Osprey at Lake Nelson

Hello, bird lovers! Well, what an evening we had. It was not a sunny day but since it was warm, we said let's just go out in the boat. At first we weren't even going to take the camera since it was a gray day. We got a out a little and we saw a cormorant, so Mike said we have to go back because we don't have any cormorant photos with the new camera. So, off we go again with the camera, binoculars, and an apple, in case we needed something to sustain ourselves. Sure glad we had that camera! What a great treat to see the osprey. Mike spotted it in the tree first; its white head gave it away. We saw it dive for fish a few times, and it really didn't seem bothered by us at all, unlike the Kingfishers who were also around today and still can't stand us. We were really surprised by the little chirpy call this osprey makes. It was cute for such a big bird as opposed to the tiny wren who has such a loud song.

Great Blue Heron at Lake Nelson

Tufted Titmouse standing on a suet feeder

The Tufted Titmouse rarely comes to the suet feeder. Today, he just used it as a perch.

White-breasted Nuthatch

We like nuthatches.

Carolina Wren

Chris was able to play connect the bird to the song recently. One morning we heard a song that we frequently hear which is quite loud, and while using the binoculars to look at the four cardinals who were also in the yard, she happened to spot the wren singing in a tree. It flew over to the suet feeder. Since we've never seen a wren at any of the feeders before, she decided to give the new camera a try. Now every morning we are hoping for a repeat performance. What a great set of lungs for such a little bird!

There's something about a red head

Recently, Mike has been asking Chris to dye her hair bright red. Chris keeps reminding Mike that its the male that has the full head of red.

Northern Mockingbird by misseymarie from Butler, NJ

Greetings from Butler, NJ. The Northern Mockingbird isn't a regular visitor to our backyard. I enjoy their many songs and sounds when they are in the area. . Pictures by misseymarie : )

Catbird

Well, the leaves are changing and summer is almost over. The catbird will spend the winter in Costa Rica and we are left in New Jersey.

Yellow Warbler

This morning it was very calm out in the boat and we lingered in one spot for a while where we always hear but don't see the birds. Finally today we spotted the little warbler. Mike took two pictures and thought he got him in one. When we got home and went through all the pictures, we almost deleted this one at first since the bird blends in so closely with the leaves. We took a more careful look and both laughed when we realized it wasn't just a picture of leaves after all.

Great Egret Fishing

We went out at dusk and watched an egret fishing for about 20 minutes and took about 100 photos. Here's one of the best. He didn't catch a fish while we were there. There were several kingfishers around, but they refused to be photographed again. We'll try again tomorrow.

Red Bellied Woodpecker

This woodpecker was so noisy today while we were looking at the warbler, it seemed like it was just demanding that its photo be taken also.

Black and White Warbler

An infrequent but oh so delightful visitor is the black and white warbler. Maybe they are here more often, though, and we just don't see them because they dart around very quickly. They don't come to any of the feeders but appear to be getting insects from all the nooks and crannies in the trees.

Belted Kingfisher flying

We spend a lot of time stalking the belted kingfishers around here. Today was a real team effort in the boat. There was one flying around us. Chris is more inclined to wait for a perfect shot, but with Mike's prompting of "just get it in flight" and with his spinning of the boat while Chris had the camera, we got some action shots today. We didn't even know we were interrupting its dinner until we saw these pictures on the big screen.

Cooper's Hawk...Immature by misseymarie Butler NJ

I took this picture on August 31, 2008. I believe this is a immature (because of the color of the eyes) Cooper's Hawk , it has stopped by a few times and stays for about 10 minutes or so. The picture was taken in Butler NJ by misseymarie. I'm thrilled that I found this site. I'm new at backyard birding and your site will help me ID birds that visit our backyard.

Female Downy Woodpecker at Suet Feeder

Mike photographed a female downy woodpecker at the suet feeder this morning. If you look closely, you can see its tongue. The Hilton Pond website in South Carolina contains more info on the the amazing woodpecker tongue and pictures too (see below). Did you know that the woodpecker tongue is barbed and that the flicker's tongue is 5 inches long?

Please don't try this at home.

Red-Bellied Woodpecker Developing by misseymarie Butler NJ

The first photo was taken on June 28, 2008 of a baby Red-Bellied Woodpecker. Prior to June 28th I had been watching the parents go in and out of the hole in the tree and finally on June 28th I was able to get a photo of the baby sticking its head out of the hole. The 2nd picture was taken on July 20, 2008, I now know it is a female, the red on the head is just starting to fill in. The 3rd photo was taken on August 31, 2008 and you can see that she has developed into quite a beauty! These pictures were taken in Butler NJ by misseymarie

Double-crested Cormorant

We haven't seen the cormorant for most of the summer. One returned this week and we got a few photos.