Nikon birdwatcher

Please Keep Off The Grass!

November 3, 2021 — 3 Comments

F/8.0, 1/250, ISO 400.

Northern Flicker

What can you hold without ever touching it?

A conversation.

Interesting Fact: The red-shafted and yellow-shafted forms of the Northern Flicker formerly were considered different species. The two forms hybridize extensively in a wide zone from Alaska to the panhandle of Texas. A hybrid often has some traits from each of the two forms and some traits that are intermediate between them. The Red-shafted Flicker also hybridizes with the Gilded Flicker, but less frequently. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Flicker )

But I’m A Creep!

November 2, 2021 — 16 Comments

F/8.0, 1/250, ISO 320.

Brown Creeper

Why was Cinderella thrown off the basketball team?

She ran away from the ball.

Interesting Fact: Brown Creepers burn an estimated 4–10 calories (technically, kilocalories) per day, a tiny fraction of a human’s daily intake of about 2,000 kilocalories. By eating a single spider, a creeper gains enough energy to climb nearly 200 feet vertically. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Brown_Creeper )

Whose TERN Is This Anyway?

September 23, 2021 — 7 Comments

F/ 5.6, 1/500, ISO 100.

Caspian Tern

Why did the cookie go to the hospital?

Because he felt crummy.

Interesting Fact: The Caspian Tern aggressively defends its breeding colony. It will pursue, attack, and chase potential predatory birds, and can cause bloody wounds on the heads of people who invade the colony. The entire colony will take flight, however, when a Bald Eagle flies overhead, exposing the chicks to predation from gulls. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Caspian_Tern/overview )

Don’t Look At My Hole!

August 19, 2021 — 24 Comments

F/9.0, 1/320, ISO 160.

Hispaniolan Woodpecker

Why aren’t there any shark puppeteers?

They have no hands!

Interesting Fact: This woodpecker forages in small noisy groups; the diet is varied and includes insects, spiders, scorpions, lizards, fruit, seeds, grain and sap. It can catch flying insects on the wing, and larger food items are bashed on an “anvil” to break them up. ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hispaniolan_woodpecker )

Stay Out Of My Territory!

August 2, 2021 — 21 Comments

F/10.0, 1/400, ISO 250.

Marsh Wren

What animal has the best sense of time?

A Watchdog!

Interesting Fact: The secret life of the Marsh Wren plays out under the cover of reeds. Here, males routinely mate with 2 or more females and build at least 6 dummy nests for every female they mate with. One male built 22 nests on his territory. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Marsh_Wren ) 

Be Yourself Because An Original Is Worht More Then A Copy!

June 7, 2021 — 6 Comments

F/10.0, 1/400, ISO 160.

White-winged Dove

What kind of candy do zombies refuse to eat?

LIFE Savers!

Interesting Fact: Like other doves and pigeons, White-winged Doves have some unusual abilities. They can suck and swallow water without moving their heads. And they use a secretion from the esophagus, known as crop milk, to feed nestlings. Both parents may consume snails and bone fragments to help their bodies create the nutritious fluid. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White-winged_Dove )

We Are Looking At You!

June 6, 2021 — 2 Comments

F/9.0, 1/320, ISO 250.

Semipalmated Sandpipers

What never asks questions but receives a lot of answers?

The Telephone.

Interesting Fact: The oldest recorded Semipalmated Sandpiper was at least 14 years, 2 months old when it was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in New Brunswick. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Semipalmated_Sandpiper/overview )

I Am People Watching.

June 4, 2021 — 13 Comments

F/9.0, 1/320, ISO 160.

Palmchat

What’s a zombies favorite desert?

I-Scream!

Interesting Fact: Palmchats are very sociable birds, often seen in small flocks containing several pairs which will roost closely together with their bodies in contact. ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmchat )

I Live In The Meow!

May 29, 2021 — 13 Comments

F/6.3, 1/60, ISO 320.

Gray Catbird

Why did the computer break up with the internet?

There was no “Connection”.

Interesting Fact:  The Gray Catbird’s long song may last for up to 10 minutes. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Gray_Catbird )