While I’m (we’re) waiting for better shooting weather so I can get out in the field again I thought this would be a good time to address some questions I get from readers occasionally that I’ve never adequately responded to.
Those questions are:
- How long have you been blogging? I published my first post on August 18, 2010.
- How many posts have you published? In the 4,400 days since my first post I’ve published 3,953 blog posts. In the first few months I only published sporadically.
- What have been your most popular posts? I’ll define “most popular” as those posts that have had the most views. The top five are listed in order below, with links to those posts and the number of views they’ve had since the date they were published.
- A Guide to Aging Bald Eagles – (126, 636 views, published 1-27-2013). Much of the popularity of this post is a result of various birding sites and eagle webcam sites linking to it over the years. Many of my current blog followers found Feathered Photography through this post.
- A Guide to Aging Bald Eagles and How To Distinguish Immature Bald Eagles From Golden Eagles – (52,204 views, published 11-22-2017). An update to and extension of the previous post, so parts of the two posts are similar.
- Long-tailed Weasel – Efficient Hunter and Cannibal – (34, 731 views, published 3-5-2011)
- Barn Owls In Flight – (26,737 views, published 11-2-2010)
- Capitalization of Bird Common Names – (21,499 views, published 1-31-2018). I was surprised by the response to this post. Apparently lots of folks have pretty strong opinions about capitalization of bird names.
I’ll close by answering a fourth question I get occasionally that I’ve never responded to because I can only guess at the answer. That question is: What has been your most popular photo over the years?
My best guess would be…
this one. You’ve seen it before but I think it answers the question. Several others come in a close second.
If you have any influence over the weather, please arrange for some clear skies and better light for northern Utah sometime soon. Cabin fever has me clawing at the walls.
Ron
Hello Ron,
Reading your ‘Greatest Hits’ reminded me how I came across your blog.
2016 was the first year a friend and I volunteered for the BLM Raptor Survey here in NE Wyoming. How ill-equipped we were when it came to identifying eagles! Of course what we thought were Golden Eagles were immature Bald Eagles. I have been a follower of your blog ever since, and love the tidbits of information you give… Thank You
Hi Ron – as a relatively new reader of your blog, I found these older posts very interesting – and so educational as well. I can see why these rank so high with readers. Those are difficult pictures to capture and attest to the many long hours and uncomfortable conditions you have put up with to bring them to readers to enjoy. Although I know you are enjoying the new camera, and all the fancy new features, that “old one” did an amazing job for you.
Thanks for bringing out those oldies for us to enjoy – and for some of us to see for the first time.
Quentin
I only had time for a quick glance yesterday, knowing there would be a big treat today. So I just spent a wonderful hour exploring all these amazing posts. The Barn Owl with its eyes frosted over will stay in my mind for a long time – heartbreaking, beautiful. Interesting how many of your commenters on that post were from the UK – there was an amazing video a few years ago which captured the process of a Barn Owl coming in for its prey – I believe it was on a Barn Owl site based in the UK.
It was your post on magpies and their nest building that introduced me to your blog. I thought of your “magpie hat” photo the other day when I saw one of our local magpies flying along with a beak full of twigs. Thank you for re-running these.
Ron,
Loved the Bald vs. Golden lesson referenced above. I hope to use it this summer!
I’m so glad that you made this collective post– I’d wondered for a long time about the use of capitalization in the names– my personal inclination has
been to use the upper case, and now I know that’s “probably” not incorrect !
The barn owl post was SO BEAUTIFUL to look at, even if very sad to read.
I, too, love the graceful magpie shot– isn’t that the same one that you used to jokingly refer to as your “magpie hat” when you were photographed yourself
standing just under it ? What impressive statistics altogether !
Yup, it’s my ‘magpie hat” photo, Kris. I used to have a large print of it hanging over my fireplace, which is a natural backdrop to use when people are photographed in my home. So it always looked like someone was wearing the magpie as a hat.
Wow, it took me a while to get through all that. What a treasure chest.
The Bald Eagle posts were very informative.
The weasel post was fascinating, but then turned to some shock as I read Mark Runnels note about the mating ritual. I had some exposure to ferrets one summer when visiting a fellow falconer in Iowa. Things like smelly adult toes or the tender toes of young children can set them off on a painful attack. Those things can be unpredictably violent.
The Barn Owl photos are just amazing. So beautiful.
You can tell from my reply above where I stand on the capitalization controversy.
Thank you Ron, and wishing you good weather.
Michael, I had no idea about that quirky ferret behavior regarding human toes. Better to know than to experience. Thank you.
Perhaps it is my own prejudices/predilictions but I am surprised that there is only one owl post in your top five. And, as others have said, I delight in ALL of your posts. Education, and beauty are a wonderful way to start my day.
Thanks, EC. I’ve given up trying to predict how well a post will do. So many unpredictable variables…
Just an update – I looked back at the post on capitalization of bird names. In my comment I said that I always used capitals but when the local paper published my articles they always converted it to lowercase. We wondered what they would do if I made that the subject of my article. Later, I did just that. They told me I was simply wrong and refused to publish that article. Soon after that the paper was sold and the new owners (not even in this state) dropped my article. When several readers made objections, they came back to me but lowered how much they would pay and demanded I sign an agreement that they would then own the copyright to any of my photos and text. I let them know I wouldn’t continue writing for them.
Dan, I’d have done the same thing. In a heartbeat. And told them to stuff it.
Thanks much for reposting these — really really good.
Thank you, Kent.
All your posts are my favorite. Why? Because, I learn something every time.
You are a master educator.
Take Care,
Kaye
How nice of you to say so. Thank you, Kaye.
I knew before I even scrolled down Bald eagles would be there!
😁
Nearly 4,000 blog posts in 20ish years! Thank you Thank you Thank you! 😄 Your generosity runs deep.
Well not quite “20ish”, Kathleen. But 13 is getting there I guess. Thanks.
No caffeine in my system LOL!! Even MORE impressive!!!
Thanks for the update.
You’re welcome, Richard.
I went through all the “most popular” posts. That’s a lot o learnin’ for one mornin’. All posted before I started following FP. I’m surprised the Burrowing Owls aren’t up there. There are hundreds of others that deserve honorable mention. Make that thousands. You posts are always worth it.
Very much appreciated, Lyle.
Love the Magpie and bought a print of that one from you for my wife. My personal favorite is an eagle in flight many years back. I remember it being extra special. I was not yet a follower for those listed this morning, but will read them this morning and comment again later.
Beautiful sunshine here this morning Ron after about five days of your type weather. We are so flooded that they are having to release additional water from our two largest lakes. All five lakes are full to overflowing.
“will read them this morning and comment again later.”
Everett, I’m afraid you can’t comment on older posts. I have “comments” set to automatically turn off after a post is 10 days old. But maybe you meant comment again on this one.
Ron – yes just meant that I would read those old posts later and respond as I will do now. Really enjoyed both the Aging Eagle ID although feel fairly confident that I am on that very well. Then very much enjoyed the Capitalization that was both interesting and educational. And agree on much including refusal to used such terms as golden eagle – ain’t gonna happen on my watch either. It will always be Golden Eagle and Bald Eagle when I am writing. Thanks for access to these ones before my time. Don’t exactly remember when I started with FP?
” Don’t exactly remember when I started with FP?”
Everett, you made your first comment on Feb. 8, 2018.
Thanks Ron – wow times flies – and I still don’t remember if I stumbled onto FP or it was recommended to me, etc
Rarely something I DON’T enjoy……… 😉 I always learn something. 🙂
As too the weather – wellllll getting one more sunny day here and more winter over the weekend – nothing serious it seems BUT!
Lots of rain here, Judy. Rain and gloom…
Nice list! I’ve been following your blog long enough that I can’t remember when I started enjoying your wonderful bird photos and facts. I share every owl photo with my husband, who has a gorgeous barred owl tattooed on his left arm. He loves owls.
“He loves owls.”
He must, to have a tattoo of one. Thanks, Kathleen.
A barn owl was my “spark bird”, when a raptor rehab in Illinois brought it to the community college. Being just a couple of feet from those incredible feather patterns took my breath away and changed my world. Thanks for the stunning pictures.
Good to know about your spark bird, Theresa. Mine was the Green-tailed Towhee.
I really enjoyed all of your favorites, and can see why they were such great hits.
Thank you, Kenneth.