Bird ID summer 06

[Loupey]

2 grab shots from earlier today for ya.

[paulnj]

that's a male eastern towhee and a male red-bellied woodpecker .

[Mike T]

Here's a few from today. Just went out to take a walk today, my last few times out I was after a few different birds today was just a take whatever I see day.
Mike

[paulnj]

OMG.... Where did you shoot that least sandpiper(atleast that's what it looks like)? That is a rediculously early migrant!

Those waxwings and grosbeak are sweet!

[Mike T]

OMG.... Where did you shoot that least sandpiper(atleast that's what it looks like)? That is a rediculously early migrant!

Those waxwings and grosbeak are sweet!

I don't see shore birds that often but by the picture and size I had the ID as the Least Sandpiper. It was a very small bird, there was a sparrow on the green stuff and they were about the same size. I took all of these at Hyper Humus.

Mike

[paulnj]

Yeah that is the other place up north that would have "peeps" in migration(if it's what I am thinking of atleast). BTW... That place is on fire from what I here in the spring (may) with rails, herons and bitterns , but I've never been there.

[Loupey]

The first one - don't know if it is another red-bellied woodpecker or not. The coloration of the head seems different.

Second one - very pretty male. Female (also in the shot) is drab.

[Mike T]

Yeah that is the other place up north that would have "peeps" in migration(if it's what I am thinking of atleast). BTW... That place is on fire from what I here in the spring (may) with rails, herons and bitterns , but I've never been there.

I saw several reports of Rails there but most weren't sightings just people hearing them. I want a bird I can get a picture of not one I can listen to. Here's another shot I took there thursday.
Mike

[Mike T]

How about this one Paul ?

[Mike T]

Here's another bird I shot today. I don't see these birds to often so was glad to spot this one.
Mike

[paulnj]

Sweet!!! Barred owls are easy to find in the open.... IF you know where they live The key words are "IF YOU KNOW WHERE THEY LIVE. I have seen a few dozen in my travels and usually in a swampy environment, though conifer groves near water are good too. They are usually shy of humans, so you found a good subject!

[Mike T]

Sweet!!! Barred owls are easy to find in the open.... IF you know where they live The key words are "IF YOU KNOW WHERE THEY LIVE. I have seen a few dozen in my travels and usually in a swampy environment, though conifer groves near water are good too. They are usually shy of humans, so you found a good subject!

This one was just off the path at the Duck Pond section of Swartswood State Park.

[paulnj]

That's are hard one.... redtailed is my educated guess, though Bald eagle and vultures fly that way at times too. heavy body, long wings

I can surely ID raptors in flight 99% accurately after 5000 hours of viewing them, but images of them going away are tough.

[Mike T]

That's are hard one.... redtailed is my educated guess, though Bald eagle and vultures fly that way at times too. heavy body, long wings

I can surely ID raptors in flight 99% accurately after 5000 hours of viewing them, but images of them going away are tough.

Wasn't a very good picture but I thought it might be enough for you to get an ID. I've read that vultures wings are usually at more of a V when they soar. I was trying to explain that to a woman I work with so I thought I might get a few pictures like this one to make my point.
Here is a better picture of the bird.

Mike

[paulnj]

Bald eagle it was ! Yes, TV's sour with a dihedral, but I have seen them fly flat winged at times too.

Is that a lower swartswood fledgling because I don't think too many NJ birds have left the nest site yet?

[Mike T]

Bald eagle it was ! Yes, TV's sour with a dihedral, but I have seen them fly flat winged at times too.

Is that a lower swartswood fledgling because I don't think too many NJ birds have left the nest site yet?

Yes this is also from Swartswood. The two were staying close to the nest but they did fly from tree to tree and then this one flew half way across the lake toward me before turning back. I was there for a little over an hour today, they were calling out quite a bit but I never did see the parents. I was glad to see the two young birds, a woman that I work with told me she heard that one had died unless there was a third bird I never saw.

Mike

[paulnj]

I was talking to my cousin friday and he said basdicly " Hyper Humus is a pretty cool spot for spring migration rails and such. I had my closest view of a virgina rail there, but the ******* team used it in the WSB and regretted it "

Rails and marsh birds are hard to see, and I understand what your saying totally.

As for that great egret.. you do know they are typically coast marsh nesters, so I would say that's a migrant too

[Lava Lamp]

This one should be easy. Took it today.

[paulnj]

WELL IT'S PINK Roseate spoonbill

[Mike T]

Another shot from sunday at Little Swartswood Lake. The state put out some rope and buoys to keep the boaters away from the Eagles nest. This bird found the buoy as a good place to dry off. I watched these birds dive thinking they would come right back up but they stay under for a while and travel a pretty good distance before coming back up.
Mike

[paulnj]

Well fish are in there for sure, but not for long! DC corms eat fish like tit tacs!

BTW....CONGRATS ON THAT FEATURED PHOTO

[Mike T]

Well fish are in there for sure, but not for long! DC corms eat fish like tit tacs!

BTW....CONGRATS ON THAT FEATURED PHOTO

Thanks, do I get money and prizes ? I'm kidding, when the page opened ( I'm still using dial-up) I noticed the picture in the corner looked like mine. I've seen the photos up there in the past and wondered what they were about. I just clicked the link and took a look at some of the past photos, mine really doesn't belong in there with them. Thanks again.

Mike

[Lava Lamp]

Here's a better shot of that spoon...

[Lava Lamp]

And Here's Another...

[Lava Lamp]

MJS had a shot earlier that he posted saying that it might be the worst shot ever posted here. I humbly submit this one a challenge. I was sitting by a pond with my son and seeing what I thought were large dragonflies 50 feet across the water. I gradually figured out they were humming birds and there were three to five (or more) of them. I didn't come close to getting a good shot. This is the best one. ;)

Anyone have an id on the species?