There are many pictures to be taken when one lives in touristy area. Our birds are particularly photogenic!
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Word Bird Wednesday
It's time for Word Bird Wednesday! A great place to share your bird photos with other bird enthusiasts around the world. Just follow the link to Springman's blog, The Pine River Review, and share your shots!
These little guys have just recently begun showing up at the pond. I had never seen them before so I had to investigate (which drives me nuts because some of those bird sites are so misleading). At first, I thought they were plovers. But then, upon further investigation, I decided perhaps killdeer was a better choice because 1) they have DOUBLE rings around their necks as opposed to singles; 2) the red around the eyes; and 3) the orange rump. AND THEN I find out that they are of the PLOVER family (which made me feel better about my confusion but frustrated due to the misleading of a couple of websites--sometimes they assume that the reader understands certain things so they leave that information out.). And so, what I think I have here are killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) of the PLOVER family????
**A question for those of you who have been at this longer: Is there a preferred site and/or book for identifying birds? Perhaps one that won't have someone like me flailing around like a crazy person trying to put a name to these wonderful creatures?
These little guys were very noisy and FAST. It was difficult to get these shots because they were NEVER still!
You are having one heck of a week! First the Bald Eagle and now these wonderfully executed captures of the Killdeer?! You are on a hot streak we all can envy. I don't think there is a bird that transforms so completely in its general personality from walking to flying than does the Killdeer. I would never figure it to have such a sharply figured "in flight" sillhouette and wing markings. Your Blog is on FIRE!!!! ;-)WBW
Springman, you are too generous with your comments. But I love them! You are so encouraging--makes me want to get out there more and more with the camera!
Thanks Greyscale! I had never seen them before and I love their colors. But they are speedy quick on their feet!
In my opinion your best option for a field guide is Sibley's Field Guide for the eastern states. The illustrations are spot on. If you have an ipod touch or iphone, check out ibird. It has both illustrations and photos and calls and songs as well. And online check out whatbird. Go to search and it will help you identify the bird by selecting shape, color, habitat, etc. My advice when you are first starting is to familiarize yourself with the different families of birds first. Good luck!
Hellow to a fellow South Carolinian! Im in the Midlands part of the state--Love your Killdeer shots, you have done a wonderful job capturing a very busy bird! We have them here as well. I have been using the National Geographic Bird of North America since 1993 and its never let me down in a pinch. I will sometimes pull out Petersons Guide to Eastern Birds...Im like you I think the net birding is harder, you almost have to know WHAT you're looking for to find it. Happy Holidays!
17 comments:
Nice capture! Did you hear their call? They are very vocal when flying and have a very characteristic call. Really hard to miss.
I did hear them! Very noisy and distinct! As a matter of fact, I heard them before I saw them.
You are having one heck of a week! First the Bald Eagle and now these wonderfully executed captures of the Killdeer?! You are on a hot streak we all can envy. I don't think there is a bird that transforms so completely in its general personality from walking to flying than does the Killdeer. I would never figure it to have such a sharply figured "in flight" sillhouette and wing markings. Your Blog is on FIRE!!!! ;-)WBW
Wow these shots are great! Love the fascinating ring markings round the neck and in flight it is so dramatic!
Springman, you are too generous with your comments. But I love them! You are so encouraging--makes me want to get out there more and more with the camera!
Thanks Greyscale! I had never seen them before and I love their colors. But they are speedy quick on their feet!
Hilke is right their call is similiar to their name. I haven't seen these guys in a longtime.Nice going!!! Boom & Gary of The Vermilon River, Canada.
Lovely birds. The ringed Plovers i see in the Uk are much smaller.
In my opinion your best option for a field guide is Sibley's Field Guide for the eastern states. The illustrations are spot on. If you have an ipod touch or iphone, check out ibird. It has both illustrations and photos and calls and songs as well. And online check out whatbird. Go to search and it will help you identify the bird by selecting shape, color, habitat, etc. My advice when you are first starting is to familiarize yourself with the different families of birds first. Good luck!
Great shots of the Killdeer. They are pretty birds.
They are really cute. Your pictures are wonderful.
Beautiful shots. That flight shot is an excellent capture, and shows the white on the wings perfectly.
We have a bird here, very similar, even the white wing marking, called a 'Ringed Plover'
Thanks everyone for you most kind comments! And to Landfill Bird Blog for the information! Y'all are just great! Happy Holidays to you all!
Good shots, here in the UK I use the RSPB website they have so much info and pictures etc . Have a great Christmas . XXX Don
They are so cute! Glad you captured them flying, the wings are fantastic.
Great shots, especially with the ones in flight.
looks like killdeer to me. We don´t have that one. But similar birds. ID-ing can be very hard. :(
You got some great shots after all.
Hellow to a fellow South Carolinian! Im in the Midlands part of the state--Love your Killdeer shots, you have done a wonderful job capturing a very busy bird! We have them here as well. I have been using the National Geographic Bird of North America since 1993 and its never let me down in a pinch. I will sometimes pull out Petersons Guide to Eastern Birds...Im like you I think the net birding is harder, you almost have to know WHAT you're looking for to find it. Happy Holidays!
Post a Comment