Birds of spring

[jbird]

The calander says its spring but the jet stream hasnt got the memo!

Heres some birds Ive been seeing.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/DSC_5227.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/DSC_5259.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/DSC_5306.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/DSC_5339.jpg

Ive got so many meadowlark pictures they all start to look the same. This one is on THE best post Ive ever shot.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/DSC_5426.jpg

This raven just stood there looking into my soul. He wants me to dream of him. I must resist!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/DSC_5447.jpg

[Darian]

Another batch of great photos.... =D> I love Hummingbirds. We get Anna's and Black Chins down here. Haven't seen the variety you show from up there. Those guys are really unafraid of me. If I'm holding their feeder, they'll come right up and take a swig if I hold it still.... :D

Thanks for sharing.... :nod:

[Ed Wahl]

Careful there Jay. Ravens carry powerful juju, ask any native american. This one seems to be contemplating you personally.:-k
I've never been close to one, how far away were you?

Always love the bird shots, thanks man.

Ed

[Kneedeep]

Excellent pics Jay!
Thanks for posting them.

"And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming.
And the lamplight o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted---nevermore!"

[jbird]

Thanks guys!
Ed, according to the picture info, I was 15.8 meters from subject. (not very close) I wanted to get him without the sky in the background so he wasnt so contrasty, You lose a lot of detail this way, but I just had to get the shot. This raven was a giant, and just sitting there, soaking wet in the downpour.... was just quite creepy.

Kneedeep, that one made my arm hairs prickle a bit!

[jbird]

I went back out today to look for pheasants. They are strutting with their hens right now and are giving up some great photo ops. I got distracted by an invasion of yellow rumped warblers and purple martins frenzying on a cranefly hatch. Very cool to see these guys workin the big cranes.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/DSC_5833.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/DSC_5845.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/DSC_5722.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/DSC_5636.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/DSC_5655.jpg

[Larry S]

jbird:
Always enjoy your contributions. Sturmer White's daughter makes and sells
hummingbird houses. Hoping to attract a nesting female this spring.
Thanks,
Larry S

[jbird]

A continuation of spring birds...

Cliff swallows?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/DSC_5936.jpg

Violet-green swallow
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/DSC_5958.jpg

Western Kingbird
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/DSC_6012.jpg

This Kestrel landed near us with a small sparrow it had killed...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/DSC_617a7.jpg

Another male came in and a fight erupted. Wish I could of caught it in greater detail.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/DSC_6179.jpg

Classic ringneck pose
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/DSC_6291.jpg

Made a run over to klamath for some fishing. Captured these guys from a bluff.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/DSC_6385.jpg

[Mark Kranhold]

BEAUTIFUL SHOTS, thanks for sharing.