tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-270553762024-03-20T11:07:51.034-04:00Tails of BirdingChris Petrak is a birding hobbyist who writes about birds from his home in southeastern VermontChris Petrakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637163831402534158noreply@blogger.comBlogger868125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27055376.post-17910875770981144872016-11-14T06:00:00.000-05:002016-11-14T06:00:11.886-05:00November at Heinz NWRLast Friday was another delightful late Fall day, which once again challenged my prejudice that November is the Blah-Month. Lots of waterfowl, and even a few small things-with-wings ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1pmAfniwIu4tu7Zc9hP5j06yBoeIGKklW8Y7otRQNMvHbHetrh8nmNo07YGN4BLGNEld_EjwCiMQeWn7gaFRSZy5GSqOYFiTF0N7Zfg4HLPptZDfXSsWvcDsZ0NzHhmgF806Mw/s1600/242A1827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1pmAfniwIu4tu7Zc9hP5j06yBoeIGKklW8Y7otRQNMvHbHetrh8nmNo07YGN4BLGNEld_EjwCiMQeWn7gaFRSZy5GSqOYFiTF0N7Zfg4HLPptZDfXSsWvcDsZ0NzHhmgF806Mw/s640/242A1827.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clouded Sulphur</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPI7khfmlGZ_IHy1vjGMPXFY3Ile8wFhaFe531zhiRSgXECNQY2rxMSpInZCJnKNoWfp959C6QHIM-yefdfZZworcJZidEIkI56oA0d75wrQzLaptr2qXPkByGmtcr7wEofwkZyQ/s1600/242A1830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPI7khfmlGZ_IHy1vjGMPXFY3Ile8wFhaFe531zhiRSgXECNQY2rxMSpInZCJnKNoWfp959C6QHIM-yefdfZZworcJZidEIkI56oA0d75wrQzLaptr2qXPkByGmtcr7wEofwkZyQ/s640/242A1830.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Autumn Meadowhawk</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green-winged Teal</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green-winged Teal</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihuc-bGpQPfN7jYsdbbMi-kqFvxXTEGL6qi56QiUAOWmxmfirM-IbnmVcmx4wnJIe9SayIQhdt8DgBC7z9az53ZtCKuy-392NUgI9Rn-x71cOO8RR3PN0sPttYA_tJ6Xc058dHwA/s1600/242A1863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihuc-bGpQPfN7jYsdbbMi-kqFvxXTEGL6qi56QiUAOWmxmfirM-IbnmVcmx4wnJIe9SayIQhdt8DgBC7z9az53ZtCKuy-392NUgI9Rn-x71cOO8RR3PN0sPttYA_tJ6Xc058dHwA/s640/242A1863.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heinz NWR - Philadelphia Airport in background</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCk2FRFTZ686Wj85621jk8m62LZ4IjK6waWa3GQjO0FTTI8mn4N560pdmsLa1kVrdFETDUiR5vrJnbQ8iERlxLaCOPOtUbZXVXXCwyG9CRmZFzKuPHECM8lo2dpdBMzZlYXLWkHQ/s1600/242A1891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCk2FRFTZ686Wj85621jk8m62LZ4IjK6waWa3GQjO0FTTI8mn4N560pdmsLa1kVrdFETDUiR5vrJnbQ8iERlxLaCOPOtUbZXVXXCwyG9CRmZFzKuPHECM8lo2dpdBMzZlYXLWkHQ/s640/242A1891.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carolina Wren</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9WwZ41Q8OAklsO-AdSzbGPpklVtxd1NRwVSANp5ZnhvS3apaefxb5T8yDpJfS55SwWm6E7kH58GwWivm0PeXl6bHDolIzODLKm4SkY32evonwGbHgSj_wvv_KkKUMLwEnZz2PQ/s1600/242A1908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9WwZ41Q8OAklsO-AdSzbGPpklVtxd1NRwVSANp5ZnhvS3apaefxb5T8yDpJfS55SwWm6E7kH58GwWivm0PeXl6bHDolIzODLKm4SkY32evonwGbHgSj_wvv_KkKUMLwEnZz2PQ/s640/242A1908.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carolina Wren</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyrQwRGatlnRVpAc3p_w6DmegNg6bojaH37JxsPWjIrp_6OBefROAwdyvumSbXADf63n1MHMA_xfjxrsL68oplvj_kyMZtpP-1G4uTiBb7J849qrFmAXclq0vpU7I5-P5yjn0OA/s1600/242A1922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyrQwRGatlnRVpAc3p_w6DmegNg6bojaH37JxsPWjIrp_6OBefROAwdyvumSbXADf63n1MHMA_xfjxrsL68oplvj_kyMZtpP-1G4uTiBb7J849qrFmAXclq0vpU7I5-P5yjn0OA/s640/242A1922.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Question Mark</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujJZjlJH-VMAa7Sedf2DzXN1_nN63-quAk2UbAa1cv2g0v1EbRq68IECKfvKmXPrZAJlinqVrOk4EZ0Sx_ukKgXuTyyy7N5ac0yVK5mzFJELKNbf3_h9QYOFqRODV8iskI6SKsA/s1600/242A1940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujJZjlJH-VMAa7Sedf2DzXN1_nN63-quAk2UbAa1cv2g0v1EbRq68IECKfvKmXPrZAJlinqVrOk4EZ0Sx_ukKgXuTyyy7N5ac0yVK5mzFJELKNbf3_h9QYOFqRODV8iskI6SKsA/s640/242A1940.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gadwall</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6nug56jJUb75LNKnxDJY_c4CktPcY0KTQzHceEEn2BM8CfuNAp7-joDQIkShqEW-o4yCUS5RhhPOe0wuvB0VVVM2Q8ZUf-DbKiL3eCpmaJzAsuf2XAZ7eqQzfpSDN9OQnhNT6zQ/s1600/242A1991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6nug56jJUb75LNKnxDJY_c4CktPcY0KTQzHceEEn2BM8CfuNAp7-joDQIkShqEW-o4yCUS5RhhPOe0wuvB0VVVM2Q8ZUf-DbKiL3eCpmaJzAsuf2XAZ7eqQzfpSDN9OQnhNT6zQ/s640/242A1991.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tufted Titmouse</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3JIFUcoEaIkACWrsZM2JtmriFW5qTsJCFElSsOtjvtFYwmZfCPJc3rfhvDiQQZuYWjBseD7YB_ohefnyUJs6sZJQHDH8qQMCtpJQBtEpGgFoIRHB0eJN1h1tEPrsYOfB1bMqUQ/s1600/242A1969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3JIFUcoEaIkACWrsZM2JtmriFW5qTsJCFElSsOtjvtFYwmZfCPJc3rfhvDiQQZuYWjBseD7YB_ohefnyUJs6sZJQHDH8qQMCtpJQBtEpGgFoIRHB0eJN1h1tEPrsYOfB1bMqUQ/s640/242A1969.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carolina Chickadee</td></tr>
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Good Birding!Chris Petrakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637163831402534158noreply@blogger.com49tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27055376.post-77222462661788327752016-11-13T09:34:00.000-05:002016-11-13T09:34:32.253-05:00Rustys and WoodiesI've been remiss about keeping my birding activities up-to-date. I blame it on life. Much of September was spent at Putney Mountain Hawkwatch, and I'll try soon to get some photos posted. (Some hawk photos are on my Facebook Page.)<br />
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But I'm in Philly now, and have had a few delightful days of birding in the city. Heinz NRW is a go-to place in late Fall (and again in March) for Rusty Blackbirds, and who knows what else in the middle of the city.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirSeHCliuEXSzsTa3K2TRhpVPyrgn17DM5kHvB3TKd54iltAcY9Xr0NdmgK00-PKNQcoOKiF2AIP3ktszWAKY12RIddkwrHE_wVnXTwFCHXlk-AJIVRqvjhcTK-zvu8aWiepFqjg/s1600/242A1771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirSeHCliuEXSzsTa3K2TRhpVPyrgn17DM5kHvB3TKd54iltAcY9Xr0NdmgK00-PKNQcoOKiF2AIP3ktszWAKY12RIddkwrHE_wVnXTwFCHXlk-AJIVRqvjhcTK-zvu8aWiepFqjg/s640/242A1771.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rusty Blackbird</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx76e5Db_jRiOBARsAsv_pRLowiYt08WJLRmWLj34UcapYTWOIb_HMDs0aQkopJacU5BHgo9WhrIOr32x4EzZTrJ8bquWIePWRPMnOCnKq_X5a3haNTLNjUSL-QT3Dj3rEpVBnhw/s1600/242A1763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx76e5Db_jRiOBARsAsv_pRLowiYt08WJLRmWLj34UcapYTWOIb_HMDs0aQkopJacU5BHgo9WhrIOr32x4EzZTrJ8bquWIePWRPMnOCnKq_X5a3haNTLNjUSL-QT3Dj3rEpVBnhw/s640/242A1763.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">House Finch (female)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJe4s-eQg25tCV7vfyOWaR2htCf846sEmCQLx-WLUifhRrmdKZiTulecMRcvNIdIBQbrrfAN5b5EQkPHUUMFo5mH0R3EbIIC-Pk1NaOtrvAShZIUBfDOaTvTass3yyGO22A8pWcQ/s1600/242A1789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJe4s-eQg25tCV7vfyOWaR2htCf846sEmCQLx-WLUifhRrmdKZiTulecMRcvNIdIBQbrrfAN5b5EQkPHUUMFo5mH0R3EbIIC-Pk1NaOtrvAShZIUBfDOaTvTass3yyGO22A8pWcQ/s640/242A1789.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Blue Heron</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLbsxcLIa3V2_QJ89d65H9MxmUbbxAdBzwc_mgnX0GRS1xqhEPs4T3d4U8hVcL6VEFQewnQLVDL_XlMPyz7HhqfR033CDj6I8f7JHtcO4s1I-nzuFSj1Y69mKtoOfFRFOGyi7EA/s1600/242A1803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLbsxcLIa3V2_QJ89d65H9MxmUbbxAdBzwc_mgnX0GRS1xqhEPs4T3d4U8hVcL6VEFQewnQLVDL_XlMPyz7HhqfR033CDj6I8f7JHtcO4s1I-nzuFSj1Y69mKtoOfFRFOGyi7EA/s640/242A1803.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-tailed Deer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTZhttQBY0QELdDedyQ1B_SEyUErhQG4rwuf27jIFdcKZvr8oEbK_7v8j68jXJxndCEI3ATlJ8UNcI10mF1qoHl7kYNmFKRLwxfzmDkzg6dGvgStzUNbAtbeNqU4KCekt41FjOw/s1600/242A1805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTZhttQBY0QELdDedyQ1B_SEyUErhQG4rwuf27jIFdcKZvr8oEbK_7v8j68jXJxndCEI3ATlJ8UNcI10mF1qoHl7kYNmFKRLwxfzmDkzg6dGvgStzUNbAtbeNqU4KCekt41FjOw/s640/242A1805.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden-crowned Kinglet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPE5xoNkYsxqFh3pFTeCZGXVVLfLMB1WNfuDZDIgKbPl6_3Nz6yDKs0EeiJpCvvUaQjU5vQbFerp3jPlF8WRdyM5PAvJIGmv4J6EiRPvDzjNu58hhkI5WIUgYb29ZS5iH-p4AcaQ/s1600/242A1819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPE5xoNkYsxqFh3pFTeCZGXVVLfLMB1WNfuDZDIgKbPl6_3Nz6yDKs0EeiJpCvvUaQjU5vQbFerp3jPlF8WRdyM5PAvJIGmv4J6EiRPvDzjNu58hhkI5WIUgYb29ZS5iH-p4AcaQ/s640/242A1819.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canada Geese</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Also in late Fall, the Wissahickon at Valley Green is the go-to place for Wood Ducks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihZitlhvL68hqv3EC4MGodMltqw3iENVEyBM0W_XIzLKom4_7bWB5PsD2Li7oV40YOgUFSi0Dgq0jC5MFrfhfW_LbP6bgJzFy69GHVdWiSi0KJm2959BOPTy32OUPGKB4R1OyXmw/s1600/IMG_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihZitlhvL68hqv3EC4MGodMltqw3iENVEyBM0W_XIzLKom4_7bWB5PsD2Li7oV40YOgUFSi0Dgq0jC5MFrfhfW_LbP6bgJzFy69GHVdWiSi0KJm2959BOPTy32OUPGKB4R1OyXmw/s640/IMG_0013.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood Duck (hen)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIt0-M-g58mHu045SFp46PB5gSGi7GgIfRr9WfnS_v8GJz4lXYM68yZx4VILBJz7uZCIcnP5SfhvdWRZyYJPM882saJ7WvOPQTUWFnV5WPhPgxmHt4YgnSDiLgKdpP7s_Iu_hZQ/s1600/IMG_0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIt0-M-g58mHu045SFp46PB5gSGi7GgIfRr9WfnS_v8GJz4lXYM68yZx4VILBJz7uZCIcnP5SfhvdWRZyYJPM882saJ7WvOPQTUWFnV5WPhPgxmHt4YgnSDiLgKdpP7s_Iu_hZQ/s640/IMG_0014.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood Duck (drake)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEittl6npQ6mi8gKAGyPv1D2EhPLUhq3SDyHQIYQRUYQkPg90AG6e6dIabtGLMXc75a2b6s5hKjZI8KX-WhQYUIuqv_fjhxWx77krVRAtEEVQTTqaF9dINx35gqXFV62ySGPXidSjQ/s1600/IMG_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEittl6npQ6mi8gKAGyPv1D2EhPLUhq3SDyHQIYQRUYQkPg90AG6e6dIabtGLMXc75a2b6s5hKjZI8KX-WhQYUIuqv_fjhxWx77krVRAtEEVQTTqaF9dINx35gqXFV62ySGPXidSjQ/s640/IMG_0010.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wissahickon Creek</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7003g5S80Deh9HraA56sUJo1ptt0xjgMmMTDt5tRnmbeHFOrbwShAL_9VBFQuMeiXHMvm4jb8CfLI9TugiY7ulDKbLpgn9vok4xnMLER-MP8hfBPwzMsyBRKgZBPqdNXe2TA-g/s1600/IMG_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7003g5S80Deh9HraA56sUJo1ptt0xjgMmMTDt5tRnmbeHFOrbwShAL_9VBFQuMeiXHMvm4jb8CfLI9TugiY7ulDKbLpgn9vok4xnMLER-MP8hfBPwzMsyBRKgZBPqdNXe2TA-g/s640/IMG_0011.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wissahickon Creek</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Chris Petrakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637163831402534158noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27055376.post-89708253816436079512016-08-10T18:00:00.000-04:002016-08-10T18:00:18.426-04:00Cape May State Park and Nature ConservancyTwo of my favorite places for nature meditation are the state park in Cape May Point, and the nearby Nature Conservancy. Both always yield something of interest, and both provide an environment for contemplation and discovery.<br />
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A few highlights ...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjpKW-4-5byMv7hSxb4ZRyPMtGCwniX-CbGANbsgBwt3souXNwEpEKgjpR0HIdN3lyHqfOxEFLyAJGD5mf1VZOJnXs13vwkbOSxjL_ojcXZ8AZ-Bmx2ZjYAHbk3LrjV4udhgHIw/s1600/242A9605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjpKW-4-5byMv7hSxb4ZRyPMtGCwniX-CbGANbsgBwt3souXNwEpEKgjpR0HIdN3lyHqfOxEFLyAJGD5mf1VZOJnXs13vwkbOSxjL_ojcXZ8AZ-Bmx2ZjYAHbk3LrjV4udhgHIw/s640/242A9605.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Least Tern</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWn9Y4hRQH4rlOzHqe6J8vtk3_pqBYtUjVgGWw97kbeVuIKBia2uLCAsC7s5OWn1x9KHPXA26PW6rZ9M5qME8b4y-6z7bIVBsDr4tUVcC-ORNngqiOr7VkzEZcB-hVJR0WJ9eJiA/s1600/242A9624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWn9Y4hRQH4rlOzHqe6J8vtk3_pqBYtUjVgGWw97kbeVuIKBia2uLCAsC7s5OWn1x9KHPXA26PW6rZ9M5qME8b4y-6z7bIVBsDr4tUVcC-ORNngqiOr7VkzEZcB-hVJR0WJ9eJiA/s640/242A9624.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laughing Gull</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3iHKE7jfxskOMB18u6UkoQ7CN5qK27MxDPmdRGN11GvGkmDQZ9imr5fWLLwf82S2VUmDwSsHJLQqFSIMukpA6Em0KNajJ7BaMyBMW4NeIp7OuUXG0XbGMeTu-Ta7acwH07LndqQ/s1600/242A9647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3iHKE7jfxskOMB18u6UkoQ7CN5qK27MxDPmdRGN11GvGkmDQZ9imr5fWLLwf82S2VUmDwSsHJLQqFSIMukpA6Em0KNajJ7BaMyBMW4NeIp7OuUXG0XbGMeTu-Ta7acwH07LndqQ/s640/242A9647.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotted Sandpiper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Swamp Rose Mallow throughout the marshes was stunning ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigeNDPnN9kYJRw2eB9DDdDflbR3GaVtxeUZ8OfCwiHjtJIrx8JgZd8ZLY-ecYheG1B1EN5hIqb5DksN-Qrtnz1zZUVIyaZbCV4EaWIvhOKVl9vyGM1FnZk24NoRhrS4cUb1zw6gg/s1600/242A9573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigeNDPnN9kYJRw2eB9DDdDflbR3GaVtxeUZ8OfCwiHjtJIrx8JgZd8ZLY-ecYheG1B1EN5hIqb5DksN-Qrtnz1zZUVIyaZbCV4EaWIvhOKVl9vyGM1FnZk24NoRhrS4cUb1zw6gg/s640/242A9573.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swamp Rose Mallow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy2GirWk4RGpr2Qtyc_mSo3D02P3_DWZO0Heo7iY_L4ymsswg_A1fWT-I48wUGFzpRpFJFTpiK0LCxjUUv9Ohyphenhyphen98lMuyMPokL5Eo2nyyrOH87jA_8ZsJxY4fHSDOD8yp9FZUPQNg/s1600/242A9661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy2GirWk4RGpr2Qtyc_mSo3D02P3_DWZO0Heo7iY_L4ymsswg_A1fWT-I48wUGFzpRpFJFTpiK0LCxjUUv9Ohyphenhyphen98lMuyMPokL5Eo2nyyrOH87jA_8ZsJxY4fHSDOD8yp9FZUPQNg/s640/242A9661.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swamp Rose Mallow</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Mute Swans are exotics, and pose problems for native species, but there is no denying that they are beautiful birds, and magnificent in flight ...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6BY8X-Bih5R06XejUx_bgm41dGSvIvEL-6Ppn4mF6GHGn3O7Kuw4-EyWO2sXra-cXT6KkWE-HS7fBSfoVv1FgiQdq3OUGUFTQVk6axMsIoGGRGVShQ-rDpPG3UizjbgBk2vSEMg/s1600/242A9669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6BY8X-Bih5R06XejUx_bgm41dGSvIvEL-6Ppn4mF6GHGn3O7Kuw4-EyWO2sXra-cXT6KkWE-HS7fBSfoVv1FgiQdq3OUGUFTQVk6axMsIoGGRGVShQ-rDpPG3UizjbgBk2vSEMg/s640/242A9669.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mute Swans</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Equally magnificent in flight is the Osprey ...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIgzv3oAIR33xKNiTyg-yt9080GFNZcchuaSLAVwZKdbmd-HB1qQqio3UB0p16KaZdkkHAbaICv3YY016JcNNhuyW-3QlpuwVGpq0Q2ja2uQdHOfh48xDIUatUlh8UHcBqar6XA/s1600/242A9760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIgzv3oAIR33xKNiTyg-yt9080GFNZcchuaSLAVwZKdbmd-HB1qQqio3UB0p16KaZdkkHAbaICv3YY016JcNNhuyW-3QlpuwVGpq0Q2ja2uQdHOfh48xDIUatUlh8UHcBqar6XA/s640/242A9760.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Osprey</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBvX8PA3NDwWe5-vbUWiaY_ZpFcVhqIBiMDuIOQKF_kKBT10hPVjZlVaEbarmhMmkpa6Jo_nNJ6qXhmhdN1PcLinI04GhwcO5Al7nb6KJ7Rc9uQNJc2nEEeoaOOi4yFX3WDrx9w/s1600/242A9774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBvX8PA3NDwWe5-vbUWiaY_ZpFcVhqIBiMDuIOQKF_kKBT10hPVjZlVaEbarmhMmkpa6Jo_nNJ6qXhmhdN1PcLinI04GhwcO5Al7nb6KJ7Rc9uQNJc2nEEeoaOOi4yFX3WDrx9w/s640/242A9774.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Osprey</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This young Great Blue Heron caught a hearty breakfast, but could not figure out how to manipulate his catch so that it could be swallow head first. He flew a short distance to a dry patch of ground, dropped this fish, stabbed at it once or twice, then picked it up with head positioned correctly. In third picture, note the "throat bulge" of the swallowed fish ...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwp76fKFmMHz-BdGOwaJrdlTx-xT8BV1KBzOL1p4w5l5zw80Ia6m9uO06d90iVfUaJEVFExRGTMO8RY4KVwu4XZ6xKnPyAQa0upwiaK0l1cVuf7dZ3ZZ8TdYErz8P1ieR0ZBVU9Q/s1600/242A9701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwp76fKFmMHz-BdGOwaJrdlTx-xT8BV1KBzOL1p4w5l5zw80Ia6m9uO06d90iVfUaJEVFExRGTMO8RY4KVwu4XZ6xKnPyAQa0upwiaK0l1cVuf7dZ3ZZ8TdYErz8P1ieR0ZBVU9Q/s640/242A9701.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Blue Heron</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbLGqyHfw344SuqDGa7W7wPf2W8gMRDvBUmfw_M5yGB9CVL4Sym_n1jO_45cWHr3jn2A7QrgTQXWw1Hn97vsVghG9YorI1g86ijee13bUA1MrTjN5FomMXJnK671Pp2tYL0RtaEg/s1600/242A9706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbLGqyHfw344SuqDGa7W7wPf2W8gMRDvBUmfw_M5yGB9CVL4Sym_n1jO_45cWHr3jn2A7QrgTQXWw1Hn97vsVghG9YorI1g86ijee13bUA1MrTjN5FomMXJnK671Pp2tYL0RtaEg/s640/242A9706.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Blue Heron</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiIxNJVjbfos7IHPw2vdRVSnDQkVAtv1W_WjyxBGwXVkIaMtE9XspQXTG_eYXTFMDrhmLHmmieq00UW_M2DA__j3Rf_Z7mytbOqrdqm1NuJnF1ELSj10OyB3LbGpE0Ca0GO-YFrw/s1600/242A9708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiIxNJVjbfos7IHPw2vdRVSnDQkVAtv1W_WjyxBGwXVkIaMtE9XspQXTG_eYXTFMDrhmLHmmieq00UW_M2DA__j3Rf_Z7mytbOqrdqm1NuJnF1ELSj10OyB3LbGpE0Ca0GO-YFrw/s640/242A9708.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Blue Heron</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Watching the Snowy Egret foraging in shallow water was a thing of delicate beauty (unless you happened to be a small fish) ...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfjzRVZlM3dhXajmQ8F9kpimuW1BtUW28uhs_5Yck5fHMKlfZFL6i5db2_FHjJHL9FalEgDum3PlTxGSJ8rpNuVADdFZOOS8cytw57BV-l7Cydh7hGynQXB8KzFfFGbSKXrfAvQ/s1600/242A9810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfjzRVZlM3dhXajmQ8F9kpimuW1BtUW28uhs_5Yck5fHMKlfZFL6i5db2_FHjJHL9FalEgDum3PlTxGSJ8rpNuVADdFZOOS8cytw57BV-l7Cydh7hGynQXB8KzFfFGbSKXrfAvQ/s640/242A9810.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowy Egret</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh867YRnhIlAFn29zuFLuwFABmIHSMJ93OBQOrd5brx5fh_oAQBanXRmzmEEonMLQdARMgGI377v6xE84X2q7CHmFNmdDNtkbkanR2JW-0PQ-Qoyag7M5Pu5xcbUA1IQbUCzGSLCQ/s1600/242A9811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh867YRnhIlAFn29zuFLuwFABmIHSMJ93OBQOrd5brx5fh_oAQBanXRmzmEEonMLQdARMgGI377v6xE84X2q7CHmFNmdDNtkbkanR2JW-0PQ-Qoyag7M5Pu5xcbUA1IQbUCzGSLCQ/s640/242A9811.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowy Egret</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Good Birding!!Chris Petrakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637163831402534158noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27055376.post-60057068221632264292016-08-10T06:00:00.000-04:002016-08-10T06:00:25.551-04:00Egret Convention at Heinz NWRI was stunned on my recent visit to Heinz NWR in Philadelphia by the number of egrets (mostly Great, also Snowy) in the empoundment (along with many Great Blue Heron). Impressive and picturesque.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80DAo2U4dSRXXMwoGEQl4ca3ZDy0JJscimpKm6Ip8AxnO1IsOF8SINHWD6mnD_yHoagHMN40o98UzB37TL_cy_cvfiTeUBhCOc6vDJlD1HLkkjwoYulC1nsvNNEfrqkM2l2VVCw/s1600/242A9461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80DAo2U4dSRXXMwoGEQl4ca3ZDy0JJscimpKm6Ip8AxnO1IsOF8SINHWD6mnD_yHoagHMN40o98UzB37TL_cy_cvfiTeUBhCOc6vDJlD1HLkkjwoYulC1nsvNNEfrqkM2l2VVCw/s640/242A9461.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Egret Convention - I count 35+, a small portion of the gathering. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO276V_uZSD8zTOhxFcPfqbyU7WVMFbNdoOwBA7z-jorjaGw3RuvBURe7Wqo0JyOAyzjgpb8U67JF3gjLe4R8RFTfmuYXMrDMI00V30T7YfjGOWSx4UWXM3hTk-T1b7mzJ4GjhaA/s1600/242A9505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO276V_uZSD8zTOhxFcPfqbyU7WVMFbNdoOwBA7z-jorjaGw3RuvBURe7Wqo0JyOAyzjgpb8U67JF3gjLe4R8RFTfmuYXMrDMI00V30T7YfjGOWSx4UWXM3hTk-T1b7mzJ4GjhaA/s640/242A9505.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">25+ egrets in this photo, plus at least 3 Great Blue Herons</td></tr>
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Still early August, but the signs that summer is nearly over were seen everywhere: recently fledged Barn Swallows, young Marsh Wren foraging for itself, Red-winged Blackbird feeding a fledgling, and a vangard flock of Semi-palmated Sandpipers.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhomtJ5IyR6WXWwR1673OFvhDiN6UF-j8NQpRWQJnDnkwHmAa7tlvtkNaaexLYssraEGokfNOf86gBxfhQS-vEDfzhOfN7qheK0BhjhfN-DQkeX5LWuMh3eoGAWJhABD2knAubJhw/s1600/242A9508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhomtJ5IyR6WXWwR1673OFvhDiN6UF-j8NQpRWQJnDnkwHmAa7tlvtkNaaexLYssraEGokfNOf86gBxfhQS-vEDfzhOfN7qheK0BhjhfN-DQkeX5LWuMh3eoGAWJhABD2knAubJhw/s640/242A9508.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barn Swallows</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixt-Jfk6NJ5QMcatwoEfO8f1l51bGKLSqGemEM7_QZDsFRRE2SNy8UVwXv7RCxPQvIrX7cUC41PsMS6rMGAQp9dSMDNN_Lae9S6-yZUTppGRP0KqlF-qTTlN1PSkS0aSn1n6vWUA/s1600/242A9476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixt-Jfk6NJ5QMcatwoEfO8f1l51bGKLSqGemEM7_QZDsFRRE2SNy8UVwXv7RCxPQvIrX7cUC41PsMS6rMGAQp9dSMDNN_Lae9S6-yZUTppGRP0KqlF-qTTlN1PSkS0aSn1n6vWUA/s640/242A9476.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marsh Wren</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvHDJIODVXsdqFmvDMW2sHXy5rtbZzn8j72IA3pGllb2vJxRbSQwvJyla_fYSJKHBaQIvep_ZLdrITulcbXlSmbQnVRyh1TAtCV9g9fFVtlLumVBlhRi35OxQkb3qoQ3MxD76Uw/s1600/242A9567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvHDJIODVXsdqFmvDMW2sHXy5rtbZzn8j72IA3pGllb2vJxRbSQwvJyla_fYSJKHBaQIvep_ZLdrITulcbXlSmbQnVRyh1TAtCV9g9fFVtlLumVBlhRi35OxQkb3qoQ3MxD76Uw/s640/242A9567.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-winged Blackbird with fledgling</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeVROM1fAidkXp1iVEadJCz3sPB0ih7Y6vqIMsCHpDpKVziImEqGdEe3e4dj92VuXsJGuNWPorrdxMTJkpK4cboYlhsl2dO8H6Ccvntv8ry8Xa4PMklCDL4EyDecUA5rZwoiLQg/s1600/242A9520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeVROM1fAidkXp1iVEadJCz3sPB0ih7Y6vqIMsCHpDpKVziImEqGdEe3e4dj92VuXsJGuNWPorrdxMTJkpK4cboYlhsl2dO8H6Ccvntv8ry8Xa4PMklCDL4EyDecUA5rZwoiLQg/s640/242A9520.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Semi-palmated Sandpipers</td></tr>
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Although I could not find them, cicadas were singing loudly in the trees. Along the pathway, Cicada Killer Wasps were also active. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTv8WV9pgeFqc9NnQj8zyS84ih4D_t5v2Qo4HHdwuCjlcfoh2XCwk8Lq2SNY0cRA_-lchCg5ZDvT9Cak5Btm361WrlktdslEJNgfuz3Kq6Pf3i4d5aJE9MWBon8ikva0gCw7dCbQ/s1600/242A9533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTv8WV9pgeFqc9NnQj8zyS84ih4D_t5v2Qo4HHdwuCjlcfoh2XCwk8Lq2SNY0cRA_-lchCg5ZDvT9Cak5Btm361WrlktdslEJNgfuz3Kq6Pf3i4d5aJE9MWBon8ikva0gCw7dCbQ/s640/242A9533.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cicada Killer Wasp</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_sOvPaLoHOaysmmj9riHltzonkDcMrb6UhyNR31DlQsGGso0SNXcJdAhbTE_ImSmZWgEsPHeI75QR4gyu3MBcDAp7YEhZ_fde2Z6xd25whHZxi0quaOz2BozGg1ijTMA4LpoZQ/s1600/242A9572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_sOvPaLoHOaysmmj9riHltzonkDcMrb6UhyNR31DlQsGGso0SNXcJdAhbTE_ImSmZWgEsPHeI75QR4gyu3MBcDAp7YEhZ_fde2Z6xd25whHZxi0quaOz2BozGg1ijTMA4LpoZQ/s640/242A9572.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boardwalk at Heinz NWR</td></tr>
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Good Birding!Chris Petrakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637163831402534158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27055376.post-49404424121636220692016-08-09T08:02:00.000-04:002016-08-09T08:02:25.975-04:00Plum Island HighlightsFrom our morning on Plum Island, my favorite photo is this Common Tern carrying food ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjspQf9yT2mWfPdL7H7t2B5dxGIaUBNi-Ohbyk3OIQzCulfKY25b9-3jLX6thkL-znV_20-ZzgEHxzgcOtNvvnBlWIVBdgnV4o4TSckkW-gC0zkCrr0dO2Hqdy3Gzfd-Pt6K2IXGw/s1600/242A9239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjspQf9yT2mWfPdL7H7t2B5dxGIaUBNi-Ohbyk3OIQzCulfKY25b9-3jLX6thkL-znV_20-ZzgEHxzgcOtNvvnBlWIVBdgnV4o4TSckkW-gC0zkCrr0dO2Hqdy3Gzfd-Pt6K2IXGw/s640/242A9239.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Tern</td></tr>
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In the most interesting category is this Ring-billed Gull. Dark wing-tips on primary feathers strengthen the feathers where the stress from flying is greatest. Note how the ends of the primaries (particularly on the left wing) are curled up ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZYZbDDTnjCcASmEyCoiYDN8VOY4p1s2HA9NeSiW6J1tILsiTJtE9fVkTbHtMW0CDjkPMx_BReTjJz279KX5o18nqZAcjlLQ3rPtw6QE67RkMAvfq4R8OcPLDRDl3pJ-83CLtiBA/s1600/242A8745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZYZbDDTnjCcASmEyCoiYDN8VOY4p1s2HA9NeSiW6J1tILsiTJtE9fVkTbHtMW0CDjkPMx_BReTjJz279KX5o18nqZAcjlLQ3rPtw6QE67RkMAvfq4R8OcPLDRDl3pJ-83CLtiBA/s640/242A8745.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ring-billed Gull</td></tr>
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And finally, three additional "keeper" photos ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha24Pim4H68Qd6m2lbmChOnGrcE-aZtfrl6bkTRJJXsrhBp2fqiIlKfXnvEvoOZ_aNe3_gC4Ek57FS6Mr6HV2zK1jSm9Bc3Kh2mrURRKorwZUWlXdNwHtwvd4OpP45fg7evAmyCg/s1600/242A9149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha24Pim4H68Qd6m2lbmChOnGrcE-aZtfrl6bkTRJJXsrhBp2fqiIlKfXnvEvoOZ_aNe3_gC4Ek57FS6Mr6HV2zK1jSm9Bc3Kh2mrURRKorwZUWlXdNwHtwvd4OpP45fg7evAmyCg/s640/242A9149.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greater Yellowlegs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtKGGGWnh0xZ7VtEk2qSytWK562_UdQMlJbKyqhqnDXh833Z_zTfi7ubL44seoZzO3P1e4ww6RJu7Wonq9XL1xjfdJ38nswN9B2nWcZoHY9k_30GzGNx_nDYqQvteu1Q4KKoJmQ/s1600/242A9188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtKGGGWnh0xZ7VtEk2qSytWK562_UdQMlJbKyqhqnDXh833Z_zTfi7ubL44seoZzO3P1e4ww6RJu7Wonq9XL1xjfdJ38nswN9B2nWcZoHY9k_30GzGNx_nDYqQvteu1Q4KKoJmQ/s640/242A9188.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Piping Plover</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGgl8VSTH15HQrhfv35z7kUoQ8YhsgkPmLYH0QC0P4-FXs79s4NPACVLN3moxN-ujz7XPXaAGx7LpRIb5FbmCbCVBmuPuh08UGpzA2gX4CWPyqKipLGw4ZzD2fuiJLq_7CBn56Xw/s1600/242A9415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGgl8VSTH15HQrhfv35z7kUoQ8YhsgkPmLYH0QC0P4-FXs79s4NPACVLN3moxN-ujz7XPXaAGx7LpRIb5FbmCbCVBmuPuh08UGpzA2gX4CWPyqKipLGw4ZzD2fuiJLq_7CBn56Xw/s640/242A9415.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Least Sandpiper</td></tr>
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<br />Chris Petrakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637163831402534158noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27055376.post-715318639888386692016-08-08T06:00:00.000-04:002016-08-08T06:00:15.279-04:00Whale Watch HighlightsOur trip to Newburyport was supposed to include a pelagic birding trip, but that was canceled and we settled for a regular whale watch. There were a few pelagic birds along the way, but they were too distant for good photographs.<br />
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As always, some of the most interesting photo are serendipitous ... unplanned, and even unknown until reviewed as the fact, as with the passing Common Tern in this photo of a Hump-backed Whale<br />
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The whale watching was quite good, with "Owl," a 30 year old Hump-backed Whale doing a series of picturesque dives ...<br />
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In the estuary of the Merrimack River, the outflow met the in-coming tide and stirred the fish in the water. The abundance of food at this point is evident is the number of Common Terns fishing ...<br />
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Good Birding!!Chris Petrakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637163831402534158noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27055376.post-66365679813354123692016-08-06T10:07:00.000-04:002016-08-06T10:07:25.730-04:00Parental AggressionRecently we did a trip to Newburyport and Plum Island for birding and whale watching.<br />
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At Sandy Point, the Common Terns provided the most action and entertainment. In this brief series, a Mom (or Dad) brings food to Son (or Daughter). But he doesn't know quite how to swallow the food ... and drops it. A neighboring youngster sees an opportunity for food and moves in. But Mom springs to action and quickly disabuses the intruder and drives it off with a whack at the rear end.<br />
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Good Birding!Chris Petrakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637163831402534158noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27055376.post-31225894946844028672016-07-10T11:00:00.000-04:002016-07-10T11:00:03.050-04:00Brown Thrasher - new neighborhood breeding birdI have had Brown Thrashers make rare and brief appearances in the yard, usually early in the breeding season when they are still moving.<br />
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However, for the last several days, Brown Thrashers have been regular, with signs that they are nesting very close by. The one photographed here is a fledgling - rather quiet, but still hopeful of being fed, with occasional attempts at begging from any likely bird in the vicinity.<br />
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<br />Chris Petrakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637163831402534158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27055376.post-66432745611245050432016-07-09T16:05:00.000-04:002016-07-09T16:05:03.937-04:00New Camera BodyThursday my new camera body arrived - Canon 7D Mark II (upgrading from the 7D).<br />
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Miserable gray weather, so trying it out has been limited to the back porch. But so far I am pleased.<br />
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20.2MegaPixel (versus 18MP) and a better processor means I can crop without loosing resolution. Better sensor means I can shoot at higher ISO without noise. Most pictures here were taken at 1600 ISO - previously I rarely went above 800 and preferred 400.<br />
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Lighting and weather today have been dreary, but the camera has responded well.<br />
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Many features still to work with, but the spot focus option and spot metering is great for birds which often hide in the leaves. Several of the pictures here would not have been possible with my previous camera. Second 2 photos below cropped about 25% of original.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4G71TK5zr-2FIVFIcUabHhwbNES7gJ0BhF2QtNIyzKXKj8wE0SFdV3Pkecfv7_-vOXsdAaZxmTXRdQ257m3ZoeOP3v22hR0UYH5tO2U-YeqR_0pK0q-svKBc54bWiI-v7FBGoIQ/s1600/242A8100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4G71TK5zr-2FIVFIcUabHhwbNES7gJ0BhF2QtNIyzKXKj8wE0SFdV3Pkecfv7_-vOXsdAaZxmTXRdQ257m3ZoeOP3v22hR0UYH5tO2U-YeqR_0pK0q-svKBc54bWiI-v7FBGoIQ/s640/242A8100.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gray Catbird</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbK_euJGE-yRVNKjlltWDL4u1FDyEHdfZhyJX7O2GO4-xwl7W3yrS5hLZjEnz5j0aQM0hKzbGbzP2SeC-Dm7Su03NJuvZc2yrL1QyX4vZ7EZyJVcGbz_05NpGDhpKDrV8MOvJcA/s1600/242A7978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbK_euJGE-yRVNKjlltWDL4u1FDyEHdfZhyJX7O2GO4-xwl7W3yrS5hLZjEnz5j0aQM0hKzbGbzP2SeC-Dm7Su03NJuvZc2yrL1QyX4vZ7EZyJVcGbz_05NpGDhpKDrV8MOvJcA/s640/242A7978.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-bellied Woodpecker</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir8uM96Nk3yoPw8DFi_iQb3BKPibjtkmpTP4jO1S4MAtA9MEKwKKtHLjHElckRJqTQKLfEWlU-UYBUvy06ni_eqQ57yyOUy_ITUkcqlyS0V2SaUciqgRBGExx9CuqvU-7lKA3wBw/s1600/242A8086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir8uM96Nk3yoPw8DFi_iQb3BKPibjtkmpTP4jO1S4MAtA9MEKwKKtHLjHElckRJqTQKLfEWlU-UYBUvy06ni_eqQ57yyOUy_ITUkcqlyS0V2SaUciqgRBGExx9CuqvU-7lKA3wBw/s640/242A8086.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northern Cardinal (fledgling)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-mbDmQf32UByXfWku6KF-Yls5UuI2wYl_ZpfS4dbuoxgfgktZL9zFVs2ls86kpvv12MF6aLIv1_4AArONAAj5odjGtCG194UKXGlXaISA3ueq36KRYzo0ayfJc75PUrVCFWzmw/s1600/242A7997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-mbDmQf32UByXfWku6KF-Yls5UuI2wYl_ZpfS4dbuoxgfgktZL9zFVs2ls86kpvv12MF6aLIv1_4AArONAAj5odjGtCG194UKXGlXaISA3ueq36KRYzo0ayfJc75PUrVCFWzmw/s640/242A7997.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rose-breasted Grosbeak</td></tr>
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Spot focusing makes possible a sharp image even though it is partially obscured by foliage.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzdbeqrifCIIPnbygWnZ9F1UZcHLtyvQVBk4ssftHmBV05AP27gn2UBiH-i7gxrBY4Mq6dGzqWe9b4cxHFanMGZ_CoYswPG46iMwSdWzZtLxoXtf0DGQadiKksK6ktaQ8bQJdJVg/s1600/242A8010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzdbeqrifCIIPnbygWnZ9F1UZcHLtyvQVBk4ssftHmBV05AP27gn2UBiH-i7gxrBY4Mq6dGzqWe9b4cxHFanMGZ_CoYswPG46iMwSdWzZtLxoXtf0DGQadiKksK6ktaQ8bQJdJVg/s640/242A8010.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rose-breasted Grosbeak</td></tr>
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In the dreary light, the camera is still able to capture detail of this fledgling as it begs to be fed ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfaTQC329mDCh0rP_aAjPK6011ysb_QKjQZIvT9hmuYnGnCuEW3XWlVGZda-_3wr8w2IUmOYuuN7DeDrMjML4HFlDrxkk7_dimsvSamSZG2NFC5Of5jxPnnMlnoNu95Cwg28aDCw/s1600/242A8026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfaTQC329mDCh0rP_aAjPK6011ysb_QKjQZIvT9hmuYnGnCuEW3XWlVGZda-_3wr8w2IUmOYuuN7DeDrMjML4HFlDrxkk7_dimsvSamSZG2NFC5Of5jxPnnMlnoNu95Cwg28aDCw/s640/242A8026.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rose-breasted Grosbeak (fledgling)</td></tr>
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Fledgling Rose-breasted have one of the sweetest begging calls of any bird - not at all harsh, or noisy - the opposite extreme of the very loud and noisy Blue Jays.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfu4fYpb5v4OZRnKems-LlQXmbRXjueaFeB5Hy_j2Mof_S6o4Ax_hmouCA0UmjO006ChC5oxOqu5kitryB7DZnE6Zb0wkhHCWbGqahHkX95LYILSxQ9RqCKI1tWw0VgTZN1lPsQ/s1600/242A8031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfu4fYpb5v4OZRnKems-LlQXmbRXjueaFeB5Hy_j2Mof_S6o4Ax_hmouCA0UmjO006ChC5oxOqu5kitryB7DZnE6Zb0wkhHCWbGqahHkX95LYILSxQ9RqCKI1tWw0VgTZN1lPsQ/s640/242A8031.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rose-breasted Grosbeak fledgling fed by its father.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Daughter Downy wanted dad to keep feeding her, but he refused, and eventually she figured out that she could get the food for herself ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCmUp5prgiKj60Nt5GBkb5XMXS0cDBucc1gh1AIsWcFP9omKi4ctbD4Tz-XyFZe0Xd2FpCgKkscT8TvNNQ6hHx7ymNNOqWUkIAyH3mkbp0MtKN-_i0gU8Yu2wbbKoU5fFsBD-Pw/s1600/242A8138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCmUp5prgiKj60Nt5GBkb5XMXS0cDBucc1gh1AIsWcFP9omKi4ctbD4Tz-XyFZe0Xd2FpCgKkscT8TvNNQ6hHx7ymNNOqWUkIAyH3mkbp0MtKN-_i0gU8Yu2wbbKoU5fFsBD-Pw/s640/242A8138.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downy Woodpecker (adult male) with fledgling female</td></tr>
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Another spot focusing example ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaIrR0Tt-Xi5K41Gd10rnzey64t0nBCdXtseTmTmaPF5yIhzJuJ4mSNvuECboo_qt9CuGgHedPzSaLZKzOAU2j7iHdrz12iUJtCThol1e9n5e7olDOw_SmZrfktZ5NqzlSEWUbNA/s1600/242A8157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaIrR0Tt-Xi5K41Gd10rnzey64t0nBCdXtseTmTmaPF5yIhzJuJ4mSNvuECboo_qt9CuGgHedPzSaLZKzOAU2j7iHdrz12iUJtCThol1e9n5e7olDOw_SmZrfktZ5NqzlSEWUbNA/s640/242A8157.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northern Cardinal (fledgling female)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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And finally ... just because there are so many of these creatures which do not understand "bird feeder."<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3vM1iRr4Zed6qD-ff0Hu2_l8PbpnznLb8X6xzcWRvbBX3koLOKmF79gyW5w1GMUdI1iYfnpLVeLcphXRbVC_nv5PVAWWkNYWWOoVlvLWx26FB88ydkZuBcI66zKtJRpk0Tam2g/s1600/242A8039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3vM1iRr4Zed6qD-ff0Hu2_l8PbpnznLb8X6xzcWRvbBX3koLOKmF79gyW5w1GMUdI1iYfnpLVeLcphXRbVC_nv5PVAWWkNYWWOoVlvLWx26FB88ydkZuBcI66zKtJRpk0Tam2g/s640/242A8039.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern Chipmunk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
BTW, lens used is Canon 100-400 L. Most photos are 400mm focal length.<br />
<br />Chris Petrakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637163831402534158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27055376.post-63713285886909908572016-07-04T06:00:00.000-04:002016-07-04T06:00:35.711-04:00... and things with Wings.. other things with wings often don't become obvious until morning birding has finished. I have had even less time to shorten focus onto the insects than I have had for morning birding. But there have been some.<br />
<br />
(Caveat - please jump in if you think butterflies or dragonflies have been mis-ID'd.<br />
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From Putney Wetlands on May 30 - Eastern Least Clubtail and Common Baskettail ...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglb39yU_gNhQde-rUSsXAE0Cuo5mcqdOuvc-Iqii12PVQ7itxRJmMVhn8XFqX63GBTzhFbtC4l_gJ5CUQETLRwffJQu2V4EOYwzKAq9CKD6JV85J9AXwlKwUmXbayaIqFBYl03ag/s1600/IMG_1839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglb39yU_gNhQde-rUSsXAE0Cuo5mcqdOuvc-Iqii12PVQ7itxRJmMVhn8XFqX63GBTzhFbtC4l_gJ5CUQETLRwffJQu2V4EOYwzKAq9CKD6JV85J9AXwlKwUmXbayaIqFBYl03ag/s640/IMG_1839.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern Least Clubtail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnirWZf49l1tnAPornAqDjYMVxggr7ZqlWWo8bn4bZ-VhAGs-I_tmRqCLDmrogN9D5CumFeKOWBfNWfyJlYW0ASQVrULm2QkHi65IKkgwlTXb7irUozY8IWAqGGAqSi6OJ1JjNKw/s1600/IMG_1827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnirWZf49l1tnAPornAqDjYMVxggr7ZqlWWo8bn4bZ-VhAGs-I_tmRqCLDmrogN9D5CumFeKOWBfNWfyJlYW0ASQVrULm2QkHi65IKkgwlTXb7irUozY8IWAqGGAqSi6OJ1JjNKw/s640/IMG_1827.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Baskettail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
From Somerset June 30 - White Admiral and Red-spotted Purple look distinctly different, but are actually the same species - Limenitis Arthemis. White Admirals were common. The second photo below is an intergrade between the two forms of the species ...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQuDRTMSqR9FP7xFH3Bb-_BNDfFEgHN7eAnnkExpOYNftUMFDGRQnCq6A0_CEmEPmSCLpFbiiQI6WlJFawMzsN2lyirWYFOHdM5VNSMm0nKHL3BG6N65MAben0zISvvGhijmMrA/s1600/IMG_2188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQuDRTMSqR9FP7xFH3Bb-_BNDfFEgHN7eAnnkExpOYNftUMFDGRQnCq6A0_CEmEPmSCLpFbiiQI6WlJFawMzsN2lyirWYFOHdM5VNSMm0nKHL3BG6N65MAben0zISvvGhijmMrA/s640/IMG_2188.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Admiral</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTclDNvIw1nlL7D4Z79RPGGVz2cGxE8d5oFcdxW8WfuQwaWYc4-ZGJ1U8uZLQeB98Yp7prw8skxQFI53C8UoV7L8Irku5QYfzeMtmugdbQBAyhRQ7DRCldzfaYyZfyNcK7IT0img/s1600/IMG_2278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTclDNvIw1nlL7D4Z79RPGGVz2cGxE8d5oFcdxW8WfuQwaWYc4-ZGJ1U8uZLQeB98Yp7prw8skxQFI53C8UoV7L8Irku5QYfzeMtmugdbQBAyhRQ7DRCldzfaYyZfyNcK7IT0img/s640/IMG_2278.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Intergrade between White Admiral and Red-spotted Purple</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGCoqMWqWGNgq2EeD6XBK5WsO48DCBZNIpe_PO595tVkMnSXYIyUnkMXsf3hp0rWgtHjUl4zzdcGGG9PV8CsEqtOW7mVMltDy1W6YfxAD6jWkrdonOb1wEp5CLj94R-9kVWy5x9A/s1600/Red-spotted+Purple+03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGCoqMWqWGNgq2EeD6XBK5WsO48DCBZNIpe_PO595tVkMnSXYIyUnkMXsf3hp0rWgtHjUl4zzdcGGG9PV8CsEqtOW7mVMltDy1W6YfxAD6jWkrdonOb1wEp5CLj94R-9kVWy5x9A/s400/Red-spotted+Purple+03.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-spotted Purple - Philadelphia, 8/29/12</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
Additional photos from Somerset, June 30 ...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvK-5J4J62Rud6mI4AJTGMDkRI1yO8PaeS_IOR_3sq6jWOOVs7lv7T_Yp-9J1ZyHTs2_PzJR4fhMmGUfokwy9QsTtHb_WCOBKrXrhKiCNITI5o2UsLBX-jNYleUFLcTg_1Xjf__Q/s1600/IMG_2242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvK-5J4J62Rud6mI4AJTGMDkRI1yO8PaeS_IOR_3sq6jWOOVs7lv7T_Yp-9J1ZyHTs2_PzJR4fhMmGUfokwy9QsTtHb_WCOBKrXrhKiCNITI5o2UsLBX-jNYleUFLcTg_1Xjf__Q/s640/IMG_2242.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chalf-fronted Corporal - male</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEs8k9LzQOvrX6AGeuSSYpb6-_wt3H7KqcUaSfeLL5g4AkL1wafdnhdoyHKl_b9qzBI53l388qVnCrXLnYk50z_tAawoKIjdadyvU81_-1hX3rKq1o5oEDM2fQoHB57TMYCOc7kA/s1600/IMG_2255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEs8k9LzQOvrX6AGeuSSYpb6-_wt3H7KqcUaSfeLL5g4AkL1wafdnhdoyHKl_b9qzBI53l388qVnCrXLnYk50z_tAawoKIjdadyvU81_-1hX3rKq1o5oEDM2fQoHB57TMYCOc7kA/s640/IMG_2255.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chalk-fronted Corporal - female</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6A504Cn9BVhN7qjsOQIQOMlJs7FQfIhnzyDoZpctlcjeeKpf7SZtJmFeiaa9m0qbNSVxntucGEgicvw4jf9Fojc4t-y6rtNquoV0yDUhUiyJY0EMnaFlc51SXkDjcZ3-RlMILHQ/s1600/IMG_2222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6A504Cn9BVhN7qjsOQIQOMlJs7FQfIhnzyDoZpctlcjeeKpf7SZtJmFeiaa9m0qbNSVxntucGEgicvw4jf9Fojc4t-y6rtNquoV0yDUhUiyJY0EMnaFlc51SXkDjcZ3-RlMILHQ/s640/IMG_2222.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elegant Spreadwing (?)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixisfKoSp-lZM1jYnKn7-MvGwqOIX6lsct9bYQgYB-eFJQcuNK358mMn4nEO3d6sbuq61PY7Ah9yasiPw23n4D9NUTFUFvkST6BzbIPcL6dAHeAsfzbsk3YswqffmknbHcwPqKfg/s1600/IMG_2251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixisfKoSp-lZM1jYnKn7-MvGwqOIX6lsct9bYQgYB-eFJQcuNK358mMn4nEO3d6sbuq61PY7Ah9yasiPw23n4D9NUTFUFvkST6BzbIPcL6dAHeAsfzbsk3YswqffmknbHcwPqKfg/s640/IMG_2251.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Whitetail - female</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Enjoy the Outdoors!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghDleQqILFeA0grFcQqojZEVHEygM2aRd9T1-krchnIqgN_PSsaFzCf7Th9ajU-jZTXSaFjBqTSU-YiftrLOMCZPDH4XjAwtxbkh66JuQVg9chzkAlczNSyg4jrjG3RLASOrmk1Q/s1600/IMG_2284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghDleQqILFeA0grFcQqojZEVHEygM2aRd9T1-krchnIqgN_PSsaFzCf7Th9ajU-jZTXSaFjBqTSU-YiftrLOMCZPDH4XjAwtxbkh66JuQVg9chzkAlczNSyg4jrjG3RLASOrmk1Q/s640/IMG_2284.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beaver Pond along Forest Route 71, Somerset, VT</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Chris Petrakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637163831402534158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27055376.post-89728030005744831912016-07-01T10:29:00.000-04:002016-07-01T10:29:07.493-04:00Grout PondI finally got out yesterday morning for some birding. Headed into the Green Mountains in Somerset and the Grout Pond area.<br />
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<b>Magnolia Warblers</b> were vocal, busy, and common in the upper elevations. Require patient (as always), but one hyped up male finally came in camera range ...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhISINGcAFrSebjOyayW_i-SzNQ1I8GvzZdO-RFvy8cC2bzdgD3JJjBYCNmpRY2Y2b3L2NIoZKKolQ6d17rI_KG6bkCQzZ_b5tGTCjOK1Yia3DqAk0kdfJ8NPDXHgy7L8_oQNatKw/s1600/IMG_2111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhISINGcAFrSebjOyayW_i-SzNQ1I8GvzZdO-RFvy8cC2bzdgD3JJjBYCNmpRY2Y2b3L2NIoZKKolQ6d17rI_KG6bkCQzZ_b5tGTCjOK1Yia3DqAk0kdfJ8NPDXHgy7L8_oQNatKw/s640/IMG_2111.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magnolia Warbler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKeE5AfRtmpgSEF5YCxWs6FFeXRHlM3nACLKQ7lagyjzbQmytQKCZ0vcUMIoNPsICh0Eg27Fbo_H49KrHcQcc2lZkiE9sBAq7THdpnOLR00uh-4BqduR_MVga7DnAgJVknizcAQ/s1600/IMG_2133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKeE5AfRtmpgSEF5YCxWs6FFeXRHlM3nACLKQ7lagyjzbQmytQKCZ0vcUMIoNPsICh0Eg27Fbo_H49KrHcQcc2lZkiE9sBAq7THdpnOLR00uh-4BqduR_MVga7DnAgJVknizcAQ/s640/IMG_2133.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Speaking of hyped up, wandering slowly down a remote lane, I ambled through the territory of this pair of <b>Common Yellowthroats</b>. They were agitated just by my presence. When I pished, they went bonkers. I love these masked rogues ...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi469IbaqecbfTy8h2CTCeUa3n9Xv_9oZRZQoYObkt7U-gG2mLcnEJdpqp0dVrVTbaL8QcfDqOejrpCevTkVfW5LLEuK2GTsqYd1W6OpPQvC0_Rvyx-NetrM4nZpUeUasJR8LEFuA/s1600/IMG_2204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi469IbaqecbfTy8h2CTCeUa3n9Xv_9oZRZQoYObkt7U-gG2mLcnEJdpqp0dVrVTbaL8QcfDqOejrpCevTkVfW5LLEuK2GTsqYd1W6OpPQvC0_Rvyx-NetrM4nZpUeUasJR8LEFuA/s640/IMG_2204.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Yellowthroat - female</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5SfKMd2IOjwnn-zzUhEv5wZVD9uwg071WUHfTC4prtq0mvIxCESr-WWurDyQPlzF0IPfUnlaIqY4Buhich9IbMfSw3KTeZZlkUgOfUnMJF44XaYoGpi-ljYn8yAA_91M83GK_XQ/s1600/IMG_2217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5SfKMd2IOjwnn-zzUhEv5wZVD9uwg071WUHfTC4prtq0mvIxCESr-WWurDyQPlzF0IPfUnlaIqY4Buhich9IbMfSw3KTeZZlkUgOfUnMJF44XaYoGpi-ljYn8yAA_91M83GK_XQ/s640/IMG_2217.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Yellowthroat - male</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Along the road, this Ruffed Grouse hen was clearly agitated when I stopped to take her picture. I suspected she had young about, and sure enough, a very young chick finally, and suddenly, scurried across the road. Mom and chick quickly disappeared.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYxg7jKjMkJdl38kej4BF3yZUWPl1ukDjAnGhBz0f6Upt6ZbGjArMwMENxiNost9RpD0bIui0KeJaFuFMCP6F4JYfc65LCUwGwylfwJbTncCz-7035AS2g85cTxDwD-ZPa7pi-A/s1600/IMG_2294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYxg7jKjMkJdl38kej4BF3yZUWPl1ukDjAnGhBz0f6Upt6ZbGjArMwMENxiNost9RpD0bIui0KeJaFuFMCP6F4JYfc65LCUwGwylfwJbTncCz-7035AS2g85cTxDwD-ZPa7pi-A/s640/IMG_2294.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruffed Grouse - hen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Good Birding!Chris Petrakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637163831402534158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27055376.post-54428157415592703262016-06-13T06:00:00.000-04:002016-06-13T06:00:00.205-04:00On May 30, I posted a photo of a redstart female building her nest. I returned to the location at the Hinsdale setbacks last Thursday. Although I knew "almost exactly" where that nest was being built, I could not find it, which I am sure is what the birds would want.<br />
<br />
So I had to settle for a male redstart further down the bike trail, still protecting his territory with song. American Redstarts have been especially common this year (as opposed to Chestnut-sided and Black-throated Green Warblers which have been hard to find, even by voice, let along see them)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiv_JwoRQROZ11ywnbXU9VN7jzvEK0v-NdIEEe0FvVF03iukj1DDWBZ3WkpC1hb-nNu8izJ_NBbL2J9Tm1pkgAgfuHza7BjUVFaGdn9wzxWplrv4HSD_gFmPFB7vBvvMuEZ4hkng/s1600/IMG_1980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiv_JwoRQROZ11ywnbXU9VN7jzvEK0v-NdIEEe0FvVF03iukj1DDWBZ3WkpC1hb-nNu8izJ_NBbL2J9Tm1pkgAgfuHza7BjUVFaGdn9wzxWplrv4HSD_gFmPFB7vBvvMuEZ4hkng/s640/IMG_1980.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Redstart</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
An amusing observation was a passing Great Blue Heron being angrily and aggressively escorted out of the territory of a Red-winged Blackbird.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbtf_xGx58unsqejpNYngcbgCSSiCKnSRXpj1QJGZ9_5hh523PUiVFbDSRskN4kVbUGkdOqOR5M39AUHEp7PDflHzaMp6xVynbJaI2imzXVDyATFhyphenhyphenjAVaQjQZVnUdntwMStahQ/s1600/IMG_1998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbtf_xGx58unsqejpNYngcbgCSSiCKnSRXpj1QJGZ9_5hh523PUiVFbDSRskN4kVbUGkdOqOR5M39AUHEp7PDflHzaMp6xVynbJaI2imzXVDyATFhyphenhyphenjAVaQjQZVnUdntwMStahQ/s640/IMG_1998.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-winged Blackbird and Great Blue Heron</td></tr>
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At Wilson Wetlands in Putney, a Wood Duck hen led her two (surviving?) ducklings across open water and quickly disappeared in the willow thicket ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDXjqUkNNh_2AUjv7QQlya7-V7SR19sQQNT_qT0lDdaSRPhfSUPsybCLrIxmfDkPBfTKgV6lOGeq7-9bl6vyFeCsk15fk729h47_mdIZ6et6DsncOE4aWkI32kh1erCjntCVpZA/s1600/IMG_2047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDXjqUkNNh_2AUjv7QQlya7-V7SR19sQQNT_qT0lDdaSRPhfSUPsybCLrIxmfDkPBfTKgV6lOGeq7-9bl6vyFeCsk15fk729h47_mdIZ6et6DsncOE4aWkI32kh1erCjntCVpZA/s640/IMG_2047.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood Duck hen with ducklings</td></tr>
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Good Birding!!Chris Petrakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637163831402534158noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27055376.post-85626818677985236772016-06-11T16:15:00.000-04:002016-06-11T16:15:42.802-04:00Black-capped ChickadeeIn early May, I watched a chickadee excavating this hole in a birch snag along the bike path at Hinsdale setbacks. I did not get a photo of the excavation because I had violated the number one rule for a good photograph - I did not have my camera with me. When I returned the next day, the chickadee was nowhere near the hole, although there was a lot of "action" in nearby trees.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chickadee excavated holle</td></tr>
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I continued to check the hole on several return trips, but there was no activity, although I could not imagine these small birds going to so much trouble for naught.<br />
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On Thursday, the "quiet abandonment" was at an end, as a pair of chickadees made visit after visit to the nest hole, clearly feeding hungry mouths inside. I think the photo series captures the frenetic activity of parent birds as they race to feed their voracious young.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHTiX7xC3vCrMA_ElMXiW9JzRA_3uipBBTPgOTTQ83fjms_9N0EB8yR9BvGUEK7N2VeFx8j-U1KdwLwcOQ9BpltOqXSW6xQD2D7tOJqFOd139SFgdzvioMt2q9hzVhfmOBmOIWzA/s1600/IMG_1922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHTiX7xC3vCrMA_ElMXiW9JzRA_3uipBBTPgOTTQ83fjms_9N0EB8yR9BvGUEK7N2VeFx8j-U1KdwLwcOQ9BpltOqXSW6xQD2D7tOJqFOd139SFgdzvioMt2q9hzVhfmOBmOIWzA/s640/IMG_1922.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-capped Chickadee carrying food</td></tr>
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Good Birding!!Chris Petrakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637163831402534158noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27055376.post-76618450684756675562016-06-01T06:00:00.000-04:002016-06-01T06:00:18.516-04:00Neighborhood MergansersOn the Rock River behind my home, two pair of Common Mergansers were foraging and coyly courting until I wandered a little too close along the bank. Then they headed up-river, either to escape my prying eyes or to find an appropriate nest site.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_N6NNYlqtBm2uZanfgyJpYPG-_pN5vTLW3eHHFv60WQXIn3E9ldsEOxqRM7_WtUaOGquWu484wWTGwZNgPMCF_JuQZmuFJaAiSdD7NoDX1MVOfVsM7e8wuh20k3WFYJMDCJR68w/s1600/IMG_1714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_N6NNYlqtBm2uZanfgyJpYPG-_pN5vTLW3eHHFv60WQXIn3E9ldsEOxqRM7_WtUaOGquWu484wWTGwZNgPMCF_JuQZmuFJaAiSdD7NoDX1MVOfVsM7e8wuh20k3WFYJMDCJR68w/s640/IMG_1714.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Merganser, male</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Merganser, male</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Merganser, female</td></tr>
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So great to have Good Birding right in the back yard!!Chris Petrakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637163831402534158noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27055376.post-72953418335150892016-05-30T08:41:00.000-04:002016-05-30T08:41:21.414-04:00Early Nesting ActivityIn the last week and a half I have seen lots of breeding evidence, with a few opportunities to photograph this activity.<br />
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When Vermont did the breeding bird atlas (2003-2007), June 1 was the safe date for many species, particularily for neo-tropical migrants. "Possible" and "Probable" designation were not acceptable. Breeding had to be confirmed. Of course, there were earlier safe dates, depending on the species.Those "safe dates" were pushed earlier for nearly all species during the course of the atlas survey.<br />
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Ten years later, I don't remember how that applied to different species, but my sense it that breeding is generally becoming earlier as Spring becomes earlier.<br />
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On May 15, I posted a photo of a Baltimore Oriole nest whose construction was nearly complete. The female was working on the nest (but not when I had my camera aimed, alas).<br />
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Here are a few more "Confirmed" breeding photos ...<br />
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American Redstart, female, May 21, Hinsdale setbacks, checking size, shape, and fit of the nest she was building ...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Redstart</td></tr>
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Eastern Phoebe, May 21, Hinsdale setbacks, carrying food to nest ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFTW7ugeKQo6rdGTvii6CxRiLoF2sUN5KT7Y3X0MiLpLSPgvfAg0zgVaB1vAyclELiCAQoPC3C9zfAQUUjCDqb42YtTPzEA5elKH3s69J5pvi7j9hKxpR96mn5fQSAQcl43OvTBQ/s1600/IMG_1546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFTW7ugeKQo6rdGTvii6CxRiLoF2sUN5KT7Y3X0MiLpLSPgvfAg0zgVaB1vAyclELiCAQoPC3C9zfAQUUjCDqb42YtTPzEA5elKH3s69J5pvi7j9hKxpR96mn5fQSAQcl43OvTBQ/s640/IMG_1546.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern Phoebe</td></tr>
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Brown Thrasher, May 21, Hinsdale setbacks, carrying food to nest ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98sr3RJi2ogOUd8CNcT2dC0-slAnaM2Ti4Wb-vOBapwNu92SNJxkEUTaeiPwkH18yA42C5RPvL7UOiwNBNj2enZBuOHV8UM659lViP8pkPFoHl3MYOWTvMfNK4N1BVbGR_vvY4w/s1600/IMG_1550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98sr3RJi2ogOUd8CNcT2dC0-slAnaM2Ti4Wb-vOBapwNu92SNJxkEUTaeiPwkH18yA42C5RPvL7UOiwNBNj2enZBuOHV8UM659lViP8pkPFoHl3MYOWTvMfNK4N1BVbGR_vvY4w/s640/IMG_1550.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Thrasher</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Black-throated Blue Warbler, female, May 23, West Dover, gathering nesting material (birch bark) while her mate kept an eye on me ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirm77h8kdPUAk_tT78oGKJo2V0v2ybZ_uJupcF4GC8M7KuYrbbgsz3StydhhejUWIbh7CdHmoDG9DRFyvyK4b6d7tWKC_CrkwyhE01NTqsjDorruIJ13y22BAtk8xq7A-hIPtfXQ/s1600/IMG_1571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirm77h8kdPUAk_tT78oGKJo2V0v2ybZ_uJupcF4GC8M7KuYrbbgsz3StydhhejUWIbh7CdHmoDG9DRFyvyK4b6d7tWKC_CrkwyhE01NTqsjDorruIJ13y22BAtk8xq7A-hIPtfXQ/s640/IMG_1571.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-throated Blue Warbler, female</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYI8I2-jh921P0XrrveBcDmkHHPc6qrc3M8l0PUg1MtNAq7a_AnbKv_qSkOnVmasTeVivKLFM0WBV1E9XxTruucNvmndsh5_9ezJ8iDY7e_nN40y724wwYBnVTxDPuppFK5wuzQ/s1600/IMG_1567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYI8I2-jh921P0XrrveBcDmkHHPc6qrc3M8l0PUg1MtNAq7a_AnbKv_qSkOnVmasTeVivKLFM0WBV1E9XxTruucNvmndsh5_9ezJ8iDY7e_nN40y724wwYBnVTxDPuppFK5wuzQ/s640/IMG_1567.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-throated Blue Warbler</td></tr>
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Yellow-rumped Warbler, female, May 21, West Dover, gathering nesting material ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSbxEcOwDhGHXCs3oTmzig7nK7Jb_cJgauqCp8-qVKmV8Z19mfxP9BzvFd-NPN5-uHciPqSrm9JvcOxo6L5kae8fEeVqy5vsxaovsGs0bEmV4XoXKR6xB6DslWOGkVMAa7SvOdQ/s1600/IMG_1616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSbxEcOwDhGHXCs3oTmzig7nK7Jb_cJgauqCp8-qVKmV8Z19mfxP9BzvFd-NPN5-uHciPqSrm9JvcOxo6L5kae8fEeVqy5vsxaovsGs0bEmV4XoXKR6xB6DslWOGkVMAa7SvOdQ/s640/IMG_1616.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-rumped Warbler, female</td></tr>
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And finally ... no birds. Just one of the many beaver ponds scattered throughout the Green Mountains and creating open space, edge, wetlands, and assorted nesting places for many species, and a tranquil scene for an early morning wanderer ...<br />
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Good birding!!Chris Petrakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637163831402534158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27055376.post-29399611442655741402016-05-20T06:00:00.000-04:002016-05-20T06:00:17.838-04:00Red-winged BlackbirdThere is always a temptation to overlook the common birds, especially when there are so many new arrivals filling the airwaves with song and wing.<br />
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But ... when I am birding with my camera I am also looking for the esthetic, the arresting, trying to grab a composition which fleets in and out of view.<br />
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Such happened with this Red-winged Blackbird a few days ago ...<br />
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Good Birding!!Chris Petrakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637163831402534158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27055376.post-10424066874164258232016-05-16T06:00:00.000-04:002016-05-16T06:00:10.918-04:00Backyard BirdingThe backyard has been very busy in the last couple of weeks. This is just a sample, beginning with the four pair of Evening Grosbeaks and three pair of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQ9oyuCM6dMS0Z9LiUcAji8v0a01fNAxdGkN6byjSQV-Di9-3GQjcHN6qquCCJzz7ZEAC25UpW3QX2ZVRiCJ9lyFTOl-pSfroq-qln5ER0vDxCbftp2y3verSXlEHd1ySeNw2WQ/s1600/IMG_0973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQ9oyuCM6dMS0Z9LiUcAji8v0a01fNAxdGkN6byjSQV-Di9-3GQjcHN6qquCCJzz7ZEAC25UpW3QX2ZVRiCJ9lyFTOl-pSfroq-qln5ER0vDxCbftp2y3verSXlEHd1ySeNw2WQ/s640/IMG_0973.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evening Grosbeak (male)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhPwJH_xmTP93NM90vwhBYCe4d2kPKLM-HivhYwur93-9sxCrBEEHMVwbVf5mO09KC1nuEJk80vTw4PS5zgAaPUKkpzHkUIx9iENmoqvbcjXdwP7sq_ZtyesbgGrfzccLSU1Vtg/s1600/IMG_0967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhPwJH_xmTP93NM90vwhBYCe4d2kPKLM-HivhYwur93-9sxCrBEEHMVwbVf5mO09KC1nuEJk80vTw4PS5zgAaPUKkpzHkUIx9iENmoqvbcjXdwP7sq_ZtyesbgGrfzccLSU1Vtg/s640/IMG_0967.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evening Grosbeak (male)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqq9dRfrzYwwnGk6AhyphenhyphenaJfCNsd0pqx3Si1eaPcils-98mc9TC7EHU_X5A4Fn6Oahkcs0EG7yjRh0DUTipyz09E1_E8FdWlCs9QZhE3eoKMX6dIW0uoGAMF3WQHT_DcdhjJkbaow/s1600/IMG_1110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqq9dRfrzYwwnGk6AhyphenhyphenaJfCNsd0pqx3Si1eaPcils-98mc9TC7EHU_X5A4Fn6Oahkcs0EG7yjRh0DUTipyz09E1_E8FdWlCs9QZhE3eoKMX6dIW0uoGAMF3WQHT_DcdhjJkbaow/s640/IMG_1110.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evening Grosbeak (male) with Brown-headed Cowbird (male)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rose-breasted Grosbeak (male)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsAtA3vEvSzBAD2jkgTxINHfKz5YGpXv5dqt8w0_dvq3Qiayc_HJzmQjdSp2bwnhT_PrLzX1rpH3KZS5WpqPYFNkyJG29wWJky1D2LlVXOFR2OAF-QfpZ0qHsccbT05LWOUtdGkA/s1600/IMG_1030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsAtA3vEvSzBAD2jkgTxINHfKz5YGpXv5dqt8w0_dvq3Qiayc_HJzmQjdSp2bwnhT_PrLzX1rpH3KZS5WpqPYFNkyJG29wWJky1D2LlVXOFR2OAF-QfpZ0qHsccbT05LWOUtdGkA/s640/IMG_1030.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rose-breasted Grosbeak (male)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5us9vIY5gK8Af17EAFv9XJXGA4tf5lfQWlbBfK0iK3WpG_ZF6oXboT6qGjgalxw1QtxFjC467LdZoYtNR9M9eEpnoII3UVkxJzSOW0wJk8tZf6UiBmg-38eLkCkTtShJm0kuAA/s1600/IMG_1184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5us9vIY5gK8Af17EAFv9XJXGA4tf5lfQWlbBfK0iK3WpG_ZF6oXboT6qGjgalxw1QtxFjC467LdZoYtNR9M9eEpnoII3UVkxJzSOW0wJk8tZf6UiBmg-38eLkCkTtShJm0kuAA/s640/IMG_1184.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rose-breasted Grosbeak (male) and Evening Grosbeak (male)</td></tr>
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If the Blue Jay was a rare bird, we would fall over ourselves in admiration of its beauty, but they are common, noisy, and perceived as bullies - though in actuality, no worse than any of the other birds at the feeders who will chase off other birds to get their favored seeds. I love the jays - raucous rogues that they are ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihI1c68LWMiRaO1Q2JjCabB416FUFAsmspGKypq42GNl8Gbim3ETrnPib1jbdtzY4aMxhLJ24vwaOUf6iF_dxVeFJmqbWy0jfeoogJv7HHGbc9dBDl549C8rHIaOlgou8xn9s2ig/s1600/IMG_1091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihI1c68LWMiRaO1Q2JjCabB416FUFAsmspGKypq42GNl8Gbim3ETrnPib1jbdtzY4aMxhLJ24vwaOUf6iF_dxVeFJmqbWy0jfeoogJv7HHGbc9dBDl549C8rHIaOlgou8xn9s2ig/s640/IMG_1091.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Jay</td></tr>
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Year round birds accustomed to our presence and almost pets, are the Tufted Titmouse and Black-capped Chickadee. This one came to the rock five feet from where I was sitting to grab a hunk of suet that had fallen from the eave feeder ...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgsPRGVFJiA8zsJtyxDG1vqfUELb0a7EiGSyH_moIJJ3VjJ3m48m9Sw_nVTWXAvnol0TPw1-c4zZBtK34f0DGlXh9RLZ08EyOXrurNA7KzvLNfubwwzWap1cgqLImAv0kNLkbHA/s1600/IMG_0939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgsPRGVFJiA8zsJtyxDG1vqfUELb0a7EiGSyH_moIJJ3VjJ3m48m9Sw_nVTWXAvnol0TPw1-c4zZBtK34f0DGlXh9RLZ08EyOXrurNA7KzvLNfubwwzWap1cgqLImAv0kNLkbHA/s640/IMG_0939.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tufted Titmouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivTHdFijj39geDSpOu4oERPoRTDbP20HXPBRtSBUAlAwMkgrcRtyQmGdlFy0pnzM3w-eEZZcWcv5sZ678prdQaMDsTS_eMn3KdzcAmZjEF14hTorcDgvp0SybD-ugo54gy-AdTSQ/s1600/IMG_1144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivTHdFijj39geDSpOu4oERPoRTDbP20HXPBRtSBUAlAwMkgrcRtyQmGdlFy0pnzM3w-eEZZcWcv5sZ678prdQaMDsTS_eMn3KdzcAmZjEF14hTorcDgvp0SybD-ugo54gy-AdTSQ/s640/IMG_1144.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-capped Chickadee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Red-bellied Woodpecker has been in the neighborhood for about seven years. Unlike the Downy and Hairy which wait for me to put out the suet in the morning, the Red-bellies are still wary and shy, but eagerly come to the suet and feeders and always provide stunning entertainment ...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhci5vfwAHxKVVLSPmKbymXHtmpV5nIY2ubbuX16RlUvC851X739HjWQLH8wkcRUmRxARNhX2DVqFdUvHnHOST3OT6yNd8gQn4X25aeK2O1VVoXek5C9websSg2mnMOrEgUezKHlg/s1600/IMG_1159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhci5vfwAHxKVVLSPmKbymXHtmpV5nIY2ubbuX16RlUvC851X739HjWQLH8wkcRUmRxARNhX2DVqFdUvHnHOST3OT6yNd8gQn4X25aeK2O1VVoXek5C9websSg2mnMOrEgUezKHlg/s640/IMG_1159.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-bellied Woodpecker (male)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2U0smsMM_D-uaOiGDvnxn9Qn0Y6AhAP-5yT_4ScL58w7Xd-h3ewB8nX8YwiSALPkGQsNHWfsEN-Bg_NXdJIxpZYu6RQTWQcdsutlIqG370VJ8N0Rb-jEcYnyrFTNhvTHslW_iw/s1600/IMG_1166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2U0smsMM_D-uaOiGDvnxn9Qn0Y6AhAP-5yT_4ScL58w7Xd-h3ewB8nX8YwiSALPkGQsNHWfsEN-Bg_NXdJIxpZYu6RQTWQcdsutlIqG370VJ8N0Rb-jEcYnyrFTNhvTHslW_iw/s640/IMG_1166.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-bellied Woodpecker (male)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
GOOD BIRDING !!!Chris Petrakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637163831402534158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27055376.post-89602511025177390572016-05-15T18:22:00.001-04:002016-05-15T18:22:47.558-04:00Ooops! But Still Good BirdingOoops! I forgot to bring the feeders in two nights ago, and the bear took down the suet and destroyed the tube feeder. Blame it on the little gray cells getting older and forgetful.<br />
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The birds noticed the absence and were feeding in different places, but I am confident getting every bit as much seed as before, while the squirrels perhaps got less.<br />
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Highlight of the day was the Indigo Bunting. Not a new yard bird, but one that does not visit the yard or feeders every year. This year he has been here and what a treat! ...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujvpGn5Ev6qP1WJhV24RmQxO_01__InRX2Pgo83pZMXXEbisTYSkNXqbPQeQ-2z_c3f7KLWrp2aCJFToV_BMxnDXT0mkH1z2SE4JBLS2Ez_HZ66dUKewYegEYn1O-LhpYj-7OJg/s1600/IMG_1489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujvpGn5Ev6qP1WJhV24RmQxO_01__InRX2Pgo83pZMXXEbisTYSkNXqbPQeQ-2z_c3f7KLWrp2aCJFToV_BMxnDXT0mkH1z2SE4JBLS2Ez_HZ66dUKewYegEYn1O-LhpYj-7OJg/s640/IMG_1489.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indigo Bunting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxzYXvzxi8v8_dlfUIXL7vQwVHTtfpzXLog2xi4EjLvjHr6wGHPy_vzRvlXDG1NESEcVv3h2uV_cHbwDCyeJoP6G9fswZ1B6fQTREoc2qrzy6E06eExI5rHTgHyfAqr4sXIXaSg/s1600/IMG_1495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxzYXvzxi8v8_dlfUIXL7vQwVHTtfpzXLog2xi4EjLvjHr6wGHPy_vzRvlXDG1NESEcVv3h2uV_cHbwDCyeJoP6G9fswZ1B6fQTREoc2qrzy6E06eExI5rHTgHyfAqr4sXIXaSg/s640/IMG_1495.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indigo Bunting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEixqU328lqG8Fr6RIRT1yqyWhAOUjQZreYu2cRll6wOx9GZhGNGF5bf2i0BnFnHf1cXB_rrT7ieQaTz-QK1311tuOlQ58tv3aQkB824TO9qyNXJcsrmbWu3gVjoj4JtD1uo1Kkw/s1600/IMG_1517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEixqU328lqG8Fr6RIRT1yqyWhAOUjQZreYu2cRll6wOx9GZhGNGF5bf2i0BnFnHf1cXB_rrT7ieQaTz-QK1311tuOlQ58tv3aQkB824TO9qyNXJcsrmbWu3gVjoj4JtD1uo1Kkw/s640/IMG_1517.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indigo Bunting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Also, a rare treat was the female Baltimore Oriole which came briefly to the (replacement) suet feeder. Only once several years ago have I succeeded in attracting the orioles to the feeders. BTW, the oranges in the previous photo were put out in hopes they would draw the oriole. No luck there. The oriole did not cooperate on photos, so this is the only documentation I have ...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilr5r6PlGRKRe7gEmlyeAOTuDkznuXkKDLrm30AZg7YvxDmNzAcwetQT6OqqihhGOIh2YoTdJMvnpUERNaK74I-q6bJqyg79x7wkx0EdKyc0Ow93-o_r_ndoIoMugQTSziFmGisQ/s1600/IMG_1454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilr5r6PlGRKRe7gEmlyeAOTuDkznuXkKDLrm30AZg7YvxDmNzAcwetQT6OqqihhGOIh2YoTdJMvnpUERNaK74I-q6bJqyg79x7wkx0EdKyc0Ow93-o_r_ndoIoMugQTSziFmGisQ/s640/IMG_1454.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baltimore Oriole (female)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
With the absence of the tube feeder in the yard, the grosbeaks came to the window feeder right by the kitchen table - up close and personal with these gorgeous, if voracious, birds ...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEistGZZvsBEGQLOg9fLbMiu_k9ntJGYd1cms2EkB8rZCxb-6FuSt_p7WqFQiABwH9XLM1xLhLEBScOWTI_jPwTEixV1dcM8xHrdn3YxncixI28LlfJLn9-9Z4OP1PQ3PUxsFvI8cA/s1600/IMG_1463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEistGZZvsBEGQLOg9fLbMiu_k9ntJGYd1cms2EkB8rZCxb-6FuSt_p7WqFQiABwH9XLM1xLhLEBScOWTI_jPwTEixV1dcM8xHrdn3YxncixI28LlfJLn9-9Z4OP1PQ3PUxsFvI8cA/s640/IMG_1463.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evening Grosbeak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBX7d3sL8Wno2qj4NEXlUkc0I9nw9JElG0E3JxhU1xA1elrBLEQVrHNCVmlywLW80CmtSpCw_NnrKOn7Bvm_jGr3j-F-8wRubtubb3v4J_4iRMGKggVIoVqDjVf22zfhjNYhqFjw/s1600/IMG_1481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBX7d3sL8Wno2qj4NEXlUkc0I9nw9JElG0E3JxhU1xA1elrBLEQVrHNCVmlywLW80CmtSpCw_NnrKOn7Bvm_jGr3j-F-8wRubtubb3v4J_4iRMGKggVIoVqDjVf22zfhjNYhqFjw/s640/IMG_1481.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rose-breasted Grosbeak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxidxJX8EmJS1kyyyy2bbIR9C93C_DoZVq5u-A_tkwHT1f9VTovrhLZf91DpbNw6xAtwinJB-bp6eDeIWDITsig96wN0e8Rk7LNLUCVGgC4Hw_ngYa984A2Y3SPH6_e9w4hiRj4g/s1600/IMG_1486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxidxJX8EmJS1kyyyy2bbIR9C93C_DoZVq5u-A_tkwHT1f9VTovrhLZf91DpbNw6xAtwinJB-bp6eDeIWDITsig96wN0e8Rk7LNLUCVGgC4Hw_ngYa984A2Y3SPH6_e9w4hiRj4g/s640/IMG_1486.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rose-breasted Grosbeak (female)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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And while I am on the grosbeaks, this is the first time I have seen a Rose-breasted Grosbeak visit the suet feeder ... just visible on the back side of the feeder ...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJZZ1aiK21Vqo8hrPGTRXPonzVfRYc-oi_uu2H1d3hXn4HlwWdPR9gjEXe273bpGUuaaIAgtTuNqdhgFIa2Q2rX_8jQ5g7RF0GryVgaE_INTpQKnlS_2VFEj23m1pULJpMUDXLA/s1600/IMG_1469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJZZ1aiK21Vqo8hrPGTRXPonzVfRYc-oi_uu2H1d3hXn4HlwWdPR9gjEXe273bpGUuaaIAgtTuNqdhgFIa2Q2rX_8jQ5g7RF0GryVgaE_INTpQKnlS_2VFEj23m1pULJpMUDXLA/s640/IMG_1469.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rose-breasted Grosbeak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Finally ... just because ... at least two pair of Gray Catbirds have been in the yard and visiting the suet feeder, along with Downy, Hairy, and Red-bellied Woodpeckers, represented by the Downy below ...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2JqIXcuOKG5jijZqveO7Px7Rn2fjLYnsgS5VGrMLVxmx3U8BTweWtDBWAeaLx-3XOelsIq9qz9x-BHz2-iTJsv03dLEblT5rQqwSeTHy0tBa1kwbXUyAFICEmAfUZckiFUtxtNA/s1600/IMG_1422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2JqIXcuOKG5jijZqveO7Px7Rn2fjLYnsgS5VGrMLVxmx3U8BTweWtDBWAeaLx-3XOelsIq9qz9x-BHz2-iTJsv03dLEblT5rQqwSeTHy0tBa1kwbXUyAFICEmAfUZckiFUtxtNA/s640/IMG_1422.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gray Catbird</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibd_r9P4_tX1sdisf7vxUrYqPJf8j2GWrZot7k3IjLMAVcZd6VgQJdTV0ppIZaqcfvtscfRGcBD0Y0JfVtkBfWAQZsc-rfiSirQvH99xz8nfPGZ-ro_Oc86Ha2LJS3SMf1PqN3Gg/s1600/IMG_1433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibd_r9P4_tX1sdisf7vxUrYqPJf8j2GWrZot7k3IjLMAVcZd6VgQJdTV0ppIZaqcfvtscfRGcBD0Y0JfVtkBfWAQZsc-rfiSirQvH99xz8nfPGZ-ro_Oc86Ha2LJS3SMf1PqN3Gg/s640/IMG_1433.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downy Woodpecker</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Chris Petrakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637163831402534158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27055376.post-69491206449734798782016-05-15T07:00:00.000-04:002016-05-15T07:00:11.038-04:00Hinsdale SetbacksI made two morning trips to the Hinsdale setbacks south of Brattleboro along the Connecticut River. Highlight was the Red-necked Grebe seen this morning.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGY7w8RKYrMlEEIeNn13m63A_cebTgXrJ_x6pnXT4UcieXnOfUmg61_CR00F2x7y5Plp3nW9VhyT3EMo4GRFpTacb7l0q2HNyKw94UTnVnfuXdIx8oopYhurf2mFMgY-Sx_SISw/s1600/IMG_1353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGY7w8RKYrMlEEIeNn13m63A_cebTgXrJ_x6pnXT4UcieXnOfUmg61_CR00F2x7y5Plp3nW9VhyT3EMo4GRFpTacb7l0q2HNyKw94UTnVnfuXdIx8oopYhurf2mFMgY-Sx_SISw/s640/IMG_1353.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-necked Grebe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsExYpGCakoKWj80Q-UYEPoP4LCsRvKAYOa4K5Dnz9OtACURB89dPV_hSNCbCYCDDPFolYLk1Ca1AAHDncWOF3V6WE_YlFGgJd4lIiZ4VhoNnmv1s6SLqzrt85RP69RqMWKNEBQ/s1600/IMG_1368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsExYpGCakoKWj80Q-UYEPoP4LCsRvKAYOa4K5Dnz9OtACURB89dPV_hSNCbCYCDDPFolYLk1Ca1AAHDncWOF3V6WE_YlFGgJd4lIiZ4VhoNnmv1s6SLqzrt85RP69RqMWKNEBQ/s640/IMG_1368.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rec-necked Grebe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Migrants are still moving through, such as the White-crowned Sparrow seen Thursday, but not on Saturday ...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPM1BzbGVYPayFdieAbi0PYoUgWYpMAOBaNjJR6Eu5k__pnQ18dIYSAYeCKlW8XiWOyl-85K6MjWRrjiNyKNPqjjUdHbVz-TBqm7onDpw7rITKGh0RAGbqIWzrOs1HcJyb6QfgQ/s1600/IMG_1246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPM1BzbGVYPayFdieAbi0PYoUgWYpMAOBaNjJR6Eu5k__pnQ18dIYSAYeCKlW8XiWOyl-85K6MjWRrjiNyKNPqjjUdHbVz-TBqm7onDpw7rITKGh0RAGbqIWzrOs1HcJyb6QfgQ/s640/IMG_1246.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-crowned Sparrow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Residents are well into their nesting season with territorial singing and defense, courtship displays, nest building, and even feeding young ...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji7EknuFQ-deee3jadrPuIsAcekuzt9U1qHCq3as4sjp68rLgKa2pFSyTpuwoVoPbXvDanDDAVbdp6ou0YgTi_XNUd2ymTV_ZU7GRhfNqzptvWTfZ71fLq8eBCIh6dBUYrucIwiA/s1600/IMG_1047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji7EknuFQ-deee3jadrPuIsAcekuzt9U1qHCq3as4sjp68rLgKa2pFSyTpuwoVoPbXvDanDDAVbdp6ou0YgTi_XNUd2ymTV_ZU7GRhfNqzptvWTfZ71fLq8eBCIh6dBUYrucIwiA/s640/IMG_1047.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Yellowthroat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0CXAwObZbvpb6Er9t8XaDXWnWkDj0BIXKVp4lNHMXzQzF7VRTArJ9-oERYn8r_Zr3jvwUzuVwb7be0VGzGm7MQGMjCyrAHbZnBGI6Y8j4gHSbaJ1KnCSap3tPIo0vipIbt31fw/s1600/IMG_1066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0CXAwObZbvpb6Er9t8XaDXWnWkDj0BIXKVp4lNHMXzQzF7VRTArJ9-oERYn8r_Zr3jvwUzuVwb7be0VGzGm7MQGMjCyrAHbZnBGI6Y8j4gHSbaJ1KnCSap3tPIo0vipIbt31fw/s640/IMG_1066.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Redstart</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0PY1yq6dWuiwmxw_R0xuBb_f-DWVPy7J2H5kmd20mkL0p7dvEkPmlgOTbiLql5OFFAOvYHmxRlHlK-mrZ896nrYtdhg0rAhiQhkmq2HcvpVeX9BDcbP84n1kmk8TVfDnlPWKIzw/s1600/IMG_1209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0PY1yq6dWuiwmxw_R0xuBb_f-DWVPy7J2H5kmd20mkL0p7dvEkPmlgOTbiLql5OFFAOvYHmxRlHlK-mrZ896nrYtdhg0rAhiQhkmq2HcvpVeX9BDcbP84n1kmk8TVfDnlPWKIzw/s640/IMG_1209.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">House Wren</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjB-XX0ywf_My2L-B5TEXaAAaRGTH7Jntv3hcvV9Sv0TeZEPkXktxayV_-l9emO1O1wKY3rJCCDylW7uxiezGVbVIkGJ1ByZqYcI7qWx_osK0D47SCC7EIpdQBt9IY-qFcOlKqJw/s1600/IMG_1299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjB-XX0ywf_My2L-B5TEXaAAaRGTH7Jntv3hcvV9Sv0TeZEPkXktxayV_-l9emO1O1wKY3rJCCDylW7uxiezGVbVIkGJ1ByZqYcI7qWx_osK0D47SCC7EIpdQBt9IY-qFcOlKqJw/s640/IMG_1299.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warbling Vireo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0XLT4Ujol3lgSsWTuRFAF-DMGD382MSIRqOUj4ecK0uW0dEZzFyKla_79-P2ZTEaHYKH_Q8zI87IUFhXYyNIG1sRSj-WYkPt9Pa3V5QvUKkWd8rniFGeaU9tJyrPzHQU8rzvug/s1600/IMG_1304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0XLT4Ujol3lgSsWTuRFAF-DMGD382MSIRqOUj4ecK0uW0dEZzFyKla_79-P2ZTEaHYKH_Q8zI87IUFhXYyNIG1sRSj-WYkPt9Pa3V5QvUKkWd8rniFGeaU9tJyrPzHQU8rzvug/s640/IMG_1304.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baltimore Oriole</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifeiveick0iqbg-fjOXXZaPxQUwqHFh4ggrJh_ln70OHEcroaD4d6WQUI56OoeKRwXxHWBK19oVbHXIbj_L6ZwaCPbxfkp63sPwKQrMcIrpOgyWZVSUPpO3Zqrv4zfElortoir9A/s1600/IMG_1329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifeiveick0iqbg-fjOXXZaPxQUwqHFh4ggrJh_ln70OHEcroaD4d6WQUI56OoeKRwXxHWBK19oVbHXIbj_L6ZwaCPbxfkp63sPwKQrMcIrpOgyWZVSUPpO3Zqrv4zfElortoir9A/s640/IMG_1329.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow Warbler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_wVcYPQbZhq2i6N77HjzGOsYY-NQRV44LN-n8IqXtbLmMFvxnfCF_Mc9C-Hqvm2foLt1QH7-mMko1GWbQMwHcDm0w2PqnHlbLHLzANPseDfpKfoCeTQfJ5VlztoA3sd4jfAWHg/s1600/IMG_1378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_wVcYPQbZhq2i6N77HjzGOsYY-NQRV44LN-n8IqXtbLmMFvxnfCF_Mc9C-Hqvm2foLt1QH7-mMko1GWbQMwHcDm0w2PqnHlbLHLzANPseDfpKfoCeTQfJ5VlztoA3sd4jfAWHg/s640/IMG_1378.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-throated Vireo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8OAyA3dAFyz4Xfw5f1fUliA52XiRBSuTEsD1D-hdwNto09bJFzyXkjsMBK00h3pjbjB-50dkIrkVGi6QQ44tNuHMMYCY7ydfwCTEFsU_GS39FGBaOdu_p82fX0IlvrcgIkA1HVg/s1600/IMG_1391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8OAyA3dAFyz4Xfw5f1fUliA52XiRBSuTEsD1D-hdwNto09bJFzyXkjsMBK00h3pjbjB-50dkIrkVGi6QQ44tNuHMMYCY7ydfwCTEFsU_GS39FGBaOdu_p82fX0IlvrcgIkA1HVg/s640/IMG_1391.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northern Rough-winged Swallow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As we walked along the old railroad bed, we saw a pair of thrasher in the road and shrubbery. When we reached that point, we lingered to watch an oriole constructing her nest, then realized that the thrasher was waiting for us to move on so it could carry food to its young in the nest. We moved on ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRmF3njkOdBuxs_ByYQPSsBwNcfMtagzDlt821ixN4X6NDDELTI5w3RoMZ3Q68qauWe_Gmx-tLT5JnqGfi_X6r4lw-TDIhgi6oim7wzAxxj5N3z8fYDw7BSdLKGHGtohvso8ChYQ/s1600/IMG_1400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRmF3njkOdBuxs_ByYQPSsBwNcfMtagzDlt821ixN4X6NDDELTI5w3RoMZ3Q68qauWe_Gmx-tLT5JnqGfi_X6r4lw-TDIhgi6oim7wzAxxj5N3z8fYDw7BSdLKGHGtohvso8ChYQ/s640/IMG_1400.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Thrasher</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLMih-hX4eF6qx7t-Efjq46qDR3xzm0Ncdv3lv4wlaz_gwp1_O2sTDzf375HAML6S7-wahIL3vSHjU6rY1vkBfhe99LE2UnalkfBkAwLxW-MW_OZk6j6UaCjo2z4dtgVQ2asGe-Q/s1600/IMG_1408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLMih-hX4eF6qx7t-Efjq46qDR3xzm0Ncdv3lv4wlaz_gwp1_O2sTDzf375HAML6S7-wahIL3vSHjU6rY1vkBfhe99LE2UnalkfBkAwLxW-MW_OZk6j6UaCjo2z4dtgVQ2asGe-Q/s640/IMG_1408.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baltimore Oriole nest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
By late morning, the sun had warmed the world, and one of the first butterflies I've seen for the season made an appearance, the tiny Eastern Tailed-Blue.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZLbLtHoTUUxFX0f71KZ6Ao0pqXCMNwEF4RMppQB0BHfxlzxgoPujfz54Qnqer_rGsPZCpXezY53PYirX7TpmAICMr7mfCJ-uuHYwb3ireY9HJIdm0iDhY3oXsI6c9RvT5FqdbSA/s1600/IMG_1414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZLbLtHoTUUxFX0f71KZ6Ao0pqXCMNwEF4RMppQB0BHfxlzxgoPujfz54Qnqer_rGsPZCpXezY53PYirX7TpmAICMr7mfCJ-uuHYwb3ireY9HJIdm0iDhY3oXsI6c9RvT5FqdbSA/s640/IMG_1414.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern Tailed-Blue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Good Birding!!<br />
<br />Chris Petrakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637163831402534158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27055376.post-60313946940753522632016-05-14T17:59:00.001-04:002016-05-14T17:59:06.421-04:00Hooded MerganserI've finally been able to get out for some birding and photography, plus some "serious" research in the back yard.<br />
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I'll begin with a trip to Wilson Wetlands in Putney, and the pair of Hooded Mergansers - plus a Spotted Sandpiper in fresh, spotted, breeding plumage ...<br />
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Good Birding!!Chris Petrakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637163831402534158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27055376.post-4524583755427580882016-04-14T08:27:00.000-04:002016-04-14T08:27:31.011-04:00This Week at Heinz NRWPlenty of signs at Heinz NRW that Spring is finally well entrenched. Waterfowl - except for the nesters - have moved on. Plenty of song activity from the residents or early arrivals, plus returning passerines present. A few images ...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0CCLOEFpg10AOUsnbVuvNsxX-2qAwAYNILEmdqya85QbmUyPoWPX4m2vfREwavh-xYeRCUuE27BWLaKRurjDvHTm3DeAcolZTXVs9T5Tl4U0tBKujpTDn8AirlPUfByCEPA6eg/s1600/IMG_0660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0CCLOEFpg10AOUsnbVuvNsxX-2qAwAYNILEmdqya85QbmUyPoWPX4m2vfREwavh-xYeRCUuE27BWLaKRurjDvHTm3DeAcolZTXVs9T5Tl4U0tBKujpTDn8AirlPUfByCEPA6eg/s640/IMG_0660.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue-gray Gnatcatcher</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65Sws1UOPKaY6BLQHvRnz6Ikuinw-Z-62-s8uNCg8Iph2NtlcZFVSdMLgsENuvlfKxcWxOeks83OFElbexPKfxnP1ytC2aiboWwmeLD8zK6k-ivP0O0T8uyHFM_asn3PwwjKG1g/s1600/IMG_0721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65Sws1UOPKaY6BLQHvRnz6Ikuinw-Z-62-s8uNCg8Iph2NtlcZFVSdMLgsENuvlfKxcWxOeks83OFElbexPKfxnP1ytC2aiboWwmeLD8zK6k-ivP0O0T8uyHFM_asn3PwwjKG1g/s640/IMG_0721.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palm Warbler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Yellow-rumped Warblers were not singing during mid-day, but were finally sporting their breeding finery ...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeRJ9cR2kYAmriprgFra-VkeUgoDoHmfk79vVYpfDhGkuZQmg_FEVY0P_O1vIs7yzCCP7ELHF2wCI34o2Sk-CGdnjl4o6DnUcz8fXz2LL2bHeqywiNrUcBmDUENozuMTaaORFPlw/s1600/IMG_0745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeRJ9cR2kYAmriprgFra-VkeUgoDoHmfk79vVYpfDhGkuZQmg_FEVY0P_O1vIs7yzCCP7ELHF2wCI34o2Sk-CGdnjl4o6DnUcz8fXz2LL2bHeqywiNrUcBmDUENozuMTaaORFPlw/s640/IMG_0745.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-rumped Warbler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The nesting Bald Eagles have hatched. This adult took off from the nest and flew overhead en route to the marsh and estuary for foraging ...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxf69cV9j6hAlQvL9ARIKOVpv7zwGzRDJfeeiwoI039dr8Qi3Kt2mjv_qb2EeQFPcAxWxuDhMKhpN1KLMK0GtN509YqWfCGRI-AVaN4scwKdwZubMgnZ4PQyWxsSrRBhjREroFg/s1600/IMG_0791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxf69cV9j6hAlQvL9ARIKOVpv7zwGzRDJfeeiwoI039dr8Qi3Kt2mjv_qb2EeQFPcAxWxuDhMKhpN1KLMK0GtN509YqWfCGRI-AVaN4scwKdwZubMgnZ4PQyWxsSrRBhjREroFg/s640/IMG_0791.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bald Eagle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This Carolina Wren was in a song duel with another nearby male ...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPZ81838rQTYpwSPWP0UOWtYAboqK6qBDzbIL_mdIFt01XtPLnxOb_XiTySqXWp36BjNoHPh0ZvKCitVpPd0EGYnlQ-rAF2IH_2C1ZRFNBhqupKyHV4h3nZPY29XVa0YORKoRLg/s1600/IMG_0695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPZ81838rQTYpwSPWP0UOWtYAboqK6qBDzbIL_mdIFt01XtPLnxOb_XiTySqXWp36BjNoHPh0ZvKCitVpPd0EGYnlQ-rAF2IH_2C1ZRFNBhqupKyHV4h3nZPY29XVa0YORKoRLg/s640/IMG_0695.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carolina Wren</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Mallards were on the nest. Most other ducks were gone, except for a few pairs of Green-winged Teal and a pair of Blue-winged Teal ...<br /><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3v7s9loxrV2Aa23xQJB5TZQ5170YZBFrnMuPRo42xkquR4dRGP3O1MpZVOEUzOz0u8KGC8VtvaMw-V2umiJBTkYuvGzM12y1g_PpwWXLHR_eS4tfrZxtYvosuG2cm1TJRgKRFoA/s1600/IMG_0819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3v7s9loxrV2Aa23xQJB5TZQ5170YZBFrnMuPRo42xkquR4dRGP3O1MpZVOEUzOz0u8KGC8VtvaMw-V2umiJBTkYuvGzM12y1g_PpwWXLHR_eS4tfrZxtYvosuG2cm1TJRgKRFoA/s640/IMG_0819.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green-winged Teal (male and female)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Along the edge of the impoundment, a muskrat was foraging, while in many locations, turtles were enjoying the returning warmth of the Spring sun ...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-43iFUGc-KYVJh4Dzbgeq0XZ6ugeX8QQSynSngMs6vCO_2uB-xT10Mo8olbjXxwvEO_lfpojqeYwrZshDx92-3LT5yq9zzyUuKa-uT_baVRbFhbn7PTPUfJ8sQ_2U6k4rdEOvcA/s1600/IMG_0646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-43iFUGc-KYVJh4Dzbgeq0XZ6ugeX8QQSynSngMs6vCO_2uB-xT10Mo8olbjXxwvEO_lfpojqeYwrZshDx92-3LT5yq9zzyUuKa-uT_baVRbFhbn7PTPUfJ8sQ_2U6k4rdEOvcA/s640/IMG_0646.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Muskrate</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Good Birding!!Chris Petrakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637163831402534158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27055376.post-41334705169621503472016-03-29T15:58:00.001-04:002016-04-07T07:34:03.642-04:00Spring in Philadelphia - Heinz NWRPlenty of signs of Spring at Heinz refuge in Philadelphia in the form of early migrants and early nesting activity.<br />
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A particular treat today was the presence of a pair of Blue-winged Teal, which I have found to be uncommon on the mid-Atlantic coast and rare in Vermont.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMw87xRJx9P-K9vbPa-e-NizhxxvVx4pfx-iQIC9eHrGQfGSipCoK7u05Ke8N-xmdHMPWJkyzF7KLDIHr6TnlOqn9CMM9iOOwNfn62DlchWS3dLchEvoC063Bn-ojpdMYguIK_8w/s1600/IMG_0410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMw87xRJx9P-K9vbPa-e-NizhxxvVx4pfx-iQIC9eHrGQfGSipCoK7u05Ke8N-xmdHMPWJkyzF7KLDIHr6TnlOqn9CMM9iOOwNfn62DlchWS3dLchEvoC063Bn-ojpdMYguIK_8w/s640/IMG_0410.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue-winged Teal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-OSPlxYFwuQN1kDKKCPEH5woGiC3jRmebst1OpC9WvhJPUW3rvNdcwoDs0MU7xnExvYDM9K7MU4vsRfhHX9nuVYIEjSVyksMhW196VIHDsCxmUMOqn_3zag1P61FPnfkemQyJA/s1600/IMG_0423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-OSPlxYFwuQN1kDKKCPEH5woGiC3jRmebst1OpC9WvhJPUW3rvNdcwoDs0MU7xnExvYDM9K7MU4vsRfhHX9nuVYIEjSVyksMhW196VIHDsCxmUMOqn_3zag1P61FPnfkemQyJA/s640/IMG_0423.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue-winged Teal - pair</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The eagles appear to be on the nest, but too distant for any photos. In the early migrant category, Eastern Phoebes are "fee - bee - ing", and a flock of Pine Warblers proclaimed their buzzy presence ...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3GsJm_D64Upt3CVrVmclLr_M-1FuLuDaSddVFJkC8Qz8pxIPeYGmuEQBJWCLLw28Ra6yrqHjaOCm7fQKDSaWGdW8brsq6qJOBp4OSRjmmfpa8ampw6BhdkHHcyoKB566DO3QOA/s1600/IMG_0091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3GsJm_D64Upt3CVrVmclLr_M-1FuLuDaSddVFJkC8Qz8pxIPeYGmuEQBJWCLLw28Ra6yrqHjaOCm7fQKDSaWGdW8brsq6qJOBp4OSRjmmfpa8ampw6BhdkHHcyoKB566DO3QOA/s640/IMG_0091.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern Phoebe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExzRIZz5B_w_-_qzN1ZBxX3JqpIDTFFtYh2CDsWYWi30HPVPTzDzkXL7R1Xd98KIewPHOenz4JwI1t8efDRlgBzYsxdyicnTESVzmwMBGwfANMSBEVSkIlS4z0J7jpV_492s6fg/s1600/IMG_0437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExzRIZz5B_w_-_qzN1ZBxX3JqpIDTFFtYh2CDsWYWi30HPVPTzDzkXL7R1Xd98KIewPHOenz4JwI1t8efDRlgBzYsxdyicnTESVzmwMBGwfANMSBEVSkIlS4z0J7jpV_492s6fg/s640/IMG_0437.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pine Warbler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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In the early breeding/nesting activity category, there was vigorous singing by cardinals, Song Sparrows, blackbirds, and robins. A mallard hen was on the nest while her mate kept wary watch nearby.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT0rV4JxwQiBFh4HRLZuV8bvJ7LjU-CQgjSPrzvy__yrrxZIb5MNlZC9Pt-_ld24tBBFGrm93-0DaWgkgwgI9TeQ3FDTYfdFMCuBEe93snUUlb6_Y7iwjgiHRn5OORKfIoc1kKAQ/s1600/IMG_0315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT0rV4JxwQiBFh4HRLZuV8bvJ7LjU-CQgjSPrzvy__yrrxZIb5MNlZC9Pt-_ld24tBBFGrm93-0DaWgkgwgI9TeQ3FDTYfdFMCuBEe93snUUlb6_Y7iwjgiHRn5OORKfIoc1kKAQ/s640/IMG_0315.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mallard - hen on nest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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American Tree Swallows were staking claim to nest boxes and actively seeking to pair bond.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUPckd5KXRXYv2wxQMQimaqeMM5aueWyNcFRrzrFjkLX4KO7lU4l7pgqD8h1JbibZA4I2LTZ1MVJgbkfItxdPBdPapEfUnXN4xIn4MDQODBT8hXAsUTMcb7_5K8CTMQWtJPv75g/s1600/IMG_0365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkzJrsJTEKgkp9b5_g11JiyY4eZzfDosyj3IOQv8yJWOZeMlZTQ4nl6MWNbLpeVnRFV-oXZEMeaXro0V81_X2p1Armxdahchhw1ax5_OVc97zWDXHgsDHUPY-MNnQMcpbsR3nzw/s1600/IMG_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkzJrsJTEKgkp9b5_g11JiyY4eZzfDosyj3IOQv8yJWOZeMlZTQ4nl6MWNbLpeVnRFV-oXZEMeaXro0V81_X2p1Armxdahchhw1ax5_OVc97zWDXHgsDHUPY-MNnQMcpbsR3nzw/s640/IMG_0015.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Tree Swallows</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUPckd5KXRXYv2wxQMQimaqeMM5aueWyNcFRrzrFjkLX4KO7lU4l7pgqD8h1JbibZA4I2LTZ1MVJgbkfItxdPBdPapEfUnXN4xIn4MDQODBT8hXAsUTMcb7_5K8CTMQWtJPv75g/s1600/IMG_0365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUPckd5KXRXYv2wxQMQimaqeMM5aueWyNcFRrzrFjkLX4KO7lU4l7pgqD8h1JbibZA4I2LTZ1MVJgbkfItxdPBdPapEfUnXN4xIn4MDQODBT8hXAsUTMcb7_5K8CTMQWtJPv75g/s640/IMG_0365.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Tree Swallow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Carolina Wren males were singing with enthusiasm. I observed several individuals who were giving a buzzy call, were not singing, and who appeared to be in early stages of finding/building nests in hidden places.They were also less richly colored. I suspect these were females. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzxGPNRRQ-tJPCeoyXBphsbeKAYuu8GzJ5IIHZ_xKuYWJRSfnUIiPiTzNmPXsRInDZZFWU8r8q1gjlUwldtfu4EP_2ObKdCAVj3Xho22BXFPtTEXhHrnG4EPLpJhwyTrxda_uew/s1600/IMG_0060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzxGPNRRQ-tJPCeoyXBphsbeKAYuu8GzJ5IIHZ_xKuYWJRSfnUIiPiTzNmPXsRInDZZFWU8r8q1gjlUwldtfu4EP_2ObKdCAVj3Xho22BXFPtTEXhHrnG4EPLpJhwyTrxda_uew/s640/IMG_0060.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carolina Wren (female?)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja4V_zK9ROasUrL0Oyj_J3fYYU_U-WG9l-5846yXtiY0Q8CxvKQdVXA4gzARJ9mAmoZOLKx31XwN9RaFkzqakzcyYbW7ttH3BTUaRpBoTEPCk3LZYKu5rbIuu4S-f-6WanQPSdIA/s1600/IMG_0072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja4V_zK9ROasUrL0Oyj_J3fYYU_U-WG9l-5846yXtiY0Q8CxvKQdVXA4gzARJ9mAmoZOLKx31XwN9RaFkzqakzcyYbW7ttH3BTUaRpBoTEPCk3LZYKu5rbIuu4S-f-6WanQPSdIA/s640/IMG_0072.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carolina Wren (female?)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
A good opening chapter to the season of really Good Birding!!<br />
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<br />Chris Petrakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637163831402534158noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27055376.post-92088330582707967402016-03-29T15:58:00.000-04:002016-03-29T15:58:02.509-04:00Spring in Philadelphia - along Kelly DriveThe flowering trees are in their Spring-time glory. Its not quite peak for the cherry trees, but glorious anyway. A few samples from today in the museum district, near boathouse row, and along Kelly Drive ...<br />
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Chris Petrakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637163831402534158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27055376.post-28377770909485334802016-03-24T18:47:00.002-04:002016-03-24T18:47:46.566-04:00Wood Ducks on the Wissahickon CreekWissahickon Creek near Valley Green Inn - part of Fairmount Park, Philadelphia - probably the best place anywhere to see Wood Ducks.<br />
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These gorgeous ducks are secretive, wary, and often elusive when they are in the north and on their breeding grounds. But along the Wissahickon in March (and again in November) they are close, and visible, though still quite wary.<br />
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This time of year they are also active as the drakes compete with one another for the attentions of the hens.<br />
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Here are few samples from today, a delightful Spring day, made the more so by the entertainment provided by the Woodies.<br />
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Chris Petrakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637163831402534158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27055376.post-23157840017751535082016-03-17T16:19:00.000-04:002016-03-17T16:19:15.429-04:00Spring Signs - 2No birds, or other things with wings, in this post, but plenty of Spring Signs to get me out of doors.<br />
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Cherry Trees along the Schuylkill River are ready to pop, and join the magnolias and other flowering trees in a riot of pastels ...<br />
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In addition to the return of song birds (previous post), the Spring temperatures also bring out the walkers, joggers, and bikers.<br />
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Boathouse Row will be alive with people late in the day when classes and work are over, and on the weekend.<br />
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Happy Spring!!<br />
Chris Petrakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637163831402534158noreply@blogger.com1