Back Yard Birds
[Getting tired of nature photography? Sorry. But, I'm almost done!]
We went to Fort Stockton on Saturday for Father's Day, and I spent some time sitting on the back porch with my dad watching birds come and go around the backyard birdbath. The show was irresistible and I had to get my camera.
Here's a landing sequence for one of the doves who was a regular visitor:
I was impressed by the way he made a sharp right turn just before landing on the rim of the bath. One doesn't usually think of them as being particularly graceful.
According to our bird book, this is a Lesser Goldfinch. He kept his back to us, making for less interesting photos, but aiding in identification due to the distinctive white markings near his tail.
I could use some help with this next one. A young robin, perhaps?
Here's another oddity. See the dark stripe on the back of the dove's neck? That marking does not appear on any of the examples of dove species in our bird book. The shape of the head and the smooth plumage makes me wonder if this isn't actually a pigeon/dove hybrid. Is such a thing possible?
I'm not a birder, but I do enjoy the cosmetic and behavioral variations of the various species. And I can think of worse ways to while away a hot summer afternoon in West Texas.
looks like a chipping sparrow. when we lived in Mississippi and North Carolina, we became backyard/binoculared birders. but then we weren't experts, just enjoyed nature we weren't used to in W.Texas.
Posted by: Jen P at June 17, 2008 06:32 PMhttp://www.dovepage.com/species/domestic/Ringneck/ringneckdove.html
Posted by: Janie at June 17, 2008 07:09 PMJust 'cause...I have bird dogs. Yeah. That's it.
Posted by: Janie at June 17, 2008 07:09 PMBeautiful pix, by the way. Which Canon are you lugging around?
Posted by: Janie at June 17, 2008 07:10 PMJanie, I've heard of a ringnecked pheasant but never a ringnecked dove. Interesting, especially considering that link you provided implies that these birds aren't found in the wild.
I'm using a Digital Rebel XT. The camera is pretty good, but it's the lens that makes the difference. In this case, it's a Canon EF 70-200mm zoom. I understand the version with the image stabilization is even better, but I was too cheap to get it.
Posted by: Eric at June 17, 2008 09:27 PMYes, ring-necked dove. A domesticated bird, not wild, which is why is was not in your bird book. People buy them as caged birds, then get tired of them and let them go into the wild.
A bird bath is such a kindness, better than a feeder.
Lovely photos Eric. Now I have camera lust again.
Posted by: Deborah at June 17, 2008 10:34 PMWonderful photos!! Obvious that your mind's eye sees much beauty in life. If you could just rub some of that mojo off on more people.
Posted by: Tio Stu at June 18, 2008 08:09 AMI thought you were asking about the photo above the red dove......oh well, was fun thinking about birds again anyway.
Posted by: Jen P at June 18, 2008 10:17 AMThat's incredible :).
Posted by: Rachel at June 18, 2008 08:23 PMAbout the publisher
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We have those redheaded ones, too -- my best guess from my bird book was some kind of house finch. But I'll have to dig up the book to remember which kind.
Posted by: beth at June 17, 2008 06:23 PM