F/7.1, 1/800, ISO 200.
Common Tern
Knock! Knock!
Who’s there?
Lettuce.
Lettuce who?
Lettuce in already!
Interesting Fact: Common Terns living along the coast drink salt water. They do not seek fresh water even when it is available nearby. Like many seabirds, they have nasal glands that excrete the excess salt. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Tern/lifehistory )
F/7.1, 1/800, ISO 200.
Franklin’s Gull
Why do sea-gulls fly over the sea?
Because if they flew over the bay they would be bagels!
Interesting Fact: The floating nest of the Franklin’s Gull gradually sinks as the material below the water surface decays, and it requires continual maintenance. Both parents add new nest material daily until one or two weeks before departing the colony. Older chicks also add nest material from the immediate vicinity of the nest. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Franklins_Gull/lifehistory )
F/10.0, 1/320, ISO 400.
House Finch
What do you call a T-Rex that can bench press 2 tons?
Tyranosaurus-pecs!
Interesting Fact: House Finches feed their nestlings exclusively plant foods, a fairly rare occurrence in the bird world. Many birds that are vegetarians as adults still find animal foods to keep their fast-growing young supplied with protein. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/House_Finch/lifehistory )
F/9.0, 1/320, ISO 400.
Downy Woodpecker
Knock! Knock!
Who’s there?
Luke.
Luke who?
Luke through the keyhole to see!
Interesting Fact: Male and female Downy Woodpeckers divide up where they look for food in winter. Males feed more on small branches and weed stems, and females feed on larger branches and trunks. Males keep females from foraging in the more productive spots. When researchers have removed males from a woodlot, females have responded by feeding along smaller branches. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Downy_Woodpecker/lifehistory )
F/ 5.6, 1/500, ISO 125.
Tree Swallow
What do you call a chicken in the 1960’s?
A funky chicken.
Interesting Fact: Migrating and wintering Tree Swallows can form enormous flocks numbering in the hundreds of thousands. They gather about an hour before sunset and form a dense cloud above a roost site (such as a cattail marsh or grove of small trees), swirling around like a living tornado. With each pass, more birds drop down until they are all settled on the roost. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Tree_Swallow/lifehistory )
F/8.0, 1/250, ISO 320.
Tufted Titmouse
How many cans does it take to make a bird?
Two cans.
Interesting Fact: Tufted Titmice nest in tree holes (and nest boxes), but they can’t excavate their own nest cavities. Instead, they use natural holes and cavities left by woodpeckers. These species’ dependence on dead wood for their homes is one reason why it’s important to allow dead trees to remain in forests rather than cutting them down. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Tufted_Titmouse/lifehistory )
F/9.0, 1/320, ISO 320.
Mourning Dove
What soap do birds use?
Dove.
Interesting Fact: Mourning Doves tend to feed busily on the ground, swallowing seeds and storing them in an enlargement of the esophagus called the crop. Once they’ve filled it (the record is 17,200 bluegrass seeds in a single crop!), they can fly to a safe perch to digest the meal. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Mourning_Dove/lifehistory )
Through Open Lens 