Saturday, May 30, 2015

Birding In May

I recently joined a birding group in my area. It has been an extremely fun and educational experience.  As I watch and learn from the experts who have been birding for many, many years, I am amazed at how many birds they can identify by their call or song.  It's like learning a second language! 
 
In 2011, "The Big Year" the movie was released.  It's a comedy (which was based on a true story) about three birders trying to see and identify the most birds in North America in a single year.  Birders who plan to be a competitor in this informal competition in North America, must plan to see and identify over 700 birds.  The competition begins on January 1 at 12:00 A.M. each year and ends on December 31st at 11:59 P.M. as defined in the American Birding Association Big Year rules.  When I watched the movie a few years ago, I never dreamed that bird-watching would be in my future!
 
Here's are some of the birds I photographed this month.
 
 
Osprey
 
Savanna Sparrow

 
Turkey Vulture

 
Wrentit
 
Cedar Waxwing
 
Great Blue Heron fishing at Fern Ridge Dam


 
Lazuli Bunting
 
Pelicans

Violet-green Swallow

Bewick's Wren


Northern Flicker


Song Sparrow

 
Eagle heading to nest with more building material as the two eaglets watch
 
 
Mallard Duck

 
 
There's often other nice creatures along the way,
 
Western Pond Turtle
 
 

and others you could do without.
 
 
Redspotted Garter Snake
 
 
 

Happy Birding!

 

No comments:

Post a Comment

I appreciate your comments! Once approved, they will show on this blog. (Please, no external links in your comments, as they will not be posted.)

Thank you!