Grainy. I took it with my iPhone so that the camera flash wouldn't bother them. Can't figure out how to shut that flash off!
Also, those babies have BIG mouths!
Also, those babies have BIG mouths!
Charlie and the Nature Factory [Warning: Stunningly Beautiful Large Photo Images]
- Thread starter Silver King
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You can only see two little beaks in this picture, but the other guy is back there. Every time I go anywhere near the nest, these guys pop up, mouths open. I have to sneak to the window to see them with their mouths shut, and pictures would be impossible. This is pretty cute, though.
We need a "Like" smilie on AW... Well, there is this one, I guess
Aw, they're getting so big!
Okay, I need your bird expert brains in here. I'm shocked right now because I woke up to this in my yard about 6 feet from my deck door (In the center of Fargo, ND where we have no foresty areas or bodies of water).
IS THAT AN OSPREY? Or do I just have ospreys on the brain because of SK's photos? He's now hanging out in that tree to the right and I can't get a better shot with my cell phone.
Okay, I need your bird expert brains in here. I'm shocked right now because I woke up to this in my yard about 6 feet from my deck door (In the center of Fargo, ND where we have no foresty areas or bodies of water).
IS THAT AN OSPREY? Or do I just have ospreys on the brain because of SK's photos? He's now hanging out in that tree to the right and I can't get a better shot with my cell phone.
You can only see two little beaks in this picture, but the other guy is back there. Every time I go anywhere near the nest, these guys pop up, mouths open. I have to sneak to the window to see them with their mouths shut, and pictures would be impossible. This is pretty cute, though.
Aw! How cute! I love baby birds.
Hmm. That might actually be a cooper's hawk. They're quite prevalent in residential areas because they hunt other birds, and birds flock to feeders that we provide. It's like an all-you-can-eat buffet for them.Aw, they're getting so big!
Okay, I need your bird expert brains in here. I'm shocked right now because I woke up to this in my yard about 6 feet from my deck door (In the center of Fargo, ND where we have no foresty areas or bodies of water).
IS THAT AN OSPREY? Or do I just have ospreys on the brain because of SK's photos? He's now hanging out in that tree to the right and I can't get a better shot with my cell phone.
Here's a closer picture of one.
I think you're right, LadyV. The tail feathers look almost identical and the coloring is a perfect match.
I think SK's invaded my mind with all his ospreys!
Still, a strange thing to wake up to. We're known for our Falcons here (mainly downtown where all the bigger buildings are) but I've never seen a bird of prey hanging out in the courtyard of an apartment before!
I think SK's invaded my mind with all his ospreys!
Still, a strange thing to wake up to. We're known for our Falcons here (mainly downtown where all the bigger buildings are) but I've never seen a bird of prey hanging out in the courtyard of an apartment before!
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It looks like a Cooper's hawk to me too. We have one or two that fly around the neighborhood. Saw one go after a bird at the neighbor's bird feeder once.
I've watched one snatch a bluejay and another a sparrow. I was actually sitting on the back porch when it took the sparrow.
Oh wow! Really? That's one thing that I hate about nature, the harshness f it. I love happy endings and things that get along and... oh dear... there's a reason I write kids stories.
One of my favorite local birds to watch are orioles. They're such vain little things! I love how they'll perch on car mirrors and just hang out and look at themselves. Such funny little birds.
The hawk came back for another round and I got a decent pic of him looking at the camera but its still on my cell phone and not the best quality. He was pecking at the ground rather intensely so my guess is he was hunting for a mouse.
One of my favorite local birds to watch are orioles. They're such vain little things! I love how they'll perch on car mirrors and just hang out and look at themselves.
Such funny little birds. The hawk came back for another round and I got a decent pic of him looking at the camera but its still on my cell phone and not the best quality. He was pecking at the ground rather intensely so my guess is he was hunting for a mouse.
Love the chicks, Jude! Funny how excited I get waiting to see pics of them. Hope you'll post more soon.
You're right, AR, and must have ospreys on the brain. I do also, in the worst way.
It's a red-shouldered hawk in your courtyard, I think. Here's a closer view of one that should look very similar to the bird you've seen:
While stalking osprey that didn't cooperate too well, I came across a rare find: a reddish egret. I'd never seen one live before, as they're quite rare in Florida. At one time they were completely wiped out of the state and existed only in Texas on this side of the Americas:
Ooh, that does look like it, SK. Regardless, what beautiful birds. I just hope he leaves my bunnies alone!
What a gorgeous shot!
What a gorgeous shot!
Ooh, that does look like it, SK. Regardless, what beautiful birds. I just hope he leaves my bunnies alone!
What a gorgeous shot!
Thank you. I got pretty close to the egret eventually. Then she gave me that look and took off:
It would, you're right.
Yes. And the one to the left is a snowy egret.
Oh, that bird is beautiful. It looks so alien.While stalking osprey that didn't cooperate too well, I came across a rare find: a reddish egret. I'd never seen one live before, as they're quite rare in Florida. At one time they were completely wiped out of the state and existed only in Texas on this side of the Americas:
I'm so used to the look by now that it doesn't even hurt my feelings anymore.You get That Look a lot, don't you?
The photos I shared are washed out somewhat by too much sunlight and makes the bird's colors appear duller than they were in real life. The blues of her wings were especially bold and vibrant, a combination of hues that was breathtaking and almost unreal to behold.
Up next, snowy egrets feeding in shallow water while making a splash.
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Thank you.
After that encounter, I'd set my sights on snowy egrets and waded out to a mud flat where they were feeding. It took them a while to get used to my presence, but eventually they ventured close enough for some decent shots.
In shallow water, the snowy egret often stands on one leg while shuffling its other foot along the bottom to help flush their prey into the open. Then it strikes, lightning fast, stabbing its head below the surface to capture a morsel. As the head reappears, the resulting splash is often dramatic and fun to watch.
Another long series, and apologies in advance to those who might be following along with slow Internet speeds:
