Winged Wednesday 2/1/2023

[Eric Gofreed]

I am continuing with photos from my close encounter with the bald eagle from last week's "Winged Wednesday."

The eagle is eyeing the coot that got away and is about to enter a dive. The coot is above water and watching the eagle's acrobatics.

.
Another dive that was easily dodged by the coot's timely dive underwater.

Eagles can be incredibly lazy and frequently scavenge for food. He expended a lot of energy on his failed coot hunt.
We were fortunate that he chose a perch close by for rest and repair.

After a short rest, the eagle is obligated to groom himself. In this photo, the eagle was erecting all his feathers and shaking them out; then smoothing them down again.
The falconer’s term for this behavior is “rousing.” Correct feather alignment is essential for health and flight.

The rousing continues or perhaps he's asking, "Why me Lord."

 

[ProCaliberTraveler]

During a visit to Arches National Park, I befriended these two ravens. They flew onto the hood of my car and we had a nice chat.

 

[Douglas Sherman]

I am continuing with photos from my close encounter with the bald eagle from last week's "Winged Wednesday."

View attachment 56145
The eagle is eyeing the coot that got away and is about to enter a dive. The coot is above water and watching the eagle's acrobatics.

View attachment 56148.
Another dive that was easily dodged by the coot's timely dive underwater.

View attachment 56146
Eagles can be incredibly lazy and frequently scavenge for food. He expended a lot of energy on his failed coot hunt.
We were fortunate that he chose a perch close by for rest and repair.

View attachment 56147
After a short rest, the eagle is obligated to groom himself. In this photo, the eagle was erecting all his feathers and shaking them out; then smoothing them down again.
The falconer’s term for this behavior is “rousing.” Correct feather alignment is essential for health and flight.

View attachment 56149
The rousing continues or perhaps he's asking, "Why me Lord."

Great series again, Eric. Nice clean, crisp images and a bit of education as well. I really like those first two images.

 

[Douglas Sherman]

During a visit to Arches National Park, I befriended these two ravens. They flew onto the hood of my car and we had a nice chat.
View attachment 56154

These guys are such intelligent birds. Nice job, Mike.

 

[ProCaliberTraveler]

These guys are such intelligent birds. Nice job, Mike.

Thanks, Douglas. I never realized how colorful they are. I remember seeing a purple tinge to their feathers in the moment, but the photos show blue and a hint of green as well.

 

[Douglas Sherman]

Here is my contribution for this post.

Brant's Cormorant. Looks like he doesn't have enough nesting material to attract any females.

Snow Goose.

Wood Duck

 

[Roger Bailey]

I am continuing with photos from my close encounter with the bald eagle from last week's "Winged Wednesday."

View attachment 56145
The eagle is eyeing the coot that got away and is about to enter a dive. The coot is above water and watching the eagle's acrobatics.

View attachment 56148.
Another dive that was easily dodged by the coot's timely dive underwater.

View attachment 56146
Eagles can be incredibly lazy and frequently scavenge for food. He expended a lot of energy on his failed coot hunt.
We were fortunate that he chose a perch close by for rest and repair.

View attachment 56147
After a short rest, the eagle is obligated to groom himself. In this photo, the eagle was erecting all his feathers and shaking them out; then smoothing them down again.
The falconer’s term for this behavior is “rousing.” Correct feather alignment is essential for health and flight.

View attachment 56149
The rousing continues or perhaps he's asking, "Why me Lord."

Beautiful series Eric, love the behavior shot on the tree too.

 

[Roger Bailey]

Here is my contribution for this post.

Brant's Cormorant. Looks like he doesn't have enough nesting material to attract any females.

View attachment 56159

Snow Goose.

View attachment 56156

Wood Duck

View attachment 56157

nice images Doug, Love the Hood on the wood duck looks like he is wearing a helmet.

 

[Roger Bailey]

my contribution this week is a couple of A

merican oystercatchers running along the beach.

 

[AlanLichty]

My offering this week is from the world of the small - a group of bushtits in our back yard. These guys are so small they make hummingbirds look big. They fly around and feed in groups so shooting an individual specimen is close to impossible.

 

[Douglas Sherman]

My offering this week is from the world of the small - a group of bushtits in our back yard. These guys are so small they make hummingbirds look big. They fly around and feed in groups so shooting an individual specimen is close to impossible.

View attachment 56167

These are indeed cute little birds, Alan. For some reason I have never seen them in larger flocks. They are sure having fun at your feeder.

 

[AlanLichty]

These are indeed cute little birds, Alan. For some reason I have never seen them in larger flocks. They are sure having fun at your feeder.

This is just a fraction of the number of them in the group. There are usually over a dozen of them at once.

 

[Douglas Sherman]

my contribution this week is a couple of AView attachment 56166merican oystercatchers running along the beach.

Great image, Roger. These guys are high stepping and look like they're heading to a formal dance.

 

[Eric Gofreed]

Here is my contribution for this post.

Brant's Cormorant. Looks like he doesn't have enough nesting material to attract any females.

View attachment 56159

Snow Goose.

View attachment 56156

Wood Duck

View attachment 56157

I didn't see Brant's Cormorant at Del Rio Pond. Perhaps I should have looked harder. Three superb photos, Master Doug (Master of Photography).

 

[Eric Gofreed]

my contribution this week is a couple of AView attachment 56166merican oystercatchers running along the beach.

Sensational photo. Exceptional artistry and photography, Roger.

 

[Eric Gofreed]

My offering this week is from the world of the small - a group of bushtits in our back yard. These guys are so small they make hummingbirds look big. They fly around and feed in groups so shooting an individual specimen is close to impossible.

View attachment 56167

Can you tell the males from the females, Alan? Hint, females have pale eyes, males have dark eyes

 

[AlanLichty]

Can you tell the males from the females, Alan? Hint, females have pale eyes, males have dark eyes

I would likely be able to tell the difference if I could see their eyes

 

[Eric Gofreed]

I would likely be able to tell the difference if I could see their eyes

The comment was meant to be informative. However, the perfect profile bird on the left has a pale eye.

 

[Trent Watts]

I joined some friends on a trip into the Boreal forest 3 hours north of where I live. It was cold (-30 C or -22F) enough that few birds were out. I did manage to see one Ruffed Grouse foraging way up high in a tree.

 

[Douglas Sherman]

I joined some friends on a trip into the Boreal forest 3 hours north of where I live. It was cold (-30 C or -22F) enough that few birds were out. I did manage to see one Ruffed Grouse foraging way up high in a tree.

View attachment 56186View attachment 56187

You are a glutton for punishment, Trent. Nevertheless, your tenacity produced a couple of nice images. I used to hunt pheasants in temperatures below zero. But now I prefer the temperatures here in Arizona. I wait for the birds come south to me (unfortunately not the pheasants).