6. Crocodile attacks in other countries have been infected with Burkolderia pseudomallei and Bacteriodes species.13

---------------------QUOTE-------------------



The time of day of the attack falls into the group with the most numbers noted in the paper.
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Sep. 22 2009,04:53

Lightning strikes are more common, but then again lightning can happen just about anywhere. I suspect that if corrected for geographical extent, lightning strike and alligator attack are probably in the same probability ballpark. If the distribution were uniform (which it isn't, according to the paper), there were about 7 attacks on average per year for the 1948-2004 period. The skew in attacks is toward increasing numbers in more recent years, a finding in line with increasing populations of alligators while habitat loss continues. This puts more alligators and people in proximity.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Sep. 22 2009,05:38

I'm sure there's some great "Hang On!" lolcaption appropriate for this that you could give to Diane:


Posted by: ppb on Sep. 22 2009,08:23

Yikes!!!  I remember seeing a few alligators when I lived in Florida, but I never got that close!  Give my best wishes to Diane.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Sep. 23 2009,16:15

My Zo class went tromping through some different woods yesterday, along a nature trail the college owns.

Some highlights from my most recent mosquito feeding excursion:

The coloration of this guy was pretty neat.



Our designated tadpole netter did a respectable job, pulling up a few specimens to catch, ogle, and release.



Though it's a Zoology class, we didn't ignore Kingdom Plantae:



Jack in the Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)

Or Kingdom Fungi







I don't recall what kind of beetle Dr. Grant said this was, but he was cool.



or what kind of frog



Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina)



One of the few spider photos I took that came out worth a damn



Slimy Salamander (Plethodon glutinosus)


Posted by: bfish on Sep. 24 2009,01:38

Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ Sep. 21 2009,19:47)
Diane was walking by the lake and saw the water churn, and headed away. She had to go uphill to get away, but slipped and fell down. The alligator came up and bit her on the back of the calf. She ended up convincing it to let go, and got herself to an emergency room.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Jesus Christ!! That's very scary. Hope she is healing nicely.

I spent a couple of days in Kakadu National Park during the wet season, and the idea of crocodiles never left the front of my mind if I was within twenty feet of water. When we entered the Park (this less than a month after a German tourist was killed in a billabong), the ranger told me, "Around here, you don't dangle it over the water to take a pee, mate."

This is my favorite crocodile picture. It's a little 'un - less than three meters.


Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on Sep. 24 2009,09:08

lou that's a bess beetle, Passalidae.  i don't recall the genus epithet.  bug guide it.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Sep. 24 2009,13:07

Quote (Erasmus @ FCD,Sep. 24 2009,10:08)
lou that's a bess beetle, Passalidae.  i don't recall the genus epithet.  bug guide it.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks babe, you're a peach.

In other sort-of related news, one of my Chem Labmates came in today with pictures of a baby alligator she found dead in her driveway this morning.

Weird.

ETA, upon seeing it @ Wikipedia, I remember what he called it - A Patent Leather Beetle.

That's Odontotaenius disjunctus.


Posted by: Lou FCD on Sep. 24 2009,13:09

Oh and P.S., I hunted down the froggie on teh interwebs.

Southern Toad (Bufo terrestris).
Posted by: Lou FCD on Sep. 24 2009,15:59

Praying Peek-A-Boo.



Picking His Teeth (which he doesn't have)



I haven't even begun to look into identifying which species on this one, and it's too pretty a day. Maybe tonight.
Posted by: Henry J on Sep. 24 2009,22:12



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Picking His Teeth (which he doesn't have)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Probably just preparing for when he evolves some... :p

Henry
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Sep. 25 2009,16:56

The media noticed...

< http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2009/9/25/525431.html >

Those folks link to a video of their broadcast clip. If anybody has a recipe for saving the video file, PM me.

< http://www.theledger.com/article....ligator >

< http://www.tampabay.com/news....1039205 >
Posted by: rhmc on Sep. 25 2009,18:55

me no like water lizards...but gators are much better than them aussie crocs...more survivors of attacks in this hemisphere...
Posted by: Timothy McDougald on Sep. 25 2009,19:08

I hope things are still going well with Diane and that her recovery continues with no complications.
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Sep. 25 2009,19:15

So far, so good.

Off-topic for this thread, corporate predators did a number on my parents on Thursday, but recession disasters don't rate media attention.
Posted by: J-Dog on Sep. 25 2009,19:48

Wow... I just cought up on this - I hope Diane and you are ok!

I thought this might help...
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on Sep. 25 2009,20:30

damn she went for the eyeball gouge!  thats lumberjack foightin'!!!

we know who keeps who in line at your house Wes!  

glad that she is doing OK.
Posted by: khan on Sep. 26 2009,10:31

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Erasmus is right: don't get on her bad side.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Sep. 27 2009,11:48

Found this guy on the temporary walk next to some construction at school last week:

< >

< >

< >

< >

Bipalium kewense, I think, a free-living predatory flatworm. My Zo Prof was pretty interested to see him, as he hadn't seen one in this area for two decades.

I collected him and his earthworm breakfast into a ziplock with a wet paper towel and we passed him around the class before I let him go in the bed of the Science Garden.

He excreted his breakfast in the bag while we had him. (Is that the right term for it in an animal with a sac-like digestive system? Can you excrete when your anus is your mouth? Or is that vomiting? Should we ask the IDC folks? They seem to have some experience in that area...)


Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Sep. 27 2009,12:03

That's a nifty critter, Lou! I've no idea if they live around here, but I've sure never seen one.

I spent the morning at a local butterfly garden, which is maintained by our Audubon chapter. Lots of critters, including a visiting hummingbird (Ruby-throated) and a partially albino crow (tail and lower back were white!). I didn't get a pic of the crow since I was set up for macro flash photography, alas. But I did spy this vicious predator, stalking the wild butterfly. No luck with that stalk, but right after that he eyed my camera as if he was thinking about jumping me...




Posted by: Lou FCD on Sep. 27 2009,12:41

Two really sweet shots, Alby! Sounds like you had a great morning!
Posted by: Henry J on Sep. 27 2009,16:05



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
but right after that he eyed my camera as if he was thinking about jumping me...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Well, it seems well equipped for the "eyeing" part! :D
Posted by: bfish on Sep. 27 2009,19:33

Diane is now officially famous.
< CNN!! >
Posted by: Lou FCD on Sep. 27 2009,21:19

Quote (Diane @ CNN)
I guess he didn't like that.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



lol, you go, Diane.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Sep. 30 2009,18:54

A few spiders I've seen around lately:

Neoscona crucifera on the back of my house.



Bowl and Doily Spider (Frontinella communis) in the tree out back. She was a real bitch to get a half-way decent photo of because she's so small and the breeze kept bouncing her around.



My new neighbor called me over to take a look at a "huge" spider on the side of her house, which actually turned out to be pretty small for what I've seen of the species (Argiope aurantia).



American House Spider (Achaearanea tepidariorum), also on the back of my house:



< All my spider pics on Flickr >.


Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Oct. 03 2009,10:24

Currently in the Black Hills of South Dakota. I've posted some pics (wildlife and scenery) on my Facebook page. Here's a prairie dog from the Devil's Tower National Monument.

Posted by: J-Dog on Oct. 03 2009,10:43

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Oct. 03 2009,10:24)
Currently in the Black Hills of South Dakota. I've posted some pics (wildlife and scenery) on my Facebook page. Here's a prairie dog from the Devil's Tower National Monument.

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Albo - Cute!  Your pic is so good, it might be enougth to get Deadman off his squirrel kick...:)
Posted by: Louis on Oct. 03 2009,10:45

Crikey Wes! Captain "quick on the uptake" here has just noticed your posts. I hope Diane is on the mend and all is good.

Vancomycin? Holy Moley! That is a serious choice of antibiotic. The alligator is safer! (Only kidding)

Louis
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Oct. 03 2009,11:50

Quote (Louis @ Oct. 03 2009,10:45)
Crikey Wes! Captain "quick on the uptake" here has just noticed your posts. I hope Diane is on the mend and all is good.

Vancomycin? Holy Moley! That is a serious choice of antibiotic. The alligator is safer! (Only kidding)

Louis
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Diane is still on the mend, and is still taking oral antibiotics. She'll have some follow-up medical visits this next week, but we haven't seen any sign of an infection yet.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Oct. 04 2009,20:17

Took a break from Chem homework and went for a walk today. I moseyed by an empty lot up the street that's all grown over.

Anybody know what this is? Closest thing I could find is an Elongate Aphid Fly, but they're in like England or something.



Here's another look:



This might be a Sleepy Orange Sulphur (Abaeis <Eurema> nicippe), but I'm really a little lost on the sulphurs. A lot of times, the one looks the same as the next to me, if there isn't a big ol' eyespot or two.



This little Skipper I haven't nailed down yet, either:



Lots of bees and wasps buzzing around, including this guy, which I think is a Blue Winged Wasp (Zethus spinipes variegatus)



and a Regular Old Wasp (Regularis ouchius stingymyassius) (ETA: Best I can figure, this is a Polistes metricus. The yellow face is typical of the males in the Polistes genus.)



and the transparency of the wings on this bumble was something I'd never noticed before



Amazing what you notice when you open your eyes and look.

For instance, this guy here reminded me of Louis, the way he was flashing me:



See what I mean?


Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Oct. 04 2009,20:47

American Dipper (Cinclus mexicanus), with aspens reflected in the water - Spearfish Creek, Black Hills National Forest

Posted by: Lou FCD on Oct. 05 2009,21:45

Alby, I love the way the Aspen reflections set off the blue tones in the wood and the Dipper.
Posted by: Louis on Oct. 06 2009,02:43

Gents I have to say I really admire what you are doing. I haven't been out on a proper zoological nature walk since I was in prep school and being taught biology by a very inspirational biology teacher. It's something I want to start again, especially for the benefit of the young un when he's a bit older.

Have you guys got any tips for starting up photography of specimens/sightings? Are there online resources for identifying these things or will i have to pester the crap out of you guys when I get this going?

Louis
Posted by: Lou FCD on Oct. 06 2009,05:43

I love this stuff. As much fun as it is to sometimes look through a microscope and see weird stuff oozing and swimming and tumbling around, I'm finding my real passion is walking out in the bush and taking photos.

< Bugguide > is an example of one site I use a lot for bugs, but it has two limitations:

One, it's Americentric, so it won't be a lot of good to you except to get you in the general ballpark.

Two, it's useless if you don't have at pretty good idea of what you're looking at to begin with. Since it's arranged taxonomically, and some families and even genera have thousands of species... well, it's kind of awkward.

I usually start with my Audubon field guides (I have the ones for birds, trees, reptiles and amphibians, and insects and spiders). They'll get me pointed in the right direction, even if they only show the most common critters.

Then I do the google thing, and search for a species name of whatever I found in the guide that sort of looks like what I have in the photo.

Then I can go to Bugguide or to Cornell's Ornithology site or whatever, depending on the critter, and usually I can get pretty close.

Then I post the shots here. If I note that I haven't nailed a critter down, usually Alby or someone will come along and lend a hand.

Also, my profs are always quick to drop whatever they're doing and chase down an identification of things they've not seen before. They sort of have that "oooo shiny!" look in their eye... I love that.

I've also been known to inappropriately but precociously email photos to Important People with Important Jobs™ and ask for a little help. (see a page or three back in this thread regarding a sulphur butterfly)

ETA: Advice from a n00b:

First and foremost, use a good camera. I can't even express to you the joy of getting home and uploading the pictures I've taken to discover I've got a shot that to me is just a gorgeous photo in addition to being useful for identification of a species.

It's nearly as good as sex with Arden's mom.


Posted by: Louis on Oct. 06 2009,10:22

Quote (Lou FCD @ Oct. 06 2009,11:43)
[SNIP GOOD ADVICE]

It's nearly as good as sex with Arden's mom.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That bad huh?

But seriously....

Thanks for the advice, I'll get saving for a good camera and some lenses etc. Any recommendations from the assembled camera experts? For example, is there a good quality set of lenses I could buy that are likely to last longer than the life of a camera? What I mean is, if I buy a digital camera with (pulls number out of thin air) 10 megapixel resolution and next year out comes a 20 megapixel camera are there "universal" lenses which are likely to fit both cameras? I guess this would be limited by manufacturer etc (Canon lenses might not fit Nikon cameras for example), but as I understand it, the lenses are the expensive bit, cameras are relatively cheap. Maybe I'm wrong, which is of course why I am asking you shower! ;-)

Louis
Posted by: ppb on Oct. 06 2009,11:03

Louis,
I would recommend a good digital SLR.  My first digital camera was a point and shoot Nikon Coolpix.  It can take some very nice pictures, but the delay time between pushing the button and the actual picture taking makes it very frustrating to use.  The good digital SLR's have no such delay, due to having more buffering capability.  Some can let you do rapid fire shooting by holding down the shutter release.

I have a Canon Rebel XT (I think called EOS 350D in Europe), which I am very pleased with.  Nikon and Canon both are good brands with a wide range of lenses available for both amateur and professional level photographers.  Good quality lenses are important, and where you can spend lots of money.   :)

One thing to consider besides pixel count is the size of the sensor.  Some sensors are equivalent to 35mm film in size, while some are smaller.  My Canon has a sensor that is smaller than 35mm.  Lenses that are made for 35mm size images can be used with the smaller sensors, although you will only be getting the center of the image.   This is not necessarily a problem, but it does affect how the lenses operate.  A 50mm lens is considered a normal lens on a 35mm camera, but is a short telephoto lens with one of these smaller sensors.  Wide angles are not so wide, and telephotos function a bit longer with the smaller sensor.  You can read about it more here:  < http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutoria....ize.htm >
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Oct. 06 2009,11:38

ppb is correct, a digital SLR would be the best way to go. However, I am always leery of advising people to spend lots of money on hobbies/activities that may, or may not, be something that they do for the long term. Digital SLRs and lenses (particularly long lenses for wildlife photography) are seriously expensive, and, as with most things in life, you get what you pay for. Pay more, get more.

If you don't want to spring to that level just yet, things to look for in a point/shoot digital camera are:

1) lag time between pushing the button and taking the picture. Any lag time is frustrating, but it should be much less than 0.5 seconds if you want to get the picture you thought you were getting.

2) optical viewfinder - don't buy a camera with only the digital screen viewfinder. You can't see those screens in bright light, and they suck power from the battery at a prodigious rate. A camera where you can see what you are composing is critical, and if you can turn off that screen (to save your batteries), it's even better.

Try to evaluate any potential camera in person, hands-on, at a camera store. Besides allowing you to assess the above parameters, there are other good reasons to do that. How the device fits your hands, where the buttons hit your fingers, how many extraneous buttons that might get pushed when the camera is in the case or in your pocket, etc.

If you find that you enjoy taking larger wildlife pics, or flower pics, or insects, or landscapes, etc. that can guide you in future purchase of the more expensive dSLR and lens choice.
Posted by: Louis on Oct. 06 2009,12:44

Thanks PPB and Albatrossity,

I shall take all that into consideration when I try to instigate a divorce by informing my wife I need a REEEEEALLLY posh camera to take the young un on nature walks. ;-)

Louis
Posted by: ppb on Oct. 06 2009,13:00

Quote (Louis @ Oct. 06 2009,13:44)
Thanks PPB and Albatrossity,

I shall take all that into consideration when I try to instigate a divorce by informing my wife I need a REEEEEALLLY posh camera to take the young un on nature walks. ;-)

Louis
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Remind her that it can take really nice pictures of the young one as well.

ETA: Talking my wife into purchasing the Canon was not a problem.  Convincing her that I need the $1000+ lens to take those really nice bird pictures is a little more problematic.  :)
Posted by: Reed on Oct. 06 2009,16:30

Quote (ppb @ Oct. 06 2009,09:03)
Louis,
I would recommend a good digital SLR.  My first digital camera was a point and shoot Nikon Coolpix.  It can take some very nice pictures, but the delay time between pushing the button and the actual picture taking makes it very frustrating to use.  
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


In my experience, recent (in the last few years) point and shoots don't suffer from nearly as much as the older ones did.

A DSLR definitely has the potential to take much better pictures. Aside from the nut behind the viewfinder, sensor and lens quality are the ultimate limiting factors, and DSLRs win this hands down. But that said, a P&S can still take quite nice photographs, especially if you aren't planning to make large prints.

Another thing to consider is portability. If the camera is a hassle to carry around, you won't have it with you nearly as often as one that fits in your pocket. You may also be more likely to take it interesting places if you are risking a few hundred dollars investment rather than a few thousand. There's a lot to be a said for a camera you can have with you all the time. This leads to the ultimate conclusion that you need several expensive toys instead of one :p

< http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/ > is a good source of in depth camera reviews.

I am personally fond of Canon P&S cameras because of the extra flexibility available with < CHDK >, but that's probably only applicable to geeks.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Oct. 06 2009,16:35

Also be aware of this little quirk, re: Nikon v. Canon

There is a war of sorts, not unlike the Ford v. Chevy wars here in the deep south of Jesusland. I don't really know enough about it to offer an intelligent opinion, but as it happens I bought a Canon Rebel XS (the entry level model).

I love it, but what I've recently found out is that Canon changes its lens fitting style with new models. Apparently (though I can't personally vouch for this), Nikon doesn't, or doesn't as frequently, or something. The long and the short of it is that if you upgrade Nikon cameras in the future, you have a better shot of still being able to use your old lenses.

Another tip:

Get a big fat memory card for it, and take a billion shots of everything you shoot. That way, at least a few of them are bound to turn out decently. Remember, you don't have to pay for film with a DSLR.

Also, learn to shoot in RAW mode, as opposed to JPG mode. The software that comes with your camera will be able to fix a lot more of your mistakes much more easily if you shoot in RAW mode, as well as make it pretty simple to tweak the exposure, white balance, contrast, and saturation. Those little things can turn a simple snapshot into something purty.
Posted by: carlsonjok on Oct. 06 2009,16:40

Quote (ppb @ Oct. 06 2009,13:00)
ETA: Talking my wife into purchasing the Canon was not a problem.  Convincing her that I need the $1000+ lens to take those really nice bird pictures is a little more problematic.  :)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


This is as good a jumping off point as any. I am considering upgrading to a digital SLR. I currently have a film (what can I say, my old man worked for the red and yellow box) Canon EOS Rebel and was going to get the digital equivalent so I can use my existing lenses (35-80mm and 70-300mm) and was wondering what those really expensive lenses come with to justify the significantly higher cost?

Added in Edit:  Uh-oh. Don't like what Lou said about Canon changing lens fittings.

Also added in edit: Ford.
Posted by: Louis on Oct. 06 2009,16:55

Thanks guys. I shall point out to my wife that I now need several pieces of expensive kit ranging from something that can be snuck into the spare change of one pay check to something that costs more than a BMW.

Sounds like I'm a corpse! Let's hope I get reincarnated as something good. Although, given my behaviour between the years 1987 to 2001 I'll settle for coming back as a vertebrate.

Louis
Posted by: J-Dog on Oct. 06 2009,17:13

Alby said :

---------------------QUOTE-------------------
2) optical viewfinder - don't buy a camera with only the digital screen viewfinder. You can't see those screens in bright light, and they suck power from the battery at a prodigious rate. A camera where you can see what you are composing is critical, and if you can turn off that screen (to save your batteries), it's even better.

---------------------QUOTE-------------------



I heartily agree, having got suckered into NOT getting an optical viewfinder at our last upgrade.  We have since missed too many shots!

And a fast shutter speed is going to be essential as Little Louis advances to All-World Rugby back status, and Mum and Dad want to send pics of his try(s) against the Argies for granny to coo over.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Oct. 06 2009,18:14

Quote (Lou FCD @ Oct. 06 2009,16:35)
I love it, but what I've recently found out is that Canon changes its lens fitting style with new models. Apparently (though I can't personally vouch for this), Nikon doesn't, or doesn't as frequently, or something. The long and the short of it is that if you upgrade Nikon cameras in the future, you have a better shot of still being able to use your old lenses.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Well, that's not quite fair. The standard Canon mount used prior to the digital revolution was introduced in 1971. That's a long time ago, for high-tech equipment. The EF (Electro-focus) series was introduced in 1987, again that is quite a long lifetime, and the technical/optical improvements that were introduced with that mount were enough to justify it. In 2003 they introduced the EF-S mount for digital camera bodies; EF lenses can still be used on those bodies, but due to the difference in sensor size vis-a-vis film, they will give you only the center of the image, as ppb pointed out earlier.

So if you buy a new digital camera, you can use both old and new lenses from Canon. In addition, the lenses from Canon have other capabilities (like image stabilization) that most folks think are enough to put them above the Nikon line at present. Nikon is catching up. One guide that might be helpful is to look at the photographers at a major sporting event. In my experience, most of the pros are using Canon equipment. A < friend of mine who is a world-class photographer > used Nikon equipment during his film era, but switched to Canon (at great expense) for digital shooting. (Don't click on that website link above unless you want to be seriously depressed about the quality of your own photographic efforts...)
Posted by: Lou FCD on Oct. 06 2009,19:38

Thanks for the clarification on the lens mount issue, Alby. My Pop has an old Canon (I don't know exactly how old, but I'm thinking it was late 80s) that I'm now going to pester him about. The body's screwed apparently, and it's been sitting in a closet for years. He's got several lenses though, and I'll see if they just might be of some use. (He had offered them at one point, but it was just after my introduction and misunderstanding of this issue.)

My standard lens (the 18 - 55 that came with the camera) is image stabilized, but the long lens (75 -300 that I bought after) is not. The long lens is all but useless for me without a tripod at any extension, though if I brace well on a table or against a wall or something, I can do a little with the lens all the way in.


Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Oct. 06 2009,19:43

Quote (Lou FCD @ Oct. 06 2009,19:38)
The long lens is all but useless for me without a tripod at any extension, though if I brace well on a table or against a wall or something, I can do a little with the lens all the way in.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


one word - < monopod >.
Posted by: ppb on Oct. 06 2009,20:22

I went from Minolta film equipment (SRT-101, X700) to Canon, so I bit the bullet on old lenses.  As Alby pointed out, lots of pros use Canon, so that was a factor for me.  They sell a wide range of hardware from entry level to professional grade, so there is lots of room to grow.

Louis,
Given Deadman's proclivities you should take care what vertebrate you come back as.

PS: I love image stabilization.  Another excuse to spend more money!
Posted by: ppb on Oct. 06 2009,20:43

Quote (carlsonjok @ Oct. 06 2009,17:40)
I am considering upgrading to a digital SLR. I currently have a film (what can I say, my old man worked for the red and yellow box) Canon EOS Rebel and was going to get the digital equivalent so I can use my existing lenses (35-80mm and 70-300mm) and was wondering what those really expensive lenses come with to justify the significantly higher cost?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Canon has two main tiers of lenses.  The regular lenses and their L-series lenses.  The L-series lenses are the professional lenses.  They are the ones with the mostly white bodies.  They are built very rugged for the heavy use that professionals put them through.  That is one factor in the price.

Other factors are features like auto-focus and image stabilization, which are getting ubiquitous.

Lens design, like many things, is a series of compromises.  The more you are willing to pay, the fewer compromises you have to make.  More expensive lenses can have better, lighter components, larger apertures, better image quality across the entire image.

As always, it pays to do some research.  With the internet, it is easy to find reviews and tests of lenses on-line.  Sometimes you can get good performance from a less expensive lens, but you have to do the research.


ETA:  One other thing.  Big, long lenses to get up close and personal with nature get pretty pricey due to lots of glass.  That is my biggest frustration at the moment, since I switched from Minolta to Canon.  It will take me a while to get all the lenses I would like to have.
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Oct. 06 2009,22:55

Quote (Lou FCD @ Oct. 06 2009,16:35)
Also be aware of this little quirk, re: Nikon v. Canon

There is a war of sorts, not unlike the Ford v. Chevy wars here in the deep south of Jesusland. I don't really know enough about it to offer an intelligent opinion, but as it happens I bought a Canon Rebel XS (the entry level model).

I love it, but what I've recently found out is that Canon changes its lens fitting style with new models. Apparently (though I can't personally vouch for this), Nikon doesn't, or doesn't as frequently, or something. The long and the short of it is that if you upgrade Nikon cameras in the future, you have a better shot of still being able to use your old lenses.

Another tip:

Get a big fat memory card for it, and take a billion shots of everything you shoot. That way, at least a few of them are bound to turn out decently. Remember, you don't have to pay for film with a DSLR.

Also, learn to shoot in RAW mode, as opposed to JPG mode. The software that comes with your camera will be able to fix a lot more of your mistakes much more easily if you shoot in RAW mode, as well as make it pretty simple to tweak the exposure, white balance, contrast, and saturation. Those little things can turn a simple snapshot into something purty.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



I can use my manual-focus Nikkor lenses that I bought in the late 1970s on my Nikon D2Xs. I think the line is drawn at the non-AI mount lenses from pre-1972 or thereabouts, though you can generally have someone do an AI conversion on the older lenses, or if you are adventurous, grind down the projecting rim yourself, opening up a wide range of lenses dating back to the introduction of the Nikon F mount in 1959. (With the N-F adapter, one can use Nikkor lenses pre-dating that.) The only ones that are really verboten are things like the 7.5mm f/5.6 fisheye that requires mirror lockup and the 21mm f/4 whose rear elements poke back too far into the newer camera bodies. I'd love to run across a 55mm f/4 UV-Nikkor lens, something I've only seen a picture of in my 1964-vintage Nikon catalog. It's basically a Micro-Nikkor, but with quartz lens elements that transmit UV light.

I think Canon does currently have an edge in sensor technology, as they develop that themselves, whereas Nikon buys theirs from folks like Sony. (Wish they'd go back to buying Fuji sensors...) Though the Sony sensors in the D3, D700, and D3x are pretty darn impressive. Nikon and Canon both make excellent lenses. Nikon's user interface is one I prefer to what I've experienced on the Canon cameras. But the main reason I have Nikon now is because I had Nikon then.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Oct. 07 2009,05:36

Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ Oct. 06 2009,23:55)
Nikon's user interface is one I prefer to what I've experienced on the Canon cameras. But the main reason I have Nikon now is because I had Nikon then.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Let me say this about that. I bought mine, and was just fine with the user interface. A few weeks ago at one of my son's football games, the yearbook instructor was there with some of her students trying to get shots for the yearbook. They were having a very frustrating night, and since I've been acquainted with her for a few years she asked if I could help. They have the same camera I do, but an older revision/model of it.

It's no wonder they were having trouble, the interface was ungainly, buttons all over the place and some stuff had to be adjusted using this little green LCD screen on top of the camera, you had to take your hands off the camera to do just about anything. It took me a good five minutes to find the aperture and ISO settings.

I've not used a Nikon DSLR so I can't really compare the two, but the whole experience really left me loving the improvements Canon has made on the new digital Rebels v. the older digital Rebels. It's my understanding that these changes are relatively recent, within the last year or two.
Posted by: Schroedinger's Dog on Oct. 07 2009,06:14

A little fellow I found sadly lifeless after a rainstorm where temperatures went down in a nick:




< http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ladder_Snake >

Possibly a young adult, judging by the brown coloration and the still very marked parallel lines on its back. It was a bit over a meter long...
Posted by: csadams on Oct. 07 2009,06:46

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Oct. 06 2009,19:43)
Quote (Lou FCD @ Oct. 06 2009,19:38)
The long lens is all but useless for me without a tripod at any extension, though if I brace well on a table or against a wall or something, I can do a little with the lens all the way in.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


one word - < monopod >.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


A few more words: < hiking stick with camera mount. >
Posted by: deadman_932 on Oct. 07 2009,13:45

Quote (ppb @ Oct. 06 2009,20:22)
Louis,
Given Deadman's proclivities you should take care what vertebrate you come back as.

PS: I love image stabilization.  Another excuse to spend more money!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Deer Mr. Sciemtist: I founded this aminal outside today & I wondred what spesces kind it is. Thankyuvery Much, Ur friend, deadman.

 
Posted by: Richardthughes on Oct. 07 2009,14:18

Quote (deadman_932 @ Oct. 07 2009,13:45)
Quote (ppb @ Oct. 06 2009,20:22)
Louis,
Given Deadman's proclivities you should take care what vertebrate you come back as.

PS: I love image stabilization.  Another excuse to spend more money!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Deer Mr. Sciemtist: I founded this aminal outside today & I wondred what spesces kind it is. Thankyuvery Much, Ur friend, deadman.

 
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Everything Louis looks for in a mate:


Posted by: Louis on Oct. 07 2009,14:21

Quote (deadman_932 @ Oct. 07 2009,19:45)
Quote (ppb @ Oct. 06 2009,20:22)
Louis,
Given Deadman's proclivities you should take care what vertebrate you come back as.

PS: I love image stabilization.  Another excuse to spend more money!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Deer Mr. Sciemtist: I founded this aminal outside today & I wondred what spesces kind it is. Thankyuvery Much, Ur friend, deadman.

 
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I are a Scientismatician and can has an answer for youse.

That am a hamspydur. It is part of Teh Nasty Bug Evolution is a Lie kind, like Teh Crocoduck.

Thank you.

Louis
Posted by: Schroedinger's Dog on Oct. 07 2009,14:32

OMG!!! those pink things under the cute bug! What are they? WHAt ARE THEY???






Granted, lack of sleep is not as fun as it seems. Sorry...
Posted by: sledgehammer on Oct. 07 2009,14:44

Quote (deadman_932 @ Oct. 07 2009,11:45)
 
Quote (ppb @ Oct. 06 2009,20:22)
Louis,
Given Deadman's proclivities you should take care what vertebrate you come back as.

PS: I love image stabilization.  Another excuse to spend more money!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Deer Mr. Sciemtist: I founded this aminal outside today & I wondred what spesces kind it is. Thankyuvery Much, Ur friend, deadman.

 
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Looks like you've captured the rare tarantumunk.
Posted by: Henry J on Oct. 07 2009,21:56

That or a chipmunk that got bit by a radioactive spider...

Henry
Posted by: ppb on Oct. 08 2009,08:14

Quote (Henry J @ Oct. 07 2009,22:56)
That or a chipmunk that got bit by a radioactive spider...

Henry
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


It's Spidermunk!
Posted by: Louis on Oct. 08 2009,09:00

Quote (Richardthughes @ Oct. 07 2009,20:18)
Everything Louis looks for in a mate:


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


M...m...m...Mummy?

Louis
Posted by: Henry J on Oct. 08 2009,21:14



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
M...m...m...Mummy?

Louis
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Only if you're Lord Greystoke. ;)

Henry
Posted by: Lou FCD on Oct. 10 2009,07:42

Whilst in Philly for family weekend at my daughter's uni.



I think it's a Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus), though it could be a Downey. I'm a little unclear on the differences in field marks.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Oct. 10 2009,08:53

Quote (Lou FCD @ Oct. 10 2009,07:42)

I think it's a Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus), though it could be a Downey. I'm a little unclear on the differences in field marks.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I think it is a Hairy Woodpecker as well, Lou. The key character is the length of the bill relative to the head; a Downy Woodpecker has a relatively tiny bill and the Hairy has a big honking bill. See < here > for a picture with that comparison.

My daughter is spending the semester abroad in Guangzhou (formerly Canton) China, putting her six semesters of Chinese to the test. She and a German foreign exchange student just took a trip to Kunming, and she sent me some pictures from their outings there, including this stunning orb weaver spider.


Posted by: Lou FCD on Oct. 10 2009,09:25

Thanks, Alby. That video and the captured frame are perfect for illustrating the differences. I really appreciate that link.

As for your daughter's orb weaver, wow. That is one beautiful spider.
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Oct. 15 2009,19:32



This was on the wall of the garage of the place we are trying to buy.
Posted by: Schroedinger's Dog on Oct. 15 2009,19:38

Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ Oct. 16 2009,02:32)


This was on the wall of the garage of the place we are trying to buy.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Stop posting stick-insect porn!  :p
Posted by: Henry J on Oct. 15 2009,19:59

Just make sure that if it sticks around it pays rent. :p
Posted by: Lou FCD on Oct. 15 2009,21:29

Quote (Schroedinger's Dog @ Oct. 15 2009,20:38)
Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ Oct. 16 2009,02:32)


This was on the wall of the garage of the place we are trying to buy.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Stop posting stick-insect porn!  :p
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Well, at least make sure you get the 2257 forms signed.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Oct. 18 2009,01:42

Setting up the Halloween trail this afternoon, I took a few shots.

This guy showed up late in the afternoon, and the bright sky backlit him pretty badly, but I think it's a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius):



More common, but a better photo of this Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos):



And a couple shots of this gorgeous Red-spotted Purple butterfly (Limenitis arthemis astyanax):

Dorsals, with the beautiful iridescent blues



and the ventrals are nothing to sneeze at with their pretty oranges



and a shot with a little of both


Posted by: khan on Oct. 18 2009,20:36

Roses, first frost:


Posted by: OgreMkV on Oct. 18 2009,20:55

I didn't get pictures, but we found a bunny (Eastern Cottontail) nest in our backyard yesterday.  I almost found it by hitting three baby bunnies with a lawnmower, but I noticed them moving and my lawnmower has a kill/instant brake switch.

I was glad to see them, all of our new neighbors have dogs (large ones) and I was afraid that the population was in danger.

For now, the backyard has become a no mow zone and to hell with the HOA.
Posted by: Henry J on Oct. 18 2009,22:16

Wascally wabbits!

Henry
Posted by: OgreMkV on Oct. 18 2009,22:38

Let's see if this works.  hmmm... not very well.  I don't have flicker and google docs doesn't put the file access in a form that this forum likes.  Here's a link.

I believe this is the mama rabbit checking out my boy's slide.

< bunny picture >
Posted by: Lou FCD on Oct. 19 2009,05:35

Quote (OgreMkV @ Oct. 18 2009,23:38)
Let's see if this works.  hmmm... not very well.  I don't have flicker and google docs doesn't put the file access in a form that this forum likes.  Here's a link.

I believe this is the mama rabbit checking out my boy's slide.

< bunny picture >
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I have no idea why, but he put me in the mind of a soldier in one of those old cowboy movies, looking out across the plains from a wooden fort and saying something like, "Dude. That's a lot o' injuns."

I should probably get some coffee.


Posted by: Henry J on Oct. 19 2009,15:06

Or a lot of Elmer Fudd's? :p
Posted by: Lou FCD on Oct. 24 2009,19:24

I was on North Topsail Beach this morning and popped off a few shots of some shore birds:















But that was after I'd gotten what I was actually there for:


Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Oct. 24 2009,20:12

Nice shots, Lou.

Those Carolina beaches may not have a lot of wildlife diversity, but they are definitely photogenic!
Posted by: Lou FCD on Oct. 24 2009,20:50

Thanks Alby.

I needed a blood-red sunset on the ocean for a photo essay I'm working on for my World Lit class. When I saw the weather report yesterday saying that we had a front moving through, I knew I was in like Flynn. We always get the most beautiful sunrises when a front comes through like that. With a bit of tweaking to the tones on a different shot, I have a "sunset" that looks like the sky is bleeding. It's perfect.

Our real sunsets aren't so bad, either, though they're not on the water. I took this one over Labor Day weekend, while I was turtle nest sitting:



We had a front stalled right overhead that weekend, and I love that shot.

This fisherman stopped dead in his tracks and set his pole down this morning, and stood there about 30 yards from me, just staring.



We nodded our greetings as I left the beach and he resumed his fishing. There wasn't really anything to say that the sunrise hadn't already said much more eloquently.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Oct. 24 2009,20:57

Not fiery, but here's a sunrise shot from Ocean Isle a few years back.


Posted by: Lou FCD on Oct. 24 2009,21:11

Really really sweet blues, though, and the reflections in the wet sand are awesome. I always love that in photos.
Posted by: bfish on Oct. 26 2009,23:38

Heard of these photos via Andrew Sullivan.

< They are really, really good. >

I didn't know spiders don't have compound eyes.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Nov. 02 2009,15:23

I think this is a pair of Yellow-rumped Warblers (Dendroica coronata), sometimes called Myrtle Warblers, in winter plumage.



The yellow rump is clearly visible on the bird on the lower left, and the streaking with yellowish throat and yellow patches to either side of the breast is visible on the bird on the upper right.

< Larger view here >
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Nov. 02 2009,16:21

Quote (Lou FCD @ Nov. 02 2009,15:23)
I think this is a pair of Yellow-rumped Warblers (Dendroica coronata), sometimes called Myrtle Warblers, in winter plumage.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yep.

But real birders call 'em "butter-butts".

Don't tell RTH....
Posted by: Lou FCD on Nov. 02 2009,16:36

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Nov. 02 2009,17:21)
Quote (Lou FCD @ Nov. 02 2009,15:23)
I think this is a pair of Yellow-rumped Warblers (Dendroica coronata), sometimes called Myrtle Warblers, in winter plumage.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yep.

But real birders call 'em "butter-butts".

Don't tell RTH....
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Ha, thanks!

Two laughs for the price of one.
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on Nov. 03 2009,01:21

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Oct. 24 2009,21:12)
Nice shots, Lou.

Those Carolina beaches may not have a lot of wildlife diversity, but they are definitely photogenic!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


drag a hand trawl in one of those back water tidal mud flats or creeks.  freak show!
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Nov. 03 2009,05:59

Quote (Erasmus, FCD @ Nov. 03 2009,01:21)
Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Oct. 24 2009,21:12)
Nice shots, Lou.

Those Carolina beaches may not have a lot of wildlife diversity, but they are definitely photogenic!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


drag a hand trawl in one of those back water tidal mud flats or creeks.  freak show!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yeah, the back side of those islands is where I spend most of my time when I'm out there. The beach side is pretty slow, except for one year when there was a shift in the currents and lots of Sargassum was racked up on the beaches. That stuff is loaded with critters, we found nudibranchs, puffer fish, lots of interesting crabs and tiny shrimp, etc. The locals hated it, and stayed away from the "dirty" beaches that year; there was even talk of bringing crews of prisoners from the state penitentiaries to "clean up" the beaches for the tourists.

I guess we're not typical tourists; we had a great time!
Posted by: rhmc on Nov. 03 2009,16:48

after a week or so of strong easterly winds, we get those clumps of sargassum weed, too.
take a five gallon bucket and scoop up a clump of weed out of the water and then look at all the stuff that falls out. into the water in the bucket.
quite interesting. weird little beasties.  shake the weed and more falls out, pick it apart and even more shows up.

we also spend a fair amount of time throwing cast nets in shallow waters and that'll drag up stuff you've only seen in pictures, too.
a seine on the beaches will drag up bigger stuff that's pretty cool too.

i love this area.  :)

we send the unusual specimens to a UM ichthyologist down in key west.  he only wants two of each, gets harder every year to fill up a gallon jar of stuff to send....
Posted by: J-Dog on Nov. 14 2009,09:39

Looking out from my back deck:

HELP!

I am getting infested with these O'Leary Geese!



Alby - How can I get rid of these monsters?
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Nov. 14 2009,12:17

Quote (J-Dog @ Nov. 14 2009,09:39)
Alby - How can I get rid of these monsters?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Hey, quit insulting those birds by identifying them with Densey. I'm sure every one of them could write a better sentence than she can, even if they don't have a book to sell.

Looks like your yard is contiguous with a large grassy space (athletic field, golf course?). These geese like large grassy spaces; they are basically grazers. I don't think that there is any (legal) way to dislodge them as long as the habitat is so attractive. If it is a golf course, the management will probably try to do something with noisemakers, or even shotguns if they are allowed to. But all of these will just move the geese to another spot, where they will be a problem for other folks. And most of that problem is just the poop. You live in Chicago; you should be used to excrement!

Noisemakers will work for a while, but some of your neighbors might not be amused. Shotguns will definitely work, but the local gendarmes will not be amused. You can fence in your yard and get a dog, or borrow one for a while, I suppose. Other than that I've got no good suggestions.
Posted by: khan on Nov. 14 2009,12:59

Some parks, golf courses et al 'rent' dogs to keep harassing them.
Posted by: Kattarina98 on Nov. 14 2009,15:39

Christmas dinner: Stuff them.
Big money: Sell them.
Kill them at night, nobody is watching and the geese are asleep.
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on Nov. 14 2009,15:55

tame ones ain't worth eating
Posted by: khan on Nov. 14 2009,16:00

Quote (Erasmus, FCD @ Nov. 14 2009,16:55)
tame ones ain't worth eating
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Why not?
I once suggested to the local grocery store (with a retention pond full of said geese) that they should set up a rodeo. People could pay a small fee for the privilege of wrangling geese, and vendors could set up booths to kill/pluck/clean/even cook. Leftovers could be composted.
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on Nov. 14 2009,16:15

the FWS wouldn't like that very much.  and the bread diet makes em taste crappy.
Posted by: Schroedinger's Dog on Nov. 14 2009,17:16

J-Dog, have you considered TNT? It works with the panda invasion in my backyard...

What? Did I say that out loud?
Posted by: carlsonjok on Nov. 14 2009,17:28

Quote (Schroedinger's Dog @ Nov. 14 2009,17:16)
J-Dog, have you considered TNT? It works with the panda invasion in my backyard...

What? Did I say that out loud?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Since Pandas are found in China and you live in France, I'd like to advance the alternate explanation that the black and white creatures infesting your lawn were actually mimes.



Lucky for you it is mime season.  No size or catch limits either.
Posted by: Schroedinger's Dog on Nov. 14 2009,17:48

Quote (carlsonjok @ Nov. 14 2009,23:28)
Quote (Schroedinger's Dog @ Nov. 14 2009,17:16)
J-Dog, have you considered TNT? It works with the panda invasion in my backyard...

What? Did I say that out loud?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Since Pandas are found in China and you live in France, I'd like to advance the alternate explanation that the black and white creatures infesting your lawn were actually mimes.



Lucky for you it is mime season.  No size or catch limits either.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Ok, stands to reason. Mime extermination is a matter of general interest. I feel a lot better now.

I hate mimes...
Posted by: Lou FCD on Nov. 14 2009,18:52

Mime season!

*gesticulation*

Mime season!

*gesticulation*

Wabbit season!

*gesticulation*

Boom.
Posted by: J-Dog on Nov. 14 2009,19:14

So, training the geese to hunt the mimes will take care of two problems.  Kill two birds with one stone, more or less.

A beautiful yet elegant solution.  

At UD they'd still be arguing about whether there were any black geese, and GEM of STUPID would be thinking about coming out of retirement and dropping a short 7,500, biblical referenced paragraph on it.  

Thanks, merci boucoup, and danke shoen.
CHRISTMAS GOOSE ON ME THIS YEAR!
Posted by: jswilkins on Nov. 14 2009,19:30

"It was said he [Vetinari] would tolerate absolutely anything apart from anything that threatened the city[1]...

1. And mime artists. It was a strange aversion, but there you are. Anyone in baggy trousers and a white face who tried to ply their art anywhere within Ankh's crumbling walls would very quickly find themselves in a scorpion pit, on one wall of which was painted the words: Learn The Words."

Terry Pratchett, Guards, Guards, p78
Posted by: ppb on Nov. 14 2009,20:41

Quote (J-Dog @ Nov. 14 2009,10:39)
Alby - How can I get rid of these monsters?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Since they are Canada Geese you could have them deported.

ETA: You can notify Homeland Security, since they have been known to bring down airliners.
Posted by: Schroedinger's Dog on Nov. 15 2009,01:13

Quote (jswilkins @ Nov. 15 2009,01:30)
"It was said he [Vetinari] would tolerate absolutely anything apart from anything that threatened the city[1]...

1. And mime artists. It was a strange aversion, but there you are. Anyone in baggy trousers and a white face who tried to ply their art anywhere within Ankh's crumbling walls would very quickly find themselves in a scorpion pit, on one wall of which was painted the words: Learn The Words."

Terry Pratchett, Guards, Guards, p78
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yep, one of the many reasons why Lord Vetinari is so amesome!

Try Unseen Academicals for a rare bout of drunk Vetinari
Posted by: Lou FCD on Nov. 16 2009,16:13

A couple nice bird shots on the beach last night. Clickable.


< >


< >
Posted by: Schroedinger's Dog on Nov. 16 2009,16:37

First: looks really cold!

Second: can you give us details? As a european, I'm not so familiar with "foreign" species :)

Third: Gorgeous pics! The light is magnificent!

Thanks for sharing, Lou!



ETA: birds bore me as a whole (sorry Dave). Brainless dinos that never took a hint about staying raptors!

ETAA: Ok, I'm definitely done for! Thought the foam was ice. Still, could look cold with a spectrometer...
Posted by: Lou FCD on Nov. 16 2009,16:49

Quote (Schroedinger's Dog @ Nov. 16 2009,17:37)
First: looks really cold!

Second: can you give us details? As a european, I'm not so familiar with "foreign" species :)

Third: Gorgeous pics! The light is magnificent!

Thanks for sharing, Lou!



ETA: birds bore me as a whole (sorry Dave). Brainless dinos that never took a hint about staying raptors!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


First: Not at all. It was short sleeve weather until the sun went down (shortly after those shots). Then my wife put on a sweater, and she was fine.

Second: I haven't had a chance to look that one up yet, and I don't know off the top of my head.

Third: Thanks! and yeah, I'm learning to love the reds from sunsets and sunrises.

:)

You're welcome.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Nov. 16 2009,16:56

Quote (Lou FCD @ Nov. 16 2009,16:13)
A couple nice bird shots on the beach last night.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Eastern Willet (Catoptrophorus semipalmatus), non-breeding plumage.

Here's one in breeding plumage.


Posted by: Lou FCD on Nov. 16 2009,17:26

Thank you, sir.
Posted by: dhogaza on Nov. 17 2009,11:27

Willets are more interesting in flight, and for those not in the know, it says its name (which is really "Will Willet!")



Here's a self-portrait of me in Costa Rica last week ... or at least I usually feel like a "lazy bear" (perezoso)



Posted by: Lou FCD on Nov. 21 2009,04:58

Hey, nice shots!

I take it you were just hanging out in Costa Rica?
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Nov. 22 2009,12:44

Went hunting for sparrows this morning, and found quite a few. Best image was this Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana); these guys are notorious skulkers, but one was up long enough for a few shots.


Posted by: Lou FCD on Nov. 22 2009,13:23

Nice, love the colors.
Posted by: dhogaza on Nov. 22 2009,13:27



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
I take it you were just hanging out in Costa Rica?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Naw, that's a sloth just hanging out :)

I was visiting the technical institute of costa rica, in cartago (east of san jose) for a couple of days, and afterwards some colleagues and I headed off to the pacific coast and hung out and relaxed.

The colleagues are non-birders, so more swimming and hiking than birding or nature photography was on the agenda, but I didn't mind, particularly.  Bath-warm salt water in November feels pretty good to an Oregon boy like me ...

Costa Rica's nice, I've spent time in Guatemala, Mexico and Ecuador and while culturally Costa Rica's far less interesting (i.e. not much indigenous influence), I have to admit I enjoyed being in a latin american country where there's far less unescapable abject poverty than the other countries I've visited.  Very low violent crime rate, 98% literacy rate, no army, universal health care of reasonable quality, strong (though imperfect) efforts to conserve biological diversity, and the San Juan city police actually spent 15-20 minutes driving around the city trying to find a restaurant for us (which, as it turned out, didn't exist) because, as one told us, "I've been taught that the job of a policeman is to serve the people".

(OK, cops on the coast are known to shake down speeding tourists, pickpockets and other petty thieves rival Amsterdam for skill, there's too much timber and other poaching in the park system, the current government seems to favor development over protection of breeding marine turtle habitat, etc etc - it ain't nirvana)
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Nov. 26 2009,11:28

In my old back yard, where my daughter lives now, she took this picture of a beetle.



According to < someone who should know > (John Pinto, an expert on the genus), this is the oil/blister beetle Meloe campanicollis, and is the first record of the species in the state of Kansas.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Dec. 01 2009,18:16

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Nov. 26 2009,12:28)
According to < someone who should know > (John Pinto, an expert on the genus), this is the oil/blister beetle Meloe campanicollis, and is the first record of the species in the state of Kansas.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Now that's just cool.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Dec. 10 2009,18:03

So.

I happened upon a flock of very unafraid Ring-billed Gulls (Larus delawarensis) today,

< >

mostly juveniles it looks like, with everyone in winter plumage,

< >

and a few Laughing Gulls (Leucophaeus atricilla)

< >

hiding in amongst them.

< >

I pulled into the parking lot,

< >

and they let me get rather up close

< >

and personal

< >

for some shots.

< >

...when suddenly, it all went bad...

< >

...Almost.

< >
Posted by: Schroedinger's Dog on Dec. 10 2009,18:56

That last picture is awesome!!!
Posted by: Lou FCD on Dec. 10 2009,19:14

Thanks. That was all with my short lens, from like right up close. When they all took off and headed right for me, I knew it was about to get ugly.

Fortunately, none of them took any chunks out of me, but I thought I was going to be spitting feathers there for a second. Some of them got close enough to muss my hair (which was, fortunately, already a muss), and one of them just barely grazed the back of my head right as I took that last shot.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Dec. 10 2009,19:35

Kind of cheating, but the Science Club went down to Wilmington on Saturday, to visit the Cape Fear Serpentarium.

The whole set < is here >, but here are a few of my prettier shots.

< Western Green Mamba > (Dendroaspis viridis):



< Albino Burmese Python > (Python molurus bivittatus):



< Neotropical Rattlesnake > (Crotalus durissus):



< Blackthroat Monitor Lizard > (Varanus albigularis):



< ...and his tongue >:



< Emerald Tree Boa > (Corallus caninus):



< and here's me with a Ball Python >:



But my favorite shot has to be this one, of < The Eye of The Dragon >, a Nile Crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus):


Posted by: J-Dog on Dec. 10 2009,20:44

My friend Tiger says that's not cheating...

Those are some totally awesome pics dude! And the Croc shot has got to rank in the top ten most awesomest.

Really!
Posted by: Schroedinger's Dog on Dec. 11 2009,03:39

o_O

<3
Posted by: jeffox on Dec. 11 2009,07:21

Ya ya, Lou!  I'd walk a mile with a smile to see a Nile crocodile!!

As long as it's not hungry. . . .   :)
Posted by: Kattarina98 on Dec. 11 2009,08:21


I liked it too much not to tamper with it ...
Posted by: khan on Dec. 11 2009,08:52

Quote (Kattarina98 @ Dec. 11 2009,09:21)

I liked it too much not to tamper with it ...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I was hoping someone would.
Posted by: Kattarina98 on Dec. 11 2009,09:11

There was still room for improvement:


Hey Lou, if you need photos to be 'shopped ...
Posted by: Lou FCD on Dec. 11 2009,10:45

Thanks, Kattarina! I can usually do alright with them, it's just the fluorescent lighting that kills me. I can never get the tones quite right and there's never good shadowing. (And honestly I don't bother too much with photos of me most of the time. Seems kind of .... unseemly, and I find myself a rather boring subject for photography. :) )
Posted by: Kattarina98 on Dec. 11 2009,11:49

Quote (Lou FCD @ Dec. 11 2009,10:45)
Thanks, Kattarina! I can usually do alright with them, it's just the fluorescent lighting that kills me. I can never get the tones quite right and there's never good shadowing. (And honestly I don't bother too much with photos of me most of the time. Seems kind of .... unseemly, and I find myself a rather boring subject for photography. :) )
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Tones: I moved the colour balance from blue towards yellow - just a bit.
Shadows: First I gave a little more light to the medium range, then I added a spot to your and the snake's head, leaving the background pritty much intact.
Subject: Think of the sweet memories years from now ...
Posted by: ppb on Dec. 11 2009,11:51

Lou, don't be so modest.  You've got a freekin' python around your neck.  How cool is that!  :)
Posted by: Richardthughes on Dec. 11 2009,12:19

IS KNOW-WON GOING TWO DO A SNAKE / PEEPEE JOKE?
Posted by: khan on Dec. 11 2009,12:25

Quote (ppb @ Dec. 11 2009,12:51)
Lou, don't be so modest.  You've got a freekin' python around your neck.  How cool is that!  :)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


They make a cute couple.
Posted by: ppb on Dec. 11 2009,12:43

Quote (Richardthughes @ Dec. 11 2009,13:19)
IS KNOW-WON GOING TWO DO A SNAKE / PEEPEE JOKE?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Where's Arden when you need him?
Posted by: Lou FCD on Dec. 11 2009,18:30

Thanks again, Kattarina.

Quote (ppb @ Dec. 11 2009,12:51)
Lou, don't be so modest.  You've got a freekin' python around your neck.  How cool is that!  :)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Well yeah, I guess when you put it that way, it *was* pretty cool.
Posted by: qetzal on Dec. 12 2009,01:22

For my 50th birthday a few weeks ago, my wife took me to Costa Rica. We stayed at a rental villa owned by some friends. (Very close to where < dhogaza > was, between Cartago & Paraiso.)

Here are some wildlife pics. Please excuse the extreme and obvious amateurism of the photographer!


I caught his little guy (gal?) running across the volcanic sand at Volcan Irazu. Don't know what kind of lizard this is.


White nosed coati (Nasua narica) that was cruising the parking lot at Volcan Irazu, hoping to beg and/or steal something to eat.


Brilliant blue bug seen at Braulio Carillo National Park.


Another lizard, this one from Braulio Carillo. Again, don't know what kind.


Collared aracari (Pteroglossus torquatus, Braulio Carillo).


Terciopelo, aka fer de lance (Bothrops asper), also from Braulio Carillo. It was coiled right on the edge of the trail, but I didn't even see it. I literally stepped right over it. My wife saw it as she stopped to look at something else. And that was after I'd been assuring her we were extremely unlikely to see any snakes! < Good thing I didn't step on it! >. They're supposed to be pretty aggressive, but this one was very docile. Even when prodded with a (long) stick, it merely slithered into the bushes.


Green vine snake (Oxybelis fulgidus; rear-fanged, mildly venomous). This guy was crossing the trail further along at Braulio Carillo. He kept his body very straight and elongated as he crossed, with very little serpentine motion. Also, his tongue was stuck out straight like that the whole time we watched him.

There are a few others I’ll try to post soon.

ETA: Alas, no. No quetzals. Sigh.
Posted by: Kattarina98 on Dec. 12 2009,06:33

These pics are great! I looked for the Green Vine Snake at Wikipedia, fascinating behaviour.
Now just let it coil round your neck and take another photo. ;-)
Posted by: Lou FCD on Dec. 12 2009,07:37

They're awesome shots, qetzal! I think I'd have wet my boxers, having realized I'd just stepped over a Fer-de-Lance. I prefer mine behind a bit of glass:

< >

The one at the serpentarium was B. atrox, from a little souther than where you were.

       
Quote (Kattarina98 @ Dec. 12 2009,07:33)
Now just let it coil round your neck and take another photo. ;-)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



lol


Posted by: Kattarina98 on Dec. 12 2009,08:16

Now I read up about Bothrops asper:

< http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bothrops_asper >
   

---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Even when prodded with a (long) stick ...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


You did what????
Posted by: qetzal on Dec. 13 2009,13:53

Quote (Lou FCD @ Dec. 12 2009,07:37)
They're awesome shots, qetzal! I think I'd have wet my boxers, having realized I'd just stepped over a Fer-de-Lance.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I didn't realize that’s what it was until later that evening, when I had a chance to look it up. Even then, it was pretty sobering to think about!

According to < Wikipedia >, Bothrops asper is one of four different species that are sometimes called “fer-de-lance.”

Quote (Kattarina98 @ Dec. 12 2009,08:16)
You did what????
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Well, in my defense: 1) I didn’t know it was a fer-de-lance at the time. 2) I wanted to get a shot of its belly, since that sometimes helps with identification:




And 3) I was in complete control at all times. If he had made the slightest move toward me, I was quite prepared to sprint screaming in the opposite direction. And from the way he slunk off, I think he knew it:



The ranger station at Braulio Carillo had a huge colony of golden orb weaver spiders (Nephila clavipes). I don’t know how well you can see in this shot, but there were dozens of big females and who knows how many small males inhabiting an enormous complex of interconnected webs. The whole thing was probably 10ft wide by 8ft high by 6ft deep!



Here’s a close up of one of the larger females:



A few days later, we drove south to the Boruca Indian reservation. On the way, we saw this sign:



I was hoping to see some wild monkeys, but if that’s the kind of freaky, Island-of-Dr.-Moreau-looking monos they’ve got, I’m glad there weren’t any cruzan la via near me!

On the dirt road to the Boruca, we saw this laughing falcon (Herpetotheres cachinnans) sitting on top of a dead palm:



And this scorpion (maybe Centruroides margaritatus?):



The last morning, as we were headed to the airport, we managed to get a shot of a blue-crowned motmot (Momotus momota). (It was back-lit, and I haven’t learned how to compensate for that, so I had to increase the brightness a lot to make it visible in the image; that’s why the pic looks so washed out.)


Posted by: carlsonjok on Dec. 13 2009,15:25

I finally got a digital camera as an early Christmas gift and I took some pictures at a eventing clinic my wife participated in. Most of the pictures were only fair to middling, and no small number sucked.  But, I did rather like this one of my wife going over the duck jump. I scaled the picture down from the original 5 Meg, so it has lost quite a bit of detail.  (Any hints how to reduce the size without losing alot of resolution? I am using Compupic at the moment.) Also, a note to anyone who is familiar with horses, this gelding is a Clydesdale/Paint cross. He isn't fat, he is just big boned. Literally.



Granted, it isn't technically wildlife, but I will be a few weeks before I get a chance to go out and try and take pictures in the real wild.
Posted by: Cubist on Dec. 14 2009,04:29

Quote (carlsonjok @ Dec. 13 2009,15:25)
Any hints how to reduce the size without losing alot of resolution? I am using Compupic at the moment.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I am unfamiliar with Compupic, but as an old Photoshop hand who has devoted a goodly amount of effort to reducing the filesize of graphic images, I have some comments that you may perhaps find useful...
Speaking in general terms, the way to reduce the filesize of an image is to throw away some of the bits. Ideally, you want to throw away only bits which do not affect the visual quality of the image; the more bits you throw away, the more likely it is that some of the bits you tossed out do affect the image quality.
Reducing the resolution (shrinking an X * Y image down to, say, an X/2 * Y/2 image) is a fairly obvious way to reduce the filesize. Each pixel of an image represents a certain number of bits of color information; a smaller number of pixels means a smaller total number of bits of color information. Yes, reducing the resolution means you're in danger of losing fine details in your image -- but depending on what you want to do with the image, loss of fine details may be unavoidable, in which case you may as well reduce the resolution and be done with it.
Reducing the bit depth is another obvious way to reduce the filesize, where "bit depth" is graphics geek slang for "number of bits used to describe 1 (one) pixel in an image". If your image is pure black-and-white, no grays need apply, each pixel in that image can be described with 1 bit, 0 (meaning "black") or 1 (meaning "white"), which is why pure B/W images are said to have a bit depth of 1. If every pixel in an image contains one color out fo a list of exactly 16 colors, each pixel can be described with 4 (four) bits, so a 16-color image has a bit depth of 4. Super-realistic images are likely to have bit depths of 24 or greater, which allows them to display very subtle gradations of color; at the same time, high bit depths do boost the filesize. Lower bit depths, contrariwise, reduce the filesize while, at the same time, also reducing the range of colors which can be displayed in the image (again, a bit depth of 1 means B/W, right?).  If Compupic allows you to play around with bit depth, try applying different bit depths to your image, and see what happens to the image's visual quality in each case. I can't make any promises, but it's possible that bit-depth manipulation by itself, may suffice to reduce the image's filesize down to a reasonable level *without*mucking up the image quality to a noticeable degree. If you want to play with bit depth, you'll want to save the image as either PNG or GIF -- JPEG is right out.
The reason I say "JPEG is right out" in the context of bit depth, is that JPEG format is a very different beast than either PNG format or GIF format. The JPEG format divvies an image up into 8*8 chunks, and then does the visual equivalent of a Fourier transform on each of those chunks, breaking said chunk down into the sum of various 2D "waveforms". If you ignore the least-significant of the relevant 2D "waveforms", you can save a few bits of filesize... but only at the cost of losing some of the image quality. Photoshop allows the user to pick a quality level (and associated filesize) when saving a file as JPEG; if Compupic also does that, try saving your file as JPEG several times, using a different quality level each time. You will definitely preserve the image's resolution, but the visual quality is likely to vary widely, so compare and contrast...
Hope this helps!
Posted by: midwifetoad on Dec. 14 2009,07:48

Jpegs are already compressed, so there is no way to reduce the filesize without losing detail.

PhotoShop is probably the best. It has an option to save for the web, which allows you to experiment with various quality levels while keeping the pixel/inch optimized for computer displays.

Gimp is a free program that does most of what PhotoShop does.

If you have MS Office, you have or can get Microsoft Office Picture Manager,  a remarkably competent editor that does a lot of things most people want. It has a great cropping feature, for example, that easily produces images scaled to print paper dimensionns.
Posted by: Kattarina98 on Dec. 14 2009,09:59

Hey quetzal,
the birds are cute.


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
increase the brightness
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


If you'D like me to give it a try, pm me the original jpg.
Posted by: dhogaza on Dec. 14 2009,18:20

Qetzal ...



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
White nosed coati (Nasua narica) that was cruising the parking lot at Volcan Irazu, hoping to beg and/or steal something to eat.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Wow, that was probably one of the coatis we saw at Volcan Irazu.  When we were there, one of the little bastards darted into the little cafe/store there, jumped up and started eating someone's food (the someone went screaming in the opposite direction, it was really quite hilarious).

We were there November 3rd ... you weren't the clueless tourist feeding them, were you? (just kidding)
Posted by: Lou FCD on Dec. 14 2009,18:58

Quote (carlsonjok @ Dec. 13 2009,16:25)
I finally got a digital camera as an early Christmas gift and I took some pictures at a eventing clinic my wife participated in. Most of the pictures were only fair to middling, and no small number sucked.  But, I did rather like this one of my wife going over the duck jump.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Not bad, Carlson. It's a neat shot and I like it, too. You'll be an addict by the end of the week!

What did you end up getting?
Posted by: carlsonjok on Dec. 14 2009,19:24

Quote (Lou FCD @ Dec. 14 2009,18:58)
Quote (carlsonjok @ Dec. 13 2009,16:25)
I finally got a digital camera as an early Christmas gift and I took some pictures at a eventing clinic my wife participated in. Most of the pictures were only fair to middling, and no small number sucked.  But, I did rather like this one of my wife going over the duck jump.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Not bad, Carlson. It's a neat shot and I like it, too. You'll be an addict by the end of the week!

What did you end up getting?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Canon EOS Rebel XS (10 Megapixel), which came with a 18-55mm image stabilizing lens. I already had a 70-300mm lens, so I didn't bother with the package deal that Best Buy was offering.  I am hooked already.  It is nice not to have to plan your shots in increments of 24, if you know what I mean.

I took the full resolution version of that shot, uploaded it to Kodak Gallery, had it sent to the CVS pharmacy a few miles away, and within 20 minutes I had 2 8x10s waiting for me. How freaking cool is that?

I have a long way to go to improve my technique,  but at least with a digital camera I can take buttloads of shots and be assured at least one or two come out.
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Dec. 14 2009,19:44

To get the most apparent sharpness after downsizing, apply a touch of "unsharp mask" at the new smaller size. I look for the amount that does the most sharpening while adding just a smidge of edge contrast. If you do too much you will see artifacts where objects will have obvious changes in color/brightness in the adjacent background. It usually takes a bit of experimentation to find the right parameters. GIMP does a perfectly good job on this. Choose the "Sinc (Lanczos)" filter option when rescaling, then you can tap the "Preview" checkbox on and off in the "Unsharp Mask" filter to see what the current parameters do for you.

For serious upscaling, I use a Windows application called QImage from DDISoftware. It has a number of advanced filtering algorithms to handle upsizing a photo to avoid the jaggies and make it as natural-looking as possible.

To get the most out of JPEG for the web, get "jpegoptim". This will allow you to strip out the EXIF data and set a JPEG quality factor.

I do a lot with scripts at the command line. Currently I have two scripts in Perl, one to resize photos so I have thumbnails, a 560-pixel wide/tall version, and a 1024-pixel wide/tall version. Perl calls "jhead" to automatically rotate the images taken with my Nikon DSLR, then ImageMagick routines to handle the rescaling, normalization, and unsharp mask operations, and "jpegoptim" to strip EXIF from the new sizes. The other script creates HTML galleries so that I can upload entire directories of images to my server. I am looking to redo the scripts in Python as I get a chance, but that may be a while down the road.
Posted by: qetzal on Dec. 14 2009,20:42

Quote (dhogaza @ Dec. 14 2009,18:20)
Qetzal ...

 

---------------------QUOTE-------------------
White nosed coati (Nasua narica) that was cruising the parking lot at Volcan Irazu, hoping to beg and/or steal something to eat.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Wow, that was probably one of the coatis we saw at Volcan Irazu.  When we were there, one of the little bastards darted into the little cafe/store there, jumped up and started eating someone's food (the someone went screaming in the opposite direction, it was really quite hilarious).

We were there November 3rd ... you weren't the clueless tourist feeding them, were you? (just kidding)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yeah, he (?) definitely looked like a regular. In fact, we had bought a couple of T-shirts in the gift shop, and when we set them down on the picnic bench, he suddenly rushed up and started ripping into the bag! He was clearly hoping there was food inside.

But no, that wasn't us on the 3rd. We were there in mid Oct.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Dec. 15 2009,05:19

Quote (carlsonjok @ Dec. 14 2009,20:24)
Quote (Lou FCD @ Dec. 14 2009,18:58)
 
Quote (carlsonjok @ Dec. 13 2009,16:25)
I finally got a digital camera as an early Christmas gift and I took some pictures at a eventing clinic my wife participated in. Most of the pictures were only fair to middling, and no small number sucked.  But, I did rather like this one of my wife going over the duck jump.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Not bad, Carlson. It's a neat shot and I like it, too. You'll be an addict by the end of the week!

What did you end up getting?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Canon EOS Rebel XS (10 Megapixel), which came with a 18-55mm image stabilizing lens. I already had a 70-300mm lens, so I didn't bother with the package deal that Best Buy was offering.  I am hooked already.  It is nice not to have to plan your shots in increments of 24, if you know what I mean.

I took the full resolution version of that shot, uploaded it to Kodak Gallery, had it sent to the CVS pharmacy a few miles away, and within 20 minutes I had 2 8x10s waiting for me. How freaking cool is that?

I have a long way to go to improve my technique,  but at least with a digital camera I can take buttloads of shots and be assured at least one or two come out.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That's the camera I'm using, and < this project I did for my World Lit II class > (probably NSFW ETA: boobies!) is hanging on my instructor's office wall as we speak, and another copy of one of them is on display in the school library.

It's a pretty sweet camera for a n00b like me, and my oft-mentioned Theory of Photography is right up your alley. Stick an 8 gig memory card in the thing and take a crapload of shots. Some of them will turn out good.

If you get used to shooting in RAW mode (.CR2), the software that comes with the camera (Digital Photo Pro) can handle those inevitable "Damnit, I left the white-balance on fluorescent!" moments with one click. It's fairly simple to fix the saturation and brightness and whatnot, too. It takes time to then convert them to .jpg, but it's worth the hassle.

After that, you'd probably best take the advice of those more knowledgeable about compression. All I have is a pre-Correl version of Paint Shop Pro that dates from sometime around the K/T Extinction Event. I don't know what the hell's going on under the hood, but just re-saving the image in Paint Shop reduces the filesize from about 5 megs to around 100k. (I have a script set up to do that, and I just run a whole folder before I do anything else to the photos, like soften the focus or re-size). I've zoomed all the way in, looking for the difference in the pixels at a given spot between the pre and post-save versions of images, and I'll be damned if I can see it.

Of course, all the textbook reading I do may have caused blindness and/or loss of sanity...


Posted by: carlsonjok on Dec. 15 2009,05:34

Quote (Lou FCD @ Dec. 15 2009,05:19)
If you get used to shooting in RAW mode (.CR2), the software that comes with the camera (Digital Photo Pro) can handle those inevitable "Damnit, I left the white-balance on fluorescent!" moments with one click. It's fairly simple to fix the saturation and brightness and whatnot, too. It takes time to then convert them to .jpg, but it's worth the hassle.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Funny you should mention that because the Air Force Museum recommends adjusting the white balance for flourescent lighting, but the users manual doesn't offer any tips on how to do that.  I looked around and it seemed like the camera auto-adjusts the white balance.  Am I mistaken?
Posted by: midwifetoad on Dec. 15 2009,08:46

< http://www.ehow.com/how_2258690_set-custom-white-balance-canon.html >

On my (older) Rebel, I take a picture of a white object, a piece of paper is good, in the lighting I want to balance.

Then I press menu, scroll over and down to custom white balance. I select the picture I just took. This stores the settings for that condition.

I exit the menu, press the WB button, scroll over to custom white balance, and select that.

This seems like a lot of work, and it is, but the neat thing is you can store WB images for lots of different conditions on a memory card and select the appropriate one fairly quickly, without having to carry a white card around with you. The white card, by the way, doesn't have to be anything perfect or magical.

I seldom use custom WB, but my living room is painted green, and without the custom WB, images are impossible to correct.

Artistic shots of sunsets are not good candidates. You probably don't want realism. On the other hand, shots of natural objects taken as documents, should probably always be done with WB customized. You want to know what the object really looks like, without interpretation.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Dec. 15 2009,15:59

Quote (carlsonjok @ Dec. 15 2009,06:34)
Quote (Lou FCD @ Dec. 15 2009,05:19)
If you get used to shooting in RAW mode (.CR2), the software that comes with the camera (Digital Photo Pro) can handle those inevitable "Damnit, I left the white-balance on fluorescent!" moments with one click. It's fairly simple to fix the saturation and brightness and whatnot, too. It takes time to then convert them to .jpg, but it's worth the hassle.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Funny you should mention that because the Air Force Museum recommends adjusting the white balance for flourescent lighting, but the users manual doesn't offer any tips on how to do that.  I looked around and it seemed like the camera auto-adjusts the white balance.  Am I mistaken?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Well, yes and/or no. On the back of the camera, there are two buttons just to the right of the screen and above the four buttons that ring the "Set" button. One of those is marked "AV" and adjusts your aperture. The other is marked "WB" and is your white balance button.

Push it. Your menu screen will now have 8 options, each with an icon.

AWB, a little sun, a house with a shadow, a cloud, a lightbulb, a rectangle with rays shooting out of it, a lightning bolt, and a ball hovering above two triangle things.

The rectangle with the rays shooting out of it is for fluorescent lighting. (I think that's supposed to be a fluorescent light.)

The others are (from left to right):

Auto White Balance (I don't think it does a great job, but YMMV)
Bright Sunlight
Shade
Cloudy
Incandescent Light
the fluorescent light thingy
Flash
Custom <-- I haven't messed with this, but see midwifetoad's answer above. He sounds like he knows what he's talking about. :)

Again, if you shoot in RAW mode and forget to set it, it's a one-click fix in the software that came with the camera, so don't stress over it too much if you realize you've shot some good pics with the wrong setting.

If you shoot in JPG mode, it's tough to fix it well, and I've not yet gotten the hang of that.


Posted by: dhogaza on Dec. 15 2009,16:43

I've sold a fair amount of photography in the book and magazine market, so hopefully know a bit about it so ...

Fixing white-balance after shooting is just fine.  It's what I do.  You can do it with JPEGs as well in programs like Photoshop Elements, The GIMP, etc.

The only problem is that JPEGs store 8 bits per channel (RGW), so if your color is far off, shifting to white can chop off the color space to an annoying extent.  Same with compensating for contrast, etc.

If you shoot RAW you can ignore manual white balance (and color saturation, sharpening and similar) controls because, well, they're ignored by the camera anyway.  RAW is what it says - the real bits from the sensor, untouched by in-camera software.

The idea behind these controls is to give you control over the image when it's converted in-camera to JPEG, in other words.  Your goal shooting JPEGs should be to make the final product be the one generated in-camera.

Now, if you're shooting RAW, with this particular camera you get 12 bits per channel rather than the 8 bits in JPEGs to play with, so you can do a lot of compensating for color, contrast, etc on your computer and still be left with a full 8 bits per channel to get shoved into JPEG output, or your monitor, or printer, etc.  And the dynamic range is great - the level of contrast you can capture then squish into the several stops that a printer can resolve is very high.  And if you totally blow an exposure (hard to do if you use autoexposure) your chances of extracting a usable image is very high.  I haven't tested the dynamic range of my 50D but I could pull out on the order of a dozen stops with my old 20D (contrast that with the 5 or so stops resolvable by Fuji Velvia slide film, or the 7 or so stops resolvable by traditional BW paper).  So if I underexpose by 7 stops, I can still extract 5 stops of information, leaving me with an image with about as much dynamic range as contrasty old Velvia (not that I'd ever forget to take the camera off manual or change exposure after shooting outdoors and stepping into a dark room to shoot something, naw, I'd never do that :)

The downside of RAW is that the image files are larger, and post-processing for printing etc is generally necessary as at minimum you'll want to mess with color saturation and add some sharpening (on the other hand I apply different degrees of sharpening - unsharp mask - for different images/print sizes, but then I'm probably a more critical printer than casual shooters are).
Posted by: midwifetoad on Dec. 15 2009,16:56



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
If you shoot RAW you can ignore manual white balance
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Only if you are a masochist. I have PhotoShop CS3 at work and it has a wonderful set of controls for setting color temperature, and such.

The problem is that bad color situations can't always be fixed by fiddling with color temperature. You have to go into Levels and adjust the color levels individually.

Firs of all, that's painful unless you are after an artistic effect. Second, it may give you something that looks nice but isn't accurate.

I'm sure there are times when nature photographers would value accuracy above art. Using a white card and manual white balance will give you accuracy in tough conditions.
Posted by: dhogaza on Dec. 15 2009,18:32



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Only if you are a masochist.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Oops, white color balance is applied to RAW images by Canon bodies.  But serious photographers I know clean up their images during post processing.  When shooting RAW, post processing is a given anyway.

The only time you can't correct properly is when there's a mix of light sources of different color temperature.  But that's true whether you're adjusting in-camera or during post-processing.  Remember that color balance correction doesn't affect the sensor - it's software correction applied to the bits generated by the sensor.  Doesn't matter if the software's running in the camera or on your computer.

Setting white balance with a white card is fine, of course, assuming that the light falling on the card is the same color temperature as the light falling on the subject.  That's often not the case when shooting wildlife.
Posted by: midwifetoad on Dec. 15 2009,19:01



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Doesn't matter if the software's running in the camera or on your computer
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



True in theory, but a lot easier to do by measuring the quality of the light when you are taking the picture. Otherwise, you are just making a pretty picture, as opposed to an accurate one.

It's also true that you can't always measure the light that's falling on your subject, particularly if you are using a long lens. That's related to my problem in my green painted room. The subject is lighted by light reflected off a colored object -- leaves, for example.

That presents a problem more complex than color temperature. Another common problem is that there are a dozen or more different fluorescent bulbs, with different mixtures of phosphor. I have a little Nikon camera that offers three settings for fluorescent lights.

The fact is that auto WB does an acceptable job most of the time. My point is that, having dropped a couple grand on camera and lenses, you should know how it works. My first digital camera was a Nikon point and shoot. I was still finding new menu options a year after I got it.
Posted by: ppb on Dec. 15 2009,21:05

My Canon Rebel XT lets me save images as both raw and jpeg simultaneously.  You can have a raw image to play with if you need it, but also have a jpeg ready to use right away.  Make sure you have a large enough memory card though as this will use up the space more quickly.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Dec. 15 2009,22:04

Quote (ppb @ Dec. 15 2009,22:05)
My Canon Rebel XT lets me save images as both raw and jpeg simultaneously.  You can have a raw image to play with if you need it, but also have a jpeg ready to use right away.  Make sure you have a large enough memory card though as this will use up the space more quickly.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


The XS has that capability too, but I don't bother. I know I'm going to post-process, and RAW is way easier for me in the environment available to me.
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Dec. 15 2009,22:41

For the Canon Rebel XS, you can set a custom white balance in the "Record" menu:



---------------------QUOTE-------------------

Custom WB - Set the custom white balance value using a stored image

---------------------QUOTE-------------------



I carry a white piece of plastic in my kit that also serves as a flash bounce card, but it is also my custom white balance target. On one side, it has a bit of scribbling in blue marker. Taking a custom white balance on that makes the resulting exposures ever so slightly warmer, which makes a subtle but welcome change in skin tones.

There are so many different sorts of fluorescent lights that I wouldn't trust a "fluorescent" white balance setting. IT also doesn't work well to used a fixed white balance when there is mixed lighting. Custom white balance is really the way to go.
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Dec. 15 2009,22:47



---------------------QUOTE-------------------

My first digital camera was a Nikon point and shoot. I was still finding new menu options a year after I got it.

---------------------QUOTE-------------------



I had just gotten my Nikon D2Xs DSLR on a Thursday, and was traveling that Saturday to go to the first Dover reunion. I had reading material for the flight -- the multi-hundred page manual for the camera and the just slightly shorter manual for the SB-800 flash units. But what helped a lot was Moose Peterson's listing of his recommended menu settings for the D2Xs, which I applied right off the bat. I've had little cause to move many of those. There's loads of capabilities I haven't touched yet.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Dec. 16 2009,05:44

Damn you all! I have the last of my five finals today, and until that's done I just don't have room in my brain for any new information.

Until noon today, your fancy schmancy custom white balance stuff just gets filed under "Magic".
Posted by: carlsonjok on Dec. 27 2009,14:33

On Christmas Day, we went out on our neighbors walking paths and enjoyed the sun.  We didn't see any true wildlife, although these three are fairly ill-behaved.

I call this one Why You Always Want to be Lead Dog.


EDIT:  Thanks, Bob.
Posted by: Bob O'H on Dec. 27 2009,14:37

Oops, wrong link apparently.  Can you haz eddit button?
Posted by: carlsonjok on Dec. 27 2009,14:43

Quote (Bob O'H @ Dec. 27 2009,14:37)
Oops, wrong link apparently.  Can you haz eddit button?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks, fixed now.
Posted by: The Wayward Hammer on Jan. 01 2010,16:06

Some shots near my house.  Flamingos - I thought they only came in the plastic variety.  Also, a spoonbill.

On flickr:< My Webpage >
Posted by: rhmc on Jan. 01 2010,22:25

Quote (The Wayward Hammer @ Jan. 01 2010,17:06)
Some shots near my house.  Flamingos - I thought they only came in the plastic variety.  Also, a spoonbill.

On flickr:< My Webpage >
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


so how far south are ewe?

ibis seen a few spoonbills around

got a couple of broken ceramic flamingos in the shrubs

rails and storks abound


eta: eye kant spill
Posted by: The Wayward Hammer on Jan. 02 2010,12:03

We live in Houston, so quite far south.  I moved here from the Midwest about 4 years ago.  We have funny water birds here but are severely lacking in the songbird department.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Jan. 02 2010,12:29

Quote (The Wayward Hammer @ Jan. 01 2010,16:06)
Some shots near my house.  Flamingos - I thought they only came in the plastic variety.  Also, a spoonbill.

On flickr:< My Webpage >
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I think that the "flamingos" in < this image > are also Roseate Spoonbills. Flamingos are quite rare in the US, and most of them are escapees from zoos. The most famous of these is "Pink Floyd", the feral Chilean Flamingo who winters on the south side of the Great Salt Lake in Utah. See < here > for more details about Floyd.
Posted by: The Wayward Hammer on Jan. 02 2010,14:41

Good point: looking at the photos out the interwebs, it appears that I captured a nice flock of spoonbills.  I did not realize that flamingos were so rare in the US.  Thanks!
Posted by: Robin on Feb. 03 2010,12:12

Must be close to bird mating and nesting time here on the east coast of the US. Had the most spectacular display from a female Cooper's Hawk two days ago - at our sliding glass window! The bird puffed up and starting screaming - I thought at us because my wife and I were just getting up from breakfast and the door is right next to our kitchen table - but after watching for a bit it became evident she couldn't see us - or at least not well - because of the sun's angle on the window. All I can think is that she saw her reflection and was doing a territorial display, but I'm not positive. I'll have to look it up. At any rate, it was the most amazing sight I've seen in quite awhile. I've never been that close - maybe 3 feet - from a wild Cooper's. My wife was so stunned, she completely forgot she had her iPhone in her hand and could have taken a pic. (sigh)
Posted by: J-Dog on Feb. 03 2010,17:06

Robin - Don't forget that we are also always intested in getting pictures of the mating habits of Homo sapiens.  Especially if your wife is stunning.


ps:  Oh.  You said stunned!  That's different.
Posted by: khan on Feb. 06 2010,14:44

I know it's not very good, but he would fly away if I opened the door.  I think it's a Northern Harrier.

Startled me when he swooped past the window.





Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Feb. 06 2010,16:02

I've never seen a Northern Harrier sitting in a deciduous tree in a wooded area. Now, that's not to say that this isn't a Harrier, but I'm betting it's a large (female) Cooper's Hawk instead, just based on the habitat.

On the subject of hawks, I am currently in Kansas City, staying in a hotel near the Plaza. I happened to look out the window to see a Red-tailed Hawk, which by itself would be an unusual sighting in this urban area, flapping strenuously away from the hotel while being chased by a large falcon. The falcon took a couple of dives at the Red-tail, and then swooped back toward the hotel and flew right past my window. Peregrine Falcon! I'm not aware of any nesting Peregrines in this city, but that bird was acting in a pretty territorial manner...
Posted by: khan on Feb. 06 2010,16:06



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
I've never seen a Northern Harrier sitting in a deciduous tree in a wooded area. Now, that's not to say that this isn't a Harrier, but I'm betting it's a large (female) Cooper's Hawk instead, just based on the habitat.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Could be. Both species have taken kills in the front yard.
Posted by: khan on Mar. 05 2010,19:14

Not sure I want to know what happened. Pretty sure those are raccoon prints in blood.






Posted by: J-Dog on Mar. 05 2010,19:54

ROCKY RACOON
Now the doctor came in stinking of gin
And proceeded to lie on the table
He said Rocky you met your match
And Rocky said, doc it's only a scratch
And I'll be better I'll be better doc as soon as I am able
Posted by: fnxtr on Mar. 05 2010,20:21

Quote (khan @ Mar. 05 2010,17:14)
Not sure I want to know what happened. Pretty sure those are raccoon prints in blood.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Notice any cats missing?
Posted by: khan on Mar. 05 2010,20:31

Quote (fnxtr @ Mar. 05 2010,21:21)
Quote (khan @ Mar. 05 2010,17:14)
Not sure I want to know what happened. Pretty sure those are raccoon prints in blood.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Notice any cats missing?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


One cat and he's mostly indoor (and still here).
Posted by: carlsonjok on Mar. 14 2010,09:38

I went out to the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge yesterday and took a lot of pictures.  Much to my surprise, a few actually turned out.  Although, I still don't like the overall image quality I get with my bottom-of-the-line telephoto lens.

Blacktail Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus)



Bison (Bison bison)





Texas Longhorn (Bos taurus)





I also saw 3 American Elk (Cervus elaphus), but they were too far away, and tucked back in some timber, so I didn't get a very good picture.
Posted by: Schroedinger's Dog on Mar. 14 2010,15:09

Thanks Carlsonjok, these are gorgeous (I really like the prairie dog).

BTW, I've started reading "I Am America (and so can you)" an hour ago. Love it so far!
Posted by: Henry J on Mar. 14 2010,17:00

But is a prairie dog a member of the dog kind? :p
Posted by: Louis on Mar. 14 2010,17:20

Quote (Henry J @ Mar. 14 2010,22:00)
But is a prairie dog a member of the dog kind? :p
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


No it's a member of the prarie kind, and therefore a grass.

Louis
Posted by: Doc Bill on Mar. 14 2010,17:40



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
No it's a member of the prarie kind, and therefore a grass.

Louis
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



The short haired Tattle Tail comes to mind.
Posted by: Richard Simons on Mar. 14 2010,19:29

My wife and I are planning on visiting Florida in the second week of April but don't want to spend vast sums. We are interested in wildlife, especially birds, but not in city nightlife. We are currently looking at flying to Tampa then renting a car and driving to Fort Charlotte. Of course, we would like to get into the mangroves, but dashing across the swamps in a propellor-driven boat does not particularly appeal - we would like to be able to go more slowly and to hear things.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to where we should go and what we should do? Flying in to Orlando or Miami are other possibilities but getting to Miami is more expensive from here.
Posted by: Schroedinger's Dog on Mar. 15 2010,02:23

Quote (Richard Simons @ Mar. 15 2010,01:29)
My wife and I are planning on visiting Florida in the second week of April but don't want to spend vast sums. We are interested in wildlife, especially birds, but not in city nightlife. We are currently looking at flying to Tampa then renting a car and driving to Fort Charlotte. Of course, we would like to get into the mangroves, but dashing across the swamps in a propellor-driven boat does not particularly appeal - we would like to be able to go more slowly and to hear things.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to where we should go and what we should do? Flying in to Orlando or Miami are other possibilities but getting to Miami is more expensive from here.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


The tampa area is quite the spot if you want wildlife. I've spent 5 summers there (in St Petersburg), and any average bayou will allow you to see alligators, cranes, turtles...

And from tampa, you're not very far from Tarpon Spings, and most of all Clearwater Springs, which is an excellent place for scuba diving.

And for a nice camp-out, Fort deSoto is really cool (try throwing some rocks in the water at night, it will glow like fireworks!).

Hope this helps...
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Mar. 15 2010,06:35

Quote (Richard Simons @ Mar. 14 2010,19:29)
My wife and I are planning on visiting Florida in the second week of April but don't want to spend vast sums. We are interested in wildlife, especially birds, but not in city nightlife. We are currently looking at flying to Tampa then renting a car and driving to Fort Charlotte. Of course, we would like to get into the mangroves, but dashing across the swamps in a propellor-driven boat does not particularly appeal - we would like to be able to go more slowly and to hear things.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to where we should go and what we should do? Flying in to Orlando or Miami are other possibilities but getting to Miami is more expensive from here.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Sanibel Island and the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, just west of Ft. Myers. One of the best birding places on the planet. Don't miss it.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Mar. 15 2010,06:42

Quote (carlsonjok @ Mar. 14 2010,10:38)
I went out to the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge yesterday and took a lot of pictures.  Much to my surprise, a few actually turned out.  Although, I still don't like the overall image quality I get with my bottom-of-the-line telephoto lens.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nice shots, though, Carlson. Thanks for sharing.

I've got my eye on upgrading my bottom-of-the-line zoom myself. The wifey is being a little cranky about it, though. She keeps yapping about priorities and house repairs and other miscellaneous unimportant nonsense.
Posted by: J-Dog on Mar. 15 2010,08:21

The best advice for visiting FL so far comes from one of our resident Frenchies!  Perhaps we could get tax-exempt status for our new org... Bloggers Without Borders!



ps:  shout out to Louis for the "prairie kind", and Doc for the "Short Haired Tattle Tail".
Posted by: carlsonjok on Mar. 16 2010,07:43

Quote (Lou FCD @ Mar. 15 2010,06:42)
Quote (carlsonjok @ Mar. 14 2010,10:38)
I went out to the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge yesterday and took a lot of pictures.  Much to my surprise, a few actually turned out.  Although, I still don't like the overall image quality I get with my bottom-of-the-line telephoto lens.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nice shots, though, Carlson. Thanks for sharing.

I've got my eye on upgrading my bottom-of-the-line zoom myself. The wifey is being a little cranky about it, though. She keeps yapping about priorities and house repairs and other miscellaneous unimportant nonsense.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Having spent the last month in Home Repair Hell ™, I can sympathize.  

I've got my eye on < this lens >, but at around $600 I am going to have to save my pennies. Right now I have the stock Canon 18-55mm lens with image stabilization and an old Tamron 70-300mm lens for long shots. But it doesn't have any image stabilization and I have found that when zoomed all the way out, the picture quality is poor, even when I am taking a still shot.  Plus, when I am photographing at a horse show, or out in nature (like I was at the Wildlife Refuge), that I am frequently changing lenses when something strikes my fancy.  I think this lens helps with both issues.  

But, alas, it will be a while as I have to get new carpeting and new riding mower in the months ahead.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Mar. 17 2010,15:40

Quote (carlsonjok @ Mar. 16 2010,08:43)
Quote (Lou FCD @ Mar. 15 2010,06:42)
 
Quote (carlsonjok @ Mar. 14 2010,10:38)
I went out to the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge yesterday and took a lot of pictures.  Much to my surprise, a few actually turned out.  Although, I still don't like the overall image quality I get with my bottom-of-the-line telephoto lens.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nice shots, though, Carlson. Thanks for sharing.

I've got my eye on upgrading my bottom-of-the-line zoom myself. The wifey is being a little cranky about it, though. She keeps yapping about priorities and house repairs and other miscellaneous unimportant nonsense.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Having spent the last month in Home Repair Hell ™, I can sympathize.  

I've got my eye on < this lens >, but at around $600 I am going to have to save my pennies. Right now I have the stock Canon 18-55mm lens with image stabilization and an old Tamron 70-300mm lens for long shots. But it doesn't have any image stabilization and I have found that when zoomed all the way out, the picture quality is poor, even when I am taking a still shot.  Plus, when I am photographing at a horse show, or out in nature (like I was at the Wildlife Refuge), that I am frequently changing lenses when something strikes my fancy.  I think this lens helps with both issues.  

But, alas, it will be a while as I have to get new carpeting and new riding mower in the months ahead.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I've been looking at two, actually:

< This one >, and < this one >, both for each of the reasons you mention. Currently I have the standard lens you mention < and a Canon similar to the Tamron you mention >.
Posted by: khan on Mar. 17 2010,16:22

Quote (khan @ Mar. 05 2010,20:14)
Not sure I want to know what happened. Pretty sure those are raccoon prints in blood.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I think I know what happened.
There is a damaged & dieing raccoon in the cat shelter on the patio.
Posted by: dhogaza on Mar. 17 2010,17:52



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Sanibel Island and the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, just west of Ft. Myers. One of the best birding places on the planet. Don't miss it.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Don't forget the various beaches on Sanibel, there are usually lots of shorebirds (waders to some of you) and due to the continual presence of people, they're not skittish and quite easy to photograph with even a moderate telephoto (my first trip there was with a 400/5.6).

< This white ibis shot was taken from one of the beaches, for instance >
Posted by: dhogaza on Mar. 17 2010,17:58

Let me just drop that image inline and force y'all to take a gander ... composition could be better, I was a newbie at that point and all excited.


Posted by: dhogaza on Mar. 17 2010,18:10

More from the area ... this reddish egret hanging out in a salt water lagoon was reported to me while I was down in the everglades.

Three days later, it was still there, in the same place.  Unfortunately, the lagoon is in a portion of Ft. Meyers Beach which is unaccessible unless you're staying at one of the hotels on the beach.   Strangely, I wasn't, and I still got out there to photograph.  Don't tell anyone, not sure the statute of limitations has expired yet :)

This guy was so used to people that it wouldn't strike a pose.  I was out in the lagoon up to my knees with tripod and 600/4, and finally resorted to kicking salt water at it to get it to pay attention to me!


Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Mar. 17 2010,19:20

Quote (khan @ Mar. 17 2010,16:22)
Quote (khan @ Mar. 05 2010,20:14)
Not sure I want to know what happened. Pretty sure those are raccoon prints in blood.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I think I know what happened.
There is a damaged & dieing raccoon in the cat shelter on the patio.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


There's apparently a nasty form of < roundworm carried by raccoons > that is hard to eradicate. Treat any fecal matter from your visitor as hazardous waste.

CDC:



---------------------QUOTE-------------------

How should I clean up raccoon feces?

You should clean up very carefully. To eliminate eggs, feces and material contaminated with raccoon feces should be removed and burned, buried, or sent to a landfill. Care should be taken to avoid contaminating hands and clothes. The use of gloves and facemask will help prevent cross contamination. Treat feces-soiled decks, patios, and other surfaces with boiling water. Always wash hands well with soap and running water, to help further reduce possible infection.

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Posted by: fnxtr on Mar. 17 2010,21:13

Quote (khan @ Mar. 17 2010,14:22)
Quote (khan @ Mar. 05 2010,20:14)
Not sure I want to know what happened. Pretty sure those are raccoon prints in blood.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I think I know what happened.
There is a damaged & dieing raccoon in the cat shelter on the patio.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Ouch. Really? Road accident? Coyote? Badger? Some good with a rifle?

Otherwise, that's some cat you have there.
Posted by: Richard Simons on Mar. 18 2010,20:20

Thanks for the suggestions of where to visit in Florida. I think my wife in particular will appreciate the herons and ibis - to her an LBJ is just a little brown bird. We've booked our flight and a rental car and rooms for a couple of nights (Tampa and Port Charlotte) and play it by ear once we get there. I imagine it will not be a particularly busy time of year.

Here up in Manitoba, I heard the first white-throated sparrow a week ago and saw a merlin yesterday so the migrants are starting to come back. The snow and ice are melting fast and early - half-a-dozen semi-trailers got stuck in the mud on the winter road to St Theresa Point so it looks like they'll have to fly in a gravel-crusher.
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Mar. 19 2010,00:57

If you've booked your Florida travel outside winter and spring break, yeah, that's a bit different.

Maybe a get-together could be set up for those of us who are residents here and our visiting friends.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Mar. 19 2010,05:35

Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ Mar. 19 2010,01:57)
If you've booked your Florida travel outside winter and spring break, yeah, that's a bit different.

Maybe a get-together could be set up for those of us who are residents here and our visiting friends.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Make sure Diane is around, in case a gator needs an attitude adjustment.

How's she doing, by the way?
Posted by: Schroedinger's Dog on Mar. 19 2010,06:15

Quote (Lou FCD @ Mar. 19 2010,11:35)
Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ Mar. 19 2010,01:57)
If you've booked your Florida travel outside winter and spring break, yeah, that's a bit different.

Maybe a get-together could be set up for those of us who are residents here and our visiting friends.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Make sure Diane is around, in case a gator needs an attitude adjustment.

How's she doing, by the way?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


The new Diane?


Posted by: Aardvark on Mar. 24 2010,18:56

Things around my room:









And something from the bathroom:


Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Mar. 24 2010,20:18

Quote (Lou FCD @ Mar. 19 2010,05:35)
Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ Mar. 19 2010,01:57)
If you've booked your Florida travel outside winter and spring break, yeah, that's a bit different.

Maybe a get-together could be set up for those of us who are residents here and our visiting friends.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Make sure Diane is around, in case a gator needs an attitude adjustment.

How's she doing, by the way?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Diane is doing fine. Just this evening, some kids asked to see her gator scars... the 24 tooth marks are still visible as pinkish scars on her left calf.
Posted by: Henry J on Mar. 24 2010,20:21

Aardvark,

Do those guys pay rent? :)
Posted by: OWKtree on Mar. 25 2010,14:40

Got a new entry for my "backyard wildlife" list.

Peregrine Falcon.  Had one swooping around the level of my apartment window.  Watched it circling down the block between two buildings (actually above a half block sized parking lot) and actually stoop to take a shot at some of the local pigeons.  Came back up into sight without a meal, so I guess the pigeons survived this time around.

Only other bird of prey I've seen around are red-tailed hawks.  Including one sitting on the sidewalk plucking a recently caught starling while out walking during lunch time last fall.
Posted by: Henry J on Mar. 25 2010,15:22

One of my coworkers has talked about a bird of prey that lives in his area. As he has a small dog, whenever the dog is outside somebody has to be on the alert for incoming bird.
Posted by: Steviepinhead on Mar. 25 2010,17:27

The other day, I went out for my mail and ran into a small pod of anatomically modern humans.  Unfortunately, I don't usually camera up to go for the mail, so I was unable to document this unusual sighting.

I haven't been outside again since, so I can't say whether this was a migratory group or whether they may have elected to take up residence...

I did note an unusual amount of vocalization.  It's conceivable this represents a crude attempt at intraspecific communication.

But, of course, it could also be mating-related, or any number of other things.

I hope to be in a position to make additonal observations soon, since I am expecting a package.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Mar. 25 2010,21:04

Quote (Henry J @ Mar. 25 2010,15:22)
One of my coworkers has talked about a bird of prey that lives in his area. As he has a small dog, whenever the dog is outside somebody has to be on the alert for incoming bird.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Unless the dog is quite small, or he lives in a neighborhood that hosts Harpy Eagles, I suspect the dog is not at risk from a raptor. Hawks may look big, but remember that they are mostly feathers. A big female red-tailed hawk won't take anything much bigger than a squirrel or a cottontail. Most dogs are bigger than that.
Posted by: Henry J on Mar. 25 2010,22:29

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Mar. 25 2010,20:04)
Unless the dog is quite small,
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


It is.
Posted by: khan on Mar. 26 2010,08:52

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Mar. 25 2010,22:04)
Quote (Henry J @ Mar. 25 2010,15:22)
One of my coworkers has talked about a bird of prey that lives in his area. As he has a small dog, whenever the dog is outside somebody has to be on the alert for incoming bird.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Unless the dog is quite small, or he lives in a neighborhood that hosts Harpy Eagles, I suspect the dog is not at risk from a raptor. Hawks may look big, but remember that they are mostly feathers. A big female red-tailed hawk won't take anything much bigger than a squirrel or a cottontail. Most dogs are bigger than that.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Posted by: Henry J on Mar. 26 2010,10:33

:O  :O
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Mar. 26 2010,12:55

Our new place in Palmetto, Florida looks like it has a fair bit of interesting fauna on it.

There's a woodpecker that has laid claim to the property. He/she comes by the power poles fairly regularly. Four of us were standing at the poles when I saw the woodpecker coming our way in the usual flap-swoop alternation. He/she lit on the pole, and it was only then that he/she looked down and noticed our presence. Birds don't have very mobile facial features, but if I could assign an emotion, it was surprise. He/she flew off. Another time, we let Rusty loose from the van. The woodpecker flew off, loudly vocalizing. I don't think he/she liked our bringing a hawk on the property.

I've seen a great blue heron and another species of heron, plus various egrets. There's sometimes coots at one of the ponds. We've seen some black-colored snake and a king snake near the house. We can hear red-tailed hawks in the vicinity, plus there are plenty of turkey vultures around. One of the turkey vultures likes to perch on the power pole.

And, of course, there are rabbits around.

When I get some time to get photos, I'll post them.
Posted by: fnxtr on Mar. 26 2010,13:26

Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ Mar. 26 2010,10:55)
Our new place in Palmetto, Florida looks like it has a fair bit of interesting fauna on it.

There's a woodpecker that has laid claim to the property. He/she comes by the power poles fairly regularly. Four of us were standing at the poles when I saw the woodpecker coming our way in the usual flap-swoop alternation. He/she lit on the pole, and it was only then that he/she looked down and noticed our presence. Birds don't have very mobile facial features, but if I could assign an emotion, it was surprise. He/she flew off. Another time, we let Rusty loose from the van. The woodpecker flew off, loudly vocalizing. I don't think he/she liked our bringing a hawk on the property.

I've seen a great blue heron and another species of heron, plus various egrets. There's sometimes coots at one of the ponds. We've seen some black-colored snake and a king snake near the house. We can hear red-tailed hawks in the vicinity, plus there are plenty of turkey vultures around. One of the turkey vultures likes to perch on the power pole.

And, of course, there are rabbits around.

When I get some time to get photos, I'll post them.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Got you all beat: we have actual frogs behind our house.
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Mar. 26 2010,13:29

When the power company removed their meter last year, they didn't bother to remove the leads to the transformer. I know there are frogs around our place, because one fried himself going from one lead to the other in the box.
Posted by: Henry J on Mar. 26 2010,14:52

Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ Mar. 26 2010,12:29)
When the power company removed their meter last year, they didn't bother to remove the leads to the transformer. I know there are frogs around our place, because one fried himself going from one lead to the other in the box.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


"It's not easy being green" - Kermit the frog.
Posted by: qetzal on Mar. 28 2010,12:21

We seem to have a red-shouldered hawk* nesting near us. It (or one of them?) perches on our back fence occasionally.



*Red-shouldered seems likeliest, based on < this site >. The call is certainly identical.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Mar. 28 2010,21:04

Quote (qetzal @ Mar. 28 2010,12:21)
*Red-shouldered seems likeliest, based on < this site >. The call is certainly identical.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Indeed. Nice shot! And from the looks of that bird, you might live in Florida or somewhere in the eastern US, rather than the western US.
Posted by: qetzal on Mar. 29 2010,08:53

Actually, we're north of Houston.

I'm guessing these hawks show geographical variation then?
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Mar. 30 2010,09:13

Quote (qetzal @ Mar. 29 2010,08:53)
Actually, we're north of Houston.

I'm guessing these hawks show geographical variation then?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yeah, eastern birds (or southeastern birds, for sure) tend to have pale heads and less rufous on the underparts. Here are some typical specimens

< western >

< eastern >
Posted by: Richard Simons on April 05 2010,20:42

Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ Mar. 19 2010,00:57)
If you've booked your Florida travel outside winter and spring break, yeah, that's a bit different.

Maybe a get-together could be set up for those of us who are residents here and our visiting friends.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Sorry, Wes, I've been away from the site for a few days and had not seen this. We plan on arriving in Tampa late on the 7th, then next day driving down to Ft Myers for 3 nights, followed by Naples (not booked) then back to Tampa to fly back on the afternoon of the 14th. If possible, I would like a chance to meet some of the people who frequent these pages.
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on April 05 2010,22:18

Richard, would you be able to spend a couple of hours the evening of the 13th somewhere near south Tampa Bay?
Posted by: Bjarne on April 06 2010,08:04

My cat just came home with this little fellow:



Its a grass snake (Natix natix). As far as I know, the only snake species present in my region.
Posted by: Wolfhound on April 06 2010,08:52

Quote (Richard Simons @ April 05 2010,21:42)
Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ Mar. 19 2010,00:57)
If you've booked your Florida travel outside winter and spring break, yeah, that's a bit different.

Maybe a get-together could be set up for those of us who are residents here and our visiting friends.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Sorry, Wes, I've been away from the site for a few days and had not seen this. We plan on arriving in Tampa late on the 7th, then next day driving down to Ft Myers for 3 nights, followed by Naples (not booked) then back to Tampa to fly back on the afternoon of the 14th. If possible, I would like a chance to meet some of the people who frequent these pages.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I'm pretty much a non-entity around here (lotsa' lurkin', not much postin') but reside in the Central Florida area.  A meetup would be nice.  Any excuse to share a drink, you know.
Posted by: fnxtr on April 06 2010,11:36

Quote (Wolfhound @ April 06 2010,06:52)
Quote (Richard Simons @ April 05 2010,21:42)
Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ Mar. 19 2010,00:57)
If you've booked your Florida travel outside winter and spring break, yeah, that's a bit different.

Maybe a get-together could be set up for those of us who are residents here and our visiting friends.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Sorry, Wes, I've been away from the site for a few days and had not seen this. We plan on arriving in Tampa late on the 7th, then next day driving down to Ft Myers for 3 nights, followed by Naples (not booked) then back to Tampa to fly back on the afternoon of the 14th. If possible, I would like a chance to meet some of the people who frequent these pages.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I'm pretty much a non-entity around here (lotsa' lurkin', not much postin') but reside in the Central Florida area.  A meetup would be nice.  Any excuse to share a drink, you know.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Plus, she has a cool leather jacket.
Posted by: J-Dog on April 06 2010,12:51

Quote (fnxtr @ April 06 2010,11:36)
Quote (Wolfhound @ April 06 2010,06:52)
Quote (Richard Simons @ April 05 2010,21:42)
 
Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ Mar. 19 2010,00:57)
If you've booked your Florida travel outside winter and spring break, yeah, that's a bit different.

Maybe a get-together could be set up for those of us who are residents here and our visiting friends.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Sorry, Wes, I've been away from the site for a few days and had not seen this. We plan on arriving in Tampa late on the 7th, then next day driving down to Ft Myers for 3 nights, followed by Naples (not booked) then back to Tampa to fly back on the afternoon of the 14th. If possible, I would like a chance to meet some of the people who frequent these pages.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I'm pretty much a non-entity around here (lotsa' lurkin', not much postin') but reside in the Central Florida area.  A meetup would be nice.  Any excuse to share a drink, you know.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Plus, she has a cool leather jacket.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


and her dogs can beat up DaveTard's dogs.
Posted by: Wolfhound on April 06 2010,14:37

Quote (J-Dog @ April 06 2010,13:51)
Quote (fnxtr @ April 06 2010,11:36)
Quote (Wolfhound @ April 06 2010,06:52)
 
Quote (Richard Simons @ April 05 2010,21:42)
 
Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ Mar. 19 2010,00:57)
If you've booked your Florida travel outside winter and spring break, yeah, that's a bit different.

Maybe a get-together could be set up for those of us who are residents here and our visiting friends.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Sorry, Wes, I've been away from the site for a few days and had not seen this. We plan on arriving in Tampa late on the 7th, then next day driving down to Ft Myers for 3 nights, followed by Naples (not booked) then back to Tampa to fly back on the afternoon of the 14th. If possible, I would like a chance to meet some of the people who frequent these pages.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I'm pretty much a non-entity around here (lotsa' lurkin', not much postin') but reside in the Central Florida area.  A meetup would be nice.  Any excuse to share a drink, you know.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Plus, she has a cool leather jacket.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


and her dogs can beat up DaveTard's dogs.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Hell, they can beat up DaveTard himself!
Posted by: Richard Simons on April 06 2010,22:05

Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ April 05 2010,22:18)
Richard, would you be able to spend a couple of hours the evening of the 13th somewhere near south Tampa Bay?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Wes, That sounds good, and my wife likes the idea of meeting up with a local zoology contact. Let me know of a suitable place and time.

Wolfhound, I've never been to Florida before, but if you can suggest a meeting time and place (the same as with Wes or different) that would fit in with our plans without too much driving on busy highways we'd like to meet you, too.
Posted by: Wolfhound on April 07 2010,05:34

Quote (Richard Simons @ April 06 2010,23:05)
Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ April 05 2010,22:18)
Richard, would you be able to spend a couple of hours the evening of the 13th somewhere near south Tampa Bay?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Wes, That sounds good, and my wife likes the idea of meeting up with a local zoology contact. Let me know of a suitable place and time.

Wolfhound, I've never been to Florida before, but if you can suggest a meeting time and place (the same as with Wes or different) that would fit in with our plans without too much driving on busy highways we'd like to meet you, too.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


If Wes is okay with sharing his time, it would make more sense for us all to meet at the same venue.  Just need a time and place.

Oh, and my name is Monica.  No harm in sharing that since it is well-known that I own several large, vicious wolfhounds with a taste for creationist flesh.  RAWR!
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on April 07 2010,08:17

Our local coal-burning utility company likes to put a green veneer on their activities, and thus have provided a place for peregrine falcons to nest on their headquarters in nearby Topeka. They equipped it with < two webcams >, and the images from the "side cam" are pretty nice. This is the female peregrine, who is incubating three eggs, on a cold morning today. The scimitar-shaped primaries, a hallmark of the falcon clan, are particularly obvious when these birds are hunkered down like this!


Posted by: FrankH on April 07 2010,17:34

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ April 07 2010,08:17)
Our local coal-burning utility company likes to put a green veneer on their activities, and thus have provided a place for peregrine falcons to nest on their headquarters in nearby Topeka. They equipped it with < two webcams >, and the images from the "side cam" are pretty nice. This is the female peregrine, who is incubating three eggs, on a cold morning today. The scimitar-shaped primaries, a hallmark of the falcon clan, are particularly obvious when these birds are hunkered down like this!


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


To me, it looks like a, well, bird of prey.

What are the "scimitar shaped primaries"?
Posted by: sledgehammer on April 07 2010,18:21

The "primary" flight feathers at the tips of the wings.
Posted by: FrankH on April 07 2010,18:32

Quote (sledgehammer @ April 07 2010,18:21)
The "primary" flight feathers at the tips of the wings.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Ah.

I thought it was the beak.

Thanks.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on April 07 2010,22:03

Quote (FrankH @ April 07 2010,17:34)
What are the "scimitar shaped primaries"?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Sorry about the jargon.

Bird feather topography explained here.




And here is a quick guide to various birds of prey. Top = buteo (e.g. red-tailed hawk), middle = accipiter (e.g. sharp-shinned hawk), bottom = falcon (e.g. Peregrine)


Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on April 08 2010,06:04

Quote (Wolfhound @ April 07 2010,05:34)
Quote (Richard Simons @ April 06 2010,23:05)
 
Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ April 05 2010,22:18)
Richard, would you be able to spend a couple of hours the evening of the 13th somewhere near south Tampa Bay?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Wes, That sounds good, and my wife likes the idea of meeting up with a local zoology contact. Let me know of a suitable place and time.

Wolfhound, I've never been to Florida before, but if you can suggest a meeting time and place (the same as with Wes or different) that would fit in with our plans without too much driving on busy highways we'd like to meet you, too.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


If Wes is okay with sharing his time, it would make more sense for us all to meet at the same venue.  Just need a time and place.

Oh, and my name is Monica.  No harm in sharing that since it is well-known that I own several large, vicious wolfhounds with a taste for creationist flesh.  RAWR!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I think Tuesday night, April 13th, is probably going to work best for me.

Suggestions for place? I am currently living in Clearwater and working in downtown St. Petersburg. I am working on moving into a house in Palmetto (Manatee County). Where are others, and do we have suggestions for a place to meet and eat?

(BTW, Wolfhound, one of my new neighbors talked about how in our area a couple of unauthorized wanderers coming down a long driveway had been encouraged to take their walk elsewhere -- at gunpoint. Taking a wrong turn down there isn't great for one's health, apparently.)


Posted by: Wolfhound on April 08 2010,06:35

Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ April 08 2010,07:04)
Suggestions for place? I am currently living in Clearwater and working in downtown St. Petersburg. I am working on moving into a house in Palmetto (Manatee County). Where are others, and do we have suggestions for a place to meet and eat?

(BTW, Wolfhound, one of my new neighbors talked about how in our area a couple of unauthorized wanderers coming down a long driveway had been encouraged to take their walk elsewhere -- at gunpoint. Taking a wrong turn down there isn't great for one's health, apparently.)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I'll dig around and see what's popular.  If you were closer to Tampa proper, I'd suggest < Four Green Fields >, one of most favoritist places ever.  Good food, good drinks, owned and run by Irishmen so they don't scrimp on the alochol, either.  Decor is Olde World Bar Fight (some of the wicker chairs look as though they've been used to smash a few heads).

Why am I not surprised by the "move along, stranger" story?  That was a somewhat common scenario in Brooksville, too.  My farrier, who lived just up the road from me, was a gun-totin', tree-huggin' liberal atheist and said he'd run some riff-raff off once in a while.  Yeeee-HAW!  (He also tried to "humanely" kill a chicken-eating possum I'd trapped but that's a horror story for another day)
Posted by: Wolfhound on April 08 2010,06:40

Quote (Wolfhound @ April 08 2010,07:35)
Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ April 08 2010,07:04)
Suggestions for place? I am currently living in Clearwater and working in downtown St. Petersburg. I am working on moving into a house in Palmetto (Manatee County). Where are others, and do we have suggestions for a place to meet and eat?

(BTW, Wolfhound, one of my new neighbors talked about how in our area a couple of unauthorized wanderers coming down a long driveway had been encouraged to take their walk elsewhere -- at gunpoint. Taking a wrong turn down there isn't great for one's health, apparently.)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I'll dig around and see what's popular.  If you were closer to Tampa proper, I'd suggest < Four Green Fields >, one of most favoritist places ever.  Good food, good drinks, owned and run by Irishmen so they don't scrimp on the alochol, either.  Decor is Olde World Bar Fight (some of the wicker chairs look as though they've been used to smash a few heads).

Why am I not surprised by the "move along, stranger" story?  That was a somewhat common scenario in Brooksville, too.  My farrier, who lived just up the road from me, was a gun-totin', tree-huggin' liberal atheist and said he'd run some riff-raff off once in a while.  Yeeee-HAW!  (He also tried to "humanely" kill a chicken-eating possum I'd trapped but that's a horror story for another day)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Wow, there's some serious spelling and grammar fail in my post.  *goes to get coffee*
Posted by: FrankH on April 08 2010,06:58

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ April 07 2010,22:03)
Quote (FrankH @ April 07 2010,17:34)
What are the "scimitar shaped primaries"?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------

Sorry about the jargon.

Bird feather topography explained here.

And here is a quick guide to various birds of prey. Top = buteo (e.g. red-tailed hawk), middle = accipiter (e.g. sharp-shinned hawk), bottom = falcon (e.g. Peregrine)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------

Thanks bud.  This is much appreciated.

Hey, I'm a guy that has a background in Geo-Physics and work in the networking field (CCIE coming soon!).  Biology is what I skipped as much as I could as the classes and labs "really stunk it up".

But in my field, there are many evangelicals and "bejeebuz is my lard".  I have always wondered why so many of my fellow "engineers" support ID.  It is always interesting when they find out I'm neither an ID supporter nor religious.
Posted by: Schroedinger's Dog on April 08 2010,07:23

Monica, Wes and Richard:

Shall I suggest John's Pass? Lovelly place, dolphins can be seen swimming in the pass at all time, there is a great restaurant on the south corner of the pass where they serve delicious gator nuggets. That would be a nice revenge for Ms Elsberry ;)

I haven't been there in 15 years, but this would be the place to go whenever I return to Florida!
Posted by: Wolfhound on April 08 2010,08:39

Quote (Schroedinger's Dog @ April 08 2010,08:23)
Monica, Wes and Richard:

Shall I suggest John's Pass? Lovelly place, dolphins can be seen swimming in the pass at all time, there is a great restaurant on the south corner of the pass where they serve delicious gator nuggets. That would be a nice revenge for Ms Elsberry ;)

I haven't been there in 15 years, but this would be the place to go whenever I return to Florida!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Ah!  I've been there, I believe!  There is the restaurant proper and dining outside, as well.  Our crew sat outdoors on the decking.  Unfortunately, the wind was howling off the river(drinks were served in plastic cups so a firm grip was needed) and there was some truly wretched karaoke going on but the food was very good.  I had a seafood chowder that was lovely.  Parking was a bear at the time but it   was a Friday night, after all.
Posted by: Richard Simons on April 08 2010,09:10

Quote (Schroedinger's Dog @ April 08 2010,07:23)
Monica, Wes and Richard:

Shall I suggest John's Pass? Lovelly place, dolphins can be seen swimming in the pass at all time, there is a great restaurant on the south corner of the pass where they serve delicious gator nuggets. That would be a nice revenge for Ms Elsberry ;)

I haven't been there in 15 years, but this would be the place to go whenever I return to Florida!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I will leave the choice to Wes and Monica, but it sounds interesting. Does alligator taste like crocodile? I had that once and, although it was eatable, I would rate it as different rather than delicious - but perhaps it was the way it was cooked.

We got to our hotel in Tampa at 2 a.m. after a delayed flight when a critical part of the aircraft failed (I believe it was the washroom light switch). First thing I saw when I looked out of the window this morning was a white ibis.
Posted by: Schroedinger's Dog on April 08 2010,13:02

Quote (Richard Simons @ April 08 2010,15:10)
I will leave the choice to Wes and Monica, but it sounds interesting. Does alligator taste like crocodile? I had that once and, although it was eatable, I would rate it as different rather than delicious - but perhaps it was the way it was cooked.

We got to our hotel in Tampa at 2 a.m. after a delayed flight when a critical part of the aircraft failed (I believe it was the washroom light switch). First thing I saw when I looked out of the window this morning was a white ibis.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I've never tried crocodile, but alligator is quite close to chicken, although tastier and a bit more fillandrous (yet not tough). I enjoyed it a lot.



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Ah!  I've been there, I believe!  There is the restaurant proper and dining outside, as well.  Our crew sat outdoors on the decking.  Unfortunately, the wind was howling off the river(drinks were served in plastic cups so a firm grip was needed) and there was some truly wretched karaoke going on but the food was very good.  I had a seafood chowder that was lovely.  Parking was a bear at the time but it   was a Friday night, after all.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



There's a large parking on the north side of the pass. Quite busy on weekends.

I used to go bridge-jumping at John's pass with friends (higly illegal). We stopped when we heard from a policeman who had just arrested us that two kids died there doing the same...

I will always remember that exchange:

-Police Officer: "hand me your driver licences"
-Chris: "it's okay, we're too drunk to drive anyway"

We were 17...
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on April 08 2010,16:35

I'm currently in Denver, and went out to the Pawnee National Grasslands this morning with a couple of local birders. We found a nice flock of 6 Mountain Plovers (Charadrius montanus on a bare patch of ground. Here's a shot of four of those.

Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on April 08 2010,21:06

What's the name of the recommended restaurant at John's Pass? How many people might we expect to turn up if we go there? I can then check on whether it still exists and will take a reservation.
Posted by: Schroedinger's Dog on April 09 2010,01:58

Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ April 09 2010,03:06)
What's the name of the recommended restaurant at John's Pass? How many people might we expect to turn up if we go there? I can then check on whether it still exists and will take a reservation.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


The restaurant is Gators Cafe and Salon

Treasure Island, FL 33706, United States

(727) 367-8951

< Gators Cafe >
Posted by: Wolfhound on April 09 2010,06:41

I'm up for this.  Wes, it'll just be me, by my widdle wonesome <*sob*> and I don't know of anybody else who might be coming. I invited Mike PSS (PM'ed him at TalkRational) but have gotten no response.  Is SteveStory still in Lakeland?  If he is and cares to go, I can swing by and pick him and his girlfriend up.  Otherwise, I might ride the motorcycle over.
Posted by: Richard Simons on April 09 2010,20:08

Wes: put us down for two at the cafe. We are trying to erase our sea-food deficit while we are here.

Qetzal has a photo of a red-shouldered hawk at the head of the previous page - I just saw my first earlier today in a palm tree at the south end of Ft. Myers Beach.
Posted by: Wolfhound on April 09 2010,20:45

Wes, will Prof.  Steve Steve make an appearance?  Deadman wants photos.   :p
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on April 09 2010,22:38

Prof. Steve Steve has been showing an inordinate fondness for Reed Cartwright's place lately. There's a certain amount of wear-and-tear a fellow undergoes traveling around the world on sabbatical. I doubt PSS can get here in time for the get-together.
Posted by: Wolfhound on April 11 2010,11:05

Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ April 09 2010,23:38)
Prof. Steve Steve has been showing an inordinate fondness for Reed Cartwright's place lately. There's a certain amount of wear-and-tear a fellow undergoes traveling around the world on sabbatical. I doubt PSS can get here in time for the get-together.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


The good professor needs a stunt panda/body double for instances such as this!

What time shall we meet on Tuesday?  It's about a 2 hour drive for me, give or take.
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on April 11 2010,20:31

Would 6:30 work for you, Wolfhound? If not, when is the earliest that you might make it?
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 11 2010,21:02

Been doing some traveling, and then some field trips for fun with a friend of mine, who is quickly becoming my partner in crime.

Along the way, I've popped off a few photos of interesting critters, mostly birds.

< Here's Petey the Sandhill Crane > (Grus canadensis) who seems to be a bit off course.



< A White Ibis > (Eudocimus albus)



< and a few of his friends >



< A half-way decent shot of a Laughing Gull > (Larus atricilla)



They crack me up.

< A pretty cool sequence of 8 shots > of Sea Squirts squirting:



(I trust y'all can find the following seven, right?)

I started to pick up < this conch shell > and give it to my partner, but then realized that someone was still in residence



I know they're common, but I like < Common Grackles > (Quiscalus quiscula) anyway. They're pretty, despite being introduced (edited, see below):



Compare to the Boat-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus major), so named for obvious reasons:

< Male > -



< A pair of males > -



< Female > -



But really the highlight of the last few weeks < came this morning >:











A mated pair of Osprey (Pandion haliaetus), in the Croatan National Forest, who've been sitting their eggs.


Posted by: Wolfhound on April 12 2010,06:09

Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ April 11 2010,21:31)
Would 6:30 work for you, Wolfhound? If not, when is the earliest that you might make it?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


6:30 is good.  I shall see you there.  I'll PM you my cell phone number.  Publicly posting it would be bad since there are so many perves here.  And you know who you are.   :angry:

* Not that I am completely opposed to talking to some of the perves here.  They can PM me for my cell phone number.  A current CV and brain scan must be attached to the request.  Thank you.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on April 12 2010,08:31

Quote (Lou FCD @ April 11 2010,21:02)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nice shots, Lou!

Now I've got questions.

Where was the Sandhill Crane?

And why do you say that Common Grackles are an introduced species? William Bartram found and described them in your neck of the woods in the 1770's.
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 12 2010,12:57

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ April 12 2010,09:31)
[quote=Lou FCD,April 11 2010,21:02][/quote]
Nice shots, Lou!

Now I've got questions.

Where was the Sandhill Crane?

And why do you say that Common Grackles are an introduced species? William Bartram found and described them in your neck of the woods in the 1770's.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks, Alby. The Sandhill Crane was right off the Intracoastal Waterway around Hubert, NC. The maps and species descriptions I've seen (Audubon, Peterson's, and Cornell) all seem to indicate he shouldn't be this far North and East.

Hmm.. I was sure I'd just read that the three most common introduced species in the States were the Common Grackle, the European Starling, and the Rock Pigeon. I must be misremembering. I'm at a loss as to where I'd read that, too. I might ought to get checked for Alzheimer's (while a joke, it does run in my maternal family).
Posted by: ppb on April 12 2010,13:44

Quote (Lou FCD @ April 12 2010,13:57)
Hmm.. I was sure I'd just read that the three most common introduced species in the States were the Common Grackle, the European Starling, and the Rock Pigeon. I must be misremembering.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Lou,

Nice pictures, again.  I like grackles too.  They look real cool with their iridescent heads.

As for your misremembered top three introduced birds, you could replace grackle with house sparrow and you would probably be correct.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on April 12 2010,13:45

Quote (Lou FCD @ April 12 2010,12:57)
 
Quote (Albatrossity2 @ April 12 2010,09:31)
 
Quote (Lou FCD @ April 11 2010,21:02)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nice shots, Lou!

Now I've got questions.

Where was the Sandhill Crane?

And why do you say that Common Grackles are an introduced species? William Bartram found and described them in your neck of the woods in the 1770's.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks, Alby. The Sandhill Crane was right off the Intracoastal Waterway around Hubert, NC. The maps and species descriptions I've seen (Audubon, Peterson's, and Cornell) all seem to indicate he shouldn't be this far North and East.

Hmm.. I was sure I'd just read that the three most common introduced species in the States were the Common Grackle, the European Starling, and the Rock Pigeon. I must be misremembering. I'm at a loss as to where I'd read that, too. I might ought to get checked for Alzheimer's (while a joke, it does run in my maternal family).
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks, Lou

Sandhill cranes have a resident AND a migrant population in Florida, and some of the migrants stray to the coast of North Carolina and Outer Banks < once in a while >. It is a rare bird there, however. Did you report it to the local < bird record committee >?

Re the most common introduced species, I think that they would be House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), European Starling, and Rock Pigeon. Grackles are home-grown!
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 12 2010,14:46

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ April 12 2010,14:45)
It is a rare bird there, however. Did you report it to the local < bird record committee >?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



I have now. :)

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ April 12 2010,14:45)
Re the most common introduced species, I think that they would be House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), European Starling, and Rock Pigeon. Grackles are home-grown!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



What I'm reading now at Cornell suggests you are quite correct.
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 12 2010,14:55

Quote (ppb @ April 12 2010,14:44)
Quote (Lou FCD @ April 12 2010,13:57)
Hmm.. I was sure I'd just read that the three most common introduced species in the States were the Common Grackle, the European Starling, and the Rock Pigeon. I must be misremembering.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Lou,

Nice pictures, again.  I like grackles too.  They look real cool with their iridescent heads.

As for your misremembered top three introduced birds, you could replace grackle with house sparrow and you would probably be correct.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yep, well y'know what Meatloaf said, "Two outta three ain't bad."
Posted by: ppb on April 12 2010,15:05

Quote (Lou FCD @ April 12 2010,15:55)
Yep, well y'know what Meatloaf said, "Two outta three ain't bad."
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That's OK.  We grant partial credit here.  :)
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 12 2010,15:52

Quote (ppb @ April 12 2010,16:05)
Quote (Lou FCD @ April 12 2010,15:55)
Yep, well y'know what Meatloaf said, "Two outta three ain't bad."
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That's OK.  We grant partial credit here.  :)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I can't be expected to know *everything* yet, I'm just a baby biologist. Check my sig.
Posted by: Richard Simons on April 12 2010,18:51

Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ April 11 2010,20:31)
Would 6:30 work for you, Wolfhound? If not, when is the earliest that you might make it?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


6:30 sounds fine for us, too. I don't have a cell phone (until recently, I've been working in places with no cell phone access) but we'll leave a message at the restaurant if we expect to be late.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on April 12 2010,21:27

Finally, spring has come to the Flint Hills of Kansas.


Posted by: Schroedinger's Dog on April 13 2010,00:26

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ April 13 2010,03:27)
Finally, spring has come to the Flint Hills of Kansas.


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


ooohhh! Morels! I love morels!
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 13 2010,07:01

Sweet!
Posted by: J-Dog on April 13 2010,07:55

[quote=Schroedinger's Dog,April 13 2010,00:26][quote=Albatrossity2,April 13 2010,03:27]Finally, spring has come to the Flint Hills of Kansas.



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
ooohhh! Morels! I love morels!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I thought that as Church Burnin' Ebola Boy Atheistic Baby killers, we had no morels???
Posted by: Henry J on April 13 2010,12:13

Morels are such fun guys.
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on April 13 2010,23:15

Party of five at Gators, and we had quite a good time chatting. Wolfhound has pictures, and I have some. I don't know when I will next get a chance to upload some, including one of a night heron on a piling. Diane and I have MarineQuest at work to prepare for and work in, which ends Saturday.
Posted by: Wolfhound on April 14 2010,00:35

Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ April 14 2010,00:15)
Party of five at Gators, and we had quite a good time chatting. Wolfhound has pictures, and I have some. I don't know when I will next get a chance to upload some, including one of a night heron on a piling. Diane and I have MarineQuest at work to prepare for and work in, which ends Saturday.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


It was lovely meeting everybody!  Good food, good conversation, and great company.  Except for the strange young fellow boarding the trolley who, upon seeing me get out of my vehicle and cross the road to meet Wes and the Simmonses at the restaurant's front door, yelled out "Hi, Tall!" in a tone of voice that implied familiarity.  Or drunkeness.  It was a bit disconcerting, even if he was correct in his assessment of my height.   :p

My computer doesn't like the mini disks that the photos are stored on so I'll have to use another machine to extract them and then send them to the various interested parties.  And maybe post a few here.
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on April 14 2010,05:39

The group boarding the trolley appeared to all be ASL users, so likely hearing-impaired. That might explain a non-standard tone of voice.
Posted by: Wolfhound on April 14 2010,06:45

Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ April 14 2010,06:39)
The group boarding the trolley appeared to all be ASL users, so likely hearing-impaired. That might explain a non-standard tone of voice.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Aha!  I didn't get to observe the group prior to them boarding the trolley so missed that.  He was a self-confident guy, for certain!

Oh, here's one of windblown me, taken by Wes.   :D

Posted by: Schroedinger's Dog on April 14 2010,07:01

Nice! I hope you guys had a really good time! (Damn! I wish I could visit Florida more often. Next time, maybe...)

BTW, did you enjoy the place? Tried any of their delicious gator Nuggets? And the view?

:)
Posted by: Wolfhound on April 14 2010,07:48

Quote (Schroedinger's Dog @ April 14 2010,08:01)
Nice! I hope you guys had a really good time! (Damn! I wish I could visit Florida more often. Next time, maybe...)

BTW, did you enjoy the place? Tried any of their delicious gator Nuggets? And the view?

:)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


If you ever come on down to Florida, drop me a line.  I can show you some of the Orlando hotspots and the great, out-of-the-way places in my old county of residence.  If you're brave, I'll throw you on the back of my motorcycle.  HA!

The view was nice (especially the sunset and the various birds that showed up) but none of us got the gator tail.  I had the seared Ahi tuna with sliced ginger and seaweed salad garnish (YUM!;) plus a calamari appetizer was shared around.  Oh, there was an Elvis impersonator performing in the lounge area.  We opted to eschew that particular delight.   :D
Posted by: fnxtr on April 14 2010,10:37

Quote (Wolfhound @ April 14 2010,04:45)
Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ April 14 2010,06:39)
The group boarding the trolley appeared to all be ASL users, so likely hearing-impaired. That might explain a non-standard tone of voice.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Aha!  I didn't get to observe the group prior to them boarding the trolley so missed that.  He was a self-confident guy, for certain!

Oh, here's one of windblown me, taken by Wes.   :D

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


yowzah. :-)

My sister runs Northwood Studios in Gainesville. Silkscreens &c.
Posted by: Wolfhound on April 14 2010,10:58

Quote (fnxtr @ April 14 2010,11:37)
yowzah. :-)

My sister runs Northwood Studios in Gainesville. Silkscreens &c.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Aw, thanks!   :)   I am, indeed, a typical gal in that I like it when men find me attractive and tell me so.  Even when I'm "off the market", so to speak.  It's been a good 24 hours for me.  *blush*  

And yet another guy with a Florida connection.  Hope your sister's business is booming!
Posted by: Wolfhound on April 14 2010,11:05

A group shot, minus Mrs. Elsberry, who joined us later.  Not sure why I look so sheepish but Wes and I are stooping to make sure our heads stayed in the frame.


Posted by: ppb on April 14 2010,11:50

Quote (Wolfhound @ April 14 2010,12:05)
A group shot, minus Mrs. Elsberry, who joined us later.  Not sure why I look so sheepish but Wes and I are stooping to make sure our heads stayed in the frame.


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I see the good Professor Steve Steve was able to make it to the party, or at least his stunt double.
Posted by: fnxtr on April 14 2010,14:05

Quote (ppb @ April 14 2010,09:50)
Quote (Wolfhound @ April 14 2010,12:05)
A group shot, minus Mrs. Elsberry, who joined us later.  Not sure why I look so sheepish but Wes and I are stooping to make sure our heads stayed in the frame.


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I see the good Professor Steve Steve was able to make it to the party, or at least his stunt double.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


... looks like a P.S.S. sock puppet to me...
Posted by: fnxtr on April 14 2010,14:12

Quote (Wolfhound @ April 14 2010,08:58)
Quote (fnxtr @ April 14 2010,11:37)
yowzah. :-)

My sister runs Northwood Studios in Gainesville. Silkscreens &c.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Aw, thanks!   :)   I am, indeed, a typical gal in that I like it when men find me attractive and tell me so.  Even when I'm "off the market", so to speak.  It's been a good 24 hours for me.  *blush*  

And yet another guy with a Florida connection.  Hope your sister's business is booming!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Alas, I have to rely on the memory of compliments.  (sigh) Those were the days. :-)
Posted by: Wolfhound on April 14 2010,16:35

Quote (fnxtr @ April 14 2010,15:12)
Quote (Wolfhound @ April 14 2010,08:58)
Quote (fnxtr @ April 14 2010,11:37)
yowzah. :-)

My sister runs Northwood Studios in Gainesville. Silkscreens &c.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Aw, thanks!   :)   I am, indeed, a typical gal in that I like it when men find me attractive and tell me so.  Even when I'm "off the market", so to speak.  It's been a good 24 hours for me.  *blush*  

And yet another guy with a Florida connection.  Hope your sister's business is booming!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Alas, I have to rely on the memory of compliments.  (sigh) Those were the days. :-)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Awww, now I feel bad.   :(  

If you haven't been given any compliments in a while you're either A) old, B) married, or C) all of the above.  Or else you need to post photos of yourself.  I'm sure Louis will think you're HAWT.   :p
Posted by: fnxtr on April 14 2010,16:48

I'm going with C), Monty.

She thinks I've got it goin' on, that's really all that matters these days.

Sorry, Louis.
Posted by: Wolfhound on April 14 2010,17:13

Quote (fnxtr @ April 14 2010,17:48)
I'm going with C), Monty.

She thinks I've got it goin' on, that's really all that matters these days.

Sorry, Louis.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Well, damn!  Actions speak louder than words so this is pure win for you!   :)

*Poor, poor Louis...
Posted by: fnxtr on April 14 2010,17:26

Quote (Wolfhound @ April 14 2010,15:13)
Quote (fnxtr @ April 14 2010,17:48)
I'm going with C), Monty.

She thinks I've got it goin' on, that's really all that matters these days.

Sorry, Louis.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Well, damn!  Actions speak louder than words so this is pure win for you!   :)

*Poor, poor Louis...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yeah, she makes the slide from Ric Ocasek/Kevin Bacon to Nick Park's Wallace a lot easier to deal with. :-)

Anyway, back to wildlife: The Snowbirds are practicing here (CFB Comox, just over the hill), I'll try to get some shots, sadly all I have is this cheap digital with the 1/2-second delay, which tends to make me  :angry:

edit: remove some stuff.
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on April 14 2010,19:34

Quote (Wolfhound @ April 14 2010,11:05)
A group shot, minus Mrs. Elsberry, who joined us later.  Not sure why I look so sheepish but Wes and I are stooping to make sure our heads stayed in the frame.


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I'd better note that "Mrs. Elsberry" is actually Diane Blackwood, Ph.D. Yes, we're married, but she kept her maiden name. She counted the fact that the Social Security Office burned down as a sign.

That doesn't mean that one or the other of us won't occasionally respond to being called "Mrs. Elsberry" or "Mr. Blackwood" as the case may be. Sometimes it is simpler to just go with the flow.
Posted by: Wolfhound on April 14 2010,19:55

Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ April 14 2010,20:34)
Quote (Wolfhound @ April 14 2010,11:05)
A group shot, minus Mrs. Elsberry, who joined us later.  Not sure why I look so sheepish but Wes and I are stooping to make sure our heads stayed in the frame.


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I'd better note that "Mrs. Elsberry" is actually Diane Blackwood, Ph.D. Yes, we're married, but she kept her maiden name. She counted the fact that the Social Security Office burned down as a sign.

That doesn't mean that one or the other of us won't occasionally respond to being called "Mrs. Elsberry" or "Mr. Blackwood" as the case may be. Sometimes it is simpler to just go with the flow.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


LOL!  I stand corrected and please accept my apologies!   :D
Posted by: Louis on April 15 2010,03:35

Honestly, you make one slightly gay joke and you are forever damned.

Anyway, it looks like everyone had fun. Pity no one had the gator. As previosly noted elsewhere, 'twould have been poetic justice for Dr Blackwood.

Louis
Posted by: Robin on April 15 2010,08:50

Quote (Lou FCD @ April 11 2010,21:02)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------




---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Been doing some traveling, and then some field trips for fun with a friend of mine, who is quickly becoming my partner in crime.

Along the way, I've popped off a few photos of interesting critters, mostly birds.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Great pics Lou! I meant so post this earlier, but over Easter my wife and went to visit a friend in Chapel Hill. She lives in this nice little wooded neighborhood, but it's basically suburban - not all that far from downtown Chapel Hill. There's a little walking path down from her house that cuts through this little park area over to nearby shopping center. Cute little park with a stream running through it. A few old sycamores and Carolina pines. Lots of joggers, walkers, and families with strollers too.

Nonetheless, we were walking along the path one day and we heard the unmistakable call of a Barred Owl. Now I have a notorious anti-owl aura - it may just be concidence, but the last half dozens owls I approached (even ones at this rehab center) all got excited when I came near and would not stop staring at me or calling, barking, whathaveyou. That said, we went looking for the hooter and I finally found her (pretty sure she was female) sitting on a branch of an old Carolina pine. Just beautiful. She chatted with her mate who was somewhere nearby and then took a bit of a nap. Then she decided to groom herself for a bit. We watched her for some 45 minutes and she didn't care we were there at all. Alas, no pics.
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 15 2010,19:50

Quote (Robin @ April 15 2010,09:50)
[quote=Lou FCD,April 11 2010,21:02][/quote]


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Been doing some traveling, and then some field trips for fun with a friend of mine, who is quickly becoming my partner in crime.

Along the way, I've popped off a few photos of interesting critters, mostly birds.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Great pics Lou! I meant so post this earlier, but over Easter my wife and went to visit a friend in Chapel Hill. She lives in this nice little wooded neighborhood, but it's basically suburban - not all that far from downtown Chapel Hill. There's a little walking path down from her house that cuts through this little park area over to nearby shopping center. Cute little park with a stream running through it. A few old sycamores and Carolina pines. Lots of joggers, walkers, and families with strollers too.

Nonetheless, we were walking along the path one day and we heard the unmistakable call of a Barred Owl. Now I have a notorious anti-owl aura - it may just be concidence, but the last half dozens owls I approached (even ones at this rehab center) all got excited when I came near and would not stop staring at me or calling, barking, whathaveyou. That said, we went looking for the hooter and I finally found her (pretty sure she was female) sitting on a branch of an old Carolina pine. Just beautiful. She chatted with her mate who was somewhere nearby and then took a bit of a nap. Then she decided to groom herself for a bit. We watched her for some 45 minutes and she didn't care we were there at all. Alas, no pics.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That's pretty cool. I haven't bumped into any owls since I picked up my camera, but I'd love to get some good pics of one.
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 15 2010,19:52

Glad to see the Florida shindig went well, and although no one ate the gator, I'm glad to hear the reverse also didn't happen.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on April 24 2010,15:19

Getting toward the end of the morel season here in NE Kansas, but there are still some big ones out there.

Posted by: khan on April 24 2010,15:40

Something (probably a Northern Harrier) had dove for lunch.






Posted by: Paul Flocken on April 24 2010,18:22

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ April 24 2010,16:19)
Getting toward the end of the morel season here in NE Kansas, but there are still some big ones out there.

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I love mushrooms of all types, assuming they won't poison me, but I have never had the chance to try morels.  You have my undying envy. :(
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 24 2010,21:04

Quote (Wolfhound @ April 14 2010,11:58)
Quote (fnxtr @ April 14 2010,11:37)
yowzah. :-)

My sister runs Northwood Studios in Gainesville. Silkscreens &c.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Aw, thanks!   :)   I am, indeed, a typical gal in that I like it when men find me attractive and tell me so.  Even when I'm "off the market", so to speak.  It's been a good 24 hours for me.  *blush*  

And yet another guy with a Florida connection.  Hope your sister's business is booming!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Ah, well then. I find you attractive.
Posted by: fnxtr on April 25 2010,17:25

Quote (Lou FCD @ April 24 2010,19:04)
Quote (Wolfhound @ April 14 2010,11:58)
Quote (fnxtr @ April 14 2010,11:37)
yowzah. :-)

My sister runs Northwood Studios in Gainesville. Silkscreens &c.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Aw, thanks!   :)   I am, indeed, a typical gal in that I like it when men find me attractive and tell me so.  Even when I'm "off the market", so to speak.  It's been a good 24 hours for me.  *blush*  

And yet another guy with a Florida connection.  Hope your sister's business is booming!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Ah, well then. I find you attractive.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Get in line.
Posted by: carlsonjok on April 25 2010,17:32

Quote (fnxtr @ April 25 2010,17:25)
Quote (Lou FCD @ April 24 2010,19:04)
 
Quote (Wolfhound @ April 14 2010,11:58)
 
Quote (fnxtr @ April 14 2010,11:37)
yowzah. :-)

My sister runs Northwood Studios in Gainesville. Silkscreens &c.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Aw, thanks!   :)   I am, indeed, a typical gal in that I like it when men find me attractive and tell me so.  Even when I'm "off the market", so to speak.  It's been a good 24 hours for me.  *blush*  

And yet another guy with a Florida connection.  Hope your sister's business is booming!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Ah, well then. I find you attractive.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Get in line.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Posted by: ppb on April 26 2010,08:26

A few days ago my dog discovered a turkey sitting behind a tree on the edge
of our yard.  It was just sitting there while my dog was about 3 feet away
behind a fence, barking her head off.  The turkey didn't move.

I assumed it was nesting, but I couldn't tell for certain, as there was nothing
visible other than the bird itself.  My wife and I set up some barriers to keep
the dogs away and occasionally peeked in to see if the turkey was still there.  

She stuck around for a few days, but this morning all I saw was this:



I don't know if she abandoned the nest, or if she was out on her
coffee break.  Any ideas on whether they leave their nests like this?  

The picture was taken around 7:30 EDT.
Posted by: Paul Flocken on April 26 2010,08:34

Not that you may not have already looked, but this seemed promising.

< Turkey Nesting Behavior >
Posted by: ppb on April 26 2010,09:08

Paul,
Thanks for the link.  I had been googling around and found out that wild turkeys
typically lay 10 to 12 eggs, one per day.  Given that I see 8 eggs here, she probably
isn't done yet.

I also read that while they are still laying, they will cover the eggs with leaves
when they go out to feed.

Once the last egg is laid, she will incubate them for 26 to 28 days before
they hatch.

My wife reports that the mom is back on the job now.

I'll post more pictures as things develop.
Posted by: Henry J on April 26 2010,10:40



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
I don't know if she abandoned the nest, or if she was out on her coffee break.  Any ideas on whether they leave their nests like this?  
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



COFFEE!
Posted by: ppb on April 26 2010,18:17

Here's a picture of mom, safe at home.


Posted by: Wolfhound on April 27 2010,07:58

Quote (carlsonjok @ April 25 2010,18:32)
Quote (fnxtr @ April 25 2010,17:25)
 
Quote (Lou FCD @ April 24 2010,19:04)
 
Quote (Wolfhound @ April 14 2010,11:58)
   
Quote (fnxtr @ April 14 2010,11:37)
yowzah. :-)

My sister runs Northwood Studios in Gainesville. Silkscreens &c.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Aw, thanks!   :)   I am, indeed, a typical gal in that I like it when men find me attractive and tell me so.  Even when I'm "off the market", so to speak.  It's been a good 24 hours for me.  *blush*  

And yet another guy with a Florida connection.  Hope your sister's business is booming!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Ah, well then. I find you attractive.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Get in line.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yaaaaaay!  My kinda' party!
Posted by: carlsonjok on April 29 2010,13:52

I am lucky enough to be able to work from home.  The view from my home office is is some blackjack, an old fence line overgrown with vines and, a bit further off, my large pasture.  
Normally, the view is boring. I may catch an occasional glimpse of my horses grazing in the distance, but for the most part, nothing happens outside the window.

For the most part.  Once I was hosting a conference call when four wild turkeys wandered past. Today, this guy walked by:

Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus)

Posted by: Henry J on April 29 2010,17:21

Road runner Road runner runs down the road all day...
Not even Coyote can understand his ways...
Road runner; if he catches you you're through...

Beep! Beep!!111!!
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on April 29 2010,18:03

Quote (carlsonjok @ April 29 2010,13:52)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nice shot!

But isn't it amazing how a bird can always find the one spot in the entire sun-lit yard where it can be in a shadow?
Posted by: carlsonjok on April 29 2010,18:20

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ April 29 2010,18:03)
Quote (carlsonjok @ April 29 2010,13:52)
 
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nice shot!

But isn't it amazing how a bird can always find the one spot in the entire sun-lit yard where it can be in a shadow?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yeah, he was actually darker straight out of the camera. I had to do a little post-processing in Photoshop to tease out some detail.

What kind of lens do you use when you go birding?  I took this with my new Tamron telephoto at 270mm and still had to crop the image quite a bit.  Your photos are always so close and crisp, I figure you must have a killer set up.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on April 30 2010,08:09

Quote (carlsonjok @ April 29 2010,18:20)
What kind of lens do you use when you go birding?  I took this with my new Tamron telephoto at 270mm and still had to crop the image quite a bit.  Your photos are always so close and crisp, I figure you must have a killer set up.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks. But I have a lot of heavily cropped images too!

The lens that I use for bird photography is the Canon 100-400 f/5.6 zoom; the body is a Canon 5D. For a zoom, that lens is pretty sharp, and the 13 megapixel sensor on the body makes it possible to still have a crisp image if you have to crop it.

The only problem with the lens is that the aperture is too small to allow the use of a 1.4X or other teleconverter and still have the autofocus work. You need at least an f/4 for that, and those things can start to cost you the big bucks. 400 mm is really about the bare minimum focal length for bird or other nature photography; it would be nice to bump that up with a converter.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on May 02 2010,12:59

Migration is on, and many summer resident birds are back here in NE Kansas. Among the birds seen on a short walk this morning was this exuberant Northern Parula (Parula americana).

Posted by: Lou FCD on May 02 2010,18:58

Awesome shot
Posted by: fnxtr on May 04 2010,21:34

Quote (carlsonjok @ April 25 2010,15:32)
Quote (fnxtr @ April 25 2010,17:25)
 
Quote (Lou FCD @ April 24 2010,19:04)
 
Quote (Wolfhound @ April 14 2010,11:58)
   
Quote (fnxtr @ April 14 2010,11:37)
yowzah. :-)

My sister runs Northwood Studios in Gainesville. Silkscreens &c.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Aw, thanks!   :)   I am, indeed, a typical gal in that I like it when men find me attractive and tell me so.  Even when I'm "off the market", so to speak.  It's been a good 24 hours for me.  *blush*  

And yet another guy with a Florida connection.  Hope your sister's business is booming!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Ah, well then. I find you attractive.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Get in line.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Way too late:

I don't think that's the kind of "wild life" Alby intended on this board...
Posted by: Henry J on May 04 2010,23:05

Is this like that old adage "support wildlife - throw a party!" ?
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on May 10 2010,11:51

Great weekend for migrant birds here in NE Kansas. And many of our summer residents, like this Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius) are here as well.

Posted by: rhmc on May 17 2010,18:22

we have had a sort of sad development with some bluebirds and perhaps one of you could shed some light on bluebird rearing.

a pair picked out a box in our yard and began to raise a brood.  shortly after the hatching, the male disappeared (probably dinner to one of the many hawks that cruise our area).
the female busted her butt feeding the three or so chicks for a few weeks but on thursday (today is monday) she stopped feeding them and would sit nearby twittering and chirping as if to coax them from the box.
from what we could see, the chicks weren't old enough to fly and sunday we found one dead chick under the box another in bad shape nearby.  neither was capable of flying.  dunno what happened to the third or any others.

my question is:  do the parents feed only for a certain length of time before coaxing the chicks out?  
that would account for the lack of development (only one parent feeding) and the female's ceasing to feed and, what looks to us like attempting to coax the chicks out.

i don't know beans about bluebirds and can't locate data on nesting behaviour that defines what i want to know.

so, anyone have any knowledge?
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on May 18 2010,06:57

Quote (rhmc @ May 17 2010,18:22)
we have had a sort of sad development with some bluebirds and perhaps one of you could shed some light on bluebird rearing.

a pair picked out a box in our yard and began to raise a brood.  shortly after the hatching, the male disappeared (probably dinner to one of the many hawks that cruise our area).
the female busted her butt feeding the three or so chicks for a few weeks but on thursday (today is monday) she stopped feeding them and would sit nearby twittering and chirping as if to coax them from the box.
from what we could see, the chicks weren't old enough to fly and sunday we found one dead chick under the box another in bad shape nearby.  neither was capable of flying.  dunno what happened to the third or any others.

my question is:  do the parents feed only for a certain length of time before coaxing the chicks out?  
that would account for the lack of development (only one parent feeding) and the female's ceasing to feed and, what looks to us like attempting to coax the chicks out.

i don't know beans about bluebirds and can't locate data on nesting behaviour that defines what i want to know.

so, anyone have any knowledge?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I'm sorry that your bluebird nesters ended so tragically. I haven't heard of this particular situation before, but here are a couple of things that might help.

One, it's possible that the mother did quit feeding before the nestlings were capable of getting out of the box. But parents will try to coax young from the nest before they can fly; that's why we see so many baby birds sitting on lawns this time of year. They can still feed them for a while, but the incentive to get all of your offspring out of that nest is pretty high as the young get larger, noisier, and more obvious to predators. So maybe she coaxed them out per usual, and, for whatever reason, they weren't ready for it.

Secondly, this sort of situation is common in the bird world. I read somewhere that 85% of mortality in passerines occurs in the egg/nest/fledgling stage. If they get past that period, they can live for years. But losing all of your nestlings is something that happens to a lot of birds every year. It's possible that your third bird made it to cover, and the mother fed it until it could fly, however.
Posted by: khan on May 18 2010,19:36

Need a name...

It flew away before I could get a photo.

It was a medium sized black bird with a white tail.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on May 18 2010,19:44

Quote (khan @ May 18 2010,19:36)
Need a name...

It flew away before I could get a photo.

It was a medium sized black bird with a white tail.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I've always been partial to the name Fred...

But seriously, it will be easier to narrow down the list if you give us a geographic location where the bird was seen.

Thanks
Posted by: khan on May 18 2010,20:02

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ May 18 2010,20:44)
Quote (khan @ May 18 2010,19:36)
Need a name...

It flew away before I could get a photo.

It was a medium sized black bird with a white tail.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I've always been partial to the name Fred...

But seriously, it will be easier to narrow down the list if you give us a geographic location where the bird was seen.

Thanks
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


SW Ohio
Semi-rural
Posted by: ppb on May 19 2010,14:47

Quote (khan @ May 18 2010,21:02)
Quote (Albatrossity2 @ May 18 2010,20:44)
Quote (khan @ May 18 2010,19:36)
Need a name...

It flew away before I could get a photo.

It was a medium sized black bird with a white tail.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I've always been partial to the name Fred...

But seriously, it will be easier to narrow down the list if you give us a geographic location where the bird was seen.

Thanks
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


SW Ohio
Semi-rural
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I think some forms of albinism can produce white tail feathers on a normally all black bird.  Except for the tail feathers, did it look like anything else?
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on May 19 2010,15:23

Quote (ppb @ May 19 2010,14:47)
I think some forms of albinism can produce white tail feathers on a normally all black bird.  Except for the tail feathers, did it look like anything else?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


As ppb notes, the structure of the bird is a clue. Did it look structurally like a robin/thrush (plump, long-legged) except for the plumage? Did it look structurally like a blue jay (long-tailed)? Starling (short-tailed)? Red-winged blackbird (long sharp beak)?

And what was it doing? Behavioral clues can be as important (often more important) than plumage. So here are some behavior questions to get you started?

Was it on the ground or in a tree? If a tree, was it on a branch or clinging to the trunk? if it was on the ground, was it in a woods, grassy area, parking lot, or ???
Was it feeding at a feeder? If so, what kind of seeds were in the feeder?
Did it hop? Walk?
Any other behaviors that you can recall?

The plumage description matches no bird that I am aware of, so these additional bits of information, if available, would help a lot!

thanks
Posted by: Henry J on May 19 2010,16:05

Was it more similar to a velociraptor or a T-Rex?

Wait, what am I saying?  :p
Posted by: khan on May 19 2010,17:25

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ May 19 2010,16:23)
Quote (ppb @ May 19 2010,14:47)
I think some forms of albinism can produce white tail feathers on a normally all black bird.  Except for the tail feathers, did it look like anything else?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


As ppb notes, the structure of the bird is a clue. Did it look structurally like a robin/thrush (plump, long-legged) except for the plumage? Did it look structurally like a blue jay (long-tailed)? Starling (short-tailed)? Red-winged blackbird (long sharp beak)?

And what was it doing? Behavioral clues can be as important (often more important) than plumage. So here are some behavior questions to get you started?

Was it on the ground or in a tree? If a tree, was it on a branch or clinging to the trunk? if it was on the ground, was it in a woods, grassy area, parking lot, or ???
Was it feeding at a feeder? If so, what kind of seeds were in the feeder?
Did it hop? Walk?
Any other behaviors that you can recall?

The plumage description matches no bird that I am aware of, so these additional bits of information, if available, would help a lot!

thanks
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


The location: I live on the dead end of a paved street on the edge of a small city in SW Ohio. Past the end of the street is a small untended overgrown patch of land (lots of brush, some big trees, some deadfalls).

Bird was seen at edge of street/lawn pecking at ground.

Body shape: sort of robin/grackle

Don't recall beak.

I looked it up on 'net and all I found were others asking for ident of similar bird.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on May 19 2010,20:21

Quote (khan @ May 19 2010,17:25)
The location: I live on the dead end of a paved street on the edge of a small city in SW Ohio. Past the end of the street is a small untended overgrown patch of land (lots of brush, some big trees, some deadfalls).

Bird was seen at edge of street/lawn pecking at ground.

Body shape: sort of robin/grackle

Don't recall beak.

I looked it up on 'net and all I found were others asking for ident of similar bird.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


The only N. American bird I know with a "white tail" (actually just a white rump) and that is in that size range is the Bobolink. But the white extends up the back onto the head, so I don't think it would be described as white-tailed by most folks who got a glimpse of it. And the habitat is wrong; these guys prefer hay fields and weedy alfalfa fields. Here's a pic of one that shows the back

Otherwise I'm stumped. Mockingbirds have white outer tail feathers (as do a lot of birds), but not totally white tails.

Robins are commonly leucistic; maybe that's what it was.

Posted by: khan on May 19 2010,21:14

< http://www.google.com/imgres?....rl=http >

< http://tinyurl.com/26788mj >

< http://www.whatbird.com/forums....her.jpg >

< http://tinyurl.com/29slvsh >
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on May 20 2010,06:25

The two birds shown in the images provided are both leucistic (white feathers on part of the bird where the feathers should not be white). One looks like a crow, the other like a cowbird, but without further information re location, those are just speculations. In any case, the plumages are not normal for those species, and I suspect that the bird you saw was also some kind of leucistic mutant.
Posted by: dhogaza on May 21 2010,16:36

Leucistic or into painting using its tail as a brush ...

Any open cans of white paint around? :)

Khan, leucistic birds are actually quite common ... this is a good opportunity to hone your bird id skills using size, shape, habits, etc.
Posted by: khan on May 21 2010,16:42

So I can assume it was a mutant? I think I have seen similar over the years.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on May 21 2010,17:28

Quote (khan @ May 21 2010,16:42)
So I can assume it was a mutant? I think I have seen similar over the years.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Well, I'm assuming that it was a mutant, unless I can think of some N. American species, of that size and behavior, with an all-white tail. Right now, I just can't come up with one.

Or unless you can get pictures! If there are similar birds around, see if you can get one in pixels.
Posted by: khan on May 21 2010,17:30

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ May 21 2010,18:28)
Quote (khan @ May 21 2010,16:42)
So I can assume it was a mutant? I think I have seen similar over the years.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Well, I'm assuming that it was a mutant, unless I can think of some N. American species, of that size and behavior, with an all-white tail. Right now, I just can't come up with one.

Or unless you can get pictures! If there are similar birds around, see if you can get one in pixels.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I shall try, with my wimpy camera.
Posted by: Tony M Nyphot on May 22 2010,01:42

Question for Mr Trossity...

I was fortunate to see a brightly colored bird alight in our backyard aspen trees, the hues of which I have never seen in my locale. I was not fortunate enough to get my camera before the winged florescence disappeared. By way of Googly-Moogly, I was able to identify it as a Western Tanager.

I am curious how common it is to see this bird in an urban area of northern Colorado?
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on May 22 2010,06:53

Quote (Tony M Nyphot @ May 22 2010,01:42)
Question for Mr Trossity...

I was fortunate to see a brightly colored bird alight in our backyard aspen trees, the hues of which I have never seen in my locale. I was not fortunate enough to get my camera before the winged florescence disappeared. By way of Googly-Moogly, I was able to identify it as a Western Tanager.

I am curious how common it is to see this bird in an urban area of northern Colorado?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yes, that is a stunning bird! The northernmost member of the tanager family.

Not common in urban areas, but they certainly do occur. Definitely common in the forests in your nearby mountains. But it's not surprising that you haven't seen them; I'm always amazed at how this bright yellow and red bird can hide so well in a green background.

I've even had < one (in a much less flashy plumage) in my yard here in NE Kansas >, although that was a bird significantly out of range and out of season. This bird was at my birdbath in January, and she should have been in Central America at that time of year.
Posted by: Tony M Nyphot on May 22 2010,12:01

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ May 22 2010,05:53)
   
Quote (Tony M Nyphot @ May 22 2010,01:42)
Question for Mr Trossity...

I was fortunate to see a brightly colored bird alight in our backyard aspen trees, the hues of which I have never seen in my locale. I was not fortunate enough to get my camera before the winged florescence disappeared. By way of Googly-Moogly, I was able to identify it as a Western Tanager.

I am curious how common it is to see this bird in an urban area of northern Colorado?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yes, that is a stunning bird! The northernmost member of the tanager family.

Not common in urban areas, but they certainly do occur. Definitely common in the forests in your nearby mountains. But it's not surprising that you haven't seen them; I'm always amazed at how this bright yellow and red bird can hide so well in a green background.

I've even had < one (in a much less flashy plumage) in my yard here in NE Kansas >, although that was a bird significantly out of range and out of season. This bird was at my birdbath in January, and she should have been in Central America at that time of year.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Not having much knowledge of birds, I would never have associated your pictures with the same bird that saw. I assume that your pic was a female or a winter colorization?

As you note, it was curious to me how well the bright colors of this bird still blended in with the green of the leaves and the yellow of sunlight. < This image > is very close to the bird that I saw.

Beautiful plummage...
Posted by: Henry J on May 22 2010,12:39

A stunning bird? What, did it carry a taser or something? :p

Henry
Posted by: dhogaza on May 22 2010,16:33

Interesting note from the Cornell:



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
occasionally a bird will lose feathers in a close call with a predator. When this happens the new feathers sometimes grow in white and then change back to the normal color at the next regular molt. This kind of white coloring looks like leucism but is not.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Interesting ... I was triggered to look by doubting that the cause of apparent partial (pied) leucism is always genetic (i.e. "is it a mutant?"), just because it seems reasonable that physical damage could harm follicles and sometimes lead to a lack of melanin.

Hmmm I guess it's accurate to say that all true leucism is genetic (Cornell says so), but not all birds possessing some unusual white feathers are truly leucistic.

BTW, perhaps the most beautiful red-tail I've seen in the hand was a "pale leucistic" (overall off-white rather than splotches of white intermixed with normal plumage) one.   It was the color of milk with a few drops of coffee ... a very pale off-white hinting brown.

So now, after identifying the species, our poster needs to follow the bird around until it molts to see if they come back colored or white! :)
Posted by: fnxtr on May 22 2010,19:40

Quote (Henry J @ May 22 2010,10:39)
A stunning bird? What, did it carry a taser or something? :p

Henry
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


(insert pictures of Kristine, ERV, Kattarina, wolfhound, etc. here).
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on May 22 2010,21:23

Quote (dhogaza @ May 22 2010,16:33)
Interesting note from the Cornell:

 

---------------------QUOTE-------------------
occasionally a bird will lose feathers in a close call with a predator. When this happens the new feathers sometimes grow in white and then change back to the normal color at the next regular molt. This kind of white coloring looks like leucism but is not.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Interesting ... I was triggered to look by doubting that the cause of apparent partial (pied) leucism is always genetic (i.e. "is it a mutant?"), just because it seems reasonable that physical damage could harm follicles and sometimes lead to a lack of melanin.

Hmmm I guess it's accurate to say that all true leucism is genetic (Cornell says so), but not all birds possessing some unusual white feathers are truly leucistic.

BTW, perhaps the most beautiful red-tail I've seen in the hand was a "pale leucistic" (overall off-white rather than splotches of white intermixed with normal plumage) one.   It was the color of milk with a few drops of coffee ... a very pale off-white hinting brown.

So now, after identifying the species, our poster needs to follow the bird around until it molts to see if they come back colored or white! :)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Another cause of the aberrant white feather or two is a local infection/inflammation while the feather is growing. Just like the < melanin-forming pathway in cats >, apparently there is a temperature-sensitive step in melanin formation in birds. A local hot spot on the skin can denature tyrosinase and result in a white feather growing from that spot. Ticks or other ectoparasites can cause these local inflammatory responses. I've seen numerous examples of white feathers in Common Grackles that I've banded, and I suspect most of them arise via this mechanism.

And these will grow out with the regular pigment after the next molt, so it's a temporary aberration.

For those interested, I published a < short note > about aberrant white feathers in wrens in the Bulletin of the Kansas Ornithological Society in 2002. Apparently leucistic wrens are only rarely reported in the literature.

No updates from me for a while; I'm heading to the Amazon (Manaus and upstream) tomorrow, and will be there for a couple of weeks.
Posted by: Schroedinger's Dog on May 23 2010,02:06



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
No updates from me for a while; I'm heading to the Amazon (Manaus and upstream) tomorrow, and will be there for a couple of weeks.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



You bastard!

Have lots of fun, bring back some pics, and watch out for poison arrow frogs!
Posted by: fnxtr on May 23 2010,11:21

Quote (Schroedinger's Dog @ May 23 2010,00:06)


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
No updates from me for a while; I'm heading to the Amazon (Manaus and upstream) tomorrow, and will be there for a couple of weeks.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



You bastard!

Have lots of fun, bring back some pics, and watch out for poison arrow frogs!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


What he said.
Posted by: Bob O'H on May 23 2010,13:45



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
No updates from me for a while; I'm heading to the Amazon (Manaus and upstream) tomorrow, and will be there for a couple of weeks.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Bastard. Which is a polite version of my wife's response.

Enjoy yourself - we'll be looking forward to your (mystery) bird photos. If you want to write up your experiences, I'm sure a guest spot could be found for you. :-)
Posted by: ppb on May 24 2010,09:32

My wife and I are empty nesters now.  Some time between yesterday afternoon and this morning our wild turkey's chicks hatched.
I was not there to witness the blessed event, but this morning there was nothing left but some empty egg shells.

BEFORE:



AFTER:



No sign of the family.
Let's hope they stay one jump ahead of the coyote we saw last week.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on May 28 2010,06:05

There are some cool birds in the Amazon. One of the birds I most wanted to see here, but wasn't sure it was going to be possible, is the Hoatzin. It is unique. And I saw a < small group > of them a couple of days ago!
Posted by: Louis on May 28 2010,06:29

Quote (Schroedinger's Dog @ May 23 2010,08:06)


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
No updates from me for a while; I'm heading to the Amazon (Manaus and upstream) tomorrow, and will be there for a couple of weeks.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



You bastard!

Have lots of fun, bring back some pics, and watch out for poison arrow frogs!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thirded!

No taking naughty Amazonian hallucinogens that make you womit up your shoes whilst you're there.

Unless you really want to.

Louis
Posted by: fnxtr on May 28 2010,16:39

Quote (Louis @ May 28 2010,04:29)
Quote (Schroedinger's Dog @ May 23 2010,08:06)


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
No updates from me for a while; I'm heading to the Amazon (Manaus and upstream) tomorrow, and will be there for a couple of weeks.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



You bastard!

Have lots of fun, bring back some pics, and watch out for poison arrow frogs!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thirded!

No taking naughty Amazonian hallucinogens that make you womit up your shoes whilst you're there.

Unless you really want to.

Louis
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


? after said hallucinogens make you eat your shoes???
Posted by: Acipenser on May 28 2010,18:44

Quote (Tony M Nyphot @ May 22 2010,01:42)
Question for Mr Trossity...

I was fortunate to see a brightly colored bird alight in our backyard aspen trees, the hues of which I have never seen in my locale. I was not fortunate enough to get my camera before the winged florescence disappeared. By way of Googly-Moogly, I was able to identify it as a Western Tanager.

I am curious how common it is to see this bird in an urban area of northern Colorado?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Although tanangers are fairly common around my neck of the woods I still find their coloration to be quite striking in the fir/oak forest.  I nearly always do a double-take to make sure someones canary hasn't escaped!  

Over the next couple of weeks my wife and I will be camping in one of our favorite areas of N. California (hardly equates with teh Amazon but poor people have poor ways I suppose) and we are looking forward to the evening serenades from the grosbeaks and tanangers.
Posted by: Bob O'H on May 31 2010,16:03

Quote (fnxtr @ May 28 2010,16:39)
Quote (Louis @ May 28 2010,04:29)
Quote (Schroedinger's Dog @ May 23 2010,08:06)
 

---------------------QUOTE-------------------
No updates from me for a while; I'm heading to the Amazon (Manaus and upstream) tomorrow, and will be there for a couple of weeks.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



You bastard!

Have lots of fun, bring back some pics, and watch out for poison arrow frogs!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thirded!

No taking naughty Amazonian hallucinogens that make you womit up your shoes whilst you're there.

Unless you really want to.

Louis
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


? after said hallucinogens make you eat your shoes???
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Paging k.e.
Posted by: Bob O'H on May 31 2010,16:06

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ May 28 2010,06:05)
There are some cool birds in the Amazon. One of the birds I most wanted to see here, but wasn't sure it was going to be possible, is the Hoatzin. It is unique. And I saw a < small group > of them a couple of days ago!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Dave's macaw photo is stunning.

Well, OK, a LOT of his photos are stunning. If he wasn't such a nice guy I'd hate him for it.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on June 01 2010,06:27

Thanks, Bob. I was pretty happy with the < macaw > photo too.

Here's a shot of some < Tui Parakeets > (Brotogeris sanctithomae, aka Periquito-testinha)
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on June 05 2010,20:38

Today's image honors everyone's favorite Kansas kreationist. The Red Piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri). The specific epithet is clear proof of teleology and design...


Posted by: rhmc on June 06 2010,20:40

being from a primitive part of the union, i feel it necessary to ask what do those taste like?  
and do you fry them or grill them?
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on June 06 2010,21:04

Quote (rhmc @ June 06 2010,20:40)
being from a primitive part of the union, i feel it necessary to ask what do those taste like?  
and do you fry them or grill them?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


They were grilled, with some salty/spicy rub on the outside. There is not a lot of meat on one this size, but it was tasty, similar to the taste of other panfish (e.g. bluegill) that I have tried.

Apparently there are bigger ones up the Rio Negro, in the wilder parts of the Amazon, where there is a huge national park. Plans are to see if we can go there next year!
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on June 07 2010,21:34

I've posted a bunch of pics from the Amazon < here. > Lots of birds, a few flowers and butterflies, and some scenery.
Posted by: Robin on June 08 2010,10:23

Welcome back Albatrossity!

We've had a treat here in Northern Virginia of late - a pair of barred owls have established perminent residence in a nearby neighborhood park. They've been pretty much in the same spot every evening for the past 3 weeks (that's when we first discovered them) so I think they must have a nest nearby. No pics yet - they haven't been THAT social - as they tend to hang out waaaay up in the branches of older trees (with lots of dense folliage - bloody owls!) but hopefully at some point we'll see them closer to the ground.
Posted by: Schroedinger's Dog on June 08 2010,12:27

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ June 08 2010,03:34)
I've posted a bunch of pics from the Amazon < here. > Lots of birds, a few flowers and butterflies, and some scenery.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


There must be a law against individuals who take pics such as yours!

Welcome back Dave!
Posted by: ppb on June 08 2010,12:56

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ June 07 2010,22:34)
I've posted a bunch of pics from the Amazon < here. > Lots of birds, a few flowers and butterflies, and some scenery.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Very awesome pictures!  It looks like you had a great trip.  I'm glad you got to see the bird you most wanted to see.

ETA:  In your honor, I am listening to Philip Glass' Aguas da Amazonia
Posted by: Peter Henderson on June 08 2010,13:51

Anyone have a good way of getting rid of mice ?

The ones I have under my stairs are damned clever. I think they've evolved
Posted by: Dr.GH on June 08 2010,14:02

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ June 05 2010,18:38)
Today's image honors everyone's favorite Kansas kreationist. The Red Piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri). The specific epithet is clear proof of teleology and design...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I have heard they are good eating. True?

Opps, I just read the rest of the thread. Sounds tasty.


Posted by: Dr.GH on June 08 2010,14:05

Quote (Peter Henderson @ June 08 2010,11:51)
Anyone have a good way of getting rid of mice ?

The ones I have under my stairs are damned clever. I think they've evolved
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I use poison bait.
Posted by: Schroedinger's Dog on June 08 2010,14:05

Quote (Peter Henderson @ June 08 2010,19:51)
Anyone have a good way of getting rid of mice ?

The ones I have under my stairs are damned clever. I think they've evolved
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Why getting rid of them?

Do you grow grain or something? Mice are damn cute, and pretty smart. Start an experiment in cognitivity instead...:)
Posted by: Louis on June 08 2010,15:09

Quote (Peter Henderson @ June 08 2010,19:51)
Anyone have a good way of getting rid of mice ?

The ones I have under my stairs are damned clever. I think they've evolved
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Shotgun.

Works wonders on plaster walls and wooden doors too. Gives a home that breezy feeling.

Louis
Posted by: ppb on June 08 2010,16:17

Quote (Peter Henderson @ June 08 2010,14:51)
Anyone have a good way of getting rid of mice ?

The ones I have under my stairs are damned clever. I think they've evolved
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Are these USB or PS2 mice?  Mine usually end up in a drawer with my old keyboards.  

Never thought of keeping them under the stairs.
Posted by: fnxtr on June 09 2010,01:00

Quote (Peter Henderson @ June 08 2010,11:51)
Anyone have a good way of getting rid of mice ?

The ones I have under my stairs are damned clever. I think they've evolved
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Moth balls.

(waits for the obvious comment from Louis...)

Yes, mice are cute, but they leave that annoying black rice everywhere...
Posted by: Schroedinger's Dog on June 09 2010,01:35



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Yes, mice are cute, but they leave that annoying black rice everywhere...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Think Coco Pops...
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on June 09 2010,06:23

Quote (fnxtr @ June 09 2010,01:00)
Yes, mice are cute, but they leave that annoying black rice everywhere...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


We're currently hosting a bat on our front porch. I haven't seen it yet, but the tiny little bat poops that appear every morning under the same spot are evidence enough. Hope it sticks around; we've had a wet spring and thus plenty of mosquitoes that it needs to eat!
Posted by: fnxtr on June 09 2010,09:51

Quote (Schroedinger's Dog @ June 08 2010,23:35)


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Yes, mice are cute, but they leave that annoying black rice everywhere...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Think Coco Pops...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Don't want to know what you'd use for milk, in that case.
Posted by: Robin on June 09 2010,10:50

Quote (Schroedinger's Dog @ June 09 2010,01:35)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------




---------------------QUOTE-------------------


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Yes, mice are cute, but they leave that annoying black rice everywhere...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Think Coco Pops...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Nope...that's lagomorphs. For mice it's more like shriveled Rice Crispies.
Posted by: Robin on June 09 2010,10:53

Quote (Peter Henderson @ June 08 2010,13:51)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------




---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Anyone have a good way of getting rid of mice ?

The ones I have under my stairs are damned clever. I think they've evolved
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Black rat snake? Owl? Cat? Plejty of predators out there in the world who would be happy to take care of that smorgasbord.
Posted by: ppb on June 09 2010,11:22

Quote (Peter Henderson @ June 08 2010,14:51)
Anyone have a good way of getting rid of mice ?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Here's some tips on how to deal with < The Mouse Problem >.
Posted by: midwifetoad on June 09 2010,12:13

< http://www.d-conproducts.com/products.html >

Just as long as you don't have pets that might eat the carcasses.

Rodents dying from warfarin may hole up in inconvenient places and smell for a week or two.

Saw that happen in a large church.
Posted by: Schroedinger's Dog on June 09 2010,15:06



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Saw that happen in a large church.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



See? There's always a positive side to every story!
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on June 09 2010,19:34

Quote (Dr.GH @ June 08 2010,14:05)
 
Quote (Peter Henderson @ June 08 2010,11:51)
Anyone have a good way of getting rid of mice ?

The ones I have under my stairs are damned clever. I think they've evolved
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I use poison bait.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I worked on a project at the NOTS pier on San Clemente Island. Periodically, there would be a boom period for the mouse population, and we happened to be there during it. The building where we kept our gear, cooked, and ate our meals was the standard sheet-metal construction favored by the military, and it definitely was not built to seal out the bugs and mice. There's only so much space in the fridge and freezer.

Before I arrived, the discussion had been over what bait to put on traps. They had a dozen or so traps out, and were arguing over cheese vs. peanut butter and the like. I said, skip the bait, just put the traps along the walls and places you see them run. We went from trapping three or four a day to having it so it was rare *not* to catch a mouse in a trap checked every morning and every evening. The gulls and foxes figured out when mousetrap clearing times were pretty fast.

Of course, none of us were much inclined toward poison, especially with the foxes insistent on getting a piece of the action. The relentless trapping took a toll on some of our more sensitive trainers, though. Two trainers were seated on the couch in the main room, watching a video. As the video played on, a mouse darted out from one wall, zipped across the room a foot or so in front of the couch, over to the other wall. A few minutes later, it went back across. That repeated a couple more times. Finally, on yet another passage the mouse came to a quick and permanent halt under one trainer's boot. The other trainer averted her eyes and audibly moaned.

Now, if you want true horror, nothing beats using a Gluey Louie when a mouse population boom is on. First, a mouse gets stuck on the Gluey Louie. Then, the other mice figure out that there is another food source available. Gruesome. Tossing a Gluey Louie with just an assortment of feet and legs attached is entirely possible.

On the positive side, there is little that is cuter than a San Clemente Island fox trotting away with a mouthful of mice, tails sticking out.
Posted by: Schroedinger's Dog on June 28 2010,01:01

I am presently staying at a friend's appartment in Brussels, Belgium, for studio work. The flat has a balcony opening onto a back court with lots of trees.

I was surprised the first morning to be woken up by the cries of about a dozen < Alexandrine Parakeets >. There seems to be a flock that has settled right under the balcony. It is quite nice to watch them fly around all day, even if they are really noisy buggers.

I don't have any camera with me, so the wikipedia pics will have to do for now...
Posted by: Dr.GH on June 28 2010,02:01

Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ June 09 2010,17:34)
Now, if you want true horror, nothing beats using a Gluey Louie when a mouse population boom is on. First, a mouse gets stuck on the Gluey Louie. Then, the other mice figure out that there is another food source available. Gruesome. Tossing a Gluey Louie with just an assortment of feet and legs attached is entirely possible.

On the positive side, there is little that is cuter than a San Clemente Island fox trotting away with a mouthful of mice, tails sticking out.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I have only seen the San Clemente vixens along the beach while I was fishing off shore. They are much smaller than the closely related mainland gray fox. Archaeological data suggests that all of the island fox species were associated/dispersed by humans. I would never use a poison there, or even at home if there were native mice, or if my dog showed any interest in eating what he kills. He likes to bring the carcasses "home to the den." Rather cat like, but I don't bring the issue up with him. I reward him with a doggie "cookie" which it seems he prefers to fresh dead rats (well, also mice, some birds, opossums, a few skunks, and a raccoon). There was some excitement last night, but I did not see the carcass in the usual place. Opossums do often make their way off.

Even though I have no problem holding a feeder mouse by the tail until our rather dimwitted rosy boa takes an interest, I could never happily deal with a "gluey." Quick dead is my motto.


Posted by: Dr.GH on June 28 2010,02:24

The dog just treed a raccoon. Fun for both of us.
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on June 29 2010,06:53

I stalked the blue-eyed scallop...



Now what?

North end of Longboat Key, FL, under the bridge to Bradenton beaches.
Posted by: J-Dog on June 29 2010,07:38

Wes - What's next?  Try this!


Posted by: fnxtr on June 29 2010,11:38

Erm... I'm having a bit of trouble with an image link. It just posts the html code. Tried resizing to max-width. Advice?

eta: never mind. See below. Thanks.
Posted by: fnxtr on June 29 2010,11:42



Got it!

Vermilion sea star, Pisaster ochraceus, off Seal Bay, Vancouver Island, July 2007. Just before my Canon Ftb crapped out.  :-(
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on June 29 2010,17:53

Is that in a tide pool, or do you have an underwater housing for a Canon FTb? If the latter, eBay has lots of FTb bodies going for cheap.
Posted by: fnxtr on June 29 2010,19:22

Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ June 29 2010,15:53)
Is that in a tide pool, or do you have an underwater housing for a Canon FTb? If the latter, eBay has lots of FTb bodies going for cheap.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Low tide.  The camera just needs some shutter work, but I think I'll just save up for a DSLR.  Film is being discouraged at the photo boutiques I drop in to. But thanks, Wes.
Posted by: Henry J on June 29 2010,22:47



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Anyone have a good way of getting rid of mice ?

The ones I have under my stairs are damned clever. I think they've evolved
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



I've had a similar thought about houseflies, after recalling that for a while they had seemed to get harder to swat with each passing year.

Henry
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on June 30 2010,06:37

I didn't get a model release for this one...


Posted by: dhogaza on June 30 2010,16:53



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Now, if you want true horror, nothing beats using a Gluey Louie when a mouse population boom is on. First, a mouse gets stuck on the Gluey Louie. Then, the other mice figure out that there is another food source available. Gruesome. Tossing a Gluey Louie with just an assortment of feet and legs attached is entirely possible.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Coca Cola concentrate slowly accumulating and drying under a leaky soft drink vending machine works very well, too.  I speak from personal experience at a local science museum, many years ago.  Not an experience to repeat if you can avoid it.
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on July 01 2010,04:49

Your local science museum runs some experiments that should get a little better IACUC review...

Did anybody suggest a webcam for under the drink machine rather than cleaning it up and fixing it?
Posted by: dhogaza on July 02 2010,10:26



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Did anybody suggest a webcam for under the drink machine rather than cleaning it up and fixing it?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



In 1970?  Not likely :)

(I was in high school at the time, and no, I did not have to do the clean-up.  It did sorta take me off coke for a bit, though.)
Posted by: carlsonjok on July 03 2010,07:09

Found behind my barn as I was getting ready to mow.  I believe this is a Woodhouse's Toad (Bufo woodhousei)






Posted by: dhogaza on July 03 2010,14:31

< Not suitable for work >

And I bet interspecies sex is banned in the bible, too!
Posted by: Henry J on July 03 2010,19:19

Nee-deep? Nee-deep?
Posted by: Henry J on July 05 2010,13:07

Somebody on another BB is asking for help identifying something that looks like a piece of wadded up tin foil:
< Any entomologists out there? >
Posted by: khan on July 06 2010,19:03

I think there are monarch butterflies mating in the back yard.
Posted by: Doc Bill on July 06 2010,20:02

I have deer with a 3 handicap on the 14th green.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on July 10 2010,11:21

No megafauna, but here are a couple of tiny insects than were hanging around on the flowers here.



Posted by: fnxtr on July 10 2010,12:01

Whoa! Great shots Alby!  Macro lens?
Posted by: ppb on July 10 2010,13:29

Went to the Parker River Wildlife Refuge in NE Massachusetts and saw egrets galore.
Here are a couple.


Snowy Egret


Great Egret

Also saw some Glossy Ibises, but didn't get any pictures of them.

Lots of green headed files too, so we mostly had to stay
in the car and open the window a crack to take pictures.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on July 10 2010,19:39

Quote (fnxtr @ July 10 2010,12:01)
Whoa! Great shots Alby!  Macro lens?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks! Yeah, I have a 100 mm macro, and the first one (the fly) was also aided and abetted by the use of extension tubes. I really like taking pics of insects and spiders, because the structures are so small, yet so intricate. Damn clever of teh dezinner to come up with the green iridescence of a sweat bee!
Posted by: fnxtr on July 22 2010,14:36

In other wildlife news, my sister heard I was tubing down the Puntledge on Vancouver Island and sent me < this youtube video > about the Itchetuknee. Looks like heaven.
Posted by: Wolfhound on July 23 2010,00:13

I do that every year!  It's a lot of fun.  Grab a tube, mask, and snorkle and have a great time.  I'll be going in about 2 weeks to test out my sleek new Bikini Body.  RAWR!
Posted by: fnxtr on July 23 2010,00:17

Quote (Wolfhound @ July 22 2010,22:13)
I do that every year!  It's a lot of fun.  Grab a tube, mask, and snorkle and have a great time.  I'll be going in about 2 weeks to test out my sleek new Bikini Body.  RAWR!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I figgered you'd spot that post, Wolfie. :-)  

Judy keeps saying we should come visit, but it's a bit of a hike from Vancouver Island.
Posted by: khan on July 25 2010,16:54

On the patio just now:


Posted by: Acipenser on July 25 2010,17:22

Around here there are always mass aggregations of egrets (snowy and cattle for the most part), black crowned night herons, and Swainson hawks that collect in the alfalfa fields.  After they clean off the bales of alfalfa following a cutting they flood irrigate the entire field which flushes scads of gophers and mice out into the open.  The birds seem to think it is buffet time.

My wife is currently in a battle of wits with a black bear who has taken to breaking and entering into our feed shed and making off with entire bags of layer pellets and scratch.  Hasn't bothered the hens....yet!
Posted by: dhogaza on July 26 2010,17:08



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Around here there are always mass aggregations of egrets (snowy and cattle for the most part), black crowned night herons, and Swainson hawks that collect in the alfalfa fields.  After they clean off the bales of alfalfa following a cutting they flood irrigate the entire field which flushes scads of gophers and mice out into the open.  The birds seem to think it is buffet time.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Isolated irrigated alfalfa fields are the easiest places to find ferruginous hawk in the great basin of the US.

If there's a power line alongside a road next to it, add scads of red-tailed hawks.  Ferrug frequently hunt perched on the ground, and humans having added huge amounts of suitable poles and trees and the like to open spaces have benefitted red-tails (which typically perch-hunt) at the expense of ferruginous hawks.

If there's a nearby cliff, you'll get falcons and eagles nesting and joining the party while feeding their young.  

And at night, barn owls, often fairly large numbers.
Posted by: dhogaza on July 26 2010,17:10



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Around here there are always mass aggregations of egrets (snowy and cattle for the most part), black crowned night herons, and Swainson hawks that collect in the alfalfa fields.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



The reference to egrets congregating in fields reminds me of a most enjoyable experience near Cairns, Australia.  About a half mile distant from a road we were driving on there was a field, full of white birds which I assumed were probably egrets.

But, no.  Thousands of sulfur-crested cockatoos.  It was great ...
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Aug. 01 2010,17:15

Just back from a week on the beach in Lou's neck of the woods, southeastern N. Carolina. I feel an urge to share a picture that my nephew shot; it's a < lightning bolt hitting the Atlantic > just off the beach. The two folks in the gazebo in the foreground are my daughter and my nephew. He has some motion-detection setting for his Canon point-and-shoot digital camera, so it was on the deck of the house, staying dry.

Too bad that firmware doesn't load up in my Canon DSLR! He got a lot of great lightning pics, but this one was the most impressive just because of its sheer size.
Posted by: dhogaza on Aug. 01 2010,19:42

That lightning shot's great, but he could improve the composition a bit by moving the bolt a bit to the right! :)
Posted by: Lou FCD on Aug. 02 2010,14:41

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Aug. 01 2010,18:15)
Just back from a week on the beach in Lou's neck of the woods, southeastern N. Carolina.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


wth?

And no phone call?
Posted by: Lou FCD on Aug. 02 2010,15:06

Went bird-banding in the Cape Fear River a few weeks ago.

< The set is here on Flickr >, just click the thumbnails.

ETA:

John Weske has been banding Royal Terns and Sandwich Terns up and down the east coast since the dawn of time. Doc volunteered for him in grad school back in the 80s and they've been friends since then.

< >

It was Weske we were volunteering for, and in some ways it felt like Doc was sharing something very personal with me, something he'd like to pass on to the next generation of student, though I'm only a decade his junior.

The day started out pretty, we showed up at six, an hour before the scheduled meet-up at the dock. Mother Nature obliged us with a lovely sunrise.

< >

The sky was just full of birds when we arrived on the island. There was a pretty good sized colony of Royal Terns and Sandwich Terns, Laughing Gulls, Brown Pelicans, Oyster Catchers, and the odd Herring Gull out looking for a meal. It was loud. It was really really really loud. Cacophonous loud.

< >

< >

< >

First thing we did was unload the boats. Weske has a whole set up, born of years of trial and error, simple, crude, but practical for what we were doing. We built a large pen out of fencing that was about thigh-high. On one side we made a big funnel-shaped opening like a cattle chute. The opening was pointed up the beach at the colony of terns.

The island is very small, so we walked in the opposite direction, and came round to the colony. As the colony moved away from us, the we just sort of herded the chicks into out pen and closed up the opening.

< >

Closing up the pen left a lot of extra fencing, but we used that to make two smaller banding pens on the inside edge of the main pen. Each banding pen opened on opposite ends, so a few hundred chicks at a time could be herded along the inside of the main pen fence and into one of the banding pens which was then closed up behind them.

Volunteers took one chick at a time from the banding pen, banded it, then set it outside the pen and shooed it off toward the colony.

< >

The tern chicks are skittish, and cluster together in a tight knot, and the knot moves together like a herd of cattle. If someone were to walk around the outside of the pen, the knot tries to move as far away from the person as possible.

< >

Note that the handful of accidental Laughing Gull chicks were rather stoic about the whole matter, and just tried to stay out of the way of the knot's panic.

< >

The chicks had a tendency to stick their beaks through the fencing and try to run sideways. With the crush of several thousand chicks, there is a concern that they could injure themselves.

So there were two volunteers whose job it was to keep the chicks away from the outside of the main pen. Mostly that just worked out to be me and Doc because we were engrossed in photographing the parents coming in to bring comfort food to their young. Walking around the pen to keep the chicks away from the fence dovetailed nicely with taking a few thousand photographs of all the action.

< >

< >

Apparently, even in all that mess of chicks, the parents can pick out and feed their own offspring. What's really neat to note is that every single adult I could see had one of Weske's bands on it.

< >

< >

< >

< >

< >

< >

< >

< >

< >

I took over a thousand photos before noon, and Doc kept running out of memory. He would stop and delete the less-than-perfect shots and take some more.

< >

It was a good day.


Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Aug. 02 2010,17:09

Quote (Lou FCD @ Aug. 02 2010,14:41)
Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Aug. 01 2010,18:15)
Just back from a week on the beach in Lou's neck of the woods, southeastern N. Carolina.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


wth?

And no phone call?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Well, I was with fambly members, about 40 minutes south of Wilmington, and dependent upon others for automotive transportation. Otherwise I would have called and we could have met for a beer in Wilmington.

I'll be back, probably next year, so let's make sure we get together the next time I visit your lovely state!
Posted by: Lou FCD on Aug. 08 2010,07:18

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Aug. 02 2010,18:09)
 
Quote (Lou FCD @ Aug. 02 2010,14:41)
 
Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Aug. 01 2010,18:15)
Just back from a week on the beach in Lou's neck of the woods, southeastern N. Carolina.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


wth?

And no phone call?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Well, I was with fambly members, about 40 minutes south of Wilmington, and dependent upon others for automotive transportation. Otherwise I would have called and we could have met for a beer in Wilmington.

I'll be back, probably next year, so let's make sure we get together the next time I visit your lovely state!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Awesomesauce.

Meanwhile, I watched this huge moth fluttering around yesterday and stalked it until it finally landed in a bank parking lot.

Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus), I think.

< >

< >


Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Aug. 08 2010,11:11

And I stalked the wily and elusive Sedge Wren (Cistothorus platensis) around the Konza Prairie. The little bugger kept landing on grass stems, and the standard Kansas wind was waving him around a lot. But persistence (and a digital camera that means I don't care how many exposures I make) paid off eventually.


Posted by: Lou FCD on Aug. 08 2010,15:19

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Aug. 08 2010,12:11)
...(and a digital camera that means I don't care how many exposures I make) paid off eventually.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


This. Exactly this.

I have two three rules of photography.

1) If you throw enough shit at the wall, some of it is bound to stick. Take lots of pictures, a few of them will turn out good accidentally, in spite of the photographer.

2) Great space, don't know what to do with it? Stick a naked person in it.

3) MOAR BOKEH.


Posted by: khan on Aug. 08 2010,19:50

I need help identifying some birds.

Saturday I saw about 10 birds soaring and displaying and doing some sort of controlled drop.

2 (I assume male) were black with white wings. The others were sort of a golden brown and the same size.

SW Ohio
Posted by: khan on Aug. 08 2010,19:57

I also spotted these on July25:



They were back today.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Aug. 09 2010,06:13

Quote (khan @ Aug. 08 2010,19:50)
I need help identifying some birds.

Saturday I saw about 10 birds soaring and displaying and doing some sort of controlled drop.

2 (I assume male) were black with white wings. The others were sort of a golden brown and the same size.

SW Ohio
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


What size were they? And what was the general habitat around there (forest, field, city etc.)?
Posted by: khan on Aug. 09 2010,09:31

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Aug. 09 2010,07:13)
Quote (khan @ Aug. 08 2010,19:50)
I need help identifying some birds.

Saturday I saw about 10 birds soaring and displaying and doing some sort of controlled drop.

2 (I assume male) were black with white wings. The others were sort of a golden brown and the same size.

SW Ohio
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


What size were they? And what was the general habitat around there (forest, field, city etc.)?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


About dove size. Hard to tell as they never landed.

Edge of a small city, small houses on small lots, many large trees scattered about.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Aug. 09 2010,10:17

Quote (khan @ Aug. 09 2010,09:31)
Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Aug. 09 2010,07:13)
Quote (khan @ Aug. 08 2010,19:50)
I need help identifying some birds.

Saturday I saw about 10 birds soaring and displaying and doing some sort of controlled drop.

2 (I assume male) were black with white wings. The others were sort of a golden brown and the same size.

SW Ohio
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


What size were they? And what was the general habitat around there (forest, field, city etc.)?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


About dove size. Hard to tell as they never landed.

Edge of a small city, small houses on small lots, many large trees scattered about.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Boblink?

Images < here. >
Posted by: midwifetoad on Aug. 09 2010,12:41

Can anyone identify this?

Posted by: Louis on Aug. 09 2010,13:31

Quote (midwifetoad @ Aug. 09 2010,18:41)
Can anyone identify this?

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yes. That would be a plant.

Hope that helps.

Louis

P.S. Sorry, I've been gagging to do that ever since this thread started. Is it some sort of Rosehip?
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Aug. 09 2010,13:33

Quote (Louis @ Aug. 09 2010,13:31)
P.S. Sorry, I've been gagging to do that ever since this thread started. Is it some sort of Rosehip?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I had to put the keyboard into a drawer so that I wouldn't be as "helpful" as Louis. Thanks, Louis. I can get back to work now!
Posted by: Louis on Aug. 09 2010,13:36

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Aug. 09 2010,19:33)
Quote (Louis @ Aug. 09 2010,13:31)
P.S. Sorry, I've been gagging to do that ever since this thread started. Is it some sort of Rosehip?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I had to put the keyboard into a drawer so that I wouldn't be as "helpful" as Louis. Thanks, Louis. I can get back to work now!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


We aim to please.

Well we aim.

Well, ok, just we.

From the helpful to the existentially dubious in three simple moves.

You are most welcome.

Louis
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Aug. 09 2010,13:54

Quote (midwifetoad @ Aug. 09 2010,12:41)
Can anyone identify this?

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


In an effort to avoid being completely unhelpful, I'd venture that this is a euonymus of some sort. What do the leaves look like?  How big is the tree/shrub?
Posted by: Lou FCD on Aug. 09 2010,15:23

Quote (Louis @ Aug. 09 2010,14:31)
Quote (midwifetoad @ Aug. 09 2010,18:41)
Can anyone identify this?

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yes. That would be a plant.

Hope that helps.

Louis

P.S. Sorry, I've been gagging to do that ever since this thread started. Is it some sort of Rosehip?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Our default answer in Botany lab practicals should we be completely clueless as to the real answer was



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
It's a stick.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Quite funny, actually.
Posted by: Henry J on Aug. 09 2010,18:04

Quote (Lou FCD @ Aug. 08 2010,06:18)
Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Aug. 02 2010,18:09)
 
Quote (Lou FCD @ Aug. 02 2010,14:41)
   
Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Aug. 01 2010,18:15)
Just back from a week on the beach in Lou's neck of the woods, southeastern N. Carolina.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


wth?

And no phone call?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Well, I was with fambly members, about 40 minutes south of Wilmington, and dependent upon others for automotive transportation. Otherwise I would have called and we could have met for a beer in Wilmington.

I'll be back, probably next year, so let's make sure we get together the next time I visit your lovely state!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Awesomesauce.

Meanwhile, I watched this huge moth fluttering around yesterday and stalked it until it finally landed in a bank parking lot.

Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus), I think.

< >

< >
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


So long as it wasn't stapled to the ground there...  :p  :)
Posted by: khan on Aug. 10 2010,08:37

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Aug. 09 2010,11:17)
Quote (khan @ Aug. 09 2010,09:31)
Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Aug. 09 2010,07:13)
 
Quote (khan @ Aug. 08 2010,19:50)
I need help identifying some birds.

Saturday I saw about 10 birds soaring and displaying and doing some sort of controlled drop.

2 (I assume male) were black with white wings. The others were sort of a golden brown and the same size.

SW Ohio
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


What size were they? And what was the general habitat around there (forest, field, city etc.)?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


About dove size. Hard to tell as they never landed.

Edge of a small city, small houses on small lots, many large trees scattered about.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Boblink?

Images < here. >
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Probably.
But I can't find any descriptions of the behavior I observed.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Aug. 10 2010,09:12

Quote (khan @ Aug. 10 2010,08:37)
Probably.
But I can't find any descriptions of the behavior I observed.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Song flight - from the Birds of North America account for this species.

---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Song flight usually follows a more circular path. Entire form of wingbeat becomes altered at moment song commences: beaten in a hovering fashion, wings pointed downward; wings barely attain horizontal position at peak height, and extend almost to mid-ventrum at low point. Wingbeats are more rapid than in silent flight (Martin 1967). In song flight, head is usually up and tail down, exposing white on rump. White plumage on shoulders is fluffed out and visible.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


And there is some interesting reading < here > as well
Posted by: fnxtr on Aug. 10 2010,18:13

Quote (khan @ Aug. 08 2010,17:57)
I also spotted these on July25:



They were back today....
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


... with said spots still on, apparently.

What size brush did you use?
Did you use the same brush for the black and the white spots?
Posted by: iqhira on Aug. 13 2010,01:39

Hi, I am new here and I love the photos. I thought I would try and add some from a different continent.
Lets see if this works:

<img src="<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/52494909@N05/4887532350/" title="_DSC7025 - Copy by iqhira, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4115/4887532350_dac4499a5b.jpg" " border="0" max-width="560" />
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Aug. 13 2010,02:36

iqhira,

This works:



Use iBcode, not HTML. The "Image" button above the text input area will help you get that going.
Posted by: iqhira on Aug. 13 2010,03:34

Well that didn't work so I will try again...



That also does not work, this is where I shout HEEELLLPPP.
Can anyone tell me how to include photos - I have started a flickr account with them on?
Posted by: iqhira on Aug. 13 2010,03:36

Ahh, Thanks Wesley -didn't expect to get a reply so soon!
Posted by: iqhira on Aug. 13 2010,04:28



Hah!
Posted by: iqhira on Aug. 13 2010,04:31

and some more
This is a crowned hornbill

Posted by: Robin on Aug. 13 2010,09:05

Quote (Henry J @ Aug. 09 2010,18:04)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------




---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Meanwhile, I watched this huge moth fluttering around yesterday and stalked it until it finally landed in a bank parking lot.

Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus), I think.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Very cool pic!

Had a funny incident with a moth last year. I volunteer at this wildlife preserve out in Loudoun County, VA, and we have a number of interesting species on the property. We are actually trying to re-establish the Virginia Piedmont, so we get an interesting mix in the various habits and cross-zones this creates.

I was just arriving at the preserve one morning to do some work and I spotted a Royal Walnut Moth laying on its side near our visitor center looking very dead. So I picked it up to show the folks in the visitor center. We actually had our resident amateur etymologist there that day and he was quite excited to see it. We stuck it up on the mantel in the main room of the visitor center for other people to take a look at. Well, turns out that Mr. Royal Oak wasn't dead. Actually, he was quite sprightly and decided to take a few spins around the visitor center. Very exciting! He finally decided to take a rest on the greeter desk and I picked him back up and set him back outside. None of us, alas, had a camera, which clearly I need to remedy at some point.
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Aug. 15 2010,05:51

I heard this fellow calling outside... no, not my name. I had to go check out to make sure he wasn't intent on causing trouble with Rusty.


Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Aug. 15 2010,12:39

Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor) caterpillar and Grey Hairstreak (Strymon melinus) adult at the Butterfly Garden today.



Posted by: Henry J on Aug. 15 2010,18:06

Sweaters beware!
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Aug. 22 2010,13:13

This morning, when I stepped out to check on Rusty, a young Cooper's hawk flew out of one of the trees adjacent to her mews, accompanied by a bunch of complaining passerines. I'm not sure what the Cooper's hawk was up to. Rusty did not seem perturbed.

A bit later, I saw a red-shouldered hawk flying over the house and calling. There were at least two other RSHs that I could hear in the neighborhood.

I noticed a new bivalve shell in the driveway, which tells me that one of the ponds has mussels, and that it is likely that we also have raccoons somewhere around here.
Posted by: Aardvark on Sep. 10 2010,06:19

I present the final disproof of evolution:





Any of you fancy-pants evolutionists care to explain exactly how a chameleon knows what colour to change into thanks to only blind, undirected, chemical, atheistic and materialistic processes?
Posted by: Schroedinger's Dog on Sep. 10 2010,06:39

Wow Aardvark! These pics are gorgeous. Where were they taken?

Not Madagascar, I suppose.
Posted by: Kattarina98 on Sep. 10 2010,12:59

Cute! I didn't realise they are so small. And what did you do to make it stay on your hand?
Posted by: Schroedinger's Dog on Sep. 10 2010,13:04

Quote (Kattarina98 @ Sep. 10 2010,18:59)
Cute! I didn't realise they are so small. And what did you do to make it stay on your hand?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Who ever said it was his hand...












See what I did there? :)
Posted by: Robin on Sep. 10 2010,15:55

Quote (Schroedinger's Dog @ Sep. 10 2010,13:04)
See what I did there? :)
Quote (Kattarina98 @ Sep. 10 2010,18:59)
Cute! I didn't realise they are so small. And what did you do to make it stay on your hand?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Who ever said it was his hand...












See what I did there? :)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------





Oh yeah...we see what you did there...
Posted by: Schroedinger's Dog on Sep. 10 2010,17:57

FYI, I didn't do her. Too skinny...
Posted by: Aardvark on Sep. 10 2010,18:19

It's a juvenile < Cape_Dwarf_Chameleon >.



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Wow Aardvark! These pics are gorgeous. Where were they taken?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa.



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Cute! I didn't realise they are so small. And what did you do to make it stay on your hand?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



It's a juvenile.  There was a larger one but he scrambled into the bush and I couldn't take a clear picture.

I just plucked it from the branch and put it back afterwards.  They have a slow way of moving about (rocking like foliage in a breeze).
Posted by: Kattarina98 on Sep. 11 2010,07:34

Quote (Schroedinger's Dog @ Sep. 10 2010,13:04)
See what I did there? :)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Okay, I give up; what did I miss - or is it my browser?
Posted by: Lou FCD on Sep. 11 2010,08:38

I have some new gear, and I'm toting her around, just getting to know her.



< Female Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) >



< Golden Silk Orb Weaver (Nephila clavipes) >


Posted by: sledgehammer on Sep. 11 2010,12:42

Quote (Aardvark @ Sep. 10 2010,04:19)
I present the final disproof of evolution:

<snipped images>

Any of you fancy-pants evolutionists care to explain exactly how a chameleon knows what colour to change into thanks to only blind, undirected, chemical, atheistic and materialistic processes?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


From: < http://www.wisedude.com/animals/chameleon.htm >:
 

---------------------QUOTE-------------------
The chameleon just blends in with the plants or shrubs or trees and is hardly visible. But do you think the chameleon consciously does this? The answer is NO. In reality, the surroundings are not the influencing factor. The main causes of the skin-color change are the chameleon's emotional state, the sunlight, temperature etc...Now which are the occasions that cause the cells to expand? The following table gives a brief outline of the various color changes:

Influencing Factor
Color Change

Emotional State - Anger - Excitement or Fear
Skin becomes darker
Skin becomes paler and gets yellow spots

Sunlight - Bright light    - No light (darkness)   
Cells become dark, nearly black
Skin becomes creamish with yellow spots

Temperatures - High (without sunlight)    - Low
Skin turns green
Skin turns pale green

Since the chameleon is a fairly slow moving animal, this protective mechanism is of great benefit. The color changes is one of the factors that allows it to survive in any type of weather or environment.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Posted by: Kattarina98 on Sep. 11 2010,12:56

Quote (Lou FCD @ Sep. 11 2010,08:38)
I have some new gear, and I'm toting her around, just getting to know her.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Lovely light, did you use a filter?
Posted by: Lou FCD on Sep. 12 2010,20:27

Quote (Kattarina98 @ Sep. 11 2010,13:56)
Quote (Lou FCD @ Sep. 11 2010,08:38)
I have some new gear, and I'm toting her around, just getting to know her.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Lovely light, did you use a filter?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I bumped the saturation and contrast up a bit in post (as is my wont), toned down the highlights, that sort of thing, but the lighting is direct from that big ball of fusing hydrogen in the sky, no camera filters, no lights, and no reflectors.
Posted by: Wolfhound on Sep. 24 2010,11:43

I shrunk down a couple of photos that Deadman and I took while at the Seattle Aquarium last month and am putting them here.  Sadly, the Deadman is a shy and reclusive creature, nearly impossible to photograph in the wild, so I cannot supply any pictures of that particular critter.

Deadman took this one of young Coho salmon that the aquarium bred for release into the Sound.  This was taken from below, aimed up at them, them as the facility had a "skylight".  Pretty neat effect.


Posted by: Wolfhound on Sep. 24 2010,11:51

And here is another Seattle native.  He stood there on the rail and gave us the hairy eyeball while we ate some lunch out on the coffee shop's deck.  Either he can't read so was oblivious, or he was literate and was being willfully obstinate.  Given his species, I'll go for the latter.  I took this one while Deadman hip-mo-tyzed him by waving a french fry around.  No comments about Deadman's french fry, please; he's very sensitive about it.  


Posted by: Wolfhound on Sep. 24 2010,11:57

And, finally, Deadman caught me posing with a member of the elusive Pinhead Clan.  I will not tell you what Deadman was waving around to capture its attention!


Posted by: fnxtr on Sep. 24 2010,23:46

Quote (Wolfhound @ Sep. 24 2010,09:51)
And here is another Seattle native.  (snip)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yeah, they're nearly as fearless as raccoons, those shithawks.

They will eat right out of your fingers, and even your fingers if you're clumsy.

I was up on the 23rd floor of Gage Towers at UBC once, tossing Ritz crackers out the window and watching the shithawks snatch them out of the air.

eta the word 'eat'.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Sep. 27 2010,20:33

Quote (Wolfhound @ Sep. 24 2010,12:43)
I shrunk down a couple of photos that Deadman and I took while at the Seattle Aquarium last month and am putting them here.  Sadly, the Deadman is a shy and reclusive creature, nearly impossible to photograph in the wild, so I cannot supply any pictures of that particular critter.

Deadman took this one of young Coho salmon that the aquarium bred for release into the Sound.  This was taken from below, aimed up at them, them as the facility had a "skylight".  Pretty neat effect.


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


REALLY neat effect! Thanks for sharing that!
Posted by: Lou FCD on Sep. 27 2010,20:46

Took the new camera out to the pine savanna Doc and I visited last September, and man oh son is it dry out there! At one point, I drove my car into what was for all intents and purposes a 3ft deep sand trap in the middle of the road, and Doc had to pull me out with his truck.

It's funny, because the big worry about cars back in there is always, "Is it dry enough?".... um... yeah.

Bone. Fucking. Dry. (Until the rains returned today, I guess...)

Anyway, I added a few new critters to my collection.



I only have a 105mm zoom lens for the 5D, but 21 megapixels almost makes up for my being too snobbish to but the 300mm cheap glass (w/o image stabilization) on it. I cropped the hell out of the original to get that shot of a Pine Warbler (Dendroica pinus).

We have yet to see any bear out there, but < we know they're out there >.



< This fella was the highlight of the day >, however.



Red Cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis), or RCW.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Sep. 27 2010,21:24

Oh, and I shot this a week or two ago, a neat series, I think.

< First shot is here, on my Flickr page >, and then follow the series embiggified, if you want.













A Laughing Gull (Larus atricilla, in non-breeding plumage) grabs dinner.
Posted by: khan on Sep. 28 2010,10:37

There's a new white squirrel hanging around. No pictures yet.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Sep. 30 2010,09:23

I've had a late (and therefore interesting) hummingbird in the yard the past couple of days. Even more interestingly, it seemed to have a slightly downcurved bill, which is not typical for our typical hummer here, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. So I got some pics of it. Those pics showed me that this is indeed just a young, probably male, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, based on the structure of the primaries in the wing. That's not shown very well in this pic, so you'll just have to take my word for it. You can copy the link and past it into your browser if you want to see a larger version.

Posted by: Kattarina98 on Sep. 30 2010,11:17

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Sep. 30 2010,09:23)
... You can copy the link and past it into your browser if you want to see a larger version.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Got a new desktop image - thank you!
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Sep. 30 2010,11:43

Quote (Kattarina98 @ Sep. 30 2010,11:17)
Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Sep. 30 2010,09:23)
... You can copy the link and past it into your browser if you want to see a larger version.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Got a new desktop image - thank you!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


You're quite welcome! I'm glad you like the image.
Posted by: Robin on Sep. 30 2010,11:52

Quote (khan @ Sep. 28 2010,10:37)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------




---------------------QUOTE-------------------
There's a new white squirrel hanging around. No pictures yet.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Got one here (Fairfax, Virginia) at my office. Really jarring when you aren't used to it.
Posted by: Robin on Sep. 30 2010,11:55

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Sep. 30 2010,09:23)
I've had a late (and therefore interesting) hummingbird in the yard the past couple of days. (snipped)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Fantastic pic, Albatrossity!
Posted by: Lou FCD on Oct. 01 2010,18:36

Down at Greenfield Lake a few weeks ago, I caught < this guy >, hitching a ride



on < this guy >


Posted by: JLT on Oct. 02 2010,07:14

This is an < amazing video > where they put cameras on the back of a falcon and a goshawk.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Oct. 02 2010,07:19

Quote (JLT @ Oct. 02 2010,08:14)
This is an < amazing video > where they put cameras on the back of a falcon and a goshawk.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Check your link.
Posted by: JLT on Oct. 03 2010,07:19

Quote (Lou FCD @ Oct. 02 2010,13:19)
Quote (JLT @ Oct. 02 2010,08:14)
This is an < amazing video > where they put cameras on the back of a falcon and a goshawk.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Check your link.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Oups, I thought I checked it. Thanks!
Here it is:

< Flying with the fastest birds on the planet: Peregrine Falcon & Gos Hawk - Animal Camera - BBC >
Posted by: J-Dog on Oct. 03 2010,11:37

Quote (JLT @ Oct. 03 2010,07:19)
Quote (Lou FCD @ Oct. 02 2010,13:19)
 
Quote (JLT @ Oct. 02 2010,08:14)
This is an < amazing video > where they put cameras on the back of a falcon and a goshawk.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Check your link.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Oups, I thought I checked it. Thanks!
Here it is:

< Flying with the fastest birds on the planet: Peregrine Falcon & Gos Hawk - Animal Camera - BBC >
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks - beautidul vid!
Posted by: Lou FCD on Oct. 07 2010,10:48

A little help, please?

I was walking to class this morning, and sitting there on the sidewalk in the shade about 50m from me, minding his own business and not really doing anything, was a good sized bird.

I stopped, put my bag down, cursed because I only had the Rebel with me (and the standard 17 - 55 lens on it). As I pulled it out of my book bag though, the hawk obliged me by taking flight, and perching in a large, low branch about 5 meters from me.

Checking my Peterson's, I think it's < an immature Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) >, because of the large white patch high on the breast.








Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Oct. 07 2010,11:42

Quote (Lou FCD @ Oct. 07 2010,10:48)
Checking my Peterson's, I think it's < an immature Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) >, because of the large white patch high on the breast.


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


An even better field mark is shown in your first photo - the dark < patagial stripe > on the leading edge of the wing. Red-tailed Hawk is the only North American raptor with this field mark.

And I don't think its an immature, 'cause the tail doesn't seem to be barred, and the iris appears to be yellow.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Oct. 07 2010,12:11

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Oct. 07 2010,12:42)
Quote (Lou FCD @ Oct. 07 2010,10:48)
Checking my Peterson's, I think it's < an immature Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) >, because of the large white patch high on the breast.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


An even better field mark is shown in your first photo - the dark < patagial stripe > on the leading edge of the wing. Red-tailed Hawk is the only North American raptor with this field mark.

And I don't think its an immature, 'cause the tail doesn't seem to be barred, and the iris appears to be yellow.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks, Alby, you rock.

I thought it immature because of the belly pattern. It's hard to see in the Peterson's on the adult, but it makes a point (haha, with an arrow, actually) of pointing out the white patch on the breast of the juvenile.

...had I flipped a few pages and looked at the overhead views, though...

And I see the overhead also points out the patagial stripe.

Thanks again.
Posted by: Robin on Oct. 07 2010,13:10

[quote=Albatrossity2,Oct. 07 2010,11:42][/quote]
 

---------------------QUOTE-------------------
 
Quote (Lou FCD @ Oct. 07 2010,10:48)
Checking my Peterson's, I think it's < an immature Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) >, because of the large white patch high on the breast.


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


An even better field mark is shown in your first photo - the dark < patagial stripe > on the leading edge of the wing. Red-tailed Hawk is the only North American raptor with this field mark.

And I don't think its an immature, 'cause the tail doesn't seem to be barred, and the iris appears to be yellow.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



I agree Albatrossity. The last photo shows a distinctly broad tail too - very much a red-tail characteristic.

BTW, really nice photos Lou!


---

Edited to note great photos.
Posted by: Henry J on Oct. 07 2010,13:12

Somebody has to say this:

But it's still a bird!!1111!!!eleven!!!!!!
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Oct. 07 2010,14:05

Quote (Lou FCD @ Oct. 07 2010,12:11)
Thanks, Alby, you rock.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Well, actually, I suck. I mistakenly recalled the details about iris color in RTH; yellow iris in juveniles and darker iris in adults. It's hard to tell from your pics, but the iris is definitely not dark!

But I still think it's not a juvenile based on the lack of barring on the tail, and the red color of the upper surface of the tail, which can be seen rather well in your shots. Young un's have tails like this


I've learned over the years that this species is the most variably-plumaged bird on the planet. Any painting in any field guide probably represents a blend of many different birds that the artist studied, and no single bird in the wild looks exactly like that painting.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Oct. 07 2010,17:51

Quote (Robin @ Oct. 07 2010,14:10)
 
Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Oct. 07 2010,11:42)
Quote (Lou FCD @ Oct. 07 2010,10:48)
Checking my Peterson's, I think it's < an immature Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) >, because of the large white patch high on the breast.


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


An even better field mark is shown in your first photo - the dark < patagial stripe > on the leading edge of the wing. Red-tailed Hawk is the only North American raptor with this field mark.

And I don't think its an immature, 'cause the tail doesn't seem to be barred, and the iris appears to be yellow.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



I agree Albatrossity. The last photo shows a distinctly broad tail too - very much a red-tail characteristic.

BTW, really nice photos Lou!


---

Edited to note great photos.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Hey, thanks Robin! I'm pretty tickled with them, given that I wasn't carrying the 5D, the hawk was badly back-lit (but fortunately in shade, anyway), and I've never gotten an even remotely decent up-close shot of a raptor before (so I was a bit panicky trying to get the shots off before (s)he flew away).

 
Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Oct. 07 2010,15:05)
   
Quote (Lou FCD @ Oct. 07 2010,12:11)
Thanks, Alby, you rock.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Well, actually, I suck. I mistakenly recalled the details about iris color in RTH; yellow iris in juveniles and darker iris in adults. It's hard to tell from your pics, but the iris is definitely not dark!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



No, not dark, they were definitely a dark yellow color to my eye, though it's hard to tell in the shots.

 
Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Oct. 07 2010,15:05)
But I still think it's not a juvenile based on the lack of barring on the tail, and the red color of the upper surface of the tail, which can be seen rather well in your shots. Young un's have tails like this

---------------------QUOTE-------------------



whoa, really nice shot! I love it! Maybe mine's like an adolescent, sort of darkening eyes, but reddish tail already? Tweenyhawk? Teenangst? < Isabeau >?

 
Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Oct. 07 2010,15:05)
I've learned over the years that this species is the most variably-plumaged bird on the planet. Any painting in any field guide probably represents a blend of many different birds that the artist studied, and no single bird in the wild looks exactly like that painting.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



That's totally not fair. Fuckin' evilution.
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Oct. 07 2010,18:12

Another aspect of the variable red-tail...



And another from the same meet just 'cause...



ETA: another photo, *not* another red-tail


Posted by: Lou FCD on Oct. 08 2010,08:54

Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ Oct. 07 2010,19:12)
Another aspect of the variable red-tail...


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


wow! Now that's variable!
Posted by: Robin on Oct. 08 2010,10:54

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Oct. 07 2010,14:05)

Quote (Lou FCD @ Oct. 07 2010,12:11)
Thanks, Alby, you rock.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Well, actually, I suck. I mistakenly recalled the details about iris color in RTH; yellow iris in juveniles and darker iris in adults. It's hard to tell from your pics, but the iris is definitely not dark!

But I still think it's not a juvenile based on the lack of barring on the tail, and the red color of the upper surface of the tail, which can be seen rather well in your shots.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Like Lou think you're being a bit hard on yourself Albatrossity. The second and third pic definitely show some faded yellow in the iris. And while adults do lose the yellow, a second and sometimes even a third year bird would still have some.  Plus as you noted, the tail has no distinct banding and while there is quite a bit of plumage variation in the species, the tail definitely indicates adult. Given the backlighting and all, I really think you made the right call.

Oh and Lou, if you'd like to have the opportunity to shoot some raptors at some point, you are always welcome to come up to the wildlife preserve I work at (not vocationally; just my hobby so to speak). Not only do we now have a raptor rescue group on site (which makes shooting pics of raptors sort of silly easy if you just want shots), but we do have one of the greater concentration of birds throughout Virginia. Granted you likely have something a weee bit closer to you down in NC, but just letting you know. It's called < Banshee Reeks >.
Posted by: Ftk on Oct. 25 2010,08:34

Look out herons.....;)


Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Oct. 26 2010,06:38

California Condor, wing-tag #16, Bright Angel Trail, Grand Canyon AZ 10/23/2010

Posted by: fusilier on Oct. 26 2010,06:48

Quote (Ftk @ Oct. 25 2010,09:34)
Look out herons.....;)

{snip of photo}
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


If they are bagging herons in Indiana, the DNR will bag them.
Posted by: J-Dog on Oct. 26 2010,08:10

Quote (fusilier @ Oct. 26 2010,06:48)
 
Quote (Ftk @ Oct. 25 2010,09:34)
Look out herons.....;)

{snip of photo}
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


If they are bagging herons in Indiana, the DNR will bag them.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Too bad - it's NOT Indiana, it's Kansas.  BTW - I think the picture was taken in downtown Kansas City on a Friday afternoon.*

HTH :)

* Oh - wait!  This isn't the Bash Small Agricultural States Thread?  My bad!

edited for spelling :(
Posted by: DaveH on Oct. 27 2010,16:22

While I am briefly de-lurked to be pedantic on another thread, I thought I might point folk to a few photos I just uploaded of some local Edinburgh wildlife < here >
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Oct. 27 2010,16:46

Quote (DaveH @ Oct. 27 2010,16:22)
While I am briefly de-lurked to be pedantic on another thread, I thought I might point folk to a few photos I just uploaded of some local Edinburgh wildlife < here >
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Very nice!  I particularly liked the Blue Tit peeking out of the stone wall, and the Dipper!
Posted by: carlsonjok on Oct. 27 2010,16:47

Quote (DaveH @ Oct. 27 2010,16:22)
While I am briefly de-lurked to be pedantic on another thread, I thought I might point folk to a few photos I just uploaded of some local Edinburgh wildlife < here >
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Does that weasel latch?

BTW, nice work!

ETA: Okay, so it is a mink not a weasel.  Sue me.
Posted by: DaveH on Oct. 27 2010,17:52

Quote (carlsonjok @ Oct. 27 2010,16:47)
Does that weasel latch?

BTW, nice work!

ETA: Okay, so it is a mink not a weasel.  Sue me.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks for your kind critique!
Weasel puns are always acceptable, and by the look of the vicious wee bastard, it would have been delighted to latch on to my testicles with its fierce pointy teeth!
Sadly, as an introduced species, minks have caused a hell of a lot of devastation among ground nesting birds in Britain. There is a native European mink, but it didn't make it back across The Channel after the last ice-age. Strange, when you consider that koala bears and thylacines got to Australia from Mt Ararat on rafts of floating vegetation much more recently....
Posted by: Lou FCD on Oct. 27 2010,20:19

Quote (DaveH @ Oct. 27 2010,17:22)
While I am briefly de-lurked to be pedantic on another thread, I thought I might point folk to a few photos I just uploaded of some local Edinburgh wildlife < here >
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Really nice shots, Dave!
Posted by: Kattarina98 on Oct. 28 2010,05:21

Hi Dave, these pics are brilliant! Did you shoot them downtown or in the outskirts?
And I just love the fox. Did you get that close to it, or did you use a special lens?
Posted by: Aardvark on Oct. 31 2010,11:44

Encountered the following sunbather when out cycling today (cellphone pix):









It's a < mole snake >.  About 1.5m long.  Feeds mainly on moles & bird eggs.  Non-venomous.
Posted by: Henry J on Oct. 31 2010,13:40

Crickey, that's a cute little thing!
Posted by: Steviepinhead on Nov. 04 2010,13:44

Oh, Henry!

That's just what I'm always hearing from my gf...
Posted by: J-Dog on Nov. 04 2010,14:30

Quote (DaveH @ Oct. 27 2010,16:22)
While I am briefly de-lurked to be pedantic on another thread, I thought I might point folk to a few photos I just uploaded of some local Edinburgh wildlife < here >
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Excellent pictures - thanks for posting them.
Posted by: Aardvark on Nov. 04 2010,16:27

In mole-related news, look what the cat dragged in:







I swear that cat catches the same damn mole very week.  Something dodgy going on behind the scenes.  Doesn't kill it; just plays with it until bored -then we have to let it go.
Posted by: Kattarina98 on Nov. 04 2010,17:00

Quote (Aardvark @ Nov. 04 2010,16:27)
In mole-related news, look what the cat dragged in:
...
I swear that cat catches the same damn mole very week.  Something dodgy going on behind the scenes.  Doesn't kill it; just plays with it until bored -then we have to let it go.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Keep them. Winter is coming, they make nice fur muffs ;-)
Seriously: Cute thing.
Posted by: MadPanda, FCD on Nov. 05 2010,14:20

It isn't exactly our back yard, but we gots a squirrel that likes to hang off the suet feeder mounted on the deck railing, James Bond style.  Drives the cats stark raving bonkers.

Or maybe it's more than one squirrel, given how fast the suet is vanishing.


The MadPanda, FCD
Posted by: khan on Nov. 05 2010,14:53

Quote (MadPanda @ FCD,Nov. 05 2010,15:20)
It isn't exactly our back yard, but we gots a squirrel that likes to hang off the suet feeder mounted on the deck railing, James Bond style.  Drives the cats stark raving bonkers.

Or maybe it's more than one squirrel, given how fast the suet is vanishing.


The MadPanda, FCD
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Posted by: Henry J on Nov. 05 2010,20:58

Bushy tailed tree rat?

ETA: Nuts!
Posted by: MadPanda, FCD on Nov. 06 2010,00:42

Yeah, Khan.  More or less just like that...but yours is a LOT more daring than ours.  Or maybe our suet feeder just doesn't allow for that sort of gravity denying hang time...

The MadPanda, FCD
Posted by: MadPanda, FCD on Nov. 11 2010,17:50

An update: the little blighter has actually managed to bust the suet feeder!  Or at least the added weight of one well-fed squirrel has caused the wire hanger to bend out of shape, leaving the feeder handing somewhat precariously from the stand.

The MadPanda, FCD
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Nov. 20 2010,20:44

I got to help with the release of 10 Black-footed Ferrets, an endangered species, in a prairie dog colony in extreme western Kansas today. These are pretty spiffy and feisty little creatures!

Posted by: Doc Bill on Nov. 20 2010,21:06

My back yard is full of frolicking college students.

Long story.
Posted by: sledgehammer on Nov. 21 2010,01:30

Quote (Doc Bill @ Nov. 20 2010,19:06)
My back yard is full of frolicking college students.

Long story.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Ah yes, one of my favorite species of wildlife.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Dec. 05 2010,16:11

I have a new zoom lens I wanted to give a quick spin around the block, and < my friend Anne > wanted to give her old Minolta a bit of a workout (it's one of those antique picture-box things that you have to put the little rolls of "film" in) so we headed out to the pine savanna for a while this morning.



Right off the bat, a dozen or so little blobs of flitting blue caught our eye and we pulled over to get a few shots < of these Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) >.



Yellow-rumped warblers (Dendroica coronata affectionately referred to as butterbutts) are < pretty common around here, and I like 'em >.



Then < we > < bumped > < into > < this > < guy >, a juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus), kindly identified for me by Alby.











But < this guy > looked like he was ready to peck out my eyes and shove my camera where the sun doesn't shine.



I put away my camera and we left. Besides, it was blue-ass cold out anyway.

ETA: With the exception of the shot of Anne, all of these are crops from shots I took with the zoom fully extended to 400mm, and all were hand-held. The image stabilization is really nice.


Posted by: khan on Dec. 05 2010,16:21

Very nice.

blue-ass cold

Well maybe for coastal NC
Posted by: Lou FCD on Dec. 08 2010,15:20

A few birds I've shot today.

< I like this shot > of a Yellow-rumped Warbler (Dendroica coronata) because of how well it shows the distinctive field marks.



I think < this guy > is a Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis), but I honestly have never heard of such a bird before today. Ornithology FAIL. :(



The buff underbelly and prominent white eyebrow leads me to believe that < this guy > is a Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) though honestly all the 'lilbrownbirds' kind of look the same to me.



I need a little help with < this > < guy >. I think it's some sort of sparrow, and the yellow patch at the eye leads me to think maybe Seaside Sparrow (Ammodramus maritimus) from my Peterson's, but Cornell's AAB says that's "drab". I don't think I'd characterize this guy as drab, but refer to my comment above about 'lilbrownbirds'.





I was out in the wildflower preserve when I heard what sounded like a pair of Mourning Doves (Zenaida macroura) fighting, and one flew up in a tree overhead. I was standing in some deep shadow looking up into a bright sky, but I popped off a few shots and didn't really pay it much attention. "Eh, just a Mourning Dove, < I have a pretty nice shot of one of those > and they're ubiquitous."

Um... yeah. < Not a Mourning Dove >.



Unless I'm very much mistaken, that is a Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus).
Posted by: J-Dog on Dec. 08 2010,16:27



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
I think this guy is a Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis), but I honestly have never heard of such a bird before today. Ornithology FAIL. :(

---------------------QUOTE-------------------



I see those guys all winter long outside my window.

But not all those other very cool specimans you snapped!
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Dec. 08 2010,16:53

Quote (Lou FCD @ Dec. 08 2010,15:20)
I need a little help with < this > < guy >. I think it's some sort of sparrow, and the yellow patch at the eye leads me to think maybe Seaside Sparrow (Ammodramus maritimus) from my Peterson's, but Cornell's AAB says that's "drab". I don't think I'd characterize this guy as drab, but refer to my comment above about 'lilbrownbirds'.




---------------------QUOTE-------------------


White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)
Posted by: Lou FCD on Dec. 08 2010,17:07

Quote (J-Dog @ Dec. 08 2010,17:27)


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
I think this guy is a Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis), but I honestly have never heard of such a bird before today. Ornithology FAIL. :(

---------------------QUOTE-------------------



I see those guys all winter long outside my window.

But not all those other very cool specimans you snapped!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


:) I'm constantly surprised by the birds I bump into that are apparently everywhere here, but that I've never noticed.

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Dec. 08 2010,17:53)

White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Thank you as always, Albatrossity. Your help is always greatly appreciated.
Posted by: Henry J on Dec. 08 2010,17:17

But they're still just winged dinosaurs!!111!!!one!!!!
Posted by: Robin on Dec. 09 2010,08:08

Quote (Lou FCD @ Dec. 08 2010,15:20)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------




---------------------QUOTE-------------------
A few birds I've shot today.

Um... yeah. < Not a Mourning Dove >.



Unless I'm very much mistaken, that is a Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus).
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Oh yeah...definitely:



Great pics btw! Thanks Lou!

Got to get you up to my wildlife preserve and have you shoot some pics of our American Kestrels.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Dec. 09 2010,19:44

Quote (Robin @ Dec. 09 2010,09:08)
Oh yeah...definitely:



Great pics btw! Thanks Lou!

Got to get you up to my wildlife preserve and have you shoot some pics of our American Kestrels.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks, Robin! I'd love to come shoot them sometime!

(ETA: With a camera, of course!)


Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Dec. 10 2010,05:49

Sometimes the little guys come inside...



Like at a falconry meet.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Dec. 10 2010,06:49

Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ Dec. 10 2010,06:49)
Sometimes the little guys come inside...



Like at a falconry meet.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That's an awesome shot, Wesley!
Posted by: Robin on Dec. 10 2010,10:25

Question time - my wife got me a Nikon D3100 for me bday. It came with an 18-55 and 55-200 (both AF-S VR; neither is ED). Thought this might be a good camera to see if I like shooting digital.

My question is, what would folks (particularly you, Lou since you do a lot of this) recommend for some wildlife photography, particularly birds. Couple of things to consider:

The camera won't take older standard AF lenses; only works with AF-S and AF-I

I'm not trying to shoot pro here; no eagle's beaks at 100 yards type things. Something moderate and versatile that I can reasonable lug around on a walk.

Per above, preferably a hand holdable lens. Yes, I know...it's nice shooting an owl perched up in a tree with a tripod mounted 500mm, but that's a little beyond my tax bracket right now.

Any suggestions would be most appreciated.

---

ET: Incidentally, I'm thinking of this < one: >

Nikon Zoom-Nikkor Telephoto zoom lens - 70 mm - 300 mm - F/4.5-5.6 - Nikon F
Posted by: Robin on Dec. 10 2010,10:29

Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ Dec. 10 2010,05:49)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------




---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Sometimes the little guys come inside...



Like at a falconry meet.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Wow! Nice shot!
Posted by: Lou FCD on Dec. 10 2010,13:18

Quote (Robin @ Dec. 10 2010,11:25)
Question time - my wife got me a Nikon D3100 for me bday. It came with an 18-55 and 55-200 (both AF-S VR; neither is ED). Thought this might be a good camera to see if I like shooting digital.

My question is, what would folks (particularly you, Lou since you do a lot of this) recommend for some wildlife photography, particularly birds. Couple of things to consider:

The camera won't take older standard AF lenses; only works with AF-S and AF-I

I'm not trying to shoot pro here; no eagle's beaks at 100 yards type things. Something moderate and versatile that I can reasonable lug around on a walk.

Per above, preferably a hand holdable lens. Yes, I know...it's nice shooting an owl perched up in a tree with a tripod mounted 500mm, but that's a little beyond my tax bracket right now.

Any suggestions would be most appreciated.

---

ET: Incidentally, I'm thinking of this < one: >

Nikon Zoom-Nikkor Telephoto zoom lens - 70 mm - 300 mm - F/4.5-5.6 - Nikon F
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Honestly, Robin, I don't know diddly doo about Nikon equipment, and I bought my new 100-400mm lens on Albatrossity's recommendation. (And I owe him a great big tongue kiss that would make the UDidiots wet their pants for that recommendation.)

I already had a 24-105 (came with the camera), so this makes a perfect pair.

I'd definitely recommend that whatever lens you get, get the good glass and whatever Nikon calls their image stabilization technology - the extra expense (if you can swing it) is well worth the price of admission.
Posted by: Steviepinhead on Dec. 10 2010,13:18

Great shots, all up and down.

This is a cool thread, like getting to be a metazoan voyeur, er sumpin...
Posted by: Robin on Dec. 10 2010,15:13

Quote (Lou FCD @ Dec. 10 2010,13:18)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------




---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Honestly, Robin, I don't know diddly doo about Nikon equipment, and I bought my new 100-400mm lens on Albatrossity's recommendation. (And I owe him a great big tongue kiss that would make the UDidiots wet their pants for that recommendation.)

I already had a 24-105 (came with the camera), so this makes a perfect pair.

I'd definitely recommend that whatever lens you get, get the good glass and whatever Nikon calls their image stabilization technology - the extra expense (if you can swing it) is well worth the price of admission.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Muchos gracias, Lou! I'll keep up the research in other quarters, but thought I'd see what the denizens here have to say.
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Dec. 10 2010,22:16

Nikon glass suitable for some wildlife work... a little background first, though.

"Nikkor" is what they brand most of their lenses as. For a while in the 1980s, they did produce some "Nikon" branded glass for their consumer SLR line starting with the Nikon EM camera and 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 100mm, 35-70mm, and 75-150mm manual-focus lenses. From about 1977, Nikon's lenses featured something called "automatic indexing", a mechanical linkup that allowed the camera's metering to know the maximum aperture and current aperture setting. That gave rise to the "AI" designation on lenses. You can get some good values on older, manual-focus glass on the used market, but it needs to be at least AI or AI-modified (previous lenses might be altered for AI). For long telephoto lenses, manual focus isn't a horrible thing to deal with, especially if your new camera at least meters with an AI lens. My D2Xs does but my Fuji S2 does not, and neither does Robin's D3100s. For the S2, D3100s, and others in that group, the functionality is strictly old-school: manual focus and manual exposure. On the D2Xs and similar, modes 'A' and 'M' work with AI lenses. The Nikkor 300mm f/4.5 and 180mm f/2.8 ED (extra-low dispersion glass) are great performers in that category. The Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8 AI lens is also a classic, though you can get an AF version now, too.

Nikon made a few lenses with auto-focus specifically for the F3 camera; avoid those. The next stage in auto-focus linked the lens to a motor in the camera body. Lenses with auto-focus of this sort and an aperture ring were labeled "AF-D". Lenses without aperture rings that depended on command dials on the camera were "G" style. With auto-focus, the lenses also started coming with passive electronics inside that connected by a series of pins inside the mount to the camera. Nikon then introduced "silent wave" focusing motors that were built into lenses, and that gets the "AF-S" label. AF-S lenses are the only ones fully supported by cameras like the D3100s.

Somewhere in between AI and AF-D times, Nikon also started producing lenses that used the movement of a group of lens elements in the middle of the lens to focus the image. They called this "internal focus" and put "IF" in the label on those lenses. I've already mentioned ED as a label for a lens with at least one extra-low dispersion glass element in it. About the only significant things that Nikon doesn't put in a lens designation consistently is the type of coating on lens elements and whether any aspherical elements are used.

Nikon's image stabilization is called "vibration reduction" or VR in alphabet soup. It works and is useful.

OK, so what about actual lenses?

The Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 AF-D VR is a nice lens, though on the D3100s it will be manual focus only. It goes for around $1500.

The Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 AF-S ED-IF G VR(II) is a superlative Nikon zoom lens. There are two versions that are slightly different optically and in the VR mechanics. The more recent VR II adds further vibration reduction capability and is a fair bit sharper in corner performance on full-frame (FX) camera bodies. That doesn't apply to the D3100s; the earlier generation will be sharp throughout on a DX sensor camera body. But 200mm is not really long enough for serious wildlife photography. This lens is in the camera bag of just about every pro using Nikon bodies, which tells you something. For one thing, to take a breath before looking at the price, which is about $1600. This is just about what Canon asks for their corresponding piece of "L" glass. This lens can be paired with the 1.4x tele-extender to get more reach.

Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 AF-S ED-IF G VR... This one gets nice reviews, appears to do a good deal better than the plain 70-300mm G lens, and is about $520.

Nikkor 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6 AF-S ED G VR... A bit longer than the ubiquitous 55-200mm telephoto kit lens, with VR, and about $360. Apparently not quite a match optically to the 70-300mm VR lens just above, but if you are on a budget, this might be the lens to get.

About the really cheap, really long lenses you'll see advertised in "T-mount"... Generally, these will put an image on the sensor, but even with impeccable technique and a great tripod, the mirror lenses (500mm f/8) and preset lenses (you preset the aperture you want to take with, then as you press the camera's shutter release you also manually rotate a second ring to make the aperture close down) the images are softer than what you would get if you went for the high-quality lenses made by Nikon. It's a trade-off.
Posted by: carlsonjok on Dec. 11 2010,07:17

Quote (Robin @ Dec. 10 2010,10:25)
Any suggestions would be most appreciated.

---

ET: Incidentally, I'm thinking of this < one: >

Nikon Zoom-Nikkor Telephoto zoom lens - 70 mm - 300 mm - F/4.5-5.6 - Nikon F
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I am by no means an expert.  Indeed, I probably haven't even risen to the level of amateur yet.  But, I bought the Tamron 18-270 mm lens (which has vibration compensation) for my Canon.  It also comes in a < Nikon version >.  It is costs a bit more than the one you were looking at, but Tamron often has good mail-in rebates ($80-100 US) if you are willing to time your purchase.

I like it because it is a nice walking-around lens.  You can take both wide-angle and zoom shots without having to change lenses.  It probably is only a competent lens at both ends, but my photography isn't good enough that I need anything more than a competent lens anyways.
Posted by: Robin on Dec. 11 2010,13:44

Thanks for the info folks! Good stuff to know!
Posted by: Lou FCD on Dec. 12 2010,07:04

Et tu, Butterbutt? I'm starting to see a pattern here. What's with < the attitude >?



A bit later, I bumped into < this Carolina Chickadee > (Poecile carolinensis).


Posted by: Henry J on Dec. 12 2010,15:59



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
What's with the attitude?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Get... Off... My... LAWN!  :angry:
Posted by: Lou FCD on Dec. 19 2010,17:41

The clouds finally started to break this afternoon, so I went for a walk. It was too cold to stay out long, but I did OK for only having been out an hour.

Got a couple shots of < this male House Finch > (Carpodacus mexicanus).



< This Brown-headed Nuthatch > (Sitta pusilla) is in on the attitude thing.



...but < he's cute > and fuzzy looking, so whatever. :)



It always seems so hard to get decent shots of Northern Mockingbirds (Mimus polyglottos), but < this guy > let me walk right up on him. I was so close I couldn't even get the lens to focus (minimum 1.8 meter focus distance - I was CLOSE!), so I had to back up to get this shot.



That's not even cropped at all.

The bluebirds (Sialia sialis) really < don't like me >.



But coolest of all, I added a new bird to my life list. As common as they apparently are, I'd never seen (or more likely, never noticed) < a Tufted Titmouse > (Baeolophus bicolor) before.


Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Dec. 20 2010,07:16

Nice shot of the nuthatch, Lou; that's a hard bird to get to sit still for a portrait! Good to see that you didn't freeze to death in those 40 degree temps  :p
Posted by: Bob O'H on Dec. 20 2010,07:37

Lou - you should send some of those to Grrl to be used as mystery birds. They're beautiful.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Dec. 20 2010,08:15

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Dec. 20 2010,08:16)
Nice shot of the nuthatch, Lou; that's a hard bird to get to sit still for a portrait! Good to see that you didn't freeze to death in those 40 degree temps  :p
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks. He actually clung there just checking me out for quite a while, while I checked him out. That's when I got that shot of him looking dead at the camera. But man, he was all over that tree, not sitting still for more than half a second, otherwise.

...and I moved here to get out of those damnable near-freezing temperatures! I'm firing the weatherman. He's not doing his job. It's supposed to be *warm* here!
   
Quote (Bob O'H @ Dec. 20 2010,08:37)
Lou - you should send some of those to Grrl to be used as mystery birds. They're beautiful.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thank you Bob. I daresay I've come a little ways since I got my first real camera a year and a half ago. :) I'd love to have some of my shots in the Mystery Bird collection. I'll need an email address though. Last I checked, she didn't have it up on her blog.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Dec. 20 2010,08:27

I had to go up to Jacksonville the other day. The sky was near-solid cloud deck so the lighting was just crap, but I stopped at North Topsail Beach anyway, just to see what's up.

Even < the Ring-billed Gulls > (Larus delawarensis)...



I thought < this was kind of a cute shot > of an (immature?) Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis). Walk This Way



And of course where there are young, < there are adults >.



I didn't stay too long though, it would seem I was < right on the flightline >.


Posted by: Bob O'H on Dec. 20 2010,08:43



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Thank you Bob. I daresay I've come a little ways since I got my first real camera a year and a half ago.  I'd love to have some of my shots in the Mystery Bird collection. I'll need an email address though. Last I checked, she didn't have it up on her blog.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


She's on Gmail, and she's grrlscientist. You can work the rest out. :-) Or leave a comment on her blog.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Dec. 20 2010,09:26

Quote (Bob O'H @ Dec. 20 2010,09:43)


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Thank you Bob. I daresay I've come a little ways since I got my first real camera a year and a half ago.  I'd love to have some of my shots in the Mystery Bird collection. I'll need an email address though. Last I checked, she didn't have it up on her blog.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


She's on Gmail, and she's grrlscientist. You can work the rest out. :-) Or leave a comment on her blog.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks Bob, will do. It's a pretty day though, so MOAR BIRDS FIRST!!!

Before I go out though, I want to put up
< this young lady > (facing the camera - note the lack of mustache) Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) who was really trying hard to get a little kissyface from that cute boy in homeroom.



She < *really* wanted that kiss >, apparently.




< Apparently >, he wasn't interested.


Posted by: Robin on Dec. 20 2010,11:38

Quote (Lou FCD @ Dec. 19 2010,17:41)
The clouds finally started to break this afternoon, so I went for a walk. It was too cold to stay out long, but I did OK for only having been out an hour.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Just spectacular pics, Lou!

I've been playing around with my new camera to get used to it. Hope to upload some photos soon. Nothing great yet, though I will say a few of my subjects have been awfully cooperative and patient.
Posted by: Robin on Dec. 20 2010,11:42

Quote (Lou FCD @ Dec. 20 2010,09:26)
It's a pretty day though, so MOAR BIRDS FIRST!!!

Before I go out though, I want to put up
< this young lady > (facing the camera - note the lack of mustache) Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) who was really trying hard to get a little kissyface from that cute boy in homeroom.


---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Wow! More great shots, Lou! I love flickers. Hard bird to shoot too - usually pretty shy.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Dec. 20 2010,17:04

Quote (Robin @ Dec. 20 2010,12:42)
 
Quote (Lou FCD @ Dec. 20 2010,09:26)
It's a pretty day though, so MOAR BIRDS FIRST!!!

Before I go out though, I want to put up
< this young lady > (facing the camera - note the lack of mustache) Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) who was really trying hard to get a little kissyface from that cute boy in homeroom.


---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Wow! More great shots, Lou! I love flickers. Hard bird to shoot too - usually pretty shy.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks, Robin. I'm really enjoying the winter break :)

Today I went out for a while and popped off a few more shots.

< Northern Cardinal > (Cardinalis cardinalis)





and I think this is a Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)



And the obligatory Pissed-Off Shot:



He came up pretty close to me as he walked around the pond in one direction, and I sort of strolled around casually in the opposite direction.







< This > was just before he decided he'd had enough of me and my stupid camera.




Posted by: Robin on Dec. 21 2010,12:45

Quote (Lou FCD @ Dec. 20 2010,17:04)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nice!



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
and I think this is a Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Yep. It is still in its juvenile plumage, but it looks like it's starting to get the breeding dark cap and whitish feathers around the cheeks and down the neck.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Dec. 21 2010,17:59

Quote (Robin @ Dec. 21 2010,13:45)
[quote=Lou FCD,Dec. 20 2010,17:04][/quote]
Nice!



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
and I think this is a Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Yep. It is still in its juvenile plumage, but it looks like it's starting to get the breeding dark cap and whitish feathers around the cheeks and down the neck.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks, Robin!
Posted by: Robin on Dec. 22 2010,08:27

Here you go Lou - just a bit of info. The only other bird that's really similar to the Great Blue heron, particularly a juvenile, is the Tricolored heron. You might actually see one in North Carolina where you are, so here's a quick breakdown:

<1 year old juvenile Great Blue heron:



Tricolored heron:



Three things of major note:

The Great Blue is distinctly darker in color than the Tricolored. The Tricolored is bright blue.

The Tricolored has an all blue head - no white or buff on cheek area or along the side of the lower jaw.

The juvenile Great Blue will be nearly uniform in color from neck to lower body, with dark bluish/grey legs to tan/brownish legs (beginning of second year, like your heron). Tricolored's legs are start white, white across the belly, with a line of white extending up the front of the next to right under the chin.

There can be other minor differences too, but these are harder to spot. Like the yellow on the Tricolored's beak usually extends under the eye, while the yellow (if present) on the Great Blue's beak ends at the cheek. Also, the Tricolored is more slender - almost Egret shaped - next to the Great Blue, but since you seldom see them together it's hard to keep that in mind.

Anyway, hope this helps.

Next we'll do a primer on LBBs - Little Brown Birds -  :D
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Dec. 22 2010,08:45

Quote (Robin @ Dec. 22 2010,08:27)
Three things of major note:

The Great Blue is distinctly darker in color than the Tricolored. The Tricolored is bright blue.

The Tricolored has an all blue head - no white or buff on cheek area or along the side of the lower jaw.

The juvenile Great Blue will be nearly uniform in color from neck to lower body, with dark bluish/grey legs to tan/brownish legs (beginning of second year, like your heron). Tricolored's legs are start white, white across the belly, with a line of white extending up the front of the next to right under the chin.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Even better clue - Tricolored Herons are half the size of Great Blue Herons, more similar to Snowy Egret in size.
Posted by: Robin on Dec. 22 2010,09:45

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Dec. 22 2010,08:45)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------




---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Even better clue - Tricolored Herons are half the size of Great Blue Herons, more similar to Snowy Egret in size.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



I don't recall them being half the size, but you may be right on that. I seem to recall them being about the size of a great egret. Again since one seldom gets to see them side-by-side, unless one is really familiar with both I find that people don't generally recall relative size distinctions as easily as color distinctions. Course...that may just be me.  :p
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Dec. 22 2010,10:01

Quote (Robin @ Dec. 22 2010,09:45)
[quote=Albatrossity2,Dec. 22 2010,08:45][/quote]


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Even better clue - Tricolored Herons are half the size of Great Blue Herons, more similar to Snowy Egret in size.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



I don't recall them being half the size, but you may be right on that. I seem to recall them being about the size of a great egret. Again since one seldom gets to see them side-by-side, unless one is really familiar with both I find that people don't generally recall relative size distinctions as easily as color distinctions. Course...that may just be me.  :p
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Well, that got me to checking in the Sibley guide here, and the numbers are:

Gr. Blue Heron - length 46"; wingspan 72"
Tricolored Heron - length 26"; wingspan 36"
Snowy Egret - length 24"; wingspan 42"

So, just like it's pretty easy to tell a Snowy from a Great Egret (length 39"; wingspan 51") even if they are not standing side-by-side, the size difference between GBH and TCH should be apparent, even if only one is present. Especially if you are used to seeing a lot of GBHs; a TCH will look pretty different, size-wise.

A good behavioral clue for TCH is that these can be VERY active birds when foraging, unlike GBH which are basically stand-and-wait stalkers. TCH  do a lot of the stand-and-wait, but, unlike GBH, they sometimes go into a foraging behavior called "disturb and chase", where they run around and chase any fish or amphibians that they spook up. If you see a North American bird doing that, it is either a TCH or a Reddish Egret, another very active feeder.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Dec. 22 2010,11:50

Thanks for the info, it's very helpful.
Posted by: Robin on Dec. 22 2010,12:04

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Dec. 22 2010,10:01)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------




---------------------QUOTE-------------------
So, just like it's pretty easy to tell a Snowy from a Great Egret (length 39"; wingspan 51") even if they are not standing side-by-side, the size difference between GBH and TCH should be apparent, even if only one is present. Especially if you are used to seeing a lot of GBHs; a TCH will look pretty different, size-wise.

A good behavioral clue for TCH is that these can be VERY active birds when foraging, unlike GBH which are basically stand-and-wait stalkers. TCH  do a lot of the stand-and-wait, but, unlike GBH, they sometimes go into a foraging behavior called "disturb and chase", where they run around and chase any fish or amphibians that they spook up. If you see a North American bird doing that, it is either a TCH or a Reddish Egret, another very active feeder.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Thanks Albatrossity - clearly I don't get to see enough Tricoloreds.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Dec. 23 2010,15:47

I love being able to really reach out and touch someone.

Unfortunately, even at a distance, I spooked < this Red-cockaded Woodpecker > (Picoides borealis) when I tried to move a little left for a clean shot.



ETA: stoopid twig.


Posted by: Schroedinger's Dog on Dec. 23 2010,16:06



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
I love being able to really reach out and touch someone.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Ah! that's what SHE said!!!

And in general, taking pictures as gorgeous as yours should be outlawed...
Posted by: Lou FCD on Dec. 23 2010,23:15

Quote (Schroedinger's Dog @ Dec. 23 2010,17:06)


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
I love being able to really reach out and touch someone.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Ah! that's what SHE said!!!

And in general, taking pictures as gorgeous as yours should be outlawed...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


*blush* now you're just trying to get in my pants.
Posted by: Robin on Dec. 26 2010,12:38

Ok...here we go...

Here is my first < picture > with my new camera.

Immature Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)

Ok...actually it's my second or third pic, but the first two were too blurry.

I haven't figured out how to get the Gif or Jpeg itself at Shutterfly yet to post the image. Any suggestions would be most welcome!
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Dec. 26 2010,13:22

Quote (Robin @ Dec. 26 2010,12:38)
Ok...here we go...

Here is my first < picture > with my new camera.

Immature Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)

Ok...actually it's my second or third pic, but the first two were too blurry.

I haven't figured out how to get the Gif or Jpeg itself at Shutterfly yet to post the image. Any suggestions would be most welcome!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Very nice! We watched a similar bird getting harassed by crows when we were out and about this morning. Your bird looks a lot calmer!
Posted by: Robin on Dec. 26 2010,13:49

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Dec. 26 2010,13:22)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks Albatrossity!

We actually had (and keep having) four different hawks in our small yard today. Never seen this level of activity. The Cooper's in the pic came by three times today so far - though the pic was taken on the 17th. Another Cooper's came by twice that had a very white crown on it's head (see the second pics of a Cooper's at the shutterfly site). A giant (think female) red tailed was here this morning when the sun came up and has come back three times today as well. Finally another hawk - couldn't see it very well, but maybe a broad winged - came by and hung with the red tail for a bit. Wild day.
Posted by: dhogaza on Dec. 26 2010,14:33

Well, I recently sold my old EF 300/2.8 non-stabilized lens and replaced it a few days ago with the EF 300/4 IS.

Advantages: about 1.1 kg vs. 3 kg.  Image stabilization.  I don't particularly miss the extra stop because I no longer shoot film, and my 50D at ISO 200 or even 400 is far, far better than pushing 100 speed slide film to 200 (forget 400).  It works very well with the 1.4 tele-extender, making it a 400/5.6.  My 50D has an APS format sensor, so compared to 35mm film 400/5.6 is equivalent to 560/5.6.

Smaller size makes it easier to put in my carry-on, too - traveling with large telephotos has become a real hassle in the modern version of torture called post-9/11 air travel.

(I still have my 600/4, of course ...)

I took it out xmas day to test the lens and familiarize myself with it.  Here are a couple of hand-held images taken at 1/160, ISO 400.  I think image stabilization works ...




In honor of Lou's pissed-off bird fetish, this guy looks a bit annoyed in comparison to the first:


Posted by: Robin on Dec. 26 2010,15:37

Quote (dhogaza @ Dec. 26 2010,14:33)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------




---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Well...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



(Sits stunned...)

Awesome.
Posted by: dhogaza on Dec. 26 2010,16:00

Why, thank you Robin.  I enjoyed your Cooper's hawk photo, too.

You're somewhere out east, I gather?  Our western Coops tend to be more heavily streaked (I spent about 15 years working as a raptor bander every fall).
Posted by: Lou FCD on Dec. 27 2010,06:51

Quote (Robin @ Dec. 26 2010,13:38)
Ok...here we go...

Here is my first < picture > with my new camera.

Immature Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)

Ok...actually it's my second or third pic, but the first two were too blurry.

I haven't figured out how to get the Gif or Jpeg itself at Shutterfly yet to post the image. Any suggestions would be most welcome!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Very nice! Only your second or third shot? Rock. On.

I can't grab the image location either though...
Posted by: Lou FCD on Dec. 27 2010,06:55

Quote (dhogaza @ Dec. 26 2010,15:33)
I took it out xmas day to test the lens and familiarize myself with it.  Here are a couple of hand-held images taken at 1/160, ISO 400.  I think image stabilization works ...



---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Nice shots. Enjoy the wonder that is image stabilization!

Quote (dhogaza @ Dec. 26 2010,15:33)
In honor of Lou's pissed-off bird fetish, this guy looks a bit annoyed in comparison to the first:


---------------------QUOTE-------------------



I have started a meme, and it is good. :)
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Dec. 27 2010,08:29

It's hard to find a bird who can look more pissed-off than a Tufted Titmouse.

Posted by: carlsonjok on Dec. 27 2010,09:20

As long as we are posting POed birds, here is my contribution.  It isn't a great shot because I took it through a window, but you can at least catch the attitude.

Female Northern (yellow-shafted) Flicker (and thanks to 'Ras and Albatrossity for identifying it for me)

Posted by: Robin on Dec. 27 2010,11:23

Quote (Lou FCD @ Dec. 27 2010,06:51)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------




---------------------QUOTE-------------------
I can't grab the image location either though...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Yeah...I don't think Shutterfly is a true sharing site; it's more of a site for folks who want to use photos to make presentations and such. It doesn't seem to store true pictures in individual formats, but rather has ways of storing groups of images for use in different arrangements. I'll have to join something like flickr to post pics I think.

Wonder if I can link to photos at Facebook...I'll give that a try.
Posted by: Robin on Dec. 27 2010,11:29

Hmmm...this might be the better way for me to post pics. This is from my Facebook account:



That's Yours Truly with my old camera on safari.

ETA: removed header info.
Posted by: dhogaza on Dec. 27 2010,12:57

Oh, so we're posting self-portraits now, are we?

They call me the invisible photographer ...



It's a magic lens, it made the invisible night heron in the scene above visible:



Actually, it flew off afterwards.  Highlights blown out, I don't really miss Fuji Velvia at all, shooting digital RAW you can easily catch the full dynamic range found in a shot like that.
Posted by: dhogaza on Dec. 27 2010,13:02

Hmmm, there's a startling inconsistency between the top shot and bottom one (other than the bird having gone missing when I took the top one).

Can y'all figure it out? :)
Posted by: dhogaza on Dec. 27 2010,13:04

Pissed off ... and has the feet to do something about it!


Posted by: Robin on Dec. 27 2010,13:27

Quote (dhogaza @ Dec. 27 2010,13:04)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------




---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Pissed off ... and has the feet to do something about it!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



DAAAAAAAMMM...

Show off...
Posted by: fnxtr on Dec. 27 2010,13:43

Quote (dhogaza @ Dec. 27 2010,11:02)
Hmmm, there's a startling inconsistency between the top shot and bottom one (other than the bird having gone missing when I took the top one).

Can y'all figure it out? :)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Judging by the shadows, I'd say you took the bottom one first?
Posted by: dhogaza on Dec. 27 2010,14:00



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Judging by the shadows, I'd say you took the bottom one first?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Well, that's not the inconsistency I had in mind, but you're right, you've found a bonus inconsistency!

Mine is the fact that the shot from the series that I posted is horizontal, while the shot of camera and tripod and pillow (an indispensable tool!) shows the camera turned to the vertical position ...

Robin - I'll let you in on a secret ... the goshawk's been captured and banded and was being held just prior to release.  Goshawks do tend to get pissed off, though ...
Posted by: Lou FCD on Dec. 27 2010,14:39

Really sweet shots!
Posted by: Robin on Dec. 27 2010,15:25

Quote (dhogaza @ Dec. 27 2010,14:00)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------




---------------------QUOTE-------------------

Robin - I'll let you in on a secret ... the goshawk's been captured and banded and was being held just prior to release.  Goshawks do tend to get pissed off, though ...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Actually, I thought it might be, but it's still an amazing shot.
Posted by: Robin on Dec. 27 2010,16:31

Ok...let's try this again.

Here's a second Cooper's that came to visit yesterday. I don't yet have any pics of birds cranky with me, but this gal's still sportin' some 'tude:






Clearly need some work; the first shot is much more colorful. Not sure why yet.
Posted by: Robin on Dec. 27 2010,16:35

I really like this shot:



He wasn't too nervous about me stepping slowly towards him. I shot this with 200mm f5.6 and while I blew it up .5X, it really helped that he let me get so close.
Posted by: dhogaza on Dec. 27 2010,18:02



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
I don't yet have any pics of birds cranky with me, but this gal's still sportin' some 'tude
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



A female cooper's hawk on the attack has 'tude roughly equivalent to that of an NFL linebacker trying to kill a running back ...

The cardinal's very nice ... if you'd taken a half-step to the right, that little branch might've been out of the way, but it can be really difficult to see such obstructions in the viewfinder ...

Were both cooper's hawks shot with in-camera generation of JPEGs, or post-processed from raw?   In-camera shot-to-shot JPEG conversions of roughly the same scene ought to be of similar color saturation ... strange.

You're lucky to have raptors coming to your back yard like this.  I live in a fairly sterile neighborhood, though last year I did see a young peregrine falcon chasing a city pigeon in circles over a local light-industrial building a few blocks from home!   'Round and 'round and round they went, for probably five minutes, the pigeon able to turn more tightly than the peregrine, but not able to escape.  Finally the pigeon - probably tiring - broke off in a straight line with the peregrine on its heels.  Unfortunately buildings were in the way and they were low, didn't get to see the grand finale, but I'd bet on the peregrine.
Posted by: Robin on Dec. 28 2010,06:31

Quote (dhogaza @ Dec. 27 2010,18:02)
The cardinal's very nice ... if you'd taken a half-step to the right, that little branch might've been out of the way, but it can be really difficult to see such obstructions in the viewfinder ...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



The branch up the cardinal's butt? No...that's actually holding the bird in place!

:p

I kid...and you're right. Of course, the cardinal wasn't cooperative much longer.



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Were both cooper's hawks shot with in-camera generation of JPEGs, or post-processed from raw?   In-camera shot-to-shot JPEG conversions of roughly the same scene ought to be of similar color saturation ... strange.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



They were both shot JPEG. Slightly different angles though. The first shot - the Cooper's looking down - was about 4 feet closer (she let me get really close) and about 5 feet to the right of the second shot. Interestingly, there was a second Cooper's up in a tree about 70 feet away or so and they kept calling to one another the whole time I was out.



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
You're lucky to have raptors coming to your back yard like this.  I live in a fairly sterile neighborhood, though last year I did see a young peregrine falcon chasing a city pigeon in circles over a local light-industrial building a few blocks from home!   'Round and 'round and round they went, for probably five minutes, the pigeon able to turn more tightly than the peregrine, but not able to escape.  Finally the pigeon - probably tiring - broke off in a straight line with the peregrine on its heels.  Unfortunately buildings were in the way and they were low, didn't get to see the grand finale, but I'd bet on the peregrine.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Yeah, our neighborhood is near two parks and has a fair bit of cover. A lot of folks (like me) have feeders out so we get a lot of Cooper's coming in to pick off song bird meals. I put out seed specifically for mourning doves and Rock Doves and call them "Hawk Bait". We don't get many Rock Doves, but plenty of Mourning. Lots of Goldfinches and Cardinals too.

The day I took the photos above, we not only got that Cooper's and his friend, but a third Cooper's - an adult female - flew near our house from a neighbor's. There was also a Red-tail who came by our house - once within about 15 feet - three times that day. Too skittish to shoot though. And lastly, we saw what I think was a juvenile Broad-wing sitting across from our house at a neighbor's in the late morning.

That was a very unusual day though - not sure what all the raptor attention was all about.

The juvenile  Coopers show up about four times a week though. We're really lucky with that and I count my birding blessings. :)
Posted by: dhogaza on Dec. 28 2010,16:53



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
A lot of folks (like me) have feeders out so we get a lot of Cooper's coming in to pick off song bird meals. I put out seed specifically for mourning doves and Rock Doves and call them "Hawk Bait".
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Well, rock doves are used as lure birds to trap raptors, and turtle doves as backups to lure those made skittish by massive fat old pigeons.

And, as I'm sure you've heard, there are only two kinds of birds:

Raptors, and raptor food.
Posted by: ppb on Dec. 30 2010,07:23

There have been some awesome bird pics on this thread lately.  I especially liked the wood duck.

We escaped the great east coast blizzard of 2010 by heading south to Florida for Christmas.  I got to take a short birding break and got up close and personal with a Cattle Egret.





I also got some shots of an Osprey.





These were taken on Sand Key in Clearwater.

ETA: Albatrossity tells me the egret is probably a Great Egret, so I bow to his superior bird identification prowess.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Dec. 30 2010,08:10

Nice shots, Robin. You know I love the pissed-off bird shots!

ppb, you gotta love the Ospreys. I love the patterns under their wings. Gorgeous birds.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Dec. 30 2010,08:14

Sort of a cheat, < I was at the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher a few weeks back > when I shot these Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa).


Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Dec. 30 2010,10:26

Quote (Lou FCD @ Dec. 30 2010,08:14)
Sort of a cheat, < I was at the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher a few weeks back > when I shot these Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Not a cheat; they look like wild and wooly wood ducks to me!

Re ppb's egret, the loooong neck, bill shape, black legs, and greenish lores (area between the eye and the beak) are pretty diagnostic for Great Egret. Here's a closeup of one I took in the SF Bay Area a couple of years ago.


Additional images from that excursion are < here. >
Posted by: dhogaza on Dec. 30 2010,14:34

Yeah, nothing wrong with Lou's wood ducks.  Mine were at a public park, where they come up to you looking for food if you toss a few bits of pea gravel from the walkway into the water.  They're wild (they'll leave in spring) but friendly.
Posted by: Robin on Dec. 30 2010,14:46

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Dec. 30 2010,10:26)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------




---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Additional images from that excursion are < here. >
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Ooo...really like the second pic (from top to bottom) of the White Crowned Sparrow (in the barbed wire). Nice.

And I'm surprised you didn't post the pic of the Anna's Hummingbird sporting the 'tude for Lou.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Dec. 31 2010,14:47

Just caught < this White Ibis > (Eudocimus albus) wandering around the parking lot out front of my apartment with a few of his friends a few minutes ago.



No one gave me any attitude, though.


Posted by: Lou FCD on Dec. 31 2010,14:56

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Dec. 30 2010,11:26)
Here's a closeup of one I took in the SF Bay Area a couple of years ago.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


whoa.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Dec. 31 2010,15:03

Quote (Robin @ Dec. 30 2010,15:46)
Ooo...really like the second pic (from top to bottom) of the White Crowned Sparrow (in the barbed wire). Nice.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Again.






whoa.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Dec. 31 2010,16:56

Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna), with a 'tude. Wishing you all a Happy New Year, and many new critters for your life lists in 2011.

Posted by: dhogaza on Dec. 31 2010,17:00

Sigh, I need to get back to Florida for another bird photo trip.  White Ibis are great.

This guy was pissed off at me, I was standing in about a foot of salt water in a lagoon, my 600/4 on my tripod, kicking water at this dude trying to get him to give me a look.

"Give me a look, you bastard, I'm photographing you!!!" (kick, splash).  As you can see, I splashed it so hard it lost a leg!

Some dude (who later became photo editor of Wild Bird) told me about this Reddish Egret and his perch in the middle of the lagoon, when we were shooting at the Everglades.  Three days later, it was still there ...

Crappy, unsaturated scan, though :(



Posted by: Lou FCD on Dec. 31 2010,19:24

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Dec. 31 2010,17:56)
Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna), with a 'tude. Wishing you all a Happy New Year, and many new critters for your life lists in 2011.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Right back at ya'!

Quote (dhogaza @ Dec. 31 2010,18:00)
"Give me a look, you bastard, I'm photographing you!!!" (kick, splash).  As you can see, I splashed it so hard it lost a leg!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nice shot, and I'm really glad to know I'm not the only one who cusses the birds when they don't do what I want... "Asshole" and "Bastard" are frequent outbursts from me when I'm trying to shoot them.
Posted by: khan on Jan. 01 2011,13:55

Birdy Bastards: I feed your asses all year 'round and you won't sit still for a minute or two...
Posted by: dhogaza on Jan. 01 2011,16:15



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
...I'm really glad to know I'm not the only one who cusses the birds when they don't do what I want...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Well, now we know why you have so many photos of pissed-off birds!

Sometimes, begging works, too ... "C'mon, baby, just a bit to the right ..."
Posted by: Lou FCD on Jan. 01 2011,19:17

Quote (dhogaza @ Jan. 01 2011,17:15)


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
...I'm really glad to know I'm not the only one who cusses the birds when they don't do what I want...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Well, now we know why you have so many photos of pissed-off birds!

Sometimes, begging works, too ... "C'mon, baby, just a bit to the right ..."
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


lol
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Feb. 01 2011,17:48

We're getting snow (dry and very drifty), as well as cold weather today, so the feeders have been pretty active. Nothing too unusual except this House Finch, which has the normal reddish plumage on the face and front, but a bizarre orangey rump. Picture was taken through the window glass (it's 14F out there, with a wind chill about -10F), so it's not as sharply focused as I'd like it. But you can still see the colors.


Posted by: Robin on Feb. 28 2011,08:35

Saw an interesting thing yesterday evening. I was watching the birds in my backyard and a small flock (a dozen or so) cedar waxwings showed up in the neighbors crabapple tree. They then flew around our backyard for a bit and then settled on some young oak trees (about 4 years old now) I planted and started poking around in the dead leaves that are still on the branches. Next thing I know, most of the birds had rolled themselves up in the leaves, making themselves little leafy hammocks! They were definitely there after the sun went down and I presume they spent the night that way. They were nearly impossible to see, but there were one or two places where I could see a dead oak leaf fringed in bright yellow.

I have often wondered where birds sleep at night, but I didn't expect that.
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on Feb. 28 2011,09:47

i saw a murder of crows devouring a frozen deer carcass in the backyard of the creepiest estate sale i have ever seen the other day.  if that ain't wildlife then WTF is
Posted by: Lou FCD on Mar. 19 2011,21:24

Ok boys and girls, it's time to play Name That Falconiform...

...or something.

Un-retouched, straight off the camera, nothing but cropped.

< The only shot I got > with anything from the dorsum.



< A bit of profile >



< Another >



< And a nice broad venter >



My best guess is a juvenile (because of the breast streaking) Red-shouldered Hawk - because of the tail stripes in the first shot (which appear to be narrow lights on broad darks) and what appears to be the "crescent window" on the primaries that the Peterson's mentions - note the last shot, especially. I'd not be shocked to be wrong though, especially if it turns out to be a Broad-winged. The Broad-winged's tail stripes look more even light/dark in the guides though, so....

ETA: Just thought to listen to the typical voice at < All About Birds >, and it definitely sounded like the recording of the Red-shouldered.


Posted by: dhogaza on Mar. 20 2011,15:14

Red-shouldered's look lankier in the wing than broad-winged's, too.  Broad-winged kiddies show a rectangular wing panel when backlit.

I think you're on it.



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
The only shot I got with anything from the dorsum.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



As they say, white men can't jump! :)

Heard my first singing orange-crowned warbler, always the first warbler to sing here in PDX, as they move through in spring.
Posted by: dvunkannon on Mar. 21 2011,10:03

OK, not my backyard, but this weekend Blanka and I were out at the NY Botanical Garden in the Bronx. We saw some black squirrels, a huge number of robins, and a wild turkey. On Sunday we saw large group of green parrots mixing with the usual street pigeons in Edgewater, NJ and more wild turkeys in Englewood - both towns across the Hudson from NYC.
Posted by: Henry J on Mar. 21 2011,10:58

Saw this posted on another BB:



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Did you lose this??

< http://tinyurl.com/4k3bu44 >
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on Mar. 21 2011,11:11

ramps and orange peel fungus

eat your heart out you flatlander hippies
Posted by: Lou FCD on Mar. 21 2011,14:53

Quote (dhogaza @ Mar. 20 2011,16:14)
Red-shouldered's look lankier in the wing than broad-winged's, too.  Broad-winged kiddies show a rectangular wing panel when backlit.

I think you're on it.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Thanks, I'm thinking so too.

 
Quote (dhogaza @ Mar. 20 2011,16:14)


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
The only shot I got with anything from the dorsum.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



As they say, white men can't jump! :)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Indeed.

 
Quote (dhogaza @ Mar. 20 2011,16:14)
Heard my first singing orange-crowned warbler, always the first warbler to sing here in PDX, as they move through in spring.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



It's always lovely when the song birds start serenading in earnest.
Posted by: khan on Mar. 21 2011,14:56

Cardinals doing fulltime song starting ~6AM.
Posted by: carlsonjok on Mar. 27 2011,12:55

Just had a flock of mostly tom Turkeys wander by outside my home office window.


Posted by: EyeNoTwo on Mar. 27 2011,16:20

Quote (carlsonjok @ Mar. 27 2011,12:55)
Just had a flock of mostly tom Turkeys wander by outside my home office window.


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


You sure that's not Joe G. stalking you?
Posted by: DaveH on Mar. 27 2011,17:44

Quote (EyeNoTwo @ Mar. 27 2011,16:20)
[quote=carlsonjok,Mar. 27 2011,12:55]Just had a flock of mostly tom Turkeys wander by outside my home office window.

<SCHNIP!>
You sure that's not Joe G. stalking you?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nope, JoeG is  Gallus gallus, not Galloparvus
(Though he is a gobbler)
(With IDGuy)
(If he's got a very flexible spine)
Posted by: ppb on Mar. 28 2011,13:43

Quote (dvunkannon @ Mar. 21 2011,11:03)
OK, not my backyard, but this weekend Blanka and I were out at the NY Botanical Garden in the Bronx. We saw some black squirrels, a huge number of robins, and a wild turkey. On Sunday we saw large group of green parrots mixing with the usual street pigeons in Edgewater, NJ and more wild turkeys in Englewood - both towns across the Hudson from NYC.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


You didn't see any < cobras > while you were out and about, did you?  :)
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Mar. 28 2011,20:46

Some < images > from a recent trip to the Yucatan. Birds, iguanas, Mayan ruins and beach views. One mystery bird, a hawk that I was unable to ID. Any clues would be appreciated!
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Mar. 28 2011,21:53

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Mar. 28 2011,20:46)
Some < images > from a recent trip to the Yucatan. Birds, iguanas, Mayan ruins and beach views. One mystery bird, a hawk that I was unable to ID. Any clues would be appreciated!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


What distinguishes the mystery hawk from a red-shouldered hawk? That's the closest match I can think of offhand.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Mar. 29 2011,06:14

Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ Mar. 28 2011,21:53)
Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Mar. 28 2011,20:46)
Some < images > from a recent trip to the Yucatan. Birds, iguanas, Mayan ruins and beach views. One mystery bird, a hawk that I was unable to ID. Any clues would be appreciated!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


What distinguishes the mystery hawk from a red-shouldered hawk? That's the closest match I can think of offhand.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Geographic range. Red-shouldered Hawk has never been reported in the Yucatan.

Other more experienced tropical birders, as well as our own Lou FCD, have helped me ID that bird as a Roadside hawk, which is certainly a common raptor in that area. Turns out that the plumages of Roadside Hawks are extremely variable (like our equally common Red-tailed Hawks up here), and I was just looking at a plumage which does not appear in any field guide that I have!
Posted by: Lou FCD on Mar. 29 2011,07:06

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Mar. 29 2011,07:14)
Some Other more experienced tropical birders, as well as our own Lou FCD, have helped me ID that bird as a Roadside hawk
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Just < rockin' the casbah >, baby.

:)
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on April 03 2011,17:08

Made a quick trip up to Gibbon, Nebraska to see the sandhill crane flocks. As we were waiting in the blind for the cranes to start to gather in the river, a Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) appeared in a little slough next to the blind and obligingly posed for a portrait. Over the years I've found that these guys are tough to photograph, so I was happy to shoot a few frames while waiting for the cranes.

Posted by: Robin on April 04 2011,08:15

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ April 03 2011,17:08)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------




---------------------QUOTE-------------------
As we were waiting in the blind for the cranes to start to gather in the river, a Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) appeared in a little slough next to the blind and obligingly posed for a portrait. Over the years I've found that these guys are tough to photograph, so I was happy to shoot a few frames while waiting for the cranes.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Wow! That's a really great pic!

We saw some Horned Grebes this last weekend (in their winter plummage) along with a few Ruddy Ducks (so cute!), a few Common Eiders, and a whole bunch of American Coots. Alas, they were too far off in a wetland to shoot pics of.
Posted by: Robin on April 04 2011,10:08

A few pics from my backyard:

A lovely Goldfinch stopping by for a drink:


The Princess on her perch - a Cooper's Hawk who liked to hang by our feeders this winter:




The Princess just missing a meal:


Lastly, El Butterbutt - a Yellow-rumped Warbler who has been in our yard since December:


Posted by: qetzal on April 04 2011,19:54

It's getting to be all birds, all the time around here! For a brief respite, here's a little fella (or gal?) that was on our gazebo the other day. Green tree frog (Hyla cinerea cinerea), I believe. Not much of a photo, esp. since it was taken with my iPhone, but I liked the pose.


Posted by: Henry J on April 05 2011,10:03

nee-deep! nee-deep!
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 08 2011,11:53

Some < shots from this morning > of a Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) hanging out in the top of a pine, minding his business:



< He was being harangued > by a pair of crows:


Posted by: Lou FCD on April 08 2011,16:03

Oh, got < a Green Heron (Butorides virescens) on campus > earlier this week. Walk This Way:




Posted by: Lou FCD on April 08 2011,16:25

< Not birds >, though Archosauria. Slider Convention:



Red-eared Sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans), also on campus.
Posted by: fnxtr on April 08 2011,17:04

Quote (Lou FCD @ April 08 2011,14:25)
< Not birds >, though Archosauria. Slider Convention:



Red-eared Sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans), also on campus.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That's not what the sliders looked like when I was on campus...
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 08 2011,18:51

Quote (fnxtr @ April 08 2011,18:04)
Quote (Lou FCD @ April 08 2011,14:25)
< Not birds >, though Archosauria. Slider Convention:



Red-eared Sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans), also on campus.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That's not what the sliders looked like when I was on campus...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That's a whole 'nuther thang, along with shooters.
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 10 2011,09:25

Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) on campus yesterday.

Very common, I'm told, but new for my photography life list.




Posted by: fnxtr on April 10 2011,11:45

Quote (Lou FCD @ April 08 2011,16:51)
Quote (fnxtr @ April 08 2011,18:04)
Quote (Lou FCD @ April 08 2011,14:25)
< Not birds >, though Archosauria. Slider Convention:



Red-eared Sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans), also on campus.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That's not what the sliders looked like when I was on campus...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That's a whole 'nuther thang, along with shooters.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Heh. I was thinking about stilletos and acid-washed denim dresses, but yeah, them little burgers, too.

There's an old joke about a drunk and some turtles...
Posted by: dhogaza on April 10 2011,12:09



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
...a Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) appeared in a little slough next to the blind and obligingly posed for a portrait. Over the years I've found that these guys are tough to photograph...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Not in Florida...



This one's squinting due to my overexposing the shot, nearly blinding it:


Posted by: fnxtr on April 10 2011,12:19

Quote (dhogaza @ April 10 2011,10:09)
 

---------------------QUOTE-------------------
...a Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) appeared in a little slough next to the blind and obligingly posed for a portrait. Over the years I've found that these guys are tough to photograph...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Not in Florida...



This one's squinting due to my overexposing the shot, nearly blinding it:


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


The older cameras don't have an "adjust sun's brightness" dial?
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 10 2011,18:47

Quote (dhogaza @ April 10 2011,13:09)
This one's squinting due to my overexposing the shot, nearly blinding it:


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


lol
Posted by: George on April 20 2011,07:35

From yesterday's Irish Sun.  Not birds, definitely wildlife.


Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on April 20 2011,19:45

Springtime... cute overload... babies...

A very colorful baby turned up in our breezeway last night.


Posted by: Lou FCD on April 20 2011,20:56

Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ April 20 2011,20:45)
Springtime... cute overload... babies...

A very colorful baby turned up in our breezeway last night.


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Fortunately, a friend of Jack.
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 20 2011,21:04

Been a bit of wildlife to shoot around campus lately.

< Great Blue Heron >



< White-throated Sparrow >



< Female Northern Flicker > gives me a nice look at her nape, whilst foraging on the ground.



< ...then thermoregulates for me >:



< ...while her mate keeps a close eye on me >



< Brown-headed Cowbird > is new for my photography life list.


Posted by: ppb on April 21 2011,09:07

Quote (Lou FCD @ April 20 2011,21:56)
 
Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ April 20 2011,20:45)
Springtime... cute overload... babies...

A very colorful baby turned up in our breezeway last night.


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Fortunately, a friend of Jack.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Forget Jack.  Is he a friend of Wes?

At least it's not a devil otter after his mini van.

Once again, very nice shots Lou.
Posted by: Robin on April 21 2011,09:20

Quote (Lou FCD @ April 20 2011,21:04)
Been a bit of wildlife to shoot around campus lately.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Man you take some gorgeous photos, Lou! I really want to learn to use my camera like this.
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 21 2011,09:50

Thanks. :)

I took this a while back in my Vertebrate Natural History lab.

< Bite Me >:



Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus)
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 22 2011,18:26

I've spent a bit of time at Greenfield Lake the last couple of days. The light's been spotty at best with the weather, so these shots are more notable for their diversity than for the quality of the images.

I didn't quite nail the focus on this shot of a Great Crested Flycatcher*, but < the pose is just too cute >. How you like mah 'do?



< Saw an American Alligator >



< Double-crested Cormorant >



< Eastern Kingbird > (note the white tail tip)



< Prothonotary Warbler >*



< Three Little Goslings > (Canada Goose)



< A Canada Goose with a melanin issue >



< A very pissed off Brown Thrasher >



< Gray Catbird >



< A rather emotive >



< Blue-gray Gnatcatcher >*



< Tufted Titmouse > enjoying a snack



< Male Yellow-rumped Warbler > (Butterbutt), in full breeding plumage**



< Green Heron >



and a < VERY large Canada Goose > also having melanin issues. (At least, I think that's what it is...)



...and just in time to make Zombie Baby Jesus cry, < S'prize!!! Gehy Duck Butt Sechs!!!!! >



*New for my life lists.

**Butterbutts are not new for my life lists, but I've never seen the male in full breeding plumage before.
Posted by: fnxtr on April 23 2011,02:36

Y'know how sometimes, if you're a guitarist, and you hear guys like Gilmour or Fripp do something amazing and you just think "fuck off" ?

That's what Lou does to my inner photographer.

Lou: fuck off. In a nice way.
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 23 2011,07:17

Quote (fnxtr @ April 23 2011,03:36)
Y'know how sometimes, if you're a guitarist, and you hear guys like Gilmour or Fripp do something amazing and you just think "fuck off" ?

That's what Lou does to my inner photographer.

Lou: fuck off. In a nice way.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Lol, don't make me get the Mallard on you. In a nice way.

Thanks, though. :)
Posted by: dhogaza on April 23 2011,12:41

Prothonotary Warbler ...

Alger Hiss claimed, under oath when being investigated as a spy for the USSR, that one one occasion when he supposedly had gone out to meet his handler, he had actually gone to a park to go birding.

In particular, trying to see a prothonotary warbler.

(he was lying but hey, how often do warblers and spies for the USSR so up in the same story?)
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on April 23 2011,14:17

Coincidentally, I heard my first Prothonotary Warbler of the season this morning, while we were out seeking morels. Here's a pic from a few years back; probably not the same one I heard this morning  :)

Posted by: Lou FCD on April 23 2011,15:02

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ April 23 2011,15:17)
Coincidentally, I heard my first Prothonotary Warbler of the season this morning, while we were out seeking morels. Here's a pic from a few years back; probably not the same one I heard this morning  :)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Now see? That right there is how it's done. Sweet shot, the light is perfect, the focus is dead on, and the bokeh is beautiful.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on April 23 2011,18:14

Quote (Lou FCD @ April 23 2011,15:02)
Now see? That right there is how it's done. Sweet shot, the light is perfect, the focus is dead on, and the bokeh is beautiful.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yeah, I was pretty happy when I uploaded that one to the computer and saw it on the big screen.
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 23 2011,19:21

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ April 23 2011,19:14)
Quote (Lou FCD @ April 23 2011,15:02)
Now see? That right there is how it's done. Sweet shot, the light is perfect, the focus is dead on, and the bokeh is beautiful.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yeah, I was pretty happy when I uploaded that one to the computer and saw it on the big screen.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Y'know what else I love about that shot? The background shifts from white to green roughly in line with the branch. It ties the two together nicely.

ETA: Also, the eyelight. It's perfect, not too overwhelming, but just enough to give the warbler life. The translucence of the bug shows up well, too.


Posted by: Wolfhound on April 23 2011,21:58

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ April 23 2011,15:17)
Coincidentally, I heard my first Prothonotary Warbler of the season this morning, while we were out seeking morels. Here's a pic from a few years back; probably not the same one I heard this morning  :)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Wow!  What a great shot!  All I have is a crappy little CoolPix that I bought to photograph the dogs and take little videos so I can't get nice closeups and whatnot.  Which is a shame since a rather startlingly blue Steller's Jay was scolding me this afternoon.
Posted by: Henry J on April 24 2011,00:12

I guess the bird wasn't early enough to get the worm, so it had to settle for a bug?
Posted by: fnxtr on April 24 2011,13:04

Quote (Henry J @ April 23 2011,22:12)
I guess the bird wasn't early enough to get the worm, so it had to settle for a bug?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That confused me. I thought you meant the jay, and wondered why you were calling Wolfhound a bug.

Yeah someday I'll take my Canon Ftb to the shop and get it working again... after I get my USB turntable... and a bunch of other crap...

@Wolfhound: yeah, a Coolpix is ok for party shots, but there were some great heron and eagle opportunities I missed this year already because of hopelessly inadequate zoom.
Posted by: DaveH on April 24 2011,13:29

Quote (Lou FCD @ April 23 2011,15:02)
Quote (Albatrossity2 @ April 23 2011,15:17)
Coincidentally, I heard my first Prothonotary Warbler of the season this morning, while we were out seeking morels. Here's a pic from a few years back; probably not the same one I heard this morning  :)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Now see? That right there is how it's done. Sweet shot, the light is perfect, the focus is dead on, and the bokeh is beautiful.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Just a quick delurk to add to the chorus of folk saying"Fuckin'ell!" at Albatrossity2's Prothonotary Warbler. That is just stunning (and I hate my crappy Tamron 70-300 now)  :angry:
PS I wonder if Lou's giant Canada goose is a cross with a domestic? I guess we'll never know the Anser. (Coat/fetch/etc)

PPS Coincidentally I just found another melanocytically-challenged bird today
< HERE >

The ducks were in London, but I saw the gull flying around in Edinburgh here for the last week or so. Tracked it down today and was devastated that it wasn't an Ivory Gull. They are occasionally spotted in the UK, but normally live in Greenland, eating decaying walrus carcasses, beached whales and Davetard's used condoms. That would have been one for the life photo list!
(/relurk)
Posted by: clamboy on April 24 2011,14:17

(posts again after a few years, 'cos Lou and dhogaza inspired me with their stunning recent photos - thank you both!) - edited to spell "dhogaza" correctly

I got out my Sibley's and my binoculars and headed out to see what I could see at a semi-reclaimed wetlands area near UW the other day. I dared not risk hoping for pied-billed grebes, but there they were! In addition, we had mallards, a score of northern shovelers, some beautiful ring-necked ducks, goldfinch, common mergansers, crested cormorants, buffleheads, red-winged blackbirds, great blue herons (there are at least five nests outside the Allen CSE building on UW's campus), northern flickers, American coots, and, according to Sibley, what looked very much like a juvenile peregrine falcon. Numerous songbirds escaped my definite identification, which shows how rusty I am. I had the opportunity to discover how great this place is a few years ago, while interpreting a class at the U with a professor and TA who were skilled birders, and try to return each Spring.
Posted by: dhogaza on April 24 2011,17:07

Great prothonotary warbler shot there ... normally a highly contrasty background like that would annoy me, but with the way this shot is composed and (as lou says) the nice bokeh, I think it works great.
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 24 2011,17:30

Quote (DaveH @ April 24 2011,14:29)
PS I wonder if Lou's giant Canada goose is a cross with a domestic? I guess we'll never know the Anser. (Coat/fetch/etc)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yeah, that's what Alby told me, too. I just didn't even think of that, as I had no idea domestics got so huge.

P.S. You're supposed to give your anser in the formes of a question.


Posted by: Lou FCD on April 24 2011,17:32

Quote (clamboy @ April 24 2011,15:17)
(posts again after a few years, 'cos Lou and dhogaza inspired me with their stunning recent photos - thank you both!)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nice to see ya' again!
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 24 2011,18:48

< Cedar Waxwing > (Bombycilla cedrorum), new for my life lists.


Posted by: Robin on April 25 2011,07:27

Quote (Lou FCD @ April 23 2011,15:02)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------




---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Now see? That right there is how it's done. Sweet shot, the light is perfect, the focus is dead on, and the bokeh is beautiful.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



What he said! Wow! I'm with FNXTR, but in a nice way too.
Posted by: Robin on April 25 2011,07:32

Quote (Lou FCD @ April 24 2011,18:48)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------




---------------------QUOTE-------------------
< Cedar Waxwing > (Bombycilla cedrorum), new for my life lists.


---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Oh...lovely Lou! My favorite bird! I love how their song is really something only dogs can hear - it's so high-pitched!
Posted by: Robin on April 25 2011,07:56

Well, nothing quite like Lou's or Alby's shots, but I'm working on it:


Chipping Sparrow - Spizella passerina


"I'm watching you!" Osprey - Pandion haliaetus


Eastern Black Swallowtail - Papilio polyxenes


Easter Tiger Swallowtail - Papilio glaucus


American Painted Lady - Vanessa virginiensis


Silver-sided Skipper (Epargyre clarus) sportin' some tude
Posted by: carlsonjok on April 25 2011,09:17

Quote (Robin @ April 25 2011,07:56)
Well, nothing quite like Lou's or Alby's shots, but I'm working on it:


Chipping Sparrow - Spizella passerina
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Just a few minutes ago, I had about a half-dozen of these outside my home office window.  I took a few pictures hoping someone could identify them, since I have never seen them out there before.  

Now I don't need to ask.  Which is probably good, since the combination of an overcast day and taking the picture through a screen would mean they are probably pretty crappy shots.

Thanks.
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on April 25 2011,09:51

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ April 23 2011,15:17)
Coincidentally, I heard my first Prothonotary Warbler of the season this morning, while we were out seeking morels. Here's a pic from a few years back; probably not the same one I heard this morning  :)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


that thing eating a mayfly?

did you find any morels is the more immediate question.  we are done here
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on April 25 2011,11:06

Quote (Erasmus @ FCD,April 25 2011,09:51)
that thing eating a mayfly?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yeah, it's not a "bug".

 

---------------------QUOTE-------------------
did you find any morels is the more immediate question.  we are done here
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yeah, we got about 3-4 lbs Saturday and probably another pound yesterday. We found several nice explosions like this one.

Ate a bunch of them, gave some away, and dried the rest for the famine times.

We're probably done here too, although the morels are not finished. Too cold and rainy today, and when it warms up again the understory growth will be too heavy to allow easy sighting of the morels. We had a good year here, though, so I won't worry if i don't get any more.
Posted by: dhogaza on April 25 2011,15:16

Robin: the osprey shot rocks ...
Posted by: Robin on April 25 2011,15:28

Quote (dhogaza @ April 25 2011,15:16)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------




---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Robin: the osprey shot rocks ...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Thanks! She was reeeeeeaally cooperative. I think I rattled off about 3 dozen pics of her coming and going above me. There were 4 out total along this coastline at this park, just lazily floating back and forth and calling to one another. Both groups - two groups of mated pairs it turns out - had nests nearby that we could check out, and the parents didn't stray that far from them. Couldn't get a good shot of the chicks, unfortunately, but otoh, mom kept a good close eye on me, and kept floating down this one path I was on, providing a very good photo subject.
Posted by: Robin on April 25 2011,15:32

You know, since some of you are quite a bit more experienced at this than I, I have a question. On the butterfly pics I shot above, would it have been better to try to shoot them with a flash? Are there any pointers you can give me on how to get the colors to 'pop' for such subjects? Any suggestions and feedback would be most appreciated.
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 25 2011,16:45

Nice shots, Robin!

You'll have to wait for Albatrossity or someone to answer about the flash, I don't use one (I don't even own one, yet).

ETA: Lightroom is a good bit of software for fixing pictures that come off the camera odd, or flat, or a little over or under-exposed. That's what I use.

Are you shooting in RAW or jpg?


Posted by: dhogaza on April 25 2011,17:12

Yeah, I'm with Lou, you can pump up the saturation in whatever program you use for post processing.

Note that a lot of pre-digital nature photography you see online or in print was shot in Velvia, which gives unnaturally saturated colors which photo editors loved.  It's a major reason why Fuji overcame Kodak in the professional film market.  Kodak fought back by introducing moderately pumped-up film like E100SW (my personal favorite for colorful birds species, and well accepted by photo editors, though I would shoot Velvia for brownish sparrows and the like, because the extra saturation makes them unrealistically attractive, and what the photo editors want, the photo editors get).

The point of this ramble is that a whole generation of people grew up looking at ultra-saturated nature photography and when presented with an image more true to the actual colors in the scene (digital is capable of much more accurate rendition) think "oh, it's washed out, it's pale, it's not real!".

So tweak it until you like it but afterwards you might find the real-life butterflies unnaturally drab :)

As to flash ... flash in nature photography requires a delicate touch, IMO, and should be balanced with ambient light in such a way as to highlight your subject without overwhelming it.

I suggest buying a good nature photography guide written fairly recently (written with modern bodies and flashes with reasonably smart exposure balancing capabilities).

Far too much to even begin to discuss in a discussion thread if you want to use flash to improve your photography (as opposed to blinding your subject).
Posted by: dhogaza on April 25 2011,17:19

So here's an example of a photo of mine that could've been improved with a bit of fill flash (underexposing for ambient conditions).  The result would've been a lot less contrast and more even lighting on the pelican, without the harshness that frequently comes when flash is the main source of light.

BTW if you start exploring use of flash you'll start wanting at minimum a bracket to move the flash off-axis from the lens, and quite quickly will begin thinking of getting a bracket with two flashes off-axis from the lens and each other.

If you look at a lot of published bird photos, in particular, you'll see the tale-tells of the use of two flashes for fill - two highlights in the eye and (unless the photographer's ham-fisted with flash, which unfortunately many are) nice even light on the subject which is high-key enough to separate it a bit from the background.


Posted by: Albatrossity2 on April 25 2011,17:30

Robin

I agree; that osprey picture is great. They can be difficult birds to approach, but I've also found that nesting pairs give you some pretty close approaches.

Flash for butterflies is good for some situations, but not all. It will allow you to get better depth of field, which can be critical for some of the larger butterflies, where it is hard to keep all of the critter in focus. And for butterflies that constantly flutter and never alight on a blossom, it allows you to stop that motion. But natural light, like that on your Tiger Swallowtail above, is really more pleasing. In most situations, butterflies pose on colorful backgrounds, so you don't want really want that full-black background that you get with a flash.

And I definitely agree with dhogaza about fill flash for birds. It's an art form in itself, and some folks are very good at it. Many are not...
Posted by: dhogaza on April 25 2011,17:30

A bit more on flash ... one problem with using flash for subjects outdoors is that a naked flash is very much like a point source, like the sun, so like direct sunlight, tends to create harsh shadows.  Cloudy/raining days are the opposite, no harsh point of light in the sky, just a nice even source overhead, leading to a soft, saturated look.

Studio shooters will put diffusers in front of their studio lights to soften the light, but this is often a bit impractical outdoors (you can buy small fabric lightboxes but they're not really large enough to make much difference if you're at much of a distance from your subject).

However, when you're doing macro shots with the flash mounted on a bracket towards the lens' snout, the flash lens itself is often nearly as large or even larger than the subject.

So it doesn't light like a point source, but floods the scene evenly.

Here's a shot that shows this - the flash pops the iridescence but the light's nice and even ... the subject area here is probably about 2-3x the size of a 35 millimeter film frame (1" x 1.5" or 24mm x 36 mm) while the flash lens was about 1" x 2.5" or 3".


Posted by: Albatrossity2 on April 25 2011,17:43

If you really get into macro insect photography, you might look into a ring-flash, which mounts on the front of the macro lens, and usually has diffusers to even out the light.

As for fill flash on birds, it really helps in some situations. Here's a juvenile Ruby-throated Hummingbird, sitting in the shade. Without the fill flash this would have not been a very good image, but the flash allows you to illuminate the entire bird evenly, and (serendipitously) adds some iridescent green highlights to some of those body feathers on the flank.

Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on April 25 2011,19:46

My < alternative to ringflash >.


Posted by: Lou FCD on April 25 2011,20:18

< 'nuther Prothonotary >, this one having a bad feather day.



And to resurrect the Pissed-off Birds theme, < What The Fuck Are You Laughing At, Douchenozzle >???


Posted by: fnxtr on April 25 2011,21:48

Bloody hell you lads/lasses are good.

I'll just go eat some worms now....
Posted by: Robin on April 26 2011,07:41

Quote (Lou FCD @ April 25 2011,16:45)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------




---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Nice shots, Robin!

You'll have to wait for Albatrossity or someone to answer about the flash, I don't use one (I don't even own one, yet).

ETA: Lightroom is a good bit of software for fixing pictures that come off the camera odd, or flat, or a little over or under-exposed. That's what I use.

Are you shooting in RAW or jpg?

---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Thanks Lou. I'm shooting jpg right now. I figured as I got started with this and used to the camera, jpg was a bit quicker and easier to upload and play with. I'm currently using the photo enhancement software that came with my Nikon. It's pretty basic, but is enough for me to learn on right now. I'm trying not to touch up my photos too much though as I'd like to get to the point where the photo comes from the shot, not the software darkroom. Maybe that's unrealistic though.
Posted by: Robin on April 26 2011,07:57

Quote (dhogaza @ April 25 2011,17:19)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------




---------------------QUOTE-------------------
So here's an example of a photo of mine that could've been improved with a bit of fill flash (underexposing for ambient conditions).
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Wow! Still such a crisp photo without the flash though. I like it, but I see what you mean about what the flash would have done for it. I'm betting the same would apply to the Tiger Swallowtail I shot; a little flash would have given it a more uniform brightness and allowed the yellow to pop a bit.

And I know what you mean by the ham-fisted flash photographers - I see that in particular on birds. Trying to avoid that.
Posted by: Robin on April 26 2011,08:01

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ April 25 2011,17:30)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------




---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Robin

I agree; that osprey picture is great. They can be difficult birds to approach, but I've also found that nesting pairs give you some pretty close approaches.

Flash for butterflies is good for some situations, but not all. It will allow you to get better depth of field, which can be critical for some of the larger butterflies, where it is hard to keep all of the critter in focus. And for butterflies that constantly flutter and never alight on a blossom, it allows you to stop that motion. But natural light, like that on your Tiger Swallowtail above, is really more pleasing. In most situations, butterflies pose on colorful backgrounds, so you don't want really want that full-black background that you get with a flash.

And I definitely agree with dhogaza about fill flash for birds. It's an art form in itself, and some folks are very good at it. Many are not...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Thanks Alby. I'll avoid flash for now then. I'll try switching to RAW next and see how the increased detail affects the pics instead. Might need to start looking at faster lenses too and see if that doesn't help give things a crisper look.
Posted by: Robin on April 26 2011,08:05

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ April 25 2011,17:43)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------




---------------------QUOTE-------------------
As for fill flash on birds, it really helps in some situations. Here's a juvenile Ruby-throated Hummingbird, sitting in the shade. Without the fill flash this would have not been a very good image, but the flash allows you to illuminate the entire bird evenly, and (serendipitously) adds some iridescent green highlights to some of those body feathers on the flank.

---------------------QUOTE-------------------



This just stuns me, Alby. How in the world do you get this close and crisp with a hummer?

I see what you mean about the flash - it really does fill it out nicely and does pop just a little iridescence. Lovely.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on April 26 2011,10:35

Quote (Robin @ April 26 2011,08:05)
This just stuns me, Alby. How in the world do you get this close and crisp with a hummer?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks, Robin.

One of the first things I learned about bird photography was that some birds allowed you to approach closely, and some don't.

And the second thing I learned was that young birds are often dumb enough to be in the first category. I have lots of pics of first-year hummers, first-year hawks, etc. Not so many pictures of older, wiser birds, however!
Posted by: clamboy on April 26 2011,10:52

Wow, I am bowled over by the photographic excellence on display. I might, if I tried really hard, be able to sneak up on a daffodil to get its picture.
Posted by: dhogaza on April 26 2011,17:15

wesley's double-bracket set up is similar to one I used for years, but wider because I used it most often as fill for birds.

Canon used to have these great little $50 flashes that were guide number 100 (that's not bad), basically batteries and lights and no smarts - my EOS 1 and EOS 1n featured in-camera flash exposure and flash compensation.  About 1/3 the size and 1/2 the weight of my old vivitar 285 flash.

With a smart enough camera body you don't need smarts in the flash for most stuff, and if you remember your inverse square law and realize how the camera meters, to get (say) a key light + 1 stop less fill just put the fill flash 1.4x as far away from the subject as the key (obviously easier to do in a static situation than shooting out in the field).

Albatrossity's example of fill flash is excellent - for it lights up the iridescent feathers, it's even, and it provides separation of the subject from the background.  Yet it's not ham-handed as you see so often.
Posted by: dhogaza on April 26 2011,17:22

I'm not actually a big fan of ring lights ... but some people are.

In this one the flash is really the main light, mostly because I was shooting velvia (look at that saturation!) and it was dark in the cottonwood stand where I knew a pair of well-known tolerant great horned owls live.  Across the street from a cafe, so I had my camera on my tripod, flash and remote flash in one hand and, of course, milkshake in the other.

If any of you have been to SE Oregon yes, it's the Fields Oasis.


Posted by: dhogaza on April 26 2011,17:24



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
And the second thing I learned was that young birds are often dumb enough to be in the first category.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



So what's the excuse for dumb adult florida birds :)
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on April 26 2011,18:06

Quote (dhogaza @ April 26 2011,17:24)


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
And the second thing I learned was that young birds are often dumb enough to be in the first category.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



So what's the excuse for dumb adult florida birds :)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Maybe they moved down there to retire???
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on April 26 2011,19:12

Quote (dhogaza @ April 26 2011,17:22)
In this one the flash is really the main light, mostly because I was shooting velvia (look at that saturation!) and it was dark in the cottonwood stand where I knew a pair of well-known tolerant great horned owls live.  Across the street from a cafe, so I had my camera on my tripod, flash and remote flash in one hand and, of course, milkshake in the other.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Great shot! I shot quite a few rolls of Velvia (ISO 50 version) myself, but always found myself going back to Kodachrome 64. Velvia was a great slide film, for sure. But I don't have a film camera now, so I can't even be tempted to try it again...
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on April 26 2011,20:24

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ April 26 2011,19:12)
Quote (dhogaza @ April 26 2011,17:22)
In this one the flash is really the main light, mostly because I was shooting velvia (look at that saturation!) and it was dark in the cottonwood stand where I knew a pair of well-known tolerant great horned owls live.  Across the street from a cafe, so I had my camera on my tripod, flash and remote flash in one hand and, of course, milkshake in the other.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Great shot! I shot quite a few rolls of Velvia (ISO 50 version) myself, but always found myself going back to Kodachrome 64. Velvia was a great slide film, for sure. But I don't have a film camera now, so I can't even be tempted to try it again...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I got myself a Nikon N80 for $48 off eBay just so that I could use the full 12mm on my Sigma 12-24mm zoom in something other than aperture-priority mode. Mostly, though, I settle for the 18mm-equivalent view on my 1.5x crop factor digital SLRs. I did get some awesome group photos at a family gathering with the Sigma on film one time, though.

That gives me a Nikon F2, N90s, and the N80 for film bodies. The N90s is a sweet camera. Its flaw is the lack of a second command wheel, which the N80 has. And the F2 is deservedly a classic. It just is no good for mounting "G" type lenses that lack an aperture-selection ring, unless you happen to want to shoot at f/32 or whatever the smallest aperture on the lens happens to be. Going the other way, though, is not a problem: my Nikkor AIS 24mm f/2.8 lens from around 1977 works perfectly with my D2Xs DSLR in A or M modes without adapters or repair-shop mods.

I do miss Kodachrome. I mostly shot ISO 25 in that. With the macro rig, I could convert a 36 exposure roll of Kodachrome into between 30 and 36 well-exposed shots consistently. My E6 slide film habit was  bulk-loading the Fuji ISO 400 stuff.
Posted by: dhogaza on April 28 2011,09:46

Well I used to call it Velveeta because it was pretty cheesy but those pumped up colors sure jump off the light table, and photo editors loved it (I sold photos as a somewhat serious sideline, few thousand $$$ a year, for several years).

But as I said earlier, Kodak E100SW was my favorite film for birds.  Shot a bunch of Kodachrome years ago.

I've kept my EOS 1, other than that, sold off my film bodies, including my 6x7cm system.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on April 30 2011,11:15

Strong southerly winds yesterday, and a cold front with northerly winds that came through overnight, made me hopeful that I would see some stalled migrant birds when I went out this morning. Not too many of those, at least in the spots where I went, however. I did find Swainson's Thrush, flocks of Yellow-rumped Warblers, and about 50 American Avocets, all waiting for the wind to shift back 180 degrees again.

There were quite a few new arrivals, but mostly birds that will be here all summer. Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Red-eyed and Warbling Vireos, Eastern and Western Kingbirds, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Prothonotary Warbler, and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.

And plenty of Northern Parulas!


Posted by: Albatrossity2 on May 07 2011,10:42

Male Baltimore Oriole - Pants on Fire

Posted by: Henry J on May 07 2011,12:53

Pants on fire? But it doesn't look like a Lyerbird...
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on May 08 2011,15:14

Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis), after a bath on a hot day in Manhattan KS

For a couple more (larger file size) images of the same bird, click < here > and < here. >
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 08 2011,22:35

Really nice detail on the Catbird, Alby!
Posted by: Henry J on May 09 2011,10:17

Catbird? Is that like an evolved catfish?  :p  :O  :)
Posted by: Robin on May 10 2011,09:49

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ May 08 2011,15:14)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------




---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis),
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Now that's what I'ma talking 'bout!

Lovely detail! What kind of lens are you using for a shot like that?

Went to a beautiful park out near the Appalachians yesterday and saw a few orioles - Baltimore and Orchard. While I think they are lovely, I personally liked the numerous Red-headed Woodpeckers.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on May 10 2011,18:09

Quote (Robin @ May 10 2011,09:49)
[quote=Albatrossity2,May 08 2011,15:14][/quote]


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis),
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Now that's what I'ma talking 'bout!

Lovely detail! What kind of lens are you using for a shot like that?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks, Robin.

The rig is a Canon EOS5D digital body, and the 100-400 mm Canon zoom lens. I was sitting quietly in the back yard, about 8 ft from the birdbath, when the catbird came in for a dip. That's pretty close, and the lens is pretty sharp (esp. for a zoom lens).

I'd really have been happy if a Red-headed Woodpecker came to that birdbath!
Posted by: Robin on May 11 2011,12:27

[quote=Albatrossity2,May 10 2011,18:09][/quote]


---------------------QUOTE-------------------

Thanks, Robin.

The rig is a Canon EOS5D digital body, and the 100-400 mm Canon zoom lens. I was sitting quietly in the back yard, about 8 ft from the birdbath, when the catbird came in for a dip. That's pretty close, and the lens is pretty sharp (esp. for a zoom lens).

I'd really have been happy if a Red-headed Woodpecker came to that birdbath!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



And I presume you are shooting in RAW. Really nice!

I've been looking for a bigger lens for my Nikon, but nothing so big that I need a Sherpa to carry it when I go hiking. I'm shooting the 55-200 right now, but its a s l o w 4-5.6 and frankly 200 isn't quite enough for birding. Nikon puts out 70-300, but it too is slow at 4.5-5.6. They have a really nice 70-200 that's 2.8, but then I'm back at the 200 range. Or they have their BEAST - 200-400 f4, but I'm not sure if I'm quite that wealthy yet. I'll play for a bit longer I think, but I may bite the bullet and get serious one of these days.

Do you use a tripod for the 100-400?
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on May 11 2011,13:46

Yes, I use the RAW files, but the Canon has a mode where I can have both jpg and raw format files for all images. The jpgs are good to sort through with any image viewing program, but all images are processed from the raw format files.

The 100-400 is also slow (f/4.0-5.6), so I can't use a teleconverter and still have autofocus at the high end (400 mm). I dunno if that extra f stop would be very useful otherwise though, since the loss of depth of field at those bigger apertures wouldn't be good.

I don't use a tripod; I have a monopod which works pretty well, especially since the image stabilization on the Canon lenses is quite effective.
Posted by: Henry J on May 11 2011,13:51



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
I don't use a tripod; I have a monopod which works pretty well,
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


But but but... that would mean that a tripod isn't irreducibly complex!!11!!eleven!!
Posted by: Robin on May 11 2011,15:05

[quote=Albatrossity2,May 11 2011,13:46][/quote]


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Yes, I use the RAW files, but the Canon has a mode where I can have both jpg and raw format files for all images. The jpgs are good to sort through with any image viewing program, but all images are processed from the raw format files.

The 100-400 is also slow (f/4.0-5.6), so I can't use a teleconverter and still have autofocus at the high end (400 mm). I dunno if that extra f stop would be very useful otherwise though, since the loss of depth of field at those bigger apertures wouldn't be good.

I don't use a tripod; I have a monopod which works pretty well, especially since the image stabilization on the Canon lenses is quite effective.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Ahhh...I'll have to check my Nikon as I think it might do the same thing, but I have to choose that setting.

I was wondering about the image stabilization. Nikon has their version  - Vibration Reduction - that works really well. I don't have it on the 55-200, which annoys me to no end. That's another reason I want to get another lens at some point.
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 12 2011,11:11

< I think this > is a juvenile Black-Crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), because of the short neck and greenish-yellow bill bottom.




My first guess was a Yellow-Crowned Night-Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) because of the eye-color, but although the plate in my Peterson's depicts a yellow eye for the Black-Crowned, the description says "reddish", and the Yellow-Crowned doesn't have the greenish-yellow bill.
Posted by: Robin on May 12 2011,11:22

Quote (Lou FCD @ May 12 2011,11:11)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------




---------------------QUOTE-------------------
I think this is a juvenile Black-Crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), because of the short neck and greenish-yellow bill bottom.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Yep... good call:

< http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-crowned_Night-Heron/id >

See their pic of the juvenile at the bottom.

Neat pic. Looks surreal - the color of the night heron makes it look like something out of a fantasy book cover or some such.
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 12 2011,18:31

Quote (Robin @ May 12 2011,12:22)
Neat pic. Looks surreal - the color of the night heron makes it look like something out of a fantasy book cover or some such.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yeah, it was badly backlit in the early morning sun, in the shade. It was a pita to get a shot I could work with. It wound up looking like a painting almost, or some digitized CGI thing or something from a movie.

...but I liked it. :)
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on May 12 2011,19:22

Quote (Robin @ May 11 2011,15:05)
[quote=Albatrossity2,May 11 2011,13:46][/quote]
 

---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Yes, I use the RAW files, but the Canon has a mode where I can have both jpg and raw format files for all images. The jpgs are good to sort through with any image viewing program, but all images are processed from the raw format files.

The 100-400 is also slow (f/4.0-5.6), so I can't use a teleconverter and still have autofocus at the high end (400 mm). I dunno if that extra f stop would be very useful otherwise though, since the loss of depth of field at those bigger apertures wouldn't be good.

I don't use a tripod; I have a monopod which works pretty well, especially since the image stabilization on the Canon lenses is quite effective.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Ahhh...I'll have to check my Nikon as I think it might do the same thing, but I have to choose that setting.

I was wondering about the image stabilization. Nikon has their version  - Vibration Reduction - that works really well. I don't have it on the 55-200, which annoys me to no end. That's another reason I want to get another lens at some point.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nikon has released a 55-200mm VR version of that lens. I've considered getting one; my 70-200mm f/2.8 VR is too long to have on the camera while going into the football stadium.
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on May 12 2011,19:32

Photos with a paint-like ambiance... here's a pelican down here in St. Petersburg, Florida:



< Original posting. >
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 12 2011,22:35

Nice, Wesley!

It's kind of funny to me when photos come out looking painting-like, but they can be so beautiful.
Posted by: Robin on May 13 2011,08:45

[quote=Wesley R. Elsberry,May 12 2011,19:22][/quote]


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Nikon has released a 55-200mm VR version of that lens. I've considered getting one; my 70-200mm f/2.8 VR is too long to have on the camera while going into the football stadium.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Yeah. My wife gave me the camera kit for my birthday in December. There was a kit that had the 55-200 VR, but she bought the lower-end kit because she wasn't sure if I'd get into the camera set-up or not. I'd been out of photography since 1990 or so and had hemmed and hawed from time to time about getting into digital, but just never expressed any real indication of doing so. I will say it was a really great surprise.

It's not horrible shooting without the VR, but I must admit that I miss about 60-70% of my hand-held shots at 200mm without it. I don't have the hands of a steady surgeon unfortunately. But then again, I can't quite rationalize buying the exact same lens with VR. Not sure if I could trade it in, but I suppose that's worth looking into.

I think for what I'd like to do, I might splurge on the 70-300 VR. Based on the reviews it seems like a nice lens that isn't a major investment.

ETA: Just to give an indication of when I was last into photography: the last SLRs I used were the Nikon FG and F2. It's amazing how much one forgets after so long and how much the technology's are different now.
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 13 2011,08:49

Spent a day out at Lake Waccamaw, NC earlier this week, just checking out the wildlife. the light was mostly crap, but there were a few breaks.

< Lots of gators > out there.



While there, I also < finally got the Pileated Woodpecker > on the photographic life list.



I only managed to get off a couple shots of < this Hooded Warbler > before he ducked back in the bushes. They were horribly underexposed, but since he's new for both life-lists, I'll take what I can get for now.



Also new for the life lists, this Northern Parula was hanging out in some Spanish Moss. I thought for a while that this was the best look I was going to get. < GET OFF MY LAWN!!!!! >



< but he eventually obliged >



< There was a Spotted Sandpiper > hanging out on the dock, also new for both life lists.



< and some Barn Swallows >



You know they're *really* pissed < when they start weaving their necks >

.

...and the wild life didn't end at the dock.

< Yes, Officer? >


Posted by: DaveH on May 13 2011,17:05

Quote (Robin @ May 13 2011,08:45)
I think for what I'd like to do, I might splurge on the 70-300 VR. Based on the reviews it seems like a nice lens that isn't a major investment.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Well, I just got the Nikkor 70-300 VR (for the reasons you mentioned) and I have to say that I'm loving it, so far.
The limitations are what you would expect for the maximum aperture, it's a wee bit soft at 300, but the VR genuinely works a treat and autofocus is fast and accurate.
I was delighted to get any shot at all of this extremely shy and flighty < Kingfisher >, handheld (and in the middle of a city!;)
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on May 13 2011,17:26

dude i never notice birds, listen to them and shit but it's always so hard to see them.  heard a call i recognized the other day and saw my first summer tanager!  never seen one before.

then i caught about 50 speckled trout, some rainbows and a brown.  boiled stinging nettles, fried fish with ramps, deer sausage and taters and onions.  

the backlog for the campfire was a 350 year old hemlock tree.  park cut some down that were standing dead (adelgid) in the campsite.  it was pretty amazing to burn a piece of wood that old.  there were some brutes still standing that would probably push 5 or 6 hundred.  there are canopy gaps and sunlight hitting soil that has been black and acidy for hundreds of years, no telling what is going to happen to those woods.  that campsite is named for the big hemlocks there, my children will never know them as i did.  sobered my elation at the giant yellow drakes and magazine quality fly fishing experience.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on May 13 2011,19:36

Quote (DaveH @ May 13 2011,17:05)
I was delighted to get any shot at all of this extremely shy and flighty < Kingfisher >, handheld (and in the middle of a city!)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nice kingfisher; if they are anything like the kingfishers here in the US, they are very hard to get close to.

I looked at a few of your other flickr albums as well. The Speyside pics, esp the Ruthven Barracks, brought back some memories of a < trip to Scotland > a few years back. We didn't see that osprey nest, but we watched an osprey hunting over one of the lochs. Very nice!
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 15 2011,11:47

Quote (DaveH @ May 13 2011,18:05)
I was delighted to get any shot at all of this extremely shy and flighty < Kingfisher >, handheld (and in the middle of a city!)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Beautiful bird!
Posted by: OgreMkV on May 15 2011,12:11

Well, we have confirmed baby bunny sitings in the backyard.  Heck, I almost hit him with the lawnmower.  He was very good at being still.

I'm glad we have them back.  Both neighbors have big, loud dogs, so I guess our geriatric cat that only gets out once in a while is a safe haven for the bunnies.
Posted by: Henry J on May 15 2011,17:19



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Well, we have confirmed baby bunny sitings in the backyard.??[...] He was very good at being still.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


The big ones don't seem inclined to stay still here. When I get maybe 8 or 10 feet away they take off, if I'm looking straight at it. If I'm looking off in another direction I get a bit closer before they take off.

Henry
Posted by: Robin on May 16 2011,07:48

Quote (DaveH @ May 13 2011,17:05)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------




---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Quote (Robin @ May 13 2011,08:45)
I think for what I'd like to do, I might splurge on the 70-300 VR. Based on the reviews it seems like a nice lens that isn't a major investment.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Well, I just got the Nikkor 70-300 VR (for the reasons you mentioned) and I have to say that I'm loving it, so far.
The limitations are what you would expect for the maximum aperture, it's a wee bit soft at 300, but the VR genuinely works a treat and autofocus is fast and accurate.
I was delighted to get any shot at all of this extremely shy and flighty < Kingfisher >, handheld (and in the middle of a city!)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Cool! That is some nice work with that lens!

I'm just trying to decide if the 70-300 VR is significantly better than the 55-300 VR. The former will work with an FX format and is supposedly a more solidly constructed lens, but otoh, there may be an advantage to going with a lighter lens like the 55-300 out in the field. Anyone used both and have an opinion?
Posted by: khan on May 22 2011,10:27

I again have two white squirrels hanging around.
Posted by: Henry J on May 22 2011,17:23

Well, hanging around is what squirrels do! When they aren't going for nuts.

Henry
Posted by: fnxtr on May 22 2011,23:27

I tried to update my site with a smaller version but for some reason it ain't workin'.  I kind of like the closeup anyway:




eta just needed time to update, I guess. This little guy/gal was on my mom's patio last summer.
Posted by: Richardthughes on May 23 2011,08:42

Educational:

< http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r7wHMg5Yjg >
Posted by: J-Dog on May 23 2011,10:17

Quote (Richardthughes @ May 23 2011,08:42)
Educational:

< http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r7wHMg5Yjg >
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Rich - How did you get Vox Day to do the narration?
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on May 26 2011,12:43


Cream-colored Woodpecker (Cereus flavus), along the Rio Negro in Amazonas, Brazil. I've wanted to see one of these guys for a long time, and I found one on this trip!
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 26 2011,15:39

That's a gorgeous bird!
Posted by: Robin on May 26 2011,18:08

Beautiful Albatrossity!
Posted by: Robin on May 26 2011,18:19

Decided to add a few pics will I'm home wid a coad:


Eastern Tailed Blue (Everes comyntas)


Red-backed Jumping Spider (Phidippus johnsoni)


Zebra Swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus)


Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus)



Gray Tree Frog (Hyla versicolor)


Common Whitetail (Libellula lydia)


Stream Cruiser (Didymops transversa)


Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana)


American Coot (Fulica americana)
Posted by: qetzal on May 29 2011,11:50

This little green anole (Anolis carolinensis) managed to get caught by the tail in the web of a basilica orbweaver (Mecynogea lemniscata).

After snapping a few pics, I helped him (her?) wriggle free. Probably ruined the orbweaver's big Memorial Day family reunion. ("Sure! Everybody come to my web this year. We'll do lizard!")



Last month, I had the great pleasure of seeing a bald eagle at the lake near our house north of Houston. I saw it several times, but the only pics I could get were from far away - either perched on the opposite side of the lake or soaring. These were taken at maximum zoom, and have also been cropped and enlarged 6-fold. They're very low quality, but we don't get many eagles around Houston, so I was still really happy to get them!




Posted by: Lou FCD on May 29 2011,12:48

Nice collections, fellers!
Posted by: Henry J on May 29 2011,17:02

So was the lizard trying to sell insurance to the spider? :p

Henry
Posted by: OgreMkV on May 30 2011,15:43

Went to the Austin Nature Science Center with X-boy on Saturday.  It was pretty neat, lots of bones, fossils to dig up and a tiny little zoo.

The 'zoo' was neat because all the animals were rescue animals that (for various reasons) cannot be released back into the wild.  The coyote, foxes, and bobcat were all raised by people so don't really know how to survive in the wild.  The hawk(?) was injured and can't fly.  

Here's a few pics.








Posted by: dhogaza on May 30 2011,17:02

Yes, hawk, looks like a ferruginous ...
Posted by: Henry J on May 30 2011,17:42

Do the supplies for the coyote come from Acme? :p
Posted by: OgreMkV on May 30 2011,21:25

Quote (Henry J @ May 30 2011,17:42)
Do the supplies for the coyote come from Acme? :p
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yeah, what I cropped out of the picture is its feet in a big bucket full of glue.  I didn't want to embarrass him.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on June 01 2011,18:37

Still in Brazil (Belem, right now), but coming home tomorrow. Here's a pic of a bird I've wanted to see for a long time, and we saw many large flocks of them!

Scarlet Ibis (aka guara, in Portuguese)


Posted by: Henry J on June 01 2011,22:11

Saw a lizard (a very short glimpse) while on a short walk this evening. It was one of the small green kind, and rather unsociable, at least toward toward huge erect scaleless bipeds.

Henry
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on June 02 2011,08:01

A storm front came through yesterday. We had to do some maintenance on the shelter for our well equipment, and discovered something sad: our vulture had died. There's been a turkey vulture that would hang out on our power pole most days, and we saw it get a drink from our pond just this past Sunday. We think the vulture was electrocuted. We'll miss it.


Posted by: dhogaza on June 02 2011,08:37



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
We think the vulture was electrocuted.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



How sad, after all that time it spent hanging out waiting for you to turn into lunch ...
Posted by: fnxtr on June 03 2011,01:11

Quote (dhogaza @ June 02 2011,06:37)


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
We think the vulture was electrocuted.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



How sad, after all that time it spent hanging out waiting for you to turn into lunch ...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Bowie sang a translation of Brecht's "Baal" back in the 80's, I'll never forget the lines:

Vultures sometimes circle in Baal's desert sky,
Waiting there to see if Baal will die;
Baal pretends he's dead, the vultures swoop...
Baal in triumph dines on vulture soup.
Posted by: Ftk on June 03 2011,08:03

< >

The boys pulled in a big one out of our pond this morning.
Posted by: J-Dog on June 03 2011,08:06

Quote (Ftk @ June 03 2011,08:03)
< >

The boys pulled in a big one out of our pond this morning.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



That's what she said...
Posted by: Robin on June 03 2011,09:07

Quote (Ftk @ June 03 2011,08:03)
< >

The boys pulled in a big one out of our pond this morning.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



This is how it starts - first you're holding things from a waist down perspective and next thing you know some random girl gets a pic of you from just the waist down...
Posted by: Robin on June 03 2011,09:20

A few butterfly photos from my last wildlife outing:



Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)



Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis)


Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)


Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele)
Posted by: fnxtr on June 03 2011,21:34

Quote (Robin @ June 03 2011,07:20)
A few butterfly photos from my last wildlife outing:

Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


So that's what they look like. I only know them from the Cocteau Twins' tune.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on June 11 2011,16:14

Vagrant Mexican hummingbird (Green Violet-ear, Colibri thalassinus), photographed today at a feeder about 8 mi from my house. First record for this species in the state of Kansas.

Posted by: dhogaza on June 12 2011,12:30

Very nice photo and congratulations on the state record (assuming it's accepted, I assume you're submitting it?)
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on June 12 2011,14:40

Quote (dhogaza @ June 12 2011,12:30)
Very nice photo and congratulations on the state record (assuming it's accepted, I assume you're submitting it?)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yeah, as a former secretary of the Kansas Bird Record Committee, I felt somewhat compelled to submit that report quickly. It went in this morning!

That species has already been seen in all of the surrounding states except Nebraska, so it's not a huge surprise that it showed up here. But it is a nice record, and a gorgeous bird. I've put some more more images < here. > All of them have that over-flashed look that comes from using a flash in a very shady location, but unfortunately flash is pretty much a necessity for photographing hummers in those conditions.
Posted by: dhogaza on June 12 2011,18:18



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Yeah, as a former secretary of the Kansas Bird Record Committee
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



I just *knew* you'd come back saying "I'm on the records committee" or something similar :)

Cool ...
Posted by: dhogaza on June 12 2011,18:23

I rather like the last photo, btw, with the hummer's neck arched back and the "over-flashing" showing off the iridescence of its plumage and great detail on the feathers.
Posted by: Robin on June 13 2011,09:53

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ June 11 2011,16:14)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------




---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Vagrant Mexican hummingbird (Green Violet-ear, Colibri thalassinus), photographed today at a feeder about 8 mi from my house. First record for this species in the state of Kansas.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Awesome, Alby!
Posted by: fnxtr on June 14 2011,20:04

Damn. There was a gorgeous, bright-peach coloured, 20-armed sea star at the job site today. No camera.  :-(
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on June 16 2011,13:47

Cloudy, rainy day so the nighthawks are all sitting in trees waiting for the insects to start flying again...
Posted by: Timothy McDougald on June 23 2011,21:27

I don't really have pictures, but a couple of weeks ago a couple of baby raccoons wandered into my back yard and I couldn't get them to leave. After chasing them out a couple of times I finally had to capture them because I have a couple of big dogs that required the use of the backyard. I spent the next week trying to find someplace that rehabilitated raccoons back into the wild to take them. Finally found a place not all that far from Springfield, Mo (about 200 miles away) luckily the lady agreed to meet us half way.

Then a few days later I am standing on my front porch smoking (yes I know an evil habit and I am trying to quit) when I saw something drop about 20 feet out of a tree and then fly off. Then about five minutes later it happened again. At which point I realized they were bats. In total I saw about four of them - one even came back to buzz a street lamp, I assume after some insects. I haven't seen any since so I'm thinking they were transients that had taken shelter in the tree for the day.
Posted by: dhogaza on June 25 2011,18:26



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Then a few days later I am standing on my front porch smoking (yes I know an evil habit...)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Depends on what you're smoking :)
Posted by: Timothy McDougald on June 25 2011,19:04

Quote (dhogaza @ June 25 2011,18:26)


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Then a few days later I am standing on my front porch smoking (yes I know an evil habit...)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Depends on what you're smoking :)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


cigarettes - I was worshiping the evil god Nicotine
Posted by: Kristine on June 25 2011,19:18

Our baby robins flew the nest - there were four of them.



The baby mourning doves flew off, too. We have had a bluejay, unusual for our area, in our backyard as well, picking off yellow jacket larvae. (Good!;)
Posted by: fnxtr on June 25 2011,20:32

Quote (afarensis @ June 25 2011,17:04)
Quote (dhogaza @ June 25 2011,18:26)
 

---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Then a few days later I am standing on my front porch smoking (yes I know an evil habit...)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Depends on what you're smoking :)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


cigarettes - I was worshiping the evil god Nicotine
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


you do know that's in insecticide, right?

eta I get it, you were just keeping the mosquitos away...
Posted by: Robin on July 18 2011,08:52

A few flying insect pics from the weekend:



Monarch Danaus plexippus


Common Wood-nymph Cercyonis pegala (flash shot)


Pearl Crescent Phyciodes tharos


Male Blue Dasher Pachydiplax longipennis


Blue Dasher Pachydiplax longipennis (I believe this is the female, but not sure)


I think this is also a Blue Dasher, but I'm not sure. In any event, the pearly diamond tabs on the wings were just stunning, particularly showing when this guy flew.
Posted by: Robin on July 18 2011,09:06

BTW, a question for all you experienced digital shooters:

On several occasions if found that a subject that looks like it is in perfect focus through the view finder isn't actually in focus in the pic. This happens slightly more than 50% of the time I think. Any explanations and suggestions to reduce or remove this?
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on July 18 2011,13:14

Quote (Robin @ July 18 2011,09:06)
BTW, a question for all you experienced digital shooters:

On several occasions if found that a subject that looks like it is in perfect focus through the view finder isn't actually in focus in the pic. This happens slightly more than 50% of the time I think. Any explanations and suggestions to reduce or remove this?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nice shots, Robin. Dragonflies can be particularly challenging, but those are great pics!

Re your question, I might need more information to answer it. Are you using a camera with an optical viewfinder, or the LCD screen viewfinder? And is the camera/lens using autofocus, or are you using manual focusing?

Thanks!
Posted by: Robin on July 18 2011,14:08

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ July 18 2011,13:14)
Quote (Robin @ July 18 2011,09:06)
BTW, a question for all you experienced digital shooters:

On several occasions if found that a subject that looks like it is in perfect focus through the view finder isn't actually in focus in the pic. This happens slightly more than 50% of the time I think. Any explanations and suggestions to reduce or remove this?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nice shots, Robin. Dragonflies can be particularly challenging, but those are great pics!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Thanks! I've been trying to work on my techniques with the butterflies and dragonflies. For some odd reason they tend to sit still for me. Case in point, I literally got within a 4 inches of the Pearl Crescent and shot about two dozen pics at different angles. He just didn't seem to care.



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Re your question, I might need more information to answer it. Are you using a camera with an optical viewfinder, or the LCD screen viewfinder?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Optical viewfinder.



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
And is the camera/lens using autofocus, or are you using manual focusing?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



I'm letting the lens autofocus.



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Thanks!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



NP. Hope the answers give you an idea. Any suggestions would be most welcome.

Oh...and just to add to the info in case it helps, I'm shooting a Nikon D3100. I was in the macro mode for most of this since all of the insects I shot were within 15 inches. I'm using the Nikkor 18-55mm AF-S DX f3.5-5.6G VR (Vibration Reduction).
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on July 18 2011,14:27

Quote (Robin @ July 18 2011,14:08)
Quote (Albatrossity2 @ July 18 2011,13:14)
 
Quote (Robin @ July 18 2011,09:06)
BTW, a question for all you experienced digital shooters:

On several occasions if found that a subject that looks like it is in perfect focus through the view finder isn't actually in focus in the pic. This happens slightly more than 50% of the time I think. Any explanations and suggestions to reduce or remove this?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nice shots, Robin. Dragonflies can be particularly challenging, but those are great pics!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Thanks! I've been trying to work on my techniques with the butterflies and dragonflies. For some odd reason they tend to sit still for me. Case in point, I literally got within a 4 inches of the Pearl Crescent and shot about two dozen pics at different angles. He just didn't seem to care.

 

---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Re your question, I might need more information to answer it. Are you using a camera with an optical viewfinder, or the LCD screen viewfinder?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Optical viewfinder.

 

---------------------QUOTE-------------------
And is the camera/lens using autofocus, or are you using manual focusing?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



I'm letting the lens autofocus.

 

---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Thanks!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



NP. Hope the answers give you an idea. Any suggestions would be most welcome.

Oh...and just to add to the info in case it helps, I'm shooting a Nikon D3100. I was in the macro mode for most of this since all of the insects I shot were within 15 inches. I'm using the Nikkor 18-55mm AF-S DX f3.5-5.6G VR (Vibration Reduction).
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Well, if you are not using a flash  and small f/stops, or not using a tripod, when shooting small critters like insects it can be tough to hold that camera still. Or the subject moves, or the wind moves the perch, or whatever. So something that is in focus the second before you press the shutter button can be out of focus by the time your camera takes the shot.

If you don't see this problem with larger subjects, or landscapes, then this could be the diagnosis.

If that is the correct diagnosis, then using a flash and small f/stops to freeze small motions and give you better depth of field might solve it. Or using a tripod or beanbag to steady the camera. Or both.

HTH
Posted by: Robin on July 18 2011,15:00

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ July 18 2011,14:27)
Well, if you are not using a flash  and small f/stops, or not using a tripod, when shooting small critters like insects it can be tough to hold that camera still. Or the subject moves, or the wind moves the perch, or whatever. So something that is in focus the second before you press the shutter button can be out of focus by the time your camera takes the shot.

If you don't see this problem with larger subjects, or landscapes, then this could be the diagnosis.

If that is the correct diagnosis, then using a flash and small f/stops to freeze small motions and give you better depth of field might solve it. Or using a tripod or beanbag to steady the camera. Or both.

HTH
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Thanks Alby! Good suggestion. I've read/heard that from other photographers as well. I'll do some comparisons with larger subjects and see if I get the effect as much.

I'm pretty sure the problem is me and not the camera. Like me twitching when I hit the button or shifting my weight ever so slightly something like that. The camera is just so light that any tiny movement effortlessly wobbles it; I'm used to more heft from my days of film SLR. And it's not only light, it's really small, so I'm still getting used to holding it.

But it gives me something to work on and the learning experience is fun.
Posted by: Henry J on July 18 2011,15:14



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
For some odd reason they tend to sit still for me. Case in point, I literally got within a 4 inches of the Pearl Crescent and shot about two dozen pics at different angles. He just didn't seem to care.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I guess you didn't look hungry?
Posted by: Robin on July 19 2011,08:24

Quote (Henry J @ July 18 2011,15:14)


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
For some odd reason they tend to sit still for me. Case in point, I literally got within a 4 inches of the Pearl Crescent and shot about two dozen pics at different angles. He just didn't seem to care.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I guess you didn't look hungry?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Heh!

Or maybe the ones I'm picking all want to be famous. :D
Posted by: dhogaza on July 19 2011,13:44

Robin, remember that for small things, the ratio of the physical dimensions of the flash to the subject isn't nearly as low as when you use the flash to light a subject several feet away.

That's why flash photos of macro subject tend to look more softly lit/less spectral light source than flash photos of large subjects (when the bare flash is used, the point of bouncing a flash or using a diffuser or umbrella is to increase the physical area of the light source compared to the subject).

A small bracket that holds the flash at about a 45 degree angle at the front of the lens usually works pretty well.  You'd want to experiment to get just the right angle for your lens and shooting distance.  Usually the flash will light a large enough area that you don't have to fiddle with the bracket each time you find a new subject to shoot close-up.
Posted by: Robin on July 19 2011,14:01

Quote (dhogaza @ July 19 2011,13:44)
Robin, remember that for small things, the ratio of the physical dimensions of the flash to the subject isn't nearly as low as when you use the flash to light a subject several feet away.

That's why flash photos of macro subject tend to look more softly lit/less spectral light source than flash photos of large subjects (when the bare flash is used, the point of bouncing a flash or using a diffuser or umbrella is to increase the physical area of the light source compared to the subject).

A small bracket that holds the flash at about a 45 degree angle at the front of the lens usually works pretty well.  You'd want to experiment to get just the right angle for your lens and shooting distance.  Usually the flash will light a large enough area that you don't have to fiddle with the bracket each time you find a new subject to shoot close-up.

---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Good suggestion, though admittedly I don't normally shoot insects with a flash. I find that if the insect is near the ground or some other background, the picture tends to look a little harsh. The only pic in the group above that I used a flash on was on the Common Wood Nymph and that was only because the stupid butterfly flew into a shadowed area to look at me. Of course, I think it ended up being a nice, sharp, detailed pic, so I'm going to cut the Nymph some slack.

In any event, I'll definitely keep this in mind. Thanks!
Posted by: Lou FCD on July 20 2011,07:26

< This guy > was hanging out front of Alderman Hall.



Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis).

< He even turned around for me > and posed.



Yesterday, there seemed to be quite a few Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) willing to get in front of my camera down at Greenfield Lake.

< Here's one spear-fishing >. (There are a couple more shots at the link.)



< And one hanging out > in a Bald Cypress tree out in the middle of the lake.



< Here's a closer shot >



< And here's one drying the wings > between fishing expeditions.



< I liked this early-morning shot > of a Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias), and thought I'd share.


Posted by: Robin on July 20 2011,07:44

Quote (Lou FCD @ July 20 2011,07:26)
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis).

< He even turned around for me > and posed.


---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Stunning shots, Lou! I love this one in particular.

Can you tell me what lens you shot this guy with and the settings if you know them?
Posted by: Lou FCD on July 20 2011,08:27

Sure, Robin, and thanks, btw.

I link to each of my photos on Flickr when I post them here (it's actually required in Flickr's TOS). If you go to any of my photos there, just above and to the left of the photo is a drop-down menu labeled "Actions". One of the options in that menu is "View Exif Info". I leave mine public, so clicking that will get you there.

Data from that page for this particular shot that might interest you (though there's plenty more there):

   

---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Exif data

Camera - Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Lens - EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
Exposure - 0.017 sec (1/60)
Aperture - f/5.6
Focal Length - 400 mm
ISO Speed - 400
Exposure Bias - 0 EV
Subject Distance - 10.8 m
Metering Mode - Spot

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Posted by: carlsonjok on July 20 2011,09:16

Quote (Robin @ July 18 2011,09:06)
BTW, a question for all you experienced digital shooters:

On several occasions if found that a subject that looks like it is in perfect focus through the view finder isn't actually in focus in the pic. This happens slightly more than 50% of the time I think. Any explanations and suggestions to reduce or remove this?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Another thing to consider is the number of points that are used to get a focus lock.  Being a rank amateur, I had problems with the wrong parts of pictures being in focus versus what I wanted.  I changed my camera from multiple autofocus points over to having only one point in the center of the frame.  If you want your subject to be off-center, you will need to focus before framing.  This could be a problem when you don't have alot of time to snap or have a subject moving rapidly (although using AI Servo mode may help mitigate the latter.)
Posted by: Robin on July 20 2011,10:00

Quote (Lou FCD @ July 20 2011,08:27)
Sure, Robin, and thanks, btw.

I link to each of my photos on Flickr when I post them here (it's actually required in Flickr's TOS). If you go to any of my photos there, just above and to the left of the photo is a drop-down menu labeled "Actions". One of the options in that menu is "View Exif Info". I leave mine public, so clicking that will get you there.

Data from that page for this particular shot that might interest you (though there's plenty more there):
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Thanks! Next time I'll search more in the Flicker page.

I'm just trying to get an idea of how certain settings effect the pictures. For example, I was under the impression that pictures tended to come out a bit sharper if one shoots in the middle of a lens' focal range (using the "sweet spot" as it were, usually around F8 or so), but this pic indicates otherwise. Clearly the lens and photographer have some impact as well.  :)
Posted by: Robin on July 20 2011,10:03

Quote (carlsonjok @ July 20 2011,09:16)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------




---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Another thing to consider is the number of points that are used to get a focus lock.  Being a rank amateur, I had problems with the wrong parts of pictures being in focus versus what I wanted.  I changed my camera from multiple autofocus points over to having only one point in the center of the frame.  If you want your subject to be off-center, you will need to focus before framing.  This could be a problem when you don't have alot of time to snap or have a subject moving rapidly (although using AI Servo mode may help mitigate the latter.)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Actually, this is a really good point Carlson and something I've been concerned about myself. I need to pay more attention to that because in a number of situations (and you can see this in a few of my dragonfly shots) there are quite a few other objects to focus on - usually leaves and branches or blades of grass. Thanks for the suggestion!
Posted by: Lou FCD on July 20 2011,10:42

Quote (Robin @ July 20 2011,11:00)
Quote (Lou FCD @ July 20 2011,08:27)
Sure, Robin, and thanks, btw.

I link to each of my photos on Flickr when I post them here (it's actually required in Flickr's TOS). If you go to any of my photos there, just above and to the left of the photo is a drop-down menu labeled "Actions". One of the options in that menu is "View Exif Info". I leave mine public, so clicking that will get you there.

Data from that page for this particular shot that might interest you (though there's plenty more there):
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Thanks! Next time I'll search more in the Flicker page.

I'm just trying to get an idea of how certain settings effect the pictures. For example, I was under the impression that pictures tended to come out a bit sharper if one shoots in the middle of a lens' focal range (using the "sweet spot" as it were, usually around F8 or so), but this pic indicates otherwise. Clearly the lens and photographer have some impact as well.  :)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Well, personally, unless I have a very specific reason not to, I jack my aperture wide open and leave it there. I probably shoot with a wide open aperture 99% of the time.
Posted by: Robin on July 20 2011,11:30

Quote (Lou FCD @ July 20 2011,10:42)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------




---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Well, personally, unless I have a very specific reason not to, I jack my aperture wide open and leave it there. I probably shoot with a wide open aperture 99% of the time.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Ahhh...well, then clearly my inference and some of the other bits I've read are wrong then! Good to know.
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on July 20 2011,14:47

Quote (Robin @ July 18 2011,09:52)
pics of dragonflies
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


hard to tell from the angles but the first one might be slaty skimmer not blue dasher

the next two might be pondhawks.  at any rate they are both males.  check it

< http://homepage.mac.com/edlam/dragonfly.html >


this cat is crazy good
Posted by: Robin on July 20 2011,15:22

Quote (Erasmus @ FCD,July 20 2011,14:47)
 
Quote (Robin @ July 18 2011,09:52)
pics of dragonflies
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


hard to tell from the angles but the first one might be slaty skimmer not blue dasher

the next two might be pondhawks.  at any rate they are both males.  check it

< http://homepage.mac.com/edlam/dragonfly.html >


this cat is crazy good
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



HOLY! That is some amazing stuff! I feel depressed now.   ???

At any rate, that's a much better source than the one I've been using. I agree on the Slaty Skimmer for the first one, but I don't think that the other two are pondhawks. Maybe Spangled Skimmers.

That is some collection of shots though. Wow!

Thanks!
Posted by: Wolfhound on July 31 2011,09:49

Okay, so he isn't really an example of "wildlife", except at dinner time, but he is a critter.  This is one of the puppies from the last litter I bred.  He finished his AKC conformation championship in Pennsylvania this morning (if anybody cares about such nonsense) and I'm very proud of him, not only for his being so beautiful and gaining his title at such a young age, but for being such a sweet, wonderful pet for his doting owner who exhibits him herself, going up against "professionals" who show other people's dogs for lots of money (upwards of $100 for 2 minutes in the show ring).

So, here is "Jude" in the show ring yesterday:


And Jude as an 8 week old baby at my home in Florida in the summer of 2009:


Thanks for indulging me.  :)
Posted by: Dr.GH on July 31 2011,13:54

Beautiful dog. Congratulations.

We have a mated pair of downy woodpeckers in the neighborhood. I see them in the willows around the house, but have never managed a photo.

Fishing on Wednesday afternoon, I also snagged 2 Brown Pelicans, 3 Brandt's Cormorants, 1 each of California and Heermann's Gulls, and 1 Common Tern. They were all released with out incident. Actually, I think one of the cormorants was caught twice by me, and two or three other times by other people on the boat.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on July 31 2011,21:12

Quote (Wolfhound @ July 31 2011,09:49)
Okay, so he isn't really an example of "wildlife", except at dinner time, but he is a critter.  This is one of the puppies from the last litter I bred.  He finished his AKC conformation championship in Pennsylvania this morning (if anybody cares about such nonsense) and I'm very proud of him, not only for his being so beautiful and gaining his title at such a young age, but for being such a sweet, wonderful pet for his doting owner who exhibits him herself, going up against "professionals" who show other people's dogs for lots of money (upwards of $100 for 2 minutes in the show ring).
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Looks pretty wild to me, Wolfie!

Congrats on raising such a fine pup.
Posted by: Henry J on Aug. 05 2011,09:41

< Deer me! They needed to seal the deer tank! (Or vice versa?) >
Posted by: Wolfhound on Aug. 08 2011,22:51

Another one that's in my back yard.  And my bed.  This is me and Zara winning at the dog show Sunday before last.




Posted by: fnxtr on Aug. 09 2011,00:16

Quote (Wolfhound @ Aug. 08 2011,20:51)
Another one that's in my back yard.  And my bed.  This is me and Zara winning at the dog show Sunday before last.




---------------------QUOTE-------------------



She's a beauty and no mistake.

WTF is "Best of Opposite"?
Posted by: paragwinn on Aug. 09 2011,00:44

Best of Opposite Sex - the best dog that is the opposite sex to the Best of Breed winner, according to the < American Kennel Club >
Posted by: Robin on Aug. 09 2011,12:50

Quote (Wolfhound @ Aug. 08 2011,22:51)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------




---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Another one that's in my back yard.  And my bed.  This is me and Zara winning at the dog show Sunday before last.

---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Congrats Wolfie!
Posted by: Lou FCD on Aug. 09 2011,13:12

Quote (Wolfhound @ July 31 2011,10:49)
Thanks for indulging me.  :)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Gorgeous pup, congrats!
Posted by: Schroedinger's Dog on Aug. 09 2011,13:16

Wonderful! Congrats to you and that seksyhawt beauty!
Posted by: fnxtr on Aug. 09 2011,13:30

Quote (paragwinn @ Aug. 08 2011,22:44)
Best of Opposite Sex - the best dog that is the opposite sex to the Best of Breed winner, according to the < American Kennel Club >
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


edit: never mind. reading comprehension fail. Anyway yes congrats to you both.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Aug. 12 2011,16:31

One of a pair of Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) nestlings, photographed recently in the San Luis Valley of Colorado.



These guys seemed pretty young for this late in the year, especially when you consider that they will need to be in Argentina by November...
Posted by: khan on Aug. 12 2011,18:38

Told you there were two.
Posted by: dhogaza on Aug. 12 2011,22:15



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
These guys seemed pretty young for this late in the year, especially when you consider that they will need to be in Argentina by November...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Well, it's been a cold and wet spring throughout much of their range, so there's a good chance they won't make it, and we'll see one of those natural variability events regarding survival rates of a variety of raptors (and other species) that are migratory.

Banding migrating hawks in the Great Basin for many fall seasons (a couple of decades), one thing I've noticed is that in some cold spring years, some species (accipiters, esp) pass by in lesser numbers, but those that are caught and banded have laid down heavier body fat than normal.  While in large first-year migration years, the kids have often been skinny.  Seems that things might balance out a bit in terms of migration survival and initial health on the wintering range.

This is just anecdotal, I'd love for some grad student to dive into this data to see if there's really anything to it ...
Posted by: OgreMkV on Aug. 12 2011,23:06

Here's one for Wolfie...  my boy got to hug a six month old wolfhound.  I want, but my cats would torture it.


Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Aug. 13 2011,07:21

Quote (dhogaza @ Aug. 12 2011,22:15)
Well, it's been a cold and wet spring throughout much of their range, so there's a good chance they won't make it, and we'll see one of those natural variability events regarding survival rates of a variety of raptors (and other species) that are migratory.

Banding migrating hawks in the Great Basin for many fall seasons (a couple of decades), one thing I've noticed is that in some cold spring years, some species (accipiters, esp) pass by in lesser numbers, but those that are caught and banded have laid down heavier body fat than normal.  While in large first-year migration years, the kids have often been skinny.  Seems that things might balance out a bit in terms of migration survival and initial health on the wintering range.

This is just anecdotal, I'd love for some grad student to dive into this data to see if there's really anything to it ...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I dunno if it was a cold wet spring in that part of Colorado, but it was certainly a droughty summer! I've never seen it so dry there; even Medano Creek, which runs along the eastern edge of the Great Sand Dunes, was completely dry most of the summer.

There still seemed to be lots of jackrabbits and cottontails, however, probably because much of that valley is irrigated alfalfa and potato cropland. So I suspect that a Swainson's Hawk could still make a decent living there.

That's an interesting observation about the amount of body fat related to low or high-recruitment years and spring weather. If it was mostly in the accipiters, maybe they just got extra fat picking off the dickie-birds who didn't have as much cover as usual. :)

Did the buteos show the same pattern?
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Aug. 13 2011,08:58

dohgaza:



---------------------QUOTE-------------------

This is just anecdotal, I'd love for some grad student to dive into this data to see if there's really anything to it ...

---------------------QUOTE-------------------



I recall periodically trying to convince Darlene Ketten or Sam Ridgway to look at a dolphin brain to sort out efferent versus afferent nerves at the cochlea. This would require special treatment and handling of a dying dolphin to accomplish. Sam told me he'd be happy for me to do the job.

That still hasn't been done.

On the other hand, we did just get < this paper > out.
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Aug. 13 2011,09:00

Quote (Wolfhound @ Aug. 08 2011,22:51)
Another one that's in my back yard.  And my bed.  This is me and Zara winning at the dog show Sunday before last.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Congratulations!
Posted by: Wolfhound on Aug. 14 2011,00:51

Thanks for the kind words about the dog show win, fellas.  :)  The following weekend (Saturday before last), my other girl, Eazy, won at the only she was entered at and I'm waiting for that photo.  Weekend after next are the specialties in Redmond.  I have Zara in on Friday and Eazy in on Saturday.
Posted by: Wolfhound on Aug. 14 2011,00:53

Quote (khan @ Aug. 12 2011,19:38)
Told you there were two.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


You have the most awesomest squirrels EVAR!

They are probably just as delicious as the normal ones, too.
Posted by: Wolfhound on Aug. 14 2011,00:55

Quote (OgreMkV @ Aug. 13 2011,00:06)
Here's one for Wolfie...  my boy got to hug a six month old wolfhound.  I want, but my cats would torture it.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Adorable child AND Wolfhound.  I say get one anyway.  The cats will sort it out.
Posted by: dhogaza on Aug. 14 2011,15:02



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
That's an interesting observation about the amount of body fat related to low or high-recruitment years and spring weather. If it was mostly in the accipiters, maybe they just got extra fat picking off the dickie-birds who didn't have as much cover as usual.

---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Heh ... maybe!  



---------------------QUOTE-------------------

Did the buteos show the same pattern?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



The project I worked on for so many years didn't catch all that many red-tails (typically <100 red tails out of 3000 raptors trapped in a season) and other buteos rarely get trapped while passing by in migration (I trapped the first swainson's hawk banded by the project after the project had been running for a couple of decades, for instance).

The red-tails we caught always tended to be on the famished end of the scale ... the site tends to have strong thermals during their peak migration and they pass by far overhead and can't be bothered to come visit for lunch ...
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Aug. 14 2011,15:13

Quote (dhogaza @ Aug. 14 2011,15:02)
The red-tails we caught always tended to be on the famished end of the scale ... the site tends to have strong thermals during their peak migration and they pass by far overhead and can't be bothered to come visit for lunch ...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks. i wonder if there are other hawk-banding sites that have similar long-term data sets; it is an interesting correlation.

In the meantime, I wandered afield today with the ring flash and a 100 mm macro lens, and this is one of the resulting images.


Posted by: Henry J on Aug. 14 2011,17:40

Mothman on the loose! Lock up your sweaters! (Especially the really big ones!;) :O
Posted by: fnxtr on Aug. 14 2011,18:53

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Aug. 14 2011,13:13)
Quote (dhogaza @ Aug. 14 2011,15:02)
The red-tails we caught always tended to be on the famished end of the scale ... the site tends to have strong thermals during their peak migration and they pass by far overhead and can't be bothered to come visit for lunch ...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks. i wonder if there are other hawk-banding sites that have similar long-term data sets; it is an interesting correlation.

In the meantime, I wandered afield today with the ring flash and a 100 mm macro lens, and this is one of the resulting images.


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


"Not in the face! Not in the face!" -- Arthur.
Posted by: Robin on Aug. 15 2011,08:21

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Aug. 14 2011,15:13)

In the meantime, I wandered afield today with the ring flash and a 100 mm macro lens, and this is one of the resulting images.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Awesome!
Posted by: Schroedinger's Dog on Aug. 15 2011,08:30

Quote (Henry J @ Aug. 14 2011,23:40)
Mothman on the loose! Lock up your sweaters! (Especially the really big ones!) :O
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I think there was a R. Crumb short comic about this. Let me try and find it...

Nope, couldn't find it online. It was about a guy being hypnothised by Mothman, going to Walmart and coming back with a sweater, that Mothman then proceeds to eat.

Of course, it was funnier in comics form.
Posted by: Henry J on Aug. 15 2011,12:29

Come to think of it though, isn't it the larva stage that might actually eat fabric, rather than the adult?
Posted by: Lou FCD on Aug. 16 2011,13:59

Do you ever get the feeling < you're being watched? >



American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) here at Greenfield Lake in Wilmington, NC the other day.
Posted by: Henry J on Aug. 16 2011,14:34

Oh, it's just looking for a bite.
Posted by: OgreMkV on Aug. 16 2011,15:13

Quote (Lou FCD @ Aug. 16 2011,13:59)
Do you ever get the feeling < you're being watched? >



American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) here at Greenfield Lake in Wilmington, NC the other day.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I ever tell y'all about the one and only time I wrestled an alligator?

It when I was teaching at Sabine Pass.  The exact quote from my principle before the struggle commenced was "You're the biology teacher... YOU get it."
Posted by: Lou FCD on Aug. 18 2011,11:11

Quote (OgreMkV @ Aug. 16 2011,16:13)
"You're the biology teacher... YOU get it."
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Hahahaha
Posted by: Lou FCD on Aug. 18 2011,11:16

Also at Greenfield Lake, < Golden Silk Orb Weaver >, Nephila clavipes.



ETA: < Green Heron >, Butorides virescens




Posted by: Henry J on Aug. 18 2011,13:43



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
I ever tell y'all about the one and only time I wrestled an alligator?

It when I was teaching at Sabine Pass.  The exact quote from my principle before the struggle commenced was "You're the biology teacher... YOU get it."
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Better have some Gatorade on hand!
Posted by: OgreMkV on Aug. 18 2011,16:15

Quote (Henry J @ Aug. 18 2011,13:43)


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
I ever tell y'all about the one and only time I wrestled an alligator?

It when I was teaching at Sabine Pass.  The exact quote from my principle before the struggle commenced was "You're the biology teacher... YOU get it."
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Better have some Gatorade on hand!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That goes pretty good with fried gator balls.  

Fortunately, I'm not redneck enough to actually eat fried gator balls.
Posted by: Schroedinger's Dog on Aug. 18 2011,16:20

Quote (OgreMkV @ Aug. 18 2011,22:15)
Quote (Henry J @ Aug. 18 2011,13:43)


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
I ever tell y'all about the one and only time I wrestled an alligator?

It when I was teaching at Sabine Pass.  The exact quote from my principle before the struggle commenced was "You're the biology teacher... YOU get it."
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Better have some Gatorade on hand!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That goes pretty good with fried gator balls.  

Fortunately, I'm not redneck enough to actually eat fried gator balls.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Then you don't know what you miss.

I'd try the balls anyday, and the gator nuggets are soooo good. Gator soup is yummi too...
Posted by: Henry J on Aug. 18 2011,16:48

But does it taste like chicken?
Posted by: OgreMkV on Aug. 18 2011,17:55

Quote (Schroedinger's Dog @ Aug. 18 2011,16:20)
Quote (OgreMkV @ Aug. 18 2011,22:15)
Quote (Henry J @ Aug. 18 2011,13:43)
 

---------------------QUOTE-------------------
I ever tell y'all about the one and only time I wrestled an alligator?

It when I was teaching at Sabine Pass.  The exact quote from my principle before the struggle commenced was "You're the biology teacher... YOU get it."
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Better have some Gatorade on hand!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That goes pretty good with fried gator balls.  

Fortunately, I'm not redneck enough to actually eat fried gator balls.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Then you don't know what you miss.

I'd try the balls anyday, and the gator nuggets are soooo good. Gator soup is yummi too...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I also don't anything that came from any NEAR the water in SE Texas.  It just isn't safe... I may want to have another kid someday.
Posted by: fnxtr on Aug. 18 2011,19:38

Quote (Henry J @ Aug. 18 2011,14:48)
But does it taste like chicken?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Maybe chicken tastes like 'gator, Henry J.
Posted by: Henry J on Aug. 18 2011,22:33



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Maybe chicken tastes like 'gator, Henry J.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nah, gator probably tastes more like croc. At least that's what a contestant on Jeopardy once said during a chat with Alex. He'd sampled alligator (I think it was) meat at some point, and Alex asked if it tasted like chicken. The answer: Nope, it tasted like crocodile.

Henry
Posted by: Lou FCD on Aug. 19 2011,05:08

Quote (Henry J @ Aug. 18 2011,23:33)


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Maybe chicken tastes like 'gator, Henry J.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nah, gator probably tastes more like croc. At least that's what a contestant on Jeopardy once said during a chat with Alex. He'd sampled alligator (I think it was) meat at some point, and Alex asked if it tasted like chicken. The answer: Nope, it tasted like crocodile.

Henry
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I wonder if it tastes like Tasty Wheat.
Posted by: Schroedinger's Dog on Aug. 19 2011,05:44

Has I said in another thread a while ago, it tastes mostly like (good) chicken. The flavor is a bit stronger, and the texture slightly more filanderous. I've tried it both in soup and nuggets form. If I can find a website that delivers, I will get my freezer full.

Gator is yummi.
Posted by: Dr.GH on Aug. 19 2011,10:39

I prefer wildlife I can eat;


Posted by: Schroedinger's Dog on Aug. 19 2011,10:55

Quote (Dr.GH @ Aug. 19 2011,16:39)
I prefer wildlife I can eat;


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Sorry, I can't eat cooked fish. Only raw works for me. If I eat cooked fish, I get big red itchy patches on my body. Doesn't happen if I eat them raw. There must be some chemical change somewhere in there...

Now, picture Gollum on the lake shore. That's basically me...


ETA: nice catch, though, and the beard...
Posted by: Henry J on Aug. 19 2011,15:08



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Now, picture Gollum on the lake shore.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I'd rather not!
Posted by: ppb on Aug. 19 2011,15:27

Quote (Henry J @ Aug. 18 2011,23:33)
 

---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Maybe chicken tastes like 'gator, Henry J.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nah, gator probably tastes more like croc. At least that's what a contestant on Jeopardy once said during a chat with Alex. He'd sampled alligator (I think it was) meat at some point, and Alex asked if it tasted like chicken. The answer: Nope, it tasted like crocodile.

Henry
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


My family is of Greek ancestry, and my mom grew up in Greece.  Once we took a cousin and his non-Greek wife to a Greek restaurant.  The wife was looking over the menu and wanted to know what squid tasted like, having never had it before.  My mom, trying to be helpful, told her "Oh, it tastes like octopus." :)
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Aug. 19 2011,19:19

Quote (Dr.GH @ Aug. 19 2011,10:39)
I prefer wildlife I can eat;


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


My latest catch is probably a Florida blenny, about 3 cm long. Looks good in the aquarium, not the pan.

I tried shooting a few pics with my macro lens, but everything's fuzzy. I'll see if I can improve my technique and post something later.
Posted by: OgreMkV on Aug. 19 2011,20:28

Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ Aug. 19 2011,19:19)
Quote (Dr.GH @ Aug. 19 2011,10:39)
I prefer wildlife I can eat;


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


My latest catch is probably a Florida blenny, about 3 cm long. Looks good in the aquarium, not the pan.

I tried shooting a few pics with my macro lens, but everything's fuzzy. I'll see if I can improve my technique and post something later.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Does Florida allow you to catch wild fish and put them in a tank?

I know they have some serious regulations on corals and ocean rock.
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Aug. 19 2011,22:00

Quote (OgreMkV @ Aug. 19 2011,20:28)
Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ Aug. 19 2011,19:19)
 
Quote (Dr.GH @ Aug. 19 2011,10:39)
I prefer wildlife I can eat;


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


My latest catch is probably a Florida blenny, about 3 cm long. Looks good in the aquarium, not the pan.

I tried shooting a few pics with my macro lens, but everything's fuzzy. I'll see if I can improve my technique and post something later.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Does Florida allow you to catch wild fish and put them in a tank?

I know they have some serious regulations on corals and ocean rock.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


There are < limitations imposed by the state >, and further ones imposed by my county of residence. You can't catch and keep juvenile sport fish, for instance. Hard corals are prohibited. Taking "live rock" is likewise prohibited, which as best I can figure is any rock with an established fouling population. The county adds on a daily take limit reduction on the species that can be caught and kept.

Blennies are listed as OK for recreational take.

Yes, I did check before heading off with my dip net to the beach.
Posted by: Schroedinger's Dog on Aug. 21 2011,10:34

Anybody has any idea what that is? It was just sitting there on my window. The "stalks" on the side are the wings. Total body lenght about 1.8 cm.

Location: Nice, France.









And yes, I know, I need to clean my windows!
Posted by: fnxtr on Aug. 21 2011,12:46

It's a bug, SD.

HTH HAND.
Posted by: qetzal on Aug. 21 2011,12:52

I'm pretty sure it's a type of moth.

ETA: Looks like it's probably a < plume moth >. What's that bug is a great site I know for these kinds of questions.
Posted by: Schroedinger's Dog on Aug. 21 2011,13:06

Quote (qetzal @ Aug. 21 2011,18:52)
I'm pretty sure it's a type of moth.

ETA: Looks like it's probably a < plume moth >. What's that bug is a great site I know for these kinds of questions.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks a lot, qetzal! I will now narrow it down...


Almost 100% sure I can pin it down to < Emmelina monodactyla >.
Posted by: Henry J on Aug. 21 2011,13:44

It's an insect!

Next question?
Posted by: Schroedinger's Dog on Aug. 21 2011,14:00

Quote (Henry J @ Aug. 21 2011,19:44)
It's an insect!

Next question?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Tss tss tss, Henry.

58 minutes late. You've been beat to it, I'm afraid!

:p
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Aug. 21 2011,16:29

The trumpet vine is flowering right now, and the hummingbirds love that stuff. There is a big old clump of trumpet vine near the big old stone barn on the Konza Prairie Biological Station a few miles south of here. Today there were lots of ruby-throated hummers (Archilocus colubris) hanging out there, and here is a picture of one of them.

Posted by: Henry J on Aug. 21 2011,16:43

If evolution were true wouldn't hummingbirds have learned the words by now?!!!??!!!!one!!! :p
Posted by: OgreMkV on Aug. 21 2011,17:19

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Aug. 21 2011,16:29)
The trumpet vine is flowering right now, and the hummingbirds love that stuff. There is a big old clump of trumpet vine near the big old stone barn on the Konza Prairie Biological Station a few miles south of here. Today there were lots of ruby-throated hummers (Archilocus colubris) hanging out there, and here is a picture of one of them.

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Absolutely Stunning!!!!
Posted by: Schroedinger's Dog on Aug. 21 2011,17:30

Absolutely humming!!!









And stunning!!!!!
Posted by: Robin on Aug. 22 2011,07:38

(mouth hanging open)

Oh. My. God!

Just...wow!
Posted by: Lou FCD on Aug. 22 2011,19:17

Really nice hummer shot!

;)
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Aug. 22 2011,20:55

Quote (Lou FCD @ Aug. 22 2011,19:17)
Really nice hummer shot!

;)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks, guys. I liked it too!

But when I put it on my Facebook page, one of my colleagues said that he really hated that "invasive plant". Sorta harshed my mellow, as we used to say...
Posted by: Robin on Aug. 23 2011,08:04

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Aug. 22 2011,20:55)
Thanks, guys. I liked it too!

But when I put it on my Facebook page, one of my colleagues said that he really hated that "invasive plant". Sorta harshed my mellow, as we used to say...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Just curious, but where are you that your colleague considers trumpet vine invasive?

ETA: Course, I could just check your profile and see that you've mentioned you are in Kansas...

If that's still the case, then I understand why it's considered invasive - it does tend to get out-of-hand and unruly in such environments. Aside from looking unkempt and cluttering up other shrubs and trees (or the outsides of houses and telephone poles), it's not supposed to be ecologically threatening. It is native and is a great pollinator plant, so personally I'm a big fan of it.
Posted by: Dr.GH on Aug. 23 2011,19:05

Sometimes you go to the crazy, and sometimes the crazy comes to you;



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Why do they want to kill the essential resources of capitalism and democracy?

It's simple: Capitalism and human progress are the antithesis of radicals' planned enviro-topia because they believe man and all we have achieved is the scourge of earth.

Unfortunately more and more people are being fooled into following the radical enviro-conspirators down this dangerous path. Our crashing stock market, growing unemployment- and Chinese control of essential minerals and economic ascendency are signs of their success.

Don't be fooled – they have a vision for America and it's not one either you or we share.

Let's STOP them now before it's too late.

Take the FIRST STEP right now to STOP the Radical Agenda.

Defend America by standing up and being counted – it'll cost you nothing other than your willingness to join.

Resourceful Earth, a project of the Competitive Enterprise Institute, is ready to kick some green and take the fight to them.

Our sole focus is to free the American resources of capitalism available under our feet that have been held hostage by Radical greens and their compliant EPA.

You know what will destroy the Radical Environmentalist Agenda to destroy our nation? They lose when we can produce cheap gas, affordable electricity from coal, and vast domestic supplies of minerals like copper and rare earths.

The radicals know it! That's why they are so strenuously fighting every plan to drill or mine.

Here's what we will do to fight back:

Dominate the public debate to show the public the radicals war on coal, oil, and mining is stalling economic growth.

Expose the corporate cowards, media know-nothings, and Green RINOs. the radicals hide behind. We will call them out by name and judge them by the company they keep.

Uncover and sever the big greens' funding from foundations, radicals, and foreign sources.

Finally we will fight in the trenches and no longer allow them to own the voice of the people in public hearings and the permitting process.

We are prepared to take the fight to them – for you all it takes is for you to join with us as we build this army.

Together we will dismantle the green agenda and restore American prosperity.

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on Aug. 23 2011,20:29

where the hell did that come from?  i get some serious eco tard but i haven't seen that one
Posted by: Henry J on Aug. 25 2011,09:41

Oh, it's just a bit of a chain reaction of some sort, maybe?
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Sep. 17 2011,17:01

Seems to be an unusual number of Sabine's Gulls (Xema sabini) in the lower 48 this week. Here's one of a pair seen near Manhattan KS this morning.

Posted by: dhogaza on Sep. 17 2011,19:41

Sabine's gull, I've only seen one, at the sewage ponds in Burns, Oregon (the closest town to Malheur NWR), one May many, many years ago.

For those of you who think gulls are boring, take a look at this beauty in flight (not my photo, though!):


Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Sep. 18 2011,12:21

One of the gulls was still there this morning, along with a lone Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus). Some additional pictures < here >.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Sep. 25 2011,11:41

Finally got a decent pic of a Sabine's Gull in flight. This may be a different individual; the ones I saw last week did not have a tail that was forked at all, and this guy has a pretty deeply forked tail.

Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Oct. 01 2011,17:53

It was a stunning fall day here on the edge of the Great Plains, and I figured that it might be a good day to see if I could get photos of a fall migrant species (Le Conte's Sparrow, Ammodramus leconteii) that has proven difficult to photograph in previous years. These are small birds, prone to skulking in low weedy places.

I got lucky. I only found two of these birds, but one of them was so calm (or so bored with me) that he/she yawned while I was taking this portrait.

Posted by: midwifetoad on Oct. 03 2011,14:32

Those are NatGeo worthy.
Posted by: khan on Oct. 03 2011,15:30

Have been feeding peanuts to blue jays for years.
Yesterday I actually saw a jay opening/eating one.
It landed on a nearby branch facing me.
Was not how I had imagined it.
Was very quick and efficient.
Posted by: Robin on Oct. 04 2011,07:46

Was wandering around Zurich, Switzerland during my whirlwind adventure in Europe. Watched a pair of swans doing a courtship dance and got one of those right place/right time kind of shots. Pity I didn't have a better lens:


Posted by: Robin on Oct. 04 2011,07:48

A pic of a hummingbird moth, though I don't know the species:

Shot at Castle Miramare in Trieste, Italy.
Posted by: fnxtr on Oct. 04 2011,08:31

"Great shots, Robin!" he said over his Oktoberfest envy...
Posted by: Robin on Oct. 06 2011,10:24

Just 'cuz I think this is an interesting shot:



Tulip-tree Beauty moth (Epimecis hortaria)
Posted by: Dr.GH on Oct. 06 2011,23:52

Quote (Robin @ Oct. 06 2011,08:24)
Just 'cuz I think this is an interesting shot:

Tulip-tree Beauty moth (Epimecis hortaria)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


As I recall, it is called "voluntary cripsis," the ability of an organism to try and match their coloration with their background. This was one the the features that fed the anti-evolution "Icons of Evoution" argument on the peppered moth research by Ketterwell.

Nice photo.
Posted by: Henry J on Oct. 07 2011,09:25



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
the ability of an organism to try and match their coloration with their background.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Is that by altering their own color, or picking a background that it already matches?
Posted by: Dr.GH on Oct. 07 2011,11:41

Quote (Henry J @ Oct. 07 2011,07:25)


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
the ability of an organism to try and match their coloration with their background.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Is that by altering their own color, or picking a background that it already matches?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Find a matching background.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Oct. 07 2011,15:43

Voluntary crypsis - they don't call 'em ghost crabs for nothing, you know!

And who knew that AiG had a Kiddie's Fun Facts about Animals page, including < this one > about ghost crabs!
Posted by: Doc Bill on Oct. 09 2011,13:07

It's a miracle, I tell you!

We taped this Monarch chrysalis to the kitchen window and photographed it every day this week.  Green, green, green, green, some brown, a little definition ...
 
... then ...

just after breakfast I looked up and the chrysalis was empty and a Monarch butterfly was fanning his/her wings in the sun.

It's a miracle, I tell you.


Posted by: OgreMkV on Oct. 09 2011,17:31

Our backyard now has rain!  Yay...

It's rained more today than in the previous 12 months combined.
Posted by: Henry J on Oct. 09 2011,18:41



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
just after breakfast I looked up and the chrysalis was empty and a Monarch butterfly was fanning his/her wings in the sun.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------





---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Caterpillar in the tree, how I wonder what you'll be. [...] Butterfly, fly away!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Henry
Posted by: Dr.GH on Oct. 09 2011,18:56

Quote (Erasmus, FCD @ Aug. 23 2011,18:29)
where the hell did that come from?  i get some serious eco tard but i haven't seen that one
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Sorry! I missed seeing this entirely.

< http://townhall.com/....all.com >

They can make Wing Nut Daily seem sane.
Posted by: Quack on Oct. 10 2011,03:47

Quote (OgreMkV @ Oct. 09 2011,17:31)
Our backyard now has rain!  Yay...

It's rained more today than in the previous 12 months combined.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


This year more rains in Norway than ever since 1900.
Lots of, much damage to roads, railways ...
Posted by: Lou FCD on Oct. 10 2011,09:06

It would seem that in my absence the last few weeks, I've missed some really beautiful shots here. Kudos!
Posted by: fnxtr on Oct. 10 2011,23:44

Quote (Quack @ Oct. 10 2011,01:47)
Quote (OgreMkV @ Oct. 09 2011,17:31)
Our backyard now has rain!  Yay...

It's rained more today than in the previous 12 months combined.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


This year more rains in Norway than ever since 1900.
Lots of, much damage to roads, railways ...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Heh. The only reason we have water use restrictions where I live is because the pipes aren't big enough. :-)
Posted by: Lou FCD on Oct. 19 2011,17:32

I haven't posted anything in a while, but since my birds are coming back into town and I've survived the latest round of exams and presentations, I thought I'd share some of the birds I've not had time to post here lately.

Oh, and I need a little help at the end.

< Great Blue Heron >



< Anhinga >



< Muscovy Duck >



I think "< Devil Bird >" would be a much better nickname than "mudhen". (American Coots really are mean!)



If that wasn't enough to convince you, < look at those creepy feet >!



Now here's where I need a little help. I've been going with Snowy Egret, because that's more likely (and more common), but I really don't see any evidence of yellow on the lores. I really hate to call something unusual like Little Egret based on an extreme long-ball shot in bad light and cropped so much. (The focal distance according to the camera was something like 4,200,000,000,000 meters, which I guess is its way of saying "infinity".)

< Thoughts? >



< Another shot >



And < here's a direct link to a larger version > of that second shot. The iris definitely looks yellow. None of my shots show any evidence of head plumes, but at this time of year the Little Egret wouldn't have them either (the shot was taken September 17th). Legs and feet are really not well visible in any of the shots.

ETA:

< Bonus Pied-billed Grebe > in non-breeding plumage (I think).



< Ain't he cute??? >




Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Oct. 20 2011,10:25

Juvenile Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea), based on the color of the base of the bill and the color of the legs. These guys are all white when young, and in their second year can get splotchy gray and white.

Here's a pic of a bird in that plumage from another site.

Posted by: Dr.GH on Oct. 20 2011,13:51

This was at least near my backyard;



9 lb yellowtail. These grow fast to +60lb, so this was small- but tasty.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Oct. 20 2011,14:58

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Oct. 20 2011,11:25)
Juvenile Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea), based on the color of the base of the bill and the color of the legs. These guys are all white when young, and in their second year can get splotchy gray and white.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks. As always you are the man.

(I have no idea why I didn't look at a white bird and think, "yeah, blue heron..." :angry: There oughtta be a law.)
Posted by: Henry J on Oct. 20 2011,20:02

Quote (Lou FCD @ Oct. 20 2011,13:58)
(I have no idea why I didn't look at a white bird and think, "yeah, blue heron..." :angry: There oughtta be a law.)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Well, just as long as you can look back on it without egrets...
Posted by: dhogaza on Oct. 25 2011,15:17



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
I have no idea why I didn't look at a white bird and think, "yeah, blue heron..."
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Not blue, but little blue, as in "there's a little blue at the base of the bill ..." :)
Posted by: Aardvark on Nov. 18 2011,05:29

My father called in this guy to remove our backyard bees (I didn't mind them):





...but, they have now now decided that they prefer their old haunt:









Posted by: Lou FCD on Nov. 26 2011,20:33

Well, it looks like a lot of the winter birds have arrived.

< Ring-necked Ducks >



< Ruddy Ducks > (female)



< and male >



< Northern Shovelers >



< I think this is a juvenile male >



All new for the life lists.

There's like a bajillion < Double-crested Cormorants around now >



And this morning I got my very first owl. < Barred Owl > (I don't count the stuff I shoot at the zoo - that's hardly fair.)





Not great shots, but the best I could do under the circumstances.
Posted by: Robin on Nov. 28 2011,07:40

Quote (Lou FCD @ Nov. 26 2011,20:33)
Not great shots, but the best I could do under the circumstances.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I don't know...they look darn good to me given what you had to work with. I particularly like the barred owl.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Nov. 28 2011,13:52

Quote (Robin @ Nov. 28 2011,08:40)
Quote (Lou FCD @ Nov. 26 2011,20:33)
Not great shots, but the best I could do under the circumstances.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I don't know...they look darn good to me given what you had to work with. I particularly like the barred owl.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks, Robin.

Yeah, the owl sort of snuck up from behind on me, buzzed me, then hung out there in that branch for a few minutes. That was the clearest shot I had of the branch, and then he took off into the woods.

I think I nearly pissed myself when he came over my head by surprise, and he probably thought that was the funniest shit EVAH.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Dec. 22 2011,14:10

Quote (Lou FCD @ Oct. 20 2011,15:58)
 
Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Oct. 20 2011,11:25)
Juvenile Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea), based on the color of the base of the bill and the color of the legs. These guys are all white when young, and in their second year can get splotchy gray and white.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks. As always you are the man.

(I have no idea why I didn't look at a white bird and think, "yeah, blue heron..." :angry: There oughtta be a law.)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


< I GOT A BLUE ONE FINALLY!!! >



Some other new stuff:
< I like this shot > of American Coots:



< This Double-crested Cormorant > has obviously just been listening to a creationist pretending to do science.



< Hooded Mergansers > are new for the life lists.



< They're kinda cool > with < their crests up >.





< and these >



< are of a pair of juvenile White Ibis >



< This Great Egret > isn't much on the paparazzi right at dawn, apparently:


Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Dec. 22 2011,14:16

Love those Hooded Mergansers, Lou. Great shots!
Posted by: Lou FCD on Dec. 22 2011,14:28

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Dec. 22 2011,15:16)
Love those Hooded Mergansers, Lou. Great shots!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks, Alby! Yesterday was a very slow, overcast, crappy day at the lake, with little of anything interesting going on. As I came to almost my final stop around the lake, I decided to walk across the street and through a clearing to this retention pond I've always been meaning to check out, but never had.

Surprise! there they were just as I crested the pond wall and I popped off a few shots. Then as I followed the pond around a curve (it turned out to be horseshoe-shaped), Bam! There was the LBH and the pair of Ibis (Ibi? Ibises?), and it was just then that the sun broke through the clouds behind me, giving me perfect light. I shot off a few gajillion shots of the waders, then hurried back to get some of the Mergansers before the clouds took over again.

And just as I was taking my last few shots, the sun disappeared and it was all dreary and crappy again, and I didn't get another decent shot of anything at the lake.

ETA: So the point of that was that in just a few minutes out of several hours, I got a really nice addition to the life-lists (the Mergansers), a Little Blue Heron that was actually blue, and a pair of White Ibis that weren't actually white. It was a very lucky few minutes.


Posted by: Robin on Dec. 23 2011,10:16

Awesome pics as usual Lou! Truly amazing! I'm with Albatrossity on the Mergansers - great shots - but I also really like that Great Egret pic.
Posted by: Kattarina98 on Dec. 23 2011,12:12

These pics are great!
I guess the Mergansers are too small to make a Christmas dinner?
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Dec. 23 2011,17:41

Quote (Kattarina98 @ Dec. 23 2011,12:12)
These pics are great!
I guess the Mergansers are too small to make a Christmas dinner?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yes, too small. And they eat fish, so they don't taste very good either. Much better to just enjoy them visually!
Posted by: Lou FCD on Dec. 24 2011,12:44

Thanks, Robin and Kattarina!

I love sharing my shots, I'm glad you like them.
Posted by: Robin on Dec. 27 2011,08:31

Ok wildlife folk, I have a quandary for you all.

We have some nocturnal creature romping through our neighborhood in Fairfax City, Virginia. My wife and I have now heard it on four separate occasions over the last three weeks or so. We are about 95% percent certain that it is a bird; it moves around our backyard area, mostly up in the trees or around the roof, and then through the neighborhood fairly rapidly. I can't think of any insects out at this time of year, and I just don't see mammals (with the possible exception of Flying Squirrels) getting around - particularly up in the air - so quickly. Here's the real kicker though - it has a very distinct two-note call. The call is a sharp hoot/bark sound, where the bark part is like a soft "kah" or "chah" sound that is like a catch in the throat. So the sound is sort of like (phonetically) "hoechhh-hoechhh". It repeats that very 5 or so seconds. I've checked every owl and nightjar/poor-will app and site I can find and aside from a few Australian owls, I can't come up with anything close.

Oh...a little more info: three of the incidents were late night/early morning - between...say...2AM and 5AM. Last night we heard it around 10:30PM. Don't know if that helps at all.

Anyone have any suggestions? I'd really like to find out what this is. Needless to say I've not spotted the culprit, nor do I have a recording of it.
Posted by: Kristine on Dec. 27 2011,08:52

Rudolph the red-nosed 'possum was playing some opossum games in the alley behind our house...



I've never seen one so close before.
Posted by: Robin on Dec. 27 2011,08:57

Quote (Kristine @ Dec. 27 2011,08:52)
Rudolph the red-nosed 'possum was playing some opossum games in the alley behind our house...



I've never seen one so close before.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Cool! Nice pic!
Posted by: qetzal on Dec. 27 2011,14:45

Quote (Robin @ Dec. 27 2011,08:31)
So the sound is sort of like (phonetically) "hoechhh-hoechhh".
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


An owl with a bad chest cold?  ;)
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Dec. 27 2011,18:50

Quote (Robin @ Dec. 27 2011,08:31)
Anyone have any suggestions? I'd really like to find out what this is. Needless to say I've not spotted the culprit, nor do I have a recording of it.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Barred owls make a lot of noises that don't seem to be captured in a lot of the recordings online. I'm betting that it is a barred owl.
Posted by: Henry J on Dec. 27 2011,20:58

Quote (qetzal @ Dec. 27 2011,13:45)
Quote (Robin @ Dec. 27 2011,08:31)
So the sound is sort of like (phonetically) "hoechhh-hoechhh".
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


An owl with a bad chest cold?  ;)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


So bad that it can't make itself give a hoot?
Posted by: rhmc on Dec. 28 2011,07:36

Quote (Robin @ Dec. 27 2011,09:31)
The call is a sharp hoot/bark sound, where the bark part is like a soft "kah" or "chah" sound that is like a catch in the throat. So the sound is sort of like (phonetically) "hoechhh-hoechhh".
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


was it very loud?
Posted by: Robin on Dec. 28 2011,08:06

Quote (qetzal @ Dec. 27 2011,14:45)
Quote (Robin @ Dec. 27 2011,08:31)
So the sound is sort of like (phonetically) "hoechhh-hoechhh".
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


An owl with a bad chest cold?  ;)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Heh!
Posted by: Robin on Dec. 28 2011,08:14

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Dec. 27 2011,18:50)
Quote (Robin @ Dec. 27 2011,08:31)
Anyone have any suggestions? I'd really like to find out what this is. Needless to say I've not spotted the culprit, nor do I have a recording of it.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Barred owls make a lot of noises that don't seem to be captured in a lot of the recordings online. I'm betting that it is a barred owl.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


A reasonable thought Albatrossity. The problem I have with that hypothesis, however (and I entertained it too) is that in my (albeit limited) experience with them, they tend to vary their calls. Whatever this creature is, it has only done the two-note call on the four occasions. What are the odds of a barred owl doing that?

OTOH, I will admit that the sound has a similar pitch to a barred owl hoots I've heard. Definitely not like a Great Horned. I've been betting on either an Eastern Screech or a Saw-Whet, though in both cases the call is a complete anomaly to their normal calls.

Thanks for the input though.

The manager of the preserve I volunteer at has offered to lend me a bionic ear and recorder along with a night vision scope. I'll let you know if that pans out.
Posted by: Robin on Dec. 28 2011,08:17

Quote (rhmc @ Dec. 28 2011,07:36)
Quote (Robin @ Dec. 27 2011,09:31)
The call is a sharp hoot/bark sound, where the bark part is like a soft "kah" or "chah" sound that is like a catch in the throat. So the sound is sort of like (phonetically) "hoechhh-hoechhh".
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


was it very loud?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yes, pretty loud. We can both hear it fairly clearly all over the neighborhood with the windows shut and heat running in our house.
Posted by: rhmc on Dec. 30 2011,08:50

some years ago, at 3am in the middle of the okeefenokee, something right outside the tent made a noise similar to what you describe.  
i characterized it as more of a "WHAaaaCK, WHAAaaCK".  
whatever it was made the sound thrice, a moment or two of silence and then made the noise twice again.  
VERY loud.
and right beside the tent.
then either it or its companion made the noise again a bit further away.  
and after a few moments we heard the noise again but way off in the distance.
being awakened like that at that hour in the middle of the swamp was a bit scary.  
there were some "WTF was THAT?" remarks as we rummaged around in the dark looking for something to defend ourselves with.
very weird.

we met some park rangers that afternoon and as i described the noise, they looked at me like i was nuts and began to edge away as they said they had no idea and had never heard anything like that.


ETA:  here, east of savannah, we have great horned owls, screech owls and barred owls but in the 3 decades i've lived here, i've never heard anything like that racket.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Dec. 31 2011,07:27

Quote (Robin @ Dec. 28 2011,09:14)
The manager of the preserve I volunteer at has offered to lend me a bionic ear and recorder along with a night vision scope. I'll let you know if that pans out.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Oh, that in itself is very cool. I trust you'll post the recording somewhere?
Posted by: Lou FCD on Dec. 31 2011,07:28

Quote (Kristine @ Dec. 27 2011,09:52)
Rudolph the red-nosed 'possum was playing some opossum games in the alley behind our house...



I've never seen one so close before.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Sweet! I wish I could get more shots of mammals.
Posted by: Kristine on Dec. 31 2011,12:38

Rev. Barky actually snapped that photo. Here's one I took:



Baby robin on the day he left the nest - hung around the back yard for a while, flopping into the fence, then off! :)
Posted by: ReligionProf on Dec. 31 2011,12:47

I have a creek behind my house, and so I get to see a lot of interesting wildlife.

We get deer, foxes, raccoon, squirrels and I am sure I saw a beaver twice.

We get the usual birds at the feeder - cardinals, black-capped chickadees, nuthatches, house finches, goldfinches, etc. But we also get occasional visits from pileated woodpeckers (which are amazing creatures) and Eastern wood pewees.
Posted by: Dr.GH on Dec. 31 2011,22:16

I make a point of fishing on the last day of the year. Today was very pleasant, if a bit cold for southern California- a high of just 61. The fishing was better than a few weeks ago as we targeted scorpion fish, Scorpionidae Scorpaena guttatus (IRRC), in about 300 feet of water. Very tasty. But the best wildlife on display were a pod of three mature California Grey Whales, and a younger solo.


Posted by: Robin on Jan. 03 2012,08:15

Quote (rhmc @ Dec. 30 2011,08:50)
some years ago, at 3am in the middle of the okeefenokee, something right outside the tent made a noise similar to what you describe.  
i characterized it as more of a "WHAaaaCK, WHAAaaCK".  
whatever it was made the sound thrice, a moment or two of silence and then made the noise twice again.  
VERY loud.
and right beside the tent.
then either it or its companion made the noise again a bit further away.  
and after a few moments we heard the noise again but way off in the distance.
being awakened like that at that hour in the middle of the swamp was a bit scary.  
there were some "WTF was THAT?" remarks as we rummaged around in the dark looking for something to defend ourselves with.
very weird.

we met some park rangers that afternoon and as i described the noise, they looked at me like i was nuts and began to edge away as they said they had no idea and had never heard anything like that.


ETA:  here, east of savannah, we have great horned owls, screech owls and barred owls but in the 3 decades i've lived here, i've never heard anything like that racket.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yeah...that sounds about right. Except, I don't live in a deserted-for-miles-around swamp. I live in a suburb of Washington, DC.

Still trying to determine the critter's ID. So far all the experts I've checked with (4 naturalists, 1 ornithologist, 1 preserve manager) either shrugged or (like rhmc's experience) edged away. Of course, I have not heard our little (big?) friend since I last reported it, so maybe we'll never know.
Posted by: Robin on Jan. 03 2012,08:16

Quote (Lou FCD @ Dec. 31 2011,07:27)
Quote (Robin @ Dec. 28 2011,09:14)
The manager of the preserve I volunteer at has offered to lend me a bionic ear and recorder along with a night vision scope. I'll let you know if that pans out.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Oh, that in itself is very cool. I trust you'll post the recording somewhere?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Absolutely...if I get anything.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Jan. 04 2012,13:54

There have been many reports of Snowy Owls in the US this winter; over 30 in Kansas so far. This one was watching some bison on the Konza Prairie Biological Station around noon today.

Posted by: Lou FCD on Jan. 07 2012,20:47

Sweet! Owls are very cool.
Posted by: Robin on Jan. 09 2012,07:57

Cool! I want one!


Actually, we had a few here in Virginia/Washington DC about 4 years ago. One liked hanging out at Dulles and all these birders would gather at the airport to watch it sitting atop this one building. Very funny.

Nice pic Alby!
Posted by: rhmc on Jan. 14 2012,13:43

Quote (Robin @ Jan. 03 2012,09:15)
Still trying to determine the critter's ID. So far all the experts I've checked with (4 naturalists, 1 ornithologist, 1 preserve manager) either shrugged or (like rhmc's experience) edged away. Of course, I have not heard our little (big?) friend since I last reported it, so maybe we'll never know.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


i was talking to a friend of mine who lives an island over and mentioned not only my tale of the noise but yours.
he said foxes made some noises you'd never believe could be made by a dog relative.
i said i could understand foxes in the okee but in DC?
he said he's seen red foxes in rock creek park so depending on what suburb, foxes are a possible source.

i dunno.  dang sure sounded like a bird to me.
Posted by: Bob O'H on Jan. 15 2012,10:08

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Jan. 04 2012,13:54)
There have been many reports of Snowy Owls in the US this winter; over 30 in Kansas so far. This one was watching some bison on the Konza Prairie Biological Station around noon today.

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Oh thank the FSM. Hedwig wasn't really killed.
Posted by: subkumquat on Jan. 16 2012,12:06

Took these yesterday. Young red-shouldered hawk.





Light was pretty harsh when he got out in the open a bit. I kept hoping he'd snag a mouse, rat, or small child, but he just scanned the field the whole 30-45 minutes I watched him. I guess not much was out moving.




Saw this guy on the way home. Normally I don't like man-made perches, but since the loggerhead shrike impales prey on the barbed wire after severing the spinal cord with that hook on his beak I figured it was ok.


Other unnatural perch.

Posted by: Kattarina98 on Jan. 16 2012,13:35

These are beautiful. Are you going to sell them?
Posted by: Robin on Jan. 20 2012,08:47

Quote (rhmc @ Jan. 14 2012,13:43)
Quote (Robin @ Jan. 03 2012,09:15)
Still trying to determine the critter's ID. So far all the experts I've checked with (4 naturalists, 1 ornithologist, 1 preserve manager) either shrugged or (like rhmc's experience) edged away. Of course, I have not heard our little (big?) friend since I last reported it, so maybe we'll never know.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


i was talking to a friend of mine who lives an island over and mentioned not only my tale of the noise but yours.
he said foxes made some noises you'd never believe could be made by a dog relative.
i said i could understand foxes in the okee but in DC?
he said he's seen red foxes in rock creek park so depending on what suburb, foxes are a possible source.

i dunno.  dang sure sounded like a bird to me.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That's not a bad bet actually, though the sound came from up high-ish and red foxes don't climb. Still, we do have a number of foxes in our neighborhood and they do make odd calls at all hours.

BTW, sorry for the late reply - been way under the weather for the last few weeks and have only occasionally peeked on the Intertubes. Thanks for the suggestion.

I've not heard my mystery critter in over a month now so I'm doubting that I'll be able to ID it.
Posted by: noncarborundum on Jan. 20 2012,12:20

Quote (Robin @ Jan. 20 2012,08:47)

I've not heard my mystery critter in over a month now so I'm doubting that I'll be able to ID it.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Intelligently Design?
Posted by: Robin on Jan. 20 2012,14:50

Quote (noncarborundum @ Jan. 20 2012,12:20)
Quote (Robin @ Jan. 20 2012,08:47)

I've not heard my mystery critter in over a month now so I'm doubting that I'll be able to ID it.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Intelligently Design?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Apparently...

;)
Posted by: rhmc on Jan. 20 2012,19:15

Quote (Robin @ Jan. 20 2012,09:47)
That's not a bad bet actually, though the sound came from up high-ish and red foxes don't climb. Still, we do have a number of foxes in our neighborhood and they do make odd calls at all hours.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


grey foxes climb and you're in the range for those, too.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Jan. 22 2012,10:59

Quote (subkumquat @ Jan. 16 2012,13:06)
Took these yesterday.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nice shots!
Posted by: Lou FCD on Jan. 22 2012,11:59

Some shots from the last few weeks.

< American Crow >



< A hawk on the roof across the street >



< He looks vaguely annoyed, >



< but hung out for awhile while I took his picture >



Sadly, he never gave me a look at his tail.

< A Song Sparrow >



< Carolina Wren in the hedges out front >



< Female Northern Cardinal >. Oddly, I didn't have a decent shot of a female before this. They're kind of shy, though. I was trying out my new flash yesterday (Canon 580EX II), and I think this shot is a little hot.



< ...and experimenting with higher ISOs > for stop-action shots.



< such as wing fluffing >



< This Muscovy Duck > always seems willing to pose for me, and lets me get pretty close.



< A Cedar Waxwing from about 15m away >, in the Croatan National Forest.



< American Robin >, no flash.



< Carolina Chickadee >, ISO 1250, with the flash set at 1/4 or 1/8 of full power, as I recall. He was about 3m away, and just hung out and let me stick the camera pretty much right in his beak, and play with the settings and keep shooting. He wasn't even a little bit shy or skittish.



It'll take some more playing to really get the hang of using a flash, but I'm sort of figuring out how to balance it with ISO and shutter speed.
Posted by: fnxtr on Jan. 22 2012,12:48

Oh, for...

(looks at own camera)

(throws in Puntledge river)
Posted by: Robin on Jan. 23 2012,10:59

Quote (fnxtr @ Jan. 22 2012,12:48)
Oh, for...

(looks at own camera)

(throws in Puntledge river)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


This... (sigh)


Very lovely shots as usual Lou. Just wish I could figure how to get that quality.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Jan. 23 2012,16:15

Quote (Robin @ Jan. 23 2012,11:59)
Quote (fnxtr @ Jan. 22 2012,12:48)
Oh, for...

(looks at own camera)

(throws in Puntledge river)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


This... (sigh)


Very lovely shots as usual Lou. Just wish I could figure how to get that quality.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Well, a few thoughts.

1. Buy good glass. It's worth every cent you pay for it.
2. Carry your camera everywhere.
3. Shoot everything.
4. Shoot it again.

In the 2.5 years since I bought my first "real" camera (that Rebel XS, which seems like a toy now...), I've easily squeezed the shutter button 100,000 times. Easily 100k.

It helps that I'm a full-time college student, of course, which means I have a very distinct advantage when it comes to scheduling time to take pictures.

But I carry my camera even to class. Just this morning, I shot < this Eastern Towhee > in between classes.


Posted by: khan on Jan. 23 2012,17:57

The wonderfullness of digital cameras.
20 shots, delete 19, no problem.
High end: 100 shots, delete 90, no problem.
Posted by: fnxtr on Jan. 24 2012,01:05

Quote (khan @ Jan. 23 2012,15:57)
The wonderfullness of digital cameras.
20 shots, delete 19, no problem.
High end: 100 shots, delete 90, no problem.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Have they reduced that annoying shutter delay to a reasonable interval? I have some great pictures of the tips of orca dorsal fins disappearing into the sea...
Posted by: Robin on Jan. 24 2012,09:13

Quote (Lou FCD @ Jan. 23 2012,16:15)
Well, a few thoughts.

1. Buy good glass. It's worth every cent you pay for it.
2. Carry your camera everywhere.
3. Shoot everything.
4. Shoot it again.

In the 2.5 years since I bought my first "real" camera (that Rebel XS, which seems like a toy now...), I've easily squeezed the shutter button 100,000 times. Easily 100k.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I do use Nikkor lenses, so I'm pretty sure the glass is good. Pretty sure, but not positive.

I think part of my problem is I haven't figured out the optimal settings for my camera (Nikon D3100) for shooting birds. I feel like I've gotten pretty close to your level of quality and clarity on a a few of the butterfly shots I've gotten (I've posted a few here), but I haven't figured out how to do that for birds for some reason.

As an example, my wife and I were hiking a few weeks ago at this preserve and we encountered this chickadee that was picking at sweet gum seeds. The chickadee - like the one you mentioned above - was not shy at all and did not care one bit when I shoved my camera lens up to it. I shot ten pics of him/her from different angles with slightly different settings, but I feel that none of them came out well at all. Each shot was just not sharp and didn't...'pop'. Really not sure why, but something is off.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Jan. 24 2012,10:18

Quote (fnxtr @ Jan. 24 2012,02:05)
Quote (khan @ Jan. 23 2012,15:57)
The wonderfullness of digital cameras.
20 shots, delete 19, no problem.
High end: 100 shots, delete 90, no problem.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Have they reduced that annoying shutter delay to a reasonable interval? I have some great pictures of the tips of orca dorsal fins disappearing into the sea...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I get instant response, and can shoot something like 3 frames/second.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Jan. 24 2012,10:26

Quote (Robin @ Jan. 24 2012,10:13)
Quote (Lou FCD @ Jan. 23 2012,16:15)
Well, a few thoughts.

1. Buy good glass. It's worth every cent you pay for it.
2. Carry your camera everywhere.
3. Shoot everything.
4. Shoot it again.

In the 2.5 years since I bought my first "real" camera (that Rebel XS, which seems like a toy now...), I've easily squeezed the shutter button 100,000 times. Easily 100k.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I do use Nikkor lenses, so I'm pretty sure the glass is good. Pretty sure, but not positive.

I think part of my problem is I haven't figured out the optimal settings for my camera (Nikon D3100) for shooting birds. I feel like I've gotten pretty close to your level of quality and clarity on a a few of the butterfly shots I've gotten (I've posted a few here), but I haven't figured out how to do that for birds for some reason.

As an example, my wife and I were hiking a few weeks ago at this preserve and we encountered this chickadee that was picking at sweet gum seeds. The chickadee - like the one you mentioned above - was not shy at all and did not care one bit when I shoved my camera lens up to it. I shot ten pics of him/her from different angles with slightly different settings, but I feel that none of them came out well at all. Each shot was just not sharp and didn't...'pop'. Really not sure why, but something is off.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Well, without seeing the shot, I'm not sure what you mean or how to help. And I know fuck all about Nikon gear, so I'm useless to you there.

My suggestion from afar would be to keep posting them here, and ask each time "What do you all think I could do better with this shot?"

I'll bet you get some good feedback, especially if you post along with the picture the camera settings and lighting conditions when you took it. (The ISO was X, the shutter speed was y, the aperture was z, for starters.) I'll give you my thoughts, but remember I've pretty much just learned by winging it, and at the end of the day, I'm really still a newb.
Posted by: OgreMkV on Jan. 24 2012,10:59

Quote (fnxtr @ Jan. 24 2012,01:05)
Quote (khan @ Jan. 23 2012,15:57)
The wonderfullness of digital cameras.
20 shots, delete 19, no problem.
High end: 100 shots, delete 90, no problem.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Have they reduced that annoying shutter delay to a reasonable interval? I have some great pictures of the tips of orca dorsal fins disappearing into the sea...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Since I only have orca shots from Sea World, I quickly figured out that when the trainers raise their arms, something is about to come flying out of the water.

I got some decent shots with my $100 instacam.
Posted by: Robin on Jan. 24 2012,11:36

Quote (Lou FCD @ Jan. 24 2012,10:26)
Well, without seeing the shot, I'm not sure what you mean or how to help. And I know fuck all about Nikon gear, so I'm useless to you there.

My suggestion from afar would be to keep posting them here, and ask each time "What do you all think I could do better with this shot?"

I'll bet you get some good feedback, especially if you post along with the picture the camera settings and lighting conditions when you took it. (The ISO was X, the shutter speed was y, the aperture was z, for starters.) I'll give you my thoughts, but remember I've pretty much just learned by winging it, and at the end of the day, I'm really still a newb.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Good recommendations Lou. I'll post some of the recent bird shots and get some feedback.
Posted by: Robin on Jan. 26 2012,15:55

Examples of a few bird photos that I feel just are not sharp:





This one of the Robin isn't bad, but it still doesn't 'pop':





Posted by: Robin on Jan. 26 2012,16:02

On the other hand, there are a few photos I'm kind of proud of because I think they do 'pop':


Northern Leopard Frog (Rana pipiens)

It helps when the subject is reeeeaaally cooperative and lets you place your camera lens right next to him (or her).
Posted by: Robin on Jan. 26 2012,16:05

A female wolf spider with babies:



And a grasshopper from this summer who let me get really close:


Posted by: DaveH on Jan. 26 2012,16:41

Quote (Robin @ Jan. 26 2012,15:55)
Examples of a few bird photos that I feel just are not sharp:


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I hesitate to say anything with Lou in the house, but I think I can make a few observations (plus I use Nikon kit).
The first thing I notice about your chickadee, here, is the grain. It looks like you have used a fairly long zoom with the aperture wide open and you still have had to set a high ISO. Lower that, or close up the aperture for a greater depth of field, and you'd start to get camera shake. There's maybe even a hint of that here, anyway.
If you look at Lou's excellent photos, you'll see that (apart from the flash ones) all the birds are in full direct sunlight.

I think you've probably got about the best shots you could manage, given the light (Unless you have a spare $10,000 for a top-end zoom lens). Trying to get a good shot of any bird in a Scottish winter, even when I'm not on a forest trail, is well nigh impossible, so I feel your pain!

One thing I would do is go to 'Set Picture Control' in the shooting menu, and increase the saturation and contrast a bit. Adds a bit more life. Sharpening is best done on the computer.
I hope some of that helps. Love that grasshopper, by the way!
Posted by: DaveH on Jan. 26 2012,16:50

I think the answer generally is keep taking photographs; sometimes, when the light is great, you can get lucky!
< Puffin >

< Kingfisher >

;)
Posted by: Robin on Jan. 26 2012,17:15

Quote (DaveH @ Jan. 26 2012,16:50)
I think the answer generally is keep taking photographs; sometimes, when the light is great, you can get lucky!
< Puffin >

< Kingfisher >

;)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks for the recommendations Dave.

And yeah...see, both the puffin and the kingfisher have that 'pop' that I'm talking about. They aren't washed out or grainy; your eye is drawn to the vibrant color and details. Granted chickadees don't have that much color, but some pics of them seem to 'pop' out of the background noise better than mine, nevermind that - as you noted - they are grainier/less detailed.
Posted by: subkumquat on Jan. 26 2012,21:41

Birdies.

Juvenile yellow-crowned night heron:



Northern Harrier:


White-tailed kite:


Tern of unknown species. I suck at terns.



Great Horned Owl:


Robin, have you read Understanding Exposure by Peterson? If not, I highly recommend it. The light in your photos is pretty flat. You can try flash with a better beamer or something along those lines to help a bit. Playing around with levels, curves, saturation, and the like in post would help a bit too.
Posted by: Robin on Jan. 27 2012,07:44

Quote (subkumquat @ Jan. 26 2012,21:41)
Birdies.

Juvenile yellow-crowned night heron:



Northern Harrier:


White-tailed kite:


Tern of unknown species. I suck at terns.



Great Horned Owl:


Robin, have you read Understanding Exposure by Peterson? If not, I highly recommend it. The light in your photos is pretty flat. You can try flash with a better beamer or something along those lines to help a bit. Playing around with levels, curves, saturation, and the like in post would help a bit too.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Wow! Now THAT'S what I'm talkin' 'bout! Nice shots.

No, I've not Understanding Exposure. I'll have to pic up a copy because clearly color saturation is one of the things these shots are really lacking. Thanks for the recommendation!
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Jan. 27 2012,11:40

Subkumquat - Nice shots. Thanks for sharing! Harriers are particularly difficult to photograph, I think. They never sit still.

Robin, I totally agree with Dave H's assessment. If your bird is in good light, you've got a chance to get a good image. If it is in the shade, in most cases, your odds of getting a good pic are much lessened. Pay attention to the light, go out in the early morning (most birds won't be very active in the late afternoon) when the light qualities are better than the flat overhead light of noon, and look for subjects that are in the light. Don't be tempted to waste pixels on a bird in the shade; when I do that I'm inevitably disappointed when I get back home and look at the results.
Posted by: Freddie on Jan. 27 2012,11:58



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
subkumquat: Robin, have you read Understanding Exposure by Peterson? If not, I highly recommend it. The light in your photos is pretty flat. You can try flash with a better beamer or something along those lines to help a bit. Playing around with levels, curves, saturation, and the like in post would help a bit too.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I bought myself a Canon 550D with the kit 18-55mm and the lower-end Canon 55-250mm IS zoom at Christmas - my first SLR of any kind.  I was also recommended that book and bought it (it's not expensive).

After reading the first 40 pages everything I had once thought I kind of understood in my previous amateur and fuzzy knowledge of exposure settings became crystallized in my head and made complete sense.  Suddenly, I actually knew what I was doing when I adjusted a setting in Manual mode.  It's a great book full of quite excellent information and beautiful pictures and I would also highly recommend it.

Now, all I need is a day when the sun is shining in the UK and I can use the bloody knowledge.  I've managed to get out with the camera just twice this month as it's been grey and damp here for weeks.
Posted by: Robin on Jan. 27 2012,13:51

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Jan. 27 2012,11:40)
Don't be tempted to waste pixels on a bird in the shade; when I do that I'm inevitably disappointed when I get back home and look at the results.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yeah, but the only ones that ever sit still for me are sitting in the shade.  ???

I believe you are both right though - it's forcing me to use a slower shutter and wider aperture that is leading to finer details being fuzzing (from my not being that steady) and graininess. I'll work on that and post some results.

Thanks!

ETA: emote
Posted by: Robin on Jan. 28 2012,14:29

Ok. Been working on this a bit over the last few days. The advice seems to have helped quite a bit:




Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)
Could not get him to go into the sunlight for anything. (sigh)... Still, I'm much happier with these than my previous attempts. Still need some practice though.

Shot with a 300mm at ISO 400 F8






Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus )

Pity about the stupid branch, but I didn't want to move too much and disturb him (her?). Also, the darkness of those two photos is, I think, because it was very cloudy the day I shot them and I tied upping the ISO and the shutter speed, so they are a little under exposed. Still, I like the clarity. I'm kind of surprised I got anything.

and...



Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) - sportin' a 'tude about the paparazzi during her lunch hour.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Jan. 28 2012,16:24

Quote (Robin @ Jan. 28 2012,14:29)
Ok. Been working on this a bit over the last few days. The advice seems to have helped quite a bit
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nice! Woodpeckers are reluctant to get into the sun, in y experience too. Those are all better than anything I got in my outing this morning. It was sunny enough, but cold and windy as well. Birds were all hunkered down; clearly they are more intelligent than me...

Thanks for sharing those.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Jan. 29 2012,16:40

Yep, Robin, what they said. Really nice improvement in the shots, too!

(ETA: One more thing - if you're looking up at a bird, and the only background you can finagle is a shitty gray overcast sky, just don't even bother. There's little you can do with it. Sometimes I'll take the shot anyway, but really only if it's a bird I don't already have on the life-list. Otherwise, it's not even worth deleting.)

subkumquat, those are some pretty sweet shots. The tern looks like a Royal to me, but don't try to take that to the bank. Where'd you shoot him?


Posted by: Lou FCD on Jan. 29 2012,16:52

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Jan. 27 2012,12:40)
Pay attention to the light, go out in the early morning... when the light qualities are better than the flat overhead light of noon...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yes. This.

This this this this this this this this this.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Jan. 29 2012,20:09

Sometimes < you just get lucky >, and some pretty bird like a Great Blue Heron is too busy hunkering down from the wind to care much if you get a little too close.











in which case you just keep shooting and playing until you get a shot or two you like.
Posted by: subkumquat on Jan. 29 2012,21:37

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Jan. 27 2012,11:40)
Subkumquat - Nice shots. Thanks for sharing! Harriers are particularly difficult to photograph, I think. They never sit still.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks Albatrossity, the Harrier was a PITA to shoot. I was shooting those herons and the kite and some other birds in the salt marsh when he just came out of nowhere flying like a madman. I snapped off a couple of dozen shots in burst mode and that's the best of them, by far. Crazy birds.

Robin, those are looking better! Peckers do tend to the shady side of things as has been said, which is frustrating at times. Keep at it and learn to see the light as much as the subject.

Lou, nice shots! GBH are as common around here as bluej ays, but I never tire of them. There's a rockery about a mile from my house, as the heron flies. I'll try to dig up some old shots of it.
Posted by: subkumquat on Jan. 29 2012,21:47

This rookery is around 3000 feet from my house (as the heron flies)

There are probably 40-50 nests there.


Building and watching





Gathering nesting materials


A couple of months later. The kids are funny looking.


Just down the road from there.

Posted by: subkumquat on Jan. 29 2012,21:59

Quote (Lou FCD @ Jan. 29 2012,16:40)
subkumquat, those are some pretty sweet shots. The tern looks like a Royal to me, but don't try to take that to the bank. Where'd you shoot him?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Just noticed this, sorry. Thanks! I shot him in Galveston, TX at a place called Dos Vacas Muertas. I was thinking he was a royal tern, but I truly suck at tern IDs. Too many subtle differences on some of them for me to keep track of and get right. I think there are half a dozen or so tern species found there (Forster's, Caspian, Royal, Sandwich, Gull-billed, and maybe others?), which makes it tough.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Jan. 30 2012,06:02

Quote (subkumquat @ Jan. 26 2012,21:41)
Tern of unknown species. I suck at terns.


---------------------QUOTE-------------------



 
Quote (subkumquat @ Jan. 29 2012,22:59)
   
Quote (Lou FCD @ Jan. 29 2012,16:40)
subkumquat, those are some pretty sweet shots. The tern looks like a Royal to me, but don't try to take that to the bank. Where'd you shoot him?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Just noticed this, sorry. Thanks! I shot him in Galveston, TX at a place called Dos Vacas Muertas. I was thinking he was a royal tern, but I truly suck at tern IDs. Too many subtle differences on some of them for me to keep track of and get right. I think there are half a dozen or so tern species found there (Forster's, Caspian, Royal, Sandwich, Gull-billed, and maybe others?), which makes it tough.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Of the species that Peterson's lists there at some point in the year, the orange bill narrows it down to Forster's, Royal, or Caspian. Breeding plumage of the cap are pretty similar in the three.

In the second shot you posted, one side of the tail looks deeply forked, which would indicate Forster's or Royal, but the center and other side of the tail look barely forked at all, which would indicate Caspian. I really can't figure out what's going on with the tail in that shot.

Forster's and Caspian have black on the end of their bill while Royal doesn't, but the damned fish is in the way.

Neither shot really gives any sense of size, so the Forster's smaller size doesn't really help.

I wouldn't bet either way on the upper wing vs. under wing colors (they're apparently opposite in Royals and Caspians) because of the angle and shadows.

If I really had to take my best shot, something about the curl of the tail in the second shot leads me to think "forked", and I'd go with Royal. But again, don't bet the ranch on that.
Posted by: Robin on Jan. 30 2012,07:29

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Jan. 28 2012,16:24)
Quote (Robin @ Jan. 28 2012,14:29)
Ok. Been working on this a bit over the last few days. The advice seems to have helped quite a bit
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nice! Woodpeckers are reluctant to get into the sun, in y experience too. Those are all better than anything I got in my outing this morning. It was sunny enough, but cold and windy as well. Birds were all hunkered down; clearly they are more intelligent than me...

Thanks for sharing those.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks Alby!

Went out to "my" preserve (well...) with the intent of practicing. When I left the house it was bright and sun, beautiful blue sky. During the half hour drive some clouds and haze rolled in, but it was still nice when I started my hike. 20 minutes later and it's suddenly that pale shade of grey you get in winter. (sigh).

And when the wind picked up a little, nothing stayed around to get my lens on anyway. Such is life I suppose.
Posted by: Robin on Jan. 30 2012,07:35

Quote (Lou FCD @ Jan. 29 2012,16:40)
Yep, Robin, what they said. Really nice improvement in the shots, too!

(ETA: One more thing - if you're looking up at a bird, and the only background you can finagle is a shitty gray overcast sky, just don't even bother. There's little you can do with it. Sometimes I'll take the shot anyway, but really only if it's a bird I don't already have on the life-list. Otherwise, it's not even worth deleting.)

subkumquat, those are some pretty sweet shots. The tern looks like a Royal to me, but don't try to take that to the bank. Where'd you shoot him?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks Lou!

Yeah, I'm think I'm going to take your, Alby's, et al's advice and stop shooting grey-day/background birds. They just don't work for me. I'll work on shooting during sunny days instead. Though, as you noted, I'll still lug my camera everywhere just in case.
Posted by: Robin on Jan. 30 2012,07:39

Quote (Lou FCD @ Jan. 29 2012,20:09)
Sometimes < you just get lucky >, and some pretty bird like a Great Blue Heron is too busy hunkering down from the wind to care much if you get a little too close.


in which case you just keep shooting and playing until you get a shot or two you like.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Wow! Ok...I think I get it. Early morning, slanting light directly on the subject. I'll see what I can do.

Now, you didn't enhance with flash or anything?
Posted by: Robin on Jan. 30 2012,07:41

Quote (subkumquat @ Jan. 29 2012,21:47)
This rookery is around 3000 feet from my house (as the heron flies)

There are probably 40-50 nests there.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Awesome Subkumquat! Nice shots!
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Jan. 30 2012,08:16

Quote (Lou FCD @ Jan. 30 2012,06:02)
If I really had to take my best shot, something about the curl of the tail in the second shot leads me to think "forked", and I'd go with Royal. But again, don't bet the ranch on that.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Orange legs with an adult plumage (black cap) would rule out Royal Tern, so Forster's is the last ID standing.

What I want to know is, if these shots were taken recently, why is that bird in adult plumage in January? My experience in California would lead me to think that this black capped plumage shouldn't show up until March or thereabouts. And that suspicion is confirmed by what I read in various field guides. When were these photos taken?
Posted by: subkumquat on Jan. 30 2012,08:38

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Jan. 30 2012,08:16)
Orange legs with an adult plumage (black cap) would rule out Royal Tern, so Forster's is the last ID standing.

What I want to know is, if these shots were taken recently, why is that bird in adult plumage in January? My experience in California would lead me to think that this black capped plumage shouldn't show up until March or thereabouts. And that suspicion is confirmed by what I read in various field guides. When were these photos taken?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I think I took those in April, if memory serves. I have other shots of these same terns that might help with ID, but I'll have to wait to get them uploaded this afternoon.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Jan. 30 2012,09:00

Quote (subkumquat @ Jan. 30 2012,08:38)
I think I took those in April, if memory serves. I have other shots of these same terns that might help with ID, but I'll have to wait to get them uploaded this afternoon.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks; that helps! I think that the combination of orange legs with orange bill pretty much clinches the ID as Forster's Tern. Royal Tern (or even Elegant Tern, for that matter) would have black legs as an adult, and those are definitely not black legs.

Here's a shot of a Florida Royal Tern by my friend and photographic mentor Mark Chappell.

Posted by: Lou FCD on Jan. 30 2012,11:07

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Jan. 30 2012,10:00)
Thanks; that helps! I think that the combination of orange legs with orange bill pretty much clinches the ID as Forster's Tern. Royal Tern (or even Elegant Tern, for that matter) would have black legs as an adult, and those are definitely not black legs.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Oh, yup, good call. I totally spaced on the leg color. (I'm pleading senility.)
Posted by: Lou FCD on Jan. 30 2012,11:08

Quote (Robin @ Jan. 30 2012,08:39)
 
Quote (Lou FCD @ Jan. 29 2012,20:09)
Sometimes < you just get lucky >, and some pretty bird like a Great Blue Heron is too busy hunkering down from the wind to care much if you get a little too close.


in which case you just keep shooting and playing until you get a shot or two you like.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Wow! Ok...I think I get it. Early morning, slanting light directly on the subject. I'll see what I can do.

Now, you didn't enhance with flash or anything?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Oh, the shots of the GBH were with flash, yes. Note the overly bright vegetation in the foreground.

ETA: The sky was full of dark, puffy, low, fast-rolling clouds, and they'd have been very flat without a flash, I think. But note that I'm shooting from high ground looking down into the pond basin, giving me a background I can work with.


Posted by: Robin on Feb. 15 2012,15:25

Finally got a sunny day to try out some of the recommendations:




Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis




White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis


Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura

I particularly like the nuthatch. While they don't mind me getting close, they seldom stand still, so I had to follow him around with the viewfinder until he paused long enough for me to get a shot.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Feb. 15 2012,18:58

Yep, I love the nuthatch shot, and yep, they're a PITA to shoot because the fuckers won't hold still.
Posted by: Robin on Feb. 16 2012,07:51

I do have a question - the cardinal pics seem to be a bit washed out. Is that because of the bright sunny spot foreground with the shade transition background? I tried playing with a few exposures, but I either got the ones above, or the cardinal just faded into shadow. Is there a way to get this shot that isn't so stark?
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Feb. 16 2012,10:23

Quote (Robin @ Feb. 16 2012,07:51)
I do have a question - the cardinal pics seem to be a bit washed out. Is that because of the bright sunny spot foreground with the shade transition background? I tried playing with a few exposures, but I either got the ones above, or the cardinal just faded into shadow. Is there a way to get this shot that isn't so stark?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nice shots. Nuthatches are tempting targets, because they are so perky and have interesting behaviors, but they are jumpy, for sure. Not as jumpy as kinglets; if you want a real challenge, follow one of those around with the viewfinder sometime.

I wouldn't say that the cardinal shots are "stark". Cardinals, particularly this time of year, are just pretty bright birds when they get out into the sunlight. You might play with the contrast a bit with Photoshop or < GIMP > or whatever image software you have been using. That might give you an image that is more in line with your sensibilities.
Posted by: Robin on Feb. 16 2012,11:56

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Feb. 16 2012,10:23)
Nice shots. Nuthatches are tempting targets, because they are so perky and have interesting behaviors, but they are jumpy, for sure. Not as jumpy as kinglets; if you want a real challenge, follow one of those around with the viewfinder sometime.

I wouldn't say that the cardinal shots are "stark". Cardinals, particularly this time of year, are just pretty bright birds when they get out into the sunlight. You might play with the contrast a bit with Photoshop or < GIMP > or whatever image software you have been using. That might give you an image that is more in line with your sensibilities.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks Alby! I tried messing a bit with contrast, but the pics looked too washed out to me. I think my issue is more with the background rather than the shot of the bird itself. I think the seed shells just aren't a good contrast to the cardinal's color. I tried getting a shot of a male in a holly bush, but he'd have none of my tiptoeing around near him and vanished into the bush. Bastard!

And I can only imagine trying to shoot kinglets! We had a pair of Golden-crowned Kinglets stop by our yard a few years ago and while I could walk right up to them and practically touch them (they made chickadees seem shy), they were bouncing all over the branches of these two crabapple trees and didn't sit still for even a second. Pretty birds though.
Posted by: Robin on Mar. 13 2012,14:54

Adding a few shots from last weekends outing at "my" preserve:



American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) . A verrrrry cooperative Kestrel at that.



Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) of What-Are-You-Pointing-at-Me.



A Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos). Yeah...I seem to get that expression a lot.



Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula). I know most people consider it a pest, but damn...that's a pretty bird!



A female Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis). She just flew right up to me while I was shooting in my backyard.

And lastly, one for Lou to add to his "I disapprove of you!" file:



White Throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)


ETA: Fixed italics coding


Posted by: Robin on Mar. 13 2012,15:03

Oh...and because it's spring:

A beautiful morning shot:



And the obligatory butterfly:



A Small White (aka Cabbage White) (Pieris rapae) Butterfly


And as a bonus, some old bones I found on a walk:



I think they might be from a raccoon, but I'm not sure.

ETA: Fixed italics coding


Posted by: Lou FCD on Mar. 13 2012,17:05

Quote (Robin @ Mar. 13 2012,15:54)
And lastly, one for Lou to add to his "I disapprove of you!" file:



White Throated Sparrow (<i>Zonotrichia albicollis</i>)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


lol, I have started a meme.

Excellent shots, Robin!
Posted by: Robin on Mar. 13 2012,20:39

Quote (Lou FCD @ Mar. 13 2012,17:05)
 
Quote (Robin @ Mar. 13 2012,15:54)
And lastly, one for Lou to add to his "I disapprove of you!" file:

White Throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


lol, I have started a meme.

Excellent shots, Robin!

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks Lou. Getting there. Still practicing, but they're getting better. Working on getting familiar enough with my camera to figure out what settings work better in what situations. Need to get a monopod at some point or something like that to help steady my shots more.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Mar. 13 2012,22:32

Quote (Robin @ Mar. 13 2012,21:39)
Quote (Lou FCD @ Mar. 13 2012,17:05)
 
Quote (Robin @ Mar. 13 2012,15:54)
And lastly, one for Lou to add to his "I disapprove of you!" file:

White Throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


lol, I have started a meme.

Excellent shots, Robin!

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks Lou. Getting there. Still practicing, but they're getting better. Working on getting familiar enough with my camera to figure out what settings work better in what situations. Need to get a monopod at some point or something like that to help steady my shots more.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Y'know, I'm looking at your shot of the Kestrel, and it's a bit noisy. If you're using Lightroom to process them, there is a tool for Luminance Noise Reduction that might help smooth some of that out.
Posted by: Robin on Mar. 19 2012,11:21

Quote (Lou FCD @ Mar. 13 2012,22:32)
Y'know, I'm looking at your shot of the Kestrel, and it's a bit noisy. If you're using Lightroom to process them, there is a tool for Luminance Noise Reduction that might help smooth some of that out.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I'm not using Lightroom, but whatever Nikon ships with their cameras (ViewNX 2  I think). I know that I get a lot of noise in my shots and I have a vague understanding of what the "noise" is in my shots, but not enough to know how to reduce it, either shooting or in post-production.

ETA: Oops...the Nikon software us Capture NX2, not ViewNX 2 (though View comes with the package as well). It does not have a good noise reduction module on it, so I'll have to look into a separate one.


Posted by: midwifetoad on Mar. 19 2012,12:51

Noise is an inevitable result of a high ISO. Anything above 400 will have noise if you blow it up enough. the guys who do nature photography professionally use heavy tripods or Steadicams.

Noise reduction software helps, but at the cost of sharpness and detail.
Posted by: Robin on Mar. 19 2012,13:16

Quote (midwifetoad @ Mar. 19 2012,12:51)
Noise is an inevitable result of a high ISO. Anything above 400 will have noise if you blow it up enough. the guys who do nature photography professionally use heavy tripods or Steadicams.

Noise reduction software helps, but at the cost of sharpness and detail.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


A succinct summary of the number one cause of noise in photography Midwife. However, that brings up the question  - since I don't shoot anything over 400 ISO (and the shot of the Kestrel was at 200 ISO), what's the main issue creating all the noise in my pics? Is it that I'm not getting close enough or using a big enough lens (300mm) and thus I'm enlarging my shots beyond what my camera can really grab? A possibility, but I would think if that were the case, my closer shots - like the one of the female Cardinal -  wouldn't be so noisy, but they seem like they are just as noisy to me. I think I enlarged the female Cardinal shot by .25X...maybe .5X, but not that much. OTOH, I think I enlarged the Kestrel by 4X, which can be quite a bit on a 200 ISO shot.

I really don't know. It could just be the D3100's sensor is particularly sensitive to direct full sun, though I've not read anything to indicate that such is the case. All the reviewers and tester articles I've read indicate that the D3100 has one of the better noise compensation algorithms built into it.

Bottom line, while I know that noise is one of the big factors reducing the quality of my shots, I don't know where it is coming from.
Posted by: OgreMkV on Mar. 19 2012,13:37

Quote (Robin @ Mar. 19 2012,13:16)
Quote (midwifetoad @ Mar. 19 2012,12:51)
Noise is an inevitable result of a high ISO. Anything above 400 will have noise if you blow it up enough. the guys who do nature photography professionally use heavy tripods or Steadicams.

Noise reduction software helps, but at the cost of sharpness and detail.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


A succinct summary of the number one cause of noise in photography Midwife. However, that brings up the question  - since I don't shoot anything over 400 ISO (and the shot of the Kestrel was at 200 ISO), what's the main issue creating all the noise in my pics? Is it that I'm not getting close enough or using a big enough lens (300mm) and thus I'm enlarging my shots beyond what my camera can really grab? A possibility, but I would think if that were the case, my closer shots - like the one of the female Cardinal -  wouldn't be so noisy, but they seem like they are just as noisy to me. I think I enlarged the female Cardinal shot by .25X...maybe .5X, but not that much. OTOH, I think I enlarged the Kestrel by 4X, which can be quite a bit on a 200 ISO shot.

I really don't know. It could just be the D3100's sensor is particularly sensitive to direct full sun, though I've not read anything to indicate that such is the case. All the reviewers and tester articles I've read indicate that the D3100 has one of the better noise compensation algorithms built into it.

Bottom line, while I know that noise is one of the big factors reducing the quality of my shots, I don't know where it is coming from.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


This is probably something you're aware of, so feel free to ignore..

Are you shooting the images in RAW mode?
Posted by: Robin on Mar. 19 2012,15:24

Quote (OgreMkV @ Mar. 19 2012,13:37)
Quote (Robin @ Mar. 19 2012,13:16)
 
Quote (midwifetoad @ Mar. 19 2012,12:51)
Noise is an inevitable result of a high ISO. Anything above 400 will have noise if you blow it up enough. the guys who do nature photography professionally use heavy tripods or Steadicams.

Noise reduction software helps, but at the cost of sharpness and detail.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


A succinct summary of the number one cause of noise in photography Midwife. However, that brings up the question  - since I don't shoot anything over 400 ISO (and the shot of the Kestrel was at 200 ISO), what's the main issue creating all the noise in my pics? Is it that I'm not getting close enough or using a big enough lens (300mm) and thus I'm enlarging my shots beyond what my camera can really grab? A possibility, but I would think if that were the case, my closer shots - like the one of the female Cardinal -  wouldn't be so noisy, but they seem like they are just as noisy to me. I think I enlarged the female Cardinal shot by .25X...maybe .5X, but not that much. OTOH, I think I enlarged the Kestrel by 4X, which can be quite a bit on a 200 ISO shot.

I really don't know. It could just be the D3100's sensor is particularly sensitive to direct full sun, though I've not read anything to indicate that such is the case. All the reviewers and tester articles I've read indicate that the D3100 has one of the better noise compensation algorithms built into it.

Bottom line, while I know that noise is one of the big factors reducing the quality of my shots, I don't know where it is coming from.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


This is probably something you're aware of, so feel free to ignore..

Are you shooting the images in RAW mode?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


No. Fine JPEG.

ETA: removed extra letter


Posted by: OgreMkV on Mar. 19 2012,15:56

Quote (Robin @ Mar. 19 2012,15:24)
Quote (OgreMkV @ Mar. 19 2012,13:37)
 
Quote (Robin @ Mar. 19 2012,13:16)
 
Quote (midwifetoad @ Mar. 19 2012,12:51)
Noise is an inevitable result of a high ISO. Anything above 400 will have noise if you blow it up enough. the guys who do nature photography professionally use heavy tripods or Steadicams.

Noise reduction software helps, but at the cost of sharpness and detail.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


A succinct summary of the number one cause of noise in photography Midwife. However, that brings up the question  - since I don't shoot anything over 400 ISO (and the shot of the Kestrel was at 200 ISO), what's the main issue creating all the noise in my pics? Is it that I'm not getting close enough or using a big enough lens (300mm) and thus I'm enlarging my shots beyond what my camera can really grab? A possibility, but I would think if that were the case, my closer shots - like the one of the female Cardinal -  wouldn't be so noisy, but they seem like they are just as noisy to me. I think I enlarged the female Cardinal shot by .25X...maybe .5X, but not that much. OTOH, I think I enlarged the Kestrel by 4X, which can be quite a bit on a 200 ISO shot.

I really don't know. It could just be the D3100's sensor is particularly sensitive to direct full sun, though I've not read anything to indicate that such is the case. All the reviewers and tester articles I've read indicate that the D3100 has one of the better noise compensation algorithms built into it.

Bottom line, while I know that noise is one of the big factors reducing the quality of my shots, I don't know where it is coming from.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


This is probably something you're aware of, so feel free to ignore..

Are you shooting the images in RAW mode?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


No. Fine JPEG.

ETA: removed extra letter
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


OK, try shooting in RAW mode.  Even fine jpg is a lossy compression.

With RAW you don't get as many shots in the memory, but they are not compressed in any way and you can avoid that noise due to compression.
Posted by: Freddie on Mar. 19 2012,16:48

Quote (OgreMkV @ Mar. 19 2012,15:56)
 
Quote (Robin @ Mar. 19 2012,15:24)
 
Quote (OgreMkV @ Mar. 19 2012,13:37)
   
Quote (Robin @ Mar. 19 2012,13:16)
     
Quote (midwifetoad @ Mar. 19 2012,12:51)
Noise is an inevitable result of a high ISO. Anything above 400 will have noise if you blow it up enough. the guys who do nature photography professionally use heavy tripods or Steadicams.

Noise reduction software helps, but at the cost of sharpness and detail.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


A succinct summary of the number one cause of noise in photography Midwife. However, that brings up the question  - since I don't shoot anything over 400 ISO (and the shot of the Kestrel was at 200 ISO), what's the main issue creating all the noise in my pics? Is it that I'm not getting close enough or using a big enough lens (300mm) and thus I'm enlarging my shots beyond what my camera can really grab? A possibility, but I would think if that were the case, my closer shots - like the one of the female Cardinal -  wouldn't be so noisy, but they seem like they are just as noisy to me. I think I enlarged the female Cardinal shot by .25X...maybe .5X, but not that much. OTOH, I think I enlarged the Kestrel by 4X, which can be quite a bit on a 200 ISO shot.

I really don't know. It could just be the D3100's sensor is particularly sensitive to direct full sun, though I've not read anything to indicate that such is the case. All the reviewers and tester articles I've read indicate that the D3100 has one of the better noise compensation algorithms built into it.

Bottom line, while I know that noise is one of the big factors reducing the quality of my shots, I don't know where it is coming from.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


This is probably something you're aware of, so feel free to ignore..

Are you shooting the images in RAW mode?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


No. Fine JPEG.

ETA: removed extra letter
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


OK, try shooting in RAW mode.  Even fine jpg is a lossy compression.

With RAW you don't get as many shots in the memory, but they are not compressed in any way and you can avoid that noise due to compression.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Right ... but as soon as you turn them into JPGs for viewing you re-introduce compression artifacts!  

I think the point is that when you shoot RAW you can control what happens in the compression stage to get the optimal result/filesize you are looking for, whereas if you use the camera's compression algorithm you have a fixed compression algorithm that can't be undone through post-processing.  I shoot RAW+JPG as its easier to see which images are which once I get them onto the PC to play with.

To me, the Kestrel picture looks over-sharpened slightly, you can see a slight halo around the bird as well as the noise in the blue areas. But some of the others are great!  
It's getting towards Spring here in the UK so hopefully I'll have the chance to get out and shoot some birds other than the bloody wood pigeons, crows and magpies that seem to infest my neck of the woods at the moment.
Posted by: Cubist on Mar. 20 2012,02:07

Just in case someone is curious: The JPE file format divides an image up into small (8x8 pixel) chunks, and it uses a Fourier Transform-type compression algorithm on each individual chunk. This algorithm is intrinsically lossy, which means it's explicitly and deliberately throwing away some of the image's information; when you save an image as JPEG and your machine asks you what "quality" level you want, it's really asking you how much of the image-info you want to throw away. At really low "quality" levels, the individual 8x8 image-chunks become increasingly obvious.
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on Mar. 20 2012,02:17

doesn't it do that everytime you save the image?  like if you have .jpg in a draft manuscript and you open/close and save multiple times, it will degrade the quality of the img

or is that some academic bullshit i should be mad about falling for
Posted by: Cubist on Mar. 20 2012,05:24

Quote (Erasmus, FCD @ Mar. 20 2012,02:17)
doesn't it do that everytime you save the image?  like if you have .jpg in a draft manuscript and you open/close and save multiple times, it will degrade the quality of the img

or is that some academic bullshit i should be mad about falling for
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


If you don't edit the image, re-saving it shouldn't change anything. If you do edit the image, and save the changed image as JPEG, it will lose some quality.
Posted by: midwifetoad on Mar. 20 2012,14:32

The first thing lost in jpeg compression is not detail, but contrast information. High quality jpegs are a bit like high quality MP3 audio files. It is very difficult to demonstrate the loss.

What you get with RAW images and TIFF and PSD files is a wider dynamic range, which allows you to revisit the interpretation as your skills and your software improve.
Posted by: dhogaza on Mar. 20 2012,17:52



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
the guys who do nature photography professionally use heavy tripods or Steadicams.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Or modern image-stabilized lenses, I've been very impressed with the results I've gotten with my 300/4 IS.

Of course, 500/4 and 600/4 lenses are heavy enough to require use of a monopod even with IS though Canon's latest 500/4 only weighs 7 lbs (but costs roughly 7 lbs of gold to purchase :( ).  If I choose to sell my 13.3 lb 600/4 (non-IS) for the new lightweight 500/4 it will change my life almost as much as switching from chrome to digital did ... 500/4 + 1.4x and excellent IS with my homemade shoulder stock?  Now that's an attractive vision of the future!

I've never seen a professional still shooter use a steadicam, but for video it's a very useful device.

Regarding noise, severe underexposure is another source (along with high ISO) ... but it has to be severe.
Posted by: dhogaza on Mar. 20 2012,18:01



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
What you get with RAW images and TIFF and PSD files is a wider dynamic range, which allows you to revisit the interpretation as your skills and your software improve.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Depending on the camera, RAW's pretty good for pulling out about 14 stops of dynamic range.  Black and white paper gives about 7 stops, velvia about 5, some chrome perhaps a stop more.

B&W negative film's capable of recording oh about 10 stops, which is why various contrast grades of paper are made (low contrast B&W paper lets you compress those 10 stops from a contrasty scene onto 7  stops, likewise a low-contrast scene printed on high-contrast paper can take advantage of the full dynamic range of the paper).

Shooting digital and capturing only JPEG is a bit like shooting chrome, i.e. you'll end up with saturation and the dynamic range of the image adjusted to fit whichever JPEG mode you've chosen (most cameras let you select various saturation levels, etc).

Shooting RAW is more like shooting a B&W neg with even better dynamic range, with the work required to adjust the dynamic range of the image to match the output device you're working with (print media, screen, etc) being much easier than learning the huge bag of darkroom tricks required to make top-notch B&W prints (without requiring a PhD in the Zone System :) ).

Sigh, there are probably younger people here who've never photographed on film and who don't know what a darkroom is! :)
Posted by: Freddie on Mar. 24 2012,12:40

Well - I managed to get out in the great weather today and walked a few miles up the local canal path with my camera.  It's woodland bordering wetlands in the South of England, therefore I was hoping to perhaps see a few slightly less obvious birds.  Oh well.

Robin - F8, 1/125, 250mm, ISO100



Blue Tit - F8, 1/125, 250mm, ISO100



Shot in RAW then Adobe Camera Raw / Photoshop.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Mar. 25 2012,16:52

Nice shots!
Posted by: Robin on Mar. 26 2012,11:09

Quote (Freddie @ Mar. 24 2012,12:40)
Well - I managed to get out in the great weather today and walked a few miles up the local canal path with my camera.  It's woodland bordering wetlands in the South of England, therefore I was hoping to perhaps see a few slightly less obvious birds.  Oh well.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Great stuff Freddie! Beautiful shots! And thanks for the shot info.
Posted by: George on Mar. 26 2012,15:53

A couple of seasonal non-birdy photos.

Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) in flower:

< >

Lesser celandine (Ficaria verna):




Uploaded with < ImageShack.us >
Posted by: Lou FCD on Mar. 26 2012,16:04

I haven't been out much to shoot wildlife lately, mostly due to OChem, which is thoroughly kicking my ass. But here are a few of the highlights, such as they have been from the last few weeks.

< Horned Grebe, from down Fort Fisher way >, new for the life lists.



< This shot shows his "horn" better >



< and a willet >, from the same day.



< I popped off a couple shots at a Northern Gannet >, also new for the life lists.





< Fred has been out early this year >



< ...mostly because Spring seems to have sprung so early >



< The Butterbutts were randy early >



< My new best shot of a Cedar Waxwing >



< This Northern Pintail is new for the life lists >



So nothing overly spectacular lately, but some stuff I like and a few new additions to the life lists.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Mar. 26 2012,16:24

< Oh, here's a better shot of the Northern Pintail, from a day or two later. >



And to follow George's lead on the non-birdy shots, here's some Azaleas < from out front > of < my apartment >.





I think that cultivar is called "Pink Pube"


Posted by: Robin on April 03 2012,14:32

As always Lou, great work!

Here are a few photos I took on Sunday that I'm really proud of:


Eastern Tailed Blue (Cupido comyntas) - I think this is my favorite so far.


Clouded Sulphur (Colias philodice)


I think it's a snapping turtle taking a peek at us, but I'm not sure.


Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)

ETA: All but the Yellow-bellied I shot on manual focus. I think that part of my problem is that I'm not understanding where my autofocus is actually focusing.


Posted by: Lou FCD on April 04 2012,08:39

Very nicely done, Robin!
Posted by: midwifetoad on April 04 2012,22:05

Something to shoot for:

< http://www.flickr.com/photos....3739594 >
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on April 05 2012,08:38

Quote (Robin @ April 03 2012,14:32)
Here are a few photos I took on Sunday that I'm really proud of:
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


And you should be proud! Excellent shots. I love the eastern tailed blue; that's a tiny butterfly and a great shot.
Posted by: Kattarina98 on April 05 2012,10:23

<sigh> So many beautiful pictures and just one desktop ... I think I'll start with the Blue Tit.
Posted by: Robin on April 05 2012,10:24

Quote (midwifetoad @ April 04 2012,22:05)
Something to shoot for:

< http://www.flickr.com/photos.....3739594 >
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Whoa!

Man...every time I see a Saw-whet or a Screech Owl, I just want to take one home or carry it around in my pocket. They are just the cutest things from my perspective. Of course, having chatted with a few raptor rehab folks apparently one gets over this type of attraction real quick the moment one of them bites or claws you. Whodda thunk something so cute could be sooo aggressive (something about them being well-equipped predators I guess...)
Posted by: Robin on April 05 2012,10:31

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ April 05 2012,08:38)
And you should be proud! Excellent shots. I love the eastern tailed blue; that's a tiny butterfly and a great shot.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks Alby and Lou!

Yeah, that Blue was really patient with me while I crawled up and shot pics. It really was amazing when I got down on the ground eye to eye with him and he just didn't care. It amazes me there are so many given that kind of temperament. I'd think that kind of trust would not be a very good survival mechanism.
Posted by: Henry J on April 05 2012,22:02

Is it trust, or is it good at judging what's hungry and what isn't? (Assuming of course that it gives a hoot! )

Henry
Posted by: OgreMkV on April 08 2012,09:55

Easter Morning



Just taken with my little instacam.

This tree is just outside our kitchen window.  One of the cats just sits on the counter crying pitifully that the birdy won't come out and play.
Posted by: fnxtr on April 11 2012,21:22

Lopholithodes mandtii, Puget Sound King Crab, aka lunch from outer space.

Our divers were surprised to find 3 of them this far north (Campbell River, BC)

My POS camera phone doesn't bring out the amazing purple, orange and black colour scheme.  


Posted by: Robin on April 12 2012,09:38

Quote (fnxtr @ April 11 2012,21:22)
Lopholithodes mandtii, Puget Sound King Crab, aka lunch from outer space.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Cool!
Posted by: Freddie on April 12 2012,16:16

Quote (Kattarina98 @ April 05 2012,10:23)
<sigh> So many beautiful pictures and just one desktop ... I think I'll start with the Blue Tit.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


This one's on my desktop right now, I took it a few weeks back at a local arboretum.  It's a Rhododendron but I don't know the variety for sure, I think it is 'White Peter' but there are so many similar variants.  Looks great in the full size.

F5 - 1/1250 - 135mm - ISO200

Posted by: Albatrossity2 on April 14 2012,12:04

Went out this morning even though it was probably too cloudy, and was rewarded with some warbler sightings. Northern Parula, which are a local breeding species, was pretty common, and I also sighted this Yellow-throated Warbler, which is not common this far west, and which I had not photographed previously.
Posted by: Kattarina98 on April 14 2012,15:31

Quote (Freddie @ April 12 2012,16:16)
Quote (Kattarina98 @ April 05 2012,10:23)
<sigh> So many beautiful pictures and just one desktop ... I think I'll start with the Blue Tit.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


This one's on my desktop right now, I took it a few weeks back at a local arboretum.  It's a Rhododendron but I don't know the variety for sure, I think it is 'White Peter' but there are so many similar variants.  Looks great in the full size.

F5 - 1/1250 - 135mm - ISO200
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Beautiful! I wish it were spring already where I live.
Posted by: NormOlsen on April 15 2012,17:52


Albatross for Christ's sake!


Oh fishy, fishy, fish.  And they went where ever I did go.
(Pacific Ocean Perch).

West Coast Haida Gwaii 2010.
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 18 2012,19:04

Quote (Freddie @ April 12 2012,17:16)
Quote (Kattarina98 @ April 05 2012,10:23)
<sigh> So many beautiful pictures and just one desktop ... I think I'll start with the Blue Tit.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


This one's on my desktop right now, I took it a few weeks back at a local arboretum.  It's a Rhododendron but I don't know the variety for sure, I think it is 'White Peter' but there are so many similar variants.  Looks great in the full size.

F5 - 1/1250 - 135mm - ISO200

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Whoa schweet shot!
Posted by: Schroedinger's Dog on April 23 2012,06:13

While on her way back from work today, Ali found in our neighborhood this dying specimen of Periplaneta americana (American cockroach, although they originate from Africa). That beast is huuuuuge!

Please don't mind the artistic value of the shots. But, again, this shit is HUUUUUUGE!!!

(Ruler in centimeters)












Posted by: Lou FCD on April 23 2012,06:28

A couple of thoughts:

1. It's incredibly cool that Ali found this cool.

2. It's sad that you have to add the caveat that the ruler is in cm. When the fuck is Amurka going to pull its head out of its dark-aged ass?

3. I love that you used a smoke for scale.

4. Shit, down here in Dixie we have roaches that are rumored to carry off small children in the night. What you got right there is itty bitty, son.

ETA: Now, if the roach was smoking that cig at the time, I'd be impressed.


Posted by: Schroedinger's Dog on April 23 2012,06:52

Aaaaannd now I can't stop laughing at the Dixie roach thing...

Here we mostly have Blattella germanica, quite tiny (1 to 1.5 cm). This one is a fucking monster compared to what we usualy have. Oh, an idea, I'll get my hand on a germanica and ask it to pose next to that bastard!
Posted by: fusilier on April 23 2012,07:46

Teeny stuff.

When I was in grad school one of the profs was studying roach pheromones, and had an entire colony of Madagascar Hissing cockroaches.

5-8cm as adults.
Posted by: OgreMkV on April 23 2012,10:01

Yeah, those a nothing compared to the wood roaches I grew up with.  

My cat would bring them to bed to play with... while I was sleeping!  But that cat had to actually wrestle with the roach and it wasn't a foregone conclusion who would win.

You definitely need to come visit SE Texas someday.
Posted by: Schroedinger's Dog on April 23 2012,10:19

Quote (Lou FCD @ April 23 2012,13:28)
A couple of thoughts:

1. It's incredibly cool that Ali found this cool.

2. It's sad that you have to add the caveat that the ruler is in cm. When the fuck is Amurka going to pull its head out of its dark-aged ass?

3. I love that you used a smoke for scale.

4. Shit, down here in Dixie we have roaches that are rumored to carry off small children in the night. What you got right there is itty bitty, son.

ETA: Now, if the roach was smoking that cig at the time, I'd be impressed.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Ok, I need to make a point-by-point for lulzies:

1. Ali is very passionate about science, zoology and enthomology. It's quite impossible for her to sqirm at anything (except earthworms and centipedes, for a reason).

2. I've heard of a certain space probe that failed because of this...

3. I would have used one of my condoms, but all of them made the roach look very, very tiny.

4. Already lulzed on that. I remember bad ass roaches when I was staying in Florida. Still, by southern France standard, little Timmy is still an abomination.


Ogre: would love to visit. One of my guitarists lives in Houston now and I have an open invitation. If it ever gets done, I'll let you know (for beers and food and stuff...)


ETA: I will donate the specimen to my city's natural history museum. I'd be curious to see if there has been any significant variations between the African and French varieties...


Posted by: Henry J on April 23 2012,11:48



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
2. It's sad that you have to add the caveat that the ruler is in cm.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Didn't have to in my case; I figured it out by comparing the ruler to the fingers in the picture. Then I saw the comment quoted here.
Posted by: Robin on April 24 2012,06:46

Quote (Lou FCD @ April 23 2012,06:28)


ETA: Now, if the roach was smoking that cig at the time, I'd be impressed.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


It is impressive when they do that...


Posted by: Lou FCD on April 24 2012,10:44

I'm not sure that's a cigarette.
Posted by: Robin on May 03 2012,14:23

Funny foto of day:



This frisky Red Admiral decided my wife's sweater was a fun place to perch.
Posted by: Robin on May 03 2012,14:27



Peek-a-boo! Amazingly well camouflaged.
Posted by: Robin on May 03 2012,14:34

Couple of other shots from my brief stacation over last weekend:


Red headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus)


White-rumped Sandpiper (Calidris fuscicollis)
Posted by: Kattarina98 on May 03 2012,15:20

Congrats, Robin! The second one is extremely elegant - why don't you try to sell it to a magazine?
Posted by: Robin on May 03 2012,16:50

Quote (Kattarina98 @ May 03 2012,15:20)
Congrats, Robin! The second one is extremely elegant - why don't you try to sell it to a magazine?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Wow! I think my ego just swelled 12X!

Thanks very much for the compliment Kattarina! However, given some of the shots Lou, Alby, and others have posted here, to say nothing of the quality of the wildlife shots found in some of the magazine like National Geographic, Audubon, and whatnot, I think I still have a ways to go before they would rank as magazine quality.   :)
Posted by: Kattarina98 on May 03 2012,16:58

Well, I appreciate the colours and the composition. Maybe it's not a close-up documentation of every detail of the bird, but the atmosphere is gorgeous.
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 04 2012,08:55

Quote (Robin @ May 03 2012,15:34)
Red headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nice!

The Red-headed Woodpecker is one of two birds on my visual life-list that are not on my photographic life-list. (The other is the Ruby-throated Hummingbird.) I am very jealous.

ETA: And P.S. There is a decidedly marked improvement in your shots over the last few months, Robin. Keep it up!


Posted by: Robin on May 04 2012,13:40

Quote (Lou FCD @ May 04 2012,08:55)
Quote (Robin @ May 03 2012,15:34)
Red headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nice!

The Red-headed Woodpecker is one of two birds on my visual life-list that are not on my photographic life-list. (The other is the Ruby-throated Hummingbird.) I am very jealous.

ETA: And P.S. There is a decidedly marked improvement in your shots over the last few months, Robin. Keep it up!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks much Lou! Yeah, they're getting better, but I'm still working on a number of elements to improve the shots or keep them more consistent.

I must confess that the red-headed shots frustrated the @%@$%&&* out of me! I shot about a dozen pics of the guy and this was one of two where I was actually focused <b>on the bird</i>. I don't know what my problem is, but many of my shots are just off the subject. It pretty much happens only when I'm shooting between 200 and 300mm I'm center focusing now only, so theoretically I'm locking in on just the subject, but for some reason I'll be focused an inch behind or in front of the object regardless of what it looks like in my viewfinder or using autofocus. Grrrr...
Posted by: Freddie on May 05 2012,04:53

Quote (Robin @ May 04 2012,13:40)
Quote (Lou FCD @ May 04 2012,08:55)
 
Quote (Robin @ May 03 2012,15:34)
Red headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nice!

The Red-headed Woodpecker is one of two birds on my visual life-list that are not on my photographic life-list. (The other is the Ruby-throated Hummingbird.) I am very jealous.

ETA: And P.S. There is a decidedly marked improvement in your shots over the last few months, Robin. Keep it up!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks much Lou! Yeah, they're getting better, but I'm still working on a number of elements to improve the shots or keep them more consistent.

I must confess that the red-headed shots frustrated the @%@$%&&* out of me! I shot about a dozen pics of the guy and this was one of two where I was actually focused <b>on the bird</i>. I don't know what my problem is, but many of my shots are just off the subject. It pretty much happens only when I'm shooting between 200 and 300mm I'm center focusing now only, so theoretically I'm locking in on just the subject, but for some reason I'll be focused an inch behind or in front of the object regardless of what it looks like in my viewfinder or using autofocus. Grrrr...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I have the same problem in a lot of my shots, typically at around the full length of my lens at 250mm.  I'm guessing it's multiple problems compounded by the fact that you often don't have long to focus before the bugger moves.

I've tried both manual and spot automatic focussing to see if I can improve the hit rate but no one method I use seems to be foolproof.  There needs to be a bracketing option for the focus feature :-)

Anyone have any tips for this?  I think some of the higher end cameras allow you to adjust the focus point on each lens but mine isn't one of those!
Posted by: Robin on May 05 2012,05:59

Quote (Freddie @ May 05 2012,04:53)
Anyone have any tips for this?  I think some of the higher end cameras allow you to adjust the focus point on each lens but mine isn't one of those!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Mine either. You may be on to something Freddie. I don't have this problem (or at least, not very much) with my 18-55. I suspect that with the greater power, adjustments to the focus amount to larger and larger shifts in the focal point, but I'm just guessing here.
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 05 2012,08:42

Quote (Robin @ May 05 2012,06:59)
   
Quote (Freddie @ May 05 2012,04:53)
Anyone have any tips for this?  I think some of the higher end cameras allow you to adjust the focus point on each lens but mine isn't one of those!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Mine either. You may be on to something Freddie. I don't have this problem (or at least, not very much) with my 18-55. I suspect that with the greater power, adjustments to the focus amount to larger and larger shifts in the focal point, but I'm just guessing here.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I find I have this problem in two situations:

When I'm standing and hand-holding
When I'm hurrying my shots

When I'm standing and hand-holding the camera, and I'm tired or not paying attention to my stance, I have caught myself sort of ... weaving a little forward and back. It's kind of funny when I notice it. I usually think, "Am I drunk? wtf?" (Sometimes the answer is "yes", in which case, there's the problem, but for this purpose, let's assume the answer is "no".)

I solve this issue by either kneeling and bracing my left elbow on my knee for support, or if I have to continue to stand to get the shot, I turn my body so that I'm not square to my subject. Not quite 90 degrees, but maybe 60 or 70 or so. With my left foot pointed at the subject and my right foot almost perpendicular to the left, I find that stabilizes me better than when I'm square to the subject. I'll brace my left elbow on something if I can, or against my body as best I can if I can't.

When I'm hurrying my shots, I tend to do two things that trash my shots. I lose track of my breathing, and I pull the shutter button. I find it helpful to lower the camera and take a moment (sometimes missing the shot, but I was going to miss it anyway because of technique, so...). I think about my military experience, which at first might seem odd.

When I learned to fire a rifle, the Army taught me to breathe normally (don't hold your breath) and wait for that little natural pause between exhaling and inhaling. Your body is moving less then. When you hit that moment, gently squeeze the trigger, don't pull it. Pulling the trigger moves the rifle, and it can be enough to move your point of aim just as the rifle fires. The shot should surprise you when you hear it.

While out and about one day taking pictures, it clicked for me that the camera is just like that. It's a very precise rifle that doesn't kill its target. The minute I started treating my camera that way, I started getting a much lower ratio of shots that were unusable due to focusing issues. Wait for the pause, squeeze the shutter button.

See if those things help.

Edited for sperlingness.


Posted by: Freddie on May 06 2012,03:59

Thanks, will give that a try!

I found a few tips elsewhere yesterday as well - one that seems to be common is:

1. Shoot in bright light (duh)

2. Set ISO to 400 or higher

3. Set aperture to 16 or higher and then hope the combination of this and ISO gives you a shutter speed you can use - having image stabilizing lenses helps.

The theory is apparently that with a larger depth of field using the higher aperture setting the point of focus on the subject is not in such a narrow window.  If it ever stops raining in the UK long enough for me to try it out I'll post some results (assuming this has some positive effect)!
Posted by: QED on May 06 2012,17:34

I usually just lurk here, but photography's been a hobby for 35 years and I know a bit about the technical side.

Focus is always more difficult at the extremes of a long zoom because the depth of field decreases as the focal length increases (with equal apertures). Also, unless it's a "parfocal" lens, the zoom will probably require refocusing when the focal length is changed.

Some cameras do indeed allow for focus micro-adjustments. I've been playing with my new 5Dii, and have been surprised that both my Canon lenses (24-70L f/2.8 & 50 f/1.8) have required adjustment - one back-focuses and one front-focuses slightly. Normally this isn't a big deal, but when you're working with larger apertures and long lenses, it can matter. Some photographers find in time they can adjust the focus slightly in manual mode to compensate, if the body doesn't have micro-adjust. For those fortunate enough to own a 60D or 5D, there is new software called Focal that will calibrate lenses automatically while the camera is tethered to the computer by a USB cable. I'm not shilling for the developer, but he has been very cooperative during the beta trial versions.

Setting the aperture to 16 or higher will certainly give greater depth of field, but be aware that most lenses have a resolution sweet-spot between F/4 and f/11. Bumping the ISO is sometimes a better option, then deal with the increased noise in Lightroom or Photoshop.

As Lou mentions, practice makes the biggest difference in the final result. Knowing your camera and lenses well, using them until they become second nature as you work, and also the post-processing is key, after your artistic sense, of course.

Sorry to butt in - just wanted to add a few hints from an old-timer...
Posted by: Robin on May 07 2012,08:46

Quote (Lou FCD @ May 05 2012,08:42)
See if those things help.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Most excellent summary Lou! Thanks!
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on May 07 2012,09:51

[quote=Robin,May 03 2012,14:34][/quote]
Yeah, Red-headed woodpeckers are tough birds to get up close and personal with. Nice shot!

The second bird is, I believe, a Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) rather than a white-rumped sandpiper, for a couple of reasons. One is the yellow color of the legs; white-rumped should have black legs. Other is season; white-rumps are among the last of the shorebirds to migrate, typically numbers peak in late may around here. Yellowlegs (both grater and lesser) migrate earlier and would be much more likely to be in your regions right now. It is a great shot, but if you are gonna sell it to a magazine, identifying it correctly would be a great idea!
Posted by: Robin on May 07 2012,10:04

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ May 07 2012,09:51)
The second bird is, I believe, a Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) rather than a white-rumped sandpiper, for a couple of reasons.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Oh...good eye Alby! Thanks for the correction! That makes much more sense. And thanks for the compliment.

I've got a slightly better photo of the yellowlegs that I'll post tomorrow.
Posted by: Robin on May 09 2012,09:05

Ok..."tomorrow" became "day after tomorrow", but here's the other shot of the (properly identified -thanks Alby) Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes). I like how the reflection in the water came out, though the plant in the foreground is annoying:


Posted by: Freddie on May 09 2012,11:28

Quote (QED @ May 06 2012,17:34)
I usually just lurk here, but photography's been a hobby for 35 years and I know a bit about the technical side.

Focus is always more difficult at the extremes of a long zoom because the depth of field decreases as the focal length increases (with equal apertures). Also, unless it's a "parfocal" lens, the zoom will probably require refocusing when the focal length is changed.

Some cameras do indeed allow for focus micro-adjustments. I've been playing with my new 5Dii, and have been surprised that both my Canon lenses (24-70L f/2.8 & 50 f/1.8) have required adjustment - one back-focuses and one front-focuses slightly. Normally this isn't a big deal, but when you're working with larger apertures and long lenses, it can matter. Some photographers find in time they can adjust the focus slightly in manual mode to compensate, if the body doesn't have micro-adjust. For those fortunate enough to own a 60D or 5D, there is new software called Focal that will calibrate lenses automatically while the camera is tethered to the computer by a USB cable. I'm not shilling for the developer, but he has been very cooperative during the beta trial versions.

Setting the aperture to 16 or higher will certainly give greater depth of field, but be aware that most lenses have a resolution sweet-spot between F/4 and f/11. Bumping the ISO is sometimes a better option, then deal with the increased noise in Lightroom or Photoshop.

As Lou mentions, practice makes the biggest difference in the final result. Knowing your camera and lenses well, using them until they become second nature as you work, and also the post-processing is key, after your artistic sense, of course.

Sorry to butt in - just wanted to add a few hints from an old-timer...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks for this info - I did some playing around at the weekend and found that my 18-55 zoom was easier to manually focus correctly at the larger focal lengths than the 55-250.  

I got mixed results again using the longer lens so I think between your guidance and Lou's much more practice is in order!
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 10 2012,15:47

Quote (QED @ May 06 2012,18:34)
I usually just lurk here, but photography's been a hobby for 35 years and I know a bit about the technical side.

Focus is always more difficult at the extremes of a long zoom because the depth of field decreases as the focal length increases (with equal apertures). Also, unless it's a "parfocal" lens, the zoom will probably require refocusing when the focal length is changed.

Some cameras do indeed allow for focus micro-adjustments. I've been playing with my new 5Dii, and have been surprised that both my Canon lenses (24-70L f/2.8 & 50 f/1.8) have required adjustment - one back-focuses and one front-focuses slightly. Normally this isn't a big deal, but when you're working with larger apertures and long lenses, it can matter. Some photographers find in time they can adjust the focus slightly in manual mode to compensate, if the body doesn't have micro-adjust. For those fortunate enough to own a 60D or 5D, there is new software called Focal that will calibrate lenses automatically while the camera is tethered to the computer by a USB cable. I'm not shilling for the developer, but he has been very cooperative during the beta trial versions.

Setting the aperture to 16 or higher will certainly give greater depth of field, but be aware that most lenses have a resolution sweet-spot between F/4 and f/11. Bumping the ISO is sometimes a better option, then deal with the increased noise in Lightroom or Photoshop.

As Lou mentions, practice makes the biggest difference in the final result. Knowing your camera and lenses well, using them until they become second nature as you work, and also the post-processing is key, after your artistic sense, of course.

Sorry to butt in - just wanted to add a few hints from an old-timer...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Rock on, much appreciated!
Posted by: Kristine on May 11 2012,15:22

We like turtles! :)



The other day, I counted 12 in our pond.
Posted by: Robin on May 11 2012,15:26

Quote (Kristine @ May 11 2012,15:22)
We like turtles! :)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Ooo...pretty painted turtles!
Posted by: Henry J on May 11 2012,22:36

Ah, but who painted them!?!?!!!!!!111!!one!!!
Posted by: Kristine on May 11 2012,23:09

Quote (Henry J @ May 11 2012,22:36)
Ah, but who painted them!?!?!!!!!!111!!one!!!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Whoever they were, they left tracks!



Okay, name it - Dog ;) coyote, or lynx? We're not sure.
Posted by: sledgehammer on May 11 2012,23:39

My dog has five pads, so I suspect felis, rather than canis
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 12 2012,07:30

The track is a little hard to see, but Imma gonna disagree with the sledgehammer.

< Here's why >. See the X?
Posted by: sledgehammer on May 12 2012,13:17

Quote (Lou FCD @ May 12 2012,05:30)
The track is a little hard to see, but Imma gonna disagree with the sledgehammer.

< Here's why >. See the X?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Great link! I stand happily corrected.
Posted by: Henry J on May 12 2012,18:02

X marks the Spot?
Posted by: Henry J on May 13 2012,21:03

< Elephant whisperer >
Posted by: Dr.GH on May 14 2012,09:49

Quote (Kristine @ May 11 2012,21:09)
Okay, name it - Dog ;) coyote, or lynx? We're not sure.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Also note there are no claw scuffs. It is a kitty for sure.
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 14 2012,21:31


Posted by: Henry J on May 14 2012,22:26

At the risk of asking a silly question, where is the sewage outlet pipe? ;)
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 15 2012,08:07

On the end opposite the mouth, duh. :)
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on May 15 2012,08:14

Phylum Entoprocta is an exception.
Posted by: Kattarina98 on May 15 2012,08:41

Quote (Lou FCD @ May 14 2012,21:31)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Funny, that's not how I remember the Carnivora cladogram. Aren't there supposed to be a bunch of lines and Latin words?


Posted by: Lou FCD on May 15 2012,14:29

Quote (Kattarina98 @ May 15 2012,09:41)
Quote (Lou FCD @ May 14 2012,21:31)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Funny, that's not how I remember the Carnivora cladogram. Aren't there supposed to be a bunch of lines and Latin words?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I think this is a Creationist strawdogram.
Posted by: Freddie on May 16 2012,14:02

Ahem.  Back to the real world.  Went out early this morning before work and couldn't move for birds everywhere.  They must have all flown in during the last few days.

I think the advice on focussing is paying off - a much higher percentage of shots came in on focus ... I also set the camera AF to AI Focus, apparently this switches automatically to AI Servo if the subject starts moving, seems to help as well.

Wren - this guy stayed hopping around and posing for several minutes, got a few good shots of him in neutral, happy and angry poses.



Dunnock



I was looking up in the trees when I heard a rustle in the brambles to the side of me and out popped a couple of juvenile Blackcaps.  I hardly needed to zoom for these, they were so close and so snap happy



All in all a good morning, took home a number of shots I was pleased with!
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 16 2012,16:23

Really nice shots, Freddie!
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 16 2012,16:27

Quote (Lou FCD @ May 04 2012,09:55)
The Red-headed Woodpecker is one of two birds on my visual life-list that are not on my photographic life-list. (The other is the Ruby-throated Hummingbird.)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


And as of this morning, I've added Cooper's Hawk to that list.
Posted by: dhogaza on May 18 2012,17:26

Off on a vacation/photo trip ... just getting warmed up at Modoc NWR.


Posted by: dhogaza on May 18 2012,17:38

one more crane from this morning ...

(edited) if you're not familiar with cranes, they build floating nests (rafts) out of vegetation, so this is a mom incubating eggs, somewhat safe from coyotes and other ground predators.


Posted by: dhogaza on May 18 2012,22:37

Maybe I'll get back in the groove after all (it's been two years since I've lugged out the 600/4, though the 300/4 IS + 1.4x has gotten some work):

Wilson's Phalarope x 4








Killdeer on the next (in the refuge parking lot, which is typical):



Male followed by female gadwall:




Posted by: dhogaza on May 18 2012,22:46

Freddie: beautiful wren up there.

Damn, I almost called it "winter wren" because growing up our winter wren was considered conspecific with your "wren" (Troglodytes troglodytes).  I decided maybe I should double-check that and learned that splitters have run amok.

Ours is now Troglodytes hiemalis, which sounds vaguely like a Troglodytes troglodytes that's acquired some sort of socially embarrassing disease ...

Anyway, really nice shot of a very, very tiny and often hyperactive bird.
Posted by: Freddie on May 19 2012,02:09

Quote (dhogaza @ May 18 2012,22:46)
Freddie: beautiful wren up there.

Damn, I almost called it "winter wren" because growing up our winter wren was considered conspecific with your "wren" (Troglodytes troglodytes).  I decided maybe I should double-check that and learned that splitters have run amok.

Ours is now Troglodytes hiemalis, which sounds vaguely like a Troglodytes troglodytes that's acquired some sort of socially embarrassing disease ...

Anyway, really nice shot of a very, very tiny and often hyperactive bird.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks!  You've got some nice ones there too ... especially the Wilson's Phalarope which I had never heard of before today!  I have a small lake nearby with a  good variety or birds but it's hard to get close enough to the edge for a decent picture (it's wetlands so not easy to get across - no access and the potential to disturb a lot going on on the ground).

Troglodytes troglodytes is such a great  name - but it's the only type of wren we get in the UK.  You inspired me to post my 'angry' pose from the same bird, not quite as sharp but good for a laugh perhaps :-)


Posted by: dhogaza on May 19 2012,08:31



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Troglodytes troglodytes is such a great  name - but it's the only type of wren we get in the UK.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



It is such a great name!  The fact that our winter wren has lost it saddens me.  Yes, I know that "wren" is your one-and-only wren and that "winter wren" reflects the fact that we have more than one.  Of course "winter wren" sings like crazy in spring ...

Late next week I'll be camped in a place that's thick with our house wren.  If it doesn't rain as badly as predicted (sigh) maybe I'll chase one around and will post the results to compare with Troglodytes troglodytes ...
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 20 2012,08:41

Quote (dhogaza @ May 18 2012,23:37)
Maybe I'll get back in the groove after all (it's been two years since I've lugged out the 600/4, though the 300/4 IS + 1.4x has gotten some work):

Wilson's Phalarope x 4

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I think this is my fav of the bunch, but wow, really really great shots!
Posted by: dhogaza on May 20 2012,12:24

Thanks, Lou!  Deeply appreciated.

So I went out to the Modoc NWR again yesterday, got a couple of decent things, then off to the Tule Lake NWR (practice your google fu if you're curious) where

1) I ran into an old birder friend I've known since high school, now a biology professor, in the refuge HQ parking lot, who was leading a field trip

2) who invited me to join them a bit later at a particular place on the refuge (hadn't seen him in about 15 years)

3) followed by my muffler falling off the car ...

On a saturday.  Can't get it fixed until Monday.  So much for photo road trip nirvana!  Oh, well, we got to talk for about 15 minutes anyway.  He's still probably wondering why the f*** I didn't show up as promised.

Oh, well, I'll be back on the path to Malheur NWR and another 8-10 days of shooting in a couple of days.

Meanwhile I'll process more photos and maybe subject y'all to a few more if I snagged anything I like ...
Posted by: Robin on May 21 2012,07:50

Nice shots dhogaza!
Posted by: dhogaza on May 24 2012,00:00

Raptor food (Belding's ground squirrel flavor) ...


Posted by: Henry J on May 24 2012,20:23

Quote (dhogaza @ May 23 2012,23:00)
Raptor food (Belding's ground squirrel flavor) ...

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Wonder if it tastes like chicken?
Posted by: rhmc on May 25 2012,07:33

Quote (Henry J @ May 24 2012,21:23)
Quote (dhogaza @ May 23 2012,23:00)
Raptor food (Belding's ground squirrel flavor) ...

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Wonder if it tastes like chicken?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


the raptor or the skwirl?
Posted by: Henry J on May 25 2012,12:24

Yes.
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 26 2012,08:01

Prolly tastes like Tasty Wheat.
Posted by: fnxtr on May 26 2012,14:43

Quote (Henry J @ May 24 2012,18:23)
 
Quote (dhogaza @ May 23 2012,23:00)
Raptor food (Belding's ground squirrel flavor) ...

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Wonder if it tastes like chicken?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Ground skwirl is easier to make into patties and mix in spaghetti sauce. Filleted skwirl is better for the barbequeueueueue.

With some fava beans and a nice chianti.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on May 28 2012,09:22

A bird whose image has eluded me for many years, finally got a decent shot this morning. The Deziner clearly used a paint-by-numbers kit for this guy. Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris)

Posted by: Lou FCD on May 28 2012,09:30

Nailed it in one take!
Posted by: Schroedinger's Dog on May 28 2012,09:59

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ May 28 2012,16:22)
A bird whose image has eluded me for many years, finally got a decent shot this morning. The Deziner clearly used a paint-by-numbers kit for this guy. Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Gaaaaaaaahhhhh!
Posted by: rhmc on May 28 2012,12:53

seeing a male painted bunting in bright sun would convince many that it is not real.  until it flies, that is.
Posted by: Robin on May 29 2012,10:29

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ May 28 2012,09:22)
Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Awesome Alby!
Posted by: Robin on May 29 2012,11:06

Since X-Files has been off the air for quite a bit, I thought I'd remind folks who are unaware that there are indeed aliens among us:


Phaon Crescent (Phyciodes phaon)


Northern Pearly Eye (Enodia anthedon)


Copper Underwing (Amphipyra pyramidea)
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 29 2012,21:34

Whoa. Really, really, nicely done, Robin.
Posted by: dhogaza on May 29 2012,22:57

Albatrossity - fantastic photo of a fantastic bird.  Wow.  Congrats.

Lou - love the macro work, too.
Posted by: dhogaza on May 29 2012,23:02

Ironically, I stumbled upon a decent photo of a nemesis bird of mine today, photographing along Ruh-Red Road along the Malheur refuge.  Water's highest it's been in years, bringing stuff up to the road that's normally somewhat far away.

Including this guy, perched right next to the road:



It's hard to get decent images of black tern because they're black, and hyper-fucking-active.  I got about 5 frames off (about 3 thanks to motor drive or whatever we're supposed to call it, now that there's no motor drive to drive film), then it flew.

Next goal has to be an ultra-sharp full-frame photo of one in flight, I guess!
Posted by: dhogaza on May 30 2012,07:35

Screw Lou, I meant "Robin - love the macro work, too". :)
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 30 2012,10:57

Quote (dhogaza @ May 30 2012,00:02)
Including this guy, perched right next to the road:
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


ooooo 'at's a good'n!
Posted by: dhogaza on May 30 2012,14:11

I love the way it tern'd its head just so ...
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on May 31 2012,09:48

Quote (dhogaza @ May 29 2012,23:02)
It's hard to get decent images of black tern because they're black, and hyper-fucking-active.  I got about 5 frames off (about 3 thanks to motor drive or whatever we're supposed to call it, now that there's no motor drive to drive film), then it flew.

Next goal has to be an ultra-sharp full-frame photo of one in flight, I guess!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nice!  That is indeed a tough bird to get to sit still long enough for a portrait!
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on May 31 2012,09:49

Quote (Robin @ May 29 2012,11:06)
Since X-Files has been off the air for quite a bit, I thought I'd remind folks who are unaware that there are indeed aliens among us:
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Gorgeous shots, Robin. I love the head-on look of the first one!
Posted by: Freddie on May 31 2012,21:49

Okay - i'm looking for some guidance please.  I'm in the San Jose/Los Gatos area this weekend, with my camera. There's a lot of state parks and hiking trails all around but I don't know much about the wildlife in this area or where best to spend the time I have.  

Can anyone give the clueless Brit a recommendation where to go and what to look out for?  This park is close and looks interesting ...

< Castle Rock State Park >

p.s. there is no way that Painted Bunting is for real, right?
Posted by: Robin on June 01 2012,08:00

Quote (Freddie @ May 31 2012,21:49)
Okay - i'm looking for some guidance please.  I'm in the San Jose/Los Gatos area this weekend, with my camera. There's a lot of state parks and hiking trails all around but I don't know much about the wildlife in this area or where best to spend the time I have.  

Can anyone give the clueless Brit a recommendation where to go and what to look out for?  This park is close and looks interesting ...

< Castle Rock State Park >

p.s. there is no way that Painted Bunting is for real, right?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I must confess that while I lived in San Jose for a bit and went to Castle Rock a couple of times, I don't remember any specific wildlife to keep an eye out for. I know there are Red Squirrels there along with Western Grey Squirrels and I'm sure there are other assorted small mammals. You may see some mule deer this time of the year. Since there aren't a lot flower plants there - mostly a redwood forest park - you likely won't see much in the way of hummingbirds, but you should see a variety of butterflies now. However, if you're into mushrooms - looking at them that is -, they do have an amazing variety throughout the forest there.
Posted by: dhogaza on June 01 2012,16:19



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Nice!  That is indeed a tough bird to get to sit still long enough for a portrait!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Actually the same damned bird was sitting patiently on the same post waiting for me to arrive last night.

I've never seen the like.  I was totally "WTF?", so went at it again and sat there probably 30 minutes in all as the tern preened all over.

Weird!  The designer in action!  Or Hitchcock ...

I'll post another photo of it in a day or two when I get around to processing my photos, it's been a very productive couple of days on the Ruh-Red Road, I'm a bit overwhelmed.
Posted by: Robin on June 05 2012,09:22

A couple of Northern Flickers (Colaptes auratus) have some fledglings at a neighbor's house. Here's a couple of shots I managed to get before daddy flicker came by and asked us to leave his kids alone:


Juvenile male


Dad
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on June 05 2012,10:53

Another bird that has to be seen to be believed. Adult male Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.

Posted by: Robin on June 05 2012,11:06

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ June 05 2012,10:53)
Another bird that has to be seen to be believed. Adult male Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Sweet!
Posted by: OgreMkV on June 05 2012,11:08

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ June 05 2012,10:53)
Another bird that has to be seen to be believed. Adult male Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That's an awesome picture!
Posted by: dhogaza on June 05 2012,14:48

Albatrossity, I've seen them once, along the New Mexico-Texas border, but not close enough to photograph.

Your photo's great.
Posted by: dhogaza on June 05 2012,17:07

OK, some more from Ruh-Red Road along the north shore of Malheur Lake ... for a change of pace, how about three mammals?

pronghorn



badger



muskrat



OK, I didn't get the eye of the muskrat, major wildlife photo fail! :)

This was such a great trip that I'm going to do everything possible to get back out here the third week of June (gotta go to Montreal for a computer security conference next week, otherwise I'd still be there, working remotely).
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on June 05 2012,17:19

Quote (dhogaza @ June 05 2012,14:48)
Albatrossity, I've seen them once, along the New Mexico-Texas border, but not close enough to photograph.

Your photo's great.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Dhogaza, you need to get to Kansas sometime in the summer; you'd get to see these more often Here's a photo of two males who chased each other into a mistnet one year at one of our banding stations.


Posted by: dhogaza on June 05 2012,17:30

Oh, sweet, scissor-tailed flycatcher on your kiss list!

That's just too cool ...
Posted by: OgreMkV on June 05 2012,17:51

Well, it's not wildlife, but I took it from my backyard.




Posted by: dhogaza on June 05 2012,17:56

You never know, there might be wildlife on venus!
Posted by: fnxtr on June 05 2012,19:23

Quote (dhogaza @ June 05 2012,15:56)
You never know, there might be wildlife on venus!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


There's a little black spot on the sun today...
Posted by: OgreMkV on June 05 2012,21:17

Quote (fnxtr @ June 05 2012,19:23)
Quote (dhogaza @ June 05 2012,15:56)
You never know, there might be wildlife on venus!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


There's a little black spot on the sun today...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I've been here before inside the pouring rain...
Posted by: rhmc on June 06 2012,10:21

went to Sapelo Island for the weekend, a barrier island on the coast of Georgia that is only accessible by boat.

< http://www.gastateparks.org/SapeloR....eynolds >

saw all the normal suspects:  gators, snakes, deer, feral hogs, racoons, painted buntings, indigo buntings, turkeys, ospreys and other birds of prey (no bald eagles), sea birds of many varieties...

didn't see any of the feral cattle that roam the island but that may have been a good thing since some of the bulls are reported to be a bit aggressive, not a good thing if one should meet while riding a bicycle on a narrow dirt road with swamps on both sides.  saw plenty of sign of them but no sightings.  got thoroughly lost bicycling up a seldom used dirt road that petered out in the live oak forests several miles up the island.  

did hear an odd call bird call sunday morning.  asked the couple that owned the apartment what that noise was.

was told it was a chachalaca.  

i've lived on the coast for over 30 years and in the south east all my life and i'd never heard of anything called a chachalaca.

i asked our hosts if it was something that was hunted at night with a flashlight.  :)

they cackled and said, no, it really was a real bird and had been imported from mexico so the wealthy landowners in the past (including RJ Reynolds) could hunt them.

we did eventually see a pair but they were too fast to get a camera pointed at them for evidence.

toured ruins and mansions.  Guale Indian shell middens dating from 3600BC, one enormous one that was in a circle 250 feet in diameter and 12 or so feet tall.  it doesn't appear to have been a rubbish pile from a village as there were almost no pottery fragments.  wasn't a defensive position as it's in the wrong place to protect the landing points on that part of the island.  no one seems to know why it was built.  some think it was a religious site.

saw french and english tabby ruins from various centuries, went by a circa 1500 spanish mission site but weren't allowed to wander around as it is an ongoing archeological dig.

there were enormous tabby ruins for some of the old plantations.  remnants of slave quarters, gatekeepers cottages, barns and storage buildings dot areas of the island.  

The RJ Reynolds mansion is quite impressive.  
the filthy rich certainly knew how to live back in the day.  :)
(Plum Orchard mansion on Cumberland Island is of similar opulence).

(i keep asking my mother why i wasn't born rich and she just laughs at me.)

spent most of each night roaming the atlantic beaches looking for sea turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs.  never did see one.  
the University of Georgia Marine Institute staff member who keeps official track of nests said it had been a slow week.  
erosion from Beryl had also eaten into the dunes so on a large stretch of the beach there was a 3 or 4 foot tall "cliff" that the turtles couldn't negotiate so they'd crawl up, meet the cliff and crawl off into the ocean.
did find some crawl tracks like that but never did eyeball any of the turtles themselves.

monday night's full moon looked more like a sunrise than a moonrise.  blood red and orange.  quite the sight.

up til 2 am on the beaches most nights and then up again before dawn to roam the beaches some more and then wander the island after sunrise.  way cool trip.

but no damn turtles.  guess we'll have to go back sometime...
Posted by: dhogaza on June 06 2012,11:53



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
i've lived on the coast for over 30 years and in the south east all my life and i'd never heard of anything called a chachalaca.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Yes, it's real, though I had no idea it had been imported to the SE for the hunting pleasure of retarded tobacco executives :)

Chachalaca are named after their call and while primarily found in Mexico, are also native to the Rio Grande Valley in Texas.



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
i asked our hosts if it was something that was hunted at night with a flashlight.  :)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Snipe are actually easy to find and watch or photograph!
Posted by: Badger3k on June 06 2012,12:13

Quote (dhogaza @ June 06 2012,11:53)


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
i've lived on the coast for over 30 years and in the south east all my life and i'd never heard of anything called a chachalaca.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Yes, it's real, though I had no idea it had been imported to the SE for the hunting pleasure of retarded tobacco executives :)

Chachalaca are named after their call and while primarily found in Mexico, are also native to the Rio Grande Valley in Texas.



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
i asked our hosts if it was something that was hunted at night with a flashlight.  :)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Snipe are actually easy to find and watch or photograph!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nonsense.  Snipe are harder to find than chupacabra and Bigfeet (or is it Bigfoots?).  Just look online.  Lots of those, but no snipe.

Although, maybe I'm using the wrong bait.
Posted by: dhogaza on June 06 2012,12:33



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Lots of those, but no snipe.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



< naw, easy ... >
Posted by: Robin on June 06 2012,14:04

Quote (dhogaza @ June 05 2012,17:07)
OK, some more from Ruh-Red Road along the north shore of Malheur Lake ... for a change of pace, how about three mammals?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Beauty photos D!
Posted by: Badger3k on June 06 2012,16:06

Quote (dhogaza @ June 06 2012,12:33)


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Lots of those, but no snipe.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



< naw, easy ... >
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Well, I'll be damned.  Never knew they were an actual creature, so I never even checked.  Doing some quick research shows there are quite a few of those.  Cool.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on June 06 2012,17:19

Quote (Badger3k @ June 06 2012,16:06)
Well, I'll be damned.  Never knew they were an actual creature, so I never even checked.  Doing some quick research shows there are quite a few of those.  Cool.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Snipe

Don't have a good pic of a chachalaca, alas. Need to spend more time in south Texas.
Posted by: dhogaza on June 06 2012,17:53

That's a nice one, too ...
Posted by: Robin on June 19 2012,16:12

A few photos gathered over the last few weeks.




Zabulon Skipper (Poanes zabulon)


White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)


Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)
Posted by: dhogaza on June 19 2012,18:27

Nice!
Posted by: Lou FCD on June 24 2012,14:32

I've missed this thread whilst I've been off gallivanting and whatnotting. ...and by that, I mean I've missed some very very nice photos!
Posted by: George on June 24 2012,15:50

I've been out surveying sand dunes the past few weeks and last week was a winner for some really nice plants.  Maybe not so nice photos, but I had to share.

First, the tiny and quite rare small adder's-tongue fern (Ophioglossum azoricum).  It was impossible to get both the leaf blade and the spore-bearing blade in focus with my compact camera.



The much duller, but even more rare hoary whitlow-grass (Draba incana).



The not-so-rare, but ever beautiful bee orchid (Ophrys apifera).



Lastly, the lady interfering with my work by confusing my camera with lunch.


Posted by: Robin on June 25 2012,07:33

Neat plant shots George. Well...except that last one...not a very attractive plant that one.  :p
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on June 25 2012,11:45

Just got back from a trip to Alaska (Homer, then Denali, then Seward), and have not caught up with processing the photos that I took there. But here is one image - harbor seals on an iceberg in Harris Bay (Kenai peninsula).

Posted by: dhogaza on June 26 2012,17:49



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
then Denali...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



We want griz!  We want griz!

I'm back at Malheur NWR and have had loads of fun photographing young 'uns of various species - black-necked stilt, killdeer, pied-billed grebe, black-tailed jackrabbit, bunny.

I'll upload some stuff in a day or two ...
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on June 27 2012,08:53

Quote (dhogaza @ June 26 2012,17:49)


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
then Denali...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



We want griz!  We want griz!

I'm back at Malheur NWR and have had loads of fun photographing young 'uns of various species - black-necked stilt, killdeer, pied-billed grebe, black-tailed jackrabbit, bunny.

I'll upload some stuff in a day or two ...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


We did see brown bears, but at a distance that was both safe and useless for photography. Folks on another one of the tour buses that was out the same day reported seeing a sow and two cubs within 25 ft of the bus. We were not so lucky.
But the state bird of Alaska, Willow Ptarmigan, did show up and display for us.

looking forward to seeing your images from Malheur. That is a great place, and underappreciated, for sure.
Posted by: Dr.GH on June 27 2012,10:09

"chachalaca" is a pretty good onomatopoeia.
Posted by: dhogaza on June 27 2012,12:15



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
But the state bird of Alaska, Willow Ptarmigan, did show up and display for us.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Nice!  Don't you love it when things come up so close that you almost have to shoo them off?

Like this badger that walked right up to my car about an hour ago.


Posted by: George on June 27 2012,17:14

Quote (Robin @ June 25 2012,07:33)
Neat plant shots George. Well...except that last one...not a very attractive plant that one.  :p
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks!  I'm really a much better botanist than photographer.  Really.  But it's always nice to take some pretty pictures.
Posted by: Robin on June 28 2012,07:52

Nice shot of the Willow Ptarmigan, Alby!
Posted by: Robin on June 28 2012,08:00

A few shots from last weekend:


Viceroy Butterfly (Limenitis archippus)


I believe this is a female Golden-winged Skimmer (Libellula auripennis)


"My what big eyes you have grandma!" Holloween Pennant (Celithemis eponina))


A very noisy baby Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)


Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) juvenile, up close and personal.

ETA: Miss IDed the Holloween Pennant as a Painted Skimmer.

ETA 2: Just noticed that the "Male Monarch" I noted above is actually a Viceroy. Gotta work on my identification skilz.


Posted by: dhogaza on June 28 2012,11:55

Nice, robin!
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on July 02 2012,09:04

Robin, I love that juvie catbird shot. I've banded a lot of catbirds, including a lot of juvies, and you captured their demeanor perfectly!

One of the birds I got a lot of pics of in Alaska was the Orange-crowned Warbler. These were all the brighter yellow lutescens subspecies. And in a few of the images I managed to actually capture the orange crown, which I have only seen once before. It's one of those field marks that works if you have shot a bird and have it in your hand; it's pretty useless for IDing free-living individuals!


Posted by: Robin on July 02 2012,10:38

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ July 02 2012,09:04)
Robin, I love that juvie catbird shot.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks! I'll return the compliment - that's a great shot of the Orange-Crowned Warbler. We theoretically have them in my neck of the woods (northern Virginia), but I've never seen one as far as I know.
Posted by: dhogaza on July 02 2012,14:19

OK, here's one from last week at malheur ... I just finished sorting through about 700 images tossing those that I'd missed tossing while shooting (i.e. focus miss, camera shake, bird flown from view while shutter button being clicked) so am a bit tired of Photoshop, but I'll convert a few more over the next few days to share ...


Posted by: Robin on July 02 2012,15:27

Quote (dhogaza @ July 02 2012,14:19)
OK, here's one from last week at malheur ...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Two thumbs up! I love the water effect.
Posted by: Henry J on July 02 2012,17:25

Any fish in that water had better watch out!
Posted by: dhogaza on July 02 2012,18:45

Another bird from last week that's more often heard than seen ...


Posted by: Robin on July 02 2012,21:09

Cool! So the top one must be a Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola) and the next one is an American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus)I think.
Posted by: dhogaza on July 02 2012,23:27

Robin: you're on it ... good job!

Now, go shoot it :)
Posted by: George on July 05 2012,12:06

Love the dragonflies, Robin.
Posted by: Robin on July 05 2012,12:59

Quote (dhogaza @ July 02 2012,23:27)
Robin: you're on it ... good job!

Now, go shoot it :)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Heh!

I actually had a Virginia Rail walk up to me at the Occoquan National Wildlife Refuge. I was so stunned I just stood there gawking with my camera at my side. It walked off into some reeds and then came back to me a second time and I still didn't have the presence of mind to shoot a pic. Gaah!
Posted by: Robin on July 05 2012,12:59

Quote (George @ July 05 2012,12:06)
Love the dragonflies, Robin.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks very much George! Me too.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on July 06 2012,10:04

I think that this might be the famous Higgs Bison, photographed by my friend Mark Chappell last week on the Konza Prairie.

Posted by: OgreMkV on July 06 2012,10:39

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ July 06 2012,10:04)
I think that this might be the famous Higgs Bison, photographed by my friend Mark Chappell last week on the Konza Prairie.

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


He certainly is massive.
Posted by: Robin on July 06 2012,11:02

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ July 06 2012,10:04)
I think that this might be the famous Higgs Bison, photographed by my friend Mark Chappell last week on the Konza Prairie.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Heh! I like the designation. Cool shot!
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on July 06 2012,13:20

Quote (OgreMkV @ July 06 2012,10:39)
He certainly is massive.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


He definitely is. He's 8 yrs old, and is one of the very few bison in that herd to have never had an ear tag. He was born in 2004, and, unlike all of the other calves that year, did not get lured into the corral for the fall roundup and tagging, de-worming, weighing, etc. And he's stayed out of the roundup ever since.

Gorgeous beast. And massive, yes.
Posted by: dhogaza on July 07 2012,07:47



Bison licking its ...

nostril?

That's how it picks its nose?
Posted by: Henry J on July 07 2012,18:43

That guy needs a shave!
Posted by: Robin on Aug. 13 2012,07:57

A few shots from my weekend:



Immature Great Blue Skimmer (Libellula vibrans). I love the colors.




The beautiful beast - Eastern Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis)


Shelob anyone?  Black and White Garden Spider aka Corn Spider (Argiope aurantia)



Close-up of a Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes). They really do look like little robots at this scale.


Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on Aug. 13 2012,08:15

first dragonfly has the look of an emerald but I can't place it...

that second, green, dragonfly appears to be an Eastern Pondhawk female (Erythemis simplicollis), beautiful beast aint it?
Posted by: Robin on Aug. 13 2012,08:24

Quote (Erasmus, FCD @ Aug. 13 2012,08:15)
first dragonfly has the look of an emerald but I can't place it...

that second, green, dragonfly appears to be an Eastern Pondhawk female (Erythemis simplicollis), beautiful beast aint it?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks Erasmus! Not sure how I missed the Pondhawk, but yes, that's the female! I'll keep working on the other one as I'm sure it's in one of the reference manuals I have.
Posted by: OgreMkV on Aug. 13 2012,09:18

Quote (Robin @ Aug. 13 2012,08:24)
Quote (Erasmus @ FCD,Aug. 13 2012,08:15)
first dragonfly has the look of an emerald but I can't place it...

that second, green, dragonfly appears to be an Eastern Pondhawk female (Erythemis simplicollis), beautiful beast aint it?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks Erasmus! Not sure how I missed the Pondhawk, but yes, that's the female! I'll keep working on the other one as I'm sure it's in one of the reference manuals I have.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Those are some nice shots!

I assume a macro lens?
Posted by: Robin on Aug. 13 2012,09:25

Quote (OgreMkV @ Aug. 13 2012,09:18)
Those are some nice shots!

I assume a macro lens?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks for  the compliment! And actually no - I'm shooting a standard 18-55mm that came with the camera body. I think I'd like to get a 60 mm macro at some point, but I'm still trying to decide what would work best for the type of things I like to shoot.

ETA: Scratch that - the Pondhawk, Argiope, and Black Swallowtail were all shot with my 70-300mm if you can believe it. The spider was waaaay back in some brush and marsh area that I didn't think I should trample through and the swallowtail and Pondhawk were a bit too jittery to get close to (although, the Pondhawk did land on my leg for a bit). The other dragonfly - the one I've not yet IDed, let me pretty much set the lens on him (her?), so that one was shot with the 18-55mm. Almost all the other butterflies and dragonflies I've shot have been done with the 18-55mm.


Posted by: Robin on Aug. 13 2012,09:34

Btw, here's my grand method (photo courtesy of my wife):


Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on Aug. 13 2012,11:12

Quote (Robin @ Aug. 13 2012,09:24)
Quote (Erasmus @ FCD,Aug. 13 2012,08:15)
first dragonfly has the look of an emerald but I can't place it...

that second, green, dragonfly appears to be an Eastern Pondhawk female (Erythemis simplicollis), beautiful beast aint it?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks Erasmus! Not sure how I missed the Pondhawk, but yes, that's the female! I'll keep working on the other one as I'm sure it's in one of the reference manuals I have.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


It's always fun to watch that species, even though it's rather common and widespread.  The females not only look but also behave quite differently.

I believe the first one is a Libellulid but I'm not sure which.  It's a slightly oblique angle but I think I can see the boot in the hindwing cells
Posted by: Robin on Aug. 13 2012,11:23

Quote (Erasmus, FCD @ Aug. 13 2012,11:12)
Quote (Robin @ Aug. 13 2012,09:24)
Quote (Erasmus @ FCD,Aug. 13 2012,08:15)
first dragonfly has the look of an emerald but I can't place it...

that second, green, dragonfly appears to be an Eastern Pondhawk female (Erythemis simplicollis), beautiful beast aint it?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks Erasmus! Not sure how I missed the Pondhawk, but yes, that's the female! I'll keep working on the other one as I'm sure it's in one of the reference manuals I have.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


It's always fun to watch that species, even though it's rather common and widespread.  The females not only look but also behave quite differently.

I believe the first one is a Libellulid but I'm not sure which.  It's a slightly oblique angle but I think I can see the boot in the hindwing cells
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yeah, I really like watching the pondhawks...that are spectacular.

We had a neat outting yesterday in Occoquan. There's a dried up flood pond in the park that had a bunch of dragonflies and butterflies. This one dragonfly - a Great Blue Skimmer I think - kept flying over to us on this dock and just hovering about 2 feet from us for a few seconds and then it would just float off. I tried to get a shot of it just hovering there, but it was just too quick and didn't come back to the same spot each time.

And thanks for the help IDing these guys. It's always nice to get a little info on the things I've been seeing.
Posted by: Robin on Aug. 13 2012,11:27

Here's a pic I took last weekend that gave me a chuckle:



It's a Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis) that hitched a ride on me for about a half hour or so. I'm pretty happy about the shot considering I held the camera blind behind me.
Posted by: Dr.GH on Aug. 13 2012,12:26

No photos. But, my willow tree is loaded with Morning Cloak larva, and was visited by a female Downey Woodpecker, and a male Hooded Oriel. (Plus the usual gang of Bush Tits).
Posted by: Robin on Aug. 14 2012,09:24

Quote (Erasmus, FCD @ Aug. 13 2012,11:12)
I believe the first one is a Libellulid but I'm not sure which.  It's a slightly oblique angle but I think I can see the boot in the hindwing cells
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Well, your assessment was spot on Erasmus. Turns out that's an immature Great Blue Skimmer. Thanks again for the help!
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on Aug. 14 2012,09:32

How'd you narrow that down?  Sure does look like a female of that species but the amber color in the wingtips was confusing, the ones i see are usually darker (black, even).

"immature" you mean teneral? When a dragonfly emerges from the nymphal exuvia, it will never be any more "mature" LOL
Posted by: Robin on Aug. 14 2012,09:53

Quote (Erasmus @ FCD,Aug. 14 2012,09:32)
How'd you narrow that down?  Sure does look like a female of that species but the amber color in the wingtips was confusing, the ones i see are usually darker (black, even).

"immature" you mean teneral? When a dragonfly emerges from the nymphal exuvia, it will never be any more "mature" LOL
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I found a couple of sites on the variations of Odonata and just went through the pics. And yes, the term "immature" is inaccurate (sorry 'bout that) - it should be teneral. The sites I read noted that some colors will be much lighter right after teneral and will become darker over time. Perhaps the amber color on the wingtips will become darker over time, but the other characteristics of the female Great Blue seem to match up with my pic.

ETA: Here's a pic someone else notes as a female Great Blue Skimmer that seems to show much more amber/brown wingtips than black:



Seems like a match to what I shot.


Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on Aug. 14 2012,11:06

all that variation among individuals (and even within an individual, as they age) makes dragonflies such wonderful objects for critter watchin
Posted by: Robin on Aug. 14 2012,12:48

Quote (Erasmus, FCD @ Aug. 14 2012,11:06)
all that variation among individuals (and even within an individual, as they age) makes dragonflies such wonderful objects for critter watchin
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


No kidding!

I have to say that taking up critter watching (to give me something to do while hiking) has really been amazing. I think back to when I did not pay any attention to the critters I encountered and my view of the world was very limited. For example, birds in a given area fell into two categories - the "standard, familiar" ones I knew or "LLB" (or the equivalent), which meant that to me at the time, there were something along the lines of...say...10 species of birds here in Virginia. I'm exaggerating a bit, but not much. Butterflies were just "butterflies"; I might have recognized a handful of species, but I didn't really know them. Ditto for all other "bugs", though I did know a few spiders.

Now, however, after a few years of really studying birds and their relationships to various habitats, I can't help but take note of everything that moves and note variations between similar "kinds". Now I'm, still learning and I sometimes confuse similar species, but it's such a thrill to even note the similarities and try to find out better ways to distinguish them.

It really is a lot of fun learning as a go on this.
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on Aug. 14 2012,13:29

All of you great photography people should contribute to < Bug Guide! >  Truly one of the best things about the internet, praise be al gore.
Posted by: dhogaza on Aug. 16 2012,16:33

Very late in the year for brandt's cormorant to be feeding chicks, yet here they are.  Shot at the Coast Guard pier in Monterey.  This colony's full of courtship and nesting behavior earlier in the spring.  I shot this last week, these were the only chicks left at the colony (lots of juvies, of course, and a few of those still begging for food, mostly unsuccessfully).

Shot with my 300/4, no extender, to give you some idea of how close the colony is to the fence that bars entry to the jetty ...

This also shows the great dynamic range modern digital sensors give you.  On slide film, either the black corm body would be blocked up or the shit white (yes, that's why it's white) would be blown out.  As originally rendered same with the digital capture, but I shot it in RAW format so was able to reduce the dynamic range to the point where there's detail in both the black body and shit white rock.


Posted by: dhogaza on Aug. 16 2012,17:32

A bit soft but very cool ... about a mile into the canyon off moss landing in monterey bay ...


Posted by: Henry J on Aug. 16 2012,18:06

Cetacean, please!

:p
Posted by: dhogaza on Aug. 16 2012,18:27

Your wish is my command ...


Posted by: dhogaza on Aug. 16 2012,18:34

Have another! :)  Great time spending many, many hours on monterey bay over the last two weekends ...


Posted by: Schroedinger's Dog on Aug. 16 2012,19:03

Beautiful pics, just beautiful!
Posted by: dhogaza on Aug. 16 2012,19:11

Thank you!  If any of you are ever in the monterey area and want to get out and watch and photograph whales, I highly recommend these people:

< http://www.gowhales.com/....les.com >

Their morning trips are usually 4 1/2 hours long, and their #1 boat has plenty of deck space and is relatively easy to move around from side-to-side, stern-to-bow, etc even when fully loaded (some of the companies only go out for a couple of hours per trip, and have large boats with a lousy deck space-to-passenger ratio).

And one of the captains is one of the best birders in monterey county and their naturalists and the owner are all  experienced pelagic birders ...
Posted by: Robin on Aug. 17 2012,10:05

Quote (dhogaza @ Aug. 16 2012,17:32)
A bit soft but very cool ... about a mile into the canyon off moss landing in monterey bay ...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Awesome! Love the cormorant too!
Posted by: Robin on Aug. 17 2012,10:06

Quote (dhogaza @ Aug. 16 2012,18:34)
Have another! :)  Great time spending many, many hours on monterey bay over the last two weekends ...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Man! That is beautiful! Thanks!
Posted by: OgreMkV on Aug. 17 2012,10:29

Those are awesome.  I love how so many pictures of a purely marine organism are taken with said organism 100% in the air.
Posted by: dhogaza on Aug. 18 2012,14:50

I can't be stopped!  Risso's dolphin with scarring (all older ones are scarred):



Good thing Von Däniken never saw this one:



(upres'd up the whazzo in photoshop)
Posted by: dhogaza on Aug. 26 2012,09:55

Killer whale diving ... I'm starting to get the hang of photographing marine mammals off of a boat:


Posted by: Henry J on Aug. 26 2012,13:47

That last one was just a fluke!  :O
Posted by: OgreMkV on Aug. 26 2012,14:08

Quote (Henry J @ Aug. 26 2012,13:47)
That last one was just a fluke!  :O
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yep, a whale of a tale.
Posted by: Freddie on Aug. 26 2012,16:34

Great photo's Dhogaza!

You have prompted me to upload a few images from my weekend walkabout in California back in June.  Not being a native I don't know what I'm looking at, but I think #3 is a Chestnut-backed Chickadee. Help with the others would be appreciated. There's a few more once these are figured out :-)


Posted by: dhogaza on Aug. 26 2012,20:42

#1 black-headed grosbeak
#2 & #4 lesser goldfinch
#3 ya got it!
Posted by: Freddie on Aug. 27 2012,04:58

Quote (dhogaza @ Aug. 26 2012,20:42)
#1 black-headed grosbeak
#2 & #4 lesser goldfinch
#3 ya got it!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Excellent - thanks so much, I wasn't sure if 2 & 4 were the same species, as they were taken at different times in different places, so thanks again for that!

ETA: Looking the Goldfinch up, it looks like '2' is a Green-backed Adult Male and '4' is an adult Female.

I work for a company in the San Jose area, but live in the UK so I only get over there once or twice a year.  I've been to Monterey several times while visiting and know the pier you are talking about above - maybe next time if the season is right i'll do the whale boat trip too!
Posted by: Freddie on Aug. 27 2012,06:04

A few more I took in Castle Rock State Park, Santa Clara.  The big birds are Turkey Vultures, I believe.  The top of the park is at about 2,400 feet so I was able to get photo's of them climbing and soaring.  The first butterfly is from the same park, the second is from a different park about 20 miles to the South which is mostly grassland at about 2,000 feet up, it is parked on top of a grain of grass.

I tried to save them at a relatively small filesize - hope it doesn't slow the page loading time down too much!






Posted by: Robin on Aug. 27 2012,09:10

Quote (Freddie @ Aug. 27 2012,06:04)
A few more I took in Castle Rock State Park, Santa Clara.  The big birds are Turkey Vultures, I believe.  The top of the park is at about 2,400 feet so I was able to get photo's of them climbing and soaring.  The first butterfly is from the same park, the second is from a different park about 20 miles to the South which is mostly grassland at about 2,000 feet up, it is parked on top of a grain of grass.

I tried to save them at a relatively small filesize - hope it doesn't slow the page loading time down too much!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Lovely shots Freddie!

The first butterfly is a Checkerspot and looks like the Bay Checkerspot ( Euphydryas editha bayensisto) me. It's a checkerspot found around San Francisco Bay area, which could easily come down to Santa Clara.

The second butterfly is definitely from the Hesperiidae family, which includes all the skippers. However, I can't ID this particular individual. Looks similar to a Fiery to me, but I'm not positive on that.
Posted by: dhogaza on Aug. 27 2012,19:03

Freddie, yes, turkey vultures and very nice indeed ...

"ETA: Looking the Goldfinch up, it looks like '2' is a Green-backed Adult Male and '4' is an adult Female."

Good - you saved me the trouble of snarkily posting "each species comes in two sexes" in response to your saying you weren't sure they were the same species.

"I work for a company in the San Jose area, but live in the UK so I only get over there once or twice a year.  I've been to Monterey several times while visiting and know the pier you are talking about above - maybe next time if the season is right i'll do the whale boat trip too!"

Morning is best as it tends to be calmer and the company I go out with stays out 4-5 hours.  Their afternoon trips are an hour shorter (and correspondingly cheaper), and if gets warm and the land breeze picks up too much are canceled fairly often.   Some of the competitors only go out for a couple of hours, which is probably good for those who get seasick but given the distance one needs to typically go to get out to and then find whales, not so good for the rest of us.
Posted by: khan on Aug. 27 2012,20:09

< cat >
Posted by: khan on Aug. 27 2012,20:11

Didn't work right, might try again in morning.
Posted by: The whole truth on Aug. 27 2012,21:25

Freddie, do you have a ventral view of the checkerspot, and a more direct ventral view of the second butterfly (a lycaenid)?


Posted by: Henry J on Aug. 27 2012,22:19

< Moth that looks like a poodle has Internet abuzz (Bizarre photos) >
By: David Strege



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
The first word that comes to mind when casting your eyes upon this photo of a bedazzling insect labeled the Venezuelan Poodle Moth is Photoshop. Really? A moth that looks like a poodle? Eyelashes that Lady Gaga would envy? Seriously?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Henry
Posted by: Freddie on Aug. 28 2012,01:39

Thanks for the identification Robin!
Quote (The whole truth @ Aug. 27 2012,21:25)
Freddie, do you have a ventral view of the checkerspot, and a more direct ventral view of the second butterfly (a lycaenid)?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Gah ... now you're going to make me post the ones that didn't quite make it out of RAW stage.  I don't have ventral pictures of either of those specific butterfly's.  I did take some more of what I think are the same species as the checkerspot in the same area on the same day (below) but the only other one I have of the lycaenid is basically the same shot from only a slightly different angle.


Posted by: The whole truth on Aug. 28 2012,03:13

Freddie, if you're concerned that some of your other pictures aren't very good, don't worry, I won't denigrate them. Even a blurry, badly lit (or worse) picture can often be helpful when it comes to identifying a critter or plant. And I know how hard it can be to get good pictures of some things, especially when they don't sit still.

Regarding the checkerspots, I'd say that the second picture is a chalcedon checkerspot (Euphydryas chalcedona) which is also also called 'variable' checkerspot, etc., etc., and some people consider the chalcedon to be the same as the colon checkerspot and maybe even the same as the anicia checkerspot. Yeah, it's a bunch of lumping or splitting and just plain confusion. The same thing goes for some lycaenids and many other butterflies. Taxonomists like to throw a lot of names at things before they know what they actually are.

Edith's checkerspots are easy to identify if you have a ventral view. They have a thin dark line running through one of the orange/red bands on the hind wings. The chaos with Edith's starts when it comes to "sub" species, "forms", etc.

The butterflies know what they are. :)

The white spots on the abdomen of the second checkerspot above are also an indicator that it's a chalcedon although the white spots aren't always there. I think that the first one is also a chalcedon ('variable', etc.) but I wish I had a ventral view to be sure.
Posted by: Robin on Aug. 28 2012,09:06

Quote (Freddie @ Aug. 28 2012,01:39)
I did take some more of what I think are the same species as the checkerspot in the same area on the same day (below) but the only other one I have of the lycaenid is basically the same shot from only a slightly different angle.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Well, with this angle, I'm inclined to agree with TWT - this this looks like more like a Chalcedon Checkerspot to me as well. Hard to say in that first shot though as it really looks like there's more orange on the wings, but the male and female Chalcedon have some variation in the spots, and the head and antennae in that second shot does not match the Bay. Nice shots either way.
Posted by: midwifetoad on Aug. 28 2012,09:15

Quote (Henry J @ Aug. 27 2012,22:19)
< Moth that looks like a poodle has Internet abuzz (Bizarre photos) >
By: David Strege



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
The first word that comes to mind when casting your eyes upon this photo of a bedazzling insect labeled the Venezuelan Poodle Moth is Photoshop. Really? A moth that looks like a poodle? Eyelashes that Lady Gaga would envy? Seriously?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Henry
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Looks like proto-feathers.
Posted by: Freddie on Aug. 28 2012,15:03

Quote (The whole truth @ Aug. 28 2012,03:13)
Freddie, if you're concerned that some of your other pictures aren't very good, don't worry, I won't denigrate them. Even a blurry, badly lit (or worse) picture can often be helpful when it comes to identifying a critter or plant. And I know how hard it can be to get good pictures of some things, especially when they don't sit still.

Regarding the checkerspots, I'd say that the second picture is a chalcedon checkerspot (Euphydryas chalcedona) which is also also called 'variable' checkerspot, etc., etc., and some people consider the chalcedon to be the same as the colon checkerspot and maybe even the same as the anicia checkerspot. Yeah, it's a bunch of lumping or splitting and just plain confusion. The same thing goes for some lycaenids and many other butterflies. Taxonomists like to throw a lot of names at things before they know what they actually are.

Edith's checkerspots are easy to identify if you have a ventral view. They have a thin dark line running through one of the orange/red bands on the hind wings. The chaos with Edith's starts when it comes to "sub" species, "forms", etc.

The butterflies know what they are. :)

The white spots on the abdomen of the second checkerspot above are also an indicator that it's a chalcedon although the white spots aren't always there. I think that the first one is also a chalcedon ('variable', etc.) but I wish I had a ventral view to be sure.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Not at all - I just had to dig into my archive to find the RAWs and pull them out (i'm a bit anal about keeping everything, too many times I have deleted something only to find I needed it the next day!)

Thanks very much for your help. In the UK there are some different species of birds that are really quite difficult to tell apart, I hadn't really considered that butterfly's would be in the same camp even more so!
Posted by: The whole truth on Aug. 28 2012,15:56

Quote (Freddie @ Aug. 28 2012,13:03)
Quote (The whole truth @ Aug. 28 2012,03:13)
Freddie, if you're concerned that some of your other pictures aren't very good, don't worry, I won't denigrate them. Even a blurry, badly lit (or worse) picture can often be helpful when it comes to identifying a critter or plant. And I know how hard it can be to get good pictures of some things, especially when they don't sit still.

Regarding the checkerspots, I'd say that the second picture is a chalcedon checkerspot (Euphydryas chalcedona) which is also also called 'variable' checkerspot, etc., etc., and some people consider the chalcedon to be the same as the colon checkerspot and maybe even the same as the anicia checkerspot. Yeah, it's a bunch of lumping or splitting and just plain confusion. The same thing goes for some lycaenids and many other butterflies. Taxonomists like to throw a lot of names at things before they know what they actually are.

Edith's checkerspots are easy to identify if you have a ventral view. They have a thin dark line running through one of the orange/red bands on the hind wings. The chaos with Edith's starts when it comes to "sub" species, "forms", etc.

The butterflies know what they are. :)

The white spots on the abdomen of the second checkerspot above are also an indicator that it's a chalcedon although the white spots aren't always there. I think that the first one is also a chalcedon ('variable', etc.) but I wish I had a ventral view to be sure.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Not at all - I just had to dig into my archive to find the RAWs and pull them out (i'm a bit anal about keeping everything, too many times I have deleted something only to find I needed it the next day!)

Thanks very much for your help. In the UK there are some different species of birds that are really quite difficult to tell apart, I hadn't really considered that butterfly's would be in the same camp even more so!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


You're welcome.

Yeah, some birds are really difficult to identify too, along with a lot of other things, especially when splitters or re-namers get going. Some butterflies are distinctive, like red admirals or mourning cloaks, but sometimes even the distinctive ones are nitpicked as to sub species, forms, or whatever.
Posted by: Freddie on Sep. 08 2012,07:15

Female Mallard, a common bird but I just liked the photo :-)


Posted by: Freddie on Sep. 15 2012,13:28

A few pictures from the past week.  Made an effort to get up to catch the sunrise today and ended out in the wetlands for about 3 hours, soaked below the waist from the dew on the long grass & rushes. Got a few good shots (as far as I am concerned!) so it was worth it - might post some more tomorrow.

Comma (Polygonia c-album)



Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) taking in some windfall.



Four-spot orb-weaver (Araneus quadratus) - Female



Four-spot orb-weaver (Araneus quadratus) - Female



[ETA: Both spiders taken hand-held, manual focus. The first is at 235mm from about 2 metres, the second is 300mm from about 3 metres - almost impossible to use auto-focus]
Posted by: Henry J on Sep. 15 2012,21:13

Shelob!

Or from a different story series:
"Why does it have to be spiders? Why can't it be follow the butterflies?"

Henry
Posted by: Freddie on Sep. 16 2012,02:59

Quote (Henry J @ Sep. 15 2012,21:13)
Shelob!

Or from a different story series:
"Why does it have to be spiders? Why can't it be follow the butterflies?"

Henry
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Unfortunately for Ron, there were rather more spiders than butterflies around yesterday :-)


Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on Sep. 16 2012,11:22

< http://scienceblog.com/56594....spiders >

i caught about 100 green sunnies and bluegills yesterday, mostly on a popping bug.  also hen-of-the-woods, autumn olive berries.  anybody found any muscadines
Posted by: Freddie on Sep. 16 2012,12:41

Quote (Erasmus @ FCD,Sep. 16 2012,11:22)
< http://scienceblog.com/56594......spiders >

i caught about 100 green sunnies and bluegills yesterday, mostly on a popping bug.  also hen-of-the-woods, autumn olive berries.  anybody found any muscadines
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


You and the Mrs. ?


Posted by: Robin on Sep. 16 2012,13:04

Quote (Freddie @ Sep. 15 2012,13:28)
A few pictures from the past week.  Made an effort to get up to catch the sunrise today and ended out in the wetlands for about 3 hours, soaked below the waist from the dew on the long grass & rushes. Got a few good shots (as far as I am concerned!) so it was worth it - might post some more tomorrow.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Awesome pics Freddie! Thanks!
Posted by: Henry J on Sep. 16 2012,15:42

Quote (Freddie @ Sep. 16 2012,01:59)
Quote (Henry J @ Sep. 15 2012,21:13)
Shelob!

Or from a different story series:
"Why does it have to be spiders? Why can't it be follow the butterflies?"

Henry
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Unfortunately for Ron, there were rather more spiders than butterflies around yesterday :-)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Oh what tangled webs they do weave...
Posted by: Erasmus, FCD on Sep. 16 2012,20:41

Quote (Freddie @ Sep. 16 2012,13:41)
Quote (Erasmus @ FCD,Sep. 16 2012,11:22)
< http://scienceblog.com/56594......spiders >

i caught about 100 green sunnies and bluegills yesterday, mostly on a popping bug.  also hen-of-the-woods, autumn olive berries.  anybody found any muscadines
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


You and the Mrs. ?


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


hell yeah man that fish is HUUUUUGE

really there is nothing better than wearing out half a gross of fish lips on a crisp clear blue late summer day.
Posted by: Henry J on Sep. 16 2012,22:31

We're gonna need a bigger boat?
Posted by: Dr.GH on Sep. 17 2012,00:35



~20 lb female dorado
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Sep. 17 2012,08:31

Quote (Freddie @ Aug. 28 2012,15:03)
Not at all - I just had to dig into my archive to find the RAWs and pull them out (i'm a bit anal about keeping everything, too many times I have deleted something only to find I needed it the next day!)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Who has *time* to delete?
Posted by: OgreMkV on Sep. 30 2012,10:34

I opened my door this morning and saw this...



A few minutes after this shot, he took off and tried to take his squirrel to the roof of the neighbor's house.  The bird made it, the squirrel didn't.
Posted by: dhogaza on Sep. 30 2012,22:34

Well, went off for a farewell afternoon at a local wildlife area that will close until April 16th ...





Pelicans, too, unusual here and probably moved over from the eastern Great Basin due to drought:


Posted by: Lou FCD on Oct. 01 2012,14:26

Quote (dhogaza @ Sep. 30 2012,23:34)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Schweet.
Posted by: Robin on Oct. 12 2012,08:14

Anyone any good at IDing Duskywing butterflies? This one has me stumped:



I think it might be a Juvenal's (Erynnis Juvenalis), but it's tough for me to tell.

Also, here's a nice shot of a Grey Hairstreak for those of you who like such things:


Grey Hairstreak (Strymon melinus)

And not sure what kind of fungus it is, but I thought it really cool:


Posted by: Lou FCD on Oct. 25 2012,12:25

Not to flog my own log (well, actually totally to flog my own log, but whatever), but if anyone is interested, this is my definitive < Best of the Birds > album. They're not all great (but hey, most are!), but they are each the best I've taken so far of each species, and I replace shots with better shots as I get them. The album is publicly visible, and you don't need a G+ account to see them. I don't really use G+ anymore, but I do like the album format.

I've added a bunch of new species and better shots of a bunch more species already on my life-list lately.

ETA Ferinstinses, this Wood Stork



and several shots of this here Bald Eagle



Several shots of Northern Harriers



A shitty shot of a Peregrine Falcon on a shitty day



A cute little Eastern Phoebe



An American Redstart



And some others.


Posted by: Robin on Oct. 26 2012,11:02

Lovely stuff as usual Lou! Really like that Phoebe (though I think it's actually an Alder Flycatcher given the wing bars and buff on the breast). Thanks!

PS: I have to confess a certain jealousy regarding both the Bald Eagle and the Harrier; I have absolutely no luck getting shots of things flying. Nice work!


Posted by: Lou FCD on Oct. 27 2012,06:54

Quote (Robin @ Oct. 26 2012,12:02)
Lovely stuff as usual Lou! Really like that Phoebe (though I think it's actually an Alder Flycatcher given the wing bars and buff on the breast). Thanks!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Thanks, Robin!

I think what you're seeing is some highlighting on the edges due to the sunlight angle that looks more like wing bars than they actually are. I won't swear to it, though. The Eastern Phoebe is new to me, and the Alder Flycatcher would be a first, so my unfamiliarity with them both complicates things.

Quote (Robin @ Oct. 26 2012,12:02)
PS: I have to confess a certain jealousy regarding both the Bald Eagle and the Harrier; I have absolutely no luck getting shots of things flying. Nice work!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



It's tough, and the shots I have are the best shots of several hundred. All the Bald Eagle and most of the Northern Harrier shots were taken on a pair of crappy, rainy days with solid overcast. (Most of my new raptor shots are that way, actually.) My only real option was to crank up the ISO to obscene levels in order to keep the shutter speed up enough to get more than a brown blur. That introduced a crap-load of noise of course, which is annoying, but whattaya gonna do, y'know?
Posted by: Robin on Oct. 29 2012,10:38

Quote (Lou FCD @ Oct. 27 2012,06:54)
Thanks, Robin!

I think what you're seeing is some highlighting on the edges due to the sunlight angle that looks more like wing bars than they actually are. I won't swear to it, though. The Eastern Phoebe is new to me, and the Alder Flycatcher would be a first, so my unfamiliarity with them both complicates things.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Could be. I'm not the best when it comes to flycatchers and similar. Where's Alby when you need him?

ETA: After further review, I think you're right Lou. I think the sun sheen on the wing is throwing me.


Posted by: Lou FCD on Oct. 29 2012,20:26

Quote (Robin @ Oct. 29 2012,11:38)
Where's Alby when you need him?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


You just have to whistle for him. You know how to whistle, < don't you Robin? >
Posted by: Robin on Nov. 08 2012,08:16

Quote (Lou FCD @ Oct. 29 2012,20:26)
Quote (Robin @ Oct. 29 2012,11:38)
Where's Alby when you need him?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


You just have to whistle for him. You know how to whistle, < don't you Robin? >
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Just one of the best scenes!
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Dec. 05 2012,22:42

This fellow was in the driveway this evening as I went to collect mail.



He was very cooperative. I had to encourage him to move off into the grass where he would be less likely to attract Ritka's attention, or that of a passing red-shouldered hawk.
Posted by: qetzal on Dec. 07 2012,21:19

Is that a legless lizard? Can't quite see the head clearly enough.
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Dec. 08 2012,19:35

It didn't look like any snake I know of in the area, so, yeah, I think legless lizard is a good call.

But I'm not a herpetologist.
Posted by: Henry J on Dec. 08 2012,20:51

Where's Steve Irwin when you need him!

Or failing that, wasn't that Lenny's field?
Posted by: The whole truth on Dec. 09 2012,01:32

Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ Dec. 08 2012,17:35)
It didn't look like any snake I know of in the area, so, yeah, I think legless lizard is a good call.

But I'm not a herpetologist.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


What area (state, etc.) is that Wesley?


ETA: It appears to be of the genus Ophisaurus. Glass lizards are variable in coloring and markings. Take a look at Ophisaurus ventralis on this page:

< http://www.mister-toad.com/photos....os.html >


Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Dec. 09 2012,08:11

Quote (The whole truth @ Dec. 09 2012,01:32)
 
Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ Dec. 08 2012,17:35)
It didn't look like any snake I know of in the area, so, yeah, I think legless lizard is a good call.

But I'm not a herpetologist.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


What area (state, etc.) is that Wesley?


ETA: It appears to be of the genus Ophisaurus. Glass lizards are variable in coloring and markings. Take a look at Ophisaurus ventralis on this page:

< http://www.mister-toad.com/photos.....os.html >
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Palmetto, in the Gulf coast of Florida.

Eastern Glass Lizard looks like a good match.

Here's more detail on the head.


Posted by: The whole truth on Dec. 10 2012,06:49

Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ Dec. 09 2012,06:11)
Quote (The whole truth @ Dec. 09 2012,01:32)
 
Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ Dec. 08 2012,17:35)
It didn't look like any snake I know of in the area, so, yeah, I think legless lizard is a good call.

But I'm not a herpetologist.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


What area (state, etc.) is that Wesley?


ETA: It appears to be of the genus Ophisaurus. Glass lizards are variable in coloring and markings. Take a look at Ophisaurus ventralis on this page:

< http://www.mister-toad.com/photos.....os.html >
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Palmetto, in the Gulf coast of Florida.

Eastern Glass Lizard looks like a good match.

Here's more detail on the head.


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


It looks like a good match to me too. It's a gorgeous critter no matter what it's called. :)
Posted by: Henry J on Dec. 10 2012,10:20

But will it come when it's called? :p
Posted by: qetzal on Dec. 12 2012,23:46

Yeah, I couldn't be sure I was seeing external ear openings in the original, but they look pretty clear in the head shot. So definitely a legless lizard, not a snake.
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Dec. 13 2012,08:10

It's the same pic, just a different crop and resize operation.

Nikon D600, Nikkor AI 24mm f/2.8 @ f/8, 1/100s, ISO 3200.
Posted by: qetzal on Dec. 13 2012,08:29

Viewed from my iphone, at least, the head shot is much clearer. No doubt a function of how it's being displayed, not the photo itself.
Posted by: OgreMkV on Dec. 13 2012,09:54

I find this fascinating, but I have a question (I do mammals and fossils, not living lizards).

One of the descriptions I read for legless lizards vs. snakes was that legless lizards have long tails and short bodies, while snakes have long bodies and short tails.

How in the heck do you tell where the body ends and the tail begins on critters that are just tubes?
Posted by: Henry J on Dec. 13 2012,12:47

Take an x-ray of its skeleton?

Or run the thing through your hands feeling for bones?
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Dec. 13 2012,12:48

Quote (OgreMkV @ Dec. 13 2012,09:54)
I find this fascinating, but I have a question (I do mammals and fossils, not living lizards).

One of the descriptions I read for legless lizards vs. snakes was that legless lizards have long tails and short bodies, while snakes have long bodies and short tails.

How in the heck do you tell where the body ends and the tail begins on critters that are just tubes?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Position of the anus.

On many snakes I've seen, there's a noticeable narrowing of the body post-anus. I didn't really pay that close attention to this on my Eastern glass lizard. It isn't apparent from any of the photos I have, either.
Posted by: OgreMkV on Dec. 13 2012,12:51

Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ Dec. 13 2012,12:48)
Quote (OgreMkV @ Dec. 13 2012,09:54)
I find this fascinating, but I have a question (I do mammals and fossils, not living lizards).

One of the descriptions I read for legless lizards vs. snakes was that legless lizards have long tails and short bodies, while snakes have long bodies and short tails.

How in the heck do you tell where the body ends and the tail begins on critters that are just tubes?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Position of the anus.

On many snakes I've seen, there's a noticeable narrowing of the body post-anus. I didn't really pay that close attention to this on my Eastern glass lizard. It isn't apparent from any of the photos I have, either.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That's very useful information.  However...

I am NOT going to go around lifting up the skirts of these things to try and figure out if it's a legless lizard or a snake.  ;)

Remind me at some point to tell you the story of the spotted snakes.
Posted by: qetzal on Dec. 13 2012,14:37

Quote (OgreMkV @ Dec. 13 2012,12:51)
That's very useful information.  However...

I am NOT going to go around lifting up the skirts of these things to try and figure out if it's a legless lizard or a snake.  ;)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yes, much easier to look for external ear openings. Snakes don't have 'em. Also, lizards can move their eyes in their sockets. Snakes can't.

 

---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Remind me at some point to tell you the story of the spotted snakes.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Let's see - what's the proper straight line here. How about, "Were they spotted all over?" :)
Posted by: OgreMkV on Dec. 13 2012,14:47

During the various wars of the British Empire, a general was assigned to a new unit in India.  When he arrived at his new command, he was horrified.  The camp was in horrible condition and then men were even worse.  Even the best of them looked bedraggled and almost fearful all the time.

Finally, he called his adjutant. “What’s going on then?  This camp is in a horrible state.”

“Sir,” replied the adjutant.  “It’s the spotted snakes sir.”

“Spotted snakes?  What spotted snakes?”

“Sir.  The spotted snakes are all over the area.  They are small and vicious and not scared of man nor beast, sir.  One bite can put the strongest man in the hospital for weeks.”

“I will not have my camp controlled by spotted snakes.  Adjutant, gather the men.”

Once the entire command was gathered together, the general stood in front of them.  “I will show you how to deal with spotted snakes,” and he held up one that he had found.  The men gasped.

“Men.  You grab the snake just behind the head, so it can’t bite you.  Then you run your other hand just above the hand holding the snake.  You put your thumb just behind the head of the snake, grip tightly with your fingers, apply pressure with your thumb and… pop his head right off.”

The general demonstrated, making a satisfying popping sound as the snake’s head flew off.

Soon, the only sound you could hear all through the camp was the popping sound of spotted snakes heads flying off.  The men cheered up, the camp improved and the general was pleased.

Pop… pop… pop… all day and night.

Soon, the pops decreased as the men killed most of the spotted snakes in the camp and the surrounding countryside.  Finally, it was quite throughout the camp and everyone was in high spirits.

One morning the general was reviewing reports when the adjutant brought in two mauled soldiers.

He jumped up, “What happened to you men?”

“Spotted snakes sir.”

“Spotted snakes?  I thought I told you how to deal with spotted snakes.”

“Yes sir, you did.”

“Then how did spotted snakes do this to you?”

“Well sir.  We was out on maneuvers and me and my mate saw a spotted snake leaving the tent.  Well, sir, we did just what you said.  I grabbed the snake, just behind the head and I ran my thumb up behind the snakes head… and I realized I had my thumb up a tiger’s arse.”
Posted by: Robin on Dec. 24 2012,07:31

A couple of things to add from a few outings.

First, my fav:

Barred Owl (Strix varia)
Not the best pic, but then these guys are not easy to sneak up on.

And a fox who came by our feeders for a snack:



Posted by: Robin on Jan. 22 2013,07:37

Practiced some "moving target" photography last weekend. Finally starting to get a few shots of moving critters I like. This one in particular came out nice I think:


Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)

Not as good as the subject was really too far away, but I still think it's an ok shot:

Juvenile Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
Posted by: OgreMkV on Jan. 22 2013,08:14

Those are awesome!!  I love the vulture and the fox shots (but I'm a mammal guy at heart).
Posted by: Robin on Jan. 22 2013,09:54

Quote (OgreMkV @ Jan. 22 2013,08:14)
Those are awesome!!  I love the vulture and the fox shots (but I'm a mammal guy at heart).
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks Ogre!
Posted by: The whole truth on Jan. 24 2013,00:33

Way cool:

< http://news.yahoo.com/blogs....84.html >
Posted by: Robin on Jan. 30 2013,10:37

Quote (The whole truth @ Jan. 24 2013,00:33)
Way cool:

< http://news.yahoo.com/blogs......84.html >
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That is way cool! Thanks for sharing that TWT!
Posted by: The whole truth on Jan. 30 2013,23:10

Quote (Robin @ Jan. 30 2013,08:37)
Quote (The whole truth @ Jan. 24 2013,00:33)
Way cool:

< http://news.yahoo.com/blogs......84.html >
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That is way cool! Thanks for sharing that TWT!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


You're welcome Robin, and I want to add that I really enjoy the pictures you post and the pictures that other people post.
Posted by: k.e.. on Feb. 16 2013,08:40

Here is something that flew into my exploration camp one evening May 2008 across the Muso River from Kakoda New Guinea

The worlds biggest butterfly.
A female Queen Alexandra's birdwing Butterfly.







I've got some photos of a bit of wildlife in Africa if anyone is interested....
Posted by: The whole truth on Feb. 16 2013,12:38

k.e., that's a moth, and a big one at that, apparently of the genus Attacus.

I'd be interested in seeing your pictures from Africa.
Posted by: k.e.. on Feb. 16 2013,21:31

Quote (The whole truth @ Feb. 16 2013,20:38)
k.e., that's a moth, and a big one at that, apparently of the genus Attacus.

I'd be interested in seeing your pictures from Africa.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Actually TWT in this case what looks like a moth is actually a female Ornitoptera Alexandrae.

Here's a female and male photo from the web.



Here's a photo from Africa as the result of a bit of wild night life, caused by the 2 legged variety.

The photo is of the bridge of large rig tender that towed our construction barge into the African Atlantic Gulf of Guinea from Doualla Cameroon. We were towed about 40km off the coast from the Bakassi Peninsular on the border between Nigeria and Cameroon. Overnight the local rebels who are pretty antsi peppered the tug with some serious lead.


Needless to say we didn't stay long.


Posted by: The whole truth on Feb. 17 2013,05:24

k.e., I'm going to have to respectfully disagree. That is definitely a moth. The comb-like antennae, among other things, are a dead giveaway. I was wrong about yours being in the genus Attacus. Yours is likely a female Hercules Moth (Coscinocera hercules). Coscinocera and Attacus are obviously closely related though. Take a look at this page for pictures of a male and female birdwing:

< http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki....irdwing >

And this page for Coscinocera hercules:

< http://www.silkmoths.bizland.com/sample5....le5.htm >

And for an example of Attacus, look at this page for Attacus atlas:

< http://ifysk.blogspot.com/2012....as.html >


Wow, those rebels weren't very friendly. What year did that happen?  Was anyone injured on the boat? More pictures from Africa please.
Posted by: Alan Fox on Feb. 17 2013,07:25

I'm sure TWT is right on with his identification, k. e. Apart from the feathery antennae, which confirm it is a male Attacus or closely related species, the triangular eye-spots and "snake head" shape to the fore wings clinch it.

The Wikipedia illustrations for Attacus and Ornithoptera alexandrae make it quite clear. Your web photo must be someone else's misidentification.
Posted by: k.e.. on Feb. 17 2013,09:18

Thanks for the updates on my MOTH! TWT and "Renard".
The confusion came from the wrongly attributed Wiki photo and the location near Popandetta which is the habitat for the Queen Alexandra's birdwing butterfly.
My insects wing shape much more closely resembles the Hercules moth.


The tug photo was taken in 2009.  Only a few months after Nigeria handed back the Bakassi Peninsular to Cameroon after a long legal battle and a period of conflagration. The locals make a good living from 'entertaining' involuntarily incarcerated foreign oil workers for a variable time ended by the transfer of large amounts of cash to their couriers from said workers companies.
Posted by: The whole truth on Feb. 17 2013,15:26

Quote (Alan Fox @ Feb. 17 2013,05:25)
I'm sure TWT is right on with his identification, k. e. Apart from the feathery antennae, which confirm it is a male Attacus or closely related species, the triangular eye-spots and "snake head" shape to the fore wings clinch it.

The Wikipedia illustrations for Attacus and Ornithoptera alexandrae make it quite clear. Your web photo must be someone else's misidentification.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Hi Alan, thanks for your comment, but I'm going to have to respectfully disagree with your male gender assignment to k.e.'s moth. Both sexes of Coscinocera hercules have comb-like (feathery) antennae but the male antennae are larger than the female. The male has bigger 'sniffers' (my own term), so that he can find her by her pheromones. Also, in the pictures at the page linked directly below, the tails of the female and male Coscinocera hercules are quite different, and the female matches k.e.'s moth.

< http://www.silkmoths.bizland.com/sample5....le5.htm >



More pictures of a female Coscinocera hercules:

< http://minibeastwildlife.blogspot.com/2012.......es.html >

< http://www.lochmantransparencies.com/p10688.....es-moth >

And a male:

< http://www.lochmantransparencies.com/product....D=10685 >


Both sexes of Attacus atlas have comb-like (feathery) antennae too, as can be seen here:

< http://butterflycircle.blogspot.com/2012.......-1.html >



If anyone wants to read some interesting articles about moths, click on these links:

< http://blog.case.edu/case-ne....ne....t >

< http://www.sciencedaily.com/release....117.htm >

ETA: another link to an article:

< http://www.sciencedaily.com/release....820.htm >


Posted by: The whole truth on Feb. 17 2013,15:33

Quote (k.e.. @ Feb. 17 2013,07:18)
Thanks for the updates on my MOTH! TWT and "Renard".
The confusion came from the wrongly attributed Wiki photo and the location near Popandetta which is the habitat for the Queen Alexandra's birdwing butterfly.
My insects wing shape much more closely resembles the Hercules moth.


The tug photo was taken in 2009.  Only a few months after Nigeria handed back the Bakassi Peninsular to Cameroon after a long legal battle and a period of conflagration. The locals make a good living from 'entertaining' involuntarily incarcerated foreign oil workers for a variable time ended by the transfer of large amounts of cash to their couriers from said workers companies.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


k.e., it sounds like you've had some very interesting adventures. Do you have a blog where you tell about them?
Posted by: Alan Fox on Feb. 17 2013,15:42



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Both sexes of Coscinocera hercules have comb-like (feathery) antennae but the male antennae are larger than the female.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



I'm going to blame the camera angle for foreshortening and making those antennae larger than actual size.
Posted by: k.e.. on Feb. 18 2013,07:14

Quote (The whole truth @ Feb. 17 2013,23:33)
Quote (k.e.. @ Feb. 17 2013,07:18)
Thanks for the updates on my MOTH! TWT and "Renard".
The confusion came from the wrongly attributed Wiki photo and the location near Popandetta which is the habitat for the Queen Alexandra's birdwing butterfly.
My insects wing shape much more closely resembles the Hercules moth.


The tug photo was taken in 2009.  Only a few months after Nigeria handed back the Bakassi Peninsular to Cameroon after a long legal battle and a period of conflagration. The locals make a good living from 'entertaining' involuntarily incarcerated foreign oil workers for a variable time ended by the transfer of large amounts of cash to their couriers from said workers companies.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


k.e., it sounds like you've had some very interesting adventures. Do you have a blog where you tell about them?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


TWT I might write up some of the adventures when I retire, my very rewarding career still involves travel to various projects around the world.

And thanks for the introduction to the Hercules moth, in the flesh they are truly awesome, Herulean even :)
Posted by: Freddie on Feb. 18 2013,17:29

Glad this forum is starting to come out of winter hibernation!  It was an almost spring-like morning in Southern England (if a little chilly). Managed to get out and about and take a few photo's.  Plenty of Robin's and Blue Tits / Great Tits around.  I'm also seeing way more pair's of Chaffinch's this year than last, the wet weather must suit them.

Juvenile Robin



Blue Tit about to take flight (it did so about 1/10s after I took this)



Goldfinch (common but striking) next time one of the buggers will point in the right direction for the camera.


Posted by: Henry J on Feb. 18 2013,21:19

That last one could almost be a flag!
Posted by: The whole truth on Feb. 19 2013,07:33

[quote=k.e..,Feb. 18 2013,05:14][/quote]
 

---------------------QUOTE-------------------
TWT I might write up some of the adventures when I retire, my very rewarding career still involves travel to various projects around the world.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



k.e., I must admit that I'm curious about your career and travels, but I realize that you may want to preserve your privacy.

 

---------------------QUOTE-------------------
And thanks for the introduction to the Hercules moth, in the flesh they are truly awesome, Herulean even :)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



You're welcome. I'm glad I could help, and I envy your up close and personal experiences with such a Herculean moth. The biggest moth where I live is the Polyphemus Moth (5 1/2" to 6" wingspan).
Posted by: The whole truth on Feb. 19 2013,07:59

Nice pictures, Freddie. It's hard to decide which bird is the prettiest/cutest, although the Goldfinch is tough to beat.

There are 'Goldfinches' and 'Robins' here too (Washington State - USA) but they don't look like yours. There are also 'Tits' here but they are drab brown (but still cute) and they're called Bushtits. Wrentits show up around here sometimes but they're usually farther south.

Cue the jokes about Bushtits.  :p
Posted by: Robin on Feb. 19 2013,10:30

Quote (k.e.. @ Feb. 16 2013,08:40)
Here is something that flew into my exploration camp one evening May 2008 across the Muso River from Kakoda New Guinea

The worlds biggest butterfly.
A female Queen Alexandra's birdwing Butterfly.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Cool! I want one!

Do they cuddle, cuz something that furry ought to cuddle...

:p
Posted by: Robin on Feb. 19 2013,10:33

Quote (Freddie @ Feb. 18 2013,17:29)
Glad this forum is starting to come out of winter hibernation!  It was an almost spring-like morning in Southern England (if a little chilly). Managed to get out and about and take a few photo's.  Plenty of Robin's and Blue Tits / Great Tits around.  I'm also seeing way more pair's of Chaffinch's this year than last, the wet weather must suit them.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Lovely shots Freddie! Thanks!
Posted by: Henry J on Feb. 19 2013,11:48

Aren't butterflies a subset of moths? That's what tolweb.org indicates.
Posted by: The whole truth on Feb. 19 2013,16:21

Quote (Henry J @ Feb. 19 2013,09:48)
Aren't butterflies a subset of moths? That's what tolweb.org indicates.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Apparently so, although the terms subclade or subgroup are also used. We humans sure do like to label things. :)

If any of you would like to read some interesting articles, see these:

< http://sysbio.oxfordjournals.org/content....93.full >

< http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content....39.full >

< http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content........093 >

A bunch of articles:

< http://nymphalidae.utu.fi/publi.h....bli.htm >


This pertains to my neck of the woods (I don't necessarily agree with everything said in it):

< http://www.driftcreeknaturecenter.org/Documen....nds.pdf >
Posted by: dhogaza on Feb. 20 2013,18:16



---------------------QUOTE-------------------

There are 'Goldfinches' and 'Robins' here too (Washington State - USA) but they don't look like yours.

---------------------QUOTE-------------------



European goldfinch and our american and lesser goldfinches are all in the same genus.

American robin is a thrush, our early colonists weren't particularly noted for their ornithological skills.  Related to the thrush called blackbird in the UK, or merle in France, "coal thrush" in sweden (don't know the swedish), etc.  Common city bird.



---------------------QUOTE-------------------

There are also 'Tits' here but they are drab brown (but still cute) and they're called Bushtits. Wrentits show up around here sometimes but they're usually farther south.

---------------------QUOTE-------------------



No relation to european tits.  Here we call some of the related species chickadee(-dee-dee) because that's what they sound like.  Other related species we call titmouse, i.e. tufted titmouse.



---------------------QUOTE-------------------

Cue the jokes about Bushtits.

---------------------QUOTE-------------------



With blue tit, siberian tit, and (the best) great tit, the europeans have it all over us in the tit joke department!
Posted by: dhogaza on Feb. 20 2013,18:35



It has been a bit of a snooze around here, I must admit.

OK, that male elephant seal was photographed about three weeks ago by me, at Piedras Blancas, on the Big Sur coast of California.

Highly recommended.  15,000 there at the moment, and the moms whelp about 3500 pups. There's a trail that goes along a bluff right next to the beach.  I shot that with a 70-200, to give you an idea as to how close the trail brings you to the beasties.
Posted by: Henry J on Feb. 20 2013,19:51

Quote (dhogaza @ Feb. 20 2013,17:16)


---------------------QUOTE-------------------

Cue the jokes about Bushtits.

---------------------QUOTE-------------------



With blue tit, siberian tit, and (the best) great tit, the europeans have it all over us in the tit joke department!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Except for areas where that pun doesn't work in the local language! ;)
Posted by: k.e.. on Feb. 21 2013,08:28

Quote (Henry J @ Feb. 21 2013,03:51)
Quote (dhogaza @ Feb. 20 2013,17:16)
 

---------------------QUOTE-------------------

Cue the jokes about Bushtits.

---------------------QUOTE-------------------



With blue tit, siberian tit, and (the best) great tit, the europeans have it all over us in the tit joke department!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Except for areas where that pun doesn't work in the local language! ;)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Which reminds me I went to an art gallery awhile back and it had great Titians!

Posted by: Arctodus23 on Mar. 02 2013,10:25


That's what's in my yard.
Posted by: Dr.GH on Mar. 02 2013,11:35

I propose the caption should be, "Busted!"
Posted by: Lou FCD on Mar. 08 2013,14:27

I've been mostly hibernating in my cave this winter, but here's some stuff I've shot over the last few months that y'all might enjoy.

Mute Swan



Unhappy Mute Swan



Mallard ducklings, look at teh cutenez!



Horned Grebe, doing a fine Nessie imitation



Wood Stork



Juvenile Yellow-crowned Night Heron, on the overlook at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel:



Bald Eagle, on a really shitty day for photography



A Razorbill, here in SE NC



A male Belted Kingfisher, a bird which has eluded my lens so damned studiously that I've taken to appending "bastard!" to its name whenever I use it. I finally got this yesterday.



A male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker



It took a lot of patience and waiting before I could even get this clean a shot of this Nelson's Sparrow in the reeds



But this right here is my current pride-and-joy shot. A Great Egret


Posted by: Robin on Mar. 08 2013,14:30

Quote (Lou FCD @ Mar. 08 2013,14:27)
I've been mostly hibernating in my cave this winter, but here's some stuff I've shot over the last few months that y'all might enjoy.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Awesome as usual Lou! Thanks!

I really like the Belted Kingfisher btw. I have yet to be successful in shooting one of them myself.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Mar. 08 2013,14:36

Quote (Robin @ Mar. 08 2013,15:30)
Quote (Lou FCD @ Mar. 08 2013,14:27)
I've been mostly hibernating in my cave this winter, but here's some stuff I've shot over the last few months that y'all might enjoy.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Awesome as usual Lou! Thanks!

I really like the Belted Kingfisher btw. I have yet to be successful in shooting one of them myself.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks, Robin!

Yeah, the Belted Kingfisher (bastard!) usually leaves a blue and white smear across my shots and that's about it. If it's not perched on a pole or something a kilometer away from anyplace I can access, it comes out of nowhere, I hear it, and by the time I raise my camera in the general direction of the sound, it's halfway across the next county.

Bastard.
Posted by: dhogaza on Mar. 08 2013,17:36

Belted kingfishers are tough, they're skittish as hell.  Here's one I got many years ago:


Posted by: Lou FCD on Mar. 10 2013,06:33

Quote (dhogaza @ Mar. 08 2013,18:36)
Belted kingfishers are tough, they're skittish as hell.  Here's one I got many years ago:
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Exactly. Nice catch!
Posted by: Lou FCD on Mar. 10 2013,12:00

Went to Airlie Gardens yesterday, and got a few shots in on a beautiful day.

This Cedar Waxwing was inside the butterfly house:



Red-headed Woodpecker



Osprey in the nest



Osprey out of the nest



Headshot of a Mute Swan


Posted by: dhogaza on Mar. 10 2013,18:20

If you squint your eyes just so that nesting material being carried by the osprey looks like a fish!
Posted by: dhogaza on Mar. 10 2013,18:22

it's the "rubber ducky" ducky:


Posted by: Lou FCD on Mar. 10 2013,19:33

Quote (dhogaza @ Mar. 10 2013,19:20)
If you squint your eyes just so that nesting material being carried by the osprey looks like a fish!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Ha! It is kind of shaped like a big fish! That's Spanish Moss, btw, and oddly, it had taken it *from* the nest as it headed across the creek. I'm not sure what that was about, but it was clearly grasping it - it wasn't just stuck to its talons or something.

As for the rubber ducky, Gadwall? I'm not so good with the ducks.
Posted by: dhogaza on Mar. 10 2013,19:48

"rubber ducky" is an american wigeon.  They're easily identified by the fact that they sound just like a rubber ducky (really!).
Posted by: Lou FCD on Mar. 12 2013,14:15

Quote (dhogaza @ Mar. 10 2013,20:48)
"rubber ducky" is an american wigeon.  They're easily identified by the fact that they sound just like a rubber ducky (really!).
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Ah, gotcha. I associate the American Wigeon with the big white patch on the head, so I didn't even consider that.

Meanwhile, big birding trip yesterday that was great for birding, not so great for photography. Still, got a few decent shots in.

Brown Pelican



Common Loon



Red-winged Blackbird


Posted by: Lou FCD on Mar. 13 2013,12:48

Some of the better shots from this morning.

American Oystercatcher



Brown-headed Nuthatch



Mourning Dove



Red-headed Woodpecker



Semipalmated Plover


Posted by: fnxtr on Mar. 13 2013,21:23

Heh. "Oystercatcher", now there's a tough job.
Posted by: Robin on Mar. 14 2013,07:22

Wow! Love the Red-winged Blackbird Lou!

This brings up a question. Here's a shot I got last weekend:



I believe it's a Wood Frog (Rana sylvatica). Now to me it looks (I think the word is) "soft". Could that be from the light reflecting off of the water? Or could it be that I was shooting too low an ISO for the amount of light? This was shot about 5 PM or so, so the light is coming in low and from the left of the photo. Seems like there was plenty of light to me. Maybe I'm being too critical, but it just seems the frog kind of disappears in the pic. Of course, it doesn't help that they were essentially the same color as their habitat (stupid camouflage).
Posted by: Robin on Mar. 14 2013,07:25

Oh, and to add to Lou's tradition: a Tit with a Tude:


Posted by: Lou FCD on Mar. 14 2013,09:18

Quote (Robin @ Mar. 14 2013,08:22)
Now to me it looks (I think the word is) "soft". Could that be from the light reflecting off of the water? Or could it be that I was shooting too low an ISO for the amount of light? This was shot about 5 PM or so, so the light is coming in low and from the left of the photo. Seems like there was plenty of light to me. Maybe I'm being too critical, but it just seems the frog kind of disappears in the pic. Of course, it doesn't help that they were essentially the same color as their habitat (stupid camouflage).
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I get what you're saying. My first thought is that I get this same effect sometimes, but it seems like the angle of light-subject-camera is the cause. The subject itself is backlit. I'm finding that simply walking around the subject whenever possible seems to produce sharper-looking images for me, even when the focus is dead on.

Doc and I went looking for the comet last night, so while we waited, of course:



I haven't seen what he got with that sweet-ass prime of his, but I did get a much better shot than I had of a Piping Plover



And a Black-bellied Plover in non-breeding plumage



Alas, this happened:


Posted by: OgreMkV on Mar. 14 2013,10:51

I got a real good view of the comet last night.

I have access to my wife's Canon Eos Rebel digital and a tripod... I think... and maybe a telephoto lens too.

What would be the best settings for taking a picture of the comet?
Posted by: Lou FCD on Mar. 14 2013,11:46

Beats me. I was intending to experiment. That cloud shot was with my 50mm f/1.2 prime - I had it set at f/2.8, ISO 400, 1/50th of second, and intended to work from there.

You're going to be fighting two conflicting interests: 1) The need to keep the aperture open long enough for the dim light of the comet to register, and 2) the need to get the aperture closed quickly to avoid streaking caused by the rotation of the Earth.

A higher ISO will result in more light registering, helping you to minimize the time the aperture is open, but it will also introduce more noise into the shot.

My plan was to keep the aperture open pretty wide, then work from there on balancing the shutter speed against the ISO. But I can't really tell you how well (or not) that strategy would have worked out since, y'know, clouds made it moot.

In the best of all worlds, I'd have my camera mounted to a telescope that had a clock drive to compensate for the planet's rotation, and that would allow really long exposures. But that's out of my financial league at the moment.
Posted by: OgreMkV on Mar. 14 2013,12:05

Quote (Lou FCD @ Mar. 14 2013,11:46)
Beats me. I was intending to experiment. That cloud shot was with my 50mm f/1.2 prime - I had it set at f/2.8, ISO 400, 1/50th of second, and intended to work from there.

You're going to be fighting two conflicting interests: 1) The need to keep the aperture open long enough for the dim light of the comet to register, and 2) the need to get the aperture closed quickly to avoid streaking caused by the rotation of the Earth.

A higher ISO will result in more light registering, helping you to minimize the time the aperture is open, but it will also introduce more noise into the shot.

My plan was to keep the aperture open pretty wide, then work from there on balancing the shutter speed against the ISO. But I can't really tell you how well (or not) that strategy would have worked out since, y'know, clouds made it moot.

In the best of all worlds, I'd have my camera mounted to a telescope that had a clock drive to compensate for the planet's rotation, and that would allow really long exposures. But that's out of my financial league at the moment.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I've got the telescope, I just haven't put it together yet.  Looks like I've got a bare day or so to get it done.

Thanks!
Posted by: OgreMkV on Mar. 14 2013,22:26

No joy on the comet.  I got the scope assembled, and I chased jet contrails all over the sky for half an hour.

Never say the comet, even without the scope.

Now to figure out this motor thing...
Posted by: Lou FCD on Mar. 15 2013,05:09

Bummer. The moon is waxing now, and I understand it will quickly wash out the comet.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Mar. 16 2013,16:09

Got a few nice ones yesterday. It is full-on breeding plumage season.

Laughing Gull



Ring-billed Gull



Royal Tern



Yellow-rumped Warbler, who isn't quite in breeding plumage, but he's working on it.



My best shot so far of a Pine Warbler



Ditto the Eastern Bluebird



and also of a Hermit Thrush




Posted by: Henry J on Mar. 16 2013,17:09



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Ring-billed Gull
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Ah, one of those infamous ring species!

(What do you mean that's just its name?)
Posted by: dhogaza on Mar. 21 2013,17:35

Nice shots, Lou.  Springs coming here in Oregon, too, just a bit slower, perhaps.

Got myself a EF 100-400 f4.5-5.6 L a couple of weeks ago.  Didn't really need it but it will be great for shooting whales and mammals (vs taking my 70-200, 300/4 + 1.4x and two bodies).

From the rental department of our local pro photo shop.

$250 :)  Worn barrel but perfect glass and everything works.  New runs about $1500.  Score!
Posted by: Lou FCD on Mar. 21 2013,21:03

Quote (dhogaza @ Mar. 21 2013,18:35)
Nice shots, Lou.  Springs coming here in Oregon, too, just a bit slower, perhaps.

Got myself a EF 100-400 f4.5-5.6 L a couple of weeks ago.  Didn't really need it but it will be great for shooting whales and mammals (vs taking my 70-200, 300/4 + 1.4x and two bodies).

From the rental department of our local pro photo shop.

$250 :)  Worn barrel but perfect glass and everything works.  New runs about $1500.  Score!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


No doubt, congratulations! Mine was full price (OUCH!), and that's the lens pretty much all of these shots were shot with, fully extended to 400mm, and hand held.

You will not regret your choice (especially at that price! Holy fuck!)
Posted by: Lou FCD on Mar. 21 2013,21:07

Quote (Henry J @ Mar. 16 2013,18:09)


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Ring-billed Gull
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Ah, one of those infamous ring species!

(What do you mean that's just its name?)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


lol, that cracked me up.
Posted by: dhogaza on Mar. 22 2013,13:00



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
You will not regret your choice (especially at that price! Holy fuck!)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Your photos are certainly sharp enough for any reasonable critic.  Mine seems sharp, too.

Yeah, well, they know me, not that I've done much business there, I buy all my spendy stuff from B&H.

But it was out in the used case for $350, I asked what was wrong, apparently the zoom tensioner is a bit "hinky", but it seemed to work fine for me.  Since I don't know what a non-hinky one feels right, I'm happy.  If I cared, for a couple hundred bucks I could get my local lens mechanic to lubricate it and replace any heavily worn bushings or the like, and still have a friggin' bargain, but it works fine as is so I won't bother unless it starts acting up.

So I played with it, hesitantly, and said I couldn't really justify it as I have that range covered with [slightly] sharper and faster lenses.

So he said "well, since I know you, you can have it for $250".

I ran, not walked, to the cash register waving my credit card before he changed his mind ...
Posted by: Lou FCD on Mar. 22 2013,18:41

Quote (dhogaza @ Mar. 22 2013,14:00)
So he said "well, since I know you, you can have it for $250".

I ran, not walked, to the cash register waving my credit card before he changed his mind ...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Good. Move.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Mar. 28 2013,13:52

More birds since the last birds....

First, one that Alby tells me (and I learned from experience) can be a stumper for the beginning birder.



A Red-throated Loon, in non-breeding plumage (new for the life-lists)



American Coot



Blue-gray Gnatcatcher



My best shot yet of some Buffleheads



Little Blue Heron (juvenile)



Black-crowned Night-Heron





and a juvenile, who was pretty annoyed with my presence



And some Blue-winged Teals



"Why do they call them that?", you might ask.

Well, here's why.


Posted by: Robin on Mar. 28 2013,14:07

[quote=Lou FCD,Mar. 28 2013,13:52][/quote]


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
More birds since the last birds....

First, one that Alby tells me (and I learned from experience) can be a stumper for the beginning birder.


---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Well, I'm not a beginning birder, so maybe I shouldn't comment lest I look like an idiot when I get it wrong. ;) However, they look like they might be Mardi Gras natives, if you know what I mean. :)




---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Black-crowned Night-Heron


---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Love this pic! Thanks Lou!
Posted by: Lou FCD on Mar. 28 2013,14:17

Quote (Robin @ Mar. 28 2013,15:07)
Well, I'm not a beginning birder, so maybe I shouldn't comment lest I look like an idiot when I get it wrong. ;) However, they look like they might be Mardi Gras natives, if you know what I mean. :)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Great Tits? Nope.


First hint:
These are adult birds.
Posted by: dhogaza on Mar. 28 2013,20:04

Flight shot of the night heron rocks.

I'll try to get some shots up over the weekend, though on Sunday I'm off to shoot grey whales from a zodiac, using my new 100-400.  I've done some more test shooting with it, and it's really sharp on my 7D crop camera.  I know it's not supposedly all that sharp on the edges of a 35mm frame, but I don't have no 35mm edges and it's just great :)
Posted by: The whole truth on Mar. 29 2013,00:03

Quote (Lou FCD @ Mar. 28 2013,12:17)
Quote (Robin @ Mar. 28 2013,15:07)
Well, I'm not a beginning birder, so maybe I shouldn't comment lest I look like an idiot when I get it wrong. ;) However, they look like they might be Mardi Gras natives, if you know what I mean. :)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Great Tits? Nope.


First hint:
These are adult birds.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Female red winged blackbirds?
Posted by: Robin on Mar. 29 2013,07:25

Quote (Lou FCD @ Mar. 28 2013,14:17)
Quote (Robin @ Mar. 28 2013,15:07)
Well, I'm not a beginning birder, so maybe I shouldn't comment lest I look like an idiot when I get it wrong. ;) However, they look like they might be Mardi Gras natives, if you know what I mean. :)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Great Tits? Nope.


First hint:
These are adult birds.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Great tits...ha ha! Not what I was thinking, but certainly more appropriate given my hint.

I was thinking Louisiana Waterthrushes, but the beaks don't look quite right. I'm going with female Red-winged Blackbird as my final answer.
Posted by: dhogaza on Mar. 29 2013,12:09

Yes, they're female red-winged blackbirds.  They confuse beginners because they look so different than the males, and their streaky plumage makes them look a bit like giant sparrows (if you ignore bill shape, which beginners typically do).
Posted by: Robin on Mar. 29 2013,12:37

Quote (dhogaza @ Mar. 29 2013,12:09)
Yes, they're female red-winged blackbirds.  They confuse beginners because they look so different than the males, and their streaky plumage makes them look a bit like giant sparrows (if you ignore bill shape, which beginners typically do).
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yeah. Rose-breasted Grosbeaks have a similar dissimilarity (heh!). Had a female show up at our feeder a few months back and it took me awhile to figure out what she was.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Mar. 29 2013,18:45

Quote (dhogaza @ Mar. 28 2013,21:04)
Flight shot of the night heron rocks.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Thanks!

 
Quote (dhogaza @ Mar. 28 2013,21:04)
I'll try to get some shots up over the weekend, though on Sunday I'm off to shoot grey whales from a zodiac, using my new 100-400.  I've done some more test shooting with it, and it's really sharp on my 7D crop camera.  I know it's not supposedly all that sharp on the edges of a 35mm frame, but I don't have no 35mm edges and it's just great :)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Schweet. I can't speak to performance on a crop-frame, but I lurve mine with the 5DMkII. The focus can be a little slow and PITA, but short of a genie granting me < $7k for the 400 f/2.8 prime >, I wouldn't do without it.

 
Quote (The whole truth @ Mar. 29 2013,01:03)
   
Quote (Lou FCD @ Mar. 28 2013,12:17)
   
Quote (Robin @ Mar. 28 2013,15:07)
Well, I'm not a beginning birder, so maybe I shouldn't comment lest I look like an idiot when I get it wrong. ;) However, they look like they might be Mardi Gras natives, if you know what I mean. :)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Great Tits? Nope.


First hint:
These are adult birds.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Female red winged blackbirds?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Yes, they are female Red-winged Blackbirds.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Mar. 29 2013,18:50

Quote (Robin @ Mar. 29 2013,08:25)
Quote (Lou FCD @ Mar. 28 2013,14:17)
Quote (Robin @ Mar. 28 2013,15:07)
Well, I'm not a beginning birder, so maybe I shouldn't comment lest I look like an idiot when I get it wrong. ;) However, they look like they might be Mardi Gras natives, if you know what I mean. :)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Great Tits? Nope.


First hint:
These are adult birds.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Great tits...ha ha! Not what I was thinking, but certainly more appropriate given my hint.

I was thinking Louisiana Waterthrushes, but the beaks don't look quite right. I'm going with female Red-winged Blackbird as my final answer.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I was awonderin' where you would have come up with that, but I suppose we all know what I think of Mardis Gras now... hahaha
Posted by: Lou FCD on Mar. 29 2013,18:53

Quote (dhogaza @ Mar. 29 2013,13:09)
Yes, they're female red-winged blackbirds.  They confuse beginners because they look so different than the males, and their streaky plumage makes them look a bit like giant sparrows (if you ignore bill shape, which beginners typically do).
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yeah, that was killing me when I first saw one a few weeks ago. I was like, "Sparrowdude, you hang out next to the nukes much?"

I chalked the humungous size up to perception error due to the lighting and weird swampy ground I was shooting across. Took me hours sorting through field guides to figure it out.
Posted by: dhogaza on Mar. 29 2013,22:48

Join the club, dude, though in my case it was 30+ years ago :)

We all have our crosses to bear, no?
Posted by: Lou FCD on Mar. 30 2013,11:23

Quote (dhogaza @ Mar. 29 2013,23:48)
Join the club, dude, though in my case it was 30+ years ago :)

We all have our crosses to bear, no?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yeah, It's a rough life. :)

So yesterday was another pretty day for birding. I spent some time in the morning down at Federal Point at Fort Fisher.

< >
< Royal Terns > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

Look at this cutie pie!

< >
< Forster's Tern > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

< >
< Bonaparte's Gull (juvenile) > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr, new for the life-lists.

Later in the day, I was driving past the local Moose Lodge and saw a pair of Black Vultures circling. I pulled in, left the door and the trunk open, and raced around the lot on foot trying desperately to get a few good shots. I'd had one fuzzy, crappy shot of a BV from a rainy day last fall when our Ornithology class went up to Kiptopeke State Park in Virginia, but nothing at all since.

Eventually, they settled into some trees at the edge of the lot. After securing the car, I mosied over to see if I could get a few more shots in. There were half a dozen Turkey Vultures and four Black Vultures all roosting in the trees there.

< >
< Black Vulture > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

< >
< Black Vulture > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

< >
< Turkey Vulture > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

I found it kind of humorous that a bunch of vultures were just hanging outside the Moose Lodge, as if they were waiting for one of the old farts to kick it in the parking lot on the way to the car.


Posted by: dhogaza on Mar. 30 2013,15:44

A couple of shots from my recent trip to the Klamath Basin.



eye isn't sharp in this one - bite me.




speckled-bellies (greater white-fronted goose)



snow geese arranging themselves in something vaguely resembling a composition ...



tundra swan commenting on my new car ...



since I saved so much on my EF 100-400 L I decided to splurge on an outback ...


Posted by: dhogaza on Mar. 30 2013,15:47

Here's a sample image from my $250 EF 100-400 L, looks sharp enough to me!



Another ...



Goose foot detail (figured it was a good target to judge sharpness)


Posted by: Lou FCD on Mar. 31 2013,05:58

Quote (dhogaza @ Mar. 30 2013,16:47)
Here's a sample image from my $250 EF 100-400 L, looks sharp enough to me!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Seems to have been $250 very very well spent!
Posted by: Lou FCD on Mar. 31 2013,06:03

Quote (dhogaza @ Mar. 30 2013,16:44)
snow geese arranging themselves in something vaguely resembling a composition ...


---------------------QUOTE-------------------



I really like this one. Nice lines.


 
Quote (dhogaza @ Mar. 30 2013,16:44)
since I saved so much on my EF 100-400 L I decided to splurge on an outback ...


---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Now if you save a buncha money on car insurance by switching to Geico, you can probably buy a new house!
Posted by: Freddie on Mar. 31 2013,12:59

So many great shots here the last few weeks - the snow geese formation especially!  The weather in the UK has been so grey recently but hoping to get out and take some more photos soon if things improve.  It was almost sunny for a few hours this morning and I snapped this one of a juvenile long-tailed tit.  This is with my Canon 100-300 EF IS and is highly cropped due to the distance (and noisy due to high, auto ISO as I shot at F8 1/500 for sharpness).

I may (repeat 'may') be able to afford a low-end L range lens sometime this summer.  I'm looking at either the 400mm prime (f/5.6) or the 100-400mm (f/4.5-5.6 IS) going on a cropped 550D/Rebel T2i body.  

Judging by the shots above the 100-400mm seems to do the job w.r.t sharpness vs. the prime (plus the prime has no IS) - I think the 7D has the same sensor as the 550D.  At least, the specs look the same!  

Then, maybe later, I can add a 1.4 extender for the three days in the year that it will be bright enough to use it :-(


Posted by: Robin on April 01 2013,13:41

Quote (dhogaza @ Mar. 30 2013,15:47)
Here's a sample image from my $250 EF 100-400 L, looks sharp enough to me!


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Cool shot! Nice work all around, but I really like this one. Thanks!
Posted by: dhogaza on April 01 2013,14:59

"Judging by the shots above the 100-400mm seems to do the job w.r.t sharpness vs. the prime (plus the prime has no IS)"

I love IS.  Not only for being able to handhold at lower shutter speeds, but also for making it easier to compose and frame static subjects (when I was young, I prided myself on my steady hands, at 59, they ain't as steady as they once were).

There is the expectation that a upgraded 100-400L will be announced later this year.  If that happens, I'd expect the used market for the existing version to perk up and bargains to be had.
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 02 2013,15:25

Quote (Freddie @ Mar. 31 2013,13:59)
So many great shots here the last few weeks - the snow geese formation especially!  The weather in the UK has been so grey recently but hoping to get out and take some more photos soon if things improve.  It was almost sunny for a few hours this morning and I snapped this one of a juvenile long-tailed tit.  This is with my Canon 100-300 EF IS and is highly cropped due to the distance (and noisy due to high, auto ISO as I shot at F8 1/500 for sharpness).

I may (repeat 'may') be able to afford a low-end L range lens sometime this summer.  I'm looking at either the 400mm prime (f/5.6) or the 100-400mm (f/4.5-5.6 IS) going on a cropped 550D/Rebel T2i body.  

Judging by the shots above the 100-400mm seems to do the job w.r.t sharpness vs. the prime (plus the prime has no IS) - I think the 7D has the same sensor as the 550D.  At least, the specs look the same!  

Then, maybe later, I can add a 1.4 extender for the three days in the year that it will be bright enough to use it :-(


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Sweet, Freddie!
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 03 2013,21:00

This afternoon at Greenfield Lake.

< >
< Prairie Warbler > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr, new for the life lists.

Meme-worthy:

< >
< Grumpy Catbird > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

And ducklings!!!!! (Wood Duck)

< >
< Wood Ducks (Female and Nine Ducklings) > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

< >
< Wood Duck Ducklings > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

< >
< Wood Duck Duckling > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

< >
< Wood Duck Duckling > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

And something a little more abstract. Canada Goose

< >
< Goose Feather Detail > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr
Posted by: The whole truth on April 04 2013,04:32

Hey guys, I'm really enjoying all the pictures you're posting.
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 04 2013,07:07

Spreadin' the love...

< >
< Grumpy Catbird > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr
Posted by: Dr.GH on April 04 2013,14:44

My front yard is only 20X30 feet.



I just counted 17 plant species in bloom, and 11 not. In about 20 minutes today there were 5 species of birds, and 6 butterfly species visiting. I have 3 resident herps. Over the years 6 species of native mammals have visited, but failed to establish (just as well with me).


Posted by: Lou FCD on April 04 2013,14:45

While I hate when the residents give me herps, that's quite a count you have there!
Posted by: dhogaza on April 04 2013,17:10

Nice photos, Lou.

And tomorrow, there will be eight ducklings, and the day after ...
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 04 2013,20:10

Quote (dhogaza @ April 04 2013,18:10)
Nice photos, Lou.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thank ya'!
Quote (dhogaza @ April 04 2013,18:10)
And tomorrow, there will be eight ducklings, and the day after ...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



You are a cruel, heartless person.

...accurate, but cruel and heartless to bring that up. :)
Posted by: Robin on April 06 2013,17:39

Not the best pic, but very cute. This a chickadee parent collecting bunny fur for his (her?) nest. The mate sat nearby and watched. The bunny fur came from our house vermin who is currently in the middle of a shed. Those are going to be some comfy and spoiled chicks.


Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis)
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 07 2013,07:13

Yes, very very cute.
Posted by: Dr.GH on April 11 2013,18:33

I have been leaving lint from the clothes dryer, and hair from the dog's brush out in the yard for nest builders. The piles disappear quickly.
Posted by: Arctodus23 on April 11 2013,18:50

My cat recently killed two rabbits.
Posted by: Henry J on April 11 2013,22:08

Just as long as they weren't Precambrian...

Henry
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 12 2013,11:23

Not a bird.

< >
< Snapper Face > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

Definitely a bird.

< >
< American White Pelican > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr, new for the life lists.

< >
< American White Pelicans > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

Cutiepie

< >
< American Goldfinch (transitional) > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

< >
< Downy Woodpecker (male) > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

And for comparison, it was awesome to see the Downy and the Hairy in the same place, for the first time.

< >
< Hairy Woodpecker (male) > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

Gobble Gobble

< >
< Wild Turkey > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr
Posted by: Robin on April 12 2013,11:34

Wow! Awesome shots Lou! Love the Snapper Face!
Posted by: Arctodus23 on April 12 2013,15:24

Quote (Henry J @ April 11 2013,22:08)
Just as long as they weren't Precambrian...

Henry
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Good joke. The one, "...rabbits in the precambrian." Also, my cats killed a bird a week ago.
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on April 12 2013,15:37

There's a skink living under my fridge. Don't expect pics, he's very shy.
Posted by: Robin on April 12 2013,18:26

I'm doing a photo journal on Facebook of a pair of Red-bellied Woodpeckers (Melanerpes carolinus) making a nest hole in our front yard. I'm very excited and hope they stay. The male has been working on the hole for three or four days now. The female has shown up sporadically to check the hole, check the tree, put seeds in the bark, and do a little smoothing of the hole's outer rim. Here are a few shots:







Had a pair of Northern Flickers (Colaptes auratus) show up today to check out the tree and the hole. I think the male Red-bellied Woodpecker made it clear the tree was not for sale.


Male Northern Flicker


Female Northern Flicker
Posted by: Henry J on April 12 2013,22:10

Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ April 12 2013,14:37)
There's a skink living under my fridge. Don't expect pics, he's very shy.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Gave you the cold shoulder, did he/she/it?  :p
Posted by: Henry J on April 12 2013,22:13

Quote (Lou FCD @ April 12 2013,10:23)
Not a bird.

< >
< Snapper Face > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


So it is turtles all the way down!
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 13 2013,06:47

Quote (Robin @ April 12 2013,12:34)
Wow! Awesome shots Lou! Love the Snapper Face!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks, I really liked how that came out, too.

The photojournal is a great idea!
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 13 2013,06:55

Quote (Henry J @ April 12 2013,23:13)
Quote (Lou FCD @ April 12 2013,10:23)
Not a bird.

< >
< Snapper Face > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


So it is turtles all the way down!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yep. Now we know.

Here's the full shot:

< >
< Snapping Turtle > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

And a claw detail:

< >
< Snapper Claw > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

I'm on an adventure in the Midwest. The weather until today has been really shitty - overcast and/or raining, and the last few days just damned cold. Today is projected to be better though.

So those songbirds and woodpeckers on the feeders I'm really tickled about, given that they were shot through tinted glass out into  the rain. They're not awesome shots, but all things considered, I'm pretty happy with them.

My adventure has added 8 new birds to my life-lists so far, and despite the weather I've got improved shots of several species. So though it's not been a perfect birding trip, it's certainly been pretty good, weather notwithstanding.
Posted by: Robin on April 13 2013,08:08

A couple of shots of the woodpeckers' progress on their nest from this morning:


Cute shot of mom and dad at the nest hole this morning. Mom's the one on the top of the branch.


Close-up of dad working the hole.
Posted by: Arctodus23 on April 13 2013,08:59

Quote (Robin @ April 13 2013,08:08)
A couple of shots of the woodpeckers' progress on their nest from this morning:


Cute shot of mom and dad at the nest hole this morning. Mom's the one on the top of the branch.


Close-up of dad working the hole.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


There's been a <strike>Titanis</strike> woodpecker in my backyard recently.
Posted by: Robin on April 15 2013,07:48

Quote (Arctodus23 @ April 13 2013,08:59)
There's been a Titanis woodpecker in my backyard recently.


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Man, I would soooo be impressed with pics of a Titanis!
Posted by: Robin on April 15 2013,09:40


Female Flicker (Colaptes auratus) close-up from Saturday, April 13.
Posted by: Freddie on April 15 2013,10:26

Nice, Robin!
Posted by: Henry J on April 15 2013,11:40

Quote (Freddie @ April 15 2013,09:26)
Nice, Robin!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


But it's a flicker, not a robin.

What?

Oh.
Posted by: Dr.GH on April 16 2013,08:46

These are some great photos.  :D
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on April 16 2013,09:14

Three river otters just slinked through the front yard here. They splashed around in the small pond for a few minutes, then made for the larger pond.
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 16 2013,13:54

Quote (Robin @ April 15 2013,10:40)

Female Flicker (Colaptes auratus) close-up from Saturday, April 13.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That is a really nice shot!
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 16 2013,13:55

Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ April 16 2013,10:14)
Three river otters just slinked through the front yard here. They splashed around in the small pond for a few minutes, then made for the larger pond.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


poidh.
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 16 2013,21:34

More from my Great Midwest Birding Adventure, mostly in spite of the weather.

< >
< Bald Eagle (adult and eaglets) > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

< >
< Blue-winged Teal (male) > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

I think it's funny that I had to go to Indiana to get decent pictures of a fucking shorebird.

< >
< Killdeer > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

< >
< Lesser Yellowlegs > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

< >
< Wilson's Snipe > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

< >
< Northern Harrier > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

I call this next one, "Crouching Swallow, Hidden Dragon".

< >
< Tree Swallows > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

It was like Swallopalooza out there. I saw a lot of mixed-species flocks of swallows, and got shots of Tree, Northern Rough-winged, Bank, and Barn Swallows in each of several flocks. It was a Swallowpocalypse.

I added 13 species to the photography life-list in five days, and got much better shots than I had of a handful of birds. Not a bad haul, especially given how cool, windy, overcast, and rainy it was for most of my meanderings.

New species from the trip:

1. American White Pelican
2. Broad-winged Hawk
3. Virginia Rail
4. Lesser Yellowlegs
5. Wilson’s Snipe
6. Horned Lark
7. Northern Rough-winged Swallow
8. Bank Swallow
9. Black-capped Chickadee
10. Golden-crowned Kinglet
11. Yellow-throated Warbler
12. Purple Finch
13. American Goldfinch
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on April 16 2013,22:24

Quote (Lou FCD @ April 16 2013,13:55)
 
Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ April 16 2013,10:14)
Three river otters just slinked through the front yard here. They splashed around in the small pond for a few minutes, then made for the larger pond.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


poidh.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Ok, fine. I'm not proud of what I've got for pics for the otters. I forgot that the focus selector was set on manual while taking photos, and it wasn't far enough off to make me realize something was wrong in the viewfinder.





I'm somewhat more fond of some results I got out of an old Vivitar 500mm f/6.3 preset telephoto lens I was experimenting with. I'm still not sure how I got these; the focus mechanism is awfully finicky on that thing.




Posted by: Lou FCD on April 17 2013,07:18

Sweet, especially considering the focus mechanism issues.
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on April 17 2013,08:25

I'm guessing that the otters were a mother and two kits. Two were noticeably smaller than the other, at any rate.
Posted by: Freddie on April 17 2013,09:12

Quote (Lou FCD @ April 16 2013,21:34)
More from my Great Midwest Birding Adventure, mostly in spite of the weather.

I added 13 species to the photography life-list in five days, and got much better shots than I had of a handful of birds. Not a bad haul, especially given how cool, windy, overcast, and rainy it was for most of my meanderings.

New species from the trip:

1. American White Pelican
2. Broad-winged Hawk
3. Virginia Rail
4. Lesser Yellowlegs
5. Wilson’s Snipe
6. Horned Lark
7. Northern Rough-winged Swallow
8. Bank Swallow
9. Black-capped Chickadee
10. Golden-crowned Kinglet
11. Yellow-throated Warbler
12. Purple Finch
13. American Goldfinch
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Beautiful piccies again ... is it me or is that Eagle doing a Linda Blair?
Posted by: Henry J on April 17 2013,10:07

Quote (Freddie @ April 17 2013,08:12)
Beautiful piccies again ... is it me or is that Eagle doing a Linda Blair?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nah, it's just getting some exorcize.
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 17 2013,10:08

Quote (Freddie @ April 17 2013,10:12)
Quote (Lou FCD @ April 16 2013,21:34)
More from my Great Midwest Birding Adventure, mostly in spite of the weather.

I added 13 species to the photography life-list in five days, and got much better shots than I had of a handful of birds. Not a bad haul, especially given how cool, windy, overcast, and rainy it was for most of my meanderings.

New species from the trip:

1. American White Pelican
2. Broad-winged Hawk
3. Virginia Rail
4. Lesser Yellowlegs
5. Wilson’s Snipe
6. Horned Lark
7. Northern Rough-winged Swallow
8. Bank Swallow
9. Black-capped Chickadee
10. Golden-crowned Kinglet
11. Yellow-throated Warbler
12. Purple Finch
13. American Goldfinch
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Beautiful piccies again ... is it me or is that Eagle doing a Linda Blair?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nope, not just you. Single occipital condyle, for the win!
Posted by: khan on April 17 2013,11:02

I give up:

< http://www.flickr.com/photos.....8497472 >
Posted by: k.e.. on April 17 2013,11:13

Quote (Henry J @ April 17 2013,18:07)
Quote (Freddie @ April 17 2013,08:12)
Beautiful piccies again ... is it me or is that Eagle doing a Linda Blair?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nah, it's just getting some exorcize.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That's a bald statement
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 17 2013,11:21

Quote (khan @ April 17 2013,12:02)
I give up:

< http://www.flickr.com/photos.....8497472 >
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


oooo that's nice!
Posted by: OgreMkV on April 17 2013,11:46

Quote (Lou FCD @ April 17 2013,11:21)
Quote (khan @ April 17 2013,12:02)
I give up:

< http://www.flickr.com/photos.....8497472 >
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


oooo that's nice!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That's very cool!
Posted by: Robin on April 18 2013,08:24

Quote (Lou FCD @ April 16 2013,21:34)
More from my Great Midwest Birding Adventure, mostly in spite of the weather.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Awesome! Love the Killdeer shot!
Posted by: Robin on April 18 2013,08:29

Quote (khan @ April 17 2013,11:02)
I give up:

< http://www.flickr.com/photos.....8497472 >
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Cool! Saw my first manatee a couple of years ago at Pennekamp park in the Keys. Beautiful creatures!
Posted by: Arctodus23 on April 18 2013,14:11


Posted by: Robin on April 18 2013,14:17

Quote (Arctodus23 @ April 18 2013,14:11)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Isn't that just the cutest thing ever!
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 18 2013,14:43

Yay, mammals!

(This thread could use more mammals.)


Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on April 18 2013,15:28

Quote (Robin @ April 18 2013,14:17)
Quote (Arctodus23 @ April 18 2013,14:11)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Isn't that just the cutest thing ever!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


There was the paper published in the mid-1990s about a rehabilitated male sea otter who had been released on San Nicholas Island and observed for some time. An interesting part of it was the surprisingly extensive list of species that sea otter had raped.
Posted by: Arctodus23 on April 18 2013,16:05

Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ April 18 2013,15:28)
Quote (Robin @ April 18 2013,14:17)
Quote (Arctodus23 @ April 18 2013,14:11)

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Isn't that just the cutest thing ever!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


There was the paper published in the mid-1990s about a rehabilitated male sea otter who had been released on San Nicholas Island and observed for some time. An interesting part of it was the surprisingly extensive list of species that sea otter had raped.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


< Sea otters and AGW >
Posted by: The whole truth on April 19 2013,00:27

Something weird is going on. A comment of mine didn't show up here even though the menu page (or whatever it's called) shows that I posted a comment.


Posted by: Robin on April 19 2013,07:11

Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ April 18 2013,15:28)
There was the paper published in the mid-1990s about a rehabilitated male sea otter who had been released on San Nicholas Island and observed for some time. An interesting part of it was the surprisingly extensive list of species that sea otter had raped.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


And just like that, they go from cute to squick...

Bleah!
Posted by: Robin on April 19 2013,07:18

I do believe this is going to be the last of my woodpecker nesting photos. This was shot last April 16, but the woodpeckers have not engaged in any nesting activity since then. They both came to the tree today to get some peanuts (I have a feeder on the same branch as the nest cavity), but neither stayed. The male did look into the nest cavity, but he didn't go in or stay. There have been a couple of starlings that have checked out the cavity and they have even gone in and out of it, even though it's difficult for them to do so, so I'm wondering if they've chased the woodpeckers away or if the woodpeckers have just abandoned the nest site for a better location. At any rate, I shot this the last time the female went into the nest:


Female Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)
Posted by: Freddie on April 20 2013,12:01

La la la - you can't see me!


Posted by: Henry J on April 20 2013,15:43

No fair, you peeped!
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 21 2013,05:26

Cute!

Chickadee?
Posted by: Freddie on April 21 2013,13:18

Quote (Lou FCD @ April 21 2013,05:26)
Cute!

Chickadee?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


A Blue Tit, I think ... but then I couldn't really see him/her :-)
Posted by: Robin on April 22 2013,09:05

Quote (Freddie @ April 20 2013,12:01)
La la la - you can't see me!


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


HAHAHAHA! Now this made me laugh! Great shot Freddie!

This reminds me of seeing giraffe in the wild. Giraffe in a lot of cases like to have obstacles between them and predators, so they will stand on the other side of trees or rocks or jeeps or what-have-you. The funny thing is, they are significantly taller than most of the objects in their environments, so the act looks rather ineffective.
Posted by: Robin on April 22 2013,09:09

"Houston, we have a problem..."





We had a little storm on Friday and the limb with the nest cavity broke off at the entry hole.  :(
Posted by: midwifetoad on April 22 2013,09:10

No doubt the bird anticipated this.
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 22 2013,10:15

whoops!
Posted by: Henry J on April 22 2013,11:40

That tree just wasn't up to building code specs!
Posted by: Robin on April 22 2013,12:51

Quote (Henry J @ April 22 2013,11:40)
That tree just wasn't up to building code specs!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That or they didn't have a good structural engineer. Either way, I'm sure their will be a lawsuit.
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on April 22 2013,17:34

I was casting about for some way to get better results out of my $26 Vivitar 500mm lens, and remembered gunstock-style lens mounts. A quick trip to eBay showed that there is a commercial-off-the-shelf system, the BushHawk. However, I object to paying three to fifteen times more than I paid for the lens to buy the stabilizer. (Never mind the discrepancy in price between lens and camera.)

So yesterday I ascertained that we had an old piece of 2x6" board lying about, and with table saw, jigsaw, sander, and drill, I came up with this:



The underslung cutout allows me to rotate the lens and attached camera body. I still need to add a bit of Velcro and mount a Nikon remote release, but I took a few minutes to try the system out. Even without the remote release, this is a big improvement over trying to hand-hold the lens and camera by itself. Notice the focus helicoid between the lens mount and the camera body; when handheld, the helicoid tends to bind rather than turn. On this, I can effectively turn the focus ring.







Yeah, I need to scrub my sensor.
Posted by: The whole truth on April 22 2013,23:52

That's a clever mount, Wesley. Another good starting point for a camera mount is a wooden or aluminum crutch, which can be picked up for a few bucks at a thrift store or maybe even less at a garage sale. The lower part of the crutch can be cut off just past the handle or a few inches beyond that if more length is need to attach accessories like a microphone for video work.

Crutches have holes for adjusting the position of the handle which can be used to attach a camera and/or accessories and of course more holes can be drilled if necessary. The rails of a crutch are pretty narrow but a wider platform for the camera (and/or accessories) can be bolted to the crutch rail if necessary. A piece of stiff aluminum 1/8" plate a couple inches wide and a few inches or so long will work. A piece of wood would also work and if thick enough it would allow camera rotation if the lens is what is attached to the platform.

A modified crutch may not be suitable for long, heavy lenses. I haven't tried my 500 and 600mm lenses on my modified wooden crutch. The nice things about a crutch are that it's cheap, lightweight when the bottom is cut off, it has a pad that is comfortable against the inner shoulder, it has an adjustable handle, and a wooden one especially is quite strong (they're often laminated).
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on April 23 2013,08:42

Velcro is a wonderful thing. I added the remote release to the telephoto rig. (Though, technically, I don't think the 500mm is a telephoto: it really is physically just about 500mm from primary optic to film plane.) And a morning stroll to the edge of the bigger pond got me a couple of passable shots of my neighbors. In each case, I've provided the resized full image (approximately APS-C coverage) and a cropped version.









Getting closer would help a bunch. I'll have to work on that.
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 23 2013,09:57

Es ist sehr gut.
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on April 23 2013,20:34

Another entry in the cheap long lens arsenal, this one a Pro 400mm f/6.3, probably manufactured in the late 1960s or early 1970s. It cost me $11 plus shipping off eBay. I had to disassemble it to strip some fogging off an element, something that becomes obvious if you pass light through indirectly. I like using something like a dark monitor for a background.

Anyway, I attached the 400mm to the rig and took another walk around the yard. We have some woodpeckers who nest in a dead palm tree. This one was in a tree near that.



I'm stopping down to f/11 whenever I can with both lenses. Preset lenses are a pain, but the 400mm is way ahead of the 500mm ergonomically. The preset ring turns easily, and the focusing happens at the front end of the lens.

I could still stand to get lots closer.
Posted by: dhogaza on April 25 2013,19:23

Wesley, I've shot with a homemade shoulder stock for 20 years.   I don't use it currently because my IS mid-range teles are easily hand-holdable, and I'm not strong enough to hand-hold my 6kg 600/4 non-IS even with the shoulder stock.  Well, I can hold it with the shoulder stock, I just can't hold it *still*.  If it had IS I could manage it.  I envy those with Canon's latest 600/4 IS which weighs less than 4kg ...

But I used to use it with my 3kg 300/2.8 non-IS with and without 1.4x and 2x extenders before I sold it.
Posted by: dhogaza on April 25 2013,19:24

Ran across these cuties while at Ridgefield NWR (WA) a couple of days ago:


Posted by: The whole truth on April 25 2013,21:02

Quote (dhogaza @ April 25 2013,17:24)
Ran across these cuties while at Ridgefield NWR (WA) a couple of days ago:


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Oh goodie, the painted toitles are out. I almost went to the RNWR yesterday but decided to go to the Gifford Pinchot National Forest instead. It was a beautiful day out there.
Posted by: dhogaza on April 25 2013,23:16

Too much information, if I see you, I might have to shoot you.

With a camera, of course :)
Posted by: Robin on April 26 2013,10:49

Quote (dhogaza @ April 25 2013,19:24)
Ran across these cuties while at Ridgefield NWR (WA) a couple of days ago:


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Neat shot! I like that!
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on April 26 2013,19:16

Do we have an entomologist in the house?


Posted by: Henry J on April 26 2013,21:08

< Would this help? > :D
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on April 26 2013,21:18

Quote (Henry J @ April 26 2013,21:08)
< Would this help? > :D
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Work?!
Posted by: Arctodus23 on April 26 2013,21:18

Quote (Henry J @ April 26 2013,21:08)
< Would this help? > :D
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I don't think it specifies what the insect is.  :p
Posted by: The whole truth on April 26 2013,23:07

Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ April 26 2013,17:16)
Do we have an entomologist in the house?


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I'm not sure but it may be a leaf footed bug nymph, family Coreidae.
Posted by: The whole truth on April 26 2013,23:25

Wesley, this leaf footed bug nymph looks a lot like yours:

< http://www.whatsthatbug.com/2010.......ted-bug >


Posted by: The whole truth on April 27 2013,23:21

dhogaza, are you aware that there is a Black Necked Stilt at RNWR? It's hanging out in the partially flooded field on the south side of Rest Lake.
Posted by: Robin on April 28 2013,06:16

A few shots of some Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) that I took yesterday at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserver in Loudoun County, Virginia:


Male and female. The male is the one above.


Another of the male and female


This one came and sat right behind me, about 8 or so feet away.

And yes, they are getting ready to mate.
Posted by: Robin on April 28 2013,06:19


Here's shot of a tree swallow flying. I am surprised I actually got this shot.
Posted by: Arctodus23 on April 28 2013,06:23

Here's a special treat:


Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on April 28 2013,08:29

This is a view near dawn of the side yard, looking mostly to the west. Part of small pond on left, woodpecker nest tree slightly right of center.


Posted by: Arctodus23 on April 28 2013,08:50

Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ April 28 2013,08:29)
This is a view near dawn of the side yard, looking mostly to the west. Part of small pond on left, woodpecker nest tree slightly right of center.


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


When I was in Florida, I actually saw a:


Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on April 28 2013,08:56

Quote (Arctodus23 @ April 28 2013,08:50)
Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ April 28 2013,08:29)
This is a view near dawn of the side yard, looking mostly to the west. Part of small pond on left, woodpecker nest tree slightly right of center.


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


When I was in Florida, I actually saw a:


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I live a bit far north and in too close to town to expect to see one of those. I haven't kept up; back in 2010 there were a bit more than a hundred panthers, and that included the females imported from Texas to try to counter the various genetic problems that the small Florida population was showing, like "kinked tail".

Whenever I drove across Alligator Alley, I had to hope that I would not encounter one at high speed on the road. It would have been a bit tough to explain to my colleagues at work.
Posted by: Arctodus23 on April 28 2013,09:13

Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ April 28 2013,08:56)
Quote (Arctodus23 @ April 28 2013,08:50)
 
Quote (Wesley R. Elsberry @ April 28 2013,08:29)
This is a view near dawn of the side yard, looking mostly to the west. Part of small pond on left, woodpecker nest tree slightly right of center.


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


When I was in Florida, I actually saw a:


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I live a bit far north and in too close to town to expect to see one of those. I haven't kept up; back in 2010 there were a bit more than a hundred panthers, and that included the females imported from Texas to try to counter the various genetic problems that the small Florida population was showing, like "kinked tail".

Whenever I drove across Alligator Alley, I had to hope that I would not encounter one at high speed on the road. It would have been a bit tough to explain to my colleagues at work.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Funny...It looked like you lived in south of Costa Rica Florida. There is still I think 160, maybe 200 now. There was another genetic problem, where the mails only had one testicle, or maybe even none.
Posted by: dhogaza on April 28 2013,09:49

Quote (The whole truth @ April 27 2013,23:21)
dhogaza, are you aware that there is a Black Necked Stilt at RNWR? It's hanging out in the partially flooded field on the south side of Rest Lake.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yes, I just heard that friday, ran into someone at Bowerman Basin who told me so.  That wasn't you, was it?
Posted by: dhogaza on April 28 2013,09:51

Quote (Robin @ April 28 2013,06:19)
Here's shot of a tree swallow flying. I am surprised I actually got this shot.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


So am I!  All of the tree swallow photos are excellent, good job.
Posted by: The whole truth on April 28 2013,10:59

Quote (dhogaza @ April 28 2013,07:49)
Quote (The whole truth @ April 27 2013,23:21)
dhogaza, are you aware that there is a Black Necked Stilt at RNWR? It's hanging out in the partially flooded field on the south side of Rest Lake.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yes, I just heard that friday, ran into someone at Bowerman Basin who told me so.  That wasn't you, was it?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nope, that wasn't me. Are there gobs of shorebirds at Bowerman Basin as usual? There were some yellow legs, dowitchers, and sandpipers at RNWR on Friday. A male marsh hawk too, but no females. I saw those turtles. There were 17 of them on the log. A male yellow headed blackbird was at the pond with lots of cattails, and there was a dead coot and a dead nutria in that pond.
Posted by: dhogaza on April 28 2013,12:22

Quote (The whole truth @ April 28 2013,10:59)
Nope, that wasn't me. Are there gobs of shorebirds at Bowerman Basin as usual? There were some yellow legs, dowitchers, and sandpipers at RNWR on Friday.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Bowerman Basin is slow, count was about 7,000 for the last high tide I saw numbers for (probably thursday).  Should start picking up very soon.  Saw some good-sized flocks feeding around ocean shores.  Weather was horrible up there saturday so didn't even bother with bottle beach.  But did photograph dunlin, western sandpipers, and sanderlings feeding at Point Brown, in the rain.  I'll post a couple of pics here.  There were several hundred feeding on the rising tide.

Yes, I saw and heard yellowlegs and dowitchers at RNWR last weekend, and saw some smallish flocks of peeps.
Posted by: Arctodus23 on April 28 2013,12:26

[IMG]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/04/Ice_worm_closeupNASA.jpg[/IMG

It's an ice worm.

Credit: NASA
Posted by: Arctodus23 on April 28 2013,12:27

Quote (Arctodus23 @ April 28 2013,12:26)
[IMG]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/04/Ice_worm_closeupNASA.jpg[/IMG

It's an ice worm.

Credit: NASA
---------------------QUOTE-------------------




I think something went wrong in the programming.
Posted by: dhogaza on April 28 2013,14:31



Only got to look for and then photograph shorebirds for about a half hour at ocean shores on saturday, as monsoon-like conditions set in and chased me off. Here we have dunlin feeding on a mother lode of what appear to be sand shrimp, with shorter-billed sanderling in the foreground apparently unable to share in the feast.
Posted by: The whole truth on April 28 2013,15:36

Nice picture. It's also nice of dunlin to have markings that make them easier to identify than some other shore birds. I like to watch sanderlings run along a beach. I wish I could move my legs that fast. :)
Posted by: The whole truth on April 28 2013,15:37

Quote (Arctodus23 @ April 28 2013,10:27)
Quote (Arctodus23 @ April 28 2013,12:26)
[IMG]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/04/Ice_worm_closeupNASA.jpg[/IMG

It's an ice worm.

Credit: NASA
---------------------QUOTE-------------------




I think something went wrong in the programming.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That's an awesome looking critter.
Posted by: dhogaza on April 28 2013,23:48

Quote (The whole truth @ April 28 2013,15:36)
It's also nice of dunlin to have markings that make them easier to identify than some other shore birds.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Don't worry, I'll post some winter-plummaged dunlin in a few months.
Posted by: The whole truth on April 29 2013,00:10

Quote (dhogaza @ April 28 2013,21:48)
Quote (The whole truth @ April 28 2013,15:36)
It's also nice of dunlin to have markings that make them easier to identify than some other shore birds.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Don't worry, I'll post some winter-plummaged dunlin in a few months.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Troublemaker. :)

Seriously though, I used to pay a lot more attention to identifying all birds that I encountered and there were some shorebirds, gulls, and a few sparrows that frustrated me. I also attended some meetings with some very experienced birders and they would often debate the identification of some shorebirds, gulls, sparrows, or some other birds.

Many butterflies, moths, and other insect identifications are also regularly debated, and of course many plants too. Nature can be difficult to figure out but that's one of the things that makes it interesting. There's always more to discover and understand.
Posted by: Arctodus23 on April 29 2013,15:05

Quote (The whole truth @ April 28 2013,15:37)
Quote (Arctodus23 @ April 28 2013,10:27)
Quote (Arctodus23 @ April 28 2013,12:26)
[IMG]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/04/Ice_worm_closeupNASA.jpg[/IMG

It's an ice worm.

Credit: NASA
---------------------QUOTE-------------------




I think something went wrong in the programming.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That's an awesome looking critter.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Awesome, indeed. I haven't figured out what species it is, but when I do, I'll start a topic on taxonomy, and that will be included.
Posted by: The whole truth on May 04 2013,01:47

dhogaza, I went to RNWR yesterday but didn't see the stilt anywhere. Besides the usual array of critters I saw 4 or 5 male yellow headed blackbirds, an adult bald eagle, the smallest turtle I've ever seen there (about a 2 and 1/2" carapace length), a bunch of dragonflies and a few damselflies, a few ruddy ducks (same pond as the yh blackbirds), a yellowthroat, a male bittern putting on quite a show belching/burping for the ladies, and I heard some soras and another bittern.

The bittern I saw caught what appeared to be a giant water bug. The bittern squished it over and over with its beak for about 5 minutes before swallowing it. A few minutes later the bittern caught a large bull frog tadpole and swallowed it about 5 seconds later even though it was much larger than the water bug, which was pretty big itself. Apparently the bittern wanted to make sure that the water bug was really dead before swallowing it.

I forgot to mention the other day that last week there was an osprey hovering over Rest Lake (same day that I saw the stilt).
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 04 2013,06:48

Saw this guy the day before yesterday, new for the life-lists.

< >
< Black-necked Stilt > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

ETA: And this guy yesterday, also new for the life-lists.

< >
< Orchard Oriole > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

The weather's been shitty for bird photography, though.


Posted by: Lou FCD on May 04 2013,08:30

Also new for the life-lists, from the day before yesterday.

< >
< Glossy Ibis > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

And mixed in with the Dunlin here are either Short or Long-billed Dowitchers, either of which is new for the life-lists.

< >
< Of Dunlins and Dowitchers > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr
Posted by: Arctodus23 on May 04 2013,18:53

This is a Sciurus vulgaris, a species of squirrel:


Posted by: Arctodus23 on May 04 2013,18:54

Quote (Arctodus23 @ May 04 2013,18:53)
This is a Sciurus vulgaris, a species of squirrel:


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I've been having trouble lately, with Commons,

Here's it again:


Posted by: Arctodus23 on May 04 2013,18:56

Quote (Arctodus23 @ May 04 2013,18:54)
Quote (Arctodus23 @ May 04 2013,18:53)
This is a Sciurus vulgaris, a species of squirrel:


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I've been having trouble lately, with Commons,

Here's it again:


---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Got it:


Posted by: dhogaza on May 06 2013,20:03

thewholetruth: does this look like your bittern?  I photographed it at Ridgefield friday the 3rd, on my way to ocean shores.  Caught in the act of "sump-pumping":




Posted by: dhogaza on May 06 2013,20:06

Since we're doing "life photographed birds", at Damon Point there was this nice black-bellied plover.  I've gotten photos in the past of them in grey plover plumage, but not breeding ...



And this, which we don't see so often any more - ruddy turnstone, one of five at Bottle Beach ...


Posted by: dhogaza on May 06 2013,20:37

Now for some better photos from this weekend ... all from ocean shores.  as you can see, the weather was much nicer than the weekend before.

western sandpiper:







Semipalmated plover



And dunlin


Posted by: The whole truth on May 06 2013,21:18

Oh heck yeah, I'd recognize that bittern anywhere. :)

Seriously, here's the one I saw, about to swallow a juicy tadpole. Was yours toward the west end of the first canal or the east end of the second canal on the right? (Across from the pond with lots of stumps and logs). If so, it was likely the same bird.




I don't recall ever seeing a black bellied plover in breeding plumage but then I've forgotten lots of things. It has been quite awhile since I've been to the coast to seriously look for birds but 20-30 years ago it wasn't real hard to find ruddy turnstones, at least at places near Tillamook that processed oysters and left the shells in big piles outside. Are they diminishing in numbers?

I would appreciate it if you and some others would tell me if my picture is too light or dark, etc., because I'm currently using a monitor that may not be calibrated very well. Thanks!
Posted by: dhogaza on May 06 2013,22:48



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Are they (ruddy turnstones) diminishing in numbers?
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Yes, but they're so widespread that they're not of international concern at the moment.  But on our pacific coast, declines have been steep.  On the other hand, there's strong evidence of cyclical  changes in numbers, with numbers 40 years ago being at a high point in our area.  So no one knows for sure AFAIK.

But ...

Many PNW shorebirds are diminishing.  Back when I first learned of bowerman basin in gray's harbor, documented numbers of migrants feeding there were in the 500K range.  Today, 100K would be exciting.
Posted by: dhogaza on May 06 2013,22:56

Your photo looks fine, BTW.  Light's less harsh than when I took mine (in the midst of this record-setting high temp and high-intensity sun weather we've had).

And mine was on the east end of the second canal on the right (north).  Scott Carpenter apparently photographed it for some time before I showed up mid-morning.

black-bellieds are easy enough to find in singles and in isolation.  The brits call them grey plover because apparently they don't (or almost never) see them in breeding plumage.  We catch some of them in breeding plumage.

But on all of ocean shores, where I was playing with many flocks of multiple thousands of shorebirds, I only saw one black-bellied, and it was by itself.

Bottle beach had maybe a half-dozen - a place where 100,00 shorebirds aren't unknown.
Posted by: The whole truth on May 07 2013,01:51

Quote (dhogaza @ May 06 2013,20:56)
Your photo looks fine, BTW.  Light's less harsh than when I took mine (in the midst of this record-setting high temp and high-intensity sun weather we've had).

And mine was on the east end of the second canal on the right (north).  Scott Carpenter apparently photographed it for some time before I showed up mid-morning.

black-bellieds are easy enough to find in singles and in isolation.  The brits call them grey plover because apparently they don't (or almost never) see them in breeding plumage.  We catch some of them in breeding plumage.

But on all of ocean shores, where I was playing with many flocks of multiple thousands of shorebirds, I only saw one black-bellied, and it was by itself.

Bottle beach had maybe a half-dozen - a place where 100,00 shorebirds aren't unknown.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks for letting me know that my photo looks fine. When I took that photo there was some late afternoon-early evening cloud cover which made the lighting less harsh.  

It's probably safe to say that it's the same bittern as yours. When I first saw it it was at the east end of the second canal and then it walked over to the first canal. After awhile it flew over by the pond with lots of stumps and logs but later it returned to the east end of the second canal and again walked over to the west end of the first canal. The other bittern I heard was along the west edge of the pond with stumps and logs, about 100 yards or so from the road.

The name Scott Carpenter sounds a bit familiar. I've talked to lots of people at RNWR over the years but I don't know if I've met him.  

I'm going to have to get myself to the coast again one of these days and over to the Ocean Shores area to see lots of shorebirds. I mostly go to the GPNF these days and to RNWR and a few other places. Those shorebirds you photographed are beautiful and just too cute.

Yeah, this weather is amazing. I keep listening for the usual sound of rain on my roof, but so far so good, and the forecast for the next several days looks good too.

It's a shame that shorebirds are diminishing. Diminishing numbers is the trend for many species, and it's depressing.

I enjoy seeing your pictures and the pictures posted by others, and I appreciate the info about the shorebirds and the places you're seeing them.


ETA: a missing 'the'


Posted by: Lou FCD on May 07 2013,07:11

Really nice set of shots, dhogaza!
Posted by: dhogaza on May 20 2013,07:37

Ocean shooting ...

Pacific ocean last weekend ...

Risso's dolphins practicing synchronized swimming:




Baby humpback during one of its 40 or so breaches:



And yesterday on the sagebrush ocean ... (well, OK, flood-irrigated field in the Great Basin):



Also at Monterey Bay last weekend, obligatory Brandt's cormorant colony ...






Posted by: Robin on May 21 2013,10:11

Really nice shots Dhogaza!
Posted by: Freddie on May 21 2013,12:05

For the "serious enthusiasts" out there ... anyone planning to get one of these any time soon? :-)

< http://www.dpreview.com/news.......F4 Lens >

Okay so a little expensive at £11,999 retail (approx. $US 18,000), but i'm sure it would be worth it!


Posted by: dhogaza on May 22 2013,17:43

Fortunately the price in the US is "only" $11K+, y'all in the UK is bein' robbed!

No, I'm not in the market, I want to upgrade my 18 yr old non-IS 600/4 to the latest version (along with IS and better sharpness, the new one weighs 8+ lbs rather than the 13.3 lbs my current one weighs).

But that 200-400/4+built-in 1.4x is a sweet, sweet lens.  Perfect for safari in Africa, for instance, where you're stuck in a vehicle and where distances to various bits of wildlife range from really close to distant.  Testers note no noticeable decrease in sharpness when the 1.4s kicks in (obviously there will be, but it appears to be so sharp it's not noticeable though I'm sure the pixel-peeper testers will quantify it).

Much like my shooting from boats, which led to my picking up a 100-400/4.5-5.6 used for $250.  Yes, the price difference is one reason I'm not upgrading :)
Posted by: Arctodus23 on May 25 2013,10:40

Quote (dhogaza @ May 20 2013,07:37)
Ocean shooting ...

Pacific ocean last weekend ...

Risso's dolphins practicing synchronized swimming:




Baby humpback during one of its 40 or so breaches:



And yesterday on the sagebrush ocean ... (well, OK, flood-irrigated field in the Great Basin):



Also at Monterey Bay last weekend, obligatory Brandt's cormorant colony ...






---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nice shots, dh.
Posted by: The whole truth on May 29 2013,16:40

I couldn't find an appropriate thread for this, so I figured this thread is as good as any. This should put a smile on your face:

< http://shine.yahoo.com/author-....61.html >
Posted by: The whole truth on May 29 2013,16:42

Yes, those are very nice, dhogaza.
Posted by: dhogaza on June 02 2013,00:15

Burrowing owl, carrying insect prey ...


Posted by: dhogaza on June 04 2013,15:00

black tern ... file this and the previous under the category "malheur rocks"


Posted by: Lou FCD on June 04 2013,18:26

You've been putting up some really nice stuff!
Posted by: dhogaza on June 04 2013,19:24

Thanks, Lou!  I had a very productive two weeks at Malheur.

(when people roundabout these parts talk about "going to Malheur", that includes Fields, the Alvord Desert, Hart Mountain, Steens Mountain, Catlow Valley, and the flood-irrigated fields around Burns, along with Malheur NWR - easily 3,000 square miles, the refuge alone is 300.)

Black tern reflection ...


Posted by: Henry J on June 05 2013,13:02

But it's upside down!
Posted by: dhogaza on June 05 2013,18:00

And one of my favorites, unusual for the west (but plentiful in the malheur marsh's south end), bobolink ...


Posted by: Arctodus23 on June 05 2013,20:40

I saw a Coyote kill two ducks yesterday.
Posted by: dhogaza on June 18 2013,23:23

Gotta bump this thread ... osprey shot yesterday ...

Posted by: Henry J on June 19 2013,21:08

Anchovy for his pizza?
Posted by: midwifetoad on June 19 2013,21:26

I have an osprey family a block away nesting on a purpose made platform atop a cell tower. I can sit on the back porch and watch them feed the baby.

They,  or someone like them, has been doing this for ten years. In a month or so we can watch them teach junior to hunt.
Posted by: dhogaza on June 20 2013,10:49

Carp, not anchovy.

midwifetoad, I'm looking forward to continue shooting this nest as the season progresses and the young fledge.  They're totally acclimated to human presence, and ODF&W conveniently built a mound about 15-20 feet high near the nest which gives a much nicer angle of view than from the ground (it's construction refuse, an unexpected bonus being the better osprey viewing).

so y'all might have to put up with more osprey photos from me as time goes on :)
Posted by: dvunkannon on June 22 2013,08:44

< http://dvunkannon.blogspot.com/2013....fe.html >

A short post with some pics on my blog, from a recent visit to St Croix.
Posted by: Lou FCD on June 22 2013,14:34

I live on the second floor, and I've been watching these Barn Swallows nest for a few weeks, up under the flooring of the second floor decking of the common entrance to my building. As it happens, I walk right over the nest anytime I go in or out of my condo, though there's no way to get any kind of shot between the decking boards.

First two shots from 10 June, nesting but no evidence of little ones yet - no way to tell about eggs, though, without getting up on a ladder and sticking my face right in the nest:

< >
< Barn Swallow Nesting > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

< >
< Barn Swallow Nesting > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr


On 15 June, I took this of the Barn Swallow Boys Choir:

< >
< Barn Swallow Boys Choir > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr


And this was a few minutes ago. They grow up so fast!

< >
< Barn Swallows > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr
Posted by: Henry J on June 22 2013,16:41

My what big mouths those little guys have!
Posted by: OgreMkV on June 22 2013,21:48

Not wildlife, but I figure out how to take some shots using my telescope.



If you look carefully, you can see the mountain ranges on the limb.




Some more shots on my blog.


Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on July 02 2013,23:40

A visit to the beach...







Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2, Konica Hexar 200mm f/4 lens.
Posted by: fusilier on July 03 2013,08:30

Please note that this anecdote is second hand - I am sure my neighbor is honest in his reporting, but ....

A neighbor told me that a fairly large cat we'd seen roaming the neighborhood was resting on the sidewalk, in the shade of a tree, when a large hawk nailed it and flew off with it.

The puddy-tat was one of those long-haired varieties, so I'm not sure how much of that "large" is fur, and how much cat.  We live in a stereotypical suburban neighborhood, 40-year-old silver maples, rosebushes, juniper hedges, that sort of thing.  My Beloved and Darling Wife is the mad gardening lady of the block.  We're near water, so there are often Great Blue Herons overhead, and I've seen hawks around.

But, preying on a cat?
Posted by: Lou FCD on July 04 2013,08:02

I've seen a Red-tailed take a very fat squirrel from my yard, while my Pop and I were about 5 meters away, standing in plain sight. He dropped it from about 20 meters up though, as he was flying away with his intended lunch.

Sunuvabitch came in low and fast from behind us, brushing my hair (or perhaps close enough that the air felt like it) on his way in for the kill. Scared the shit out of the both of us. I was a little worried about the old man's heart for a moment.

So I wouldn't rule it out, out of hand.
Posted by: Lou FCD on July 28 2013,06:03

Owling last night. Heard one Barred Owl and at least five Eastern Screech-Owls at one point.

Saw two of the Eastern Screech-Owls. The first attempt at pics bagged me an empty branch because I was too slow, but I got shots of the second one we saw.

< >
< Eastern Screech-Owl > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

< >
< Eastern Screech-Owl > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on July 28 2013,12:31

Quote (Lou FCD @ July 28 2013,06:03)
Owling last night. Heard one Barred Owl and at least five Eastern Screech-Owls at one point.

Saw two of the Eastern Screech-Owls. The first attempt at pics bagged me an empty branch because I was too slow, but I got shots of the second one we saw.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Very nice!
Posted by: Henry J on July 28 2013,12:35

My, what big eyes it has!

Say, does that make it the better mousetrap that the world is looking for?
Posted by: Robin on July 29 2013,08:27

Quote (Lou FCD @ July 28 2013,06:03)
Owling last night. Heard one Barred Owl and at least five Eastern Screech-Owls at one point.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Cool Lou!
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on July 29 2013,09:10

Thought I should share some pics from a recent KSU Study Abroad trip to Brazil. We visited the Pantanal (southwest Brazil) as well as the Amazon this time.

Here's a Savannah Hawk (Buteogallus meridonalis) from the Pantanal.



And here's a Southern Crested Caracara (Caracara plancus), also from the Pantanal.



A flickr site with lots of other pics, including quite a few taken by some of the students on the trip, can be found < here. >
Posted by: Lou FCD on July 30 2013,08:43

Thanks ever'body. I love to go owling, but that's the first time I tried to get pics.

And holy moly, Alby, those are some sweet shots!
Posted by: dhogaza on July 30 2013,11:46

That Savannah Hawk is amazingly beautiful, as is your photo of it.

Meanwhile, my osprey family is pretty much all grown up, with the first two chicks having apparently fledged very recently, while the third isn't quite there yet.  Here's one of the kids, enjoying its newly developed powers of flight:


Posted by: stevestory on July 30 2013,12:19

Good photographers here.
Posted by: Robin on Aug. 02 2013,08:33

Amazing shots Alby!

Is there anyway to check the camera settings on some of those shots? I'd like to get a sense of what makes them so brilliant.

ETA: Oops...nevermind. I found them!


Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Aug. 02 2013,11:17

Quote (Robin @ Aug. 02 2013,08:33)
I'd like to get a sense of what makes them so brilliant.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Well, I think tropical sunshine has a lot to do with that. The camera settings, equipment, and photographer are all playing second fiddle to the morning light.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Aug. 02 2013,20:02

Of course, you are all encouraged to wander over to < Panda's Thumb >, and vote for a winner in the photo contest, where my Caracara picture is a contender!
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Aug. 07 2013,10:31

I've been trying to get a decent shot of an Indigo Bunting for a while. They tend to sit high in trees, and backlit shots don't do them justice. I finally got one to stay low for a while, and here is the result. I'm gonna keep trying, but this one is better than the previous attempts!

Posted by: Bob O'H on Aug. 07 2013,11:43

A typically beautiful shot, thanks for that.



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
They tend to sit high in trees, and backlit shots don't do them justice.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


< No, they might not even look blue >.
Posted by: Robin on Aug. 07 2013,12:32

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Aug. 07 2013,10:31)
I've been trying to get a decent shot of an Indigo Bunting for a while. They tend to sit high in trees, and backlit shots don't do them justice. I finally got one to stay low for a while, and here is the result.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Wow!
Posted by: Lou FCD on Aug. 07 2013,13:05

Really nice, Alby!

Quote (Bob O'H @ Aug. 07 2013,12:43)
A typically beautiful shot, thanks for that.

   

---------------------QUOTE-------------------
They tend to sit high in trees, and backlit shots don't do them justice.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


< No, they might not even look blue >.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Indeed.

< >
< Indigo Bunting (female or juvenile) > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr


< >
< Indigo Bunting (female or juvenile) > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

That one doesn't look blue at all!!!!

< >
< Indigo Bunting (male) > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

< >
< Indigo Bunting (male) > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

I had made a trip to the Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, Missouri, whilst visiting in St. Louis, and added the Indigo Bunting to my life-lists last week.

Also new for the life-lists:

< >
< Yellow-breasted Chat > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

< >
< Blue Grosbeak (female) > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Aug. 07 2013,17:36

Quote (Lou FCD @ Aug. 07 2013,13:05)
< >
< Indigo Bunting (female or juvenile) > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks. And thank you, Lou, for that shot of the female Indigo Bunting. That milk-chocolate plumage is really quite pretty, IMHO
Posted by: Lou FCD on Aug. 07 2013,18:05

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Aug. 07 2013,18:36)
Quote (Lou FCD @ Aug. 07 2013,13:05)
< >
< Indigo Bunting (female or juvenile) > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thanks. And thank you, Lou, for that shot of the female Indigo Bunting. That milk-chocolate plumage is really quite pretty, IMHO
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Thank you, and yes, she was really quite gorgeous.

Today, after five hours total of standing behind the camera in my dining room, I got this:

< >
< Ruby-throated Hummingbird (female) > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

I'm tickled. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird spent almost four years on my Goddamnit List (the list of birds I have seen but not photographed), and after finally getting a few blurry, shitty shots of one earlier in the Spring, it's really good to have a decent, clean shot of one. I had a bare flash (Canon 430 EX) set up on the patio with a set of PW TT5s and a PW AC3 zone controller. I shot this with my 100-400 4.5/5.6 L zoom fully extended, through my sliding glass balcony doors.

I spent *five hours* today, just standing there behind the tripod, waiting for this shot.

I hurt like hell, but I'm celebrating with Cream Soda and Whipped-cream flavored Vodka.
Posted by: stevestory on Aug. 07 2013,19:26

Quote (Lou FCD @ Aug. 07 2013,19:05)
I hurt like hell, but I'm celebrating with Cream Soda and Whipped-cream flavored Vodka.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That's good stuff. It really does taste like whipped cream.

Sadly I haven't had a drink or a smoke in 7 days. Have one (or six) for me.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Aug. 08 2013,06:11

Quote (Lou FCD @ Aug. 07 2013,18:05)
Today, after five hours total of standing behind the camera in my dining room, I got this:
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nice! Hummers are frustrating, because they always seem to be on the other side of the feeder. But at least you know they are coming back to the same place regularly. Unlike Kingfishers   :angry:
Posted by: Robin on Aug. 08 2013,10:13

Quote (Lou FCD @ Aug. 07 2013,18:05)
Today, after five hours total of standing behind the camera in my dining room, I got this:

I'm tickled. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird spent almost four years on my Goddamnit List (the list of birds I have seen but not photographed), and after finally getting a few blurry, shitty shots of one earlier in the Spring, it's really good to have a decent, clean shot of one. I had a bare flash (Canon 430 EX) set up on the patio with a set of PW TT5s and a PW AC3 zone controller. I shot this with my 100-400 4.5/5.6 L zoom fully extended, through my sliding glass balcony doors.

I spent *five hours* today, just standing there behind the tripod, waiting for this shot.

I hurt like hell, but I'm celebrating with Cream Soda and Whipped-cream flavored Vodka.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nice shot Lou!

Just an FYI - the red dye provided for hummingbird feeders is not good for the birds. It can give them digestive problems, which can lead to them starving (they have to have over 10,000 cals a day; very energy intensive buggers). Better to just mix four parts water and one part sugar and cook it in the microwave for about 4 minutes. Wait for that to cool and it's a good hummer food source.

ETA: An interesting article on the subject:

< http://www.hummingbirds.net/dye.htm....ye.html >


Posted by: Lou FCD on Aug. 08 2013,16:20

Quote (Robin @ Aug. 08 2013,11:13)
Quote (Lou FCD @ Aug. 07 2013,18:05)
Today, after five hours total of standing behind the camera in my dining room, I got this:

I'm tickled. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird spent almost four years on my Goddamnit List (the list of birds I have seen but not photographed), and after finally getting a few blurry, shitty shots of one earlier in the Spring, it's really good to have a decent, clean shot of one. I had a bare flash (Canon 430 EX) set up on the patio with a set of PW TT5s and a PW AC3 zone controller. I shot this with my 100-400 4.5/5.6 L zoom fully extended, through my sliding glass balcony doors.

I spent *five hours* today, just standing there behind the tripod, waiting for this shot.

I hurt like hell, but I'm celebrating with Cream Soda and Whipped-cream flavored Vodka.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nice shot Lou!

Just an FYI - the red dye provided for hummingbird feeders is not good for the birds. It can give them digestive problems, which can lead to them starving (they have to have over 10,000 cals a day; very energy intensive buggers). Better to just mix four parts water and one part sugar and cook it in the microwave for about 4 minutes. Wait for that to cool and it's a good hummer food source.

ETA: An interesting article on the subject:

< http://www.hummingbirds.net/dye.htm....ye.html >
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Huh. I didn't know that. Thanks for that.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Aug. 08 2013,16:22

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Aug. 08 2013,07:11)
Quote (Lou FCD @ Aug. 07 2013,18:05)
Today, after five hours total of standing behind the camera in my dining room, I got this:
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nice! Hummers are frustrating, because they always seem to be on the other side of the feeder. But at least you know they are coming back to the same place regularly. Unlike Kingfishers   :angry:
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


No doubt.

Quote (stevestory @ Aug. 07 2013,20:26)
Quote (Lou FCD @ Aug. 07 2013,19:05)
I hurt like hell, but I'm celebrating with Cream Soda and Whipped-cream flavored Vodka.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


That's good stuff. It really does taste like whipped cream.

Sadly I haven't had a drink or a smoke in 7 days. Have one (or six) for me.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I did. And then some...
Posted by: Lou FCD on Aug. 08 2013,16:37

I'm still reading that, but I'm going to throw this out there:

Each time she comes, that particular hummingbird first pecks at the glass part of the feeder, almost like a woodpecker. I'm assuming she's trying to get her bill in the food.

Let me also note that right after saying it doesn't matter whether the dye is approved for humans because our physiologies are so different from birds', the author makes the argument that the dye has been banned from places because of studies on rats.

Now don't get me wrong, if I can make it from sugar and water, then I'll just do that. But I think the author of that piece makes a lot of assertions without backing them up, just as the manufacturer did. I'll err on the side of caution (and finances), but I think the article could be better.
Posted by: Robin on Aug. 08 2013,20:59

Quote (Lou FCD @ Aug. 08 2013,16:37)
I'm still reading that, but I'm going to throw this out there:

Each time she comes, that particular hummingbird first pecks at the glass part of the feeder, almost like a woodpecker. I'm assuming she's trying to get her bill in the food.

Let me also note that right after saying it doesn't matter whether the dye is approved for humans because our physiologies are so different from birds', the author makes the argument that the dye has been banned from places because of studies on rats.

Now don't get me wrong, if I can make it from sugar and water, then I'll just do that. But I think the author of that piece makes a lot of assertions without backing them up, just as the manufacturer did. I'll err on the side of caution (and finances), but I think the article could be better.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


No argument. I said it was interesting, not necessarily superbly argued.

And yes, there is some controversy about the claims that the dye is not good for hummingbirds, but then it is odd that anyone would think to use a dye anyway. As noted, no flower's nectar is red. I've never had a problem attracting hummingbirds with plain old clear sugar water. In fact, we currently have five hummers around our two feeders.

I will say that the sugar water is cheaper than buying the store stuff though. :)
Posted by: Lou FCD on Aug. 09 2013,12:00

Quote (Robin @ Aug. 08 2013,21:59)
Quote (Lou FCD @ Aug. 08 2013,16:37)
I'm still reading that, but I'm going to throw this out there:

Each time she comes, that particular hummingbird first pecks at the glass part of the feeder, almost like a woodpecker. I'm assuming she's trying to get her bill in the food.

Let me also note that right after saying it doesn't matter whether the dye is approved for humans because our physiologies are so different from birds', the author makes the argument that the dye has been banned from places because of studies on rats.

Now don't get me wrong, if I can make it from sugar and water, then I'll just do that. But I think the author of that piece makes a lot of assertions without backing them up, just as the manufacturer did. I'll err on the side of caution (and finances), but I think the article could be better.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


No argument. I said it was interesting, not necessarily superbly argued.

And yes, there is some controversy about the claims that the dye is not good for hummingbirds, but then it is odd that anyone would think to use a dye anyway. As noted, no flower's nectar is red. I've never had a problem attracting hummingbirds with plain old clear sugar water. In fact, we currently have five hummers around our two feeders.

I will say that the sugar water is cheaper than buying the store stuff though. :)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to sound as snarky as it sounds now. I intended only to through some thoughts out there that had occurred to me while reading the first bit.
Posted by: Robin on Aug. 09 2013,17:33

Quote (Lou FCD @ Aug. 09 2013,12:00)
Quote (Robin @ Aug. 08 2013,21:59)
Quote (Lou FCD @ Aug. 08 2013,16:37)
I'm still reading that, but I'm going to throw this out there:

Each time she comes, that particular hummingbird first pecks at the glass part of the feeder, almost like a woodpecker. I'm assuming she's trying to get her bill in the food.

Let me also note that right after saying it doesn't matter whether the dye is approved for humans because our physiologies are so different from birds', the author makes the argument that the dye has been banned from places because of studies on rats.

Now don't get me wrong, if I can make it from sugar and water, then I'll just do that. But I think the author of that piece makes a lot of assertions without backing them up, just as the manufacturer did. I'll err on the side of caution (and finances), but I think the article could be better.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


No argument. I said it was interesting, not necessarily superbly argued.

And yes, there is some controversy about the claims that the dye is not good for hummingbirds, but then it is odd that anyone would think to use a dye anyway. As noted, no flower's nectar is red. I've never had a problem attracting hummingbirds with plain old clear sugar water. In fact, we currently have five hummers around our two feeders.

I will say that the sugar water is cheaper than buying the store stuff though. :)
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to sound as snarky as it sounds now. I intended only to through some thoughts out there that had occurred to me while reading the first bit.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Ahh...well, good to know, though I did not take offense. Just commenting on your comment. :)
Posted by: Lou FCD on Aug. 15 2013,12:47

< >
< Ruby-throated Hummingbird (female) > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr
Posted by: dhogaza on Aug. 17 2013,10:02

I went out to do a little bird shooting last weekend myself.  Found thousands of sooty shearwaters.  Unfortunately, those in this photo are badly out of focus.  Sorry 'bout that.


Posted by: dhogaza on Aug. 17 2013,20:13

Today I didn't even bother trying to photograph birds ...


Posted by: Lou FCD on Aug. 18 2013,06:46

Quote (dhogaza @ Aug. 17 2013,11:02)
I went out to do a little bird shooting last weekend myself.  Found thousands of sooty shearwaters.  Unfortunately, those in this photo are badly out of focus.  Sorry 'bout that
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Stupid mammals, always photobombing the good shots.

(Really nice shots, though!)
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Aug. 28 2013,12:47

A Barred Owl spent some time on our deck a couple of evenings back. It was eying the birdbath like it wanted to bathe, but it never got around to that activity. It was also very intrigued by a Ruby-throated Hummingbird that was flying back and forth from the feeder.

Posted by: Robin on Aug. 28 2013,13:52

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Aug. 28 2013,12:47)
A Barred Owl spent some time on our deck a couple of evenings back. It was eying the birdbath like it wanted to bathe, but it never got around to that activity. It was also very intrigued by a Ruby-throated Hummingbird that was flying back and forth from the feeder.

---------------------QUOTE-------------------


OOOOOooo!  I so like the owls! Nice pic too! Thanks Alby!
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on Sep. 13 2013,17:22

What good is an 8mm Samyang fisheye for wildlife?

Paired with an Olympus E-PL1, I got this a few minutes ago.


Posted by: Henry J on Sep. 14 2013,01:08

Oh, that guy must be from out past the edge of the map! Here be dragonflies.

Henry
Posted by: Robin on Sep. 17 2013,16:23

Nice pic Wes!
Posted by: Robin on Sep. 17 2013,16:25

I planted some milkweed back in the spring out in a little garden area. Most of it didn't bloom this year and likely will need a few years to really get settled. But lo and behold, we did get some visitors anyway:


Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Sep. 24 2013,21:14

Micro wildlife can be pretty impressive too. Here's one of the major predators of the small insect world, an ambush bug, perched near a goldenrod flower.

Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Sep. 24 2013,21:23

Duplicate post deleted
Posted by: Glen Davidson on Sep. 24 2013,21:37



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
Micro wildlife can be pretty impressive too.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



Impressive enough to show twice!

Really good, in fact.

Glen Davidson
Posted by: Dr.GH on Sep. 26 2013,10:20


Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Oct. 09 2013,09:25

More insect wildlife - the Twig-girdler beetle (Oncideres cingulata), on an elm branch. These Cerambycid beetles lay eggs in the part of the girdled branch that will fall to the ground, and overwinter in those branches as larvae.



More information < here. >
Posted by: Lou FCD on Oct. 09 2013,11:26

Some stuff I've added to my < Best of the Birds album > on Flickr from the last month or so:

First, some raptors:

< >
< Bald Eagle > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

< >
< Bald Eagle (juvenile) > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

< >
< Cooper's Hawk > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

< >
< American Kestrel > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

< >
< Merlin > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr
Posted by: Lou FCD on Oct. 09 2013,11:29

And then some waders and shore birds:

< >
< Great Egret > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

< >
< Tricolored Heron > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

< >
< Green Heron > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr


< >
< Black-bellied Plovers > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

< >
< Marbled Godwit > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

And a bit of miscellaneous birds:

< >
< Yellow-billed Cuckoo > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr


< >
< Black-throated Blue Warbler > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

And then there's this guy:

< >
< Bar-tailed Godwit > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

< >
< Bar-tailed Godwit > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

Who has no business whatever on the East coast of North America. Very, very cool.
Posted by: Robin on Oct. 09 2013,13:44

Wow Lou! Some of these are just extraordinary! The one of the Great Egret looks like a painting!

Thanks!
Posted by: DaveH on Oct. 09 2013,16:04

De-lurking to add to the praise for LouFCD's bird pix. Stunning!

The bar-tails are just returning to S Scotland, as well... a real shame we don't see them with the breeding plumage; brick red head and breast.

Amazing birds, one was tracked (radio-transmitter) flying non-stop from New Zealand to Alaska!

< sciencedaily >
Posted by: Lou FCD on Oct. 14 2013,09:00

Thank you both!

Robin, that shot really really tickles me. I'm very proud of it.

Meanwhile, I just spent four days up at Kiptopeke hoping for some great fall migration action. I got four days of rain, no great bird shots, and a fubar long lens for my troubles. About the only shot worth mentioning from the whole trip was this one, a leucistic White-tailed Deer fawn.

< >
< Leucistic Fawn > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr
Posted by: Henry J on Oct. 14 2013,11:54

Oh deer!
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Oct. 25 2013,11:29

I don't want to piss off Lou, 'cuz I know his long lens is in the shop for repairs. But here's a bird pic I took last weekend, of a bird that is pretty hard to get out into the open for a portrait.

Bewick's Wren


Posted by: Robin on Oct. 25 2013,12:16

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Oct. 25 2013,11:29)
Bewick's Wren

Lovely! Thanks Alby!
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Lovely! Thanks Alby!
Posted by: Lou FCD on Oct. 26 2013,10:00

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Oct. 25 2013,12:29)
I don't want to piss off Lou, 'cuz I know his long lens is in the shop for repairs. But here's a bird pic I took last weekend, of a bird that is pretty hard to get out into the open for a portrait.

Bewick's Wren
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Oh, by all means...

I'm like an addict, and living vicariously until the lens is back!
Posted by: dhogaza on Nov. 10 2013,09:20

Birds aren't the only animals that fly ...

From about three weeks ago in monterey bay:




Posted by: dhogaza on Nov. 10 2013,09:22

But I still photograph birds, also from about three weeks ago, at Moss Landing, CA:




Posted by: timothya on Nov. 11 2013,04:14

If you live in south-eastern Australia, you are likely to have encountered birds known as honeyeaters. Honeyeaters are a common type of bird in Australia, and are a wonderful example of species radiation. Depending on how you choose to apply the definition of a species, there are dozens or perhaps hundreds of lineages.

Anyway, this story is about a single nesting. At my partner's house, we noticed that a pair of honeyeaters were building a nest inside the foliage of a cordyline plant in the garden. I am pretty sure they were New Holland honeyeaters (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae): < http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/sites......abQ59V1 > (image from birdsinbackyards.net). They certainly had the striated underbelly.

Later, a pair of honeyeaters hatched some nestlings. But, the parent birds were clearly from a different species. This is one of the nesters (Blue-faced honeyeater: Entomyzon cyanotis):
< http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/sites......gc9rx6s > (image from birdsinbackyards.net). Its common name is the Banana Bird, which makes it interesting to find it in the southern highlands of New South Wales (think Florida versus Canada).

One interesting thing (remarked on by Australian ornithologists) is that "Most [blue-faced honeyeater] nests are made on the abandoned nests of Grey-crowned Babblers, Noisy, Silver-crowned and Little Friarbirds, Noisy Miner, Red Wattlebird, Australian Magpie, Magpie-Lark and, rarely, butcherbirds or the Chestnut-crowned Babbler. Sometimes the nests are not modified, but often they are added to and relined." (http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/species/Entomyzon-cyanotis)

Did the blue-faced folk ask permission of the novaehollandaiae folk or did they just barge in and take over?

And then another interesting thing. Honeyeaters often practice "cooperative breeding":

"The Blue-faced Honeyeater forms breeding pairs, and may sometimes be a cooperative breeder, where immature birds help the main breeding pair to feed nestlings." (http://www.birdlife.org.au/bird-profile/blue-faced-honeyeater). Sure enough, three adults pop up at the nest with food for the nestlings (honeyeaters are mainly insectivorous, despite their name).

The nestlings are the ultimate alarm clock. As soon as the eastern sky lightens, they begin to carry on at the top of their voices (stupid, ignorant, insensitive birds).

And one other interesting thing. Another species of honeyeater regularly visits the nest, the White-eared honeyeater Lichenostomus leucotus):
< http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/species....eucotis > (image from birdsinbackyards.net)

The white ear doesn't seem to feed the nestlings, but it turns up every ten minutes to take a look. As does a tiny finch that I haven't been able to identify. I would post my own pics, but I can't work out how to embed them in this editor.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Nov. 12 2013,09:41

Quote (dhogaza @ Nov. 10 2013,10:20)
Birds aren't the only animals that fly ...

From about three weeks ago in monterey bay:
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Schweet!

 
Quote (timothya @ Nov. 11 2013,05:14)
I would post my own pics, but I can't work out how to embed them in this editor.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------



You'll have to upload them somewhere else (like Flickr, for instance), and then embed them using the img tags.
Posted by: DaveH on Nov. 25 2013,15:48

A few birds, some are locally rare...

It has taken me a while to get to grips with the focussing of the new D7100, so some photos are a bit rubbish. Also we only have sunlight from 8.00 to 3.30 at this time of year in Edinburgh, and it's at a low angle, so limiting if there's trees or clouds to cast shadows and force the ISO up :(

< local birds >
Posted by: Freddie on Nov. 26 2013,02:37

Some nice shots there, still looking to get my first Kingfisher on the wing shot down in the South of England!

Here's a few I took in October in the mountains around Los Gatos and on the coast at Santa Cruz.  Looking for some identification help, especially on the humming bird as I have tried in vain to figure it out ...














Posted by: Lou FCD on Nov. 26 2013,03:14

Quote (Freddie @ Nov. 26 2013,03:37)
Here's a few I took in October in the mountains around Los Gatos and on the coast at Santa Cruz.  Looking for some identification help, especially on the humming bird as I have tried in vain to figure it out ...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Hey Freddie,

It's 4AM here, and I haven't had coffee yet. Since you were on the left side of the Rockies, my familiarity with those birds is fairly limited.

But off the cuff, pre-coffee at 4AM, with eyes barely open, here are a few thoughts that might put you in the right ballpark, anyway.

The first bird looks an awful lot like an Eastern Towhee, so look at that family for an ID. Might be as simple as "Western Towhee".

The pink bill and the dark eye and head of the second bird put me in the mind of a Dark-eyed Junco, so check its kin.

We only really get Ruby-throated Hummingbirds here (except the rare stray), but it is definitely a Hummingbird. Or at least a bird. Definitely a bird. I think. Hope that helps.

The next guy kinda looks like a White-throated Sparrow, so check its kith and kin.

The pelicans are Brown Pelicans. We only have two species of pelicans in North America, the Brown Pelican and the American White Pelican, so that's pretty straightforward.


Posted by: Lou FCD on Nov. 26 2013,03:38

Quote (DaveH @ Nov. 25 2013,16:48)
A few birds, some are locally rare...

It has taken me a while to get to grips with the focussing of the new D7100, so some photos are a bit rubbish. Also we only have sunlight from 8.00 to 3.30 at this time of year in Edinburgh, and it's at a low angle, so limiting if there's trees or clouds to cast shadows and force the ISO up :(

< local birds >
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Dave, the kingfisher and the heron shots in particular are quite lovely! Not rubbish, rather respectable.
Posted by: Robin on Nov. 26 2013,07:51

Quote (Freddie @ Nov. 26 2013,02:37)
Here's a few I took in October in the mountains around Los Gatos and on the coast at Santa Cruz.  Looking for some identification help, especially on the humming bird as I have tried in vain to figure it out ...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Hey Freddie! Nice shots!

Given a brief check, I think your hummingbird is a female Rufous (Selasphorus rufus) based on the light speckles on the breast and the dark spot under the chin. However, I'm not positive.

The first pic is of a Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus)

The second pic looks like an Oregonian morph of the Dark-Eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)

After your hummer, the sparrow you have, I think, is a Golden-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia atricapilla)

And then, lots of pretty brown pelicans. Nice!
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Nov. 26 2013,09:08

Robin IDed the rest of those birds, but I'm gonna have to go with Anna's Hummingbird (female) for the hummer. That is far and away the most common hummer in that part of California (where I spent 5 years during graduate school), and the bill is just too short for the other small hummer there, Black-chinned. A female Rufous would look sturdier, and would have at least some rufous coloration on the flanks, and this one is just gray. The dark spot on the center of the throat is also a good field mark for Anna's.
Posted by: Robin on Nov. 26 2013,09:57

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Nov. 26 2013,09:08)
Robin IDed the rest of those birds, but I'm gonna have to go with Anna's Hummingbird (female) for the hummer. That is far and away the most common hummer in that part of California (where I spent 5 years during graduate school), and the bill is just too short for the other small hummer there, Black-chinned. A female Rufous would look sturdier, and would have at least some rufous coloration on the flanks, and this one is just gray. The dark spot on the center of the throat is also a good field mark for Anna's.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


I will happily concede to Alby's identification. I have seen Anna's hummers and thought that might be a possibility too, but I'm not as familiar with them and thus not sure how to be sure (as it were... ;) )
Posted by: Freddie on Nov. 27 2013,04:01

Thanks everyone!  Re: the hummingbird, I can see it is a female Anna's Hummingbird now once you pointed out the characteristics and I did some more searching :-)  Very happy to have added so many new birds in to my collection!
Posted by: Robin on Feb. 11 2014,16:18

Been a little bit since I posted any pics; been under-the-weather this winter and not able to get out. Fortunately, a few candidates came to me a week or so ago:

First up, for Lou, a cranky White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)



Next, a male House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)



And last, not a particularly good shot. She was very skittish and it was a grey, overcast day. But, it's the only bird with leucism I've ever seen:


Female Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)
Posted by: Lou FCD on Feb. 12 2014,10:45

Nice, and the Cardinal is quite pretty.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Feb. 12 2014,13:26

Yeah, it's been cold here too!


Eastern Screech-owl, pondering the 12 inches of snow under its roost


Yellow-rumped Warbler, looking at the icy water in the bird bath.
Posted by: Freddie on Feb. 12 2014,15:38

So glad this thread has gone active again ... super pictures these past few days.  Living here in the South of England, there's not much opportunity to get out right now unless you have a boat and like taking pictures of lakes.  

I bought myself a Canon 100mm f2.8 macro lens for Christmas, with an OEM ring flash (not an LED knock-off) so i've been playing around with that combination learning how to take macro shots.  

All of these are handheld at 1/200th with the flash, most I think are between f11 and f22 to get some decent depth given that the macro lens has an extremely shallow DoF at f8 and below.  This all makes for a challenge, of course.  I've now got a monopod coming in the post (by canoe, probably) just to hopefully increase the 'good' shot ratio.  Also ordered a macro slider so I can try out some focus stacked shots with my tripod.

These couple are from a frosty morning in early January.

Ice 'stalagmites' formed on a leaf:


Small diptera (fly), unknown species.  This is close to a 1:1 shot so I was able to measure the body length at about 5mm to give a sense of scale.


I made it over to San Jose again with work in January and got a half day's hiking in.  Didn't find much to be excited about due to the time of year and the drought conditions except for one muddy patch from a small spring in a state park.  Pretty much the only thing going on that day was happening around there ...









BTW that 100mm lens doubles as a standard prime and takes some excellent portrait shots.  Great lens for the price I got it for on eBay!
Posted by: Robin on Feb. 13 2014,10:29

Quote (Albatrossity2 @ Feb. 12 2014,13:26)
Yeah, it's been cold here too!


Eastern Screech-owl, pondering the 12 inches of snow under its roost


Yellow-rumped Warbler, looking at the icy water in the bird bath.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Wow! Nice David! I can't get a good close shot of our Yellow-Rumped Warbler like that. She won't come close enough to me.

And I really like the Screech Owl!
Posted by: Robin on Feb. 13 2014,10:31

Quote (Freddie @ Feb. 12 2014,15:38)
So glad this thread has gone active again ... super pictures these past few days.  Living here in the South of England, there's not much opportunity to get out right now unless you have a boat and like taking pictures of lakes.  

I bought myself a Canon 100mm f2.8 macro lens for Christmas, with an OEM ring flash (not an LED knock-off) so i've been playing around with that combination learning how to take macro shots.  

All of these are handheld at 1/200th with the flash, most I think are between f11 and f22 to get some decent depth given that the macro lens has an extremely shallow DoF at f8 and below.  This all makes for a challenge, of course.  I've now got a monopod coming in the post (by canoe, probably) just to hopefully increase the 'good' shot ratio.  Also ordered a macro slider so I can try out some focus stacked shots with my tripod.

These couple are from a frosty morning in early January.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Cool macros Freddie! I'm thinking about getting a similar lens myself. You've definitely got me thinking about it again with these!
Posted by: Lou FCD on Feb. 14 2014,08:59

Whoa, nicely done on both counts!
Posted by: midwifetoad on Feb. 14 2014,09:16

That guy could serve as a model for Angry Birds.
Posted by: dhogaza on Feb. 14 2014,17:40

Well, I guess I must subject y'all to some of my recent output …










Posted by: hotshoe on Feb. 14 2014,19:17

That's a creepy picture of a seal.  Elephant seal at Año Nuevo?
Posted by: dhogaza on Feb. 15 2014,21:33

Piedras Blancas, which became an active rookery about 20 years ago (possibly individuals which found Año Nuevo too crowded as the species recovered after receiving protection).  The Piedras Blancas population is much larger, and there's a boardwalk that takes you within 20 feet or so of the beach, and often there are elephant seals close enough to shoot with a 200mm or 300mm lens, including moms with pups.
Posted by: hotshoe on Feb. 16 2014,13:07

Quote (dhogaza @ Feb. 15 2014,21:33)
Piedras Blancas, which became an active rookery about 20 years ago (possibly individuals which found Año Nuevo too crowded as the species recovered after receiving protection).  The Piedras Blancas population is much larger, and there's a boardwalk that takes you within 20 feet or so of the beach, and often there are elephant seals close enough to shoot with a 200mm or 300mm lens, including moms with pups.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Sounds like it's worth a special trip.  The interesting activity is mostly Jan and Feb, and I can't get there this month, so I'll have to remember to put it on my calendar for next year.
Posted by: dhogaza on Feb. 16 2014,21:27

From today …


Posted by: Henry J on Feb. 17 2014,14:02

There otter be a law!
Posted by: dhogaza on Feb. 17 2014,18:53

Another I took an hour or so after the otter …



Least sandpiper for those who think such things are important :)
Posted by: Arctodus23 on Feb. 20 2014,09:45



Tsavo East National Park, Kenya

Loxodonta africana drinking.
Posted by: timothya on Mar. 08 2014,19:20


Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae) suburban Sydney, Australia
Posted by: timothya on Mar. 08 2014,19:38


Silvereyes (Zosterops lateralis) Tumut, New South Wales
Posted by: timothya on Mar. 08 2014,20:16


New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae) Tumut, New South Wales
Posted by: timothya on Mar. 08 2014,20:54


Superb Fairy Wren (Malurus cyaneus) Tumut, New South Wales
Posted by: timothya on Mar. 08 2014,20:57


Swamp Harrier (Circus approximans) Tumut, New South Wales
Posted by: timothya on Mar. 08 2014,23:07


Juvenile New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae) Tumut, New South Wales
Posted by: timothya on Mar. 09 2014,03:15


See the forest in the trees - patterns from Sydney's botanic gardens
Posted by: DaveH on Mar. 09 2014,10:15

An old photo, but always worth showing for the sake of the comedy potential of the name...

< Great tits >


Just posted to draw attention to the amazing bit of research about these guys' evolutionary arms race with the pied flycatcher. Carl Zimmer has a summary < here > . Information Parasites? Who knew? (Except for IDC-ists, obviously....)
Posted by: dhogaza on Mar. 09 2014,16:05

OK, here's thursday's obligatory bird photo, a juvie white-throated sparrow (a bit uncommon in these parts):


Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Mar. 10 2014,13:22

Quote (dhogaza @ Mar. 09 2014,16:05)
OK, here's thursday's obligatory bird photo, a juvie white-throated sparrow (a bit uncommon in these parts):
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nice shot! But it's not Thursday here

In the spirit of posting pictures from days ahead or behind, here's a Banded Rail (aka Buff-banded Rail) that I found in New Zealand early this year. I was in tomorrow (relative to where I usually am) when I took this  :)


Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Mar. 28 2014,09:58

had a flock of Cedar Waxwings visit the birdbath a week or so ago. Here's one of them, waiting his turn.


Posted by: Lou FCD on Mar. 28 2014,11:28

That's a beauty of a shot!
Posted by: Robin on Mar. 28 2014,13:16

Incredible shot Alby! Wow!
Posted by: Learned Hand on Mar. 28 2014,15:29

Yes, that waxwing shot is lovely.

Here's a little fellow (or lady?) from my backyard:


Posted by: timothya on April 07 2014,02:45


White-faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae, Dangar Island, New South Wales. This is reportedly the most common species of heron in Australia.
Posted by: dhogaza on April 07 2014,15:50

Here's last evening's obligatory insufferably cute sea otter mom and pup photo.  Mom caught the crab, as you can see the pup snatched a leg.  Two mom-and-pup pairs feed in the same place almost every evening in the Moss Landing lagoon and I can't get enough of them, not to mention the marbled godwits, long-billed curlews, willets, dowichers, peeps, white pelicans, red-breasted mergansers, cormorants and the like that hang out on the mudflats nearby.


Posted by: timothya on April 09 2014,05:47


Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus), Brooklyn, New South Wales
Posted by: dhogaza on April 12 2014,09:22

Another snapshot taken yesterday … look closely and you can barely see a red jacket reflected in the water coating the whale's rostrum.


Posted by: Lou FCD on April 15 2014,17:12

That's just schweet.
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 19 2014,11:05

Hey Wesley, did we ever get some cool scar pics from that time < Diane beat up that alligator >?
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on April 19 2014,14:36

I've got pictures of the wounds. Not so much of the scars. Diane's actually a bit disappointed that the healing has been so good that it is tough to see the scars now.
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 20 2014,05:52

No doubt. After that, she at least deserves some cool battle scars.
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 20 2014,06:09

Had a few chances to be out last week. Prepare for some cuteness overload.

Carolina Chickadees are super cute, I think.

< >

< Carolina Chickadee > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

First really unambiguous shots of a Wilson's Plover:

< >

< Wilsons Plover > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

< >

< Wilsons Plover > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

Blue-gray Gnatcatchers are cute, too

< >

< Blue-gray Gnatcatcher > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

And my first shots of a Least Tern, some very tiny little dudes

< >

< Least Tern > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

< >

< Least Tern > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr

And two of three White-winged Scoters that flew by just before dawn. Not as cute, but new for the life-lists.

< >

< White-winged Scoters > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on April 21 2014,09:33

Nice shots, Lou! Gnatcatchers are a tough capture, since they never sit still for very long. And the Least Tern images are great!
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 21 2014,11:33

Thanks, Alby! The Gnatcatcher took a lot of patience, as did the Least Tern. The terns are fast, erratic fliers, too, and had the add difficulty of being just post-sunrise on a cloudy morning. I was pretty happy to get anything at all of them.
Posted by: Robin on April 22 2014,07:42

Really nice shots Lou! I really like the chickadee.
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 22 2014,13:03

Thanks, Robin!
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 24 2014,11:23

Pileated Woodpecker (male) yesterday at Greenfield Lake.

< >< Pileated Woodpecker (male) > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr
Posted by: dhogaza on April 24 2014,19:28

OK, a few from this week …









Yes, that last one is of a very young calf.
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 25 2014,00:22

Cuties!
Posted by: Robin on April 26 2014,07:35

I really like that cormorant shot! Nice!
Posted by: Robin on April 26 2014,07:38

And Lou, I'll see your pileated and raise you a red-bellied and a flicker:


Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)


Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 26 2014,09:50

Quote (Robin @ April 26 2014,08:38)
And Lou, I'll see your pileated and raise you a red-bellied and a flicker:
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Nice!

< >

< Red-bellied Woodpecker (male) > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr
Posted by: Lou FCD on April 28 2014,09:41

Early this morning, at Fort Fisher.

< >

< Snowy Egret > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr
Posted by: NoName on April 28 2014,12:57

There are some wonderful pictures at
< Genetic Anomaly Results in Butterfiles with Male and Female Wings >

Liberally lifting text from the article:


---------------------QUOTE-------------------
In the realm of genetic anomalies found in living organisms perhaps none is more visually striking than bilateral gynandromorphism, a condition where an animal or insect contains both male and female characteristics, evenly split, right down the middle. While cases have been reported in lobsters, crabs and even in birds, it seems butterflies and moths lucked out with the visual splendor of having both male and female wings as a result of the anomaly. For those interested in the science, here’s a bit from Elise over at IFLScience:



---------------------QUOTE-------------------
In insects the mechanism is fairly well understood. A fly with XX chromosomes will be a female. However, an embryo that loses a Y chromosome still develops into what looks like an adult male, although it will be sterile. It’s thought that bilateral gynandromorphism occurs when two sperm enter an egg. One of those sperm fuses with the nucleus of the egg and a female insect develops. The other sperm develops without another set of chromosomes within the same egg. Both a male and a female insect develop within the same body.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


---------------------QUOTE-------------------



There is a link in the article to many more images than are shown on Colossal.  Enjoy.
Posted by: Henry J on April 28 2014,13:31

Insects with delusions of gender?
Posted by: NoName on April 28 2014,14:03

Or gender dysmorphic syndrome ;-)
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 09 2014,09:58

Some stuff from yesterday.

< >

< Baltimore Oriole (male, new for the life-lists) > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr


< >

< Blue Jay > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr


< >

< Chestnut-sided Warbler (dead male, new for the life-lists) > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr


< >

< European Starling > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr


Posted by: Lou FCD on May 09 2014,09:58

...and a few more....


< >

< Leucistic (I think) Northern Cardinal > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr


< >

< Veery (new for the life-lists) > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr


< >

< White-breasted Nuthatch > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr


< >

< Wood Thrush (new for the life-lists) > by < Lou FCD >, on Flickr


Posted by: timothya on May 11 2014,01:39


Australian Flame Robin, Petroica phoenicea, Tumut, New South Wales. These little fellas come in a lovely range of related colours - flame, scarlet, rose and pink.
Posted by: timothya on May 11 2014,02:20


Red-bellied Black Snake, Pseudechis porphyriacus, fairly common in wooded areas of eastern Australia. Its bite is rarely fatal, but will make you very sick.
Posted by: timothya on May 11 2014,02:46


Nankeen Kestrel, Falco cenchroides, Tumut, New South Wales. This is one of the most common raptores in eastern Australia.
Posted by: timothya on May 11 2014,04:13


Mallee Ringneck Parrot, Barnardius barnardi, Tumut, New South Wales.
Posted by: timothya on May 11 2014,04:46


Female Splendid Wren, Malurus splendens, Tumut, New South Wales.
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 11 2014,12:17

Lovely birds! If you can collect shots of the robins in several shades, I'd love to see them side-by-side!
Posted by: dhogaza on May 11 2014,23:42

Some new bird and mammal photos taken over the last week ...

black-footed albatross … ran into about thirty of them feeding on discards from a commercial fishing boat.









Obligatory humpbacks …








And Risso's dolphins …




Posted by: Lou FCD on May 14 2014,11:02

Quote (dhogaza @ May 12 2014,00:42)
Some new bird and mammal photos taken over the last week ...
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


You are getting some awesome stuff!
Posted by: dhogaza on May 16 2014,17:26

A few Risso's dolphins from yesterday … mating frenzy.







Gotta wonder what it feels like to be a female Risso's dolphin, center of attention of a pack like this!


Posted by: timothya on May 18 2014,03:03


Willy Wagtail drinking (Rhipidura leucophrys). Wagtails are very common in Australian gardens. They belong to the enormous family of Australian flycatchers.
Posted by: timothya on May 18 2014,03:24


Australian Wood Duck (Chenonetta jubata). Tumut, New South Wales. Very common species in inland Australia.
Posted by: Freddie on May 26 2014,16:25

I've been practicing some more with my 100mm F2.8 Canon macro lens.  These were taken without ring flash (didn't have it with me) and with handheld camera using manual focus at the most stopped down aperture I could manage given the light conditions.  Hence the very shallow depth of field.

Pyrrhosoma nymphula - Large Red Damselfly, Male




Posted by: NoName on May 26 2014,16:38

Nicely done!
Your hands are obviously more steady than mine ;)
Posted by: Lou FCD on May 27 2014,05:29

Really great shots!
Posted by: Wesley R. Elsberry on May 29 2014,20:51

All the pond scum skimming I've been doing has had a bit of a bonus. One of the birds using the pond has gotten more desensitized to my presence.



Green heron.

Olympus E-PL1, Nikkor-H 300mm f/4.5 @ f/8.
Posted by: Lou FCD on June 01 2014,12:54

That's a very pretty shot.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on June 02 2014,14:44

Back from a loooong road trip in the western US; this is the best shot of the trip. Lazuli Bunting, near the Green River in Dinosaur National Monument in Utah.

Posted by: Henry J on June 02 2014,21:54

Butt, their still birds!!!!!111!!eleven!!
Posted by: midwifetoad on June 11 2014,11:05

Terrible quality, but all I have is a point and shoot. Every year we get to watch an osprey family from our back porch.


Posted by: timothya on June 15 2014,01:10


Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Acanthiza chrysorrhoa, Tumut New South Wales
Posted by: timothya on June 15 2014,01:12


Double-barred Finch, Taeniopygia bichenovii, Tumut New South Wales
Posted by: timothya on June 15 2014,01:24


Not wildlife, but interesting. Taken via a Skywatcher 127mm Cassegrain telescope with a Canon 70D at 1/50sec.
Posted by: midwifetoad on June 17 2014,11:54

My two "baby" ospreys are stretching their wings and sitting on the edge of the nest. This appears to be flying week. Always traumatic for us.

We never know how many survive; only that there's a hatching every year. I guess that population mathematics dictates that on average, a pair produce a pair during their lifetime.
Posted by: timothya on July 10 2014,04:20


Juvenile Grey Butcherbird (Cracticus torquatus), Dora Creek, NSW. Visit < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v....ture=kp > to listen to some exuburant butcherbird song.
Posted by: timothya on July 10 2014,04:23


Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus), Dora Creek, NSW
Posted by: timothya on July 10 2014,04:27


Chestnut Teal (Anas castanea), Dora Creek, NSW
Posted by: stevestory on July 10 2014,09:26

verr nice
Posted by: Lou FCD on July 10 2014,21:01

So I'm just back from about a week in DC stealing kisses from Imzadi. While I was gone, this happened in my petunias:



And here's a portrait of the lovely mama-to-be with the real camera:


Posted by: Tony M Nyphot on Aug. 06 2014,01:11

Not that my pictures are stunning like the others on display here, but I'm posting to see if there is an herpetologist who can identify this little guy.

Caught him taking in the late afternoon sun on the return hike from the dinosaur tracks in Purgatoire Canyon, Colorado.

< >

< >

< >

(No Louis...herpetologist...not urrpppetologist)
Posted by: Tony M Nyphot on Aug. 06 2014,01:22

Also curious if someone knows what the plant below might be. Found near 11,000 feet at Blue Lake in the Mt. Sneffels Wilderness.

There were thousands of them at 10,000 feet and above in mostly open areas that tended to be wetter than surrounding areas. The pictures don't do justice to fascinating raised patterns in the leaves, which I assume help channel rainfall to center of the plant.

< >

< >
Posted by: The whole truth on Aug. 06 2014,08:26

Tony, take a look at this:

< http://www.ct-botanical-society.org/galleri....ri.html >
Posted by: Henry J on Aug. 06 2014,10:54

Quote (Tony M Nyphot @ Aug. 06 2014,00:11)
Not that my pictures are stunning like the others on display here, but I'm posting to see if there is an herpetologist who can identify this little guy.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


It's a lizard!

:p
Posted by: Lou FCD on Aug. 06 2014,16:34

Today was < Fledging Day >. I'm a little sad.
Posted by: The whole truth on Aug. 07 2014,03:44

Tony, regarding your lizard, take a look at this:

< http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/account....c_range >
Posted by: Tony M Nyphot on Aug. 07 2014,18:26

Quote (Lou FCD @ Aug. 06 2014,15:34)
Today was < Fledging Day >. I'm a little sad.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Lou,

Enjoyed viewing the entire series. Nice pics and I found seeing the evolution of the chicks quite interesting.
Posted by: Tony M Nyphot on Aug. 07 2014,18:29

Quote (The whole truth @ Aug. 07 2014,02:44)
Tony, regarding your lizard, take a look at this:

< http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/account....c_range >
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


TWT...I wasn't able to send a PM, so:

Thanks for nailing both identifications for me.
Posted by: Lou FCD on Aug. 09 2014,14:15

Quote (Tony M Nyphot @ Aug. 07 2014,19:26)
Quote (Lou FCD @ Aug. 06 2014,15:34)
Today was < Fledging Day >. I'm a little sad.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Lou,

Enjoyed viewing the entire series. Nice pics and I found seeing the evolution of the chicks quite interesting.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


Yep, it was interesting to watch them go from egg to fledging in two weeks, in real time. Every day that I'd get a peek at them, it was very apparent that they'd matured, noticeably, in just a day or two. It was kind of like watching my kids grow up in super-fast-forward.
Posted by: The whole truth on Aug. 09 2014,22:52

Quote (Tony M Nyphot @ Aug. 07 2014,16:29)
Quote (The whole truth @ Aug. 07 2014,02:44)
Tony, regarding your lizard, take a look at this:

< http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/account....c_range >
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


TWT...I wasn't able to send a PM, so:

Thanks for nailing both identifications for me.
---------------------QUOTE-------------------


You're welcome, Tony. Glad I could help.
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on Aug. 26 2014,13:27

Captured this image of a young katydid doing some yoga moves on one of our tomato plants yesterday.

Posted by: Jim_Wynne on May 26 2016,11:41

I'm resurrecting this old thread because of some unexpected visitors to our neighborhood.  I live in southeast Wisconsin in a central-city residential area, and this spring we had a Great Horned Owl rearing its young in a tree a block away from my house.  The nest is about thirty feet high in a tree that was completely exposed.  



Posted by: Dr.GH on May 26 2016,16:37

After years of threats from our city code enforcement lawn nazis, we were recently one of the stars of a garden tour:



< Our garden >
Posted by: Albatrossity2 on June 01 2016,13:35

Just got back from a Study Abroad class trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos. Here's one of the over 800 images that I got!





Posted by: Henry J on June 02 2016,13:18

But their still birds!!!111!!!!
Posted by: Lou FCD on June 20 2016,11:44

I've deleted four spam posts from user "Elyn Saks".
end


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