View allAll Photos Tagged RERELEASES
...it Beautifies Everything it Covers.
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The Lesser Goldfinch
Lesser Goldfinches are tiny, stub-billed songbirds with long, pointed wings, and short, notched tails.
They are most common in California and Texas, with pockets of local populations throughout the rest of its U.S. range.
Lesser Goldfinches feed in weedy fields, budding treetops, and the brush of open areas and edges. Depending on food availability, they may concentrate in mountain canyons and desert oases, but they are also fairly common in suburbs.
The oldest known wild Lesser Goldfinch was a male, and at least 7 years old when he was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in California in 2015.
(Nikon D500, 300/4, 1/1000 @ f/4.0, ISO 360)
- edited to taste
Rain or Shine, I love these colorful treasures.
Allen's Hummingbirds breed in a narrow strip of habitat along coastal Oregon and California. The Allen's Hummingbird is a remarkably early migrant compared with most North American birds. Northbound birds may depart their wintering grounds as early as December, arriving on their breeding grounds as early as January when winter rains produce an abundance of flowers.
Like other birds, Allen's Hummingbirds use their feet to help control their body temperature. When it's cold outside they tuck their feet up against their bellies while flying, but when temperatures soar, they let their feet dangle to cool down.
The oldest recorded Allen's Hummingbird was at least 5 years 11 months old when she was captured and rereleased in California during banding operations in 2009.
(Nikon, 300 mm +TC 1.4, 1/800 @ f/5.6, ISO 1400)
The Lesser Goldfinch
Lesser Goldfinches are tiny, stub-billed songbirds with long, pointed wings, and short, notched tails. They are most common in California and Texas, with pockets of local populations throughout the rest of its U.S. range.
Lesser Goldfinches feed in weedy fields, budding treetops, and the brush of open areas and edges. Depending on food availability, they may concentrate in mountain canyons and desert oases, but they are also fairly common in suburbs.
The oldest known wild Lesser Goldfinch was a male, and at least 7 years old when he was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in California in 2015.
(Nikon, 500 mm + TC 1.4, 1/500 @ f/5.6, ISO 1250)
Came upon a Red-shouldered Hawk while out for a walk today. I was struck by the look of determination in its eyes. The Hawk flew-out and hit the ground off in the distance, then flew to a nearby tree. Probably enjoyed a bit of breakfast… can’t say what it ate, but I don’t think it was a vegan meal : )
Whether wheeling over a swamp forest or whistling plaintively from a riverine park, a Red-shouldered Hawk is typically a sign of tall woods and water.
It’s one of our most distinctively marked common hawks, with barred reddish-peachy underparts and a strongly banded tail. In flight, translucent crescents near the wingtips help to identify the species at a distance. These forest hawks hunt prey ranging from mice to frogs and snakes.
Red-shouldered Hawks return to the same nesting territory year after year. One Red-shouldered Hawk occupied a territory in southern California for 16 consecutive years.
By the time they are five days old, nestling Red-shouldered Hawks can shoot their feces over the edge of their nest. Bird poop on the ground is a sign of an active nest.
The oldest-known Red-shouldered hawk was a female, and at least 25 years, 10 months old when she was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in California in 2000. She had been banded in the same state in 1974.
(600 mm, 1/1600 @ f/8, ISO 640, processed to taste)
Today I was thinking about Clint Eastwood, who at 91 is still directing and acting in Movies. When asked how he still kept active at age 91, Eastwood responded “I Don’t Let the Old Guy Out.”
Eastwood's words Inspired me to get off my “old man” couch and get out and make some photos… seems way better than sitting around waiting for the grim reaper : )
Have an Amazing Day cause You deserve it !!
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Lesser Goldfinches are tiny, stub-billed songbirds with long, pointed wings, and short, notched tails. They are most common in California and Texas, with pockets of local populations throughout the rest of its U.S. range.
Lesser Goldfinches feed in weedy fields, budding treetops, and the brush of open areas and edges. Depending on food availability, they may concentrate in mountain canyons and desert oases, but they are also fairly common in suburbs.
The oldest known wild Lesser Goldfinch was a male, and at least 7 years old when he was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in California in 2015.
(Nikon Z6, 500mm, 1/500 @ f/8.0, ISO 2200)
Found this Crow collecting nest-building materials… seems there’s always work in progress... somewhere !!
American Crows are large, intelligent, all-black birds with hoarse, cawing voices. They usually feed on the ground and eat almost anything – typically earthworms, insects, other small animals, and seeds, and fruit. Their flight style is unique, a patient, methodical flapping that is rarely broken up with glides.
Crows congregate in large numbers in winter to sleep in communal roosts. These roosts can be of a few hundred up to two million crows. Some roosts have been forming in the same general area for well over 100 years.
Young Crows do not breed until they are at least two years old, and most do not breed until they are four or more. In most populations the young help their parents raise young for a few years.
Crows sometimes make and use tools. Examples include a captive crow using a cup to carry water over to a bowl of dry mash; shaping a piece of wood and then sticking it into a hole in a fence post in search of food.
The oldest recorded wild American Crow was at least 16 years 4 months old when it was recaptured and rereleased during a banding operation in New York. A captive crow in New York lived to be 59 years old.
(Nikon, 300/4.0 + TC 1.4, 1/320 @ f/9.0, ISO 1250)
...Like Sunshine and Fresh Air are Hard to Beat
(Laura Ingalls Wilder)
One from the Archives:
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The Allen's Hummingbird
In early spring, a narrow strip of scrub and chaparral along the Pacific Coast starts buzzing with the sights and sounds of the coppery and green Allen's Hummingbird.
Males flash their brilliant reddish orange throat and put on an elaborate show for the females, swinging in pendulous arcs before climbing high into the sky and diving back down with a sharp squeal made by their tails.
These early migrants mostly spend the winter in Mexico, but some stay in southern California year-round. Allen's Hummingbirds breed in a narrow strip of habitat along coastal Oregon and California.
Male and female Allen's Hummingbirds use different habitats during the breeding season. The male sets up a territory overseeing open areas of coastal scrub or chaparral, where he perches conspicuously on exposed branches. The female visits these areas, but after mating she heads into thickets or forests to build a nest and raise the young.
The Allen's Hummingbird is a remarkably early migrant compared with most North American birds. Northbound birds may depart their wintering grounds as early as December, arriving on their breeding grounds as early as January when winter rains produce an abundance of flowers.
Like other birds, Allen's Hummingbirds use their feet to help control their body temperature. When it's cold outside they tuck their feet up against their bellies while flying, but when temperatures soar, they let their feet dangle to cool down.
The oldest recorded Allen's Hummingbird was at least 5 years old when she was captured and rereleased in California during banding operations in 2009. She was banded in the same state in 2004.
(Nikon, 300/4.0 + TC 1.4 (420 mm), 1/400 @ f/16, ISO 2500, edited to taste)
It was a bit too hot for this old guy to go looking for Elephants or Alligators, so I had to settle for taking Pics of the Hummingbirds that frequent my backyard. I believe this is an Allen’s Hummingbird.
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The Allen's Hummingbird:
In early spring, a narrow strip of scrub and chaparral along the Pacific Coast starts buzzing with the sights and sounds of the coppery and green Allen's Hummingbird. Males flash their brilliant reddish orange throat and put on an elaborate show for the females, swinging in pendulous arcs before climbing high into the sky and diving back down with a sharp squeal made by their tails. These early migrants mostly spend the winter in Mexico, but some stay in southern California year-round.
Allen's Hummingbirds breed in a narrow strip of habitat along coastal Oregon and California. Male and female Allen's Hummingbirds use different habitats during the breeding season. The male sets up a territory overseeing open areas of coastal scrub or chaparral, where he perches conspicuously on exposed branches. The female visits these areas, but after mating she heads into thickets or forests to build a nest and raise the young.
The Allen's Hummingbird is a remarkably early migrant compared with most North American birds. Northbound birds may depart their wintering grounds as early as December, arriving on their breeding grounds as early as January when winter rains produce an abundance of flowers.
Like other birds, Allen's Hummingbirds use their feet to help control their body temperature. When it's cold outside they tuck their feet up against their bellies while flying, but when temperatures soar, they let their feet dangle to cool down.
The oldest recorded Allen's Hummingbird was at least 5 years old when she was captured and rereleased in California during banding operations in 2009. She was banded in the same state in 2004.
(Sony, 200-600 @ 594 mm, 1/640 @ f/6.3, ISO 8000, edited to taste)
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The Bewick’s Wren
If you come across a noisy, hyperactive little bird with bold white eyebrows, flicking its long tail as it hops from branch to branch, you may have spotted a Bewick’s Wren.
These master vocalists belt out a string of short whistles, warbles, burrs, and trills to attract mates and defend their territory, or scold visitors with raspy calls. Bewick’s Wrens are still fairly common in much of western North America, but they have virtually disappeared from the East.
The severe declines of Bewick's Wren in the eastern United States coincided with range expansion in the House Wren. It is suspected that the House Wren, which frequently removes eggs from nests in cavities, was directly responsible for the decline. The increased availability of nest boxes may have helped the spread of the House Wren, and therefore the decline of the Bewick's Wren.
Courting Bewick’s Wrens normally form monogamous pairs. While they’re setting up house and even after the female has begun incubating eggs, the male and female often forage together. This may help the male prevent his partner from mating with another bird.
A young male Bewick’s Wren learns to sing from neighboring adult males while he is coming of age in his parents’ territory. The songs he develops differ from his father’s, with a note changed here, a syllable there. The melodious signature he acquires between the ages of about 30 and 60 days will be his for life.
A Bewick’s Wren’s life starts off perilously. House Wrens may eject eggs from its nest; both eggs and nestlings can become lunch for rat snakes and milk snakes, and domestic cats go after nestlings. Adulthood isn’t safe either: mature birds can fall prey to roadrunners, rattlesnakes, or hawks.
The oldest recorded Bewick's Wren was at least 8 years old when it was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in California in 1986. It was banded in the same state in 1978.
(The Cornell Lab of Ornithology)
(200-600, 1000 @ f/6.3, ISO 2500, edited to taste)
The Ruby-crowned Kinglet is a tiny bird that lays a very large clutch of eggs—there can be up to 12 in a single nest. Although the eggs themselves weigh only about a fiftieth of an ounce, an entire clutch can weigh as much as the female herself.
Ruby-crowned Kinglets seem nervous as they flit through the foliage, flicking their wings nearly constantly. Keeping an eye out for this habit can be a useful aid to identifying kinglets.
Metabolic studies on Ruby-crowned Kinglets suggest that these tiny birds use only about 10 calories (technically, kilocalories) per day.
The oldest known Ruby-crowned Kinglet was a female, and at least 8 years, 8 months old, when she was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in Texas in 2017. She was banded in the same state in 2008.
A Face-off with this Male Rufous Hummingbird made my day : )
Rufous Hummingbirds are one of the feistiest hummingbirds in North America. The brilliant orange male and the green-and-orange female Rufous Hummingbird are relentless attackers at flowers and feeders, going after (if not always defeating) even the large hummingbirds of the Southwest, which can be double their weight.`
Rufous Hummingbirds are wide-ranging, and breed farther north than any other hummingbird. Look for them in spring in California, summer in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, and fall in the Rocky Mountains as they make their annual circuit of the West.
Rufous Hummingbirds may take up residence (at least temporarily) in your garden if you grow hummingbird flowers or put out feeders. But beware! They may make life difficult for any other hummingbird species that visit your yard. If you live on their migration route, visiting Rufous Hummingbirds are likely to move on after just a week or two.
The Rufous Hummingbird is a common visitor to hummingbird feeders. It is extremely territorial at all times of year, attacking any visiting hummingbird, including much larger species. They’ve been seen chasing chipmunks away from their nests.
During their long migrations, Rufous Hummingbirds make a clockwise circuit of western North America each year. They move up the Pacific Coast in late winter and spring, reaching Washington and British Columbia by May. As early as July they may start south again, traveling down the chain of the Rocky Mountains. People first realized this pattern after examining detailed field notes and specimens, noting the birds’ characteristic dates of arrival on each part of the circuit.
The Rufous Hummingbird has an excellent memory for location, no doubt helping it find flowers from day to day, or even year to year. Some birds have been seen returning from migration and investigating where a feeder had been the previous year, even though it had since been moved.
The Rufous Hummingbird breeds as far north as southeastern Alaska – the northernmost breeding range of any hummingbird in the world. Of the western hummingbirds that occasionally show up in the east, the Rufous Hummingbird is the most frequent.
Rufous Hummingbirds, like most other hummingbirds, beat their wings extremely fast to be able to hover in place. The wingbeat frequency of Rufous Hummingbirds has been recorded at 52–62 wingbeats per second.
The oldest recorded Rufous Hummingbird was a female, and at least 8 years 11 months old when she was re-caught and rereleased during banding operations in British Columbia.
(Nikon D5, 500mm, 1/1000 @ f/4.0, ISO 1800)
Wintercoat, bag, leggings : Belle Epoque - Snowfall. At Arcade.
Hair and hat : Limerence - Judith. In main store.
Sneakers : Bliensen - Xmas Sneakers - white.
Skin : Le Forme - Kusa Skin for Lelutka - Sugar Freckles. At We Love Role-Play.
Decor :
Milk Motion - The Snowy Road. At The Arcade.
Dogs : JIAN Newfie Pewfs. Rereleased in main store.
Reindeer : JIAN Reindeer Collection
Serenity Style- Holidays Car. In main store.
Serenity Style- Old Gifts Wagon. At TLC The Liaison Collaborative.
The Ruby-crowned Kinglet is a tiny bird that lays a very large clutch of eggs—there can be up to 12 in a single nest. Although the eggs themselves weigh only about a fiftieth of an ounce, an entire clutch can weigh as much as the female herself.
Ruby-crowned Kinglets seem nervous as they flit through the foliage, flicking their wings nearly constantly. Keeping an eye out for this habit can be a useful aid to identifying kinglets.
Metabolic studies on Ruby-crowned Kinglets suggest that these tiny birds use only about 10 calories (technically, kilocalories) per day.
The oldest known Ruby-crowned Kinglet was a female, and at least 8 years, 8 months old, when she was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in Texas in 2017. She was banded in the same state in 2008.
The oldest known Ovenbird was at least 11 years old when it was recaught and rereleased in Connecticut in 1999, the same state where it was banded as a young bird in 1988.
...the more Successful the Picture.
- Alfred Hitchcock
This Bad Boy is the Villain of my feeder. He seems to know exactly when I put out bird food of the type he likes. Within minutes, he’s marauding around the feeder throwing food-bits left and right until he discovers the treat he is looking for : )
American Crows are large, intelligent, all-black birds with hoarse, cawing voices. They are common sights in treetops, fields, and roadsides, and in habitats ranging from open woods and empty beaches to town centers. They usually feed on the ground and eat almost anything – typically earthworms, insects and other small animals, seeds, and fruit but also garbage, carrion, and chicks they rob from nests.
American Crows congregate in large numbers in winter to sleep in communal roosts. These roosts can be of a few hundred up to two million crows. Some roosts have been forming in the same general area for well over 100 years. In the last few decades some of these roosts have moved into urban areas where the noise and mess cause conflicts with people.
Young American Crows do not breed until they are at least two years old, and most do not breed until they are four or more. In most populations the young help their parents raise young for a few years. Families may include up to 15 individuals and contain young from five different years.
Crows sometimes make and use tools. Examples include a captive crow using a cup to carry water over to a bowl of dry mash; shaping a piece of wood and then sticking it into a hole in a fence post in search of food; and breaking off pieces of pine cone to drop on tree climbers near a nest.
The oldest recorded wild American Crow was at least 16 years 4 months old when it was recaptured and rereleased during a banding operation in New York. A captive crow in New York lived to be 59 years old.
(Nikon, 500mm + TC 1.4, 1/800 @ f/5.6, ISO 2500)
The oldest known Carolina Chickadee was at least 10 years, 11 months old when it was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in West Virginia in 1974. It was banded in the same state in 1963.
A wonderful and incredibly colorful feathered friend is exploring my yard this morning. There's nothing quite like the vibrant beauty of a bird gracing your yard to brighten the day.
I know he looks hungover, but actually I caught this Allen's Hummingbird preening after a run through the sprinklers.
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Allen's Hummingbird:
The Allen's Hummingbird, a vibrant spectacle of copper and green, signals spring along the Pacific Coast. Males are particularly dazzling, flaunting brilliant reddish-orange throats as they perform intricate aerial displays for females. These elaborate shows involve swinging in broad arcs, then soaring high before diving back down with a sharp, distinctive squeal produced by their tails. While many spend their winters in Mexico, some Allen's Hummingbirds remain in Southern California year-round.
These remarkable hummingbirds breed within a narrow strip of coastal habitat stretching across Oregon and California. Interestingly, males and females opt for different environments during this crucial season. The male establishes a territory in open coastal scrub or chaparral, prominently perching on exposed branches to oversee his domain. Females, however, once mated, seek out denser thickets or forests to build their nests and raise their young.
The Allen's Hummingbird is an exceptionally early migrant among North American birds. Some northbound individuals begin their journey from wintering grounds as early as December, arriving on their breeding territories by January. This early arrival coincides perfectly with the abundance of flowers brought forth by winter rains.
Like other bird species, Allen's Hummingbirds cleverly use their feet to regulate their body temperature. When facing cold conditions, they tuck their feet against their bellies while in flight to conserve warmth. Conversely, when temperatures climb, they let their feet dangle, allowing for efficient cooling.
These tiny, resilient birds can also be surprisingly long-lived. The oldest recorded Allen's Hummingbird was a female, at least 5 years old when she was recaptured and rereleased in California in 2009, five years after her initial banding in the same state.
(Nikon Z8, 100-400/5.6, 1/1600 @ f/8.0, ISO 2800, edited to taste)
The oldest known Carolina Chickadee was at least 10 years, 11 months old when it was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in West Virginia in 1974. It was banded in the same state in 1963.
I was getting ready to head-out to the Gym on this wonderful rainy day when the Mrs. called-out that we had a backyard visitor. Needless to say, I didn’t make it in time for my workout, but looking at this guy was good for my heart :)
Allen's Hummingbird
In early spring, a narrow strip of scrub and chaparral along the Pacific Coast starts buzzing with the sights and sounds of the coppery and green Allen's Hummingbird.
Males flash their brilliant reddish orange throat and put on an elaborate show for the females, swinging in pendulous arcs before climbing high into the sky and diving back down with a sharp squeal made by their tails.
These early migrants mostly spend the winter in Mexico, but some stay in southern California year-round.
Male and female Allen's Hummingbirds use different habitats during the breeding season. The male sets up a territory overseeing open areas of coastal scrub or chaparral, where he perches conspicuously on exposed branches. The female visits these areas, but after mating she heads into thickets or forests to build a nest and raise the young.
The oldest recorded Allen's Hummingbird was at least 5 years 11 months old when she was captured and rereleased in California during banding operations 2009. She had been banded in the same state in 2004.ikon
(Nikon 300/2.8 + TC 1.4 (420mm) 1/500 @ f/5.6, ISO 1250)
The oldest recorded House Wren was at least 9 years old, when it was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in New York in 1993, the same state where it had been banded.
The oldest known Carolina Chickadee was at least 10 years, 11 months old when it was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in West Virginia in 1974. It was banded in the same state in 1963.
I like to stage small birds in full frame or quasi full frame... it tells something about how brave these birds are, despite their small size but also about their vulnerability and their need for care and protection ... I love the "Me against the world" endearing demeanour of the Semipalmated Plover... The bird sort of freeze when you start paying attention to it. However, it does not fly away, it monitors the surrounding and displays good instinct and survival strategies. According to e-bird it is ... "the most common plover seen on migration in most areas. The oldest recorded Semipalmated Plover was at least 9 years, 2 months old when it was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in Massachusetts." I was surprised to see how old they can live.
This little fellow is in a constant vigil protecting his food source from other Hummers and watching out for predators, and he does it with Panache !!
Allen's Hummingbird:
In early spring, a narrow strip of scrub and chaparral along the Pacific Coast starts buzzing with the sights and sounds of the coppery and green Allen's Hummingbird. Males flash their brilliant reddish orange throat and put on an elaborate show for the females, swinging in pendulous arcs before climbing high into the sky and diving back down with a sharp squeal made by their tails. These early migrants mostly spend the winter in Mexico, but some stay in southern California year-round.
Allen's Hummingbirds breed in a narrow strip of habitat along coastal Oregon and California.
Male and female Allen's Hummingbirds use different habitats during the breeding season. The male sets up a territory overseeing open areas of coastal scrub or chaparral, where he perches conspicuously on exposed branches. The female visits these areas, but after mating she heads into thickets or forests to build a nest and raise the young.
The Allen's Hummingbird is a remarkably early migrant compared with most North American birds. Northbound birds may depart their wintering grounds as early as December, arriving on their breeding grounds as early as January when winter rains produce an abundance of flowers.
Like other birds, Allen's Hummingbirds use their feet to help control their body temperature. When it's cold outside they tuck their feet up against their bellies while flying, but when temperatures soar, they let their feet dangle to cool down.
The oldest recorded Allen's Hummingbird was at least 5 years old when she was captured and rereleased in California during banding operations in 2009. She was banded in the same state in 2004.
(Sony, 100-400/5.6 @ 400 mm, 1/2500 @ f/5.6, ISO 1600, edited to taste)
...is what this Common Tern was Singing :-)
A graceful, black-and-white water bird, the Common Tern is the most widespread tern in North America. It can be seen plunging from the air into water to catch small fish along rivers, lakes, and oceans.
The Common Tern drinks mainly on the wing, gliding with its wings slightly raised and dipping its bill several times into the water.
Common Terns living along the coast drink salt water. They do not seek fresh water even when it is available nearby. Like many seabirds, they have nasal glands that excrete the excess salt.
The incubating adult Common Tern flies off its nest to defecate 5-50 m (16-160 ft.) away. It deposits its feces indiscriminately in nearby water or on the territories of other terns.
The oldest recorded Common Tern was at least 25 years, 1-month old, when it was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in New York.
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Nikon - 500mm - 1/500 @ f5 - ISO 1600
Yesterday evening I was sitting in my backyard enjoying a cocktail and listening to Billy Joel. Unexpectedly this little Hummingbird flies into the water spray from my lawn sprinkler and takes a shower. I recorded a bit of the water play on my phone before dashing into the house to grab my camera. Unfortunately, I was a bit too slow to catch the shower episode but did manage to capture this Pic when the hummer landed in a nearby tree.
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Allen's Hummingbird:
In early spring, a narrow strip of scrub and chaparral along the Pacific Coast starts buzzing with the sights and sounds of the coppery and green Allen's Hummingbird. Males flash their brilliant reddish orange throat and put on an elaborate show for the females, swinging in pendulous arcs before climbing high into the sky and diving back down with a sharp squeal made by their tails. These early migrants mostly spend the winter in Mexico, but some stay in southern California year-round.
Allen's Hummingbirds breed in a narrow strip of habitat along coastal Oregon and California.
Male and female Allen's Hummingbirds use different habitats during the breeding season. The male sets up a territory overseeing open areas of coastal scrub or chaparral, where he perches conspicuously on exposed branches. The female visits these areas, but after mating she heads into thickets or forests to build a nest and raise the young.
The Allen's Hummingbird is a remarkably early migrant compared with most North American birds. Northbound birds may depart their wintering grounds as early as December, arriving on their breeding grounds as early as January when winter rains produce an abundance of flowers.
Like other birds, Allen's Hummingbirds use their feet to help control their body temperature. When it's cold outside they tuck their feet up against their bellies while flying, but when temperatures soar, they let their feet dangle to cool down.
The oldest recorded Allen's Hummingbird was at least 5 years old when she was captured and rereleased in California during banding operations in 2009. She was banded in the same state in 2004.
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Billy Joel
"It's Still Rock and Roll to Me" is a song written and performed by Billy Joel, from the hit album Glass Houses. Released in 1980, the song peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks, from July 19 through August 1, 1980, making it Joel's first number 1 hit single in the United States.
(Nikon Z8, 600/6.3, 1/2500 @ f/6.3, ISO 25600, edited to taste)
Cool facts from "all about birds":
Arctic Terns migrate from pole to pole; birds in North America travel around 25,000 miles each year.
Downy Arctic Tern hatchlings come in two colors: gray or brown. And chicks from the same nest aren't always the same color.
Arctic Terns can live for decades, but they usually do not start breeding until they are 3 or 4 years old.
The oldest recorded Arctic Tern was at least 34 years old, when it was recaptured and rereleased during a banding operation in Maine. This bird flew at least 850,000 miles, or 3 and a half times to the moon and back!!!
When molting its wing feathers during the winter, the Arctic Tern rarely flies; instead it spends much of its time resting on small blocks of ice at the edge of the pack ice.
Since I’ve been busy with Holiday “Make Work” (that is activities that really don't produce anything but inner happiness, such as putting up Holiday Lights and Decorations) I had to dig through my archives to find this photo :-)
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The Beswick Wren:
Bewick’s Wren are noisy hyperactive little birds with bold white eyebrows. These master vocalists belt out a string of short whistles, warbles, burrs, and trills to attract mates and defend their territory, or scold visitors with raspy calls.
Bewick’s Wrens are still fairly common in much of western North America, but they have virtually disappeared from the East. The severe declines of Bewick's Wren in the eastern United States coincides with range expansion in the House Wren. It is suspected that the House Wren, which frequently removes eggs from nests in cavities, was directly responsible for the decline.
Courting Bewick’s Wrens normally form monogamous pairs. While they’re setting up house and even after the female has begun incubating eggs, the male and female often forage together. This may help the male prevent his partner from mating with another bird.
A young male Bewick’s Wren learns to sing from neighboring adult males while he is coming of age in his parents’ territory. The songs he develops differ from his father’s, with a note changed here, a syllable there. The melodious signature he acquires between the ages of about 30 and 60 days will be his for life.
A Bewick’s Wren’s life starts off perilously. House Wrens may eject eggs from its nest; both eggs and nestlings can become lunch for rat snakes and milk snakes, and domestic cats go after nestlings. Adulthood isn’t safe either: mature birds can fall prey to roadrunners, rattlesnakes, or hawks.
The oldest recorded Bewick's Wren was at least 8 years old when it was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in California in 1986. It was banded in the same state in 1978.
(The Cornell Lab of Ornithology)
(Nikon Z6, 500 mm + TC 1.4, 1/1000 @ f/6.3, ISO 3200, processed to taste)
We have been experiencing high winds, cold temps and rain in Southern California, and the birds in the area are hunkering down as much as possible. I spotted this Lesser Gold Finch trying to keep warm in my garden and couldn’t resist a click.
The Lesser Goldfinch:
Lesser Goldfinches are tiny, stub-billed songbirds with long, pointed wings, and short, notched tails. They are most common in California and Texas, with pockets of local populations throughout the rest of its U.S. range. They are quite small in stature, approximately 2.5 inches tall and weigh approximately ½ oz
Lesser Goldfinches feed in weedy fields, budding treetops, and the brush of open areas and edges. Depending on food availability, they may concentrate in mountain canyons and desert oases, but they are also fairly common in suburbs.
These finches primarily eat seeds of plants in the sunflower family, and they occur all the way south to the Peruvian Andes. Listen closely to their wheezy songs, which often include snippets from the songs of other birds.
The oldest known wild Lesser Goldfinch was a male, and at least 7 years old when he was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in California in 2015.
(Nikon Z, 500/4 + TC 1.4, 1/1250 @ f/5.6, ISO 3200, edited to taste)
On a cypress tree.. that tree was full with something because it had several interesting warblers on it (wilson, Nashville, blackpoll). fun facts from Cornell:
No other North American warbler has an orange throat.
The Blackburnian Warbler is territorial on its breeding grounds and solitary in the winter. It forms flocks only during migration.
Although the Blackburnian Warbler does not associate with other birds while it is nesting, it will join foraging flocks of chickadees, kinglets, and nuthatches after the young fledge. The warbler will follow the mixed flock with its begging young. The begging of the warbler chicks can even attract chickadees.
The oldest recorded Blackburnian Warbler was a male, and at least 8 years, 2 months old, when it was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in Minnesota.
"Heavy cloud but no rain
The sun wont shine till the clouds are gone
The clouds wont go till their work is done"
lyrics by Sting
May 15, 2018, Rondeau Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada.
Vireo olivaceus
The red iris that gives the Red-eyed Vireo its name doesn't develop until the end of the birds' first winter. Then the brown iris the birds were born with becomes dull brick red to bright crimson in different individuals.
The oldest known Red-eyed Vireo was at least 10 years, 2 months old when it was recaptured and rereleased during banding operation in Maryland.
Gray catbird with lunch, Rondeau Provincial Park, July 16, 2023.
I was able to capture images of several bird species with food in their beaks.
This one was my favourite of the day.
Dumetella carolinensis.
The oldest known Gray Catbird was at least 17 years, 11 months old when it was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in New Jersey in 2001. It had been banded in Maryland in 1984..
source -Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Sept 16, 2020, Rondeau Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada.
Contopus virens
The Eastern Wood-Pewee’s lichen-covered nest is so inconspicuous that it often looks like a knot on a branch.
The oldest recorded Eastern Wood-Pewee was at least 8 years, 2 months old when it was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in Maryland in 2010.
source -https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eastern_Wood-Pewee/
Rondeau provincial Park, July 4, 2023.
An unexpected visitor to the water feature this evening.
Occasionally we see a female but this is the first breeding plumage male since migration.
Setophaga ruticilla
The oldest American Redstart was at least 10 years and one month old, when he was recaptured and rereleased during a banding operation in Ontario.
Despite the abundance of dowitchers over much of the continent, it was not until the 1930s that scientists began to understand that there were two species of dowitchers in North America.
Unlike the Long-billed Dowitcher, Short-billed Dowitchers migrate in stages, first moving to intermediate areas to complete their molt, then moving on to their ultimate wintering areas. This strategy is called “molt migration.”
The Short-billed Dowitcher’s nest and eggs eluded discovery until 1906, and even that information was overlooked for a long while because they were attributed to the Long-billed Dowitcher. The nesting grounds of the eastern subspecies (griseus) of Short-billed Dowitcher were not discovered until the late 1950s.
Although both sexes share incubation of the eggs, only the male takes care of the young once they hatch.
The oldest recorded Short-billed Dowitcher was at least 13 years, 11 months old when it was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in Delaware.
Rondeau Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada, July 14, 2021.
We have a small flock of yellows coming into the pond every day. The work the hedge eating small caterpillars and then have a drink/bath.
Setophaga petechia
The oldest-known Yellow Warbler was a female, and was at least 11 years old when she was recaught and rereleased during banding operations in New York.
Source -Cornell Lab of Ornithology- All About Birds
Rondeau Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada, May 18, 2020
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Always fun to find one of these.
Vermivora cyanoptera
The oldest recorded Blue-winged Warbler was a male, and at least 9 years old when it was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in New Jersey.
Rondeau Provincial Park, Jan 21, 2021.
Mid/late January and the water feature is still running. What snow we had has melted and I'm still riding my bike.
Not complaining but it unusual for this area of Canada in the winter.
Photo taken through the wonderful wildlife window.
Spinus tristis
Paired-up goldfinches make virtually identical flight calls; goldfinches may be able to distinguish members of various pairs by these calls.
The oldest known American Goldfinch was 10 years 9 months old when it was recaptured and rereleased during a banding operation in Maryland.
source -https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Goldfinch
The oldest recorded Brown-headed Cowbird was a male, and at least 16 years 11 months old when it was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in Wisconsin.
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Rondeau Provincial Park, July 1, 2023.
We seem to have had a fledge of hummers. We can't keep track but I think we have 7 or 8 coming to the feeders.
Archilochus colubris.
The oldest known Ruby-throated Hummingbird was a female, and at least 9 years, 2 months old when she was recaptured and rereleased in 2014 during banding operations in West Virginia.
source -Cornell Lab of Ornithology
The oldest recorded Grasshopper Sparrow was at least 9 years, 1 month old when it was recaught and rereleased during banding operations in Maryland.
The oldest known Carolina Chickadee was at least 10 years, 11 months old when it was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in West Virginia in 1974. It was banded in the same state in 1963.
+.:Short Leash:.+
Kinky Cappuccino for Kinky 69
AFK Pup Bed
Kinky Clutter -Kinky Cross Stitch
WHOA IM BACK!!
Short leash is always there to welcome me home! Check out these awesome December creations.
This BED! I am so happy they rereleased this bed! It's soft and has amazing animations. EVEN MY TALL BUTT was able to pose correctly!
Socials to learn more info:
www.flickr.com/photos/shortleashshop/
www.facebook.com/shortleashshopSL/
www.instagram.com/shortleash.sl/
Outfit by +TASTIC+
Tastic-Cyber Cat Top
*we love CAAAAAAAAAAATS!!
& The Dylan pants & belt set
July 12, 2020, Rondeau Provincial Park, Onntario, Canada.
Most often skulking in the underbrush bur they come out for the water in the yard.
Dumetella carolinensis
The Gray Catbird’s long song may last for up to 10 minutes.
The oldest known Gray Catbird was at least 17 years, 11 months old when it was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in New Jersey in 2001. It had been banded in Maryland in 1984.
source -https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Gray_Catbird/
The oldest Blue Grosbeak on record was a male and at least 10 years, 11 months old when he was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in Ohio in 2017.
Female summer tanager, May 12, 2018, Rondeau Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada.
A rare visitor to our neighbourhood, we normally get scarlet tanagers.
Piranga rubra
The Summer Tanager is a bee and wasp specialist. It catches these insects in flight and kills them by beating them against a branch. Before eating a bee, the tanager rubs it on the branch to remove the stinger. Summer Tanagers eat larvae, too: first they get rid of the adults, and then they tear open the nest to get the grubs.
The oldest Summer Tanager on record was a male, and at least 7 years, 11 months old when he was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in Texas in 1986.
Rondeau Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada, July 4, 2021.
More often heard than seen around our yard.
The Gray Catbird belongs to the genus Dumetella, which means “small thicket.” And that’s exactly where you should go look for this little skulker.
Dumetella carolinensis
The oldest known Gray Catbird was at least 17 years, 11 months old when it was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in New Jersey in 2001. It had been banded in Maryland in 1984.