David McDonald Photography
Friendswood Texas
Sept-28-2007
Bulletin #13 – Monterey CA birds
Hello friends,
I was back in California on vacation over the week of Labor Day. Despite vacationing there for the past 25 years, I always seem to pick up new birds!
The first lifer for me was the Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Tryngites subruficollis). I saw this unusual bird on the Carmel River mouth beach in the washed up kelp. I took some photos. When got back to my hotel and looked at them carefully, I was convinced that it was this species. This is a common migrant spring and fall on the upper Texas coast, but in 15 years had never found it. It is a rare migrant along the California coast and is a reportable bird! I saw the bird 3 days in a row and got many photos of it. In the Peterson’s western birds, it says that most of the birds found in California are juveniles. This bird was a juvenile. I called the bird in to the Monterey bird hotline and others came and saw it!
http://www.pbase.com/image/109477217
There are a couple of species of gulls and terns that breed in Mexico and then disperse northwards along the coast after breeding. These birds are only seen in the fall in Monterey County.
The first is the Heerman’s Gull (Larus heermanni). This is the most distinctive of all the ABA area gulls with its dark gray coloration. I was able to find several different plumages in the large flocke of these gulls.
Here is the adult non-breeding plumage.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109477219
The next is 2nd winter plumage. The face is darker and the plumage has some brownish feathers.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109477220
Lastly is the 1st summer plumage with a pinkish bill and very dark all over.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109477222
The other bird that breeds in Mexico and also extreme southern California is the Elegant Tern (Thalasseus elegans). Again, despite birding Monterey for 15 years, I had never found this bird until this trip. Actually, there are few terns along this area of the California coast. I found a flock of them at Moss Landing harbor. They are mid-sized terns (17”) with a long slender bill, bushy crest and a pinkish wash on the breast in some plumages.
Here is the adult non-breeding with black legs, orange bill and the pinkish wash on the breast.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109477223
The juveniles have a yellow beak and orange legs. These 2 photos seem to show a couple of juveniles with partial adult features. The first has a yellow beak but the black legs.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109477225
This next one seems to be a juvenile who has an adult orange beak, but still has the orange legs, although they have black patches starting.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109477226
If you remember an earlier bulletin (#3) about the Alcid family of seabirds, I found this Common Murre (Uria aalge)swimming just off the beach. This photo is the non-breeding plumage with white on the face
.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109477228
The very large Western Gull was featured in bulletin #3 as well. On this visit I found some babies. It was sort of strange to see this huge 24” dark baby gull following its parent around on the beach begging for food. Here is the baby in the begging posture on the beach.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109477230
And here he is getting regurgitated food from the parent.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109477234
The last new bird I found on this trip (a lifer) but it isn’t ABA countable yet, is the California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus). These magnificent birds have been brought back from the brink of extinction with captive breeding programs at the San Diego and Los Angeles zoos. They are now being released back into the wild in Big Sur area and along the Grand Canyon in Arizona. They are all labeled and tracked. Also, the released birds are starting to pair up and have some wild offspring! What a success story.
Here is the adult with pink neck. Notice the tag #13 (same as this bulletin #!) on the wing. A number of them also have transmitters on their back so they can be tracked.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109477236
Here are a couple of juveniles. They have black necks. This photo sort of reminds me of an Edgar Allen Poe story with the carrion birds hanging around the house.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109477239
All comments and suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.
Happy Birding,
David McDonald
davidkmcd@comcast.net
photos copyright 2007 David McDonald
Friday, September 28, 2007
Monday, September 17, 2007
Bulletin #12 - Texas birds
David McDonald Photography
Friendswood Texas
Sept-17-2007
Bulletin #12 – Misc Texas birds
Hello friends,
Summer is a slow time for birding. However with the babies and juveniles, there are some new plumages to photograph.
July 4th weekend found me in the Texas Hill Country west of Austin. I was able to pick up several new species and some improved photos of species of which I already had photos.
The first is House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus). A pair were very cooperative on the bird feeder. First is the male.
http://www.pbase.com/image/109476076
Here is the female.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109476081
The local hummingbird in this area in the Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri). The male has a purple throat patch with black above. It is very difficult to see the purple gorget on this bird, but with flash, the camera picked it up rather nicely.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109476084
The female has no throat patch, just some dark spots.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109476087
Another local bird I was able to photograph just before leaving the area was the Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus)
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109476090
The last bird of note is the distinctive Lark Sparrow. The facial pattern and clear breast with central spot are diagnostic of this species. This bird was on the ground under a feeder. This makes life simple for the photographer! The first photo is on the Houston Audubon web site.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109476093 click ‘next’ once
The Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) nests in my yard and daily visits the sunflower seed feeders. The juveniles have black beaks rather than the red beaks of their parents. The juvenile male has considerable red on the breast.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109476102
The juvenile female is plainer.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109476106
A trip to Anahuac NWR in August produced some good photos. The first was a singing male Dickcissel (Spiza americana).
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109476109
The next was a Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) perched on a fence post.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109476111
The last bird was a Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris). This secretive bird usually stays hidden in the reeds. However, that particular day there were many singing. I waited patiently, and finally he popped up to the top of the reeds to sing and I was able to get a couple of good photos.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109476114 click ‘next’ once
As the summer is slow, and I was at Anahuac NWR I decided to try my luck with dragonflies. There were far more numerous than birds that day. I think they are rather colorful and interesting to learn about. I had to buy a guide book to see what species were in the pictures.
The first is Eastern Pondhawk (male).
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109476119
The next is Four-spotted Pennant (female).
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109476121
The last one is Needham’s Skimmer (male).
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109476124
All comments and suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.
Happy Birding,
David McDonald
davidkmcd@comcast.net
Photos copyright David McDonald 2007
Friendswood Texas
Sept-17-2007
Bulletin #12 – Misc Texas birds
Hello friends,
Summer is a slow time for birding. However with the babies and juveniles, there are some new plumages to photograph.
July 4th weekend found me in the Texas Hill Country west of Austin. I was able to pick up several new species and some improved photos of species of which I already had photos.
The first is House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus). A pair were very cooperative on the bird feeder. First is the male.
http://www.pbase.com/image/109476076
Here is the female.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109476081
The local hummingbird in this area in the Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri). The male has a purple throat patch with black above. It is very difficult to see the purple gorget on this bird, but with flash, the camera picked it up rather nicely.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109476084
The female has no throat patch, just some dark spots.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109476087
Another local bird I was able to photograph just before leaving the area was the Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus)
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109476090
The last bird of note is the distinctive Lark Sparrow. The facial pattern and clear breast with central spot are diagnostic of this species. This bird was on the ground under a feeder. This makes life simple for the photographer! The first photo is on the Houston Audubon web site.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109476093 click ‘next’ once
The Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) nests in my yard and daily visits the sunflower seed feeders. The juveniles have black beaks rather than the red beaks of their parents. The juvenile male has considerable red on the breast.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109476102
The juvenile female is plainer.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109476106
A trip to Anahuac NWR in August produced some good photos. The first was a singing male Dickcissel (Spiza americana).
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109476109
The next was a Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) perched on a fence post.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109476111
The last bird was a Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris). This secretive bird usually stays hidden in the reeds. However, that particular day there were many singing. I waited patiently, and finally he popped up to the top of the reeds to sing and I was able to get a couple of good photos.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109476114 click ‘next’ once
As the summer is slow, and I was at Anahuac NWR I decided to try my luck with dragonflies. There were far more numerous than birds that day. I think they are rather colorful and interesting to learn about. I had to buy a guide book to see what species were in the pictures.
The first is Eastern Pondhawk (male).
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109476119
The next is Four-spotted Pennant (female).
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109476121
The last one is Needham’s Skimmer (male).
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109476124
All comments and suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.
Happy Birding,
David McDonald
davidkmcd@comcast.net
Photos copyright David McDonald 2007
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Bulletin #11 - South Florida #6
David McDonald Photography
Friendswood Texas
August-20-2007
Bulletin #11 – South Florida – part 6
Hello friends,
I have had the opportunity to visit Florida twice in the first half of 2007.
My first visit was to Sanibel Island in February. Last month, I had a business trip to Miami for a weekend and managed to spend about 2 full days birding with a great guide Paul Bithorn (305.431.5908 or email pbithorn@plumbers519.com.).
My wife, Linda, and I were staying on Sanibel Island, off the coast from Ft. Myers. It is famous as the best shelling location on the gulf coast. The beach has much human traffic and apparently the birds have become quite tame as they are very approachable. I have never before been able to walk to within 15’ from a group of gulls and terns.
Each late afternoon, a small mixed flock of gulls and terns was on the beach in front of the condo where we were staying. I was able to get close up pictures of several birds.
The first is a 1st summer plumage Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis). The second is the adult winter plumage.
http://www.pbase.com/image/109475101 click ‘next’ once
The next is a winter plumage Sandwich Tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis). Notice the black bill tipped with yellow.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109475105
Lastly, there was a larger gull that I saw one afternoon when I didn’t have my camera. Fortunately, he came back to the same place every day. I was ready for him and I got many photos. It had a black back, so I knew it was either Lesser or Greater Black-backed Gull. The difference is the leg color, with Greater BBG having pink legs and the Lesser BBG having yellow legs. The Greater is also much larger.This was a Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus). This medium sized (21”) gull is primarily a European resident along the Atlantic coast, but it occurs rarely along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the USA. It was a lifer for me. Here are a couple of photos. The field marks are the black back, yellow legs, yellow beak with red spot, and yellow eye. The brown wash on head and neck is the winter plumage. In summer, the head and neck are pure white.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109475107 click ‘next’ once
Several shorebirds also were very tame and allowed good photos.
This Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) shows a few black feathers under his wing. In fact the whole underwing is black, but this is the first and only photo where I saw the tips of the black feathers when the wings were folded.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109475110 click ‘next’ once
The Sanderling (Calidris alba) is a common winter resident all along the Gulf Coast. Here is the winter plumage.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109475114
The last photo is an Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) swimming. Unlike Cormorants who have at least some of the body visible while swimming, the Anhinga swims with its body completely submerged. Only the head and neck are visible. I saw this phenomenon twice in Florida, but managed only a single useful picture.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109475115
Lastly, here are a couple of photos of Manatees, and endangered mammal.
The first shows an adult with a baby beside. The second shows the animals back covered with barnacles. There is a location to see these huge beasts near Ft. Myers and these photos were taken from the bank of the river at that location.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109475117 click ‘next’ once
The Miami guide (Paul Bithorn) I used, was extremely knowledgeable, especially for the mangrove species and exotics. Many of the exotics occur in specific neighborhoods in the Miami area, and a casual birder would have a difficult time locating them. To contact Paul, call him at (305) 431-5908 or email him at pbithorn@plumbers519.com.
All comments and suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.
Happy Birding,
David McDonald
davidkmcd@comcast.net
photos copyright 2007 David & Linda McDonald
Friendswood Texas
August-20-2007
Bulletin #11 – South Florida – part 6
Hello friends,
I have had the opportunity to visit Florida twice in the first half of 2007.
My first visit was to Sanibel Island in February. Last month, I had a business trip to Miami for a weekend and managed to spend about 2 full days birding with a great guide Paul Bithorn (305.431.5908 or email pbithorn@plumbers519.com.).
My wife, Linda, and I were staying on Sanibel Island, off the coast from Ft. Myers. It is famous as the best shelling location on the gulf coast. The beach has much human traffic and apparently the birds have become quite tame as they are very approachable. I have never before been able to walk to within 15’ from a group of gulls and terns.
Each late afternoon, a small mixed flock of gulls and terns was on the beach in front of the condo where we were staying. I was able to get close up pictures of several birds.
The first is a 1st summer plumage Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis). The second is the adult winter plumage.
http://www.pbase.com/image/109475101 click ‘next’ once
The next is a winter plumage Sandwich Tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis). Notice the black bill tipped with yellow.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109475105
Lastly, there was a larger gull that I saw one afternoon when I didn’t have my camera. Fortunately, he came back to the same place every day. I was ready for him and I got many photos. It had a black back, so I knew it was either Lesser or Greater Black-backed Gull. The difference is the leg color, with Greater BBG having pink legs and the Lesser BBG having yellow legs. The Greater is also much larger.This was a Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus). This medium sized (21”) gull is primarily a European resident along the Atlantic coast, but it occurs rarely along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the USA. It was a lifer for me. Here are a couple of photos. The field marks are the black back, yellow legs, yellow beak with red spot, and yellow eye. The brown wash on head and neck is the winter plumage. In summer, the head and neck are pure white.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109475107 click ‘next’ once
Several shorebirds also were very tame and allowed good photos.
This Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) shows a few black feathers under his wing. In fact the whole underwing is black, but this is the first and only photo where I saw the tips of the black feathers when the wings were folded.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109475110 click ‘next’ once
The Sanderling (Calidris alba) is a common winter resident all along the Gulf Coast. Here is the winter plumage.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109475114
The last photo is an Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) swimming. Unlike Cormorants who have at least some of the body visible while swimming, the Anhinga swims with its body completely submerged. Only the head and neck are visible. I saw this phenomenon twice in Florida, but managed only a single useful picture.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109475115
Lastly, here are a couple of photos of Manatees, and endangered mammal.
The first shows an adult with a baby beside. The second shows the animals back covered with barnacles. There is a location to see these huge beasts near Ft. Myers and these photos were taken from the bank of the river at that location.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109475117 click ‘next’ once
The Miami guide (Paul Bithorn) I used, was extremely knowledgeable, especially for the mangrove species and exotics. Many of the exotics occur in specific neighborhoods in the Miami area, and a casual birder would have a difficult time locating them. To contact Paul, call him at (305) 431-5908 or email him at pbithorn@plumbers519.com.
All comments and suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.
Happy Birding,
David McDonald
davidkmcd@comcast.net
photos copyright 2007 David & Linda McDonald
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Bulletin #10 - South Florida #5
David & Linda McDonald Photography
Friendswood Texas
August-7-2007
Bulletin #10 – South Florida – part 5
Hello friends,
I have had the opportunity to visit Florida twice in the first half of 2007.
My first visit was to Sanibel Island in February. Last month, I had a business trip to Miami for a weekend and managed to spend about 2 full days birding with a great guide Paul Bithorn (305.431.5908 or email pbithorn@plumbers519.com.).
Between Sarasota and Ft. Myers and right off I75 is the Babcock-Webb preserve. It is one of the best place for Red-cockaded Woodpeckers. The trees with the nest holes are marked etc. Unfortunately I didn’t see them. This is still a species I have never seen.
But I did get a different life bird there, the Brown-headed Nuthatch (Sitta pusilla). I was driving around and came upon a couple of birders who had a pair of nuthatches right beside the road. Here are a couple of photos. The second one shows the characteristic white spot on the nape of the neck.
http://www.pbase.com/image/109474250 click ‘next’ once
I also chased a beautiful male Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) for a considerable distance along a sandy trail to get the following photo.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109474252
My wife, Linda, and I were staying on Sanibel Island, off the coast from Ft. Myers. It is famous as the best shelling location on the gulf coast. But, it is also famous for Ding Darling NWR. This fabulous wildlife sanctuary has a 4 mile paved road through mangrove swamps, forested area etc. Every day is as busy as High Island Texas in migration. One can drive along and pull off to the side to watch the birds or take pictures anywhere along the route. As well as lots of waders, there are alligators, raccoons and other mammals to see if one is lucky.
These next 3 photos were taken by my wife Linda, with the landscape camera. The first shows typical mangrove swampy area in Ding Darling at low tide.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109474253
The next 2 show the extensive number of wading species and water birds seen in Ding Darling. How many species can you find in each photo?
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109474255 click ‘next’ once
Here are some of my photos from Ding Darling. The birds are quite tame as there is so much vehicular traffic. Often with the 500mm lens, I would have to move away from the bird so I could get the whole bird in the photo!
The first is one of my favorite. It is a preening Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga).
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109474257
There were many Wood Storks (Mycteria americana) seen here. Did you find the Wood Stork in the second picture above? Here are several photos of this magnificent bird. The first photo showed the pink feet. I did not know this feature of the Wood Stork. Notice the bare black neck and head. Also, they will completely submerse their head to capture food.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109474258 click ‘next’ once
I also got a good photo of the Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor). This is a non-breeding adult.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109474261
Red-breasted Mergansers (Mergus serrator) were common and easy to photograph. Here are the male and female of this species at Ding Darling.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109474262 click ‘next’ once
The Miami guide (Paul Bithorn) I used, was extremely knowledgeable, especially for the mangrove species and exotics. Many of the exotics occur in specific neighborhoods in the Miami area, and a casual birder would have a difficult time locating them. To contact Paul, call him at (305) 431-5908 or email him at pbithorn@plumbers519.com.
All comments and suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.
Happy Birding,
David McDonald
davidkmcd@comcast.net
photos copyright 2007 David & Linda McDonald
Note – photos with the name preceded by an asterisk were updated for this blog and the text was edited accordingly.
Friendswood Texas
August-7-2007
Bulletin #10 – South Florida – part 5
Hello friends,
I have had the opportunity to visit Florida twice in the first half of 2007.
My first visit was to Sanibel Island in February. Last month, I had a business trip to Miami for a weekend and managed to spend about 2 full days birding with a great guide Paul Bithorn (305.431.5908 or email pbithorn@plumbers519.com.).
Between Sarasota and Ft. Myers and right off I75 is the Babcock-Webb preserve. It is one of the best place for Red-cockaded Woodpeckers. The trees with the nest holes are marked etc. Unfortunately I didn’t see them. This is still a species I have never seen.
But I did get a different life bird there, the Brown-headed Nuthatch (Sitta pusilla). I was driving around and came upon a couple of birders who had a pair of nuthatches right beside the road. Here are a couple of photos. The second one shows the characteristic white spot on the nape of the neck.
http://www.pbase.com/image/109474250 click ‘next’ once
I also chased a beautiful male Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) for a considerable distance along a sandy trail to get the following photo.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109474252
My wife, Linda, and I were staying on Sanibel Island, off the coast from Ft. Myers. It is famous as the best shelling location on the gulf coast. But, it is also famous for Ding Darling NWR. This fabulous wildlife sanctuary has a 4 mile paved road through mangrove swamps, forested area etc. Every day is as busy as High Island Texas in migration. One can drive along and pull off to the side to watch the birds or take pictures anywhere along the route. As well as lots of waders, there are alligators, raccoons and other mammals to see if one is lucky.
These next 3 photos were taken by my wife Linda, with the landscape camera. The first shows typical mangrove swampy area in Ding Darling at low tide.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109474253
The next 2 show the extensive number of wading species and water birds seen in Ding Darling. How many species can you find in each photo?
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109474255 click ‘next’ once
Here are some of my photos from Ding Darling. The birds are quite tame as there is so much vehicular traffic. Often with the 500mm lens, I would have to move away from the bird so I could get the whole bird in the photo!
The first is one of my favorite. It is a preening Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga).
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109474257
There were many Wood Storks (Mycteria americana) seen here. Did you find the Wood Stork in the second picture above? Here are several photos of this magnificent bird. The first photo showed the pink feet. I did not know this feature of the Wood Stork. Notice the bare black neck and head. Also, they will completely submerse their head to capture food.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109474258 click ‘next’ once
I also got a good photo of the Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor). This is a non-breeding adult.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109474261
Red-breasted Mergansers (Mergus serrator) were common and easy to photograph. Here are the male and female of this species at Ding Darling.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109474262 click ‘next’ once
The Miami guide (Paul Bithorn) I used, was extremely knowledgeable, especially for the mangrove species and exotics. Many of the exotics occur in specific neighborhoods in the Miami area, and a casual birder would have a difficult time locating them. To contact Paul, call him at (305) 431-5908 or email him at pbithorn@plumbers519.com.
All comments and suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.
Happy Birding,
David McDonald
davidkmcd@comcast.net
photos copyright 2007 David & Linda McDonald
Note – photos with the name preceded by an asterisk were updated for this blog and the text was edited accordingly.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Bulletin #9 - Miami parrots
David McDonald Photography
Friendswood Texas
August-2-2007
Bulletin #9 – South Florida – part 4 – Miami parrots
Hello friends,
I have had the opportunity to visit Florida twice in the first half of 2007.
My first visit was to Sanibel Island in February. Last month, I had a business trip to Miami for a weekend and managed to spend about 2 full days birding with a great guide Paul Bithorn (305.431.5908 or email pbithorn@plumbers519.com.).
The last group of exotic birds in Miami are the parakeets and parrots. These are all escaped or introduced birds. Miami and Los Angeles are home to more than a dozen mostly Neotropic birds in this family.
In Miami, they are very local in specific neighborhoods, and a good guide is essential to quickly navigate around the known areas. Paul Bithorn was superb and I had a great time seeing and photographing these birds. I have been to the tropics numerous times and the parrots are the hardest to see, but easy to hear with their squawking. Locating a mostly green bird in the rain forest is a challenge. In Miami, they were relatively easy to find in the scattered trees of a suburban area. We ended up with 7 species in 4 genera. There are numerous others for another visit to Miami, but these are the most commonly encountered.
The first is probably the most common parrot encountered in the USA. The Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) is a native of southern Brazil and Argentina. I have seen it in its home range. In the pet trade it is known as the Quaker Parrot. It builds large communal nests in trees or power transmission towers. According to Sibley, colonies can be found across the USA as far north as Oregon, Illinois and New York. We have them in numerous locations in the Houston area and I have actually had an occasional one fly over my house. It has been established long enough that it is an ABA countable species.
http://www.pbase.com/image/109472852
The next genus is the aratinga parakeets. As you know, parakeets are smaller parrots with long pointed tails. There are several species of these in Miami, but I was able to get photos of only 2 of them due to time restraints. They differ mostly with head, face and wing colorations. These parakeets are about 13.5 inches in length.
The first is the Mitred Parakeet (Aratinga mitrata). This was the most common aratinga that I saw on my visit. It is distinguished by red on face, red spots on head on neck and red socks. Here are a couple of photos of this bird.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109472855 click 'next' once
The other aratinga is the Scarlet-fronted Parakeet (Aratinga wagleri). It has a deeper red on the face but only occasional other red spots on head and neck. It also has extensive red on the wing bend and underwing as shown. Here are 2 photos of this bird. Notice how closely these 2 parakeets resemble each other. Without my guide for confirmation of the ID of them, I would have been very confused.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109472859 click ‘next’ once
Neither of these 2 aratinga species are ABA countable birds, but both were lifers for me.
The other parakeet genus that I saw was brotogeris. Originally called Sulphur-winged Parakeet, this was an ABA countable species. However about a decade ago, it was split but only 1 of the splits is ABA countable, even though both species of the split occur in Miami and the non-countable one is more numerous! Go figure! These are small parakeets only 8.75 inches long.
The countable species is the White-winged Parakeet (Brotogeris versicolurus). They have extensive white wing patches visible when flying, but perched, only an occasional bit of white is seen on the wing. It also has a large yellow wing patch. Look also at the face. There is a very pale blue patch between the eye and bill. These are the distinguishing marks from the other split partner. I was very confused seeing them in the wild, but with the photos, I can see clearly the differences that weren’t apparent through the binoculars. Here are a couple of photos of this bird.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109472863 click ‘next’ once
The other half and non-countable split is the Yellow-chevroned Parakeet (Brotogeris chiriri). There is no white on the wings and the face is entirely green.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109472869 click ‘next’ once
Parrots are larger than parakeets. The genus Amazona is a large group of neo-tropical parrots. The are heavy bodied and have square tails. There are several species in Miami of this genus.
The first is the Red-crowned Parrot (Amazona viridigenalis). This bird is native to northeastern Mexico and does occur in the Rio Grade valley of Texas naturally. But, most of these Texas birds are felt to be escaped pets. It also occurs in Miami and Los Angeles as escapes. It is an ABA countable species. Notice the red crown, blue nape of neck and square tail. He is 13 inches long.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109472876
The other amazon is the Orange-winged Parrot (Amazona amazonica). This bird is native to South America and established in the Miami area. It is not an ABA countable species. The field marks are the yellow and blue on the head and the orange wing feathers (just visible in this photo.)
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109472880
The Miami guide (Paul Bithorn) I used, was extremely knowledgeable, especially for the mangrove species and exotics. Many of the exotics occur in specific neighborhoods in the Miami area, and a casual birder would have a difficult time locating them. To contact Paul, call him at (305) 431-5908 or email him at pbithorn@plumbers519.com.
All comments and suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.
Happy Birding,
David McDonald
davidkmcd@comcast.net
photos copyright 2007 David McDonald
Friendswood Texas
August-2-2007
Bulletin #9 – South Florida – part 4 – Miami parrots
Hello friends,
I have had the opportunity to visit Florida twice in the first half of 2007.
My first visit was to Sanibel Island in February. Last month, I had a business trip to Miami for a weekend and managed to spend about 2 full days birding with a great guide Paul Bithorn (305.431.5908 or email pbithorn@plumbers519.com.).
The last group of exotic birds in Miami are the parakeets and parrots. These are all escaped or introduced birds. Miami and Los Angeles are home to more than a dozen mostly Neotropic birds in this family.
In Miami, they are very local in specific neighborhoods, and a good guide is essential to quickly navigate around the known areas. Paul Bithorn was superb and I had a great time seeing and photographing these birds. I have been to the tropics numerous times and the parrots are the hardest to see, but easy to hear with their squawking. Locating a mostly green bird in the rain forest is a challenge. In Miami, they were relatively easy to find in the scattered trees of a suburban area. We ended up with 7 species in 4 genera. There are numerous others for another visit to Miami, but these are the most commonly encountered.
The first is probably the most common parrot encountered in the USA. The Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) is a native of southern Brazil and Argentina. I have seen it in its home range. In the pet trade it is known as the Quaker Parrot. It builds large communal nests in trees or power transmission towers. According to Sibley, colonies can be found across the USA as far north as Oregon, Illinois and New York. We have them in numerous locations in the Houston area and I have actually had an occasional one fly over my house. It has been established long enough that it is an ABA countable species.
http://www.pbase.com/image/109472852
The next genus is the aratinga parakeets. As you know, parakeets are smaller parrots with long pointed tails. There are several species of these in Miami, but I was able to get photos of only 2 of them due to time restraints. They differ mostly with head, face and wing colorations. These parakeets are about 13.5 inches in length.
The first is the Mitred Parakeet (Aratinga mitrata). This was the most common aratinga that I saw on my visit. It is distinguished by red on face, red spots on head on neck and red socks. Here are a couple of photos of this bird.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109472855 click 'next' once
The other aratinga is the Scarlet-fronted Parakeet (Aratinga wagleri). It has a deeper red on the face but only occasional other red spots on head and neck. It also has extensive red on the wing bend and underwing as shown. Here are 2 photos of this bird. Notice how closely these 2 parakeets resemble each other. Without my guide for confirmation of the ID of them, I would have been very confused.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109472859 click ‘next’ once
Neither of these 2 aratinga species are ABA countable birds, but both were lifers for me.
The other parakeet genus that I saw was brotogeris. Originally called Sulphur-winged Parakeet, this was an ABA countable species. However about a decade ago, it was split but only 1 of the splits is ABA countable, even though both species of the split occur in Miami and the non-countable one is more numerous! Go figure! These are small parakeets only 8.75 inches long.
The countable species is the White-winged Parakeet (Brotogeris versicolurus). They have extensive white wing patches visible when flying, but perched, only an occasional bit of white is seen on the wing. It also has a large yellow wing patch. Look also at the face. There is a very pale blue patch between the eye and bill. These are the distinguishing marks from the other split partner. I was very confused seeing them in the wild, but with the photos, I can see clearly the differences that weren’t apparent through the binoculars. Here are a couple of photos of this bird.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109472863 click ‘next’ once
The other half and non-countable split is the Yellow-chevroned Parakeet (Brotogeris chiriri). There is no white on the wings and the face is entirely green.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109472869 click ‘next’ once
Parrots are larger than parakeets. The genus Amazona is a large group of neo-tropical parrots. The are heavy bodied and have square tails. There are several species in Miami of this genus.
The first is the Red-crowned Parrot (Amazona viridigenalis). This bird is native to northeastern Mexico and does occur in the Rio Grade valley of Texas naturally. But, most of these Texas birds are felt to be escaped pets. It also occurs in Miami and Los Angeles as escapes. It is an ABA countable species. Notice the red crown, blue nape of neck and square tail. He is 13 inches long.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109472876
The other amazon is the Orange-winged Parrot (Amazona amazonica). This bird is native to South America and established in the Miami area. It is not an ABA countable species. The field marks are the yellow and blue on the head and the orange wing feathers (just visible in this photo.)
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109472880
The Miami guide (Paul Bithorn) I used, was extremely knowledgeable, especially for the mangrove species and exotics. Many of the exotics occur in specific neighborhoods in the Miami area, and a casual birder would have a difficult time locating them. To contact Paul, call him at (305) 431-5908 or email him at pbithorn@plumbers519.com.
All comments and suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.
Happy Birding,
David McDonald
davidkmcd@comcast.net
photos copyright 2007 David McDonald
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Bulletin #8 - South Florida #3
David McDonald Photography
Friendswood Texas
July-24-2007
Bulletin #8 – South Florida – part 3
Hello friends,
I have had the opportunity to visit Florida twice in the first half of 2007.
My first visit was to Sanibel Island in February. Last month, I had a business trip to Miami for a weekend and managed to spend about 2 full days birding with a great guide Paul Bithorn (305.431.5908 or email pbithorn@plumbers519.com.).
The last couple of the native birds that I was able to photograph in Miami included the Gray Kingbird (Tyrannus dominicensis). This is another Caribbean species whose range extends north into south Florida. Notice the dark mask through the eye.
http://www.pbase.com/image/109471553
The next bird is the Cave Swallow (Petrocheilodon fulva). The subspecies in south Florida is the Caribbean, and it is considerably darker on neck and throat from the Mexican subspecies that occurs in Texas. The Cave Swallow has a brown forehead. The very similar Cliff Swallow has a white forehead. There is a nesting colony under a bridge alongside I-95 south of Miami. My guide took me there and I crawled under the bridge to photograph this bird in the nest.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109471556
Here is the Cliff Swallow for comparison. The white forehead is distinctive and diagnostic.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109471559
Now the fun begins as I’ll show you some of the exotic species in the Miami area that my guide was able to find rather easily. The first is the Spot-breasted Oriole (Icterus pectoralis). This native of Costa Rica was introduced into the Miami area long ago. It is established but according to the National Geographic bird guide is declining. It is an ABA countable species. Here are a 2 photos of the beautiful male. He was a lifer.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109471561 click 'next' once
Mynas are popular as cage birds, because they can be trained to talk. They are members of the starling family and are native to Asia. There are 2 species in Miami, but neither of them has been established long enough to be ABA countable species.
The more numerous is the Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis). If anyone has been to Hawaii you likely have seen this bird. It was introduced there as well and is a noisy nuisance. However, it is an attractive bird with black and chocolate brown accented with yellow bill, face and legs. It also has white wing patches.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109471565 click 'next' once
The other myna is the Hill Myna (Gracula religiosa). It is very local in the Miami area. It was a lifer for me. Notice the yellow orange bill & wattles, yellow legs and white wing patch.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109471573
The next bird is the Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus). This is a popular cage bird that is native to Asia and Africa. They were first noted as escapes in Miami in the 1960’s. It also now occurs in Los Angeles and apparently there are a few in Houston as well. It also is an ABA countable species. Notice the red ear patch, the large crest and also the red undertail coverts (just visible between wing tip and tail). This bird was another lifer for me.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109471578
The Miami guide (Paul Bithorn) I used, was extremely knowledgeable, especially for the mangrove species and exotics. Many of the exotics occur in specific neighborhoods in the Miami area, and a casual birder would have a difficult time locating them. To contact Paul, call him at (305) 431-5908 or email him at pbithorn@plumbers519.com.
All comments and suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.
Happy Birding,David McDonald
davidkmcd@comcast.net
photos copyright 2007 David McDonald
Note – photos with the name preceded by an asterisk were updated for this blog and the text was edited accordingly
Friendswood Texas
July-24-2007
Bulletin #8 – South Florida – part 3
Hello friends,
I have had the opportunity to visit Florida twice in the first half of 2007.
My first visit was to Sanibel Island in February. Last month, I had a business trip to Miami for a weekend and managed to spend about 2 full days birding with a great guide Paul Bithorn (305.431.5908 or email pbithorn@plumbers519.com.).
The last couple of the native birds that I was able to photograph in Miami included the Gray Kingbird (Tyrannus dominicensis). This is another Caribbean species whose range extends north into south Florida. Notice the dark mask through the eye.
http://www.pbase.com/image/109471553
The next bird is the Cave Swallow (Petrocheilodon fulva). The subspecies in south Florida is the Caribbean, and it is considerably darker on neck and throat from the Mexican subspecies that occurs in Texas. The Cave Swallow has a brown forehead. The very similar Cliff Swallow has a white forehead. There is a nesting colony under a bridge alongside I-95 south of Miami. My guide took me there and I crawled under the bridge to photograph this bird in the nest.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109471556
Here is the Cliff Swallow for comparison. The white forehead is distinctive and diagnostic.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109471559
Now the fun begins as I’ll show you some of the exotic species in the Miami area that my guide was able to find rather easily. The first is the Spot-breasted Oriole (Icterus pectoralis). This native of Costa Rica was introduced into the Miami area long ago. It is established but according to the National Geographic bird guide is declining. It is an ABA countable species. Here are a 2 photos of the beautiful male. He was a lifer.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109471561 click 'next' once
Mynas are popular as cage birds, because they can be trained to talk. They are members of the starling family and are native to Asia. There are 2 species in Miami, but neither of them has been established long enough to be ABA countable species.
The more numerous is the Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis). If anyone has been to Hawaii you likely have seen this bird. It was introduced there as well and is a noisy nuisance. However, it is an attractive bird with black and chocolate brown accented with yellow bill, face and legs. It also has white wing patches.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109471565 click 'next' once
The other myna is the Hill Myna (Gracula religiosa). It is very local in the Miami area. It was a lifer for me. Notice the yellow orange bill & wattles, yellow legs and white wing patch.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109471573
The next bird is the Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus). This is a popular cage bird that is native to Asia and Africa. They were first noted as escapes in Miami in the 1960’s. It also now occurs in Los Angeles and apparently there are a few in Houston as well. It also is an ABA countable species. Notice the red ear patch, the large crest and also the red undertail coverts (just visible between wing tip and tail). This bird was another lifer for me.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109471578
The Miami guide (Paul Bithorn) I used, was extremely knowledgeable, especially for the mangrove species and exotics. Many of the exotics occur in specific neighborhoods in the Miami area, and a casual birder would have a difficult time locating them. To contact Paul, call him at (305) 431-5908 or email him at pbithorn@plumbers519.com.
All comments and suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.
Happy Birding,David McDonald
davidkmcd@comcast.net
photos copyright 2007 David McDonald
Note – photos with the name preceded by an asterisk were updated for this blog and the text was edited accordingly
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Bulletin #7 - South Florida #2
David McDonald Photography
Friendswood Texas
July-18-2007
Bulletin #7 – South Florida – part 2
Hello friends,
I have had the opportunity to visit Florida twice in the first half of 2007.
My first visit was to Sanibel Island in February. Last month, I had a business trip to Miami for a weekend and managed to spend about 2 full days birding with a great guide Paul Bithorn (305.431.5908 or email pbithorn@plumbers519.com.).
I took pictures of several raptors. The endangered Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis) lives along waterways in Florida from about Kissimmee south. It eats apple snails, a large fresh water species. The kite picks the snails off the weeds in the water.
Here is the bird. Notice the bright red legs and the very curved bill. This bill enables the bird to neatly extract the snail from its shell!
http://www.pbase.com/image/109469966
And here is the same bird eating a snail.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109469967
Florida is home to the largest population of Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) in the lower 48 states. On a previous trip to Naples Florida, I was able to show my daughter her first eagle. As I needed a photo of this bird, I went to the previous location, but none were to be found. Several days later, I went to Punta Gorda to see some other birds, and as I was driving back through town on the main street, there was an eagle in a dead tree beside the road. I also saw the nest in another tree further away, with his mate on the nest. I was only about 100 feet from the bird! This photo is on the Houston Audubon web site in the Bird Gallery.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109469968
The Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) is a common bird in Florida, but the bird is much lighter coloration than birds elsewhere in the USA. This adult was in Ding Darling NWR on Sanibel Island. The first photo is the Florida bird and the second is from Texas for comparison.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109469969 click 'next' once
Here are the same Red-shouldered Hawks in juvenile plumage, with the lighter Florida bird first and my backyard Texas ‘baby’ second.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109469971 click'next' once
Notice in the photos above how both the Florida birds are standing on 1 foot and the other is partially or mostly hidden in the feathers of the abdomen!
The last raptor is the Osprey (Pandion haliaetus). They are everywhere on the Florida gulf coast. I saw many nests on Sanibel Island. I was able to get rather close to the birds for the photos, because they must be used to people as this is a very popular tourist destination. Thus, the birds seem to have become used to humans at close range.
The first photo is of a huge nest on a nesting platform at the beach on Sanibel Is. The second photo is a close up of the same nest another day.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109469974 click 'next' once
Here is another nest on the top of a Norfolk Island pine with the pair of ospreys on the nest. I took this photo off the balcony of our condo.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109469978
An unusual aspect of raptor behavior that I have observed since starting to do photography is how close one can approach when the bird is feeding. Of course, I start taking photos graphs far away, and then walk a few steps closer, take more photos and then continue the cycle. One morning I found an osprey eating a fish on top of a palm tree stump about 15’ high. This first photo is full frame.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109469979
After I took several photos, I continued to approach slowly until I was about 20’ from the base of the stump and he was only about 10’ over my head. I took several more extreme close-up photos and then slowly walked away. He didn’t move, but just kept on eating. Notice the huge powerful legs on the bird.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109469980
Florida is a great location to see Burrowing Owls (Speotyto cunicularia). I went to Punta Gorda and found several exactly where the guide book said they would be. The Florida owls are much darker than owls from elsewhere. The first photo is one standing on his burrow. In the second photo, you can see a different pair of owls. The last photo is an owl from Texas to show the color variation. The Texas owl photo is also on the Houston Audubon web site.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109469981 click 'next' twice
The Miami guide (Paul Bithorn) I used, was extremely knowledgeable, especially for the mangrove species and exotics. Many of the exotics occur in specific neighborhoods in the Miami area, and a casual birder would have a difficult time locating them. To contact Paul, call him at (305) 431-5908 or email him at pbithorn@plumbers519.com.
All comments and suggestions are welcomed and appreciated. If replying to this email, please delete the photos, as it takes a long time to download. Thanks.
Happy Birding,
David McDonald
davidkmcd@comcast.net
photos copyright 2007 David McDonald
Note – photos with the name preceded by an asterisk were updated for this blog and the text was edited accordingly
Friendswood Texas
July-18-2007
Bulletin #7 – South Florida – part 2
Hello friends,
I have had the opportunity to visit Florida twice in the first half of 2007.
My first visit was to Sanibel Island in February. Last month, I had a business trip to Miami for a weekend and managed to spend about 2 full days birding with a great guide Paul Bithorn (305.431.5908 or email pbithorn@plumbers519.com.).
I took pictures of several raptors. The endangered Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis) lives along waterways in Florida from about Kissimmee south. It eats apple snails, a large fresh water species. The kite picks the snails off the weeds in the water.
Here is the bird. Notice the bright red legs and the very curved bill. This bill enables the bird to neatly extract the snail from its shell!
http://www.pbase.com/image/109469966
And here is the same bird eating a snail.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109469967
Florida is home to the largest population of Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) in the lower 48 states. On a previous trip to Naples Florida, I was able to show my daughter her first eagle. As I needed a photo of this bird, I went to the previous location, but none were to be found. Several days later, I went to Punta Gorda to see some other birds, and as I was driving back through town on the main street, there was an eagle in a dead tree beside the road. I also saw the nest in another tree further away, with his mate on the nest. I was only about 100 feet from the bird! This photo is on the Houston Audubon web site in the Bird Gallery.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109469968
The Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) is a common bird in Florida, but the bird is much lighter coloration than birds elsewhere in the USA. This adult was in Ding Darling NWR on Sanibel Island. The first photo is the Florida bird and the second is from Texas for comparison.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109469969 click 'next' once
Here are the same Red-shouldered Hawks in juvenile plumage, with the lighter Florida bird first and my backyard Texas ‘baby’ second.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109469971 click'next' once
Notice in the photos above how both the Florida birds are standing on 1 foot and the other is partially or mostly hidden in the feathers of the abdomen!
The last raptor is the Osprey (Pandion haliaetus). They are everywhere on the Florida gulf coast. I saw many nests on Sanibel Island. I was able to get rather close to the birds for the photos, because they must be used to people as this is a very popular tourist destination. Thus, the birds seem to have become used to humans at close range.
The first photo is of a huge nest on a nesting platform at the beach on Sanibel Is. The second photo is a close up of the same nest another day.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109469974 click 'next' once
Here is another nest on the top of a Norfolk Island pine with the pair of ospreys on the nest. I took this photo off the balcony of our condo.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109469978
An unusual aspect of raptor behavior that I have observed since starting to do photography is how close one can approach when the bird is feeding. Of course, I start taking photos graphs far away, and then walk a few steps closer, take more photos and then continue the cycle. One morning I found an osprey eating a fish on top of a palm tree stump about 15’ high. This first photo is full frame.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109469979
After I took several photos, I continued to approach slowly until I was about 20’ from the base of the stump and he was only about 10’ over my head. I took several more extreme close-up photos and then slowly walked away. He didn’t move, but just kept on eating. Notice the huge powerful legs on the bird.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109469980
Florida is a great location to see Burrowing Owls (Speotyto cunicularia). I went to Punta Gorda and found several exactly where the guide book said they would be. The Florida owls are much darker than owls from elsewhere. The first photo is one standing on his burrow. In the second photo, you can see a different pair of owls. The last photo is an owl from Texas to show the color variation. The Texas owl photo is also on the Houston Audubon web site.
http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/109469981 click 'next' twice
The Miami guide (Paul Bithorn) I used, was extremely knowledgeable, especially for the mangrove species and exotics. Many of the exotics occur in specific neighborhoods in the Miami area, and a casual birder would have a difficult time locating them. To contact Paul, call him at (305) 431-5908 or email him at pbithorn@plumbers519.com.
All comments and suggestions are welcomed and appreciated. If replying to this email, please delete the photos, as it takes a long time to download. Thanks.
Happy Birding,
David McDonald
davidkmcd@comcast.net
photos copyright 2007 David McDonald
Note – photos with the name preceded by an asterisk were updated for this blog and the text was edited accordingly
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