Hi all,
Just thought I'd share some photos from this Spring. I'll keep the narration to a minimum, if anyone wants anymore info or species names follow the links at the bottom of the photos to the flickr page, I have each photo labeled with the common and scientific name and some additional info in most cases.
On days when the weather is nice and I have some spare time I have been trying to photograph some of the common species around my house which I have no photos of.
I could go outside any given day and spot one of these but I better shot than this eludes me so far.
Neighborhood Turdus by antonsrkn, on Flickr
One of those birds I am positive I have seen before but prior to IDing the one in my photograph I never knew existed. Does that make it a lifer? Now that I know what these are and that theyre different from sparrows I see them everywhere.
Finch on White by antonsrkn, on Flickr
Cardinalis by antonsrkn, on Flickr
I have targeted some of the mammals around the house too..
Chipmunk Portrait by antonsrkn, on Flickr
Chipmunk portrait by antonsrkn, on Flickr
Curious Chipmunk by antonsrkn, on Flickr
I have taken some trips to a large cattail marsh when I have the time and I have seen some cool stuff out there.
First time I have managed a shot of one of these.
Gamebird by antonsrkn, on Flickr
Some mammals out thereabouts as well
Striped Skunk by antonsrkn, on Flickr
Even my first herp of the year
Spring Snapper by antonsrkn, on Flickr
Warming up by antonsrkn, on Flickr
However the area isn't particularly herp rich and it has been cold when im out there, so I tend to focus on birds when im there. Afterall its what the area is best known for.
I count 5 species and I know there is a sixth but you cant make it out in this photo
Birdscape by antonsrkn, on Flickr
Horicon by antonsrkn, on Flickr
Crane Couple by antonsrkn, on Flickr
Whooping crane
Whooping Crane by antonsrkn, on Flickr
Common birds but I have actually never photographed either of these 2 species prior.
Geese & Grackle by antonsrkn, on Flickr
Flying in Formation by antonsrkn, on Flickr
Never photographed these before either, and only seen them 1-2 times prior.
Redhead Pair by antonsrkn, on Flickr
Redhead Drake by antonsrkn, on Flickr
My favorite experience out there was when I found an open stretch of water and took a seat among the grassy hummocks along the bank. I was wearing a brown coat with my hood up and had grass all around me, I think this did a pretty good job concealing me as while I was sitting there this pair of Trumpeter swans approached the area and I was able to photograph them without disturbing them. I hadn't even seen them when I initially took a seat. I apologize for all the photos but these swans were too cool to pick just a few.
Horicon Swans by antonsrkn, on Flickr
Trumpeter Swan Pair by antonsrkn, on Flickr
Swans by antonsrkn, on Flickr
Argued a bit
Squabbling Swans by antonsrkn, on Flickr
Drip Drip Drop by antonsrkn, on Flickr
Floating Cygnus by antonsrkn, on Flickr
Swan in Action by antonsrkn, on Flickr
After a while a neighbor flew in to visit them, i expected the swans to chase the mergansers away but they seemed to get along no problem.
New Friends by antonsrkn, on Flickr
Random shot of peaceful lakeshore and if you look close enough a muskrat in the water
Lake in the Evening by antonsrkn, on Flickr
After that I went down south to catch the cottonmouth migration.
It was a successful trip
Amiable Agkistrodon by antonsrkn, on Flickr
Smiling for the camera by antonsrkn, on Flickr
Water Moccasin by antonsrkn, on Flickr
Long tailed Salamander by antonsrkn, on Flickr
Call of the Wild by antonsrkn, on Flickr
The trip was entirely focused on herps, however on the way back I came across an birding opportunity I couldn't resist. White pelicans! There were a few of them hanging out in a section of river, I must have spent over an hour trying to photograph them. They were a bit further away than I would have liked but I got some decent shots.
Pelican Fly Over by antonsrkn, on Flickr
Pelican Group Shot by antonsrkn, on Flickr
Einsteins hairstyle
Feather Crown by antonsrkn, on Flickr
Portrait of a Pelecanus by antonsrkn, on Flickr
After some time it became apparent the pelicans were fishing out there, it was awesome to observe them catching fish. They would just dip their heads down and snag up whatever was in the water.
Fishy Farewell by antonsrkn, on Flickr
Fish sticks by antonsrkn, on Flickr
Fish Sticks II by antonsrkn, on Flickr
Gone Fishing by antonsrkn, on Flickr
Pelican by antonsrkn, on Flickr
Best in Show by antonsrkn, on Flickr
And I saved my favorite two photographs for last....
Here it almost looks like some sort of bigger fish is attempting to steal a smaller fish from the pelican. The pelican tried to catch the bigger fish but it slipped away, I couldnt tell what happened to the second smaller fish already in his sac.
Mouthful by antonsrkn, on Flickr
And this guy who managed to snag himself a whopper...
Snack Attack by antonsrkn, on Flickr
That is the outline of a fish tail pressing out from his throat sac, the fish was flailing around like crazy fighting for its life and the pelican couldn't seem to swallow it further than he already had. It took a while but the fish either suffocated or tired itself out as the pelican was able to get it down eventually.
And well a few neighborhood deer just because...
Neighborhood Deer by antonsrkn, on Flickr
Wisconsin Odocoileus by antonsrkn, on Flickr
Well thats it for now. Hope you all enjoyed!
Spring Photodump (Lots of big white birds)
Moderator: Scott Waters
Re: Spring Photodump (Lots of big white birds)
I certainly enjoyed that! Love the trumpeter shots and the pelican shots are outstanding!
Re: Spring Photodump (Lots of big white birds)
Great series. The swan photos are amazing.
Is that a Purple Finch?
Is that a Purple Finch?
Re: Spring Photodump (Lots of big white birds)
Thanks guys, glad you enjoyed! Yeah the swans were a completely unexpected but very welcome surprise, this is the only time I have been able to observe them going about their business up close, it was amazing!
I have it IDed as a House Finch, I figured based on the habitat around here (its a suburban area) and it looked less red than the purple finch in my guide, I thought it was probably the house finch.Is that a Purple Finch?