To celebrate Earth Day, here are few new avian pics

[Maestro]

The first ones are of an upland sandpiper. What is amazing about these birds are that they are just passing through my area after starting their spring migration in Argentina. I found them in the pastures around my area.





This next set is of different rufous crowned sparrows, one of the many native species that are losing habitat at a phenomenal rate.







Here is a very common bird, in no danger whatsoever, but it is Texas variety of the common tufted titmouse. It is a Black Crested Titmouse. They are very quick and skittish birds. This one stopped just long enough to ponder which peanut to pick up.









This is a common eastern phoebe at dusk in the shadows. I used a flash for fill.



The Lark Sparrows are out in force in Texas as well.


The highlight for me in the past few weeks was being able to observe and photograph the very shy, highly endangered Golden Cheeked Warbler that spends most of its life in the mountains of Chiapas, Mexico, but does come back to the Texas Hill Country to breed. It has been endangered since first discovered in the 1800s because of mainly habitat loss. I could not coax these guys out in the open so these shots are of these birds high in the trees.

Female feeding




Male just watching his territory

[zanne]

1. Great shots!

They make me feel like I'm birding.

[Maestro]

8. Do some birding!

It's amazing what is around people. At least for me, I never really noticed what all Nature had to offer. I was always outside as a kid, but as an adult, say from age 20-35, I just paid no attention to the beauty of Nature. I took it for granted. I always worried about global warming and pollution but I never bothered really looking at the beauty of Nature. Birds have helped me do that. Happy Earth Day!

[YankeyMCC]

2. Very nice thanks for sharing nt

[Maestro]

9. My pleasure

[bigwillq]

3. Great pics!

I just put up a bird feeder in the yard, and we're getting so many birds. I think I should take some pics. Maybe I will!

[Maestro]

10. Please post

I'd love to see what is around your feeder!

[Tuesday Afternoon]

4. thank you

again.

[Maestro]

11. Thank you for looking

Happy Earth Day!

[stuntcat]

5. the Golden Cheeked Warbler

they're so.. distinctive!
I like the tufted titmice (mouses??) We have the ones with the grey tuft, they were the first bird I could always remember the name of because they're all tufted lol

I need to spend time taking pictures too!

[Maestro]

13. Thanks stuntcat

They are distinctive just like many warblers but these are more special considering how endangered they are. The titmice are so difficult to photograph but I got lucky with this one. And make sure you post pics if you take some.

[stuntcat]

30. I took pictures :D

All I needed was the suggestion, I really should remember to spend more time taking them though. As long as I was sitting out there only the grackles and pigeons would come eat and we all know what they look like, but one squirrel was pretty brave They've taken nuts from my hand before but I don't spend much time sitting out there waiting lately.. still I think they know I'm the one who's been feeding them every day for years.
I zoomed a lot to get close up:

1. checking if it's okay to come down the tree-


2. squirrel stare-down-


3. squirrel feast-

[Maestro]

36. Those squirrels will scare away the birds

and take your seed in a heartbeat. There are special feeders that protect against them by the way. You need a good hawk or owl to keep that squirrel away.

[stuntcat]

38. I've given in

Given in to the squirrels I used to have squirrel-proof feeders but MY squirrels are acrobats. I feed them a lot though so they always end up leaving some to the birds. It's a crowded city here so I'm glad to make a spot for animals. I'm about to finish a pond to hopefully bring even more wild things up to the yard since we're on a hill with no water.

[Maestro]

40. The pond will definitely attract birds!

You may be able to get some great shots as they are watering themselves down. I'd love to have a water set-up.

[stuntcat]

44. I'm TOTALLY hoping

It's getting dug faster now since it warmed up. It'll be a good size with plenty of stuff to perch on too, it's gonna be so great!

[momto3]

6. Very beautiful.

I wish I was as talented with a camera as you obviously are. Thanks!

[Maestro]

18. You're very kind

Thanks.

[Inchworm]

7. Awesome as ever, Maestro!

I kinda stole your idea and made an Earth Day pic thread

I love how you are able to take such wonderful birdy pics.

[Maestro]

20. Thanks Inchworm

I saw your thread too. That wood thrush was very nice.

[lost-in-nj]

12. Great Pictures

Thanks for sharing them !!!!




lost

[Maestro]

24. Of course you know I love sharing

Thanks a ton!!!!!!!

[suninvited]

14. I love your pictures.

I was wondering what the strange bird was running around my yard last weekend, now I think it was a sandpiper.

[Maestro]

25. Very well could have been!

If you get a pic, post it and I will try to identify it or one of many other birders here who actually are much better than me. I just take pics!

[XemaSab]

15. Cool!

I especially like the last shot of the RCSP!

[Maestro]

26. Thanks XemaSab

They were fun to photograph!

[Call Me Wesley]

16. Gorgeous pictures!

How you handle the DOF is quite fantastic. Exceptional shots, these all!

[Maestro]

27. Thanks so much.

I should have posted the EXIF but most of these shots were probably between F5.6 and F8.

[geardaddy]

17. Titmouse *snerk*

Great photos! I love birds.

[blindpig]

22. even better

[Maestro]

28. On thing about birding is that I can say

that I love to observe chicks and tits! And of course by that I mean chickadees and titmice!

[Zoigal]

19. What a great Earth Day treat, maestro

Thank you. Always look forward to your picture postings. z

[Maestro]

31. Any time Z

Thanks for looking

[Haole Girl]

21. Amazing!

I love them all...especially the ones with the bright blues.

Happy Earth Day, Maestro!

[Maestro]

32. Thanks KC2

Those bright blues are nice. Texas birding can be quite pleasing if the damn repukes don't destroy everything first!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

23. My dear Maestro!

Ah, breathtaking as always!

I do not have enough superlatives to praise you with...

These are simply stunning, and it's a pleasure to see them...

Thank you!

[Maestro]

34. Thanks Peggy.

I am really having fun with this and that is what counts.

[pengillian101]

29. Simply beautiful.

You must be a professional. Thanks for sharing!

[Maestro]

35. Not a professional by any means

but I am greatly humbled by the comment. Thanks for looking.

[pitohui]

33. wonderful photos

i am particularly fond of those titmice, although i only get the "regular" kind around here

[Maestro]

39. Tufted, black-crested

They are all cute! Thanks for the kind words.

[BlueJazz]

37. Wow!...I always Love your Pics!..Thanks Much!

[Maestro]

41. Any time BlueJazz

Glad you like them.

[Shine]

42. Very nice, maestro. YOu must have a lot of patience to get these shots

I commend you. I especially liked the Golden Cheeked Warblers. (their name sounds almost pornographic, LOL!)

Did you have a great getaway? Hope so!

[Maestro]

43. Thanks Shine

I did need patience this time around. I spent probably 12 hours in blinds over two days plus walking the area trying to find the golden cheeked warblers. I did have a good time and it was very relaxing. As far as sounding pornographic, it refers to face cheeks no butt cheeks.