Today’s photos are from an old regular (by “old”, of course, I mean “long time contributor”!), Stephen Barnard from Idaho. His captions are indented:
One of the Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) fledglings hanging out at the nest, begging for an adult to bring food.
. . . and some Sandhill Cranes (Antigone canadensis) in flight.
This is one of the fledglings from the second brood of Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) nesting in the eve of my porch — the ones I was told were doomed to parasites. It and its siblings are on the other side of the creek, being fed flying ants by the adults, and possibly by the first brood. I took these photos from a float tube. Most birds allow you
to get much closer in a float tube than on foot, with d*gs. š
I watched an adult (Desi) bringing a fish to a piteously crying,begging-for-food fledgling in the nest, accompanied by Lucy.
More great photos!
Sandhill Cranes have made a wonderful comeback here in Wisconsin thanks in large part to the work of the International Crane Foundation in Baraboo. Well worth a visit if you are in the neighborhood.
Bum kids. They need to start contributing.
Great photos as usual. The last one, with the eagle in take-off mode is great. Who knew that birds could look so ungraceful and goofy when the take their first flaps into a flight.
One thing that I noticed was that Sandhill Cranes are no longer Grus canadensis, but Antigone? Damn it, Science! I have enough trouble memorizing these binomials, much less pronouncing them, without you changing the ones I do know! (and yes, I know that taxonomy is a representation of a working and continually changing hypothesis, especially in this age of genetics, but still…!)
I thought it was Grus, too, and that’s what I sent to Jerry. He must have put in Antigone. Wikipedia (where I get the scientific names) still has it as Grus.
I tend to first hit up my 20 yr old Peterson Field Guide, then double-check with Cornell Ornithology Lab’s site, then scribble in the updated genus in my guide book. Cornell is pretty up-to-date and I’d bet pretty reliable, (not that PCC isn’t) so if they say Antigone, I’ll write in Antigone. Perhaps a search is in order to find out the why and when of the change…or I could be lazy and send a tweet to Darren Naish of Tet Zoo fame…
This change, along with several others, was made in July.
http://www.audubon.org/news/here-are-biggest-changes-aou-checklist-north-american-birds
The float tube method sounds interesting. But I would be terrified of getting my equipment wet. How did you take measures to waterproof your gear?
I’m careful, and I won’t take my very expensive 500mm lens in the float tube.
Beautiful shots Stephen.
I thought the genus name for Sandhill Cranes was Grus. Did they change it recently?
;p there is an story in your pictures.
Great stuff! I may be in your neighborhood this month. I’ll be watching the birds closely.
I always love Stephen Barnard’s pics. š