Category Archives: Birds

Back to Work

whooper dancingFriends, i have been busily reviewing my images from 2013 to compile a bird list for my records, i stumbled on this image of a whooping crane that arrived this fall with the sandhill cranes.  She is female 10-10 and was hatched and raised in a facility in southern Wisconsin, she was taught to migrate behind an ultralight aircraft and then set free.  In this image, the Sandhills were trying to persuade her to dance with them, she tried, til Tomorrow MJ

 

Hahaha

snowFriends, while hunting for the Snowy Owl at Crex, all we have found lately has been vertical clumps of snow hanging in the trees.  This clump was especially interesting from a distance, but when we got closer, we were royally fooled.  Oh well still looking. til Tomorrow MJ

 

Why We Shoot

male ring neck-final ring bill1Friends, these two images illustrate why we photographers keep shooting the same subject over and over.  Perfection is not goal.  Both of these are ring necked ducks, but the mood and the light are very different. The experienced nature photographer keeps chasing the light.   So in 2014, I hope the light is good to you all.  til Tomorrow MJ

 

Splendor in the Snow

roosterFriends, this male pheasant is showing off his finery in the drabness of winter.  I love the many patterns and colors on his back, such  a lovely bird.  Surrounded by snow, he still finds a bit of seed to eat, here and there.  We were searching for the snowy owl, but this guy insisted that we take his picture, enjoy til Tomorrow MJ

 

Cranes are gone

two cranes father and sonFriends, the Sandhills have left the building,  we have received about 18 inches of snow and the cranes found it a bit too much.  i wish i could go with them, but need to stay where i am for the time being.  This immature crane is leading the way for the adult with oak leaves in the background. enjoy, til Tomorrow MJ

 

Nuthatch

nuthatch whiteFriends, this white-breastedd Nuthatch visits the suet feeders quite often during our winter season.  He is seen hopping up and down a tree trunk with his you know facing the sky.  Further up north these birds are called assups because they often travel upside-down. You get the picture, til Tomorrow MJ

 

Snowy Owl in the Snow storm

snowy with colorFriends, today we found a Snowy Owl in Crex Meadows.We haven’t seen one of these in Crex since 2005.  This shot is really an extreme crop and a big stretch for my telephoto lens, but we were thrilled to see this owl even at a distance. This was a remeinder for me to get back to work after a short hiatus at Thanksgiving. til Tomorrow MJ

 

Kestrel 2013

kestrel 2013

Friends, this pretty bird of prey was photoed at Hawk Ridge this fall as the migration proceeded down south.  Her wing color says she is female and is an American Kestrel, the smallest of the falcons.  She was captured, banded, held in hand for educating the public and turned back into the wild.  so til Tomorrow MJ

Kestrel

kestrel 2013Friends, this pretty bird of prey was photoed at Hawk Ridge this fall as the migration proceeded down south.  Her wing color says she is female and is an American Kestrel, the smallest of the falcons.  She was captured, banded, held in hand for educating the public and turned back into the wild.  so til Tomorrow MJ

Eagle

eagle matureFriends, this mature bald eagle is enjoying the day perched in a birch tree.  There were four eagles in this spot, guarding a road kill that was ripe for scavenging.  The snow is getting much deeper today and we have had about 12 inches in this storm so far, hope it stops soon.  Til Tomorrow MJ