Wild Birds: I'm ready for my close ups......

 

Linking to Wild Birds with Stewart   

Mourning Dove Fledgling

Some of you will remember this 'butt shot' of a Mourning Dove on the nest that I posted about a month ago.

A couple of weeks ago I had taken my camera outside to take photos of my cherry tree and as I walked toward the gazebo I took the above photo of the little fledgling walking around in the violet dotted grass.

As I got a little closer I could see it hadn't been long since the baby had left the nest. I didn't see Mom or Dad anywhere near.

I took one more closeup photo before retreating so as not to put any stress on the little guy. Don't you just love those feathers!

I stepped up into the gazebo to check the nest and as you can see a little sibling remained alone high up in the rafters. Hubs was getting ready to mow the lawn but left a large bit of yard around the gazebo unmowed so as not to disturb the youngsters. The next morning I returned to the gazebo to find the one in the nest had disappeared but I didn't see either of them. Walking around to the backside I found the two siblings huddled together underneath a bush. As I had to leave town the next day I didn't see them anymore but hope they survived and are living somewhere nearby.

Posted for Wild Bird Wednesday.

Wild Bird Wednesday: Doves In Motion

Three little doves perched on the feeder......

According to the Internet site All About Birds, the Mourning Dove is a graceful, slender-tailed, small-headed dove that’s common across the continent. Mourning Doves perch on telephone wires and forage for seeds on the ground. Hmmm....maybe I should have a talk with the ones that live in my backyard. It makes no difference how much seed we leave on the ground this is how we see them more often.

One flew away then there were two.

Last Monday I sat watching them fly up and down from the feeder. I decided to see if I could get any in flight. For new readers please know I shoot through my double paned sunroom window so sharpness is an issue. Once I saw in my viewfinder I had caught this one in flight I kept shooting. The following images were some of my better captures.

Making a left turn for a landing.

Coming in for a landing.

If I'm angelic looking enough maybe they won't mind my company.

Suspended in air....

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Scavenger Hunt Sunday

MOTION

(enlarge for best detail)

Last Monday I sat at my sunroom window and practiced trying to capture a bird in motion. This one of a Mourning Dove getting ready to land on the bird feeder was one of those attempts. I have a few more I'll be posting on Wednesday.

'WAITING TO CLICK'

I live in the country and am very accustomed to seeing deer cross my property. Each time it is a joy to see. To get a good shot of the face I have to be patient and wait for the moment when she stops nibbling on the grass or bird seed and lifts her head to stop, listen, and look to see if she's still safe to stay and keep eating. Then I click.

IN FASHION

I'm not really one to follow fashion trends. Give me a good pair of jeans and a T-shirt and I'm good to go. The one item I do love is a nice purse. This is a detail from the purse I carry in the summer. It is denim blue and has a bright red lining - perfect with jeans! For me you can't go wrong with the always in fashion Tommy Hilfiger. A little secret though - I shop discount and never pay full price.

ANIMAL'S PERSPECTIVE

"A little toad hopped through the grass and came upon a magic mushroom....."

MANY

The Easter Bunny will soon be coming to town!

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Thursday's Nature Notes

Sitting here at my computer on Wednesday morning looking out my window I see the first gentle rain of spring falling silently refreshing the earth.
Each time the rain ceases the birds fly to the feeders for nourishment. The cardinals are there as always. Their brilliant red color made more vibrant by the grey overcast day. They’re sharing their seeds this morning with a couple of Red-Winged Blackbirds and some Grackles that have all shown up this week in the quest for food. The ever present Mourning Doves are content to munch on the seed falling to the ground and have begun pairing up in the treetops. Pine Siskins and Finch rally for position on the thistle feeders.
Flying toward the house I see a wide wingspan and grab my camera. For a couple of days now a vulture has circled. I haven’t yet been able to snap his photo. I see that he lands in a nearby tree and I watch and wait. He’s too far away to get a photo. Suddenly I see him leave his perch for the ground. I try quietly to open my sliding glass doors and slip out on the deck in hopes of catching a glimpse of him. Suddenly I realize the wet deck is cold to my bare feet. The warm weather of the previous days is gone. There isn’t time to rethink and go back for shoes. I slip quietly to the end of the deck and see Mr. Vulture just off in the woods. Just as I clicked my camera he flew in a blur of feathers. Next time. Maybe.
I can tell that the day is going to be mostly wet. I’m thankful I took a walk around the property yesterday to see all that’s happening. The first buds of the plum tree are starting to spring forth; their tiny blossoms miniature works of art. More of the daffodils are ready to emerge from bulbs that look as if they could burst at the touch. The smallest of the forsythia bushes are in complete bloom. Even the bugs have already found the little trumpet shapes and are feasting away.
Even though it is a wet cool day in March warm Spring days are ahead. The rain is falling gently, the earth is again coming to life and I find myself longing for green leaves on the trees, fireflys, fresh tomatoes from the garden and being outside looking up at the stars. It's all just beginning. For today I'll sit back and enjoy what is mine for the moment. When the rain stops I'll go out again and marvel at the surprises that no doubt await me.

For more Nature Notes please visit Michelle at Rambling Woods.

Camera Critters: Feathered Friends

This was taken a few days before Christmas when the skies were clear and the sun was bright. It was taken through my sunroom window as most of my bird shots are. These eight little Mourning Doves were sunning themselves in the bare branches of my huge old oak tree.

A First Time Visitor To The Feeder

He's a little heavy to sit on the edge!

For more Camera Critter fun click the badge at the top of my post to visit Misty and all the other participants playing along today. You never know what you'll see!