Friday, October 26, 2018

Wile E. Coyote Versus The Kingfisher

I remember a cartoon from Looney Toons that featured a coyote that was constantly trying to catch a roadrunner using elaborate contraptions.The coyote failed every time as the roadrunner would always avoid the trap at the last second leaving the coyote caught in his own trap.

 I always think of that cartoon when I approach a kingfisher because they always seem to sense when I'm going to take a picture and slip away at the last second. I finally managed to get very close to this kingfisher but of course it had to be cloudy and raining! My camera doesn't like cloudy and raining.

Saturday, October 20, 2018

Habitat Search Led Me To Purple Finches


Sometimes I will just drive around country roads and look for habitat that I think might be good for birds rather than go to places I'm already familiar with. I'll look for things like water features, berry bushes, weeds, cedar trees, tall grass, and shrubs.If I see signs of bird activity I'll stop and check it out. this time I as rewarded with a nice view of a pair of Purple Finches stuffing their bills.The male Purple Finch is on the top.It has more of a raspberry color to it versus the reddish color of the male House Finches. I don't see a lot of Purple Finches so I'm always happy to come across them.
The female has a sort whitish eyebrow mark.
Sometimes my initial roadside search I will explore the area in further detail. I came across this little area near some hilltop power lines where someone created a nice little stone sanctuary. 

Birding can become routine and predictable so heading out blindly with binoculars and using your own instincts to look for birds can be a rewarding way to go about it.

Sunday, October 7, 2018

Birding And Solitude Are A Natural Fit

George Dudley Seymour State Park is a place I have visited several times over the years. I've yet to encounter another person during my visits there. It has steep gorges with lots of rocks and flowing streams that serve to calm a restless spirit.
 It is a place that I can enjoy without worrying about the next bird I'm going to see. the birds are a bonus but the scenery and solitude are what makes the place special.
 I did manage to find a butterfly that wasn't ready to head south of the border...
and an Eastern Towhee as curious about me as I was about he.