Ten Most Wanted - Part 1

Birding Watching Magazine (August, 2013) included the article, "Most Wanted." The magazine asked its readers to list the 10 species they wanted to see more than any others.

When I added the No.1 "Most Wanted" to my list this summer, I dug out the old issue to see how I was doing with the other nine on the list. Not too badly, as it turned out.

Here's the list, and how I have fared. Some sightings were pre-photography, so I have turned to John James Audubon for illustrations when possible.

1. California Condor - Navaho Bridge, US 89A, Marble Canyon, AZ - July 13, 2014

From the middle of the bridge, we looked down into the canyon of the Colorado River where two of this birds were resting and preening. On this day, the largest flying bird in North America chose not to fly, but provided a leisurely opportunity to view them. A naturalist provided biographical information on the two ladies. Unattached males take note: the lovely lady sporting the #28 is available and open to a proposition.

California Condor - 7 year old female, mated

California Condor - 5 year old female - unattached and available

Whooping Crane

2. Whooping Crane - Aransas NWR, Texas, February 9, 2002

The view was a distant one, so while this species is checked on my list, a much better look is still desired.

(Painting by J.J. Audubon)






3. Elf Owl

I have never crossed paths with the world's smallest owl. Apparently, neither did Audubon. He did a painting with five owls, one of which was called "Little Owl," but there is no agreement as to the species he intended.

Gyrfalcon

4. Gyrfalcon - Parker River NWR, Plum Island, MA, December 6, 2000

The Gyrfalcon spent most of the winter on Plum Island and attracted chasers from all over North America. For at least one additional year, a Gyrfalcon (probably the same one) hung out on a building in Boston, likewise drawing much attention. I went with a neighbor. Our sightings on Plum Island were through a scope, but close enough to view the  powerful flight that makes the bird such an effective predator.

(Painting by J.J.Audubon)





5. Atlantic Puffin - Machias Seal Island, Canada - June, 1988 from Grand Manan Island; June, 2009 from Jonesport, ME; June, 2013 from Cutler, ME.

Plans to visit Grand Manan Island have to be made in advance, and if the weather takes a turn, they can be canceled on short notice. Access to the island is limited and carefully controlled, but in no way does that impede a marvelous, up-close experience with these charming birds.

Atlantic Puffin

Atlantic Puffin

Atlantic Puffin

More soon. Good Birding!

Retrospective 1

The weather in the Northeast has been gruesome, and I have been pretty much confined indoors. But I feel like I need to get back into the regular groove of posting.

So I am doing in a series of photos from last year - random, and obviously not just birds and things with wings.

I will be back to my main theme soon.

Retrospective 1 --

Atlantic Puffin

Fly-Away

Hummingbird Moth

Summer Azure

Carolina Wren

Puffin Couple Apology

"I'm sooo sorry ..."

"I just wasn't thinking ...

"I really didn't mean to ..."

"I won't do it again."

"Pleeeease forgive me."

("Sometimes, you just have to grovel ...")

Portraits from Machias Seal Island

Photographers rarely have the opportunity to get multiple portraits of any species. First you find it, then you photograph it, hoping it will not fly off or dive down before your camera has gotten it burst of shots, with (hopefully) one good pose among the lot.

Machias Seal Island was a notable exception. Two hours of stooping in a blind yielded many images - and portraits - of the species which come to the tiny rock haven to breed and raise young.

A few portraits ...

Atlantic Puffin ...

Razorbill ...

"Bridled" Common Murre (10-25% of Atlantic population) ...

Common Murre ...

Good Birding!

Love Among the Alcids

After the courtship ...

Razorbills ...

Common Murres ...

Atlantic Puffins ...

Good Birding !!

Alcid Courtship

This post on Alcid courtship, and the next one Alcid mating, requires a degree of restraint on my part. It is very tempting to anthropomorphize the behaviors I photographed on Machias Seal Island, and to describe those behaviors with the smirking and chuckling terms often used. But alas, I don’t want blogger (or a prudish reader) to flag me for inappropriate content, so I will keep this on as even a keel as possible.

The most common courtship behavior I observed was “billing.” Billing among mated pairs of the birds I observed involves touching, or as it appeared to me, caressing, each other’s bills. The behavior apparently serves to strengthen the pair bond. This was most apparent with the Razorbill pairs.

Razorbill pair bonding by "billing"

Razorbills

Razorbills.

There were many fewer Common Murres so there were fewer opportunities to observe billing among pairs. When I did photograph it, it appeared a bit more restrained than with the Razorbills.

Common Murres - apparent billing

Is this courtship? Or a beef: Come on, make up your mind? Or a lover's quarrel?

Common Murre

Atlantic Puffins do most of their courtship, and according to Birds of North America, almost all of their successful mating on the water. Occasionally, however, they do billing on land.

A completely different form of courtship is practiced by the Arctic Terns. I only saw these terns in flight. Several were carrying food. Among most land birds, this is a sign of young in the next. However, among the terns, bringing food to one’s mate (or hoped for mate) is a courtship behavior by the male in order to demonstrate, presumably, his ability to provide for the mated pair’s young. I have seen this among Least, Common, and Forster’s Terns, and now Arctic Tern.

Arctic Tern carrying food as part of its courtship & pair bonding.

Photographed on Machias Seal Island.

Good Birding !!

Puffins on the Wing

The Atlantic Puffin, like all alcids, has "compromised" its flying ability in order to live in the sea and away from land, except when breeding. Its wings are shorter and the bones thicker. It flies underwater, using its feet as rudders.

When the puffin does take to the air, it is something of an adventure. Like other diving birds, it needs a running start across the water's surface in order to get airborne.

Once in the air, its flight is rapid; wing beats are 300-400 beats/minute. It is a streamlined, though rather rotund, projectile.

That said, watching the Atlantic Puffin launch into flight on land, or come in for a landing, draws an irrepressible smile. It makes taking to the air look like an adventure, something it does, but would rather not. Sort of ... well, I hope this works.

Photographed on Machias Seal Island

Good Birding !!