Category Archives: Birds
Annoyed or Angry
Friends, this mature Cooper Hawk was captured and banded last fall at Hawk Ridge in Duluth Minnesota. He looks angry but his hackles are raised cause he is a little annoyed with being restrained while the educators talk about his natural history. Someone will have a chance to adopt him and release him back into the wild. I think this is my favorite photo from last fall at Hawk Ridge. Do you like? til Tomorrow MJ
Bittern Eye
Friends, I was thrilled to find this bittern only feet outside my vehicle blind. Most of the time, the grasses were interfering with my desired shot, but when i got home and perused my images, this one caught my eye, because of the bird eye. Nice and sharp with his environment totally surrounding him. This bird is always hiding in the grasses. til Tomorrow MJ
Calling Crane
Friends, this Sandhill crane was right by the road when i jumped out to photograph him. I like the feathers in the tip of his bill, he is molting his summer coat stained with red-iron water. Soon he will be handsome gray all over and ready to move further south. Til then we enjoy the flocks of cranes that spend the fall in Crex and surrounding areas. He was calling and i love the red eyes. til Tomorrow MJ
Run Mouse Run
Friends, I think this is what a mouse sees just before the red tailed hawk grabs him. I am going thru my images of last summer and editing for a book on Hawk Ridge Migration and this image of a red-tail hawk spoke to me, it speaks of wildness and freedom. Minutes after the educator had shown the audience his tail, this bird was released back into the wild. Hope you like him. til Tomorrow MJ
Coming Soon Migration
Friends, soon this will be a common sight in Crex, the Sandhill Cranes flying in to join the larger flocks. They will dance and celebrate the end of summer, the arrival of the fall foliage and the migration of other birds, ducks, hawks, swans and passerines. They will all fly away to the south and leave me here,calling in the darkness of winter, longing for their return. But for now, time to get busy. til Tomorrow MJ
Second Summer Sharp Shin Hawk
Friends, this is a second summer sharp shinned Hawk who has been captured, banded and after this image was taken, was release back into the wild blue yonder. He has changed from his first year coloring when the eye is bright yellow, the breast feathers show a vertical orientation, and the top of his head was brown rather than the gray in this bird. He is a survivor and is migrating south over Hawk Ridge in Duluth Minnesota. The migration is starting and I will soon be able to show you new images of migrating birds. til Tomorrow MJ
Dancing Lessons
Friends, did your mother teach you to dance, probably not. I learned from a friend, but in the crane world, the adults teach the dancing skills. The youngster on the left is learning from the two dancing in the middle how to celebrate life and rejoice. So for today, dance and teach your children. til Tomorrow MJ
Morning Dove Call
Friends, this morning dove is calling to its mate with an inflated neck and a yellow sheen on the side of the neck. I had never seen this behavior before this photo, nature never seems to disappoint or cease to be amazing in the discoveries to be made. til Tomorrow MJ
Young Cormorant
Friends, while shooting the tall ship parade, we were entertained by some cormorants that were feeding nearby. This juvenile has a beautiful turquoise eye, never noticed their eye color before. til Tomorrow MJ
His Kingdom
Friends, this male goldfinch is announcing to the world his joys and surveying his kingdom. He studied me for about ten minutes and let me shoot his portrait. The goldfinch are late nesters, so his female has probably laid the eggs or hatched some young ones, either way he was out shopping for groceries. til Tomorrow MJ
MJ Springett 