Laughing at Summer

Summer can be slow birding times.  At least they have been for me this summer.  Between School and daughter-father time, I haven't carved out much birding time.  We did managed to make it to the coast a few weeks ago and I really enjoying seeing a lot of variation among the the Laughing Gulls. 

I've post some of my pictures below.  Laughing Gulls are definitely an interesting gull to look and I love seeing different aged birds side by side.  Laughing Gulls on the Georgia Coast definitely allowed time for that.  What do you think of my mini photo essay?  How is summer birding treating you? 

Laughing Gulls - Link here

Wild Bird Wednesday - Link here

Raptors

Given my summer schedule, birding has become harder and harder.  I have managed to sneak out a few times and even got a couples of lifers! The one i'll talk about today is the Mississippi Kite.  The MIKI was a bird has shown up in CT but I always managed to miss.  Finding in Georgia was just as sweet though!  This particular MIKI was flying and trying out some acrobatics in the morning with a partner.  What a great way to start the morning.  These birds had some insects for breakfast and I was treated to show!  

Until the next, get out and go birding!

Mississippi Kite Flying

Sitting and Waiting

Turning its back on me

Wild Bird Wednesday - Link here

A little New England...

I recently made a stop back in CT to see some friends and family, and get my daughter baptized!  The trip also provided an opportunity to catch up with some CT birds.  I visited some great sites including The Bent of the River, Mondo Pond and Milford Point.  It was a great opportunity to catch up with some CT birders and birding.  Some of the highlights are below.

  

Barred Owl on a nest

Piping Plover in a Marsh

Seeing these familiar sites was awesome.  It was like visiting old friends.  They had great treasures and awesome sights to share in once again.  Seeing the Piping Plovers in the marsh, warblers in the field, and gulls were happy sights!  What are some of your favorite old sites to visit?

Wild Bird Wednesday - Link here

Near Misses

Here are some of my pictures that haven't made it to the front page!  Here are some of my misses from this past migration!  So instead of saying it was my bad photography, i've made up some new Warblers!

A Louisiana Waterthrush

This bird is the " Leaf Warbler" (LEAF).  Hiding behind limbs and branches like a leaf, the "leaf warbler" has filled many SD cards and fueled the frustration of many a birder/photographer.  The Leaf Warbler becomes virtually ubiquitous by June.

A Kentucky Warbler

The "Blurry Warbler" (BLUW) is exhibited here.  Despite close proximity the Blurry Warbler has the ability the fool even the best of cameras and photographers.  A defense mechanism developed due to super attuned senses and reflexes.  Without any warning, a Blurry Warbler can sneak up into your frame of reference and disturb your photos.

Prothonotary Warbler

The "Out of Focus Warbler" is seen in the distance.  This warbler remains off in the distance in order to fill your camera.  The Out of Focus Warbler (OOFW) can distinguish between binoculars and camera.  They will appear perfectly well in our binoculars but will immediately distort itself at the very sight of a camera.  

Common Yellowthroat

This is a bird butt.  Sometimes this is the best any of us can do. 

Wild Bird Wednesday - Link here

Mandatory Post on Warblers

Here's Birder mandated post on warblers.  Those tiny jewels of the trees have been moving across North America.  They are great reminders of how amazing and beautiful our feathered friends are and how much they can accomplish on their own.  They find great habitats and amazing places to live and stopover.  But that doesn't mean that our efforts have ended.

Visit the American Bird Conservancy (www.abcbirds.org) and your local bird clubs to learn about the different efforts that are occurring across the nation.  What is your favorite warbler to see?

Yellow Warbler

Louisiana Waterthrush

Blue-Winged Warbler

Ovenbird

Wild Bird Wednesday - Link here

Pledge to Fledge

Finding new birds is always fun.  But it can be amazing to find fledgling birds.  They are literally new birds!  They are also the new hope for birds across the world.  Many birds are struggling and populations for most birds are declining.  Seeing new birds and young birds presents exciting and new opportunities for species as well as many dangers.  New birds are especially susceptible to dangers like disease and predation.  As I snapped the picture below of the tufted titmice, blue jays were stalking overhead and were waiting for their opportunity to pounce.

What new birds have you seen?

Tufted Titmouse, Adult and Newbie

Flegdgling Downy Woodpecker

A New Carolina Wren

Wild Bird Wednesday - Link here

April Showers bring May Migrants

Today's featured bird was one that got lost a few miles from Atlanta's Airport.  A Black-Necked Stilt showed up in a swallow pond at the Huie Ponds.  I'd seen them before in Texas and Delaware, but Black Neck Stilts are awesome birds so I didn't want to miss the chance to see one.  This one was gorgeous and hung out with some meadow flowers.  Not typically a breeding area for them, this one probably overshot his flight or managed to find a new stopover somewhere.  Its hard to say what brought him here, but as with most migrants, the important thing is to enjoy it before returns home!

What's your favorite migrant of the year?

Black-Necked Silt @ All About Birds - Link here

Wild Bird Wednesday - Link here