Tag: eggs
Well, That Sure Didn’t Last Long
I thought I might have a welcome and entertaining avian distraction during the Covid-19 lockdown. Not gonna happen.
A Nervous Northern Flicker
There can be significant drama in the back story of an image that we miss when looking at a single photo.
The Cloaca And A Lesson In Bird “Poop”
Since you’re reading this you’re probably a birder, bird photographer or nature lover and have seen your share of “pooping” birds.
Ruddy Duck (and a video clip that’ll get your attention…)
Behaviorally the Ruddy Duck may be the most interesting (and amusing) waterfowl species in North America. Its nesting customs are curious to say the least, its courtship rituals have been described as ludicrous and the electric blue bill of the breeding male is unique.
Coyotes Like Eggs For Breakfast Too
At 5:30 yesterday morning Mia and I almost decided to stay home rather than make the hour-long drive to Antelope Island because the area up north looked to be socked in with clouds (the “Farmington Curse” I’ve mentioned before) but after we picked up our traditional “shooting breakfast” (chocolate donuts) we chose to take our chances and go anyway – a choice I’m glad we made.
Gray Partridges In Glacier County, Montana
Gray Partridges are very elusive. In all the years I’ve been returning to Montana I’ve never been able to get acceptable images of them until this last trip. Since most folks in North America never get an opportunity to see this species I thought I’d post a few shots of them. Hunters and locals routinely call these birds Hungarian Partridges, or “Huns” for short. Growing up, that’s the only name I knew them by. 1/1250, f/6.3, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc It’s difficult to catch one of these birds standing still. Usually, whenever you’re anywhere near them, they’re running for cover… 1/1600, f/6.3, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc as this bird is. And believe me, they run fast! Anyone who has ever unexpectedly flushed a group of these birds has had an experience they won’t soon forget. The squawking noise they make, combined with the racket from their buzz-saw wings as they erupt in front of you, can be extremely startling – an experience I’ve had many times. Gets the heart pounding, that’s for sure. 1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc This is a juvenile. I’ve cropped this image a little more than I like to but I preferred this pose over other shots of juvies I got. This partridge has a short lifespan, high mortality rate and high reproductive capability. Females produce among the largest single hen clutches of any bird species (up to 20 eggs). And reproductively, this year must have been highly successful for them…
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Well, That Sure Didn’t Last Long
I thought I might have a welcome and entertaining avian distraction during the Covid-19 lockdown. Not gonna happen.
A Nervous Northern Flicker
There can be significant drama in the back story of an image that we miss when looking at a single photo.
The Cloaca And A Lesson In Bird “Poop”
Since you’re reading this you’re probably a birder, bird photographer or nature lover and have seen your share of “pooping” birds.
Ruddy Duck (and a video clip that’ll get your attention…)
Behaviorally the Ruddy Duck may be the most interesting (and amusing) waterfowl species in North America. Its nesting customs are curious to say the least, its courtship rituals have been described as ludicrous and the electric blue bill of the breeding male is unique.
Coyotes Like Eggs For Breakfast Too
At 5:30 yesterday morning Mia and I almost decided to stay home rather than make the hour-long drive to Antelope Island because the area up north looked to be socked in with clouds (the “Farmington Curse” I’ve mentioned before) but after we picked up our traditional “shooting breakfast” (chocolate donuts) we chose to take our chances and go anyway – a choice I’m glad we made.
Gray Partridges In Glacier County, Montana
Gray Partridges are very elusive. In all the years I’ve been returning to Montana I’ve never been able to get acceptable images of them until this last trip. Since most folks in North America never get an opportunity to see this species I thought I’d post a few shots of them. Hunters and locals routinely call these birds Hungarian Partridges, or “Huns” for short. Growing up, that’s the only name I knew them by. 1/1250, f/6.3, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc It’s difficult to catch one of these birds standing still. Usually, whenever you’re anywhere near them, they’re running for cover… 1/1600, f/6.3, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc as this bird is. And believe me, they run fast! Anyone who has ever unexpectedly flushed a group of these birds has had an experience they won’t soon forget. The squawking noise they make, combined with the racket from their buzz-saw wings as they erupt in front of you, can be extremely startling – an experience I’ve had many times. Gets the heart pounding, that’s for sure. 1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc This is a juvenile. I’ve cropped this image a little more than I like to but I preferred this pose over other shots of juvies I got. This partridge has a short lifespan, high mortality rate and high reproductive capability. Females produce among the largest single hen clutches of any bird species (up to 20 eggs). And reproductively, this year must have been highly successful for them…