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jroovers
11/21/2014, 01:49 PM
Finally got out to take some bird shots!

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jordanroovers/15845625342" title="Male Cardinal by Jordan Roovers, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8620/15845625342_57c72c3460_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="Male Cardinal"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jordanroovers/15845625152" title="Turning House Finch by Jordan Roovers, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7567/15845625152_e6c3dc7074_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="Turning House Finch"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jordanroovers/15844255271" title="Berry Eating Cardinal by Jordan Roovers, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7478/15844255271_7d13167b14_c.jpg" width="534" height="800" alt="Berry Eating Cardinal"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jordanroovers/15660236199" title="Cattail Chickadee by Jordan Roovers, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7509/15660236199_30df17d407_c.jpg" width="571" height="800" alt="Cattail Chickadee"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jordanroovers/15660236069" title="Light Snow Goldfinch by Jordan Roovers, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8675/15660236069_085a3d8692_b.jpg" width="1024" height="732" alt="Light Snow Goldfinch"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jordanroovers/15820415376" title="Staring Cardinal by Jordan Roovers, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8677/15820415376_bfac982611_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="Staring Cardinal"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jordanroovers/15660235639" title="Perched Housefinch by Jordan Roovers, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7567/15660235639_a342e9b3b9_b.jpg" width="1024" height="576" alt="Perched Housefinch"></a>

toothybugs
11/21/2014, 02:33 PM
Exquisite sir! Cardinals in winter are one of my favorite sights, there's just something about the contrasts that gets me every time.

JaYbIrD1969
11/21/2014, 07:31 PM
Humbling!! Standing O. Thanks for sharing!

HPark
11/21/2014, 08:00 PM
Great pictures! Thanks for sharing!

Reef Bass
11/21/2014, 09:03 PM
Well done Jordan!

Misled
11/21/2014, 10:09 PM
Sweet stuff Jordan!!!

jroovers
11/22/2014, 08:57 AM
Thanks guys!

Exquisite sir! Cardinals in winter are one of my favorite sights, there's just something about the contrasts that gets me every time.

Yes, their colour is a much needed splash during all the greys and whites of winter!

jroovers
12/30/2014, 03:37 PM
Some more, a white breasted nuthatch and a combination of male and female downy and hairy woodpeckers.

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8646/15964309549_6b9bbbbe7a_c.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7490/15530637083_70fd6343e7_c.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7563/15964619687_75221eb20f_c.jpg"

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7563/16148466661_a7b0ec8fb8_c.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7467/16149621422_07777a4064_c.jpg"

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8627/16124588566_3ae2afbe38_c.jpg

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8672/16148466121_d0ab037e30_c.jpg

toothybugs
12/30/2014, 07:14 PM
http://stcommunities.straitstimes.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/bxslider_photo/photos/despicablemee.jpg

(A standing ovation only seemed appropriate.)

pyithar
12/30/2014, 10:17 PM
awesome pictures. thanks for sharing.

gueli
12/31/2014, 03:10 AM
Great pics!
Thanks for sharing

MfG
Günter

Sugar Magnolia
12/31/2014, 06:54 AM
Great pics Jordan!

noy
01/01/2015, 01:37 PM
great shots!

nightOwl
01/01/2015, 08:01 PM
Great shots! Are these in the wild or staged? Looks great to me.

IPT
01/02/2015, 03:26 AM
B E A U T I F U L ..... very well done. Looks like you're in a blind or have a super tele, or both. Do tell :).

nightOwl
01/02/2015, 09:49 AM
B E A U T I F U L ..... very well done. Looks like you're in a blind or have a super tele, or both. Do tell :).

Yea what IPT said :).

jroovers
01/02/2015, 11:05 AM
Thanks everyone for the comments :)

Great shots! Are these in the wild or staged? Looks great to me.

B E A U T I F U L ..... very well done. Looks like you're in a blind or have a super tele, or both. Do tell :).

These birds are all essentially in the back of my yard which backs onto a small forest with a stream. I have feeders set up in the back that includes mixed seed, nyger, and suet, so it attracts a variety of birds including the nuthatches and woodpeckers. The shots are all from a blind that I set up, knowing in advance where the birds are likely to be. Then it is just a simple waiting game to have them hopefully land where I want. The feeders draw in a high concentration of birds, especially the cardinals. I use a 400 5.6, not quite a super tele, but getting there. Would love a 500 f4 but just too much money. Without the blind I don't think I would get close enough to get these shots. I get bored sitting in the blind and much prefer to move around, but for short periods it is actually quite relaxing and it has resulted in much better opportunities IMO for better images when the birds are cooperating.

The woodpecker shots are "staged" in the sense that I give them an incentive to land where I want them to :) I put a bit of "bark butter" (basically a peanut butter infused suet) on the perch of my choosing for a few days and then they are eager to land where I'm set up in my blind looking for the treat. So I guess they are being rewarded or compensated for their services and are staged. It is fun and rewarding to pick a spot, set up the shot conceptually, and then have the birds cooperate. Takes some patience, which I'm not the best at having, but definitely enjoyable. It doesn't always work out, but it is nice when it does.

jroovers
01/02/2015, 02:03 PM
Here's another, first of 2015, a pine siskin on a red pine (and a first for me with this species):

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7531/16151631886_b851cc8ca5_b.jpg

Nina51
01/02/2015, 03:21 PM
those are just some freaking awesome pics!!!! i have been a huge bird watcher for the 15 years i've lived in the boonies. i have all of those same birds along with many others. do you have bluebirds? i bet you could get some great shots.

do you have a bird bath? if not, that would really attract flocks of song birds especially in the winter.

jroovers
01/03/2015, 09:06 AM
those are just some freaking awesome pics!!!! i have been a huge bird watcher for the 15 years i've lived in the boonies. i have all of those same birds along with many others. do you have bluebirds? i bet you could get some great shots.

do you have a bird bath? if not, that would really attract flocks of song birds especially in the winter.

Thanks, I just moved to my new place at the end of September, so not really sure yet what birds will be around in the spring and summer. Given that we back onto woods, I'm assuming we'll have a ton of warbler species, orioles, and maybe blue birds too. I've looked into houses and meal worms, so I may give it a go to attract them. Any tips?

I do have a bird bath but it isn't set up. The creek behind my place has pretty good flow still even though its been consistently 10 degrees C below zero, so not sure if there is a point as there is plenty of fresh running water to be had. The birds use it, I can see them from my back window down in the creek bathing and drinking.

nightOwl
01/03/2015, 09:22 AM
jroovers - Thanks for sharing! I figured you were shooting from a fixed location. Some of my closest shots have come from my backyard as well. I have a portable blind that I use when I go into the forest and it is a big help. A variety of food is the best approach as well...lol. My wife is like our back yard does not need 3 different feeders...then I show her my pictures and that's the end of that discussion :). Keep sharing...I got a new camera recently so you are inspiring me to get out and shoot some birds.

Thanks everyone for the comments :)





These birds are all essentially in the back of my yard which backs onto a small forest with a stream. I have feeders set up in the back that includes mixed seed, nyger, and suet, so it attracts a variety of birds including the nuthatches and woodpeckers. The shots are all from a blind that I set up, knowing in advance where the birds are likely to be. Then it is just a simple waiting game to have them hopefully land where I want. The feeders draw in a high concentration of birds, especially the cardinals. I use a 400 5.6, not quite a super tele, but getting there. Would love a 500 f4 but just too much money. Without the blind I don't think I would get close enough to get these shots. I get bored sitting in the blind and much prefer to move around, but for short periods it is actually quite relaxing and it has resulted in much better opportunities IMO for better images when the birds are cooperating.

The woodpecker shots are "staged" in the sense that I give them an incentive to land where I want them to :) I put a bit of "bark butter" (basically a peanut butter infused suet) on the perch of my choosing for a few days and then they are eager to land where I'm set up in my blind looking for the treat. So I guess they are being rewarded or compensated for their services and are staged. It is fun and rewarding to pick a spot, set up the shot conceptually, and then have the birds cooperate. Takes some patience, which I'm not the best at having, but definitely enjoyable. It doesn't always work out, but it is nice when it does.

JaYbIrD1969
01/04/2015, 01:35 PM
Very very nice Jordan! I can relate to the boredom of sitting in wait. But the results can be dynamite! Especially, as you discovered, when a nice specimen perches exactly where you want him.
You may also wanna try the bird call app for your phone. Some birds come more readily to a call than to food. Pileated Woodpeckers respond VERY well to a call...

nightOwl
01/04/2015, 03:38 PM
As JaYbIrD1969 mentioned the I bird app makes it a ton of fun. Plus certain bird calls will make other birds come in closer. I usually set up some speakers and control it from my hide.


Very very nice Jordan! I can relate to the boredom of sitting in wait. But the results can be dynamite! Especially, as you discovered, when a nice specimen perches exactly where you want him.
You may also wanna try the bird call app for your phone. Some birds come more readily to a call than to food. Pileated Woodpeckers respond VERY well to a call...

jroovers
01/05/2015, 09:05 AM
jroovers - Thanks for sharing! I figured you were shooting from a fixed location. Some of my closest shots have come from my backyard as well. I have a portable blind that I use when I go into the forest and it is a big help. A variety of food is the best approach as well...lol. My wife is like our back yard does not need 3 different feeders...then I show her my pictures and that's the end of that discussion :). Keep sharing...I got a new camera recently so you are inspiring me to get out and shoot some birds.

Nice, looking forward to seeing your results! Please share when you get a chance.

Very very nice Jordan! I can relate to the boredom of sitting in wait. But the results can be dynamite! Especially, as you discovered, when a nice specimen perches exactly where you want him.
You may also wanna try the bird call app for your phone. Some birds come more readily to a call than to food. Pileated Woodpeckers respond VERY well to a call...

I have iBird pro on my wife's iPad, but haven't used the calls very much on it. I'm trying to pick up a used iPhone so I don't have to buy the app again, and use the phone simply as a media player for music and a few select apps. I haven't seen any pileated woodpeckers at my place yet, if I do I will know how to get them in closer!

As JaYbIrD1969 mentioned the I bird app makes it a ton of fun. Plus certain bird calls will make other birds come in closer. I usually set up some speakers and control it from my hide.

I find it is very good for identifying birds, especially from sound. Takes some trial and error, but usually when hearing a bird you can sort of work backwards and sideways and eventually come up with the culprit :)

pinnatus
01/05/2015, 09:07 AM
Beautiful!

ccampo
01/06/2015, 07:02 PM
Awesome !!!

Ser Davos
01/08/2015, 09:10 AM
These are awesome!

Ser Davos
01/08/2015, 09:14 AM
Forgot to ask, what lens did you use you use for these? I love watching birds but the longest lens I have is a 135L on my 5D.

jroovers
01/08/2015, 09:24 AM
Thanks!

Forgot to ask, what lens did you use you use for these? I love watching birds but the longest lens I have is a 135L on my 5D.

These were all taken with the Canon 400 mm 5.6L. 135 is indeed very short for birds, the 400 leaves me wanting more reach most of the time, and that's on a crop body.

Misled
01/10/2015, 08:18 PM
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q68/jllndmb/jllndmb002/DSC_16731_zpsf897263a.jpg (http://s133.photobucket.com/user/jllndmb/media/jllndmb002/DSC_16731_zpsf897263a.jpg.html)

MiNdErAsR
01/11/2015, 04:54 AM
You guys take amazing photos. I have a lot of work ahead of me!

:)

jroovers
01/11/2015, 11:27 AM
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q68/jllndmb/jllndmb002/DSC_16731_zpsf897263a.jpg (http://s133.photobucket.com/user/jllndmb/media/jllndmb002/DSC_16731_zpsf897263a.jpg.html)

Nice Jesse! What is that, some type of sparrow? Whatever it is, looks like it bit off more than it can chew in one bite!

Misled
01/11/2015, 11:36 AM
Common sparrow. We keep food on the balcony. When it's cold, suet is pretty sticky!!! :lol:

Nina51
01/11/2015, 10:03 PM
Thanks, I just moved to my new place at the end of September, so not really sure yet what birds will be around in the spring and summer. Given that we back onto woods, I'm assuming we'll have a ton of warbler species, orioles, and maybe blue birds too. I've looked into houses and meal worms, so I may give it a go to attract them. Any tips?

when the summer birds start coming back, try putting some grape jelly out. i have dozens of baltimore and orchard orioles every summer. i go through a jar every 3 or 4 days. they are amazing birds and with your mad photography skillz, you could get some awesome shots.

as for attracting bluebirds, they like their nest boxes out in the open. nest boxes should be mounted on a metal pole with some sort of baffle to keep cats, squirrels, snakes and raccoons out (all of which will kill/eat nestlings). i'm kinda infamous in the 'lounge' here for my proactive approach to keeping house sparrows out of my nest boxes. that's all i'm gonna say about that. ;)

i used to feed live mealworms but they have gotten terribly expensive. during nesting season, i went through 10,000 every month. i now feed the freeze dried ones, lots cheaper and the bluebirds eat them fine.

JaYbIrD1969
01/12/2015, 08:02 AM
when the summer birds start coming back, try putting some grape jelly out. i have dozens of baltimore and orchard orioles every summer. i go through a jar every 3 or 4 days. they are amazing birds and with your mad photography skillz, you could get some awesome shots.

as for attracting bluebirds, they like their nest boxes out in the open. nest boxes should be mounted on a metal pole with some sort of baffle to keep cats, squirrels, snakes and raccoons out (all of which will kill/eat nestlings). i'm kinda infamous in the 'lounge' here for my proactive approach to keeping house sparrows out of my nest boxes. that's all i'm gonna say about that. ;)

i used to feed live mealworms but they have gotten terribly expensive. during nesting season, i went through 10,000 every month. i now feed the freeze dried ones, lots cheaper and the bluebirds eat them fine.


Great advise! The other suggestion for the orioles as oranges. Buy a bag of cuteys (or whatever they call them in your area) Cut em in half and put them out. Orioles respond to calls better than almost any other. The combination of the call and the fruit.... Youll be fighting them off LOL

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/JDS_1745_zpsfb476bbc.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/jbird35/media/JDS_1745_zpsfb476bbc.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/JDS_1738_zpse7804c78.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/jbird35/media/JDS_1738_zpse7804c78.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/JDS_1819_zps2be3d1c4.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/jbird35/media/JDS_1819_zps2be3d1c4.jpg.html)

jroovers
01/12/2015, 08:18 AM
Common sparrow. We keep food on the balcony. When it's cold, suet is pretty sticky!!! :lol:

Lol, it can get pretty sticky. At least when its frozen it lasts a bit longer in my experience. Currently, I'm going through food like crazy with the cold temps and snow we've been having.

when the summer birds start coming back, try putting some grape jelly out. i have dozens of baltimore and orchard orioles every summer. i go through a jar every 3 or 4 days. they are amazing birds and with your mad photography skillz, you could get some awesome shots.


That was actually on my to-do list already :) I tried putting out orange halves at my old place on the rare occasion when I spotted an oriole, but they never stuck around. Having a woodland and creek I'm guessing will drastically increase my odds of having them around. I will certainly be doing this in the spring... haven't tried the jelly, but I'll add that to the list.

as for attracting bluebirds, they like their nest boxes out in the open. nest boxes should be mounted on a metal pole with some sort of baffle to keep cats, squirrels, snakes and raccoons out (all of which will kill/eat nestlings). i'm kinda infamous in the 'lounge' here for my proactive approach to keeping house sparrows out of my nest boxes. that's all i'm gonna say about that. ;)

Awesome, I'll be sending you PMs in the spring for sure. I had planned on putting up owl roosting/nest boxes, but I'll add a bluebird box to the list. We have a very wide open yard for the most part, there are two large trees that tower over the yard, but other than that the rest of the tress are sort of around the perimeter, and the brush behind our fence is mostly scrub before the tall trees take over.


i used to feed live mealworms but they have gotten terribly expensive. during nesting season, i went through 10,000 every month. i now feed the freeze dried ones, lots cheaper and the bluebirds eat them fine

I put out some freeze dried meal worms in the fall, but no takers. Do you just put them out as is? I put them on a dish and added a tiny bit of water to let them reconstitute, but no takers. I can get live meal worms from a pet store near my place, but 10,000, that is just insane!

Great advise! The other suggestion for the orioles as oranges. Buy a bag of cuteys (or whatever they call them in your area) Cut em in half and put them out. Orioles respond to calls better than almost any other. The combination of the call and the fruit.... Youll be fighting them off LOL

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/JDS_1745_zpsfb476bbc.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/jbird35/media/JDS_1745_zpsfb476bbc.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/JDS_1738_zpse7804c78.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/jbird35/media/JDS_1738_zpse7804c78.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/JDS_1819_zps2be3d1c4.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/jbird35/media/JDS_1819_zps2be3d1c4.jpg.html)

As if I wasn't longing for spring enough already... this is akin to torture! Nice photos :)... only a few more months to go before spring migrants return!

Nina51
01/12/2015, 09:03 AM
Great advise! The other suggestion for the orioles as oranges. Buy a bag of cuteys (or whatever they call them in your area) Cut em in half and put them out. Orioles respond to calls better than almost any other. The combination of the call and the fruit.... Youll be fighting them off LOL

lovely pics!!! i never had any luck with oranges but that's prolly 'cause the woodpeckers ravaged them before the orioles ever had a chance.

i had a little bell i used to ring to bring the bluebirds in when i put mealworms out. i tried doing this with the orioles/grape jelly. it didn't take them long before they figured it out.

quick, funny story...had a couple of little old bird watcher ladies get lost and end up at my place. turned out they were part of a "bird count" and told me they had spotted every bird on their list except a male orchard oriole. i invited them to come up, sit on my deck, and i would call the orioles in. of course, they looked at me like i was green cheese. they sat on the glider, i put some grape jelly in the feeders and rang the bell. instantly, i had 4 or 5 male orchards swoop in. their reaction was priceless. even though they didn't need them because the birds were only 20' away, i don't think their bins left their eyes for 30 minutes.

Awesome, I'll be sending you PMs in the spring for sure.

I put out some freeze dried meal worms in the fall, but no takers. Do you just put them out as is? I put them on a dish and added a tiny bit of water to let them reconstitute, but no takers. I can get live meal worms from a pet store near my place, but 10,000, that is just insane!

sure thing! pm me any time and i'll get you started. it's pretty easy to attract bluebirds, the hard part is keeping predators out of nest boxes.

i just use this little plastic window feeder for mealworms. the blues took to it right away. when it's empty, they let me know by sitting on top and pecking at the window. they can be downright demanding!
<a href="http://s6.photobucket.com/user/Ninapearl/media/Maleatwindowfeeder2_zpsb5f20fa2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/Ninapearl/Maleatwindowfeeder2_zpsb5f20fa2.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo Maleatwindowfeeder2_zpsb5f20fa2.jpg"/></a>

i used to have a trail of 7 or 8 nest boxes all around the farm but it got to be too much work after back surgery so now i just have 3. i usually get 3-4 nestings out of each one and they bring all of their fledglings to the back yard for mealworms so it isn't unusual for me to see a dozen baby bluebirds perched in various places at the same time. this little guy sat on a wrought iron cart for the longest time being fed. they aren't a bit shy!
<a href="http://s6.photobucket.com/user/Ninapearl/media/babycloseup_zps2b52f149.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/Ninapearl/babycloseup_zps2b52f149.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo babycloseup_zps2b52f149.jpg"/></a>

jroovers
01/12/2015, 09:17 AM
lovely pics!!! i never had any luck with oranges but that's prolly 'cause the woodpeckers ravaged them before the orioles ever had a chance.

i had a little bell i used to ring to bring the bluebirds in when i put mealworms out. i tried doing this with the orioles/grape jelly. it didn't take them long before they figured it out.

quick, funny story...had a couple of little old bird watcher ladies get lost and end up at my place. turned out they were part of a "bird count" and told me they had spotted every bird on their list except a male orchard oriole. i invited them to come up, sit on my deck, and i would call the orioles in. of course, they looked at me like i was green cheese. they sat on the glider, i put some grape jelly in the feeders and rang the bell. instantly, i had 4 or 5 male orchards swoop in. their reaction was priceless. even though they didn't need them because the birds were only 20' away, i don't think their bins left their eyes for 30 minutes.

That is too funny. What type of feeder do you use for the Jelly? Assuming it needs to be cleaned out frequently or else becomes a mess?


sure thing! pm me any time and i'll get you started. it's pretty easy to attract bluebirds, the hard part is keeping predators out of nest boxes.

i just use this little plastic window feeder for mealworms. the blues took to it right away. when it's empty, they let me know by sitting on top and pecking at the window. they can be downright demanding!
<a href="http://s6.photobucket.com/user/Ninapearl/media/Maleatwindowfeeder2_zpsb5f20fa2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/Ninapearl/Maleatwindowfeeder2_zpsb5f20fa2.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo Maleatwindowfeeder2_zpsb5f20fa2.jpg"/></a>

i used to have a trail of 7 or 8 nest boxes all around the farm but it got to be too much work after back surgery so now i just have 3. i usually get 3-4 nestings out of each one and they bring all of their fledglings to the back yard for mealworms so it isn't unusual for me to see a dozen baby bluebirds perched in various places at the same time. this little guy sat on a wrought iron cart for the longest time being fed. they aren't a bit shy!
<a href="http://s6.photobucket.com/user/Ninapearl/media/babycloseup_zps2b52f149.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/Ninapearl/babycloseup_zps2b52f149.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo babycloseup_zps2b52f149.jpg"/></a>

I'll definitely PM you when I'm ready to put some boxes up. I have looked into them, they are not cheap to buy, so maybe I'll try and build some myself. I have a plastic window feeder that I use for black sunflower that primarily is visited by chickadees. I'll get another for mealworms and put it up in late winter or early spring.

Nina51
01/12/2015, 10:14 AM
if you have any farm supply stores near you, you can get a bluebird nest box pretty cheaply. here is the best website out there for bluebirding info...
http://www.nabluebirdsociety.org/nestboxes/nestboxplans.htm

this is my fancy oriole jail. it has a little plastic bowl inside that holds about 1/4 cup of jelly. oh and, believe it or not, welch's jelly is the bomb! i tried the generic stuff because it was getting expensive buying a jar of welch's every couple of days. the orioles turned their beaks up at it. i couldn't believe it! spoiled much? <a href="http://s6.photobucket.com/user/Ninapearl/media/smilies/roflmao.gif.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/Ninapearl/smilies/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt=" photo roflmao.gif"/></a>
<a href="http://s6.photobucket.com/user/Ninapearl/media/oriolejail_zps927c251f.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/Ninapearl/oriolejail_zps927c251f.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo oriolejail_zps927c251f.jpg"/></a>

the rest of my jelly feeders (i put 4 or 5 out) are just those plastic saucers that go under flower pots. i drill holes in them to let rainwater through and just hang them here and there with twine. as for the jelly getting icky, that just doesn't happen here because the birds make quick work of it. especially during nesting season, they are constantly back and forth from the feeders to the nest. i have seen them fly away with beaks full of jelly to take back to the nest. i fill all of the feeders at least 2 times/day. there are a few other birds that will eat the jelly, too...catbirds, mockingbirds, and i have even seen hummingbirds eating it. :) it's mostly orioles, though. i have seen as many as 9 baltimores at the various feeders at the same time.

faithenfire
01/12/2015, 12:44 PM
jelly was put out, only hornets and wasps came. :(

Nina51
01/12/2015, 01:47 PM
yeah, that can be a problem. i've had it happen sometimes but other years, i don't see a single one. it's mostly honey bees that i see. if you spray the feeder (and lightly spray the jelly) with olive oil vegetable spray, it'll keep the bees away. i also spray all 10 of my hummingbird feeders with it. not sure why it works but it does!

JaYbIrD1969
01/12/2015, 02:08 PM
jelly was put out, only hornets and wasps came. :(

It was ants for me. I put out an oriole feeder which is orange in color. Once they were comfortable with that, I put out the cut orange where I wanted them to come. Set up my oriole call on my ipod and they came quickly. Once they found the orange I no longer needed the call. They would pick an orange half clean in a day. Its a good idea to secure the orange so they dont knock it down or carry it off.

The jelly is a very well accepted, proven method to bring them. I just chose the orange because the oriole feeder is orange in color.

JaYbIrD1969
01/12/2015, 02:53 PM
Speaking of feeding birds. another fun thing to do if you aspire to be a bird nird ;) LOL (I can sense all the eyes rolling) is to make your own suet cakes. Ive done this many times and its fun. You can modify ingredients to bring specific birds. Ive added freeze dried meal worms and grape jelly to attract different birds. Peanut butter, oatmeal, raisins, millet, thistle, sunflower, etc. Lots of good information on google. Most butchers will sell you raw suet. Get it ground if you can, otherwise you have to grind it yourself. Just render it (melt it down) and strain it thru some cheese cloth to separate the chunks from the liquid. While its still hot stir in all the goodies. I save all the little plastic suet trays that store bought suet comes in. That way your diy suet fits in the standard feeders. I did learn to let it cool just a little or the plastic trays melt.

Its pretty rewarding to see different birds swarming your home made suet cakes.

Nina51
01/12/2015, 03:41 PM
i've made my own suet for years, just like yours. the birds love it! i also make my own hummingbird nectar. i'm pretty sure many of the same birds come back year after year and bring their friends.

i have a carolina wren that builds a nest every year under the hood on my propane tank. i always check my supply and have it topped off in the spring so she won't be disturbed during nesting. they are the cutest little birds! also used to have them make nests in my hay stack. my hay barn would be full of c. wren fledglings!

two years in a row now, i have caught a glimpse of a pileated woodpecker out in the woods. i would give a kidney to see one at my feeders!!!

JaYbIrD1969
01/12/2015, 04:51 PM
two years in a row now, i have caught a glimpse of a pileated woodpecker out in the woods. i would give a kidney to see one at my feeders!!!

Dont lose hope! They do like suet! But they can be shy! Respond VERY well to calls

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/jbird35067/JDS_4407_zps6388e8cd.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/jbird35/media/jbird35067/JDS_4407_zps6388e8cd.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/jbird35067/JDS_4390_zps7cae5575.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/jbird35/media/jbird35067/JDS_4390_zps7cae5575.jpg.html)

Nina51
01/12/2015, 05:51 PM
wow!!! maybe i should try hanging some suet from a tree at the edge of the woods instead of at my feeding station. gonna do that this summer and see what happens. if you hear a loud scream.... :D

don't know where you are, jay. do you get rose breasted grosbeaks? they're another favorite of mine. beautiful birds! and indigo buntings?

several years ago, we had a wicked storm go through here with a small tornado. the next day, i looked out at my feeders and saw a bird i had never seen before. i posted pics on a birding forum and was told it was a lazuli bunting. never heard of it, looked it up, and they are not native here and in fact, mine was only the 3rd documented sighting in the state of illinois. they are not normally seen east of the rockies. i sent vids and pics to the ornithologist at the chicago field museum and he validated them. he said it's possible he rode in on the storm. after i posted the pics on the forum, i had e-mails from iowa, missouri, and indiana...people wanting to come and camp out in my yard just to get a glimpse of it. it was here for 4 days and then poof, gone.
<a href="http://s6.photobucket.com/user/Ninapearl/media/Lazulibunting4_zpsa861db0a.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/Ninapearl/Lazulibunting4_zpsa861db0a.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo Lazulibunting4_zpsa861db0a.jpg"/></a>

and with an indigo.
<a href="http://s6.photobucket.com/user/Ninapearl/media/Lazulibunting3_zps50785378.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/Ninapearl/Lazulibunting3_zps50785378.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo Lazulibunting3_zps50785378.jpg"/></a>

another lifer for me was a painted bunting at my feeders. he was here for two days and gone. i've heard there are several breeding pairs down around st. louis. would love to see another one!

JaYbIrD1969
01/12/2015, 06:58 PM
wow!!! maybe i should try hanging some suet from a tree at the edge of the woods instead of at my feeding station. gonna do that this summer and see what happens. if you hear a loud scream.... :D

don't know where you are, jay. do you get rose breasted grosbeaks? they're another favorite of mine. beautiful birds! and indigo buntings?

several years ago, we had a wicked storm go through here with a small tornado. the next day, i looked out at my feeders and saw a bird i had never seen before. i posted pics on a birding forum and was told it was a lazuli bunting. never heard of it, looked it up, and they are not native here and in fact, mine was only the 3rd documented sighting in the state of illinois. they are not normally seen east of the rockies. i sent vids and pics to the ornithologist at the chicago field museum and he validated them. he said it's possible he rode in on the storm. after i posted the pics on the forum, i had e-mails from iowa, missouri, and indiana...people wanting to come and camp out in my yard just to get a glimpse of it. it was here for 4 days and then poof, gone.
<a href="http://s6.photobucket.com/user/Ninapearl/media/Lazulibunting4_zpsa861db0a.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/Ninapearl/Lazulibunting4_zpsa861db0a.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo Lazulibunting4_zpsa861db0a.jpg"/></a>

and with an indigo.
<a href="http://s6.photobucket.com/user/Ninapearl/media/Lazulibunting3_zps50785378.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/Ninapearl/Lazulibunting3_zps50785378.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo Lazulibunting3_zps50785378.jpg"/></a>

another lifer for me was a painted bunting at my feeders. he was here for two days and gone. i've heard there are several breeding pairs down around st. louis. would love to see another one!

Those are indeed Lazulis Nina and I am shocked you had them out this way! Freakin wild! Nature is awesome!

I am in Central Wisconsin. And yes, I get the roses..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/jbird35069/JDS_3855_zps9966e9ca.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/jbird35/media/jbird35069/JDS_3855_zps9966e9ca.jpg.html)

And the Indigo's

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/jbird35069/JDS_1862_zpsb091dcae.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/jbird35/media/jbird35069/JDS_1862_zpsb091dcae.jpg.html)

However, I am an Oregonian (In fact Im moving back next month) And I have photographed many Lazulis and Im pretty excited to play with those western species again.
This is from spring 2011

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/jbird35069/WOP_7995lazuli_zps12f1c0f2.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/jbird35/media/jbird35069/WOP_7995lazuli_zps12f1c0f2.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/jbird35070/WOP_7984lazuli_zps5fdd41bf.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/jbird35/media/jbird35070/WOP_7984lazuli_zps5fdd41bf.jpg.html)

I dont know if youve ever seen the movie "The Big Year"? Its kinda corny but quite factual. They make reference to migratory birds riding storms. And I have seen it in a big way here in Wisco. A strong overnight storm in May and I awake to a whole new chorus outside my window!!

Nina51
01/12/2015, 08:40 PM
i just love your photos! i had a crappy little point 'n' shoot camera back then and since i didn't wanna scare the bunting away, i took pics out the window. his coloring was much more vibrant, more like what your pics show.

never saw that movie but googled it. it looks hilarious!!

do you see many bald eagles? i live about 3 miles from the illinois river and we often have them circle the farm on their way to the river. they have quite a few nesting areas not far from me. i've had one perch in a high tree branch in my back yard a few times. always breathtaking to see them!

JaYbIrD1969
01/12/2015, 08:53 PM
do you see many bald eagles? i live about 3 miles from the illinois river and we often have them circle the farm on their way to the river. they have quite a few nesting areas not far from me. i've had one perch in a high tree branch in my back yard a few times. always breathtaking to see them!

Many is an understatement. I live at the edge of the McMillan marsh. A bird/wildlife sanctuary and the flyway is right over my house. They soar overhead daily. Very abundant!!

Eagles are very high on my list of wildlife and never pass up a chance to photograph them, or even just stand and watch them....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/jbird35071/DSC_0129c_zps163659ff.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/jbird35/media/jbird35071/DSC_0129c_zps163659ff.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/jbird35071/DSC_0299n_zps2e5d6c87.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/jbird35/media/jbird35071/DSC_0299n_zps2e5d6c87.jpg.html)

Philly_Reefer
01/12/2015, 09:17 PM
those shots look amazing, must have been some time invested. Well worth it@!

Nina51
01/12/2015, 09:32 PM
amazing pics!!! i have one of an eagle in the tree in my back yard but i'm not posting it. looking at yours, mine looks like a drawing done by a kindergarten kid!

what a great place you have for bird watching!

JaYbIrD1969
01/13/2015, 07:45 AM
Post it Nina! Its not about a great photo. Its about a beautiful animal ;)

jroovers
01/13/2015, 08:30 AM
if you have any farm supply stores near you, you can get a bluebird nest box pretty cheaply. here is the best website out there for bluebirding info...
http://www.nabluebirdsociety.org/nestboxes/nestboxplans.htm

this is my fancy oriole jail. it has a little plastic bowl inside that holds about 1/4 cup of jelly. oh and, believe it or not, welch's jelly is the bomb! i tried the generic stuff because it was getting expensive buying a jar of welch's every couple of days. the orioles turned their beaks up at it. i couldn't believe it! spoiled much? <a href="http://s6.photobucket.com/user/Ninapearl/media/smilies/roflmao.gif.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/Ninapearl/smilies/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt=" photo roflmao.gif"/></a>
<a href="http://s6.photobucket.com/user/Ninapearl/media/oriolejail_zps927c251f.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/Ninapearl/oriolejail_zps927c251f.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo oriolejail_zps927c251f.jpg"/></a>

the rest of my jelly feeders (i put 4 or 5 out) are just those plastic saucers that go under flower pots. i drill holes in them to let rainwater through and just hang them here and there with twine. as for the jelly getting icky, that just doesn't happen here because the birds make quick work of it. especially during nesting season, they are constantly back and forth from the feeders to the nest. i have seen them fly away with beaks full of jelly to take back to the nest. i fill all of the feeders at least 2 times/day. there are a few other birds that will eat the jelly, too...catbirds, mockingbirds, and i have even seen hummingbirds eating it. :) it's mostly orioles, though. i have seen as many as 9 baltimores at the various feeders at the same time.

That is all great info, I'd actually been on that site before :) I'm going to keep the jelly in mind for the spring, and I'm going to order/pick up some boxes once I do some more shopping around :) When I'm ready to put them up and deter predators, I'll let you know!

yeah, that can be a problem. i've had it happen sometimes but other years, i don't see a single one. it's mostly honey bees that i see. if you spray the feeder (and lightly spray the jelly) with olive oil vegetable spray, it'll keep the bees away. i also spray all 10 of my hummingbird feeders with it. not sure why it works but it does!

Good tip, never heard of that!

Speaking of feeding birds. another fun thing to do if you aspire to be a bird nird ;) LOL (I can sense all the eyes rolling) is to make your own suet cakes. Ive done this many times and its fun. You can modify ingredients to bring specific birds. Ive added freeze dried meal worms and grape jelly to attract different birds. Peanut butter, oatmeal, raisins, millet, thistle, sunflower, etc. Lots of good information on google. Most butchers will sell you raw suet. Get it ground if you can, otherwise you have to grind it yourself. Just render it (melt it down) and strain it thru some cheese cloth to separate the chunks from the liquid. While its still hot stir in all the goodies. I save all the little plastic suet trays that store bought suet comes in. That way your diy suet fits in the standard feeders. I did learn to let it cool just a little or the plastic trays melt.

Its pretty rewarding to see different birds swarming your home made suet cakes.

i've made my own suet for years, just like yours. the birds love it! i also make my own hummingbird nectar. i'm pretty sure many of the same birds come back year after year and bring their friends.

i have a carolina wren that builds a nest every year under the hood on my propane tank. i always check my supply and have it topped off in the spring so she won't be disturbed during nesting. they are the cutest little birds! also used to have them make nests in my hay stack. my hay barn would be full of c. wren fledglings!

two years in a row now, i have caught a glimpse of a pileated woodpecker out in the woods. i would give a kidney to see one at my feeders!!!

I don't have the time to do my own suet, but I certainly have found that different birds prefer different types of suet. I've been having trouble finding suet plugs, but got some bark butter plugs that are peanut flavoured, and my Carolina wrens are nuts for it (no pun intended). They certainly like suet but I've never seen them so voracious as they are for this stuff.

Carolina wrens are one of my favorites... I went out this morning to fill my feeders, it was -22 C (-8f), and I had a Carolina wren in the tree in my backyard singing away! Tough little things, and very curious.

Some nice bunting shots you both have Nina and Jaybird, pretty certain there will be some indigos around my place in the spring. We are about a km away from the river as the crow flies, have seen one bald eagle fly over since moving. They are pretty much a dime a dozen around these parts nowadays, hard to believe the comeback they have made!

Nina51
01/13/2015, 09:56 AM
Post it Nina! Its not about a great photo. Its about a beautiful animal ;)

ok but i told ya so! LOL
<a href="http://s6.photobucket.com/user/Ninapearl/media/baldeagle22402_zps4ba00854.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/Ninapearl/baldeagle22402_zps4ba00854.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo baldeagle22402_zps4ba00854.jpg"/></a>

that ^ was back in the day of rudimentary digital cameras that were sucky and more expensive than a year's worth of raw dog food!

When I'm ready to put them up and deter predators, I'll let you know!

okie dokie!

the indigo buntings started coming probably 10ish years ago. the first couple of years, they only stayed a few days and then moved on. as years went by, they started staying longer and for the past several, they have been here all summer and i often see them feeding fledglings.

when i had horses, i had a barn full of hay bales. one year, i could not, for the life of me, figure out what all the holes were in the sides of the bales. that same year, my hay barn was full of c. wren fledglings, they were perched all over the rafters. finally figured out, the holes were actually c. wren nests. :)

JaYbIrD1969
01/13/2015, 12:26 PM
LOL. Its...... GOOD! LOL But seriously, I really like the network of branches in the setting! It makes the photo. I am really big on the environment I like to shoot birds in. I will walk long distances to get something specific.

Heres an example. This White Tailed Kite was hanging out here and the mountain was way over to the left. I hiked a huge loop that brought me to a vantage point that I wanted. I was very lucky the bird didnt bail.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/jbird35072/kite110b_zps0bffdf6d.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/jbird35/media/jbird35072/kite110b_zps0bffdf6d.jpg.html)

faithenfire
01/13/2015, 12:55 PM
i just love your photos! i had a crappy little point 'n' shoot camera back then and since i didn't wanna scare the bunting away, i took pics out the window. his coloring was much more vibrant, more like what your pics show.

never saw that movie but googled it. it looks hilarious!!

do you see many bald eagles? i live about 3 miles from the illinois river and we often have them circle the farm on their way to the river. they have quite a few nesting areas not far from me. i've had one perch in a high tree branch in my back yard a few times. always breathtaking to see them!

lol, bald eagles. i spent time in college in stevens point, wi. saw them all the time. the locals/townies didn't even bother looking up when one was in flight and thought them more akin to flying rats.

i however nearly had the poo scared of me. i was in my dorm and there was a squirrell on my window sill. i gave him some peanut butter. then i turned back to my computer and then suddenly the sunlight went away. like an unexpected eclipse. and i turned to see a bald eagle snatch up the squirrell and fly away

JaYbIrD1969
01/13/2015, 02:02 PM
lol, bald eagles. i spent time in college in stevens point, wi. saw them all the time. the locals/townies didn't even bother looking up when one was in flight and thought them more akin to flying rats.

i however nearly had the poo scared of me. i was in my dorm and there was a squirrell on my window sill. i gave him some peanut butter. then i turned back to my computer and then suddenly the sunlight went away. like an unexpected eclipse. and i turned to see a bald eagle snatch up the squirrell and fly away

I wish the bald eagles around here ate the damn squirrels!!!!

Stevens Point! I live in Marshfield :)

faithenfire
01/13/2015, 02:46 PM
it was a lovely area.

it was very scary. you don't realize how big they are until they are less than a foot away from you. i was very very glad my window had a screen, lest i ended up with a squirrell/bird party unexpectedly in my room

jroovers
01/16/2015, 03:38 PM
Couple more, Red Bellied Woodpecker, Cardinal, Pine Siskin

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8582/16109982457_08248ca514_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qxzSwe)Red Bellied Woodpecker (https://flic.kr/p/qxzSwe) by UpOnTheRoof (https://www.flickr.com/people/87179608@N04/), on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7538/16295839685_6bf63b755a_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qQ1rpc)Cardiinal on Pine (https://flic.kr/p/qQ1rpc) by UpOnTheRoof (https://www.flickr.com/people/87179608@N04/), on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7583/16294987232_1754ab0599_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qPW4ZJ)Pine Siskin on Red Pine (https://flic.kr/p/qPW4ZJ) by UpOnTheRoof (https://www.flickr.com/people/87179608@N04/), on Flickr

JaYbIrD1969
01/16/2015, 07:50 PM
Very nice Jordan. Your image quality is incredible. I love the little yellow accents on the siskin. Love the background color on the cardinal. Makes him really POP. And the red belly in the snow is just fantastic! I like the redbellies and have spent a lot of time chasing them. I love their chatter.

jroovers
01/23/2015, 01:02 PM
Very nice Jordan. Your image quality is incredible. I love the little yellow accents on the siskin. Love the background color on the cardinal. Makes him really POP. And the red belly in the snow is just fantastic! I like the redbellies and have spent a lot of time chasing them. I love their chatter.

Thanks Jay. I like the cardinal too, that day had some sun, which has been sorely lacking around these parts lately. Typically however as we move into February the sun gains some strength and makes its presence felt more regularly. The cardinals I notice really seem to pick up their singing in February, maybe its to get an early jump on declaring territory and mates for when spring does arrive.

I like the redbellies too, but so far they are an inconsistent visitor to the yard. Not present on most days, and its a bonus when they do show up.

JaYbIrD1969
01/23/2015, 01:45 PM
Ive had one nice red belly pose for me at my feeder.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/JDS_8211_zps5b42b461.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/jbird35/media/JDS_8211_zps5b42b461.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/JDS_8188_zps4bbbce48.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/jbird35/media/JDS_8188_zps4bbbce48.jpg.html)

jroovers
01/23/2015, 02:41 PM
Very nice! Love the eye, especially in the second shot. What do you feed them primarily, suet? Do you have a peanut feeder? They like the suet feeder that is for sure... currently I'm having issues with the squirrels though, and deterring them from the suet, while keeping it accessible to the bird! If I figure that out I may get them more regularly.

JaYbIrD1969
01/23/2015, 04:48 PM
Yeah. The suet mainly. But they do come to black oil sfs. Above all, they come to calls. In fact better than any other bird in most cases.

Nina51
01/23/2015, 05:03 PM
beautiful, jay! we call those ladder backs around here. :)

i was talking to a birding friend today and she swears by this stuff...
http://www.farm-home.com/mn/v11_catalog.mvc?v15_itmdisp+dispCat+ECB+001125+JDISTRIB1387-1751~~~~~~~

you can bet i'm gonna pick some up on my next trip to town!

JaYbIrD1969
01/23/2015, 08:46 PM
Nina, if you try that stuff please give us a report. :)

Nina51
01/23/2015, 10:58 PM
you'll be the first to know. :)

MiNdErAsR
01/24/2015, 06:15 AM
Bookmarked that link. Thanks Nina.

Nina51
01/24/2015, 09:16 AM
i don't have a lot going on today and the dogs are begging for a car ride so i think i'm gonna head to the farm store. i haven't put any sunflower seed out in several days, my feeders are empty because of the damn squirrels so i'mma gonna go to war!

snorvich
01/24/2015, 12:14 PM
Jordan, (jroovers) those images are spectacular!

Nina51
01/24/2015, 01:55 PM
went to both farm stores, neither had it. gonna try another one maybe tomorrow.

jroovers
02/22/2015, 09:53 PM
No longer early winter, man o man its been cold around southern Ontario, no signs of spring yet! Some bird shots none-the-less:

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8649/15997553034_49de3a7197_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qnDDaU)Feb 2015 Birds-1 (https://flic.kr/p/qnDDaU) by UpOnTheRoof (https://www.flickr.com/people/87179608@N04/), on Flickr

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8682/15997553354_5e445f2895_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qnDDgq)Feb 2015 Birds-2 (https://flic.kr/p/qnDDgq) by UpOnTheRoof (https://www.flickr.com/people/87179608@N04/), on Flickr

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8605/16432553168_423367171c_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/r368yd)Feb 2015 Birds-3 (https://flic.kr/p/r368yd) by UpOnTheRoof (https://www.flickr.com/people/87179608@N04/), on Flickr

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8612/15999983593_b54c49bbe3_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qnS6G6)Feb 2015 Birds-4 (https://flic.kr/p/qnS6G6) by UpOnTheRoof (https://www.flickr.com/people/87179608@N04/), on Flickr

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8626/15997554784_63ed436e3a_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qnDDG5)Feb 2015 Birds-5 (https://flic.kr/p/qnDDG5) by UpOnTheRoof (https://www.flickr.com/people/87179608@N04/), on Flickr

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8656/16412447687_a87e70e123_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/r1j5TZ)Feb 2015 Birds-6 (https://flic.kr/p/r1j5TZ) by UpOnTheRoof (https://www.flickr.com/people/87179608@N04/), on Flickr

Misled
02/22/2015, 10:21 PM
Most excellent Jordan!!!! :)

jroovers
02/24/2015, 12:04 PM
Most excellent Jordan!!!! :)

Thanks Jesse! I'm eagerly waiting to start a thread called "early spring birds" :)

NTP66
02/26/2015, 08:04 AM
I didn't want to start another thread, so I hope you don't mind me throwing these recent "winter" shots of birds up. They were taken in South Padre Island, Texas.

Great Blue Heron
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8619/16466038150_d86c139c4e_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/r63Ktu)

Redwinged Blackbird
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8656/16446154517_173245c665_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/r4hQLe)

White Ibis
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8570/16033553403_6fdc3ce97d_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qqQ9PV)

Another Great Blue Heron up close, only I apparently didn't see the long blade of grass in the shot (ruined all three of them)
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8652/16653437385_ca4f1795f4_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rnBdJM)

jroovers
02/26/2015, 10:50 AM
I don't mind at all Nick, great shots! Your winter pics look significantly warmer than mine lol... I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of the red-winged blackbirds, they are one of the first spring migrants to show up here in SW Ontario, along with grackles and robins. Early in spring they will come to the feeder, only time of year that they do so.

Not sure what you mean about the last heron shot and the blade of grass? Looks good to me :)

pinnatus
02/26/2015, 10:57 AM
I see it, but would never have noticed it if you had not pointed it out. Nice photos everyone!

NTP66
02/26/2015, 10:57 AM
On the last heron shot, there's this blurry line that runs up the entire photo on the left side. I'm pretty sure it was a long stalk that I didn't see in my shot. If you didn't really notice it, though, that makes me happy. :)

jroovers
02/26/2015, 11:10 AM
I see it, but would never have noticed it if you had not pointed it out. Nice photos everyone!

+1, I see it now, but didn't at first at all

NTP66
02/26/2015, 11:24 AM
lol... I tried cleaning it up in Photoshop, but the area is too busy and it would take way more time than it's worth.

woodnaquanut
03/01/2015, 12:37 PM
lol... I tried cleaning it up in Photoshop, but the area is too busy and it would take way more time than it's worth.

I think because the bird's eye is in sharp focus, we (at least, I) overlook the distortion. When I read your comment I had to go looking for the blade of grass.