Winged Wednesday 2/6/2025

[Eric Gofreed]

This week’s Winged Wednesday will be photos of winged wonders of your choice! No theme— please share any of your favorite shots of birds, butterflies, insects, or anything else with wings, recent or not. My contributions for today's Winged Wednesday will be five bird photos and two bug photos from my yard. Next week, it'll be open to your choice again!

Gambel's Quail, hen on the left and cock or rooster on the right

male Ladder-backed woodpecker

Two female Rufous Hummingbirds are drawn to this lily, its vibrant petals now a sweet haven, thanks to a touch of sugar water I added.

male Lazuli bunting

male Lesser Goldfinch

Male Striped Sweat Bees have striking green eyes, while the females sport vibrant blue ones. A fascinating contrast in nature’s design!

Female Striped Sweat Bees have vibrant blue eyes. Striped sweat bees are relatively small, 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch.

 

[AlanLichty]

Very cool set Eric. Is the shot with the Rufous hummers a composite or do they really cooperate like that? The Anna's I have around my house would be having an aerial duel if a second shows up.

 

[Eric Gofreed]

Very cool set Eric. Is the shot with the Rufous hummers a composite or do they really cooperate like that? The Anna's I have around my house would be having an aerial duel if a second shows up.

It is not a composite. And rufous hummingbirds fight over food and flowers too.

 

[Trent Watts]

Nice group of images Eric. I love those Sweat Bees... I'm hoping to find some this spring and summer. I had picked out my final 'birds with crests' from the last series so will show those this week. These are all from birds not in my area.

An example of a bad image of a Gambel's Quail kept because it was the only one I had from a trip to Vegas for a conference many years ago. The original was lost somewhere along the line. I keep these as reminders of shots I need to improve on.

Same story, same trip for this Greater Roadrunner.

A Guinea Fowl from a trip to Prince Edward island.

Steller's Jay in Tofino B.C.

A Peacock taken in Germany.

Northern Cardinal taken during a Winter Cycling Conference in Minneapolis.

A California Quail taken in Naramata B.C.

 

[AlanLichty]

My own theme for today is takeoffs with a couple of sequencers I shot in February.

First up is a Northern Pintail that made a rapid exit from Mirror Lake in the Gorge just as I was making my way down near the water. I didn't get to catch the initial launch but did grab two shots just after the drake cleared the water.

This is an Anna's Hummingbird spreading its wings and launching from a branch in my backyard:

 

[Trent Watts]

Gorgeous shots Alan. The details on the hummer are delightful.

 

[ProCaliberTraveler]

Here’s my favorite shot from last week’s work trip to Sacramento. No idea what the bird is though.

 

[Jeffrey]

Some have wings but do not fly. They sure do work well swimming in the ocean! A couple from a very recent adventure.

Two Chinstraps peeking through the gap at me

A Gentoo in quite a hurry to get somewhere, though everywhere looked the same...

A Gentoo chick following mom around constantly hoping for another meal.

 

[Trent Watts]

Here’s my favorite shot from last week’s work trip to Sacramento. No idea what the bird is though.
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Gorgeous colours in that flower and a nice pose for the bird. My guess for the bird would be a Bushtit. Eric will know for sure.

 

[Eric Gofreed]

Nice group of images Eric. I love those Sweat Bees... I'm hoping to find some this spring and summer. I had picked out my final 'birds with crests' from the last series so will show those this week. These are all from birds not in my area.

An example of a bad image of a Gambel's Quail kept because it was the only one I had from a trip to Vegas for a conference many years ago. The original was lost somewhere along the line. I keep these as reminders of shots I need to improve on.
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Same story, same trip for this Greater Roadrunner.
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A Guinea Fowl from a trip to Prince Edward island.
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Steller's Jay in Tofino B.C.
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A Peacock taken in Germany.
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Northern Cardinal taken during a Winter Cycling Conference in Minneapolis.
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A California Quail taken in Naramata B.C.
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outstanding photos of birds with crests, Trent. I need the California quail. I have plenty more crested bird photos.

My theme for today is takeoffs with a couple of sequencers I shot in February.

First up is a Northern Pintail that made a rapid exit from Mirror Lake in the Gorge just as I made my way down near the water. I didn't get to catch the initial launch but did grab two shots just after the drake cleared the water.

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This is an Anna's Hummingbird spreading its wings and launching from a branch in my backyard:

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Impressive work, Alan! Pintails are notoriously shy in my experience, so I envy your flight shots. I have an Anna’s that winters in my yard, and your photos are stunning. I’m embarrassed to admit that I haven’t photographed him yet.

 

[Eric Gofreed]

Here’s my favorite shot from last week’s work trip to Sacramento. No idea what the bird is though.
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That's a great photo!!! That is a male bushtit, Females have pale eyes. The flower stalks look like Vloe Verde to me.

 

[Eric Gofreed]

Some have wings but do not fly. They sure do work well swimming in the ocean! A couple from a very recent adventure.

Two Chinstraps peeking through the gap at me
View attachment 80010

A Gentoo in quite a hurry to get somewhere, though everywhere looked the same...
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A Gentoo chick following mom around constantly hoping for another meal.
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I am awed and envious of those penguin photos. Exceptional work, Jeffery!

 

[Eric Gofreed]

Nice group of images Eric. I love those Sweat Bees... I'm hoping to find some this spring and summer. I had picked out my final 'birds with crests' from the last series so will show those this week. These are all from birds not in my area.

An example of a bad image of a Gambel's Quail kept because it was the only one I had from a trip to Vegas for a conference many years ago. The original was lost somewhere along the line. I keep these as reminders of shots I need to improve on.
View attachment 79990

Same story, same trip for this Greater Roadrunner.
View attachment 79991

A Guinea Fowl from a trip to Prince Edward island.
View attachment 79992


Steller's Jay in Tofino B.C.
View attachment 79993

A Peacock taken in Germany.
View attachment 79994


Northern Cardinal taken during a Winter Cycling Conference in Minneapolis.
View attachment 79995

A California Quail taken in Naramata B.C.
View attachment 79996

I replied to your photos the first day but didn't hit "post reply." You certainly have a large number of crested bird photos. When you visit, Gambel's quail will be an easy yard bird to photograph. Peafowl refers to the entire species, including both peacocks (males) and peahens (females), much like how "chicken" includes both hens and roosters. However, people often call the whole species "peacock" because the males with their striking, colorful tails, are the most noticeable. Over time, "peacock" became the more commonly used term, even though "peafowl" is correct.

 

[Eric Gofreed]

I’m in awe of those penguin photos—truly exceptional work, Jeffery! I’ve had the chance to see penguins swimming underwater in large aquariums, and while it’s called swimming, it felt more like they were flying through the water.