October 2008

Semipalmated Plovers [Charadrius semipalmatus] are common shorebirds that can best be described as small, brown and white, and completely adorable.

The Semipalmated Plover has been seen to swim short distances across small water channels during foraging while on migration. Chicks also swim short distances to follow parents to small islets on shallow lakes. - Cornell Lab [...]

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Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks [Dendrocygna autumnalis] are one of the oddest North American ducks. These “tree ducks” do nest in trees and will use nest boxes much like the more common Wood Ducks. However, these ducks share similarities with geese and swans with “their lack of sexual dimorphism, relatively long-term pair bonds, and lack of complex pair-forming [...]

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The White-crowned Sparrows with brown crowns (aka, 1st year birds), always seem to be a bit more bold than those with the sharp white and black crowns.

Digiscoped with our sweet Swarovski 80 HD spotting scope and “old reliable” the Canon Rebel XTi.

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The Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis) is a marvelous majestic bird we always get excited about. Cranes are fun to watch, especially if you get a chance to watch them dance!
The “dance” of the Sandhill Crane is well known. Pairs engage in elaborate bowing displays with outstretched wings and leap high into the air. Often, a [...]

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This week’s Skywatch is a Red-tailed Hawk that was busy making his presence known. Gotta love their screeeeee!!

Check out more Skywatch photos!

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