F/13.0, 1/640, ISO 400.
Merlin
Did you hear that Mr. Clean is in the hospital?
Yeah, he has ammonia.
Interesting Facts: Though it’s not much bigger than the more common American Kestrel, the Merlin is heavier and often appears considerably larger. As with most raptors, female Merlins are larger than males. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Merlin )
F/13.0, 1/640, ISO 400.
Peregrine Falcon
Why did the cranberries turn red?
Because they saw the turkey dressing!
Interesting Fact: When hunting, Peregrines start by watching from a high perch or by flapping slowly or soaring at great height. Stoops begin 300–3,000 feet above their prey and end either by grabbing the prey or by striking it with the feet hard enough to stun or kill it. They then catch the bird and bite through the neck to kill it. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Peregrine_Falcon/lifehistory )
F/10.0, 1/400, ISO 400.
Mallard
Did you hear the rumor about butter?
Everyone’s spreading it.
Interesting Fact: Mallards are an abundant city and suburban park duck and because of constant feedings by park visitors, they can become very tame and approachable. In more natural settings and where Mallards are heavily hunted, they can be very wary of approaching people. They commonly associate with and may hybridize with other dabbling ducks. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Mallard/lifehistory )
F/7.1, 1/60, ISO1000.
American Black Bear
What did the polar bear say when she saw campers in sleeping bags?
Mmmm, Hot Pockets…
Interesting Fact: Black bears are very opportunistic eaters. Most of their diet consists of grasses, roots, berries, and insects. They will also eat fish and mammals—including carrion—and easily develop a taste for human foods and garbage. Bears who become habituated to human food at campsites, cabins, or rural homes can become dangerous and are often killed—thus the frequent reminder: Please don’t feed the bears! ( https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/a/american-black-bear/ )
F/11.0, 1/500, ISO 400.
Ring-billed Gull
What should you do if you’re afraid of elevators?
Take steps to avoid them.
Interesting Fact: Ring-billed Gulls are strong, graceful flyers. They can race along at more than 40 miles per hour, and they’re adept at snatching food from the air. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ring-billed_Gull/lifehistory )
F/7.1, 1/160, ISO 500.
Tufted Titmouse
Why did the artist bring a pencil and paper to a duel?
He wanted to draw his weapon.
Interesting Fact: Tufted Titmice flit from branch to branch of the forest canopy looking for food, often in the company of other species including nuthatches, chickadees, kinglets, and woodpeckers. When they find large seeds, such as the sunflower seeds they take from bird feeders, titmice typically hold the seed with their feet and hammer it open with their beaks. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Tufted_Titmouse/lifehistory )
F/7.1, 1/200, ISO 400.
White-breasted Nuthatch
What was the murderer’s last request to the priest as he sat in the electric chair?
Will you hold my hand?
Interesting Fact: White-breasted Nuthatches forage up, down, and sideways over tree trunks and around large branches. They often (though not always) start high in trees and move down them head first, pausing to crane their necks up and back, toward the horizontal, for a look around. They probe into bark crevices or chip away at wood to find food. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White-breasted_Nuthatch/lifehistory )
F/10.0, 1/400, ISO 400.
Peregrine Falcon
What does a teddy bear say when you offer it a sandwich?
“No thanks, I’m stuffed”
Interesting Fact: Peregrine Falcons are very strong fliers and often reported to be the fastest bird in the world. Their average cruising flight speed is 24 to 33 mph, increasing to 67 mph when in pursuit of prey. When stooping, or dropping on prey with their wings closed, it’s been calculated that Peregrine Falcons can achieve speeds of 238 mph. One researcher studied trained Peregrine Falcons while skydiving and described their body position while diving at 150 mph and 200 mph. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Peregrine_Falcon/lifehistory )
F/8.0, 1/250, ISO 320.
Hispaniolan Woodpeckers
How do crazy people get through the forest?
They take the psycho path.
Interesting Fact: The Hispaniolan Woodpecker is sufficiently abundant to be considered an agricultural pest in some areas, on account of it feeding in fruit orchards, although it also regularly consumes insects and tree sap. It nests in tree-cavities and breeds in loose colonies of up to 20 pairs. ( https://neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/Species-Account/nb/species/hiswoo1/overview )
F/7.1, 1/200, ISO 800.
Belted Kingfisher
Why can’t you write with a broken pencil?
Because it’s pointless.
Interesting Fact: During breeding season the Belted Kingfisher pair defends a territory against other kingfishers. A territory along a stream includes just the streambed and the vegetation along it, and averages 0.6 mile long. The nest burrow is usually in a dirt bank near water. The tunnel slopes upward from the entrance, perhaps to keep water from entering the nest. Tunnel length ranges from 1 to 8 feet. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Belted_Kingfisher )
Through Open Lens 