Monday, December 9, 2013

Moorefield Christmas Pictures

Merry Christmas!

Once again, I had the pleasure of photographing the kids and families of the Moorefield Twp Fire Department and Road Crews. You can order additional prints (including many gifts available for 1-hr pickup) from the Walmart site.
Click on this link to go to the album:
Walmart Gallery


Tuesday, July 30, 2013

White-Eyed Vireo


Walking along the Estuary Trail at Magee Marsh, this curious fellow kept his very unusual eye on me.


Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Hybrid Blue-Winged Warbler

We returned home yesterday from a wonderful week at Magee Marsh. The “Biggest Week in American Birding” was in full force; celebrating the annual migration. Birds stop at the Lake Erie edge to feed before crossing the lake. This allows great opportunities to view birds that are seldom seen in many areas of the country.
Of interest on Thursday at Magee was a hybrid Blue-Winged Warbler.
A little background…the Gold-Winged Warbler is a much sought-after bird to see at Magee (and anywhere else for that matter). We were fortunate to have several chances to view and photograph this little gem. Here’s a shot from Friday, May 10.



The history and life cycle info for the Golden-Winged Warbler is here.
The Blue-Winged Warbler, also a vermivora, was also frequenting Magee this week. The history and life cycle info for the Blue-Winged Warbler is here.
We have some opportunities to photograph them as well….such as this one taken by David:



On Thursday, May 9, we were at the small loop on the Magee boardwalk, when I heard the Blue-Winged Warbler call….looking up, I thought that it was a Blue-Winged, and was able to snap a few brief shots before the birds flew out. We (and a large crowd) were not able to relocate him.
As I reviewed my images and showed them to some advanced birders who had also viewed the bird, it became evident that the bird was not a Brewsters (a first generation cross between a Golden-Winged Warbler and a Blue-Winged Warbler), or a Lawrence’s (a crossback between a Brewsters and a Blue-Wing) but rather the bird had wing patches of  a Gold-Winged and head feathering of a Blue-Winged. The experts told me that a Brewsters will cross back with another pure bird; producing a 2nd-generation hybrid warbler. Here are some images (apologies for the poor quality):



More information is available here: aba.org/birding/v37n3p278.pdf




Sunday, May 12, 2013

Green Heron

David took advantage of a unique look at a Green Heron perched high on a branch at Magee. Love it!!


Hooded Warbler


Hooded Warblers have been on my list for several years….rarely have I had a chance to photograph them and do them justice.
When we arrived at Magee on Saturday, May 4th, we were amazed at the numbers and variety of birds showing. Hoodeds were in that list, and there were several showing up conspicuously on the boardwalk.


Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Another Spring Weekend


Here's an Osprey from Old Reid Park:



It didn’t hesitate to snatch a carp from the pond right in front of us!



While watching the Osprey, this Coot tried to look cute to see if we would toss some bread…



The Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher was curious.


And eventually headed back to the treetops….



Owletts....Now Young Adults



Colorful Birds

I was able to spend a short time at George Rogers Clark Park….was able to see Northern Parula, Blue Headed Vireo, and Indigo Bunting.




Monday, April 15, 2013

Aliens are growing (Great Horned Owlets)

Just 9 days after our last visit, we took advantage of the warm Sunday afternoon and visited the Prairie’s Edge owletts. Amazing how much they’re!
Mom was no where in sight, but that’s not surprising….I doubt that she can fit in the nest with the chicks at this point. Notice that they are staring to get their “horns.”






Some Weekend Birds

A Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher from Prairie’s Edge.

A Caspian Tern from Buck Creek State Park…
















A Common Loon from Buck Creek….















A Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker from Ferncliff Cemetery…..


Flying Squirrels...Rocky Lives!

After our walk to see the owletts, Lynda mentioned that her husband had informed her that flying squirrels were living in a nesting box on the property. Lynda gently tapped the box with her walking stick and out popped not one, but two flying squirrels.
I had never seen one up close and personal, but these were simply adorable…..I can easily understand why folks have begun keeping Sugar Gliders as pets….
Here, Rocky peeps around the tree trunk to see if we’re still nearby.

In this shot you can see the flaps of skin that allow the squirrel to glide.



Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Great Horned Owl's Nest

Our visit to the Great Horned Owl nest on Friday with friend Lynda Pauley (of Prairie’s Edge Art Studio) revealed just how fast these chicks are growing.
This is a look a week prior….we were barely able to see the fuzzy heads popped up in the nest.

One week later here’s what we saw….





Can’t wait until this week’s visit!

Monday, April 8, 2013

Swan Wars

We headed out Friday morning on our usual drive…..stopping at Old Reid first. That was a good decision, since we were able to witness some interesting swan behavior.
The resident pastor Mute Swans were defending their territory from another pair, which we had seen fling in from over the lake a bit earlier. David was able to get some great shots of the flyover.




This swan is going after one of the intruders….he’s leaving a wake!




He’s showing his stuff after chasing off the other swans.



Once the intruders were gone, our resident swans met up to congratulate themselves.


Golden Crowned Kinglet

Here’s a cute little harbinger of spring…..a Gold Crowned Kinglet!
I was watching some ducks, when I heard a familiar call from the nearby brush.



Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Ross' Goose

This goose was cohorting with some geese at SR 334 and Middle Urbana Rd in Clark County….not sure if it is a Ross’ or a Ross’/Snow Hybrid. I will post to the Ohio Bird List for an ID.




Friday, March 29, 2013

Grebes & More

What a beautiful day! It was a welcome change to be able to get out and enjoy the weather for a change.
We headed to Old Reid this morning, where we photographed 3 Pied-Billed Grebes….





Then on to the Buck Creek Marina, where we saw numerous Horned Grebes, including the fellow in good plumage….



Here’s a few other favorite shots from today….