What happens when you search beyond the "Usual Suspects" while birding?
Hutton's Vireo
You get sore eyes searching for new ones!!!! But boy is it worth it! These shots were taken at Madera Canyon while a woman was singing a Karen Carpenter song loudly. I couldn't hear the bird sounds very well because they were drowned out by....."Why do birds, suddenly appear, every time you are near?" Very sick sense of humor....but I like that song. And it makes me laugh....now:)
Tree Creeper
So while the audio waves were blocked by this mad singing siren, I had to keep my eyes focused on slight movement. There were so many little birds flying around that it was once again hard to focus. I'm finding that there is a certain time when all the little birds flock together and feed. I was in the hot spot as it all happened around me.
Bridled Titmouse
On this observation, I'd pick up three more for the lifelist:) The Tree Creeper and Hutton's Vireo were most welcome surprises.....especially the Hutton's Vireo. I knew the bird was different because of the head formation but I put it out to the ID Bird Gurus and it sparked a long conversation on how this bird gets confused with others. I got lost in the conversation somewhere but am glad I got that one checked off my list. Cute bird but it can be one of the difficult ones out there to ID:)
But moving along, I observed this Dark Eyed Junco(below) along with many of his compadres as they fed around the feeders at a local B & B in Madera Canyon.
Dark Eyed Junco
Always a thrill to watch and never shy to the camera are the lovely and loud Mexican Jays:)
Squirrels, Lesser Goldfinches, Hummingbirds, Wild Turkey were all present.
The little birds make you work. They are quick, fast and usually in deep shade to get on film or plain old ID. But after all is said and done, it can be very rewarding. On this day, I would learn much about behavior.
I want to say that the woman was annoying but she wasn't. I got a little misty eyed. I listened to Karen Carpenter as a child on the 8 Track. She was one of my favorites growing up. It was my parent's wedding song. And today it's the featured video. RIP Karen. I still listen to your music and apparently so do others:) More tomorrow....
Szkoda, że nie można śpiewu ptaków przesłać postem. Miło by się słuchało . Bardzo podobają mi się niebieskie ptaki. Pozdrawiam. It is a pity that you can not send post birdsong. It's nice to be listened to. I love the blue birds. Yours.
Well done on all the new species :) You have certainly seen and photographed some great birds recently :) I like the Carpenters music too - although probably not when I'm birding :)
Chris, I had a laugh at the thought of you and others trying to listen for the birds and hearing the woman sing. You did get to see some great birds. I love the Bridled Titmouse and the Vireo and the Mexican Jay. They would all be new birds for me. I used to listen to the Carpenter's songs too. Happy birding and have a great Sunday!
Great posting today. I will now have to sing the Carpenters music when the birds appear here. I laughed at the thought of you trying to hear the birds with that music being sung! Really funny. Here along the shores of Lake Michigan there are thousands of birds that migrate in Spring and Fall as they move to Canada then back to Central and South America. That song will be in my head for weeks!!! Thanks for your posting today. Jack
I can't wait to be there when it all happens. With new eyes, I can only imagine what comes through the area. There are several preserves outside the area that I want to visit. Hope you are having a nice weekend.
funny, i love her voice, too. no one else sounds like her. but you made me laugh at the irony of the woman belting it out while you were trying to hear the birds. :)
Karen Carpenter, one of the "Greats" but I am trying to get my head around you birding while a lady was singing very loudly? All good fun Chris and I'm pleased you got 3 ticks and sore eyes.
We were in a bird hide, with a man who wanted to chat while his 'non-birding' wife waited in the car. I stomped off in a huff to look at birds, and left my husband to be the polite Swiss.
Isn't it frustrating? The lady didn't make me angry but frustrated. However I get angry often at the chatty and loud birders. There's a definite etiquette but not everyone follows those rules:) When kids enter the picture, forget about it!
Aren't their feathers just amazing? The way they spread in flight. I can't say I still listen to Karen Carpenter but every word of that song is tatooed on my brain. Go figure?
Kreeesh, i smiled with the picture of a birder trying to hear the bird sounds and a loud song! But i love Carpenters too, used to strum the guitar with Karen's song! Here: I was amazed at the so plenty of crows going west at sundown, that was the first time i saw that. I felt like something is happening. We see some crows here waiting for the chicks maybe less than 10 of them. Do you know why suddenly i saw them in flock, which did not happen again the next days, as if it was a lifetime flight!
It's amazing Andrea. Keep your eyes open for more activity. You'll be surprised what you find when you're looking. Lots of stuff going on out there....I just never paid attention to it:) I can only imagine the crows flying in that beautiful skyline of yours:)
Very interesting post...glad you are seeing so many different small birds. I always get sad when I hear Karen Carpenter sing! But it was nice to hear her again today.
Posts
Squirrels, Lesser Goldfinches, Hummingbirds, Wild Turkey were all present.
The little birds make you work. They are quick, fast and usually in deep shade to get on film or plain old ID. But after all is said and done, it can be very rewarding. On this day, I would learn much about behavior.
Szkoda, że nie można śpiewu ptaków przesłać postem. Miło by się słuchało . Bardzo podobają mi się niebieskie ptaki. Pozdrawiam.
ReplyDeleteIt is a pity that you can not send post birdsong. It's nice to be listened to. I love the blue birds. Yours.
Well done on all the new species :) You have certainly seen and photographed some great birds recently :) I like the Carpenters music too - although probably not when I'm birding :)
ReplyDeleteChris, I had a laugh at the thought of you and others trying to listen for the birds and hearing the woman sing. You did get to see some great birds. I love the Bridled Titmouse and the Vireo and the Mexican Jay. They would all be new birds for me. I used to listen to the Carpenter's songs too. Happy birding and have a great Sunday!
ReplyDeleteThose are the kind of "Sore Eyes" that are worth it!
ReplyDeletethe Squirrel is beauty...nice pics.hugs
ReplyDeleteGreat posting today. I will now have to sing the Carpenters music when the birds appear here. I laughed at the thought of you trying to hear the birds with that music being sung! Really funny. Here along the shores of Lake Michigan there are thousands of birds that migrate in Spring and Fall as they move to Canada then back to Central and South America. That song will be in my head for weeks!!! Thanks for your posting today. Jack
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to be there when it all happens. With new eyes, I can only imagine what comes through the area. There are several preserves outside the area that I want to visit. Hope you are having a nice weekend.
Deletesquirrels used to get on my old bird feeder
ReplyDeleteThey sure love birdfeeders....everywhere:)
Deletefunny, i love her voice, too. no one else sounds like her. but you made me laugh at the irony of the woman belting it out while you were trying to hear the birds. :)
ReplyDeleteI love the photos Chris. Well worth sore eyes I think.
ReplyDeleteBoy that's a tough call when you're birding and want quiet but the song is one you like. Hope she had a voice as pretty as the birds.
ReplyDeleteLovely images, cheers Chris.
ReplyDeleteKaren Carpenter, one of the "Greats" but I am trying to get my head around you birding while a lady was singing very loudly? All good fun Chris and I'm pleased you got 3 ticks and sore eyes.
ReplyDeleteWe were in a bird hide, with a man who wanted to chat while his 'non-birding' wife waited in the car. I stomped off in a huff to look at birds, and left my husband to be the polite Swiss.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it frustrating? The lady didn't make me angry but frustrated. However I get angry often at the chatty and loud birders. There's a definite etiquette but not everyone follows those rules:) When kids enter the picture, forget about it!
DeleteAren't their feathers just amazing? The way they spread in flight.
ReplyDeleteI can't say I still listen to Karen Carpenter but every word of that song is tatooed on my brain. Go figure?
Little birds really DO make us work, don't they? Ah, some birders have no idea how noisy they are, methinks.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen a Mexican Jay in ages!!! Simply stunning photos. And I loved your commentary immensely.
ReplyDeleteChris, great collection of birds you captured in spite of the tweeting human ;o
ReplyDeleteHi Chris, Love that song!!!!! Brings back memories... Glad you saw more lifers... What is your total now??????
ReplyDeleteIsn't it frustrating when you are trying to be quiet to search for birds --and someone is LOUD around you, either talking or SINGING.... Goodness!!!!!
Have a good week.
Betsy
My total is at 243 right now. The last tic was the American Pipit. I am not slooooowly getting something like a bird a week....but it's not easy:)
DeleteKreeesh, i smiled with the picture of a birder trying to hear the bird sounds and a loud song! But i love Carpenters too, used to strum the guitar with Karen's song! Here: I was amazed at the so plenty of crows going west at sundown, that was the first time i saw that. I felt like something is happening. We see some crows here waiting for the chicks maybe less than 10 of them. Do you know why suddenly i saw them in flock, which did not happen again the next days, as if it was a lifetime flight!
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing Andrea. Keep your eyes open for more activity. You'll be surprised what you find when you're looking. Lots of stuff going on out there....I just never paid attention to it:) I can only imagine the crows flying in that beautiful skyline of yours:)
DeleteVery interesting post...glad you are seeing so many different small birds. I always get sad when I hear Karen Carpenter sing! But it was nice to hear her again today.
ReplyDelete