Reader Stephen Barnard sent a bunch of photos of birds, mammals, and fish, and added this:
Recent inhabitants of my farm. I’ve posted and identified all the species in the past (with the exception of Mr. & Mrs. Brewer’s Blackbird, Euphagus cyanocephalus), so the IDs are left as an exercise for the reader.
I see he also snuck in two pictures of Deets!
The first d*g photo is of Hitch (named after Christopher Hitchens).
Hitch is indeed handsome, just like Deets. (Who or what was Deets named for?)
If you’re ever in Pittsburgh you have a standing invitation for beer at the Brew Gentlemen, and you can bring them both since it’s a dog-friendly brewpub. (Someone even brought a couple c*ts in a few wks back, and they didn’t cause any commotion.)
Deets was named for a character in the Larry McMurtry novel Lonesome Dove, played by Danny Glover in the great TV miniseries. In my opinion and in the opinion of some others, working dogs should have short, preferably one-syllable, emphatic names.
It’s very unlikely I’ll ever be in Pittsburg again, but I appreciate the offer. I’ll reciprocate if you’re ever in Picabo, Idaho.
And a fantastic portrait it is! That expression is riveting!
Stellar pictures as always, Stephen! So you are also doing under water photography, I see.
I carry an Olympus Tough waterproof camera when I’m fishing. It fits in a shirt pocket.
Yes, that underwater shot jumped right out at me. Such clarity!
A catch & release fish?
I release all wild trout.
Lovely photos as usual Stephen!
I only have confidence in 3 of these ids.
brown trout
red tailed hawk
dawg
sandhill crane
mockingbird
grackle
moose
broad winged hawk
belted kingfisher
red tailed hawk
concerning the birds:
-Red-tailed Hawk
-Sandhill Crane
-Brewer’s Blackbird (female left and male right)
-Hen Harrier (ssp hudsonius sometimes split as American Harrier, differing from its Eurasian counterpart, the Hen Harrier)
-Belted Kingfisher
-Red-tailed Hawk
Hey, I didn’t do so bad. Thanks.
It’s curious that the Brewer’s Blackbird pair have very different eyes. I recall, now, this is true of other species as well. The wood duck for example.
The hawk is a Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneusz). I think whether it’s conspecific with the European Hen Harrier is a matter of some dispute. The one in the photo is an adult female. Adult males have a very different coloration.
*Circus cyaneus*
I think the 2nd photo is a Rainbow trout.
Brilliant.
Thank You.
Thanks for this lovely selection. After seeing the cut field, I was reminded – did you end up growing enough (iirc) barley to make a profit?
It depends on a lot of things: the weather, the price of barley, the price of fuel and fertilizer, etc. This should be a good year.
It’s great to see your lovely photos again, Stephen, including those of Hitch and Deets. What a handsome pair! Thanks.
Lovely pics, Stephen–I’m always glad to see your work! Especially nice comparison shot of the male/female Brewer’s.