Nature Photography (Formally Spring is in the Air)

[Jetoar]

Lovely nuttatch  .

[Gwangi]

Thanks for sharing Radman. I've seen the red-breasted and white-breasted before but no browns yet. I completely forgot about this thread, no point changing the title to reflect the season, spring will be here shortly.

[ZoPteryx]

Cool nuthatches.  Is that suet they're eating?  The nuthatches in my neighborhood (White-breasted) never go for it at my feeders!

[radman]

Cool nuthatches.  Is that suet they're eating?  The nuthatches in my neighborhood (White-breasted) never go for it at my feeders!

It's suet, but it's packed with peanuts and birdseed!

[postsaurischian]

While taking pics of the new CollectA Therizinosaurus, I took notice of this beautiful Grey Heron and followed him for a while.
I adore these wonderful modern Dinosaurs !

[Yutyrannus]

Those have always been some of my favorite birds.

[stargatedalek]

grey herons/great blue herons really are regal

[Gwangi]

Beautiful pictures! Shame this thread has not been utilized lately. I'm sure I have something I can post. Will have to look around.

[paleoferroequine]

   Yes, it has been a while, hasn't it?  My problem is that I have posted most of everything in the past few years and don't really remember what has been shown. I have run out of the really interesting animals around here. I still haven't seen and photographed black bears and roadrunners or even the commonly seen armadillos. With the last ones I never have my camera with me. I guess I could take a picture of the hundreds of road kills on "Armadillo Armageddon" (Interstate 44) Just kidding!

Juvenile Cooper's Hawk-Accipiter cooperii

[Gwangi]

Beautiful hawk photos! How close were you?

I know what you mean about not having the camera around. It was my goal all winter to see a snowy owl and when I finally took the road trip to find one (and find one I did) I realized I forgot my camera!

[paleoferroequine]

Beautiful hawk photos! How close were you?

I know what you mean about not having the camera around. It was my goal all winter to see a snowy owl and when I finally took the road trip to find one (and find one I did) I realized I forgot my camera!

   About 10 feet, here in town they aren't spooked easily, especially the juveniles.
I've also wanted to get pics of great horned owls but trying to spot one at dusk or day is real hard.

[stargatedalek]

A two-for one shot
seems someone will be enjoying snake today
great pics

[tyrantqueen]

Speaking of birds of prey, there was a programme to introduce red kites back into the English ecosystem a few years back and it was successful. There are so many of them that they can be seen in the town where I live. There is a breeding pair that regularly flies over my house. I wish I had taken a photo when they flew in close.

[Gwangi]

Here is something to share, a couple monk parakeets aka Quaker parrots took up residence and built a nest in a local poll barn. They aren't native and unusual to see in a place like NY.

[postsaurischian]

Beautiful cuties .

[stargatedalek]

unusual indeed, I bet they've become quite the local celebrities

[Gwangi]

unusual indeed, I bet they've become quite the local celebrities

Among bird watchers they have, outside of those circles I don't think a lot of people know about them. The land owner said he had plans to take the poll barn down and AFAIK he didn't change those plans on account of the birds. I have not been there is a couple weeks but I would not be surprised if they were displaced. There was apparently a local woman who was urging the DEC (Department of Environmental Conservation) to remove the birds all together but I don't know if she got her way or not.

[stargatedalek]

removing them would probably be best, since an established population might cause problems down the road
I'd bet many people would be willing to take them in

[Gwangi]

removing them would probably be best, since an established population might cause problems down the road
I'd bet many people would be willing to take them in

From the research I've done these parrots while non-native are not particularly invasive. The area I live in is big on agriculture though, especially vineyards and orchards so they would no doubt be eating some fruit. Apparently the most damage the species causes however is to power lines when they build their massive (up to 400 lb) nests but they have not proven a threat to farm crops elsewhere that they have become established. They're already established in NYC and other more urban areas.

[stargatedalek]

well if they are already well established nearby than theres really no point trying to remove them
that is a very large nest, we get osprey nesting on poles here sometimes but there nests are usually only very light