Two adult Bald Eagles in their nest today, relaxing out of the incessant wind. My Great Blue Heron patiently waiting on a log in the lake for a fish to pass by. A great Blue Heron can teach us all a lesson on patience!
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What did you see in your binoculars today? (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter NDhunter
- Start date
You mean to say you actually saw something through your binoculars other than glare, CA, rolling ball effect, green tint, yellow tint......... Wow!
Had a trip to Blacktoft Sands yesterday which if you haven't been is very worthwhile. Highlights were marsh barriers, common cranes and of course the avocet. Little egret, snipe, blackcap and tree sparrow were also easy to spot along with all the usual suspects. Unfortunately no bittern, spoonbill or bearded tit were on show
CharleyBird
Well-known member
In March we moved from N London (end of the M11) to a small town in County Durham near my place of birth. I've not been expecting anything out of the ordinary in the garden although we are now only a stones throw from farmland.
This morning a splash of colour caught my eye and I was quite thrilled to see male and female bullfinch close up, pecking at the buds on an as yet unidentified tree.
This morning a splash of colour caught my eye and I was quite thrilled to see male and female bullfinch close up, pecking at the buds on an as yet unidentified tree.
edwincjones
Well-known member
Watching the action of Hawks and Vultures tails flying in high wind
edj
edj
tenex
reality-based
We had a lovely morning at a local lake. First highlight: an Osprey perched on a high limb overlooking one end, whom we admired for a while at what we hoped was a comfortable distance, and eventually took flight to circle around right in front of us for a minute or two, pausing to hover a couple of times while staring intently down at the water, then drifted vertically downward into what finally became a dive, almost disappearing below the surface and rising back up with strong wingbeats carrying a modest-sized fish, which he took off presumably to some more promising horizontal perch that we couldn't see. Ospreys dive and take fish with their feet stretched out in front of them, using a reversible toe to grasp with two talons on each side, which are so huge and curved that they were easily visible against the limb where we first saw him.
Second highlight: around 200 American White Pelicans had rested overnight in the shallows here, and after some preening and touring of the lake, were taking flight again in the morning sun in groups of about 25, circling gently (always counterclockwise) over the lake as they gradually gained altitude, flying very much in unison, finally heading off to points further north. We didn't see much feeding, and there couldn't possibly have been enough fish in a small lake for all of them anyway; they must not get to eat much along the way when gathering in such large groups. And since there are numerous lakes and reservoirs in the area, some much larger, we wondered why they were all together here. The Osprey might have been glad to see them move on.
(SLC 15x56, BN 10x32)
Second highlight: around 200 American White Pelicans had rested overnight in the shallows here, and after some preening and touring of the lake, were taking flight again in the morning sun in groups of about 25, circling gently (always counterclockwise) over the lake as they gradually gained altitude, flying very much in unison, finally heading off to points further north. We didn't see much feeding, and there couldn't possibly have been enough fish in a small lake for all of them anyway; they must not get to eat much along the way when gathering in such large groups. And since there are numerous lakes and reservoirs in the area, some much larger, we wondered why they were all together here. The Osprey might have been glad to see them move on.
(SLC 15x56, BN 10x32)
CharleyBird
Well-known member
Yesterday Teeside had a beautiful sunrise, and with the early morning sun behind got great views of a short eared owl being mobbed by black headed gulls. It resisted for nearly a minute flying left and right but was eventually chased out of sight.
And with help, spotted a pair of Mediterranean gulls nesting in the middle of hundreds of black headed.
And with help, spotted a pair of Mediterranean gulls nesting in the middle of hundreds of black headed.
MiddleRiver
Well-known member
Well, yesterday actually, but Downy Woodpecker, Red-tailed Hawk, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Cardinals, Turkey Vultures, Titmice, Crows, and a Belted Kingfisher. All seen standing in front yard
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ragin-cajun
Well-known member
Red headed woodpecker
jafritten
Well-known member
A couple of days ago I went for a coastal walk in Cumbria, England. We had glorious sunshine and my Leicas gave me very memorable views of the sea, the red sandstone cliffs, the blue sky and, of course, a number of seabirds which I rarely see. Among them were razorbills, guillemots, gulls, cormorants and a raven that nested in the cliffs. Here's an in-flight shot of the raven.
First time out this year. (Zeiss 8X32 SF)
One Kestrel, Male Red-winged Blackbirds, four wild Turkeys, some Canada and Cackling Geese, four Double-crested Cormorants, Common Grackles, assorted Swallows hunting over pond, a Pair of Mallards, a Great Blue Heron in flight low over a pond, some Cowbirds gathered around a puddle, and a female Red-winged Blackbird eating seeds out of old ragged cattail heads.
The climax was something I have never seen, never expected to see, and may never see again. I saw an Osprey and a Red-tailed Hawk hunting simultaneously over the same pond. At first I thought it was two ospreys, but as soon as I got my glasses on the second one came the surprise. I have never seen or heard of a Red-tailed Hawk fishing, but evidently this behavior is known, although not too common.
All and all, quite a good trip.
One Kestrel, Male Red-winged Blackbirds, four wild Turkeys, some Canada and Cackling Geese, four Double-crested Cormorants, Common Grackles, assorted Swallows hunting over pond, a Pair of Mallards, a Great Blue Heron in flight low over a pond, some Cowbirds gathered around a puddle, and a female Red-winged Blackbird eating seeds out of old ragged cattail heads.
The climax was something I have never seen, never expected to see, and may never see again. I saw an Osprey and a Red-tailed Hawk hunting simultaneously over the same pond. At first I thought it was two ospreys, but as soon as I got my glasses on the second one came the surprise. I have never seen or heard of a Red-tailed Hawk fishing, but evidently this behavior is known, although not too common.
All and all, quite a good trip.
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PeterPS
Well-Known Member
Rare optical phenomenon: 46 degree sun halo, please see a photo and short explanation at:
46 Degrees Halo 2 by Amar Sheow
Note: After waiting 24h I can safely say that rumors about the impending end of the world, associated with this quite rare phenomenon, seem exaggerated, at least so far.
46 Degrees Halo 2 by Amar Sheow
Note: After waiting 24h I can safely say that rumors about the impending end of the world, associated with this quite rare phenomenon, seem exaggerated, at least so far.
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