Fowl Weather

[claywoman]

This winter, our neighborhood would have qualified for the movie 'The Birds.' We had sometimes over 200 blackbirds in two vacant lots feeding. Always before a huge storm where the rain would pour down and the winds were between 30-50 mph...They would roost in two trees and it would look really really creepy.... <br /><br />It was also fun watching them rob the squirrels of nuts and take them to the phone lines by the road, they'd wait until cars came and drop the nuts so the cars would smash them. I threw out a half dozen walnuts, once the cars smashed them, both nuts and shell were gone within 15 minutes...

 

[nevers]

Actually, it was the "News 8" Helicopter. We call the Metro Police Helicopter the Ghetto Bird: it's overhead now...you can't mistake it's sound. I hear it frequently and have even been spot-lighted by it quite a number of times when I'm out in my backyard with my 'scopes set up. At work, it's a blessing to have around! (The Ghetto Bird, not the News Helicopter. They get me in trouble!)

 

[ehkzu]

I was in Nusa Tenggara at the time, specifically on Komodo Island. I think it's called an Indonesian Sea Eagle or some such. Big bird. I probably shouldn't have gotten so close.<br />

 

[tfwthom]

The Sharp-shinned Hawk showed up and scared the other birds away this weekend (so much for a high bird count for the weekend) but he was in the mood to pose. I was able to get close while he was in the neighbors orange tree.<br /><br />This might be a different hawk then the 1st or the fact that it's now a little older and lost some of it's juvenile coloring. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1" color="#3366ff">www.siriuslookers.org</font> </div>

 

[nevers]

That's an awesome picture Thom!

 

[nevers]

I think they're Sparrows...

 

[spacester]

I JUST SAW SIX BALD EAGLES HOVERING DIRECTLY OVERHEAD NO MORE THEN 100 FEET HIGH!<br /><br />I stepped out of the front door where I work, looked up at BAM! SIX of them! Hovering in a stiff breeze! Five full fledged, two were HUGE, one was a juvenile, possibly the most amazing thing I've ever seen with my own eyes. This went on for five minutes!<br /><br />At that distance there is no mistaking them, beautiful specimens, the biggest popped into a nearby tree for a minute, posed, then re-joined his buddies.<br /><br />I yelled "Holy Sh**" twice, loud, and they seemed to like the attention! Several co-workers gathered, and I swear the eagles were enjoying the performance. They drifted off after a bit, still basically hovering. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[claywoman]

How way cool!!! I've seen breeding pairs flying together but never numbers like that!!! Of course, I saw them in Montana not California...

 

[glutomoto]

Eagle counting and/or watching is something my wife and I enjoy every winter. When the river freezes the eagles gather near whatever open water remains, usually below locks and dams. It is amazing to see them snatch fish from the river.<br /><br />Eagles showing off skills at riverfront<br /><br /><img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[spacester]

<font color="yellow">A weekly eagle count conducted Wednesday at Lock and Dam 21 showed only 25 eagles were visible. Eighteen were adult eagles distinguished by their white heads and tail feathers. The rest were juveniles.<br /><br />The eagle count has been higher in previous weeks, and it’s well off the 268 total that Adcox counted one day some years ago.<br /></font><br /><br />Wow, wouldn't that be something! Dozens or hundreds at a time! I've always loved Bald Eagles, my favorite raptor.<br /><br />I've been thinking about what I saw. I think we have three nesting pairs. A seventh was sighted by co-workers (different angle), and two were huge. So I'm thinking 2 grandparents, two pairs of parents (two mates were found elsewhere) and one yearling. I had heard there was a single nesting pair in the area, so I dunno. Maybe they were transients, but why would transients hang out with locals? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[tfwthom]

For Calli<br /><br />Invasion From the North<br /><br />http://www.cbs.umn.edu/~mou/owls.html<br /><br />Northern Owls<br /><br />In the fall and winter of 2004-2005, northern owls, notable Great Gray Owl, Northern Hawk Owl, and Boreal Owl, have been recorded moving into Minnesota in unprecidented numbers. By 15 January 2005, more than 1700 Great Grays, 300 Northern Hawk Owls, and 300 Boreal Owls had been documented. Most of these records have come from the counties of Aitkin, St. Louis, Lake, and Cook, but birds are also appearing in Carlton, Pine, and Itasca with additional birds found across the north-central and central regions. <br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1" color="#3366ff">www.siriuslookers.org</font> </div>

 

[tfwthom]

Meanwhile the watchers are being watched over in Wisconsin!<br /><br />http://www.madison.com/tct/mad/local//index.php?ntid=30353 <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1" color="#3366ff">www.siriuslookers.org</font> </div>

 

[nevers]

While at Valley of Fire I had everything but "Fowl Weather". I was lucky enough to capture this shot. The Park Ranger told me it was a Red-Tail Hawk. I spotted him sitting atop this large boulder at about 300 yards: I tried taking a close-up shot through my Orion ST80 @ 45x but was unable to get a steady photo by holding the camera to the EP with my hands (I was kinda excited and that didn't help!)

 

[nevers]

I'm getting "smoke" from all the fires triggered by lightning storms last week - does anybody have more bird pictures?

 

[glutomoto]

Funny you bumped this thread up, just a few days after i observed some bird behavior that i have not seen before.<br /><br />There were a dozen or more flegling geese feeding on tall grass that has gone to seed. They were all moving together, to grab a grass stalk down low while making little bitting motions with their bills as they raised their heads to the seed tops. I was amused to watch them repeat this over and over while one of the adult geese stood off to one side almost like the teacher making sure that everyone in class was doing the proper exercise.<br /><br /><br />again no pics. guess i'll have carry my camera everywhere i go from now on.<br /><br /><img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[tfwthom]

Got this shot the other day. <br /><br />Rock Pidgon<br />I just thought the coloring was strange. (Brown)<br /><br />Pentax ME Super<br />70-300mm Zoom<br />Kodak Max 400 <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1" color="#3366ff">www.siriuslookers.org</font> </div>

 

[tfwthom]

And as to the weather we have been having...... Monsoon Lighting Shots <br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1" color="#3366ff">www.siriuslookers.org</font> </div>

 

[harmonicaman]

Here's more information than you ever wanted to know about pigeon genetics and why the Rock Dove exhibits all these varied colorations...<br /><br />Fascinating stuff!

 

[Boris_Badenov]

Great thread, I live in the White Mountains in Az, if you get the chance to get up here try to come around Star Party time. Click on my name to get my e-mail, & i'll give you the date for the next one. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font color="#993300"><span class="body"><font size="2" color="#3366ff"><div align="center">. </div><div align="center">Never roll in the mud with a pig. You'll both get dirty & the pig likes it.</div></font></span></font> </div>

 

[tfwthom]

We're heading out to the White Mountains CA in August.(Thursday Aug 24 to Sunday Aug 27th) see post White Mts CA <br /><br />Or<br /><br />If you are on the AZ Observing list you would have seen my post there. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1" color="#3366ff">www.siriuslookers.org</font> </div>