Starting to see a few birds

[jbird]

Havent done any really serious exploration with the camera, but I do often have it with me and have lucked into a few birds. This is more or less a compilation over the last 6 weeks.

Large wading birds are extremely abundant here...at least in the summer
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/JDS_5613.jpg

American Bittern. First one Id ever seen. Still havent seen another. He was in a ditch along the road. I think he thought I couldnt see him cause he just froze and let me shoot him from close range.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/JDS_3730.jpg

Immature green heron. This creek was a rookery with a green heron every 50 yards for at least a mile. VERY unapproachable bird
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/JDS_5488.jpg

This is the Mead wildlife area. A huge wet land. a water fowl paradise. Sandhill Cranes and misc. ducks flying in the setting sun.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/JDS_5197.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/JDS_5358.jpg

Sandhill Crane
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/JDS_5251.jpg

Sandhill cranes are the most common large bird I see here
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/JDS_5567.jpg

Theres a family of Whooping cranes I often see. These things are MONSTERS!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/JDS_5556.jpg

I met a guy that took me fishing for smallies in the north woods. There was a pair of loons on the lake. This one was enjoying a school of fry near the boat.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/JDS_5713.jpg

The most unapproachable bird on the planet...it seems. The Belted Kingfisher. We have loads of these guys, but getting a good shot is very dificult!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/JDS_3767.jpg

A young downy woodpecker outside my window.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/JDS_3174.jpg

Went to the downtown park looking for cardinals. They seem to be everywhere when I dont have my camera :-( I set up on a pond trying to get a kingfisher. I hear an annoying hammering immediately to my left. Pileated Woodpeckers!! This was a bucket list species for me and heres a pair right in the park! And they were extremely tolerant of my presence.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/JDS_4386.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/JDS_4426.jpg

This was my first Baltimore Oriole sighting. Not a great shot, but great to see one!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/JDS_4335.jpg

The last three days there has been a very obvious invasion of Cedar Waxwings! You are almost guaranteed to find them if you put in a little effort. Love these birds!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/JDS_6057.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/JDS_6041.jpg

On a side note, we had a tornado rip thru the countryside just to the west of town yesterday. Destroyed a home and several barns. A VERY ominous sky with torential rain and strong winds here.

Thanks for looking :-)

[Larry S]

jbird:
Always makes my day when I see these great posts. Besides shooting them with the
SLR, do you bird hunt? This is just about the time in the Midwest for a "cast and
blast" outing. Grouse and trout. Don't do any hunting myself, but I do enjoy watching the dog work.
Best, Larry S

[SHigSpeed]

I too love the waxwings. Especially the sound a tree full of them make!

Thanks for sharing!

_SHig

[kokaneejr]

jbird,
Great shooting.
+1 on the difficulty of the Kingfisher and the Bittern.
Especially love the Pileated shots. Seen plenty photgraphed none.

[jbird]

Thanks guys!

Larry, I dont hunt but I may take it up in the future. Its a way of life here.

[oldtrout]

jbird,

Thank you for sharing, I really enjoy your work.

[slage]

Jbird,

You should get a copy of Aldo Leopold's book: A Sand
County Almanac.

It's a great read. And, took place in your backyard!

[jbird]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/JDS_6691.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/JDS_6713.jpg

[Flyfisher70]

Beautiful birds for sure, thanks for sharing.