tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36121527619272798202024-03-13T19:37:07.534-07:00Diana Churchill BirdsThis blog is to celebrate birds and birding in the Low Country of coastal Georgia and South Carolina, with occasional journeys to other wonderful birdwatching locations.Diana Churchillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18192206613958600424noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612152761927279820.post-1377012476725645032016-06-20T11:55:00.001-07:002016-06-20T11:55:22.784-07:00Photos need new homes!After nearly 40 years, Worldwide Camera in Savannah is closing. I appreciate the support I have received for my photography through the years from owners Pam & Tom Coffer. For nearly three years, 15 of my photos have hung on the wall outside their shop. Now these images need new homes.<br />
They are 16x20 photos, framed to 24 x 28 in simple black frames with white mats. We are asking $100 per framed photo, but no reasonable offer will be refused. You can stop by Worldwide or contact me at dichurch@bellsouth.net.<br />
<br />
Here are the images:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dD_LJOxJW4Q/V2g6mwV_5-I/AAAAAAAABHg/PDhkHe1Iwc4kTmgRIlc2J86E-iAPAyyFgCLcB/s1600/AnhingaAbouttoFly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dD_LJOxJW4Q/V2g6mwV_5-I/AAAAAAAABHg/PDhkHe1Iwc4kTmgRIlc2J86E-iAPAyyFgCLcB/s400/AnhingaAbouttoFly.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anhinga About to Fly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oMi4FreQ-FA/V2g6nCURmvI/AAAAAAAABHk/wgGGhPWGHmkGrakz6w-GXK2oYHwGEFwbACLcB/s1600/AnhingaRefl3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oMi4FreQ-FA/V2g6nCURmvI/AAAAAAAABHk/wgGGhPWGHmkGrakz6w-GXK2oYHwGEFwbACLcB/s400/AnhingaRefl3.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anhinga Reflections</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8ITYK1WcxE0/V2g6nEJ2QTI/AAAAAAAABHo/V7npAmeTNpITEo7FKSm-rTfdeL5kFiHbgCLcB/s1600/BarredOwlClose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8ITYK1WcxE0/V2g6nEJ2QTI/AAAAAAAABHo/V7npAmeTNpITEo7FKSm-rTfdeL5kFiHbgCLcB/s400/BarredOwlClose.jpg" width="271" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barred Owl with Moss</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sb28h0B2ftg/V2g6nfRu24I/AAAAAAAABHs/WdPlpXpS6CkKpWpUPyfGj3EI4WsKLMjKACLcB/s1600/BeachCrowd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sb28h0B2ftg/V2g6nfRu24I/AAAAAAAABHs/WdPlpXpS6CkKpWpUPyfGj3EI4WsKLMjKACLcB/s400/BeachCrowd.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Beach Crowd</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z--ayYyct9I/V2g6nW7gjYI/AAAAAAAABHw/iKPZYfCIOXMHU9zgDSTwRv_GLHcqPKMogCLcB/s1600/BluebirdBugonBox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z--ayYyct9I/V2g6nW7gjYI/AAAAAAAABHw/iKPZYfCIOXMHU9zgDSTwRv_GLHcqPKMogCLcB/s400/BluebirdBugonBox.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bluebird with Bug</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p9hyO3gajR4/V2g6nfD4VvI/AAAAAAAABH4/sNSLKTlq2xMKvc2h7G5wFgyHC_-d1TqagCLcB/s1600/EagleApproach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p9hyO3gajR4/V2g6nfD4VvI/AAAAAAAABH4/sNSLKTlq2xMKvc2h7G5wFgyHC_-d1TqagCLcB/s400/EagleApproach.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bald Eagle - Eyes on the Prize</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xY-9oJ_NpKk/V2g6ntQrJzI/AAAAAAAABH0/nqUaPlkSpBMv6kShcUrqeBejKZFUqsvGQCLcB/s1600/GoldfinchonThistle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xY-9oJ_NpKk/V2g6ntQrJzI/AAAAAAAABH0/nqUaPlkSpBMv6kShcUrqeBejKZFUqsvGQCLcB/s400/GoldfinchonThistle.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Goldfinch Eats Fluff</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WKFBvYj_KXM/V2g6nqiiSEI/AAAAAAAABH8/ppS9YyqwHU4LLVH2hTKsw3j_Vp-PxtlSACLcB/s1600/GreatEgretPlumes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WKFBvYj_KXM/V2g6nqiiSEI/AAAAAAAABH8/ppS9YyqwHU4LLVH2hTKsw3j_Vp-PxtlSACLcB/s400/GreatEgretPlumes.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Egret Plumes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NOQypuehJGU/V2g6n8fYpLI/AAAAAAAABIA/nFYGmTwSivwYQNWrKgco-GbVVRLijCJ4ACLcB/s1600/GreatHornedMoss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NOQypuehJGU/V2g6n8fYpLI/AAAAAAAABIA/nFYGmTwSivwYQNWrKgco-GbVVRLijCJ4ACLcB/s400/GreatHornedMoss.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Horned Owl on Nest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uLT1ff1Axx4/V2g6n1u6o5I/AAAAAAAABIE/lOMhKCJRrYMn1dOmPjOgqPrBwoudysJVACLcB/s1600/LeastBittern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uLT1ff1Axx4/V2g6n1u6o5I/AAAAAAAABIE/lOMhKCJRrYMn1dOmPjOgqPrBwoudysJVACLcB/s400/LeastBittern.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Least Bittern</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5hqAkj1cizM/V2g6n9XTBZI/AAAAAAAABII/-VjVf6P0DqI3xMfGNzXEGTnA55l3trnUACLcB/s1600/Parula.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5hqAkj1cizM/V2g6n9XTBZI/AAAAAAAABII/-VjVf6P0DqI3xMfGNzXEGTnA55l3trnUACLcB/s400/Parula.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northern Parula on the Branch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QYwkdXh0D_Q/V2g6oJZ_qLI/AAAAAAAABIU/QNhqMT6ZS_kBWoHuVRCt3R-w-9LiUuaqACLcB/s1600/SandwichTsFish2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QYwkdXh0D_Q/V2g6oJZ_qLI/AAAAAAAABIU/QNhqMT6ZS_kBWoHuVRCt3R-w-9LiUuaqACLcB/s400/SandwichTsFish2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandwich Terns Dance with Fish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QwwwHhKRAu8/V2g6oIKhEII/AAAAAAAABIQ/KC-6dzNOFM4ZTOoelD4QkDaPNjJXyKW2QCLcB/s1600/SkimmerFormation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QwwwHhKRAu8/V2g6oIKhEII/AAAAAAAABIQ/KC-6dzNOFM4ZTOoelD4QkDaPNjJXyKW2QCLcB/s400/SkimmerFormation.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three Black Skimmers Skimming</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mOsS1Y4S2RI/V2g6ogSCWLI/AAAAAAAABIc/m0IaAO-tKGkkO9rxnx6OCUYljg4Zvt6zwCLcB/s1600/SnowySpreadWings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mOsS1Y4S2RI/V2g6ogSCWLI/AAAAAAAABIc/m0IaAO-tKGkkO9rxnx6OCUYljg4Zvt6zwCLcB/s400/SnowySpreadWings.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowy Egret Wings Wide</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iBgWCXPAy0c/V2g6oIpvJuI/AAAAAAAABIY/ey0ikO7KSBIl4Po1ARKjV-BYWtFX7qdMQCLcB/s1600/STKite%2Bwith%2BBug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iBgWCXPAy0c/V2g6oIpvJuI/AAAAAAAABIY/ey0ikO7KSBIl4Po1ARKjV-BYWtFX7qdMQCLcB/s400/STKite%2Bwith%2BBug.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swallow-tailed Kite with Bug</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Here are a couple of examples of how they look in the frames.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CKK8PTPtHl0/V2g74GryeBI/AAAAAAAABJY/qHCu_x49cB0cGpyKSG7ZS2UpMo0zOvMYwCLcB/s1600/P1080304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CKK8PTPtHl0/V2g74GryeBI/AAAAAAAABJY/qHCu_x49cB0cGpyKSG7ZS2UpMo0zOvMYwCLcB/s320/P1080304.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fkWxXvbioc0/V2g74N5HKxI/AAAAAAAABJU/vUOCox-yd9k5V9S7SafdJ8gCDVctgjMaQCLcB/s1600/P1080306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fkWxXvbioc0/V2g74N5HKxI/AAAAAAAABJU/vUOCox-yd9k5V9S7SafdJ8gCDVctgjMaQCLcB/s320/P1080306.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />Diana Churchillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18192206613958600424noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612152761927279820.post-49977270670957033372016-04-18T18:29:00.001-07:002016-04-18T18:29:32.926-07:00A "Ruff" day on Tybee IslandI spent the day birding with a woman from Vermont. We ended in the evening on Tybee Island North Beach and walked up to the little pond near Polk Street. We had just seen a greater yellowlegs on the beach as I stared at a yellowlegs-like bird with white around its face, a heavily patterned back, and a beak that just didn't look quite right for a yellowlegs. I thought "ruff???" and checked my Sibley Eastern but the pictures just didn't match up. I took several photos.<br />
<br />
When I got home, I consulted the Shorebird Guide by O'Brien, Crossley and Karlson and found a photo of a juvenile ruff that showed the white around the face and patterned back. After a brief interlude to complete my checklist and upload photos, I headed back to the pond where the bird was still hanging out.<br />
<br />
I was able to get one other birder, Joel Ludlum, out to see the bird. It hung around until just before sunset and then took off towards the beach in the direction of Ft. Pulaski.<br />
<br />
The first time I watched the bird, it flew to the side of the pond where the light was good. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YXpOPN3wxFM/VxWI0qRMGhI/AAAAAAAABGg/wBmkrroCMdIpnnGDvG3rFbPvhdjzmNhVwCLcB/s1600/Ruff2Tybee4-18-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YXpOPN3wxFM/VxWI0qRMGhI/AAAAAAAABGg/wBmkrroCMdIpnnGDvG3rFbPvhdjzmNhVwCLcB/s400/Ruff2Tybee4-18-16.jpg" width="396" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruff at Tybee Island North Beach 4/18/16</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sc5KqAs3Vzo/VxWI1REkkOI/AAAAAAAABGs/nqsG31FkF1QU9EWjIC3NBRmAIAckohixQCLcB/s1600/RuffTybee4-18-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="338" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sc5KqAs3Vzo/VxWI1REkkOI/AAAAAAAABGs/nqsG31FkF1QU9EWjIC3NBRmAIAckohixQCLcB/s400/RuffTybee4-18-16.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruff giving itself a shake</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When I returned, the ruff was still there but hanging out on the shore where it was backlit. Still very nice looks though.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wlf54tZjjoU/VxWI0RW5PmI/AAAAAAAABGY/PHjxze67HLwSYioeAZGIvt6ztuX7ujWuwCKgB/s1600/RuffFeeding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wlf54tZjjoU/VxWI0RW5PmI/AAAAAAAABGY/PHjxze67HLwSYioeAZGIvt6ztuX7ujWuwCKgB/s640/RuffFeeding.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruff feeding</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7DEaSVAcWnI/VxWI1DXA-KI/AAAAAAAABGk/1n2007fqEZQ4rCz-vVj9grRPUis33sItgCKgB/s1600/RuffStepsOut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7DEaSVAcWnI/VxWI1DXA-KI/AAAAAAAABGk/1n2007fqEZQ4rCz-vVj9grRPUis33sItgCKgB/s640/RuffStepsOut.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ruff steps out</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For an extra bonus, my first of the season Gray Kingbird showed up on the railing and did some flycatching over the pond. What an evening!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U8iBff31_4k/VxWI0U8Xs-I/AAAAAAAABGw/lP6NTJZB04EwqOUAQKufAygZ_RFPCf6iwCKgB/s1600/GrayKingbirdApr18%253A16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U8iBff31_4k/VxWI0U8Xs-I/AAAAAAAABGw/lP6NTJZB04EwqOUAQKufAygZ_RFPCf6iwCKgB/s400/GrayKingbirdApr18%253A16.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gray Kingbird appears while I am ruff-watching</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Diana Churchillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18192206613958600424noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612152761927279820.post-3839906278486679822016-02-09T13:05:00.000-08:002016-02-09T13:05:10.347-08:00Panama - Metropolitan Nature ParkI arrived in Panama late on Friday night, January 8th. At the Riande Airport Hotel, I was greeted by my good birding friend Lainie Epstein. She led the way to our second floor room and informed me there was no elevator as we lugged my bags up the stairs.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lpC9fH-ZFzU/VrpOQ5zumnI/AAAAAAAABEE/ykA1a6TrxCA/s1600/LainieinHotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lpC9fH-ZFzU/VrpOQ5zumnI/AAAAAAAABEE/ykA1a6TrxCA/s320/LainieinHotel.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lainie at the Riande Airport Hotel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The next morning, I was up early and looked out the balcony. The first bird call I heard sounded like a robin. It was, in fact, a Clay-colored Thrush - close relative of the robin.<br />
<br />
<br />
After breakfast at the hotel, I was thrilled to get to see a Panamanian friend. Darien Montanez spent a year in Savannah in 2005 getting his Master's in Architecture at SCAD. He is also an avid birder and I used to pick him up at his dorm for Ogeechee Audubon field trips. Darien now lives in Panama City, teaches some architecture classes, does architecture, and has a new full-time job at Panama's new BioMuseo.<br />
<br />
Darien and his brother Camilo came to the hotel and took 8 of our group across town to the Metropolitan Nature Park for our first Panama birding experience.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wDEhCSD-eL8/VrpOpuuV2uI/AAAAAAAABEM/jNG6Ae-jOSk/s1600/BirdingwDarien2Sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wDEhCSD-eL8/VrpOpuuV2uI/AAAAAAAABEM/jNG6Ae-jOSk/s640/BirdingwDarien2Sm.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lainie, Dot Bambach, Darien Montanez, Martha Vaughn & John Kricher birding at Metropolitan Nature Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Park is a 265 hectare forested park with several trails and was created in 1985 to preserve some natural habitat near the Panama Canal. Here are a few of the birds we saw during our visit. Darien was calling out names of birds that he heard, and I felt like a new birder all over again.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QWj5VQzsuu4/VrpQbhoHm0I/AAAAAAAABFY/QGwak4yeAeE/s1600/SocialFlycatcherSM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QWj5VQzsuu4/VrpQbhoHm0I/AAAAAAAABFY/QGwak4yeAeE/s320/SocialFlycatcherSM.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Social Flycatcher</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wRBDTQdhzVI/VrpQPaDZvzI/AAAAAAAABE8/CcY6iN-tjJU/s1600/RuddyGroundDoves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wRBDTQdhzVI/VrpQPaDZvzI/AAAAAAAABE8/CcY6iN-tjJU/s640/RuddyGroundDoves.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruddy Ground Doves - abundant everywhere we went</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eQM6vdmhqFg/VrpQPUV_2zI/AAAAAAAABFE/qlgOY4VlS_c/s1600/Sloth2-toedSm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eQM6vdmhqFg/VrpQPUV_2zI/AAAAAAAABFE/qlgOY4VlS_c/s400/Sloth2-toedSm.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two-toed Sloth - our first mammal sighting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CUw-_oW7Sn4/VrpQPNQ8gsI/AAAAAAAABE0/QhOOujCz1yE/s1600/Red-throatedAntbirdFemsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CUw-_oW7Sn4/VrpQPNQ8gsI/AAAAAAAABE0/QhOOujCz1yE/s400/Red-throatedAntbirdFemsm.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-throated Ant-Tanager Female</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_WgkRoLc_Cg/VrpQP1iNUVI/AAAAAAAABFc/O88A_Edh2EI/s1600/VariableSeedeaterMsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_WgkRoLc_Cg/VrpQP1iNUVI/AAAAAAAABFc/O88A_Edh2EI/s320/VariableSeedeaterMsm.jpg" width="315" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Variable Seedeater</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G_Er8IB9pgc/VrpQPO6vxlI/AAAAAAAABFc/B1yTq7ncw8o/s1600/ParqueNationalSignSm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G_Er8IB9pgc/VrpQPO6vxlI/AAAAAAAABFc/B1yTq7ncw8o/s400/ParqueNationalSignSm.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sign describing the Slaty-tailed Trogon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aE1wW0AdF10/VrpQPQ6GjGI/AAAAAAAABFc/VKU-oxdM07s/s1600/Slaty-tailedTrogon2Sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aE1wW0AdF10/VrpQPQ6GjGI/AAAAAAAABFc/VKU-oxdM07s/s640/Slaty-tailedTrogon2Sm.jpg" width="404" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Slaty-tailed Trogon herself!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rcXYnyTCLhY/VrpQPu8P8mI/AAAAAAAABFc/HlfSl2VqKk0/s1600/SouthernBentbill2Sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rcXYnyTCLhY/VrpQPu8P8mI/AAAAAAAABFc/HlfSl2VqKk0/s320/SouthernBentbill2Sm.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southern Bentbill - one of many flycatchers we saw</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ko3iuJcceJU/VrpQOq7UgEI/AAAAAAAABFc/_Cjwbhx0abM/s1600/Geoffroy%2527sTamarind2Sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ko3iuJcceJU/VrpQOq7UgEI/AAAAAAAABFc/_Cjwbhx0abM/s400/Geoffroy%2527sTamarind2Sm.jpg" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Geoffroy's Tamarind - another mammal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At one checkpoint, a guard checked our tickets and then led us over to a nearby tree and pointed up.<br />
There snoozing like an extension of the branch was one of two species of Potoos that are found in<br />
Panama. They are nocturnal, like our whip-poor-wills and chuck-will's widows. This one is the Common Potoo.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DfJLxoYlOik/VrpQOtdQuwI/AAAAAAAABFc/j1ky2Eo3FLY/s1600/CommonPotoo2Sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DfJLxoYlOik/VrpQOtdQuwI/AAAAAAAABFc/j1ky2Eo3FLY/s640/CommonPotoo2Sm.jpg" width="371" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Potoo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We saw two species of Euphonia - Thick-billed and White-vented. Darien was excited about the White-vented as that one is seen less frequently. Euphonias are small and colorful.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ac_GXUXTKog/VrpQQO0pBiI/AAAAAAAABFc/i_-UXaAbQ_k/s1600/White-ventedEuphoniaSm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ac_GXUXTKog/VrpQQO0pBiI/AAAAAAAABFc/i_-UXaAbQ_k/s320/White-ventedEuphoniaSm.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-vented Euphonia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lIC5Z_OfNfI/VrpQPo6l8gI/AAAAAAAABFc/wEGdFVb-cL8/s1600/Thick-billedEuphoniaSm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lIC5Z_OfNfI/VrpQPo6l8gI/AAAAAAAABFc/wEGdFVb-cL8/s320/Thick-billedEuphoniaSm.jpg" width="271" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thick-billed Euphonia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As we walked back to the cars in the now sweltering heat as it got close to noon, Darien spied an American Pygmy Kingfisher perched in the shadows on a branch low over the water of a small pond.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mi6h2vNvKzE/VrpQOlEt8BI/AAAAAAAABFc/bCs28w0UNY0/s1600/AmericanPygmyKingfisherSm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mi6h2vNvKzE/VrpQOlEt8BI/AAAAAAAABFc/bCs28w0UNY0/s400/AmericanPygmyKingfisherSm.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Pygmy Kingfisher</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was a very satisfying as well as frustrating morning. I re-discovered the challenge of photographing birds in shady forest, and the challenge of hearing and seeing lots of unfamiliar birds.Diana Churchillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18192206613958600424noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612152761927279820.post-80613719215167214372015-11-26T08:40:00.004-08:002015-11-26T08:45:34.341-08:00Ross's Goose at Lake Mayer - Nov. 25, 2015<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Larry Carlile called me about 3 pm on Wednesday, Nov. 25th. He had found what he believed to be a Ross's Goose at Lake Mayer. I was at work at Wild Birds Unlimited, but thanks to the co-operation of my co-worker Nicole, I dashed over for a look.<br />
<br />
It was definitely petite - much smaller than nearby Canada geese and mallards. The head was all white and rounded, neck short, and bill small. However, it did seem to have more of a grin than Ross's is supposed to show and there is a bit of a curve visible particularly on right side of margin between beak and head. The top and sides of upper bill are covered with warty growths - caruncles - which I read are typical of older male Ross's geese. <br />
<br />
Here are photos. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-En5OPyUZaI0/Vlc1Axix-CI/AAAAAAAABCk/BLoFg8K98gU/s1600/Ross%2527sGoose%2526Canadas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-En5OPyUZaI0/Vlc1Axix-CI/AAAAAAAABCk/BLoFg8K98gU/s640/Ross%2527sGoose%2526Canadas.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ross's Goose in front of Canada geese</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bMXA96feJmM/Vlc1AzQJ_vI/AAAAAAAABCs/uEt1yOq2Sbs/s1600/Ross%2527sGoose3%2B11.25.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="357" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bMXA96feJmM/Vlc1AzQJ_vI/AAAAAAAABCs/uEt1yOq2Sbs/s400/Ross%2527sGoose3%2B11.25.15.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ross's Goose 11/25/15 Lake Mayer Savannah</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0gzYKFEmU_4/Vlc1BSCu9LI/AAAAAAAABDA/i5UVrehMBog/s1600/Ross%2527sGoose%253F11.25.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="371" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0gzYKFEmU_4/Vlc1BSCu9LI/AAAAAAAABDA/i5UVrehMBog/s400/Ross%2527sGoose%253F11.25.15.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In this view, I see a bit of a curve and longer looking beak. Neck short.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MBKw3-OO8tY/Vlc1BM3qgGI/AAAAAAAABC8/nRXpYUVLcAg/s1600/Ross%2527sGoose5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="484" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MBKw3-OO8tY/Vlc1BM3qgGI/AAAAAAAABC8/nRXpYUVLcAg/s640/Ross%2527sGoose5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Short neck, rounded head, warty growths on beak point to Ross's Goose</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Diana Churchillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18192206613958600424noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612152761927279820.post-3127676142674364682015-11-10T18:14:00.001-08:002015-11-10T18:14:30.281-08:00Tybee & Fort Pulaski - Nov. 10, 2015Well, finally it stopped raining and this morning I hit the beach early. I didn't find any Franklin's Gulls but there is always something interesting to look at. This morning the Sanderlings, Willets, and Ruddy Turnstone were frantically feeding on something - perhaps a horseshoe crab nest?<br />
Skies were overcast early but still fun to see this behavior.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oGvJbADu3a8/VkKOwiinz4I/AAAAAAAABA0/A0wNc-R3W3c/s1600/WilletManySanderlings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oGvJbADu3a8/VkKOwiinz4I/AAAAAAAABA0/A0wNc-R3W3c/s640/WilletManySanderlings.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What's for Breakfast? Willet and Sanderlings are chowing down!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7H07I20sgOc/VkKOwaXzbLI/AAAAAAAABBI/DI4tvESUahg/s1600/WiletTurnstoneSander.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7H07I20sgOc/VkKOwaXzbLI/AAAAAAAABBI/DI4tvESUahg/s640/WiletTurnstoneSander.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruddy Turnstone, Willet & Sanderling</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Steve Calver showed up and we were studying the birds when four ducks flew over - flapping fast!<br />
I put the camera up and got off a couple of shots. My first thought was Hooded Mergansers.<br />
When I looked at the photos, there were three mergansers and one different duck with a rounded bill.<br />
Steve's first thought was Black Scoter but on inspecting the photos, I noticed that there wasn't any light color on the face, the belly was light, and there seemed to be white patches on the trailing edge of the wings. What do you think? Female bufflehead? Female common golden-eye?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uDrdPUoDrlw/VkKOvhXb7nI/AAAAAAAABAk/CHqpZY6p2lY/s1600/DuckSilhouettes4v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="419" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uDrdPUoDrlw/VkKOvhXb7nI/AAAAAAAABAk/CHqpZY6p2lY/s640/DuckSilhouettes4v2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three Hooded Mergansers and a Mystery Duck</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iH5IafhRyu8/VkKOvoUhq2I/AAAAAAAABBE/a9kQet2oFlo/s1600/DuckSilhouettes4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="412" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iH5IafhRyu8/VkKOvoUhq2I/AAAAAAAABBE/a9kQet2oFlo/s640/DuckSilhouettes4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four duck silhouettes - view two</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After lunch, Brenda Brannen, Sandy Beasley and I went to Fort Pulaski looking for Brown Creepers and Sedge Wrens and anything else we could find. In the pine grove at the picnic area things were hopping with Eastern Bluebirds, Brown-headed Nuthatches, Pine Warblers, sapsuckers and more. We kept hearing a high-pitched call and finally found a couple of Golden-crowned Kinglets actively feeding in the pines.<br />
<br />
When we went over to the field behind the Fort to look for sedge wrens, we spied a brown bird walking in the grass. Our first thought was Eastern Meadowlark. However, when we got closer, it turned out to be an American Pipit! Unlike the meadowlarks, it allowed me to walk close for photos!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zaj3PP0R8RE/VkKOvGUCbcI/AAAAAAAABBg/fekamtPP7nU/s1600/AmericanPipit11%253A10%253A15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zaj3PP0R8RE/VkKOvGUCbcI/AAAAAAAABBg/fekamtPP7nU/s400/AmericanPipit11%253A10%253A15.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Pipit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yh51oU03pIg/VkKOvZ3ivbI/AAAAAAAABBY/ldgPl2P_HAg/s1600/AmPipit2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yh51oU03pIg/VkKOvZ3ivbI/AAAAAAAABBY/ldgPl2P_HAg/s400/AmPipit2.jpg" width="342" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Pipit - View Two</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Standing on the dike, we could hear at least two Sedge Wrens calling but they were being very elusive. Next, we had a long walk with few birds. Sandy and Brenda left but I kept birding, continuing on the path behind the Visitor's Center. At the end of the path, I started pishing in the wet area where I had previously found Sedge Wrens. This time, the wren that popped up was a Marsh Wren.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kMRz8DDxDP8/VkKOv2zSR_I/AAAAAAAABBQ/7hTEU7NSiVk/s1600/MarshWren2%2B11.10.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kMRz8DDxDP8/VkKOv2zSR_I/AAAAAAAABBQ/7hTEU7NSiVk/s400/MarshWren2%2B11.10.15.jpg" width="387" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marsh Wren</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Walking back along the path, I glanced up and saw a small flock of Cedar Waxwings - my first of the season. It was fun to see a streaky juvenile in with the group. They were dropping down into a yaupon holly that was loaded with berries.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LnO8CgrKKMA/VkKOvXmH3YI/AAAAAAAABA8/SzDzGL3LVdU/s1600/CedarWaxwingBranch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LnO8CgrKKMA/VkKOvXmH3YI/AAAAAAAABA8/SzDzGL3LVdU/s400/CedarWaxwingBranch.jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cedar Waxwing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M1thK2304Y4/VkKjr_BSsSI/AAAAAAAABCE/Ff05IzChgjI/s1600/CedarWaxwingJuv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M1thK2304Y4/VkKjr_BSsSI/AAAAAAAABCE/Ff05IzChgjI/s400/CedarWaxwingJuv.jpg" width="261" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cedar Waxwing Juvenile</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Of course, the local mockingbird did not want any other bird messing with its berries!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AsXeewK55qU/VkKfLoi7kUI/AAAAAAAABBw/ZT4QGimOq6I/s1600/MockerPoses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="446" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AsXeewK55qU/VkKfLoi7kUI/AAAAAAAABBw/ZT4QGimOq6I/s640/MockerPoses.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mockingbird defends its territory.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Next, I made one more long walk back out to Sedge Wren territory. I flushed a Wilson's Snipe, and the American Pipit was still where we had left it. This time, the Sedge Wren responded to pishing and to its call, coming out to pose for photos!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XqPgwgoBLdI/VkKOwM-_hJI/AAAAAAAABA4/JX7bT0YkO_o/s1600/SedgeWren2%2B11.10.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XqPgwgoBLdI/VkKOwM-_hJI/AAAAAAAABA4/JX7bT0YkO_o/s400/SedgeWren2%2B11.10.15.jpg" width="380" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sedge Wren</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2F99LgUVw-k/VkKOwMR0ajI/AAAAAAAABBA/81du7gbMN6U/s1600/SedgeWren11.10.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2F99LgUVw-k/VkKOwMR0ajI/AAAAAAAABBA/81du7gbMN6U/s400/SedgeWren11.10.15.jpg" width="350" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sedge Wren - Take Two</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
All in all, it was a fine day of birding! Great to have sunshine after two days of rain.Diana Churchillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18192206613958600424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612152761927279820.post-74655171703054384772015-11-04T19:02:00.000-08:002015-11-04T19:02:29.235-08:00Hudsonian Godwit & Two RuffsOnslow Island was Birder Central this morning as folks from far and wide flocked there hoping that the Ruff and Hudsonian Godwit found there last Wednesday had stayed the week until the area was once again open to the public on the following Wednesday.<br />
<br />
Mark McShane was once again on site early and posted that both birds had been relocated and that the one Ruff and become two - male and female.<br />
<br />
Thanks to my co-worker Nicole and my boss Craig, I was able to switch days and get there a bit before nine. Folks were looking at the Hudsonian Godwit so all I had to do was walk up to a scope and take a look. The bird was actively feeding, flew a couple of times, and ended up feeding near a flock of dunlin. My photos are not great.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KTf-qHmZnzs/VjrBUxZ6vJI/AAAAAAAAA90/Jz4AYKISuqQ/s1600/HudGodwitLands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KTf-qHmZnzs/VjrBUxZ6vJI/AAAAAAAAA90/Jz4AYKISuqQ/s400/HudGodwitLands.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hudsonian Godwit lands</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N6b-u6s6ADI/VjrBU3Fle0I/AAAAAAAAA9w/SVkA4F-Lq0g/s1600/HudGodwit%2526Dunlins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="376" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N6b-u6s6ADI/VjrBU3Fle0I/AAAAAAAAA9w/SVkA4F-Lq0g/s640/HudGodwit%2526Dunlins.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hudsonian Godwit near flock of Dunlin</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Ruff and Reeve had been quite close when the group arrived early, but could not be located when I arrived. After a while, we walked to the right along the dike to search for them. At this time, the godwit flew and some saw it go across the dike and towards the river. By mid-afternoon, it had not been relocated.<br />
<br />
We had better luck with the Ruff. First we found the female feeding near the edge of the water. She flew closer in company with a Lesser Yellowlegs.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x10iOd5k6IY/VjrBV0mEQOI/AAAAAAAAA_I/zOsdCxg7a1s/s1600/Reeve%2526LEYEland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="337" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x10iOd5k6IY/VjrBV0mEQOI/AAAAAAAAA_I/zOsdCxg7a1s/s640/Reeve%2526LEYEland.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lesser Yellowlegs flies in with female Ruff (Reeve)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FpB4_WuQ0KU/VjrBVYMa5vI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/4z_2HGwyizo/s1600/Reeve%2526LEYELand2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FpB4_WuQ0KU/VjrBVYMa5vI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/4z_2HGwyizo/s400/Reeve%2526LEYELand2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lesser Yellowlegs & Reeve</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PolsvnbdfPk/VjrBVe4pWDI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/npPdYn4lasU/s1600/Reeve%2526LEYELand3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PolsvnbdfPk/VjrBVe4pWDI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/npPdYn4lasU/s400/Reeve%2526LEYELand3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lesser Yellowlegs and Reeve</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cXLfdpXC4pI/VjrBV36ZOaI/AAAAAAAAA-o/txlmbq6EUFk/s1600/Reeve%2526YELEWater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cXLfdpXC4pI/VjrBV36ZOaI/AAAAAAAAA-o/txlmbq6EUFk/s640/Reeve%2526YELEWater.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reeve (left) and Lesser Yellowlegs - note difference in bill length, marbling on back of Reeve, buffy breast.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Later, others in the group located the male Ruff back where it had been earlier in the morning. Then it<br />
flew over to join the Reeve and gave me a good look at the signature U pattern of white on the rump.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fn85P3BMRIA/VjrBWtUic9I/AAAAAAAAA_M/e_v3DdonUiU/s1600/RuffWingsUp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fn85P3BMRIA/VjrBWtUic9I/AAAAAAAAA_M/e_v3DdonUiU/s400/RuffWingsUp.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruff raises wings and shows U pattern of white on upper tail.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cIBXgueQrUA/VjrGU7uVpkI/AAAAAAAAA_o/mOSagTpWkdE/s1600/RuffTailWhiteU.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cIBXgueQrUA/VjrGU7uVpkI/AAAAAAAAA_o/mOSagTpWkdE/s400/RuffTailWhiteU.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note the white "U" on the upper tail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Eventually, both birds returned to feed together near the front dike. The light wasn't great but it was fabulous to see them side by side and in the company of yellowlegs and avocets.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dkq_MkehI-c/VjrBWYyta4I/AAAAAAAAA-8/AXKlqyottKQ/s1600/Ruff%2526Reeve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="408" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dkq_MkehI-c/VjrBWYyta4I/AAAAAAAAA-8/AXKlqyottKQ/s640/Ruff%2526Reeve.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reeve (left) and Ruff</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mLch-FlgqVM/VjrBWV_ECeI/AAAAAAAAA-4/WeIc7yR1X5s/s1600/RuffReeve%2526LEYE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="352" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mLch-FlgqVM/VjrBWV_ECeI/AAAAAAAAA-4/WeIc7yR1X5s/s640/RuffReeve%2526LEYE.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lesser Yellowlegs (left) Reeve (center) and Ruff (right)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Of course, I had to sneak in a few shots of the avocets since they were being very co-operative.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3JF18iwRRJA/VjrBU9yvIZI/AAAAAAAAA_U/YUENDM2zrzY/s1600/AvocetReflex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3JF18iwRRJA/VjrBU9yvIZI/AAAAAAAAA_U/YUENDM2zrzY/s400/AvocetReflex.jpg" width="351" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Avocet with Refection</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Thanks again to the folks who found these birds - Joel Vos, Mary Lou Dixon, and James Fleullan.Diana Churchillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18192206613958600424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612152761927279820.post-72263083876730388882015-11-03T05:40:00.002-08:002015-11-03T05:40:35.093-08:00Franklin's Gull on Tybee North Beach Nov. 2 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I went to the beach at high tide hoping to find a large group of oystercatchers. No luck! In fact, the beach seemed almost empty of birds except for a small flock of sanderlings. Finally, after I walked all the way around the point and headed in the direction of the lighthouse, I found a smallish flock of gulls and terns. I was scanning the group and counting when I spied a slightly different looking gull.<br />
<br />
I see Franklin's Gulls so rarely that I worry I won't recognize one when I see it. This bird was slightly smaller than the adjacent laughing gulls, had a more defined partial hood, large white eye crescents, and a more petite bill. Bingo! I quickly took photos. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jzfyP91h4Lw/Vji2JoqGy6I/AAAAAAAAA9Y/2hR4IJdsqG4/s1600/Franklin%2527sManyLaughing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jzfyP91h4Lw/Vji2JoqGy6I/AAAAAAAAA9Y/2hR4IJdsqG4/s640/Franklin%2527sManyLaughing.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who's that hiding behind those Laughing Gulls?</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mq0W52L0Ojo/Vji0UspepII/AAAAAAAAA88/C6VIvNScYAY/s1600/Franklin%2527sGull%25262LAGU.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mq0W52L0Ojo/Vji0UspepII/AAAAAAAAA88/C6VIvNScYAY/s320/Franklin%2527sGull%25262LAGU.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ah! There it is! The Franklin's Gull</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After I had taken about ten photos, along came a pair of walkers and flushed all the birds. The Franklin's flew over my head several times and let me get a number of photos.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iWqrQzhNNFE/Vji0UZqCnaI/AAAAAAAAA84/xrMrBvzcgWs/s1600/Franklin%2527sGull3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="323" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iWqrQzhNNFE/Vji0UZqCnaI/AAAAAAAAA84/xrMrBvzcgWs/s400/Franklin%2527sGull3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note partial hood, white crescents, and dark wing tips.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OoKyA_9pbiQ/Vji0U6S_BPI/AAAAAAAAA9E/CDN7uxm-xug/s1600/Franklin%2527sGullFly2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="536" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OoKyA_9pbiQ/Vji0U6S_BPI/AAAAAAAAA9E/CDN7uxm-xug/s640/Franklin%2527sGullFly2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost white underwings with dark wing tips</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ktC2qzmCIbM/Vji1V3xWMFI/AAAAAAAAA9U/nrdrJ3t6L4c/s1600/Franklin%2527sGullBelow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ktC2qzmCIbM/Vji1V3xWMFI/AAAAAAAAA9U/nrdrJ3t6L4c/s400/Franklin%2527sGullBelow.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely from underneath!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It did not rejoin the flock on the beach, though I looked for quite a while.<br />
<br />Diana Churchillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18192206613958600424noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612152761927279820.post-47487297373726323272015-10-13T20:28:00.000-07:002015-10-13T20:28:14.131-07:00Fall Warblers and MoreFinally, some nice north winds that brought in some migratory birds. It takes work to find warblers in the fall, since they aren't singing. You have to listen for chip notes and peer into the tops of trees for the slightest movement. <br />
<br />
Finding them is tough enough, but getting one to hold still in the open to be photographed is demanding and often frustrating.<br />
<br />
Here are a few of the ones that would co-operate a little bit over the past couple of days.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UqLxHpvq2Jk/Vh3I_1balkI/AAAAAAAAA64/aneuPBaqfWg/s1600/AmericanRedstartMale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UqLxHpvq2Jk/Vh3I_1balkI/AAAAAAAAA64/aneuPBaqfWg/s400/AmericanRedstartMale.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Redstart male</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bY-1hJcGWJM/Vh3I_9vl3nI/AAAAAAAAA60/3cxBE-t0bqo/s1600/B%2526WWarbler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bY-1hJcGWJM/Vh3I_9vl3nI/AAAAAAAAA60/3cxBE-t0bqo/s400/B%2526WWarbler.jpg" width="345" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-and-white Warbler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2s2mFfU3Yjs/Vh3I_o8AqkI/AAAAAAAAA6w/34ezx1pQlLo/s1600/BTGreenWarbler1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2s2mFfU3Yjs/Vh3I_o8AqkI/AAAAAAAAA6w/34ezx1pQlLo/s400/BTGreenWarbler1.jpg" width="315" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-throated Green Warbler v1</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4uAN6YlURgM/Vh3JAOkIcbI/AAAAAAAAA68/U6Z51If_4E0/s1600/BTGreenWarbler2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4uAN6YlURgM/Vh3JAOkIcbI/AAAAAAAAA68/U6Z51If_4E0/s400/BTGreenWarbler2.jpg" width="350" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-throated Green Warbler v2</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NgoCW5uDW28/Vh3JAfTNMAI/AAAAAAAAA7I/YsSbvtx9zk0/s1600/ComYellowthroat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="343" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NgoCW5uDW28/Vh3JAfTNMAI/AAAAAAAAA7I/YsSbvtx9zk0/s400/ComYellowthroat.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Yellowthroat juvenile female</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8mZbLEGlh_w/Vh3JAgkfO2I/AAAAAAAAA7U/TH8aWf9YYVI/s1600/MagnoliaWarbler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8mZbLEGlh_w/Vh3JAgkfO2I/AAAAAAAAA7U/TH8aWf9YYVI/s400/MagnoliaWarbler.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magnolia Warbler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jfm1zqxuqTI/Vh3JAVDMwFI/AAAAAAAAA7g/Y7u19XDeNws/s1600/BlackpollFall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jfm1zqxuqTI/Vh3JAVDMwFI/AAAAAAAAA7g/Y7u19XDeNws/s400/BlackpollFall.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackpoll Warbler - fall plumage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q_3YniH1i5c/Vh3JAsZfaoI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/hqRNJ0EbePI/s1600/ParulaYoung.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q_3YniH1i5c/Vh3JAsZfaoI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/hqRNJ0EbePI/s400/ParulaYoung.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parula Warbler - juvenile</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Other warblers seen that avoided being photographed: Prairie, Black-throated Blue, Bay-breasted,<br />
and the first Yellow-rumped Warbler of the fall.<br />
<br />
Other fun sightings included a Swainson's Thrush in Forsyth Park and a Clay-colored Sparrow on<br />
Tybee from the boardwalk to the pond near the North Beach.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7HwH1PRRxis/Vh3JBfJdQMI/AAAAAAAAA74/o-xE06ebZFA/s1600/Swainson%2527sThrush.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="328" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7HwH1PRRxis/Vh3JBfJdQMI/AAAAAAAAA74/o-xE06ebZFA/s400/Swainson%2527sThrush.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swainson's Thrush - note buffy eye ring</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H22s93bIOTQ/Vh3JAXbWxjI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/ua1oNZLMD7g/s1600/Clay-coloredSparrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="392" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H22s93bIOTQ/Vh3JAXbWxjI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/ua1oNZLMD7g/s400/Clay-coloredSparrow.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clay-colored Sparrow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In Richmond Hill at my friend Nicole's house, we were able to photograph a very cooperative yellow-billed cuckoo who sat in the open while I retrieved our cameras from the house.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bR76ecNM12c/Vh3LcMLH-TI/AAAAAAAAA8E/KevbgggGDL8/s1600/Yellow-billedCuckooEyeLevel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="322" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bR76ecNM12c/Vh3LcMLH-TI/AAAAAAAAA8E/KevbgggGDL8/s400/Yellow-billedCuckooEyeLevel.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-billed Cuckoo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Diana Churchillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18192206613958600424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612152761927279820.post-71033380359505526972015-09-21T05:43:00.000-07:002015-09-21T05:43:35.394-07:00Hanging with the BuffiesThe buff-breasted sandpipers that I first found on Sunday, Sept. 13 on Hutchinson Island were still around as of Sunday, Sept. 20th. I went back looking to get some better photos on Saturday am and had no luck. The birds (now up to 8!) seem to fly back and forth between the fields at the Reserve and the nearby greens of the golf course.<br />
<br />
Sunday morning I returned and got distant looks of the birds on the golf course. Russ Wigh was there bragging about how he had just been photographing the birds in the Reserve, and that they had returned when I had to leave for Church! Argh.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I went back after Church. It was then hot and still with nothing much going on. Put persistence pays off. I finally found not one or two but all eight buff-breasted sandpipers feeding along the edge of one of the roads. The mid-day light was a bit harsh and I couldn't avoid some back lighting. Still, it was wonderful to spend an hour and a half of quality time studying these beautiful birds. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4a68C3MZ9ao/Vf_5k66ClNI/AAAAAAAAA5c/s6y8rnBhTRw/s1600/SixABBSA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="348" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4a68C3MZ9ao/Vf_5k66ClNI/AAAAAAAAA5c/s6y8rnBhTRw/s640/SixABBSA.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Six of the eight Buff-breasted Sandpipers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_PVikTJ5f-s/Vf_5kXcG_tI/AAAAAAAAA5g/DEWLEGX8yRc/s1600/FourBBSA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_PVikTJ5f-s/Vf_5kXcG_tI/AAAAAAAAA5g/DEWLEGX8yRc/s400/FourBBSA.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A quartet of Buff-breasted Sandpipers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SEkrKa04yfo/Vf_5k2r13nI/AAAAAAAAA58/QpGjuzfgFRw/s1600/TwoBBSARoad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SEkrKa04yfo/Vf_5k2r13nI/AAAAAAAAA58/QpGjuzfgFRw/s400/TwoBBSARoad.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It takes two to Tango!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Look who snuck in! The numbers of pectoral sandpipers were down from the previous week.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QQ9ttLPph6M/Vf_5kjjUwaI/AAAAAAAAA5w/yJbSCE6o03s/s1600/PectoralSand4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QQ9ttLPph6M/Vf_5kjjUwaI/AAAAAAAAA5w/yJbSCE6o03s/s400/PectoralSand4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pectoral Sandpiper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MRVcXu7qawM/Vf_5jar6DSI/AAAAAAAAA54/JUiHrZHGCps/s1600/BBSA3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="440" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MRVcXu7qawM/Vf_5jar6DSI/AAAAAAAAA54/JUiHrZHGCps/s640/BBSA3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buff-breasted Sandpiper strikes a pose</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KRhJDlZhfhM/Vf_5j3Kkn4I/AAAAAAAAA5k/qlfunXcErNY/s1600/BBSA5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KRhJDlZhfhM/Vf_5j3Kkn4I/AAAAAAAAA5k/qlfunXcErNY/s400/BBSA5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was hot! Lots of posing with open mouth.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_14K2ANeFRo/Vf_5kAzyQJI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/GhaytTUIrw4/s1600/BBSAfootup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_14K2ANeFRo/Vf_5kAzyQJI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/GhaytTUIrw4/s400/BBSAfootup.jpg" width="341" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out my patterned back!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The other interesting sighting from Sunday morning was a pair of Red-tailed Hawks hanging out together.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ikoRp4XtoRM/Vf_7IJ2S9HI/AAAAAAAAA6E/4gRCdG4CqSU/s1600/2Red-tailedHawks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="440" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ikoRp4XtoRM/Vf_7IJ2S9HI/AAAAAAAAA6E/4gRCdG4CqSU/s640/2Red-tailedHawks.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pair of Red-tailed Hawks survey the scene.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Diana Churchillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18192206613958600424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612152761927279820.post-67901116029779570712015-09-15T10:01:00.001-07:002015-09-15T10:01:18.932-07:00Buff-breasted Sandpiper & MoreWhen I went outside on the morning of Sunday, Sept. 13th, the first thing I noticed was that it was cooler outside than inside. It was breezy and there was no humidity!!! I geared up with my anti-mosquito garb and went to scout the neighborhood for migrating songbirds. In one small wooded area I found seven species of warblers - Black-throated Blue, American Redstart, Prairie, Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush, Northern Parula, & Black & White. Later that day I added Prothonotary to the list.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gDE8UYs_XK4/VfhKWYX8t4I/AAAAAAAAA3M/h-UXpRFw5v4/s1600/BTBlueWarbler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gDE8UYs_XK4/VfhKWYX8t4I/AAAAAAAAA3M/h-UXpRFw5v4/s320/BTBlueWarbler.jpg" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-throated Blue Warbler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YzhWG3DczIE/VfhKXqowIaI/AAAAAAAAA3k/ixNf4Aj3_80/s1600/ProthonotaryWarb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YzhWG3DczIE/VfhKXqowIaI/AAAAAAAAA3k/ixNf4Aj3_80/s320/ProthonotaryWarb.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prothonotary Warbler</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After church, I decided to make a trip over to Hutchinson Island to see if I the cool winds had brought in other birds. The first thing I saw as I entered the reserve was a large flock of birds soaring above the river. I caught glimpses of black and white. They were American White Pelicans - more than 60 of them.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IbtayzZgmc4/VfhLsIl9vcI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/v5Xii-OMPso/s1600/WhitePelicanFlock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="390" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IbtayzZgmc4/VfhLsIl9vcI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/v5Xii-OMPso/s640/WhitePelicanFlock.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flock of American White Pelicans soaring above the Savannah River</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I didn't see much in the way of songbirds - an Eastern Kingbird, a Northern Mockingbird and several Loggerhead Shrikes. However, I noticed a large flock of shorebirds hunkered down in the recently mowed, still muddy grass. On closer inspection, I realized they were Pectoral Sandpipers.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mZG4pfIr97o/VfhKXTF556I/AAAAAAAAA4E/4tRbWQn0Xqo/s1600/PectoralSandpipersinGrass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mZG4pfIr97o/VfhKXTF556I/AAAAAAAAA4E/4tRbWQn0Xqo/s640/PectoralSandpipersinGrass.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pectoral Sandpipers hunkered down in the grass.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dYa3ahFxCuY/VfhKXOjujqI/AAAAAAAAA4I/YLRqquNPTJQ/s1600/PectoralSandpiperStandsTall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dYa3ahFxCuY/VfhKXOjujqI/AAAAAAAAA4I/YLRqquNPTJQ/s400/PectoralSandpiperStandsTall.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pectoral Sandpiper up close</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
After counting more than 100 of them, I kept driving around thinking that maybe there would be something else mixed in with the group. At last I saw it - with a more delicate bill and buffy color - a Buff-breasted Sandpiper! And I didn't even have to drive to the Marshallville Sod Farm!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xhwimstYByI/VfhKWdasGiI/AAAAAAAAA4A/9uQprH-kDSg/s1600/Buff-breastedSP2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="450" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xhwimstYByI/VfhKWdasGiI/AAAAAAAAA4A/9uQprH-kDSg/s640/Buff-breastedSP2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buff-breasted Sandpiper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I studied it carefully, took photos and then sent text messages to my friends. It settled down in the grass and I could compare it to the Pectoral Sandpipers nearby.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Qnox3OQqnQ/VfhKXOGMKnI/AAAAAAAAA3w/-58dkGuzN34/s1600/Buff-breastedwithPectSP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Qnox3OQqnQ/VfhKXOGMKnI/AAAAAAAAA3w/-58dkGuzN34/s400/Buff-breastedwithPectSP.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buff-breasted (front) and Pectoral Sandpipers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Later that evening, while Larry Carlile was observing the birds, most of the them flew off in the direction of the Golf Course. Steve Wagner went over there to scan the driving range and found 200+ Pectoral Sandpipers and 5 Buff-breasted Sandpipers.<br />
<br />
Today, on a happy Tybee note, I went to the North Beach and found a flock of 14 American Oystercatchers resting among the gulls and terns. I was thrilled to see RedHH - one of the chicks that fledged on the North Beach last summer and that I helped to band. Great to see that it survived the winter, spring and summer to return to the place where it was hatched!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m6jo1VT_FKo/VfhKXrGuWaI/AAAAAAAAA3o/Y1_xsDWmibE/s1600/RedHH9%253A15%253A15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m6jo1VT_FKo/VfhKXrGuWaI/AAAAAAAAA3o/Y1_xsDWmibE/s400/RedHH9%253A15%253A15.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Oystercatcher Red HH - fledged on Tybee North Beach in 2014</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Diana Churchillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18192206613958600424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612152761927279820.post-3430205542241371472015-08-24T13:29:00.001-07:002015-08-24T13:29:42.165-07:00The Late August Gray Kingbird Report<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Gray kingbirds are doing well on Tybee Island! One pair nested in early June in a palm and Hotel Tybee and fledged 3 chicks. Then Mrs. Kingbird moved to the palm tree next door and started a second nest. I had observed her flying in with bugs but the young ones were deep in the nest and I couldn't tell how many there were.<br />
<br />
Today, when I looked at the palm, there were three juvie gray kingbirds all in a row, trilling that wonderful "pittirri" call. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gakjLU7dNpk/Vdt8hyftKiI/AAAAAAAAA1g/7Vg2k2_AbLQ/s1600/GRKIJuvLineup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gakjLU7dNpk/Vdt8hyftKiI/AAAAAAAAA1g/7Vg2k2_AbLQ/s400/GRKIJuvLineup.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three alert young Gray Kingbirds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I checked the wires and found an adult (I think Mom) perched nearby.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZHQPEn4JBQg/Vdt8nBRK5YI/AAAAAAAAA14/gmmPMpNZsPc/s1600/GRKIAdultAug2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZHQPEn4JBQg/Vdt8nBRK5YI/AAAAAAAAA14/gmmPMpNZsPc/s320/GRKIAdultAug2015.jpg" width="288" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gray Kingbird adult on wire.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
She was working hard to bring in the bugs for her growing brood.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bHaNmgdP09U/Vdt8n9PstOI/AAAAAAAAA2M/ZSvWJxH7leI/s1600/GRKIParentFeeds1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="315" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bHaNmgdP09U/Vdt8n9PstOI/AAAAAAAAA2M/ZSvWJxH7leI/s400/GRKIParentFeeds1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom brings in the bugs</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G5TgtE3vkmY/Vdt8niOjCOI/AAAAAAAAA2E/V5bkVXNoo1I/s1600/GRKIFliesOff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="203" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G5TgtE3vkmY/Vdt8niOjCOI/AAAAAAAAA2E/V5bkVXNoo1I/s400/GRKIFliesOff.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Off to get more bugs!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V6ZiucQRqyw/Vdt8n81aAhI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/zBsGoNb7-uw/s1600/GRKIParentFeed2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="438" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V6ZiucQRqyw/Vdt8n81aAhI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/zBsGoNb7-uw/s640/GRKIParentFeed2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bug delivery isn't easy, nor is choosing which mouth to stuff it in!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-odYjcv99Rug/Vdt8neXqOpI/AAAAAAAAA18/omYuRqNEQ4c/s1600/GRKIFeeding3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="458" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-odYjcv99Rug/Vdt8neXqOpI/AAAAAAAAA18/omYuRqNEQ4c/s640/GRKIFeeding3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This time the middle one gets lucky.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WWlNSpQLa2Y/Vdt8nJ6CKgI/AAAAAAAAA2U/mG6MkXJ8kY4/s1600/GRKIFamily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WWlNSpQLa2Y/Vdt8nJ6CKgI/AAAAAAAAA2U/mG6MkXJ8kY4/s400/GRKIFamily.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It turns around to poop while the siblings keep begging.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At the other end of Butler Avenue, near the Sugar Shack, I found 2 more Gray Kingbirds. Obviously, this species is doing well on Tybee. Many of the island mockingbirds have started imitating Gray Kingbirds so if you hear one, be sure to look twice!!<br />
<br />Diana Churchillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18192206613958600424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612152761927279820.post-14549934570422106282015-08-17T12:14:00.000-07:002015-08-17T12:14:14.431-07:00Late July Bird Report<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Well I am a little late with this report but life has been busy. On the 19th of July, my birding mentor Bill Drummond came to visit for a few days. We started the first morning of his visit with a trip to the Breakfast Club. He had read about it in my book and wanted to experience Tybee. We were joined by fellow participants on Bill's 2012 trip to Alaska Matt Ryan, Brenda Brannen & Sandy Beasley.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lFAORYk8ge4/VdIrZdg6mvI/AAAAAAAAA0c/fncAiaRuYGw/s1600/BreakfastClub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="271" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lFAORYk8ge4/VdIrZdg6mvI/AAAAAAAAA0c/fncAiaRuYGw/s400/BreakfastClub.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt, Brenda, Sandy & Bill at the Breakfast Club on Tybee</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
After breakfast, we walked down the street to check on the gray kingbird family next to Hotel Tybee. Even though the palm trees had been trimmed, Mrs. Kingbird was sitting on her second nest.<br />
We found a couple of juveniles from the first clutch still begging.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kd0J_swidJ8/VdIbzzah9cI/AAAAAAAAAyg/GWLmyUxKvcg/s1600/GRKI2ndNest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kd0J_swidJ8/VdIbzzah9cI/AAAAAAAAAyg/GWLmyUxKvcg/s320/GRKI2ndNest.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gray Kingbird mom on the nest.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jC3Ta62mRFA/VdIb0Yfkl7I/AAAAAAAAA0A/YmWIcH-1354/s1600/GRKIwire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jC3Ta62mRFA/VdIb0Yfkl7I/AAAAAAAAA0A/YmWIcH-1354/s400/GRKIwire.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile Gray Kingbird calls loudly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Next, we stopped to check for Roseate Spoonbills at the Horsepen Point pond. We didn't find one, but sharp-eyed Brenda spotted a common nighthawk roosting on an oak branch. I didn't have my camera, but I drove home and got it, returning to find the nighthawk still snoozing on its limb.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VmhdCE0UXJk/VdIb0hFkVQI/AAAAAAAAAy4/pxJvEyoAxcM/s1600/NighthawkNaps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="370" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VmhdCE0UXJk/VdIb0hFkVQI/AAAAAAAAAy4/pxJvEyoAxcM/s640/NighthawkNaps.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Nighthawk snoozes on an oak branch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At last, we joined Captain Rene Heidt and Sundial Charters for a boat trip to Little Tybee. Highlights were more than 40 black terns, at least 4 reddish egrets, and a marbled godwit hanging out with a whimbrel. There were also flocks of semipalmated plovers and short-billed dowitchers still in their rusty breeding plumage.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MettHmyJTLI/VdIssh4r5cI/AAAAAAAAA08/QXh0-wrTFpw/s1600/GangonBoat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MettHmyJTLI/VdIssh4r5cI/AAAAAAAAA08/QXh0-wrTFpw/s640/GangonBoat.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gang headed for Little Tybee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8XxbZ2_wxeo/VdIbzyhjf8I/AAAAAAAAAz8/FgVrVcw0XYc/s1600/BlackTern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8XxbZ2_wxeo/VdIbzyhjf8I/AAAAAAAAAz8/FgVrVcw0XYc/s400/BlackTern.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Tern molting out of breeding plumage.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ha0lj3QPcZc/VdIsSWmOufI/AAAAAAAAA0o/JzEx7xnyFUo/s1600/ReddishEgretFlies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ha0lj3QPcZc/VdIsSWmOufI/AAAAAAAAA0o/JzEx7xnyFUo/s400/ReddishEgretFlies.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reddish Egret flies</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-szNDcv8iEQ4/VdIss0PViVI/AAAAAAAAA1A/9VxJFN-02XQ/s1600/Whimbrel%2526Godwit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-szNDcv8iEQ4/VdIss0PViVI/AAAAAAAAA1A/9VxJFN-02XQ/s400/Whimbrel%2526Godwit.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whimbrel & Marbled Godwit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
That evening, I took Bill down to the north end of Tybee. It was low tide, and the first thing I spied as I looked at the two pilings that mark the outflow of the water treatment plant was the snout of a manatee. Bill was captivated and we watched for about 45 minutes, eventually seeing two snouts together. We shared the experience with other beach goers in the area.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6M6CW-WM03g/VdIb0dM2iEI/AAAAAAAAAz0/RW80oN2RB8k/s1600/Manatee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6M6CW-WM03g/VdIb0dM2iEI/AAAAAAAAAz0/RW80oN2RB8k/s640/Manatee.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manatee shows a bit more than a snout.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Bill wanted to see a painted bunting and I was gratified that both male and female visited my feeders while he was here. We also made a trip to Skidaway State Park and found several buntings, many still singing.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bARwRfj54Tw/VdIb1COYHBI/AAAAAAAAAzs/i6kHQzLQfyI/s1600/PaintedBunting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="375" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bARwRfj54Tw/VdIb1COYHBI/AAAAAAAAAzs/i6kHQzLQfyI/s400/PaintedBunting.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painted Bunting at Skidaway State Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We drove around the county on Monday afternoon, searching in vain for a swallow-tailed kite. We saw Mississippi kites in several locations, and got good looks at a yellow-billed cuckoo at the entrance to the Solomon Tract.<br />
<br />
Monday evening, we lounged on the dock, hoping to hear the harsh laughter of a clapper rail. All in all, it was a fun trip with many good birds.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pYa8QhPHpb8/VdIp4x3KxgI/AAAAAAAAA0U/FVYdhvdw_lQ/s1600/GenBill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pYa8QhPHpb8/VdIp4x3KxgI/AAAAAAAAA0U/FVYdhvdw_lQ/s640/GenBill.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gen. Bill Drummond lounges on the dock at Chimney Creek.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Diana Churchillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18192206613958600424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612152761927279820.post-136335933192041162015-06-09T15:57:00.000-07:002015-06-09T15:57:12.900-07:00Redstarts, Gray Kingbirds, Oystercatchers & White-winged Doves OH MY!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
A few things of interest here on the coast during the past week.<br />
<br />
For starters, our local bird rehabilitators came into possession of a large fledgling White-winged Dove right at the beginning of June. It came to them through a vet clinic. When queried, the vet reported that the person who brought in the bird had found it walking around in Daffin Park in mid-town Savannah.<br />
<br />
Through the years, Steve Wagner has occasionally reported a White-winged Dove visiting his yard in nearby Ardsley Park. Could this be a first breeding record for the state?? Wish we had more info!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TBaKUsjOHQs/VXdqN0p2xpI/AAAAAAAAAws/o_ffJfTrkjU/s1600/White-wingedFledgling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TBaKUsjOHQs/VXdqN0p2xpI/AAAAAAAAAws/o_ffJfTrkjU/s320/White-wingedFledgling.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fledgling white-winged dove found in Daffin Park, Savannah 6/2/15</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Next, an American Oystercatcher pair returned to nest on the North Beach of Tybee again this year. Of their first clutch of 3 eggs, we saw one chick that later disappeared due to a predator, we think. Cat tracks were seen in the area. The pair has re-nested and we are hoping for a better outcome. Public Works and DNR will place some traps but these ferals are quite wily. Ideas anyone??<br />
<br />
I happened to catch the birds when they were trading off the incubation duties.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-25keIKqnMsE/VXdqMgBdN0I/AAAAAAAAAxI/elRk62gl1TM/s1600/AMOYSwitchOff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-25keIKqnMsE/VXdqMgBdN0I/AAAAAAAAAxI/elRk62gl1TM/s400/AMOYSwitchOff.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"You can take over...I'm getting hungry!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bt1fmGDwz58/VXdqMqP2HYI/AAAAAAAAAwk/RJ-9k8_1XcI/s1600/AMOYSettleIn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bt1fmGDwz58/VXdqMqP2HYI/AAAAAAAAAwk/RJ-9k8_1XcI/s400/AMOYSettleIn.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Settling in for the long sit!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Third, this morning I heard an unusual call in my yard and found an adult male American Redstart singing and calling loudly, while a Yellow-throated Warbler sang nearby. A very late date for this bird!! It must have known what yard to visit so that its presence could be documented!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w1L4T1YwkTM/VXdqM_Rwu6I/AAAAAAAAAxE/_GKjAxWE_cI/s1600/AMRedstart6-9-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w1L4T1YwkTM/VXdqM_Rwu6I/AAAAAAAAAxE/_GKjAxWE_cI/s320/AMRedstart6-9-15.jpg" width="249" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Redstart male was singing loudly.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Finally, this afternoon I went over to Hotel Tybee (formerly the Ocean Plaza Resort) looking for the Gray Kingbirds. The new management has signs throughout the parking lot indicating Permit Parking for Guests Only or you can pay $20 to park so it is not as easy to scout there as it used to be.<br /><br />I went down 15th Street, the street by the Breakfast Club, and about 2/3 of the way down found one Gray Kingbird perched on the wire. It was right near a power pole with lots of added electrical hardware. As I watched, it flew off and then flew to a nearby palm tree. When I checked, I found the second Gray Kingbird settled onto the nest. Hooray!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NuBg_mUPHcg/VXdqNrkZ9DI/AAAAAAAAAw0/kEsFuKL6hrw/s1600/GRKingbirdHiTech.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NuBg_mUPHcg/VXdqNrkZ9DI/AAAAAAAAAw0/kEsFuKL6hrw/s400/GRKingbirdHiTech.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gray Kingbird in its high tech location.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-74VjZZjQZ1A/VXdqNZiKcbI/AAAAAAAAAww/a7e7N5HLrUQ/s1600/GRKINestLocation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-74VjZZjQZ1A/VXdqNZiKcbI/AAAAAAAAAww/a7e7N5HLrUQ/s400/GRKINestLocation.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palm tree where the nest is.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v1Wasrx2YH4/VXdqNCCGGsI/AAAAAAAAAw8/2mLu7AOrpjg/s1600/GRKINestJune2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v1Wasrx2YH4/VXdqNCCGGsI/AAAAAAAAAw8/2mLu7AOrpjg/s400/GRKINestJune2015.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gray Kingbird on the nest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-25uswjz2HWo/VXdqNo4YxpI/AAAAAAAAAxM/kngzt0k0Jcs/s1600/GRKIwithBug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-25uswjz2HWo/VXdqNo4YxpI/AAAAAAAAAxM/kngzt0k0Jcs/s640/GRKIwithBug.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fine dining, Tybee style, for a Gray Kingbird</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Diana Churchillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18192206613958600424noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612152761927279820.post-7859828989001888622015-05-18T12:39:00.003-07:002015-05-18T12:39:50.412-07:00Tybee Life and Bird TimesAs songbird migration comes to a close, things are still hopping on the beach. When Ogeechee Audubon conducted our shorebird survey on Sunday evening, May 17th, the beach was littered with tiny shorebirds feeding frenetically at the water's edge. We also saw huge numbers of horseshoe crabs milling about in the surf and being tumbled up onto the beach by the wake from the ships.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qmdFpN-HxiQ/VVo6zglMAlI/AAAAAAAAAuM/QCT0e3MqP9E/s1600/HorseshoeCrabs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="233" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qmdFpN-HxiQ/VVo6zglMAlI/AAAAAAAAAuM/QCT0e3MqP9E/s400/HorseshoeCrabs.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few of the hundreds of Horseshoe Crabs that were on Tybee North Beach.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SRe8ti5qx-o/VVo6zknUwfI/AAAAAAAAAuI/NM0dTp_0TnU/s1600/HorseshoeCrabunderside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SRe8ti5qx-o/VVo6zknUwfI/AAAAAAAAAuI/NM0dTp_0TnU/s400/HorseshoeCrabunderside.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The underside of a crab that got tumbled by the waves.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One highlight was seeing black-bellied plovers that actually had black bellies! This one was not popular with the laughing gulls, as they chased it off.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XLIVhlz46YY/VVo7fv3CJyI/AAAAAAAAAuY/G8QrP28_1Eg/s1600/BBPlover%26gulls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XLIVhlz46YY/VVo7fv3CJyI/AAAAAAAAAuY/G8QrP28_1Eg/s640/BBPlover%26gulls.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-bellied plover gets chased off by laughing gulls.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wmk7c7YSDw0/VVo_Wffa5jI/AAAAAAAAAvY/VKhNwLFAunI/s1600/BBPloverReflex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wmk7c7YSDw0/VVo_Wffa5jI/AAAAAAAAAvY/VKhNwLFAunI/s400/BBPloverReflex.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-bellied plover in the evening light</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Another treat was seeing a flock of now rusty orange red knots, feeding with the sanderlings and laughing gulls.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6qYdf49pS28/VVo7gQXnioI/AAAAAAAAAus/BQanuaulrU4/s1600/RedKnotsSandLGS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6qYdf49pS28/VVo7gQXnioI/AAAAAAAAAus/BQanuaulrU4/s640/RedKnotsSandLGS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red knots, sanderlings and laughing gulls</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Sanderlings, semipalmated sandpipers, and semipalmated plovers were all milling about and feeding together at the water's edge, with an occasional least sandpiper mixed in.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1UPGbNnacF8/VVo7gv5EmRI/AAAAAAAAAvM/Nzdlo51QG9E/s1600/Sanderlings%26SPSands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="155" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1UPGbNnacF8/VVo7gv5EmRI/AAAAAAAAAvM/Nzdlo51QG9E/s400/Sanderlings%26SPSands.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Sanderlings & semipalmated sandpipers</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dzufYAvdttQ/VVo7g1w2UMI/AAAAAAAAAvI/Q0aoO6pKV3E/s1600/SemiSand%26SemiPlov.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dzufYAvdttQ/VVo7g1w2UMI/AAAAAAAAAvI/Q0aoO6pKV3E/s400/SemiSand%26SemiPlov.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Semipalmated plover (front) and semipalmated sandpiper (back)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i-Iv7mAwAwI/VVo7gSx72iI/AAAAAAAAAu0/FACfw76JK2Q/s1600/Least%26SemipalmSP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="311" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i-Iv7mAwAwI/VVo7gSx72iI/AAAAAAAAAu0/FACfw76JK2Q/s400/Least%26SemipalmSP.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Least sandpiper (front) and semipalmated sandpiper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Perhaps the most exciting thing was finding that the first American oystercatcher chick had hatched.<br />
Probably the same pair raised 2 chicks on the north beach last year. They had 3 eggs this year but there was only one chick walking around behind the parents. As of last Tuesday, May 12th, the nest still had three eggs. Today folks observed an armadillo wandering around in the dune area.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6jetwJPyaeo/VVo7fpkofhI/AAAAAAAAAuc/YI5J-VUCEXg/s1600/AMOY%26chick5-17-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="434" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6jetwJPyaeo/VVo7fpkofhI/AAAAAAAAAuc/YI5J-VUCEXg/s640/AMOY%26chick5-17-15.jpg" width="640" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like parent, like child - oystercatcher chick follows in step!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The sunset was spectacular, with the cranes from the Port silhouetted against the sun.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iKXwRwlGK2Y/VVo_WUsIKhI/AAAAAAAAAvc/Ijp7Zj6kRzs/s1600/Sunset5%3A17%3A15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="374" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iKXwRwlGK2Y/VVo_WUsIKhI/AAAAAAAAAvc/Ijp7Zj6kRzs/s640/Sunset5%3A17%3A15.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset seen from the north end of Tybee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This morning, after more beach time, I went to the other end of Tybee to look for gray kingbirds. I did not find them at the hotel - formerly Ocean Plaza Resort, now Hotel Tybee. However, when I drove down Tybrisa Street, there on the wire was a single gray kingbird. Hooray!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-32UcHAOpBLw/VVo7fvZBLCI/AAAAAAAAAug/sxU9qRyC1GQ/s1600/GrayKingbird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="313" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-32UcHAOpBLw/VVo7fvZBLCI/AAAAAAAAAug/sxU9qRyC1GQ/s320/GrayKingbird.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gray kingbird on the wire</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Diana Churchillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18192206613958600424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612152761927279820.post-29682381659043188642014-10-20T13:49:00.001-07:002014-10-20T13:49:55.665-07:00The Western Sojourn Part 1In early September, I made my first ever trip to Oregon and Washington, flying into Portland. I spent the next day and a half visiting Kathyrn Work, a friend from MA who now lives in Portland. The first day we drove out to the Columbia River Gorge. It was a breezy day and lots of folks were windsurfing on the river. Kathryn said she had never seen the river with so much exposed sand and bars. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WpbC_03YL0g/VEVp533F6eI/AAAAAAAAAo0/pKok_jK48Nk/s1600/ColumbiaRiver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WpbC_03YL0g/VEVp533F6eI/AAAAAAAAAo0/pKok_jK48Nk/s1600/ColumbiaRiver.jpg" height="241" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Columbia River Gorge on a blustery day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1wxp1hD4hHA/VEVp6K9_A0I/AAAAAAAAAo8/oMU7mawc8rg/s1600/KathrynatColRiver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1wxp1hD4hHA/VEVp6K9_A0I/AAAAAAAAAo8/oMU7mawc8rg/s1600/KathrynatColRiver.jpg" height="320" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kathryn has to hold on to her hat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qkdz0WhJ5mw/VEVqVdWvBLI/AAAAAAAAAqE/QwANpUTWAl0/s1600/Windsurfers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qkdz0WhJ5mw/VEVqVdWvBLI/AAAAAAAAAqE/QwANpUTWAl0/s1600/Windsurfers.jpg" height="323" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of windsurfers hang out on the beach.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We didn't go to Multnomah Falls hoping to avoid the crowds. Instead we stopped at a smaller falls just off the road - LaTourelle Falls. On a 90+ degree day, it was wonderful to hang out near the spray where the temperature was at least 10 degrees cooler. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZhiB86Fs0_w/VEVp6CLMyZI/AAAAAAAAAo4/ukCyHhonBYM/s1600/LaTourelleFalls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZhiB86Fs0_w/VEVp6CLMyZI/AAAAAAAAAo4/ukCyHhonBYM/s1600/LaTourelleFalls.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LaTourelle Falls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8V0b7zQCRRQ/VEVp6eW0oHI/AAAAAAAAApE/uPmFf9VuURs/s1600/LaTourelleFallsBase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8V0b7zQCRRQ/VEVp6eW0oHI/AAAAAAAAApE/uPmFf9VuURs/s1600/LaTourelleFallsBase.jpg" height="286" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing to see the patterns as the water hit the rocks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lXeB6RPScz8/VEVp7u84TFI/AAAAAAAAApc/zUr_nv4ZAgA/s1600/WaterontheRock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lXeB6RPScz8/VEVp7u84TFI/AAAAAAAAApc/zUr_nv4ZAgA/s1600/WaterontheRock.jpg" height="400" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And even closer!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Next up was the drive to Mount Hood. The day was clear and hot, and we could see by the lack of snow that Portland had had a warmer than normal summer.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jiNsUOGko5s/VEVp6jWuqzI/AAAAAAAAApA/JEaVsy5DSzY/s1600/MtHood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jiNsUOGko5s/VEVp6jWuqzI/AAAAAAAAApA/JEaVsy5DSzY/s1600/MtHood.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Hood</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I was fascinated by Timberline Lodge - built in the 1930s as a WPA project under Franklin Roosevelt's Presidency. The construction was heavy duty and full of artistic detail, such as the carved pelican atop the stair banister, and the tiled mural with lots of animals.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6CjAU3meVkw/VEVp7Sj5j2I/AAAAAAAAApU/ckwBNuvrUP4/s1600/TimberlineLodge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6CjAU3meVkw/VEVp7Sj5j2I/AAAAAAAAApU/ckwBNuvrUP4/s1600/TimberlineLodge.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Timberline Lodge</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GL5nOR2yeTI/VEVp6zJsbjI/AAAAAAAAApI/w2IahBox6OM/s1600/PelicanBannisterKnob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GL5nOR2yeTI/VEVp6zJsbjI/AAAAAAAAApI/w2IahBox6OM/s1600/PelicanBannisterKnob.jpg" height="182" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carved Pelican on the top of the banister.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ybl_E-MdzZw/VEVp7HlxaSI/AAAAAAAAApQ/arnE7g1VJsk/s1600/TimberlineInside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ybl_E-MdzZw/VEVp7HlxaSI/AAAAAAAAApQ/arnE7g1VJsk/s1600/TimberlineInside.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mammoth fireplace in Timberline Lodge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZR7HRjCe1tk/VEVp63UdRzI/AAAAAAAAApM/eB2P5cLcDCk/s1600/TileMuralTimberline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZR7HRjCe1tk/VEVp63UdRzI/AAAAAAAAApM/eB2P5cLcDCk/s1600/TileMuralTimberline.jpg" height="640" width="528" /></a></div>
<br />
We weren't really doing birding but I did see a Western Scrub Jay and several Steller's Jays.<br />
<br />
On the way home, we made a quick stop at the Rhododendron Garden just before dusk.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c6E3X6jcARU/VEVuHIBP5jI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/uzKSGq87Uaw/s1600/RhodoGarden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c6E3X6jcARU/VEVuHIBP5jI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/uzKSGq87Uaw/s1600/RhodoGarden.jpg" height="464" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhododendron Garden in Southeast Portland, Oregon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The next morning, Kathryn and I got up early to visit the Japanese Garden during members hours. It was serene and peaceful, with a few hints of fall color beginning to emerge.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZnsUEICQN3U/VEVvy4RtHNI/AAAAAAAAAqg/T1RPpExb3_o/s1600/JapanGarden1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZnsUEICQN3U/VEVvy4RtHNI/AAAAAAAAAqg/T1RPpExb3_o/s1600/JapanGarden1.jpg" height="281" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Japanese Garden, Portland</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J9SQGkXd6QA/VEVvy_jK-mI/AAAAAAAAAqc/zEVFApRU2KA/s1600/JapanGarden2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J9SQGkXd6QA/VEVvy_jK-mI/AAAAAAAAAqc/zEVFApRU2KA/s1600/JapanGarden2.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view of the Japanese Garden</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NZKp2n3FjmA/VEVvy_4RN7I/AAAAAAAAAqo/I7cpPcPgQQ8/s1600/WaterbugsJapanGarden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NZKp2n3FjmA/VEVvy_4RN7I/AAAAAAAAAqo/I7cpPcPgQQ8/s1600/WaterbugsJapanGarden.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterbugs making patterns on the surface of the pond.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vco4MVNSH4M/VEVwH7uPzfI/AAAAAAAAAq0/o7SVaqqETIA/s1600/KoiJapanGarden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vco4MVNSH4M/VEVwH7uPzfI/AAAAAAAAAq0/o7SVaqqETIA/s1600/KoiJapanGarden.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brightly colored Koi added life and movement to the water.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After we left the Garden, Kathryn and I went to the Portland Audubon Sanctuary to meet up with hipster birders Nick Martell and Maureen Leong-ki who moved to Oregon last April. They are living in Salem, with Maureen working at OSU as an academic advisor and Nick now working at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PJhPOEIbNio/VEVxpU8nnGI/AAAAAAAAArE/sFSsGza03gI/s1600/KathrynNick%26MaureenAud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PJhPOEIbNio/VEVxpU8nnGI/AAAAAAAAArE/sFSsGza03gI/s1600/KathrynNick%26MaureenAud.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kathryn Work, Maureen Leong-ki and Nick Martell at Portland Audubon Sanctuary</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was rather quiet at the Sanctuary, bird-wise, but I did see my first two life birds of the trip - Pacific Wren (split from Winter Wren) and Chestnut-backed Chickadee. Just before we left, we had a nice feeding flock of songbirds, including Townsend's Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Hutton's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Yellow Warbler and Black-throated Gray Warbler. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--veBLy6M2uk/VEV0GtAVPmI/AAAAAAAAArY/bhpWvhkrozc/s1600/PacificWren.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--veBLy6M2uk/VEV0GtAVPmI/AAAAAAAAArY/bhpWvhkrozc/s1600/PacificWren.jpg" height="227" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pacific Wren - my first life bird of the trip</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tr_0_EsMSHk/VEVxpYErW-I/AAAAAAAAArA/zQa5riTOjvg/s1600/Chestnut-backedChickadee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tr_0_EsMSHk/VEVxpYErW-I/AAAAAAAAArA/zQa5riTOjvg/s1600/Chestnut-backedChickadee.jpg" height="400" width="320" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chestnut-backed Chickadee - second life bird</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nn4t4uLiFZI/VEV0GutaqII/AAAAAAAAArU/DLlkQjgv9Aw/s1600/Wilson%27sWarbler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nn4t4uLiFZI/VEV0GutaqII/AAAAAAAAArU/DLlkQjgv9Aw/s1600/Wilson'sWarbler.jpg" height="280" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wilson's Warbler - not a life bird but much more common out west than in coastal Georgia.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
AAfter lunch at a Chinese restaurant in Northwest Portland, Kathryn and I headed to the coast. She drove me out to Rockaway Beach to Twin Rocks Conference Center, where I spent the next 5 days on a Road Scholar Birding Program sponsored by Portland Audubon. Stay tuned for Part II!!Diana Churchillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18192206613958600424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612152761927279820.post-84925331180354624002014-07-09T04:56:00.002-07:002014-07-09T04:56:51.394-07:00Tybee Island Gray Kingbirds Three young gray kingbirds have fledged from the nest at the Ocean Plaza Resort on Tybee. Amazing how fast it happened. On my last kingbird post from June 17, I had photos of Mom sitting on the nest.<br />
Then on June 24th, I got a picture of a couple of fuzzy heads.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QmFr3r33AI8/U70r6VDRZ3I/AAAAAAAAAoI/cH3d91ErsQY/s1600/GRKingbirds6:24:14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QmFr3r33AI8/U70r6VDRZ3I/AAAAAAAAAoI/cH3d91ErsQY/s1600/GRKingbirds6:24:14.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young Gray Kingbirds head poke up.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On June 30, I got a not great shot of Mom at the nest to feed them.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dtbt2qzQsM4/U70r3JG4YVI/AAAAAAAAAn4/VPJEWqPUCTs/s1600/GRKIADfeedbaby6%253A30%253A14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dtbt2qzQsM4/U70r3JG4YVI/AAAAAAAAAn4/VPJEWqPUCTs/s1600/GRKIADfeedbaby6%253A30%253A14.jpg" height="348" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parent comes in to feed the kids.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When I went back to check on the family on Monday, July 7th, there were 2 large young kingbirds in the nest. I wasn't sure at first if I was seeing a parent or the juvies. Then I heard a kingbird song from nearby and found another juvenile perched in a palm, the first to leave the nest!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OVOjzK9qJU8/U70r6zq2BHI/AAAAAAAAAoU/VtZqPYnphYM/s1600/GrayKingbirds7%253A7%253A14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OVOjzK9qJU8/U70r6zq2BHI/AAAAAAAAAoU/VtZqPYnphYM/s1600/GrayKingbirds7%253A7%253A14.jpg" height="297" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gray Kingbird Juveniles - 7/7/14</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qCcRXG_LGyo/U70r3IeMUtI/AAAAAAAAAnw/RqNcyKefqUw/s1600/GRKIFirstOut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qCcRXG_LGyo/U70r3IeMUtI/AAAAAAAAAnw/RqNcyKefqUw/s1600/GRKIFirstOut.jpg" height="400" width="346" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first one out of the nest!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When my friend Connie and I went back to check on them on July 8, all three birds were out of the nest and perching on a wire near a large pine tree at the northern end of the parking lot. One was behind the palm so I couldn't get it in the photo. Every so often, one or the other parent would fly in<br />
bringing a tasty bug.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MCs5bhTE1x8/U70r3PoHoII/AAAAAAAAAoA/yGLyCQe1o4k/s1600/GRKIAD2Juv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MCs5bhTE1x8/U70r3PoHoII/AAAAAAAAAoA/yGLyCQe1o4k/s1600/GRKIAD2Juv.jpg" height="168" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gray Kingbird Adult (Left) and two youngsters 7/8/14</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kjsh8tyAh44/U70r4J1jviI/AAAAAAAAAoE/lgIjdTOq9yA/s1600/GRKingbirdJuvbegs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kjsh8tyAh44/U70r4J1jviI/AAAAAAAAAoE/lgIjdTOq9yA/s1600/GRKingbirdJuvbegs.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bugs Mom! Bring us Bugs!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Diana Churchillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18192206613958600424noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612152761927279820.post-58883421908051233012014-07-07T11:55:00.004-07:002014-07-07T11:55:55.906-07:00Tybee Oystercatcher Update 7/7/14<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I went to the North Beach last night and as I walked towards the point, an adult American Oystercatcher flew by me carrying food. "Oh, goodie," I thought. "They are still here."<br />
Both parents and both young adults were on the beach. HH was following one parent around while HJ was resting on the beach with the other parent nearby. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ifp-1YtL7hQ/U7rp7C5KDRI/AAAAAAAAAnI/i_ApPXdBwPk/s1600/HHBegging.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ifp-1YtL7hQ/U7rp7C5KDRI/AAAAAAAAAnI/i_ApPXdBwPk/s1600/HHBegging.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HH follows the parent in begging posture.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Eventually, HJ and the adult flew (yes both flew!) down the beach to join the other pair.<br />
They were all together for a few minutes, before two birds - HJ and an adult - took off across the water towards Lazaretto Creek. HJ is a little larger and more mature than HH.<br />
<br />
HH & one adult remained on the beach. After about 10 minutes, I saw a small group of 4 American Oystercatchers fly by the point, calling loudly. As I snapped pictures, the adult from the beach joined the group and they headed around the point towards the rock jetties.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JQEaKv6CYmE/U7rp1-Ff-bI/AAAAAAAAAms/1MpNczuC3dk/s1600/AMOY4flyby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JQEaKv6CYmE/U7rp1-Ff-bI/AAAAAAAAAms/1MpNczuC3dk/s1600/AMOY4flyby.jpg" height="236" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4 adult oystercatchers fly by, calling loudly</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2evqIMWjAIE/U7rp2xp68QI/AAAAAAAAAm0/IEMcauC9jSc/s1600/AMOY5fly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2evqIMWjAIE/U7rp2xp68QI/AAAAAAAAAm0/IEMcauC9jSc/s1600/AMOY5fly.jpg" height="245" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They are joined by the parent from the beach.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As I study my photos, I realize that one of the four has a red band. It can't be HJ because it has an all orange bill (the juvenile birds have bills that are dark on the tip) and it has a bright orange eye ring.<br />
Also, the metal band is on the right leg and HH & HJ have theirs on the left leg.<br />
<br />
This leaves HH all alone on the beach. It hunkers down for awhile, then eventually makes its way back to the rope enclosure, looking a bit forlorn. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cxn5oj8I_HM/U7rp5hXmooI/AAAAAAAAAnE/T3tqjgLnhC0/s1600/HHWaitsforFamily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cxn5oj8I_HM/U7rp5hXmooI/AAAAAAAAAnE/T3tqjgLnhC0/s1600/HHWaitsforFamily.jpg" height="262" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HH waits for its family to return.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I wait and watch myself for more than 20 minutes. Finally, HH stands up and begins piping. As I turn around, I see an adult fly. HH immediately goes into begging mode, though the parent doesn't appear to have any food. Then another couple walks up to say that they have just seen 2 birds land further up on the beach. Sure enough, HJ and the other parent have returned. Although the chicks can now fly, they are still waiting around for Mom and Dad to bring food.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-grHLvFFjQ-E/U7rp8w9fgZI/AAAAAAAAAnU/2lTXeYs958E/s1600/HJ%2526ParentAMOY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-grHLvFFjQ-E/U7rp8w9fgZI/AAAAAAAAAnU/2lTXeYs958E/s1600/HJ%2526ParentAMOY.jpg" height="382" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HJ can fly, but it still hopefully follows the adult with a stooped, begging posture.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I am delighted to be able to follow the progress of this young family.Diana Churchillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18192206613958600424noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612152761927279820.post-2608894828861995932014-06-17T08:50:00.003-07:002014-06-17T08:50:56.287-07:00Tybee Gray Kingbird updateNot quite as exciting as banding oystercatcher chicks, but still worth noting. The female gray kingbird is sitting on her nest in the top of a palm tree in the parking lot of the Ocean Plaza Resort. She did not, after all, make a nest in the sign. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Hw_SWvm8nI/U6Bb2pRAbvI/AAAAAAAAAmM/yv8qTTaZpg4/s1600/GrayKingbirdonNest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Hw_SWvm8nI/U6Bb2pRAbvI/AAAAAAAAAmM/yv8qTTaZpg4/s1600/GrayKingbirdonNest.jpg" height="280" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Gray Kingbird on nest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Her mate keeps watch nearby, often perched on the sign itself.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uD_3jyMhel0/U6Ba4hAO5WI/AAAAAAAAAlE/q5gxDo7K3G8/s1600/GrayKingbirdSign3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uD_3jyMhel0/U6Ba4hAO5WI/AAAAAAAAAlE/q5gxDo7K3G8/s1600/GrayKingbirdSign3.jpg" height="307" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gray Kingbird keeping watch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One hazard of nesting above a parking lot is cars and car mirrors. I watched as presumably the male attempted to drive off the intruder reflected in the windows and mirrors.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TjgMwPPvbFY/U6Ba3tsC1WI/AAAAAAAAAk0/1nFv9LRa1cA/s1600/GrayKIngbirdMirror.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TjgMwPPvbFY/U6Ba3tsC1WI/AAAAAAAAAk0/1nFv9LRa1cA/s1600/GrayKIngbirdMirror.jpg" height="281" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gray kingbird on car mirror.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Diana Churchillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18192206613958600424noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612152761927279820.post-34340990351682030822014-06-17T08:45:00.003-07:002014-06-17T09:29:20.163-07:00American Oystercatcher chicks are banded!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I had the great privilege of accompanying Tim Keyes and Chris Depkin with Georgia DNR and Danny Carpenter with Tybee DPW to the North End of Tybee this morning to band our 2 young American Oystercatcher chicks. They were about 28-29 days old, with one chick being a bit larger than the other. I wondered how they would accomplish the task.<br />
<br />
We were lucky to find both chicks with an adult hanging out on the beach, rather than back in the dunes. As we watched, a second adult flew in bringing food which it gave to one of the chicks. Chris and Tim positioned themselves carefully.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_bsytyiWMJg/U6Ba0M1DLjI/AAAAAAAAAkY/7hTZnLQAtaY/s1600/ChrisinDunes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_bsytyiWMJg/U6Ba0M1DLjI/AAAAAAAAAkY/7hTZnLQAtaY/s1600/ChrisinDunes.jpg" height="311" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris hangs out in the dunes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eqSPLFtHJlU/U6BbG0oH0hI/AAAAAAAAAmA/Q2lD8CXQJGk/s1600/TimwithNet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eqSPLFtHJlU/U6BbG0oH0hI/AAAAAAAAAmA/Q2lD8CXQJGk/s1600/TimwithNet.jpg" height="252" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tim walks toward Chick# 1 with the net.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I was given the task of keeping an eye on Chick #2 while they went after Chick #1, so I didn't actually see the capture. I just looked over and Tim was holding Chick #1.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qnWup8kgR_k/U6BbAoorVOI/AAAAAAAAAlk/kqzijrjl4ew/s1600/Tim%2526ChrisCapture1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qnWup8kgR_k/U6BbAoorVOI/AAAAAAAAAlk/kqzijrjl4ew/s1600/Tim%2526ChrisCapture1.jpg" height="448" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Success with Chick #1</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The adult was nearby watching and was obviously not happy with the situation. Tim handed off the first chick to me while he focused on "2, who fortunately ran towards him, rather than back into the dunes. Soon that one was also in hand. Danny Carpenter with Tybee DPW and I each held a chick while Tim and Chris set up their mobile banding lab on a log within the roped off area.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-676Zqg7IEO8/U6BbCsEkfjI/AAAAAAAAAls/GKTTI57yyQU/s1600/Tim%2526ChrisData2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-676Zqg7IEO8/U6BbCsEkfjI/AAAAAAAAAls/GKTTI57yyQU/s1600/Tim%2526ChrisData2.jpg" height="640" width="473" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tim and Chris take measurements</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zxx8oYZoYTo/U6Ba1eq6lNI/AAAAAAAAAks/1LT1xCQYwaQ/s1600/DannywithChick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zxx8oYZoYTo/U6Ba1eq6lNI/AAAAAAAAAks/1LT1xCQYwaQ/s1600/DannywithChick.jpg" height="400" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Danny Carpenter holds one of the chicks after it is banded.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--k-goXHScF0/U6Ba9aosVUI/AAAAAAAAAlU/q9J0E3lJ3wA/s1600/MeasuringtheBeak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--k-goXHScF0/U6Ba9aosVUI/AAAAAAAAAlU/q9J0E3lJ3wA/s1600/MeasuringtheBeak.jpg" height="252" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking measurements</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Each chick was fitted with a silver US Fish and Wildlife metal band on the lower left leg, and each was given two red plastic bands - one on each upper leg, since oystercatchers stand on one leg a lot.<br />
These two are now HH and HJ, with the first H underlined. All oystercatchers banded in Georgia are banded with red bands. Each state up and down the east coast has its own color.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X10z0W44mMk/U6Ba82v5orI/AAAAAAAAAlM/o-KzghU1T9g/s1600/RedHH%2526RedHJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X10z0W44mMk/U6Ba82v5orI/AAAAAAAAAlM/o-KzghU1T9g/s1600/RedHH%2526RedHJ.jpg" height="484" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oystercatcher Chicks can now be identified as Red HH and Red HJ</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For 8 years now, I have been studying the flocks of American Oystercatchers on the north end of Tybee and taking photos and reporting banded birds. This is the first time I've gotten to be present at the banding.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7dqZsxCbSkQ/U6Ba4hl-dLI/AAAAAAAAAlA/KEZ4ZxrC1SU/s1600/DianawithHJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7dqZsxCbSkQ/U6Ba4hl-dLI/AAAAAAAAAlA/KEZ4ZxrC1SU/s1600/DianawithHJ.jpg" height="400" width="293" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diana holds HJ before its release.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Once both birds were banded, weighed and measured, it was time for the next tricky part - the release. We could see an adult waiting nearby on the sand. We walked down towards the water, with Danny and I each carrying a chick. Then we went up to towards where the parents stood and each knelt down to place our charge gently on the sand. Immediately, both chicks ran towards the parent and all three went towards the dunes and inside the roped off area. Success!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XrVuAqYYQCQ/U6BiHZ9b8uI/AAAAAAAAAmc/6Ebi9Dbnw_M/s1600/Adult2Chicks2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XrVuAqYYQCQ/U6BiHZ9b8uI/AAAAAAAAAmc/6Ebi9Dbnw_M/s1600/Adult2Chicks2.jpg" height="278" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult and now-banded chicks are reunited.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i91ouDBrFc8/U6Ba_kUOqsI/AAAAAAAAAlc/kjBUbBbI8fk/s1600/Released.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i91ouDBrFc8/U6Ba_kUOqsI/AAAAAAAAAlc/kjBUbBbI8fk/s1600/Released.jpg" height="304" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oystercatcher chicks HH and HJ back on the beach wearing their new jewelry.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Diana Churchillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18192206613958600424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612152761927279820.post-23324437564707518412014-05-26T19:39:00.000-07:002014-05-26T19:39:04.802-07:00American Oystercatcher surprise on Tybee North BeachA friend and I went out to the North Beach this evening hoping for shorebirds at the 8.1 foot high tide. We dd find Sanderlings, Least Sandpipers, Semipalmated Sandpipers and Semipalmated Plovers. However the treat of the evening came after we spied an American Oystercatcher standing on the beach.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4CdNiQX8Gvs/U4P4ffpr31I/AAAAAAAAAjo/d4hH4X79vEY/s1600/AMOYLog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4CdNiQX8Gvs/U4P4ffpr31I/AAAAAAAAAjo/d4hH4X79vEY/s1600/AMOYLog.jpg" height="261" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Oystercatcher adult</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I wondered what it was doing there as I expected most to be on territory with nests and eggs or chicks by now. Then, a boat-tailed grackle landed on the beach, not particularly close to the oystercatcher. It immediately flew over and began harassing the grackle, driving it farther away. This made me think even more seriously that this bird must be on territory and may have a nest nearby.<br />
<br />
Then, glancing back toward the dunes, I spied something small that almost blended with the sand.<br />
It was Chick #1!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ChClrzdFQFw/U4P4hXCnAeI/AAAAAAAAAj8/Krtc_H4fGnk/s1600/AMOYChick%25231v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ChClrzdFQFw/U4P4hXCnAeI/AAAAAAAAAj8/Krtc_H4fGnk/s1600/AMOYChick%25231v2.jpg" height="321" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Oystercatcher Chick #1</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As this bird vanished into the vegetation, I spied Chick # 2 walking towards the log where the<br />
parent bird had been standing.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QdLV9yLPTpY/U4P4gnOXzWI/AAAAAAAAAj0/W7JfQALFR6M/s1600/AMOYChick%25232v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QdLV9yLPTpY/U4P4gnOXzWI/AAAAAAAAAj0/W7JfQALFR6M/s1600/AMOYChick%25232v2.jpg" height="278" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Oystercatcher Chick#2</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Soon this bird too returned to the dunes. I also saw a second adult join the first and follow the chicks<br />
into the dunes. Later, 3 crows flew over and both adults took to the sky, aggressively calling and bothering the crows to make sure they left the area.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4a2YmqH4xRA/U4P4j7pR-QI/AAAAAAAAAkM/rO1Pd4HpWRg/s1600/AMOYchasingCrows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4a2YmqH4xRA/U4P4j7pR-QI/AAAAAAAAAkM/rO1Pd4HpWRg/s1600/AMOYchasingCrows.jpg" height="400" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chasing away the crows!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My friend and I hung out a while and later saw one adult walk out onto the beach where it was joined by one of the chicks.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--QY7h_9jg6s/U4P4jygfRsI/AAAAAAAAAkI/srKTSMbsYVA/s1600/AMOYParent%2526Childv2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--QY7h_9jg6s/U4P4jygfRsI/AAAAAAAAAkI/srKTSMbsYVA/s1600/AMOYParent%2526Childv2.jpg" height="386" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult and juvenile American Oystercatchers.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In the 15 years I have been back in Savannah, this is the first time I have seen a pair of Oystercatchers with chicks on the North End of Tybee. Diana Churchillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18192206613958600424noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612152761927279820.post-36000799704886379092014-05-21T05:33:00.001-07:002014-05-21T05:33:36.705-07:00On Tuesday afternoon, after I voted at the American Legion on Tybee, I went over to the Ocean Plaza Resort to check on the Gray Kingbirds. On May 4th, I had seen one adult and was hoping that its mate had arrived. After circling the parking lot, I noticed a kingbird-shaped bird sitting on the sign for the Dolphin Reef Restaurant. Bingo! Then a second bird flew in carrying a stick and flew to one of the Letter Es in the word REEF. I continued to observe.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IUUZ8VeoMpE/U3ybzT38X6I/AAAAAAAAAjM/5eWDpzIWb5A/s1600/GrKingbirdsDolphinReef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IUUZ8VeoMpE/U3ybzT38X6I/AAAAAAAAAjM/5eWDpzIWb5A/s1600/GrKingbirdsDolphinReef.jpg" height="252" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gray Kingbird pair on the sign</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It appeared that one bird, the male?, stood guard on the corner of the sign, singing from time to tiime.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z_q2cPE1cJc/U3yb0u6WyzI/AAAAAAAAAjc/Oj6b_c9HT_c/s1600/GrayKingbirdSing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z_q2cPE1cJc/U3yb0u6WyzI/AAAAAAAAAjc/Oj6b_c9HT_c/s1600/GrayKingbirdSing.jpg" height="320" width="251" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gray kingbird sings</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The second bird was actively flying back and forth, bringing, checking and arranging sticks.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wM2qyUhUtwk/U3ybzSfTe7I/AAAAAAAAAjQ/WUtVRcn4fDU/s1600/GRKIFly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wM2qyUhUtwk/U3ybzSfTe7I/AAAAAAAAAjQ/WUtVRcn4fDU/s1600/GRKIFly.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gray Kingbird leaves the sign</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This bird would occasionally go sit in the sign and peer out, before flying off again. Then both birds would leave and be gone awhile before returning.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OtYTz0Red4k/U3ybzcpbwdI/AAAAAAAAAjI/HpMTCikmVcY/s1600/GRKingbirdinthe+E.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OtYTz0Red4k/U3ybzcpbwdI/AAAAAAAAAjI/HpMTCikmVcY/s1600/GRKingbirdinthe+E.jpg" height="298" width="400" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gray Kingbird surveys the scene</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Seems like an interesting nest choice - certainly away from possible predation by raccoons or rat snakes!Diana Churchillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18192206613958600424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612152761927279820.post-18421149972505957922014-05-07T19:18:00.001-07:002014-05-07T19:18:57.035-07:00Gray-cheeked Style Thrushes in Forsyth ParkI went to Forsyth Park in downtown Savannah this morning, partly because James Fleullan reported seeing Veery and Swainson's Thrush there. I wandered around and finally found an American Redstart, a Blackpoll Warbler and a Red-eyed Vireo. As I was headed towards my car on the west side of the fountain, approaching Whitaker St., I spotted a thrush. It had a brownish back, two-toned bill, grayish face and no buffy eye ring. I attempted to get photos.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s_HltAVXbhE/U2rk1wTOuoI/AAAAAAAAAhA/np1QtmnXvIQ/s1600/Gray-cheekedThrushv1f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s_HltAVXbhE/U2rk1wTOuoI/AAAAAAAAAhA/np1QtmnXvIQ/s1600/Gray-cheekedThrushv1f.jpg" height="443" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gray-cheeked Style Thrush - First Bird</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Then I spotted a second bird a bit further away. My first impression was that it was a bit more red-brown than the first. I got a couple of more distant photos.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dzdwgKac5RU/U2rmuoelNlI/AAAAAAAAAis/K-a-wh09EQ4/s1600/Bicknell%2527s%253F%253Fv2d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dzdwgKac5RU/U2rmuoelNlI/AAAAAAAAAis/K-a-wh09EQ4/s1600/Bicknell%2527s%253F%253Fv2d.jpg" height="270" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gray-cheeked style Thrush Number 2</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sEycO329r3I/U2rmo9t-edI/AAAAAAAAAic/yWzOlbtXR9c/s1600/Bicknell%2527s%253F%253Fv1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sEycO329r3I/U2rmo9t-edI/AAAAAAAAAic/yWzOlbtXR9c/s1600/Bicknell%2527s%253F%253Fv1b.jpg" height="288" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gray-cheeked style Thrush #2</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After that, someone came by walking a dog and both birds flew into a nearby tree. They eventually came back down, then flew again. I started following and photographing and got confused as to which bird was which. Here are a few other images. Comments appreciated!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--srQE0qg010/U2rlmkepMRI/AAAAAAAAAiA/UyTb2WCqFUA/s1600/Gray-cheekedorBicknells1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--srQE0qg010/U2rlmkepMRI/AAAAAAAAAiA/UyTb2WCqFUA/s1600/Gray-cheekedorBicknells1.jpg" height="400" width="317" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YsUBQ1iF8XQ/U2rlOxstGuI/AAAAAAAAAhI/pZTUOivYPRw/s1600/Gray-cheeked%253Fv4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YsUBQ1iF8XQ/U2rlOxstGuI/AAAAAAAAAhI/pZTUOivYPRw/s1600/Gray-cheeked%253Fv4.jpg" height="510" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C4PPRv4Safw/U2rlqpnT_lI/AAAAAAAAAiI/9THZwXhmJvs/s1600/Gray-cheekedorBicknellsv3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C4PPRv4Safw/U2rlqpnT_lI/AAAAAAAAAiI/9THZwXhmJvs/s1600/Gray-cheekedorBicknellsv3.jpg" height="333" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-18xC-nh3w6A/U2rlS-Kgp0I/AAAAAAAAAhY/hwKsuRSwZzo/s1600/Gray-cheekedThrushv1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-18xC-nh3w6A/U2rlS-Kgp0I/AAAAAAAAAhY/hwKsuRSwZzo/s1600/Gray-cheekedThrushv1a.jpg" height="512" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-71fh74P6uek/U2rlWtooCfI/AAAAAAAAAhg/guEI1P8iN18/s1600/Gray-cheekedThrushv1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-71fh74P6uek/U2rlWtooCfI/AAAAAAAAAhg/guEI1P8iN18/s1600/Gray-cheekedThrushv1b.jpg" height="400" width="373" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Td4RF3PvTmk/U2rlaepAnMI/AAAAAAAAAho/EPJJJdipRRs/s1600/Gray-cheekedThrushv3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Td4RF3PvTmk/U2rlaepAnMI/AAAAAAAAAho/EPJJJdipRRs/s1600/Gray-cheekedThrushv3.jpg" height="438" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G2fcAfardfA/U2rld3fLvcI/AAAAAAAAAhw/ywsGLv5vCOU/s1600/Gray-cheekedThrushv3a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G2fcAfardfA/U2rld3fLvcI/AAAAAAAAAhw/ywsGLv5vCOU/s1600/Gray-cheekedThrushv3a.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VNFWXMNyVvo/U2rmncltMzI/AAAAAAAAAiU/ePrV0HGX9A0/s1600/Bicknell%2527s%253F%253Fv1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VNFWXMNyVvo/U2rmncltMzI/AAAAAAAAAiU/ePrV0HGX9A0/s1600/Bicknell%2527s%253F%253Fv1.jpg" height="454" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Diana Churchillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18192206613958600424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612152761927279820.post-49614517548840628412014-02-18T11:17:00.000-08:002014-02-18T11:17:02.690-08:00Long-tailed Duck and More!Well, it seems like I've been too busy watching birds to blog about them! It was a busy time for the Great Backyard Bird Count. Chatham County so far has logged 163 species which is quite an accomplishment, thanks to the hard work by many including Stan Gray, Larry Carlile, Dot Bambach, Beth Roth, James Fleullan, Steve Calver, Steve Wagner, Tim Miller, Mary Sweeney-Reeves, Charra Sweeney-Reeves, Russ Wigh, Shannon Fair, Andre Coquerel, John Mark Simmons, and many more.<br />
<br />
I planned to have a bit of a rest this morning but got a call from a friend informing me that he had been seeing a male Long-tailed Duck at the Crab Shack over the past week. So off to the chase. I went to the Shack, found only a black scoter and many rock pigeons, and headed for the beach.<br />
After helping a couple from Buffalo find their life Purple Sandpiper, and admiring them taking baths,<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I went to the YMCA for some time on the treadmill.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oUfYRYLavlk/UwOujvdRLMI/AAAAAAAAAgM/AwFcpcq7_sk/s1600/PurpleSandpiperBath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oUfYRYLavlk/UwOujvdRLMI/AAAAAAAAAgM/AwFcpcq7_sk/s1600/PurpleSandpiperBath.jpg" height="292" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Sandpiper bathes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After the Y, I did one more check of the Crab Shack. No duck. Then, 4/10 of a mile from my house, I crossed a small bridge over Chimney Creek. Glancing to the left, I spied something white in the water. Expecting a male bufflehead, I was thrilled to find the Long-tailed Duck. A neighbor let me walk out on her dock so I could get photos as the duck was actively feeding in the creek. Nothing like being lucky!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qcXrvcGyk7E/UwOuiLpkw5I/AAAAAAAAAf8/V_wqCFAtIj0/s1600/Long-tailedDuck1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qcXrvcGyk7E/UwOuiLpkw5I/AAAAAAAAAf8/V_wqCFAtIj0/s1600/Long-tailedDuck1.jpg" height="393" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long-tailed Duck in Chimney Creek, Tybee Island</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YhFPFD130Cc/UwOuiFkeNHI/AAAAAAAAAgI/ekRvXra7Xho/s1600/Long-tailedDuckFlaps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YhFPFD130Cc/UwOuiFkeNHI/AAAAAAAAAgI/ekRvXra7Xho/s1600/Long-tailedDuckFlaps.jpg" height="387" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long-tailed Duck shows off his tail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A7b4yff_DbI/UwOui_dKpzI/AAAAAAAAAgE/ynW0HJRZB8U/s1600/Long-tailedDuckReflex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A7b4yff_DbI/UwOui_dKpzI/AAAAAAAAAgE/ynW0HJRZB8U/s1600/Long-tailedDuckReflex.jpg" height="240" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great reflections of a Long-tailed Duck</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I saw this handome duck in full breeding plumage in Alaska in the summer of 2012.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X9aEZSXCbKQ/UwOwwsmcABI/AAAAAAAAAgc/thrKBIoVSGA/s1600/Long-tailedDuck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X9aEZSXCbKQ/UwOwwsmcABI/AAAAAAAAAgc/thrKBIoVSGA/s1600/Long-tailedDuck.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long-tailed Duck - Barrow, Alaska, 2012</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Another highlight from the count was watching a Bald Eagle at Grove Point Plantation in Georgetown. It had a nest nearby and was not happy about us being there to count ducks.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_QzEWD6Dro0/UwOuhbds-fI/AAAAAAAAAfw/mdCZR5d-w4c/s1600/BaldEagleHollers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_QzEWD6Dro0/UwOuhbds-fI/AAAAAAAAAfw/mdCZR5d-w4c/s1600/BaldEagleHollers.jpg" height="400" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bald Eagle expresses itself.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Diana Churchillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18192206613958600424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612152761927279820.post-16989334752634661122013-12-08T13:55:00.000-08:002013-12-08T13:55:30.799-08:00Hutchinson Island "Reserve" has been a gold mine. I was in Virginia after Thanksgiving when I saw that Steve Calver and Russ Wigh were posting about all the birds they were seeing on Hutchinson Island. The Reserve is a section of the island that was intended to be a high-end housing development that floundered with the real estate slowdown. Now there are lots of weedy fields and ditches that are great for sparrows, Killdeer, snipe, meadowlarks, shrikes, and more. Last winter, the area even had 2 Western Kingbirds.<br />
<br />
When I got back, I stopped by the Reserve on Tuesday, Dec. 3rd. Savannah Sparrows were abundant, as were Swamp, Song and Chipping Sparrows.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ClrW9b-FIXg/UqTok5LRLcI/AAAAAAAAAfc/fB7H5Zxd8XY/s1600/SavannahSparrowBeans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="357" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ClrW9b-FIXg/UqTok5LRLcI/AAAAAAAAAfc/fB7H5Zxd8XY/s400/SavannahSparrowBeans.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Savannah Sparrow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I was thrilled to find several Vesper Sparrows. I got a couple of distant photos that day and better looks and photos on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_X59ji0lur8/UqToacjiwnI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/gnrXGID2Jag/s1600/VesperSparrowHI2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_X59ji0lur8/UqToacjiwnI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/gnrXGID2Jag/s320/VesperSparrowHI2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vesper Sparrow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hVsIVeyupeg/UqTobmqRgeI/AAAAAAAAAfY/7L763J0D4uA/s1600/VesperSparrowHI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="502" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hVsIVeyupeg/UqTobmqRgeI/AAAAAAAAAfY/7L763J0D4uA/s640/VesperSparrowHI.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vesper Sparrow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Steve Calver showed up and spotted a Clay-colored Sparrow. I was able to relocate and get a couple of distant photos.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dhVtXEDt8lk/UqToT1QW3yI/AAAAAAAAAeo/PCBd57BLXO8/s1600/Clay-coloredSpHI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dhVtXEDt8lk/UqToT1QW3yI/AAAAAAAAAeo/PCBd57BLXO8/s400/Clay-coloredSpHI.jpg" width="385" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clay-colored Sparrow</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ogeechee Audubon had a field trip to Hutchinson Island on Dec. 8th. In spite of the cool, foggy, overcast weather, 15 people showed up. The best bird of the day was a Dickcissel - either female or young male. It perched low in a bush and most folks got good looks in the scope. The bird was relocated later that afternoon by several other birders.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x7Ye8P7rkFg/UqToXjhQAcI/AAAAAAAAAfE/ZRvyxCF__L4/s1600/Dickcissel1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x7Ye8P7rkFg/UqToXjhQAcI/AAAAAAAAAfE/ZRvyxCF__L4/s320/Dickcissel1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dickcissel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NvRdemJpCLk/UqToU-KuI-I/AAAAAAAAAew/rvAcVjpNzq8/s1600/Dickcissel2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NvRdemJpCLk/UqToU-KuI-I/AAAAAAAAAew/rvAcVjpNzq8/s400/Dickcissel2.jpg" width="382" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dickcissel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Other fun sightings included an Osprey flying by with a large fish, more than a dozen Wilson's Snipe that flushed out of the wet fields, and a Loggerhead Shrike.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iolvWFRiWwI/UqToW6R3cDI/AAAAAAAAAe4/PpMPXF3kUgU/s1600/OspreyBigFish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iolvWFRiWwI/UqToW6R3cDI/AAAAAAAAAe4/PpMPXF3kUgU/s320/OspreyBigFish.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Osprey carries a big fish.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Q8RQLluY_4/UqToX-TUdZI/AAAAAAAAAfI/Aw-EYj_QOD0/s1600/ShrikeHI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="304" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Q8RQLluY_4/UqToX-TUdZI/AAAAAAAAAfI/Aw-EYj_QOD0/s320/ShrikeHI.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loggerhead Shrike</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Other birds seen in the area by others included Field Sparrow, Painted Bunting (green birds), Winter Wren and Yellow-breasted Chat.(in brush pile at entrance to Race Track)Diana Churchillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18192206613958600424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612152761927279820.post-53695696953580813062013-11-19T20:05:00.001-08:002013-11-19T20:05:16.371-08:00Yet another windy day on Tybee IslandWell, once again I made the trek out to the point on Tybee North Beach with my friend Russ Wigh. Russ was in search of a Purple Sandpiper. The birds were all huddled up in tight groups facing into the 20 mph northeast wind.<br />
<br />
At first, we saw a group of Ruddy Turnstones, Dunlins and Sanderlings, but no Purple Sandpiper.<br />
We inspected American Oystercatchers for bands (found Yellow N4, Yellow W4 & Black UO).<br />
<br />
Just as we decided to stop fighting the wind and head back, I glanced at a group of small shorebirds that had been startled out of their huddle. Their it was - a lone Purple Sandpiper!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nhB2BnrPfL8/Uowz2WsAe6I/AAAAAAAAAeE/3QRbolfSFvQ/s1600/RuddyT&PurpleS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nhB2BnrPfL8/Uowz2WsAe6I/AAAAAAAAAeE/3QRbolfSFvQ/s400/RuddyT&PurpleS.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruddy Turnstone & Purple Sandpiper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M31nJGR-yZs/Uowz3cPWY9I/AAAAAAAAAeM/Kyl8PsV78A0/s1600/HowManySpecies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M31nJGR-yZs/Uowz3cPWY9I/AAAAAAAAAeM/Kyl8PsV78A0/s640/HowManySpecies.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How many species do you see?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
By the jetties, we found nothing but Double-crested Cormorants, Brown Pelicans and the usual gulls.<br />
<br />
Russ and I went on to Ft. Pulaski where I suggested we check the picnic area for Brown Creeper. I played the call and we heard a high-pitched response. Soon Russ spotted the creeper doing its thing on a pine tree above us. Later I found that there were 2 Brown Creepers in the neighborhood.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CfytCnKO5ec/UowzxiP4cGI/AAAAAAAAAdg/nSPfPy-Q1hk/s1600/BrCreeper1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CfytCnKO5ec/UowzxiP4cGI/AAAAAAAAAdg/nSPfPy-Q1hk/s400/BrCreeper1.jpg" width="327" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Creeper well camouflaged</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ip7mTFFhuFU/UowzzjsHyfI/AAAAAAAAAd4/XV3fYICSDpI/s1600/BrCreeper3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="321" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ip7mTFFhuFU/UowzzjsHyfI/AAAAAAAAAd4/XV3fYICSDpI/s400/BrCreeper3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Creeping upside down</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Other treats at Fort Pulaski: a Loggerhead Shrike and a flock of Eastern Meadowlarks. Not bad for a blustery day!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Gl6JjXobng/Uowz32R7pCI/AAAAAAAAAeY/XO2PtPsEOl0/s1600/ShrikeonPalm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Gl6JjXobng/Uowz32R7pCI/AAAAAAAAAeY/XO2PtPsEOl0/s320/ShrikeonPalm.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loggerhead Shrike</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lkzyLgS0Rs4/Uowz1dsgUgI/AAAAAAAAAeA/_oAZbpF2_gA/s1600/Meadowlark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lkzyLgS0Rs4/Uowz1dsgUgI/AAAAAAAAAeA/_oAZbpF2_gA/s400/Meadowlark.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern Meadowlark</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Diana Churchillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18192206613958600424noreply@blogger.com0