A few early winter birds

[jbird]

The avian attraction has been seriously lacking lately. I think this is kind of the dead time between the fall migration and the winter residents.

Heres a warbler from a month ago...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/_JDS0377.jpg

red headed woodpecker??

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/_JDS0916.jpg

little male downey woodpecker. These guys are pretty abundant.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/_JDS0971.jpg

...so are these guys...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/_JDS0992.jpg

This Pileated woodpecker is huge. Sound like a lumberjack in the forest...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/_JDS1061.jpg

Chasing birds in the tree tops, I nearly stumbled ov er these two big girls...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/_JDS1014.jpg

[k.hanley]

"Atta Boy" Jay. I really enjoyed these shots. I like your use of Bokeh (it's the out-of-focus elements in an image for those of you who may not know the term). The composition sets it all up. Great colors.

Cheers, Ken

[jbird]

Thanks Ken! I dont have a fast enough lens to get good bokeh consistantly, but every now and then, the stars align and I get one like this first shot ;-) It helps to have a background of good color thats a long ways in the distance.

[Larry S]

jbird:
Great job, as always. Thanks! Stay warm.
Best,
Larry S

[jbird]

After checking the BOOK, the second photo is a female red bellied woodpecker. A species I never saw out west.

[k.hanley]

After seeing the pics I had to look up the bird in question as well. I too believe it's "Melanerpes carolinus" (the Red-bellied Woodpecker). They sure appear to range well into your area Jay. Very cool stuff.
Cheers, Ken

[Scott V]

I love woodpeckers, one of my all time favorites.

[Morgan]

Awesome photo's! Gotta love the woodpeckers. I believe at one time the piliated woodpecker was endangered.

[jbird]

Thanks gangster. its true, the pileated was considered rare in the early 20th century. but theyre making a big come back and can be found in a huge range from the yukon to florida.

I have seen many more here than I ever saw in oregon. Theres a pair that roam our downtown park that I was lucky enough to get close to this summer...

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

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/JDS_4386.jpg

[Ed Wahl]

C'mon Jay ole buddy, get some pics of a real Red Headed Woodpecker. I haven't seen one since I was twelve living in northern Illinois.
You'll not mistake them for anything else.

I too love the Pileated. I used to see one regularly on my way into my favorite canyon. Size of a crow and they peck at wook as though they're swinging a sledge hammer.

Great pics as usual Jay.

Ed

[jbird]

C'mon Jay ole buddy, get some pics of a real Red Headed Woodpecker. I haven't seen one since I was twelve living in northern Illinois.
You'll not mistake them for anything else.


They say theyre common here. Still havent seen one. We just bought a house here thats going to be great for wildlife. Its on 5 acres of mixed hardwood/conifers and is right next to a huge wildlife preserve. Really excited about baiting in birds here. Unfortunately, we're renting back to the sellers til end of february. Tho we'll be all settled in for the spring migration :-)

On another note, this is VERY exciting! http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/environment/a-rare-sight-more-than-snowy-owls-seen-across-wisconsin/article_378fab8e-1c8c-11e1-9d46-001871e3ce6c.html

Every time Im over here in the evening, theres a herd of white tails in the lawn and owls hooting from the woods.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/_JDS1777.jpg

This deck is going to be perfect for photographing birds that I'll try to bait in to that tree line.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/_JDS1781.jpg

Cant wait!!

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

[Larry S]

And a casting pond too! Place will look different come Feb.
Best to you,
Larry S

[k.hanley]

Wow Jay. That's a terrific homestead there. Perfect for someone like you...even with the coming winter weather. Have a super holiday season!
Cheers, Ken

[jbird]

Thanks guys. Theres a small river across the street too :-) And Larry, those pics were taken Tuesday. Tonight were burried in new snow.

[Ed Wahl]

That's an awesome spread there Jay. Way jealous here.

Ed

[Further North]

Now I see why you're so hyped about getting into the new house.

[jbird]

Now I see why you're so hyped about getting into the new house.

Hey Geoff! Welcome aboard :-)

[Scott V]

Looks like you have room for guests, that place is awesome Jay. Need to see pics of the river across the street to see exactly how nice you have it there.

[jbird]

Looks like you have room for guests, that place is awesome Jay. Need to see pics of the river across the street to see exactly how nice you have it there.

Taken this evening.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/_JDS2109.jpg

[Larry S]

Wow, Jay This one belongs in a gallery! Outstanding! Maybe need to watermark it
or whatever is done to protect ownership.
Fished the Glider Port beach this AM (some know it as Blacks Beach) and had several
loons and grebes chasing close-in bait. Thought of you.
Best to you and all of our service gals and guys on Pearl Harbor Day,
Larry S
San Diego

[Scott V]

Taken this evening.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/_JDS2109.jpg

Nice, what type of fish in the water? Brookies?

[jbird]

oddly, no one seems to know whats in there. Someone told my wife that they used to catch trout in it. I highly doubt it. It gets very VERY warm in the summer months. It is not recognized by the DNR as a trout stream. It has a LOT of slow, stale water. Theres no doubt there would be Northerns in it in the spring and maybe the fall. Anyway, I plan on finding out :-)

PS Thanks Larry! It was a beautiful evening and 16 degrees! that river will be frozen solid soon. It is a popular snowmobile route as well as snowshoing and X-country skiing.
I have some very fond memories of Blacks beach. And it had nothing to do with birds, fish, or water for that matter....if you catch my drift ;-)

[Larry S]

Jay:
You weren't one of those volleyball players, were you? Hee Hee.
Best to ya,
Larry S