Birds and Nature

Fog Along the Redwood Coast Is Disappearing I originally heard about this on an NPR radio program last week. The fog provides the humid environment that redwoods need and is why they are limited to a certain distance from the coast. The disappearance of fog portends no good for redwood forests and the entire ecosystem.

Here are two more pics I got of the Western Bluebirds I photographed in Canon City, CO during the Great Backyard Bird Count. The top pic enlarges for super close-up views (the bottom pic loses quality). SeEtta

I found a small flock of Western Bluebirds while doing the Great Backyard Bird Count. They flew in to feed near where I was parked so I carefully got out of my car and took photos of the bluebirds on the other side using my car blind so I got some really quite good shots and their colors came through nicely. Double click on each pic for some truly awesome close-ups. SeEtta

The Great Backyard Bird Survey began last Friday and ended today. I did several surveys in and around the Canon City, Colorado area. This adult female Williamson's Sapsucker was one the highlights for me. I found her originally in late November, 2009 at the Abbey. Not long after I left the state for my month long trip to Texas and I hadn't refound this bird until yesterday. I didn't find the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker but did see the Red-naped. SeEtta

Photo from ABC Penguins Punta Tombo Argentina Population Decline - ABC News The decline in the population of Megallanic penguins in Argentia is another strong indicator of climate disruption.

I took these pics of this very photogenic Great Egret right from the deck of the visitor center at Estero Llano Grande State Park in Weslaco, TX. It's amazing the great close-up views of birds and other wildlife at this very birdy location, one of the World Birding Centers in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Double-click on these pics for super closer views. SeEtta

I just read a post on the Florida birding listserve that I thought encapsulated the issue of frequent use of bird rcordings quite well. The issue pertained to a impatient photographer who wanted to get a photo of a rare bird, in this case a Masked Duck, though I think the issue is equally applicable to birders: "A photographer who had been trying to get some shots of the bird was obviously frustrated by this as he came up to me and asked "I WONDER IF IT WOULD RESPOND TO A TAPE?". I was furious and my response to him probably reflected that. There seems to be an element in the birding community these days which has lost all concept of what it means to wait PATIENTLY AND QUIETLY for a bird to show. In their rush for instant gratification it has become all too convenient to reach for an I-Pod and force it into view so that it can be added to the county list, year list, life list or whatever. Over the past few months we have seen examples of that broadcast on BirdBrains. S...