Saturday, June 5, 2010

Week of Birding

Starting last Saturday, I have had an awesome week of birding.  I have birded with some of the top birders of Idaho, learned a ton, saw rare birds, saw odd behaviors and recorded several lifetime birds.  Thanks has to go to Robert, Cliff, Harry, Steve, and Darren for teaching me and helping me identify birds I have never recorded before.

Rain and wind kept me off the water and fishing, so I traveled around Southeastern Idaho . I birded in Camas NWR, Mud Lake WMA, Market Lake WMA and Moody Creek area.   Here are a few pictures of some of my birds.

This Great Blue Heron had speared a catfish and couldn't flip it in the air to eat it.  Hopefully it was able to get it off for dinner.



Here is an Eared Grebe trying to entice a young lady to set up housekeeping with him.


Here is a Yellowheaded Blackbird flirting with a bunch a females showing one of his better sides.



One of my rare finds was this Lewis's Woodpecker that at first I thought was a Robin.  But what a beauty.



And of course, not week would be complete for me without an owl or two or three or four different species.  I saw Burrowing, Great Horned, Great Gray, Short-eared and Long-eared owls.  I guess that makes five species.  Here is a picture of some baby Long-eareds - yes, they can fly.



What a great week to get soaked many times in the wilds of Idaho.  By the way, I leave tomorrow morning for a week in New Orleans, so I will see you then.

21 comments:

Birding is Fun! said...

Awesome photos Bill! That speared catfish is really cool.

I had a great time birding with you. You'll have to e-mail me about the Great Gray. I still haven't seen Short-eared in Idaho yet.

Unknown said...

Thanks for your beautiful bird photos. You have pictures of birds I have never even heard of. These are doubly appreciated after seeing photos of the tragic oil soaked wildlife along the coast of Louisiana.

Cloudia said...

what treasures!





Aloha from Waikiki

Comfort Spiral

Dagmar said...

Hi Bill, your birds never have a dull moment bringing joy to me. Wonderful taken shots.
Hope the sun will be out for you this summer. No more snow.
Happy sunday my friend. D.

Monts said...

Bill those are great photo's and what a wonderful week you had, bet the soakings were worth it, the Heron with the Catfish is great."Wild Idaho" at its best, anyway have a good trip to New Orleans and look forward to more pics when you get back.

Sunny said...

Incredible pictures. What beautiful colors on the Blackbird.
Have a safe trip.
☼ Sunny

Bill said...

Outstanding pictures as always!

Gaelyn said...

You really did get to see a lot of beautiful birds. The young owls have a rather curious look.

biobabbler said...

Wow, what a treat! I love seeing eared grebes in breeding plumage--never have in person. Birded in San Diego for years and so many birds are there only in the winter when they are at their blandest, so SOME DAY I'd LOVE to go to Alaska, etc. in the summer and see everyone all decked out. Stunning birds--thanks so much for sharing. =)

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Wonderful birding - - thank you so much for sharing your Paradise!

That Lewis woodpecker is gorgeous. What a great one to add to you life list.

Safe travels. Have fun.

Jann said...

Wow, an awesome birding adventure! Esp. seeing that Lewis's woodpecker! Lucky you, seeing and getting photos of owls; they are very elusive for me, darn it. Also, what a neat capture of the heron with the fish! Hmm I'm heading W in 3 weeks, maybe I should try to route myself to one of those spots you visited...

Mary Howell Cromer said...

WOW... Bill, it makes me want to pack a bag and head out to Idaho country. Where to begin... that Great Blue Heron with the catfish, is amazing and the Yellow-headed Blackbird is quite the handsome one, but I must say, your fortunate find of the Lewis's Woodpecker, what a spectacular looking creature. Was that the only image you got of it, for I would love to view more? Have a great week~

Janie said...

Your bird photos are wonderful! I especially like the owls.
Have fun in New Orleans. I love the history and the easy-going style of that city.

DaveABirding said...

As many have said there are some great shots there, I really enjoyed the young Long-eared Owls, but the GBH and Lewis's are really good as well.

Veronica Wald said...

What a lucky birder you are! (And a lucky, skilled photographer)

Angie Moore said...

Great post and lovely images. A good week! Best wishes.

troutbirder said...

Great outing and shots. All those owls make me jealous!

Harold Stiver said...

Great shots Bill.

I especially like the Lewis' Woodpecker, a very unusual looking and beautiful bird

Shirleyanne said...

Looks like you had a memorable week Bill, with excellent shots. Like the blackbird one, but they're all enjoyable. Brilliant!

Grayquill said...

Awesome pictures - how you seem to capture these amazing shots over and over mytifies me. Your broad knowledge base of the outdoors also amazes me. If had lived a couple hundred years ago - I am pretty sure you would have been a frontier man.

Chris said...

Sumptuous post Bill! I lvoe the grebe a lot but they are all really good pictures.