It’s a great pleasure to peruse my “readers’ photographs” file each morning and decide what to show. Stephen Barnard of Idaho has been sending photos regularly, which I’ve filed away so that other people can have their chance. But now there are so many that today we’ll have a Stephen Barnard Extravaganza.
Keep the photos coming, folks (and don’t forget the Latin binomial!).
First, two photos of Wilson’s Snipe (Gallinago delicata)
. . . and trumpeter swans (Cygnus buccinator)
A gorgeous picture of a northern harrier (Circus cyaneus)
Belted kingfishers (Megaceryle alcyon):
Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus; we saw some in Robin Elisabeth Cornwell’s photos two days ago). Look at those mule-y ears!:
Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus)
and, finally, an immature Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis). I have more of Stephen’s photos, but for another day. . . .
Excellent, as always, Stephen.
What a life…I mean for Stephen. Great kingfisher.
All these photos were taken on my ranch, which is basically a 285 acre private park and trout fishing preserve that happens to raise some crops and goats. 🙂
Snipe are pretty common but rarely seen because they’re so secretive. When they flush they move in an erratic zig-zag pattern. I was lucky to get that in-flight shot. This fancy camera and lens sometimes works magic.
From http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/wilsons_snipe/lifehistory
“Wilson’s Snipe look so stocky thanks in part to the extra-large pectoral (breast) muscles that make up nearly a quarter of the bird’s weight—the highest percent of all shorebirds. Thanks to their massive flight muscles this chunky sandpiper can reach speeds estimated at 60 miles an hour.”
and,
“The word ‘sniper’ originated in the 1770s among British soldiers in India who hunted snipe as game. The birds are still hunted in many countries, including the U.S., though their fast, erratic flight style means they are difficult targets.”
I see potential for some ‘find the snipe’ pix.
Nah, snipe hunts are a mean and degrading practice.
Wilson’s Snipe is my absolute favorite shorebird, but its usually secretive nature and erratic flight make it an extremely difficult subject. You did very well to get these shots, Stephen!
When a set of pictures appear without any by Stephen Barnard I sometimes worry that he might be ill.
Stephen – do you work for the Idaho tourist board, and if not why not?
Sometimes local organizations ask to use my photos and I always oblige.
Beautiful stuff Stephen! The BIFs are great.
The mule deer in front looks like it was caught ‘stamping’ a foot. I see deer do that when they know they are being watched, and their is some tension in the air. I wonder what it means.
Lovely photos!
Since I was a small boy (long, long ago,) I’ve loved birds and have looked at many wonderful books, drawings, and photos of same. But Stephen’s shots are some of the best I’ve ever seen…just breathtaking! Keep up the good work.
That harrier is a great illustration of how the fighter jet got its name.
The kingfisher suspended in midair about to dive is iconic and probably belongs in somebody’s field guide.
b&
The flying swans are gorgeous. Not only are these photos beautiful in themselves, but they are often informative. Don’t tell anyone, but I did not know swans flew, really took to the skies. I had thought they could just flutter above park ponds. 🙁
Trumpeter Swans winter here by the hundreds, coming from breeding grounds in Canada, I believe. They are strong and graceful flyers, and fly in tighter, more coordinated formations than any other bird I know of. I think it’s because of their size — the bigger the bird, the more advantageous a good formation. That’s my hunch. Mallards fly in loose formations, geese in tighter ones, and swans even tighter. They have difficulty taking off, so they roost in places where they have a good view all around. Because of their momentum, it’s hard for them to avoid obstacles. Swan kills on power lines are common. In the spring, as they prepare to migrate north, they soar very high, collecting into large flocks.
Those amazing photos of outstretched wings/tails continue to fill me with wonder at evolution.
All great today Stephen. I love Kingfishers, and they are captured beautifully here. There is such a plethora of birds on your ranch; are there any birds indigenous to your ranch (and local area) that you haven’t photographed yet?
Probably, but it’s getting harder and harder. Every now and then I get a fleeting glimpse of of bird I can’t ID. Here’s the list so far:
Bald Eagle
Golden Eagle
Osprey
Red-tailed Hawk
Northern Harrier
Rough-legged Hawk
Swainson’s Hawk
Sandhill Crane
Great Blue Heron
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Black-billed Magpie
Mallard
Green-winged Teal
Cinnamon Teal
Northern Shoveler
Canada Goose
Common Merganser
Hooded Merganser
Trumpeter Swan
Eurasian Collared Dove
House Finch
Goldfinch
House Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Marsh Wren
Chickadee
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Starling
American Robin
Common Nighthawk
Tree Swallow
Rufous Hummingbird
American Avocet
Willet
Greater Yellowlegs
Ring-billed Gull
American White Pelican
Crow
Raven
Belted Kingfisher
Killdeer
Great Horned Owl
Spotted Towhee
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Long-eared Owl
Turkey Vulture
American Widgeon
Spotted Sandpiper
Gadwall
Brewer’s Blackbird
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Long-billed Dowitcher
American Coot
Lesser Yellowlegs
Western Kingbird
Eastern Kingbird
Goldeneye
Black-necked Stilt
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Western Wood-Pewee
Vester Sparrow
Warbling Vireo
Western Tanager
Chipping Sparrow
Northern Pintail
Cedar Waxwing
Common Yellowthroat
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Virginia Rail
Hungarian Partridge
Snow Goose
Wilson’s Snipe
Violet-green Swallow
Bank Swallow
Holy sh*t! I would have never guessed so many species.
I apologize for misunderstanding your question. I’ve seen all these birds here and photographed most of them, but not all.
That’s one damned impressive list!
And I’ll bet you still might have some passerines to find, yet. 🙂
But such a great assortment! I have a property list here of 116 spp; but hardly any waterfowl or shorebirds!
I am happy to agree that the Snipe is my favorite, thanks to William Crosby and USA 30855. Serious sailing, serious fun!
another great set of photos.
The belted kingfisher looks very similar to the pied kingfisher I featured in one of my earlier bundles, both in its markings and hovering behaviour. I wonder if they are close cousins?
As far as I know, all kingfishers are great hoverers. One of the few good BIF shots I can sometimes actually get! (Osprey are good at that too.)
yes I’ve seen osprey hovering and recently saw a common buzzard hovering like a kestrel which is the first time I’ve ever seen that.
Wow, Stephen, such a treat to see such excellent shots!
Your BIF’s are amazing–I just love that harrier!
Sub