On a creek named "Birdsong"

Seriously, this is my first attempt at really trying to capture birds in photography. Never mind that I am bird identification challenged, in addition to photography challenged. Finally about noon today I realized that the birds were chirping to each other about me, and telling the whole bird world to move away. After that things got a bit easier, as I would sort of just go back inside and watch out the window until thing got a bit more interesting.

This is all a defense mechanism, since my hubby has decided he has to bass fish. So, here are some Birdsong birds, and naturally I could benefit from some identifications.

For this one, I don't need an identification. Blue heron have to coexist with bass boats. Never mind that at my real home there are blue heron close by at the Botanic Gardens that are virtually tame. That does not count! This one is wild.







There are tons of these things in the grasses around the creek. I am not familiar with them. Anyone know?



Okay, I definitely know cardinals. If I could just sit in my backyard at home I could get a better picture of a cardinal than this. But this is special. It is at BIRDSONG.



On to the bluebird. My first attempt at a bluebird was really pathetic. This time at least it is recognizable and at least managing to confront a worm.







LOL, what in the world was this? I guarantee you this dude thinks he is a woodpecker. Other than pecking wood intermittently, I am not convinced.





Finally, the most active bird was an orangeish streak. The never stopped long enough for a picture. They would play fight with each other. What in the world? (apologies for the picture, it is an ACTION shot, by necessity)

Very cute little birds. I get them around here once in a while.

I haven't a clue what your orange streak is. :rofl: Love the picture, though. And congratulations on capturing the great blue heron. Those guys are really shy.

Oh yeah, your guy with the stripey neck appears to be a killdeer. Had to look that one up.

I gotta get a BOOK! The nuthatch tickled me--pecking at the wood half heartedly. Huh? Now I have names. I am on my way.

Field Guide to Western Birds by Roger Tory Peterson.

There are others with prettier pictures, but this one is so easy to use. Mine is ancient so I don't know if the newer ones come with little tabs you can apply to the illustrated pages. The book is broken down by type of bird--shore birds, water birds, buteos (hawks), hummingbirds, warblers etc. Once you learn the basic types of birds, usually by location and beak shape, it's easy to get to the right page and then to the right bird.

Really nice guides.

They are a ground nesting bird and the babies are little more than brown and white puffballs. They huddle in the nest with all their little butts together and beaks pointing out. They'll stay perfectly still until you actually disturb them and then flush in all directions for about 4-5 feet. Then they stand stock still with feet together and beak pointed at the sky as if they are stalks of dry grass. They virtually disappear. At this point you could pick one up and he'd just pretend to be dried grass.

Ahhh, the memories of an idyllic childhood living in the country of S Texas.

You already have pics of a bird that I have been trying to find for years, the nuthatch and you captured a classic pose for it too! Congrats! Secondly, you have some beautiful bluebird pics. I love that first one on the top of the branch. Your first four are of a Great Blue Heron, very common heron in the USA. The last one looks suspiciously like a brown thrasher, but I am really not sure. Google brown thrasher and see if that is what it looked like.

Anyway, it maybe is a brown thrasher, with a decidedly orange-brown look to it. Anyway "thrasher" sounds about accurate. They have a whole lot of energy for sure. Next time I am at Birdsong Creek, I'm going to compare it to pictures of brown thrashers.

Thanks.

I even like the action shot.:)

work.I about dropped the camera with my first bird shot that was worth a darn. Not long ago either.
So I think I know how you feel, and you did so well and are getting great feedback, keep them coming.