Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Bird pics-o-rama!

As almost always happens, my big weekend plans for birding came undone. My girlfriend injured her back, so I spent the weekend nursing her back to some semblance of health. She's much better now.

So last night we went to Millbrook Marsh to really work the birds there. There were many young and beginning birders there too, which was really exciting. We saw the requisite Yellow Warblers and Common Yellowthroats, and we also saw a Chestnut-sided Warbler! I got some great pics of the first two, but none of the Chestnut-sided. Oh well. Here are the highlights from the walk (most can be clicked on for embiggening, though some are small crops of larger pics). A Yellow Warbler impersonating a missile.

An Eastern Phoebe got a little ruffled at me.

The phoebe and a Yellow Warbler preened together.

I drove this YEWA nuts with my BirdJam. But look how nicely he posed!

Overheard conversation between these two Barn Swallows:
"Stop it."
"No, YOU stop it."
"I'm not kidding. Stop it."
"No, YOU stop it."
"I'm gonna kick your--"
"MOM! He's threatening me!"
"Oh gees..."



A Red-winged Blackbird posed for us.


Perhaps my best pics of a Common Yellowthroat!

I love Barn Swallows!

We also saw and/or heard a Swamp Sparrow, a Gray Catbird singing a weird song, some sort of flycatcher, Song Sparrows, Grackles, American Crows, American Robins, Mourning Doves, and some other birds I couldn't ID (grayish brown, small, bird-like...). I think that was everything. It was a nice trip, what with the sun shining and the cool breeze blowing. This is such a nice time to live in Central PA -- when it's not raining, that is.

So the girlfriend and I are going camping with some friends of hers for the holiday weekend. I'm hoping to see Lifer #200 on that trip. At this point, I don't even care if it's my nemesis, the Scarlet Tanager. I just want #200!

7 comments:

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

Weee Delia! Another terrific day.
Great pix (Phoebe's my fave).
Loved the Barn Swallow dialogue.

Dr. Monkey Von Monkerstein said...

I'm just glad you have a new gf who enjoys the outdoors and birding as much as you do. ;0)

lisahgolden said...

Awesome, D! I just love barn swallows. Their shape when they fly just makes my heart sing. And now that I know they carry on so, I love them even more.

Beth said...

hee, hee...love those barn swallows! Good luck on #200, Delia.

Beth

Carol said...

love that yellow missle. When we lived in NY our barn was loaded with nesting barn swallows. I sure miss them.

www.wildlifearoundus.blogspot.com

dguzman said...

Lynne--thanks!

Dr. Monkey--you and me both. Thanks for the sweetness.

Lisa--they're crazy little birds.

Beth--thanks!

Carol--welcome to the bloggy! Thanks for stopping by.

claritynow said...

I know this post is almost a year old, but I stumpled upon this and recognize that odd fungus looking growth. It's actually a plant called Squaw Root that gets by without the use of chlorophyll.