Walker MN birds

When I visited friends in Walker, MN a few weeks ago, I expected to see the requisite Northern Goshawk. I did - twice - or at least the feathered butts of two goshawks. Was surprised to see as many Broad-winged hawks as I did (second photo). Red-tails were even around - in trees along

some open areas.

Fabulous red breasted nuthatches in Itasca State Park. This one was removing a fecal sac from the nest cavity!

Not a great photo - but can obviously tell this Scarlet Tanager!

And finally - Chipping Sparrow with lunch!

Past Birds (but worth posting)

Many people ask me, when they see me constantly with my camera, "what do you do with all those photos?" Good question. Someday - the Book. But in the meantime - trying to have some photos up for whomever reads the blog. Sometimes - just takes a cool bird, or something about them, that puts a smile on your face. Viva la avians, huh?

At any rate - WAAAAY back in May, when we were all just wide-eyed and desperate for the influx of migrants, we got this great Eastern Palm-warbler. I don't want time to diminsh how great this bird was in May. One of the great things about it is the ability to help tell its age from the cinnamon feathers on the crown.

Warbler Surprise

Springbrook banding on Sunday was brutal with mosquitos - but worth with with 62 individuals of 16 species! Heavily loaded with Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, Black-capped Chickadees - and a female, SY Hooded Warbler! With a brood patch! No way to know if she bred there at Springbrook with timing. In all the years of the banding program, this is the first capture of this species. Pretty exciting! Though most range/breeding maps don't put them anywhere near us, there are some reliable breeding records in places to the north and to the south of us.

Ferruginous

One of the truly best experiences you can have is literally stumbling on a fantastic bird species - one that you might have seen from afar, or one that you just don't see that often, even if you "know" it should be around.

My dad and I were heading down a section line between fields when we could clearly see the silhouette of hawks in the tree. As we got closer, it was pretty apparent that these were no ordinary (sorry, guys) red-tails. Look at those pants! FERRUGINOUS! It was a pretty warm day so we didn't stay long, but they seemed almost as curious about us as we were about them.

Green Heron part 2

Just got back from a fabulous trip out to South Dakota. Still tallying the count - but up to 72 species just in one area!

I do enjoy Green Herons - this one had a successful hunt not far from my house -

Loons!

First - I am pretty verklempt that there will be football this season. This week is going to be fast and furious with details and trades and signings and schedules. Whew!

Spent the weekend at friends' cabin in northern MN. Have tons of pics to post backlog from stuff here, but putting together some for them and so they are handy to post. Haven't really gotten great Common Loon shots before - some nice ones of adults with chicks here, taken from a boat.

Purple Martins

As promised - everyone all together - OOOHH, AAAAHHH. Purple Martins really are pretty sexy. These shots were taken at one of the colonies where the team I am a part of banded 146 birds. In one day. It was a part of the 535 that we banded for the season.

These shots in flight are kinda neat. I will mention that the poor "Martin" at the top who looks upside down is actually a plastic decoy. It is there for the inevitable hawks who check out the birds. Looks this decoy did take a direct hit.