Happy Halloween!!
October 31, 2009
Article in: Updates
Have a fun and safe Halloween! Go find some spooky birds!
While you’re at it, now is a great time to purchase new feeders and get them stocked for the coming cold months (at least for us here in the Midwest). Check out some of the feeders and other bird-related products we offer at OpenSky. All products are 10% off from now until November 15th, 2009. Use coupon code: EDDIE1009
Phriday Photo – Flying Turkey Vultures
October 30, 2009
Article in: Photography
We love the shape Turkey Vultures (TVs) make when they fly. They are one of the coolest birds to observe and often allow for up close study. Their behaviors are fascinating and something we will be discussing in the near future.
Review of Birds of Eastern North America & Birds of Western North America
October 28, 2009
Article in: Book Reviews
The following is a review of the two amazing new photographic bird guides: Birds of Eastern North America: A Photographic Guide & Birds of Western North America: A Photographic Guide. Both guides are by Paul Sterry and Brian E. Small and are published by Princeton University Press.
Stunning. This was the first word that came to mind upon cracking open these new guides. Before diving into any of the introductory text or even reading through the species accounts, I paged through the unbelievable photos with wide eyes. The photography alone is worth owning both Eastern and Western editions. Even so, the accompanying text is fantastic too.
Excerpt from the Western edition
Both guides have a wonderfully written introduction which includes nine full pages on bird habitat. This is most welcome because bird identification is aided greatly if you understand habitat and what birds are found where. There is also one page on plumage, something I wish was covered in greater detail with more photos. Plumage is often misinterpreted by many new (as well as experienced) birders.
The layout of both Eastern & Western versions is the same: left side holds the range map (from Cornell Lab of Ornithology) and text that covers identification clues, habitat, voice, etc. Some species also have a smaller photo on this side. On the right side is a cluster of large, beautiful photographs that cover male, female, immature, and alternate variations (where applicable). These photos definitely aide in identification.
Excerpt from the Eastern edition
Similar species are arranged closely together for quick comparison and the index is easy to use to find a particular bird (as tested on my father). The top corners of the pages (see image on the left) have small birds which also help to find specific birds while flipping. Quite a few of the species found in both editions have variant photos for the bird, especially when regional differences are encountered.
My only real qualm with the guides are their lack of white space. The layout is a bit crowded with so much information and so many photographs that it becomes a bit cluttered and overwhelming. The artistic value is superb though, so it may have altered the layout too much to provide a roomier feel.
Paul Sterry is the author or co-author of 50+ books plus a photographer as well. Brian E. Small is one of the world’s top nature photographers, featured in countless publications.
Purchase Birds of Western North America: A Photographic Guide (Princeton Field Guides)
Birds of Eastern North America: A Photographic Guide
Paul Sterry & Brian E. Small
336 pages | 1,118 color photographs | 405 maps
Princeton University Press – $18.95
Birds of Western North America: A Photographic Guide
Paul Sterry & Brian E. Small
416 pages | 1,341 color photographs | 449 maps
Princeton University Press – $18.95
Cornell Lab of Ornithology – Spooky Birds Contest
October 26, 2009
Article in: Birding
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is hosting a spooky bird contest and you have until Halloween to enter. “A Murder of Crows and other Spooky Bird Tales” consists of photos, stories, artwork, and more of birds doing weird but explainable behaviors.
For our entry we have chosen perhaps the most fascinating and oh so creepy North American bird, the Turkey Vulture. Our submission is below:
We observed a large group of Turkey Vultures riding thermals as the sun declined over Devil’s Lake State Park in central Wisconsin. This particular bird landed on one of the jagged rocks and methodically spread his wings and turned slowly to a small group of vultures, all while keeping his wings fully extended. He held this position for over ten minutes.
Why was this vulture doing this? Is it a communication to other vultures?
Why were there so many vultures circling in one particular area?
At one point, another vulture was closing and opening his wings methodically- why was he doing this?
Vultures are so fascinating and do a ton of creepy and gross things so we’d love to learn more about their behaviors.
How do you enter?
Email your entry to urbanbirds@cornell.edu.
1. Write “AMOC_YourFirstNameLastName_state” in the subject line. (use the 2-letter abbreviation for state in which the photo was taken)
2. Include your name and mailing address in the body of the e-mail.
3. Tell us why you submitted your entry to the Murder of Crows challenge; what’s the story behind it?
4. Read terms of agreement.
5. If you are submitting a visual image attach it as a .jpg
6. If you agree to the terms, send us your entry before October 31!
7. One image per entry, please
You can win some pretty wicked cool prizes!!
* EagleOptics Vortex binoculars, waterproof and fog-proof body, 10x 32, multi-coated optics, bright optics, small handy size, easy to carry
* ALPEN binoculars, 8×30, wide angle, long eye relief, with super close IPD (inter pupillary Distance, which means eye pieces can be adjusted close together so kids can use them)
* CD’s, books, posters, plush bird dolls with bird calls inside, and more.
* Birding for Everyone book by John C Robinson…Encouraging people of color to become birdwatchers
* The first fifty entrants will get a poster illustrated by Pedro Fernandes. This wonderful poster illustrates and describes behaviors of crows, jays, and other birds. We’ll also post selected entries on the Encyclopedia of Life and Celebrate Urban Birds websites.
Read more information and enter now!!
Bird Photography Weekly #61
October 25, 2009
Article in: Bird Photography Weekly
Join in now on the 61st edition of Bird Photography Weekly!!
If you haven’t yet, check out Sipping for Sakers, a joint effort to help conserve Saker Falcons.
Help spread the word with these badges:
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Birdfreak and OpenSky
October 23, 2009
Article in: Updates
Birders are faced with an amazing number of products to enhance our enjoyment and increase our birding skills. Of course, with this ridiculous amount of products comes an overwhelming feeling of just what is necessary to help find and enjoy birds.
OpenSky is a new way to find products as it “connects you to experts and the products they love and use.” Birdfreak.com has recently become one such “expert” or as OpenSky calls us, a shopkeeper. Our goal is to promote products we personally use and/or highly recommend. We plan to cut through the clutter and seek out only the best items.
We are just getting started so our selection is limited. If you have an item you fully enjoy and think we would too, let us know in the comments and we’ll work on getting it added (and review it as well).
From now until Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 all purchases through OpenSky have FREE shipping. Check it out and also feel free to see Birdchick’s storefront as well.
