As there was a bite of cold as we stepped outside this morning, it reminded us that small owls are migrating south among the multitudes of other birds. It's time to check on our owl roost box again. Like many cavity nesting birds, small owls seek natural cavities in trees, woodpecker-excavated cavities, and big nest boxes to get out of the wind, to stay warmer, and for protection. Depending on where you live, you may have the opportunity to benefit a Western Screech Owl, Eastern Screech Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl, or a Northern Pygmy Owl by providing a big roost box in your yard or at another location.
Houston Audubon has officially rebranded as Birds Houston, marking a new chapter in the organization's nearly 60-year history of bird conservation in the greater Houston, Gulf Coast region. The new name reflects the group's expanded commitment to engaging the community and region in bird conservation and birding opportunities. Already, the organization manages a network of 18 bird sanctuaries across the Houston Metro Area and Upper Texas Coast, including 4 world-renowned High Island Bird Sanctuaries, the Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary, and the Edith Moore Bird Sanctuary in urban Houston.
As much as I appreciate the northern plains, especially the wetland and prairie region I spend most of my time in, during my days off midweek, the woodlands and lakes country of Minnesota has been a great diversion from the prairie lately. During the last hour of sunlight south of Detroit Lakes last Wednesday, I enjoyed seeing 3 Common Loons at Little Pelican Lake and a family group of 5 Trumpeter Swans along with other Trumpeters in the area. But I was glad to find a variety of waterfowl at a natural wild rice pond – 5 Trumpeter Swans, 8 Giant Canada Geese, about 10 Wood Ducks and 25 Mallards, and 40ish Green-winged Teal.
Nikon Binoculars are known for their superior optics and rugged construction, the Nikon Monarch M7 8x42 ED Binoculars take that performance to a new level. Featuring an incredible Nikon optical system using ED glass and Nikon's multi-layer lens and prism coatings that produces bright natural colors of birds and high-resolution sharp views, even in low-light conditions. The large 42mm objective lenses with 8x magnification deliver an exceptionally wide field of view at 435 feet at 1,000 yards, which makes the Monarch M7s among the most wide-angle binoculars available.
Featuring an upside-down suet feeder and a secondary hopper feeder, woodpeckers and nuthatches are especially attracted to Duncraft's Woodpecker Delight Feeder. This unique feeder provides a double delight with seeds on top in the hopper feeder and a suet cake of your choice in the upside-down suet cage below. Watch woodpeckers feed from every angle, including from the openings in the wire in the sides of the suet cage. The Woodpecker Delight Feeder holds ½ pound of shelled peanuts or seeds, along with a square suet cake for the upside-down suet cage.
Hummingbirds is a publication that will thrill and inform anyone with an interest in birds, especially when you see the more than 540 spectacular color photographs that illustrate all 101 hummingbird genera and more than 2/3 of all the 369 species of hummingbirds. But this impressive book is also a well-written and definitive account of all aspects of hummingbird life. Expertly authored and illustrated by Glenn Bartley and Andy Swash, who provide meticulously researched facts and figures on species status, range, movements, population dynamics, and conservation designations of all the hummingbird species. This book is also a fine testament to the publishing prowess of Princeton University Press.
Bring your suet feeding to the next level by offering SuperSuet, only available from Wild Birds Unlimited (WBU). SuperSuet provides WBUs highest level of fats and protein by blending rendered beef fat, roasted peanuts, almonds, pecans, walnuts, and calcium. Two additional SuperSuet options include a Hot Pepper SuperSuet that deters mammals like squirrels, and No-Melt SuperSuet that won't melt in hot outdoor temperatures. There is also a Hot Pepper No-Melt SuperSuet, which is a great year-round suet option for your feeding station.
Many bird photography opportunities are momentary events that begin with a chance sighting. During the fast-moving action of the bird or birds, you begin to operate your camera with the bird focused in your lens – hopefully. Last Thursday, on a beautiful blue sky Minnesota morning as I drove the short distance north from Detroit Lakes to Tamarack National Wildlife Refuge, a chance sighting of a pair of adult Bald Eagles circling together just above the treetops had me judging where the best turnoff would be to stop with respect to the direction of the sunlight, beaming from the southeast, and the position of the eagles as they sailed in tight circles without moving a feather.
Details of the pattern of body feathers, individual primary wing feathers, as well as fanned tail feathers can be examined in this photograph as she was vertically “spread-eagle” above the Northwoods (600mm zoom lens, f-8 aperture, 1/2000 shutter speed, 800 ISO).
The treetops were another factor as I followed the movements of the eagles and focused on the closest one. Taking a few representative photos as the eagle swept across the sunscape, the slightly smaller eagle showed a broken outer primary feather. That’s when the larger female followed with her ever-closer circle toward me, and I waited a moment until I saw her plumage brighten as she sailed vertically before me. Even then, the eagles began dipping lower, slipping behind leafless branches for as much as half of their circles.
Lower in its orbit, the eagle provides a clear view of her face and the position of her feet while the sweeping wings show depth and detail as the adult Bald Eagle silently slices through the blue sky (600mm zoom lens, f-8 aperture, 1/4000 shutter speed, 800 ISO).
This was a simple photo opportunity, successful to a degree, with no tech changes beyond my standard camera settings. It all came down to the beautiful sunlight and the soaring eagles surrounded by deep blue sky color; plus being in the right place at the right time, with the eagles positioning to my advantage and circling ever-closer. All I had to do was act and react, and that worked out pretty well too. I’m lucky to have many opportunities to photograph Bald Eagles, which means they tend to appear in this publication more often than may be expected. But in this case, the eagle is a nice example of how quick action to take advantage of a potential bird photo opportunity with a bird or birds can become a very exciting, rewarding, and memorable experience – whether the birds before you are juncos, or herons, or eagles. Get out there, stay alert, and Good Luck!
