One of our biggest jobs is to set up the nets and take them down as we do not have permanent stakes set for the net poles. We carry the components (4 conduit segments and 2 rebar) for each net (9) each session.
Today Marko brought us a new means to transport the poles. We are very thankful that this means less work for us. Thank You Marko!
Golf Cart Deluxe
First thing we caught a Gray Catbird (no surprise). How many more ways can we photograph a catbird? Though I would really love to take many more pictures, I am thankful there are people who can do this job and do it so well.
Gray Catbird
Photo by Crystal Conway
There were many more catbirds deep in the shrubs and maybe we have a suspect (or three) for why things have been relatively quiet. Today we saw three Cooper's Hawks - two adults and this immature bird. The adults may be nesting.
Cooper's Hawk
Best capture of the day was a male Painted Bunting. Just seeing these birds is an experience but in-hand it was even more so. Seeing feather placement and the layers of color was a treat.
Painted Bunting - male
Photo by Nancy Price
Painted Bunting - male
Photo by Crystal Conway
Painted Bunting - male
Photo by Nancy Price
It is a bit hard to see here but there was so much color. The brightest green are the scapulars, the outer edges of the flight feathers were green and red, some coverts are red and others are green. Not all of these colors are apparent when the wing is folded. The blue head is stunning.
Painted Bunting - male
Photo by Nancy Price
Even amid the blue, some feathers on the face were green (the area between the bill and the eye - lore).
Painted Bunting - male
Photo by Nancy Price
Crystal has been practicing in-flight shots and caught these Mottled Ducks as they flew by the pond. This shot shows the white wing linings as well as the diagnostic field mark of the spot at the base of the bill.
Mottled Ducks
Photo by Crystal Conway
Many thanks for treats & a card to celebrate a birthday (not mine!) today go to Crystal, Linda, and Fran!
Next session will be on April 16.
Nancy Price takes some stunning photos! I'm so jealous because I'm dying to photograph bird banding at possum long!
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