iPhone photography

See what you can do with an iPhone camera.

South Dakota prairie soprano

? sparrows

I often have trouble identifying sparrows with certainty. These are no exception. The photos were taken last month in the vicinity of Blue Cloud Abbey. My best guess is White-throated, but I'm not very comfortable with that.

Springbrook Nature Center, Fridley, MN

iPhone photo

I spent the morning getting a mental health break at Springbrook Nature Center. Many summer birds have left -- fall is coming. Photos to follow.

wordless wednesday

juv. Barn Swallows near Blue Cloud Abbey

bird photography

excellent summary

near Blue Cloud Abbey

  

  

Chipping Sparrows

I concluded that the baby bird in yesterday's post must be a Chipping Sparrow since it was surrounded by these adult Chippers. They may not be the most flamboyant birds, but to me they are beautiful.

baby Chipping Sparrow

Blue Cloud Abbey is known for its Chipping Sparrow population. In my next post I will give you my rationale for concluding that this is one of their babies.

flying Eastern Kingbird

This is my favorite shot of an Eastern Kingbird from my last trip to Blue Cloud Abbey. They would tease me by waiting on a telephone wire or fence post until I pulled up, got my camera ready, only to fly off to the next post 1/2 second before I squeezed the shutter. This bird was particularly persistent in annoying me; however, I was able to match its speed and follow it at about 20 mph limiting its opportunity to land. After about a couple of dozen shots that were totally useless, I came up with the above. I suspect that this Kingbird decided to be nice to me & give me a break.

Eastern Kingbirds

There are a lot of Eastern Kingbirds around Blue Cloud Abbey.

I couldn't decide which one of these I preferred -- so I'm posting both.

Purple Martins at Blue Cloud Abbey

"Get back to work! You have some hungry babies there."

around Blue Cloud Abbey ponds

Mud Lake near Wheaton, MN

From the bill, it looks like this one is still working on the nest.

Cliff Swallows

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Blue Heron in lots of Algae

and then the sun came out

Double-crested Cormorants at Big Stone Lake

Are they migrating already?

I've never seen so many in one place as I did at Big Stone Lake last week. They were coming in flocks of 50 or more -- flock after flock.

Kirtland's Warblers

Kirtland's Warblers in Adams Co., WI, fledged 23-27 young from 6-7 nests in 2009, far more than in 2008.

Thanks Chuck Hagner !

wordless Wednesday

more fledgelings