In a recent post I mentioned a little trick one can use to locate sapsucker and flicker nest cavities. It really works.
After we found our previously reliable cavity tree in sw Montana chopped down we started looking for others. We did it by listening for the sounds of singing wrens. One morning we heard them within about 100 yards of our campsite and when we investigated we found this one.
The cute little wren sang and performed for us but we were really hoping for woodpeckers so we hung around for a while and waited for what might turn up. Wrens are secondary cavity nesters so where you find their cavities you may also find woodpecker cavities.
And sure enough – in a short time this Red-naped Sapsucker showed up. It turned out that this wasn’t a very good spot to photograph birds because by the time the light reached the trees the sun was high and the light harsh so I’m not particularly proud of any of these three images but they help to make my point. The woodpecker-finding technique really does work.
And these birds led us to something else interesting too, on another level…
While we were photographing these birds five huge, very low-flying and annoyingly loud helicopters passed by overhead. When things like this happen I often fire off a few quick shots for closer inspection later, simply out of curiosity. At first glance this one seems like nothing more than a big bad-ass helicopter flying low over wilderness and creating intense auditory havoc below.
But a closer look reveals something more.
Someone on the helicopter apparently had a death-wish. This guy (I believe there’s actually two of them) was sitting on the end of the open cargo bay door. I hope he was tethered safely in somehow because if this metal bird had hit some turbulence he might have landed on my pickup. Or my camping trailer…
I attempted to identify the type of helicopter this is but failed. The closest I came is the CH-47 Chinook but I don’t think that’s it. Does anyone know what it is? I suspect it’s military, partly because there are no visible markings on the aircraft but I suppose it could be used for firefighting too.
I don’t know squat about helicopters…
Ron
Note: If you do use this technique to locate woodpecker cavities please give them the respect they deserve and the space they need by not approaching the cavity tree closely and leaving the area if the nesting birds show signs of disturbance.
The wren is such a happy little bird. We had one nesting in our patio light. My husband learned that I am a fierce protector of nests. He wanted to take it down but I told him not until we knew everyone was out. He didn’t realize it was inhabited. 😀
Ron, those helicopters can also be used firefighting. Still it looks they may have been bought by civilians and used for whatever reasons. They they do sell these after their usefulness. No markings and 5 of them lead me to believe they may be used by civilians. I used to work for a large helicopter company that used them even placing big and heavy
electricty poles in wilderness situations.
A surplus military aircraft sold to a civilian entity would be required to have a visible N-number displayed on both sides of the tail area prior to being operated in US airspace. Non-military firefighting aircraft are typically painted White and Orange for operational visibility and safety in busy, hectic and chaotic smoke filled environments that have a mix of fixed and rotor wing aircraft operating in close proximity to the ground and one another. These are not civilian craft.
I think you’re right, Neil.
Thank you, Marsha.
Oops, sorry for the repeat, I did not see that it had already posted!
No worries, Linsa. “Stuff” happens…
Looks like a flying shark!
Ron,
This is a military CH-47. Which variant I can’t say for sure, but the helmeted crew member, lack of markings and low altitude and several in close proximity to one another would lead me to think it is “special forces” equipment on a training mission. Seeing what looks to be a refueling probe out of the front of the craft would also indicate that as most 47’s are not equipped for in flight refueling.
Your former Air Traffic Controller Friend.
Neil
Thanks, Neil. But why no N-numbers or any other kind of markings? Do you know?
Plausible deniability would be the main reason. Inability of being identified over hostile territory buys them precious minutes or seconds when executing a mission at times. They would have their transponders on here during training and ATC would be aware of their presence. B one R D’s of a different feather for sure.
Ok, thanks, Neil. I wondered about that possibility…
Experience is a WONDERFUL teacher isn’t she? Love that you were able to find nesting cavities and hope that those young things in the helichopter don’t get a lesson they cannot learn from.
I expect that the guy on the cargo ramp had a blast, EC. I just hope he lived to remember his experience…
Military planes and helos all have clear markings with squadron and id numbers. Often they are faded gray on gray, but they are clearly visible. They tend to have writing all over the place ranging from “no step” to “fuel here”, hatch markings etc. You would have been able to see them in your pic. Looks like a military-type or heavy-lift cargo helo, but I doubt that it is actually military.
Thanks very much, Brian.
But I still can’t figure out why these helicopters didn’t have N-numbers. As far as I can tell from my research, having them is an absolute requirement of all civilian aircraft in the US.
The chopper article mentions the company installing bubble windows so the crew can see better when flying with external loads. These can be seen in your pictures.
Yup, you’re right about the windows, John. I still wonder why there are no identifying N-numbers though. The helicopter in the article has them and I believe they have to be on both sides of the aircraft.
Ron, here is the story on the choppers you saw: http://fireaviation.com/2014/02/21/montana-company-purchases-first-civilian-owned-chinooks-2/
John
Wow, thanks for the link, John. The article says that the company only bought two of them and there were 5 helicopters flying together when I took this shot and I believe all of them were the same model. Perhaps they’ve bought three more in the year and a half since that article was written.
But if these are civilian helicopters I can’t help but wonder why there are no visible N-numbers or other markings. I photographed at least two of the five helicopters and neither one had them. Come to think about it, I thought that even military aircraft have at least some number or letter markings.
$32,000 in fuel costs to fly those two behemoths from Alabama to Montana – that’s a lot of gas!
How annoying to have those loud military helicopters invading your day. Since we live very close to Fort Bliss, we get those as well as fighter planes. Fortunately it’s only occasional.
Love the bird shots, despite the unfavorable light. I find it interesting that the wrens would use the nest cavity of a larger bird, because I thought that birds generally like an opening that fits them so that predators are less likely to get into the nest.
Susan, we also get a lot of fighter aircraft in the general area of Antelope Island because of nearby Hill Air Force Base.
Wrens don’t have a lot of choice on cavity size because they’re physically incapable of excavating their own cavities.
I know Wrens can’t excavate their own cavities (didn’t think about that). I am reminded now of the Wren nest box I put up many years ago which ended up inhabited by a pair of Chickadees. And now that I think about it, the box designed for Wrens had a pretty big opening…
Loved both the info and the shots Ron! Such and interesting post!
Charlotte
Thank you, Charlotte.
Looks like a giant flying shark….mouth agape, fangs, even eyeballs!
I see what you mean, Linsa.
Linda–You are so right! That second chopper shot looks just like “Jaws”….scary! I love the little ones,they remind me of dragonflies… only wish they were as quiet, but the big ones look menancing. I i agree with Ron about flying…it’s the hassle that I dread. I love the take-offs and landings…not much in-between….get frantic to move.
Ron: You are correct. It is a CH-47 Chinook.
Great! Thanks very much for the confirmation, Ned. Not knowing stuff like that drives me a little nuts.
Good morning, Ron!! I love all 3 captures though my fav is the 1st shot of the little cutie looking out of his nesting cavity. Wow 5 of these helicopters???!!! Could they be military out for a training session? I do love a good mystery & is why my 1st readings of Sherlock Holmes has me hooked on mystery/crime novels with Michael Connelly being my fav author. Oops – sorry – got off topic!! How are you doing with reviewing all you captures taken on your trip? Looking forward to seeing more.
Jo Ann, I’m only about half done culling the 5,300 images from the trip. And yesterday I took 720 more at Bear River. The faster I go the behinder I get…
Hi Ron,
A comment on the propeller blades. My husband Ned photographs a lot of aircraft and one thing he is very particular about is that the propeller blades have a slight blur so that they do not look as if they are falling out of the sky. His shutter speed is usually 260 or 320. I have learned a great deal from you and enjoy your posts. I hope that this one comment will be a small pay bak for what I have learned!
oops 250 no 260 sorry
Thanks, Linda. My SS for that shot was 1/3200. I had been trying to shoot wrens in flight and I needed the speed for those tiny and incredibly fast birds. I just lifted my lens and fired at the choppers without changing any settings.
Since I become very fatalistic when I fly, and have to crawl out to an edge that is high or carry my heart in my mouth when going up a fire tower ladder, I don’t know squat about helicopters either! However, I fully respect all those who find height exciting. Different strokes for different folks!
Thanks for the trick, I will take that into account when looking for Woodpecker holes.
Great shots, even though you are not happy with the harsh light.
Dick, I despise flying and haven’t done so for many years. I’m not afraid of it I just hate the hassle. I hope the trick works for you.