04/30/2005 - Real Mixed Bag.....

We finally got our feeders up and going in our back yard and are now attracting some birds and hoping for some more. So far it has been Finches, Finches and More Finches. My next step is to add some natural perches. With very good advice from several Forum members, I set up so that I open my back door and be about 20 feet or so from the feeder and shoot through the opening. These are all D70, 500mm + 1.4 TC

Pine Siskin:

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Washington State Bird - American Goldfinch - Male:

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Pair of American Goldfinch - Male and Female:

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Purple Finch, why Purple when they look so Red???:

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Pine Siskin:

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Backyard Defender:

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OK, Scooter isn't a bird but I was FORCED to put this one up as well :wink:

Then it was off to Skagit Flats and Padilla Bay, this time to look for huge bunches of Great Blue Herons on Padilla Bay at Low Tide. As usual, things did not quite work out as planned. Frist stop Fir Island Reserve. Saw a bunch of Eagles flying in the distance and then my wife nancy says "Hey, Look! Something coming this way!" I turned and found this.

Northern Harrier #1:

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Northern Harrier #2:

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These shots are a perfect example of why I need Nikon to repair and return my D2H. The D70 is a great camera, but on smaller faster birds it just can't keep up.

Then we drove a bit further North to Padilla Bay. Got there and realized that we really want to be there as the tide is going out, not when it is almost all the way out, but the term "hundreds of Great Blue Heron's" is not an exaggeration. We will do this again. Here is on example of what we saw, and this is not a large bunch by any means.

GBH, in flight and feeding:

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On the way back we checked the flats again, stopping at the Fir Island Reserve one last time. Pretty quiet but we did find a Red Tail in a tree. Watched him for 20 minutes or so waiting for him to fly. He was looking right at us so we figured we would get some great shots. Well, we all know how that goes, don't we? The little bugger turned sideways and then did this...

Red-Tail Take-Off:

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Best part, we got outside and it didn't rain :lol:

 

Thanks, Frank. I have tried to shoot through windows before to the backyard, and the only way to describe that is "Sucked" :lol: . When we moved in here I thought for quite a bit on how to set up for this, and so far I'm happy. Along with this a bird bath is in the plans.

The place we get our "bird bits" from, Wild Birds Unlimited, has a special fitting for the feeder stand that allows attaching of branches, and your suggestion of PB is good. Should I add some Grape Jelly as well? Better now, or I'd be out there eating it :lol: .

We also have a suet block out, hoping to eventually attract some larger birds, maybe even a Flicker or two. Keep your fingers croseed, OK?

 

Thanks, Gale. That is a slick idea regarding the pinecone. Have you had any issues with PB attracting things you didn't want?

As to Scooter, first thing is, he is a SHE, and she is quite particualr about that :wink: . You are pretty correct about the expression, although it was more of, "What the heck do you want me out here AGAIN for anyway????".

Thanks, you folks will see the results in the next few weeks.

 

It is a stinkin' addiction, truly is. I got hooked just over a year ago, it is Ron Reznick's fault totally and completely and if he is listening I can only hope that he is truly ashamed of what he has done to me :lol: :lol: :lol:

Then again, all you need to do with the 300 is to get closer, right?

Thanks.

 

Well, Bryan, if you find yourslef out in the Oregon direction in August you can come to the Portland Mini-Schnauzer Club's Schnauzer walk. Imagine over a hundred Schnauzers, mini/std/giant all in one place for a whole day. Truly amazing.....

Since the forum is Birds and Animals, I figured what the heck :lol: .

Thanks for the very kind words.

ps. Yes, Schnuzers DO rule, and they certainly let those that live with them know it, too :wink:

 

Thanks, Dao, but she does fly.......

Scooter, the UFO:

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Look in Sibley's, "SchnauzeriusUfoairius".......... often found masquerading as couch potatoes....... :wink:

 

Thanks, Harris, and absolutely no rush, take care of family first, please.

 

Thanks, Gordon, that we did. Most interesting bit of the day was not the images I got, but a better understanding of the habits of the GBH's up in the Padilla Bay area. That is one thing I have to keep reminding myself of. Watch the behavior, understand as much as I can of what is going on so that I can be better prepared the next time out. I have been told that so darned many times, and I get so anxious I often forget it.

Besides, any day out doors is a good day by definition, eh :?: :lol:

 

Thanks, Janet. After looking at the Field Guide some more I wondered about those very color and pattern issues myself. The other thing was that in another image I have of the bird where I can see the tail I think there was a difference there as well, having to do with it being forked on the House and not on the Purple, and this one appeared to be more Forked.

I was most happy that I quit calling the Pine Siskin an immature Goldfinch though :lol: :lol:

Fun stuff, both the taking and the "figuring out".

Thanks!