Birds from Behind

Thursday, May 19, 2022

The Biggest Week in American Birding...part 3?...

A wee lil American Goldfinch...

For me, this was a very strange festival. Normally I would be out everyday at Magee looking for them lil warbly things. This year I was asked to be a bird guide! Luckily for me, maybe unfortunately for them, I led two beginners bird walks at Pearson Metroparks just outside of Toledo, butt still close to Maumee Bay and Magee Marsh.

I was happy to have the company of Diego and Jay from Costa Rica along for the first walk. We had some great birds, great-crested flycatcher AT EYE LEVEL!, Nashville warbly, palm warbly and more. Everyone had a good time and saw some great birds!

The second day I had the company of three reps from Zeiss Optics! I felt awkward with my (lovely) Swarovskis! Another great day with the flycatcher still present! We had about a dozen folks on each trip and I kept my humor to a minimum...very difficult! I'm looking forward to seeing the surveys!

I left my camera behind(OUCH) both days to "focus" on the birds and beginners so I missed the flycatcher when I went back in the afternoon. Next time...

I did manage a few shots though!

The Black-capped Chickadees were plentiful!

Gotta love those beebees! Wee lil Carolina Wrens...

Searching for food on the shelter roof...

A little snack for the kiddies...

This is what happens when there's a leaf partially blocking my view. There really were two Downy Woodpeckers on the tree...no ghosts!

Hello MODO!

This Red-bellied Woodpecker was keeping an eye on me...

My first Rose-breasted Grosbeak of the year!

Here's a puzzlement...I know it's a thrush...maybe a Veery...it took off before I could see the breast...

This Wren was playing air guitar and singing "Carolina in My Mind!" Honest, it was...I heard it!

I'll have more photos from the Biggest Week at Howard Marsh and Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Unfortunately, I came down with covid and had to quarantine for the rest of the festival...next year! Warblies look out!

Monday, May 9, 2022

The Biggest Week in American Birding is Back!!!

Last August a very destructive storm came through the area and took out many of the large cottonwoods and other trees that we were used to seeing loaded with warblies.

Well kids, after two longs years of birding alone at Magee Marsh, The Biggest Week in American Birding has come back live and in person! There have been many changes, especially the loss of many of the largest trees. Fortunately, the birds don't care and are arriving daily to our delight! Some of the boardwalk was damaged as well, but has been rebuilt just in time.

One of the bald eagle nests was lost in the storm, but a new one in the middle of the boardwalk has appeared. The high point of my latest trip to the marsh was a Kirtland's Warbly so close I couldn't use my camera! I did manage a couple of shots with my cell phone...I have to start carrying a short lens!

It was a slow day with very heavy winds blowing in across the lake keeping our little buddies further inland away from the marsh. This coming week will be excellent with the winds shifting and the warming weather! I can't wait to get back over there!

I volunteered two days to lead beginners bird walks at Pearson Metropark in Oregon, Ohio this past weekend. I had a great time with a wonderful group of birders and a few other guides from Zeiss Optics and Sabrewing Nature Tours. I'm looking forward to more beginners!

A Kirtland's Warbly too close for a camera! He was about four or five feet away!

A Black-capped Chickadee with a healthy snack...better than the junk I was eating!

A very sleepy Downy Woodpecker...that happens to all of us on the boardwalk!

One of my favorite birds! A Gray Catbird...meow...

One of those days with the birds very close, like this Great Egret...

A Greater Yellowlegs with very mucky legs!

I'm always pleased that Green Herons are so willing to pose!

This Killdeer was photo-bombed by that Yellowlegs!

The Kirtland's Warbly finally rose up into the trees and far enough away that I could use my camera...too bad about the growing greenery...

My best shot ever of the Kirtland's!!!!

Yep, I never get a "normal" shot...everyone always has to make a face...or butt when I'm around!

A happy lil Palm Warbly out shaking his tail feathers!

Finding this White-eyed Vireo was great luck, especially from behind!

I never did see the other side...maybe next time...

Of course my only view of a Wood Thrush...with a little something stuck on his beak!

I'll leave you with this Yellow Warbly!

I'll be at Maumee Bay and Magee and the surrounding areas next weekend too! Stop me and say hello if you can!!...until next time...

Monday, May 2, 2022

It's May and I'm Back!!

Just a couple of Bald Eagles hanging around...

Well kids, it's May at last and spring has sorta sprung around here...sorta. At least the warbly buddies are coming back! This was my first day visiting the world famous Magee Marsh before the Biggest Week in American Birding starts. Hard to believe, but they asked me to lead a couple of beginner bird walks...I hope they survive!

Last August there was a terrible storm that blew through the area. It's shocking how many of the large trees in the area were downed and how much of the boardwalk destroyed. Repairs have been made and most of the boardwalk is once again open. A section in the center has been closed because a pair a bald eagles built a nest in the middle. When I was there there was no sign of them...we shall see what the weeks hold in store.

Enough jibber jabber, on with the photos!!

Oh looky there! A lil beebee eaglet chowing down!

My favorite warbly! A Black-and-white and he posed properly for me!

Huh! So that's what the other end looks like!

Attack of the killer Black-throated Green Warbly!!! Duck!!!

A beauty of a Blackburnian Warbly!

Another warbly out to get me! It was a rough day at the marsh...

This is the closest I've ever been to a Blanding's Turtle!

Gotta love those little Blue-gray Gnatcatchers! I had nary a gnat bother thanks to him!

Bull...frog...

Who's the cutest little Golden-crowned Kinglet?

I can't believe it sat still that long!

One of these days I'm going to get a tattoo of a Gray Catbird. Next to the warblies, one of my favorites!

A Great Egret looking great as usual...

A Midland Painted Turtle looking turtly...

A Palm Warbly in search of the infamous palm that they never find...

Ooooo! A Pine Warbly! This is the first time I saw one and actually figured out what it was right away!

And he was kind enough to pose properly for me too!

Dinosaurs!!! Oh, wait...nope...just a giant Snapping Turtle...

Swainson's Thrushes were bountiful along the edges of the boardwalk.

This Tree Swallow was checking out a possible new home location after all of the old trees were knocked down last summer.

And what day on the boardwalk would be complete without a "butterbutt!"

Gotta love those Yellow-rumped Warblies!

Stay tuned! We're back in business with more warblies for your enjoyment!

Wednesday, November 3, 2021

A Weekend in Asheville...

Caron and Brian...and me!

I had the opportunity to visit my friends Brian and Caron in Asheville, North Carolina last week for a few days. I've worked with Brian for the past 18 years...and he hasn't killed me yet...he hasn't tried hard enough!

We did a little birding around the gorgeous Biltmore Lake in the mornings and toured the area looking at art and some crazy graffiti later in the day. We also saw some spectacular sunsets and best of all...the Buddy Guy 25th anniversary tour! The man turned 85 this past July and he's still kicking a$$ and taking names. What a great show!

Here's a few photos of the things I saw...I really get to kick this writers block and get back to posting...maybe...yep...hopefully...probably...