I'd like to share a few photos

[Maestro]

I have spent the better part of the summer outside and traveling even with these high gas prices to try to find some wildlife that I have never seen or just wanted to photograph again. Having said that, these first photos are from my backyard. Hummingbird migration is really picking up so I have been able to find a few more hummingbirds now than all year.

These are three ruby throated hummingbirds, probably females or young juveniles.







Now down to far south Texas...In Brownsville, Texas, my wife's family's town, I tracked down the famous green parakeets that are native to Mexico but are also well established in the Brownsville area. These photos were taken on Washington Avenue, a street where my wife's grandparents lived, just about 700 feet from the border and a place that will be affected by that stupid wall if it goes in.







Still in south Texas, but now in Edinburg, Texas, I spent some time a ranch dedicated to native land conservation as well as wildlife conservation. It is called the Martin Refuge. John Martin, one of the owners along with his wife, started this other foundation promoting the conservation of land and wildlife through photography, http://imagesforconservation.org/front

First bird is the colorful green jay whose range just makes it up to south Texas.




The next bird is the very loud and boisterous Great Kiskadee, another south of the border bird that makes it to the southern tip of Texas.






One more and I will end this post and post some more later. I have so many photos from this summer. Anyhow, to end, this is a Groove Billed Ani. It is yet another south of the border bird and a member of the cuckoo family.




Thanks for looking and remember to support your local wildlife!

[Frosty1]

1. Beautiful

Nice photography

[Maestro]

10. Thanks so much

I love sharing.

[XemaSab]

2. Too cool!

And aren't anis just the homeliest?

[Maestro]

14. yeah, they won't win any beauty contests

[TZ]

3. Lovely as ususal

I love the green jay. Such unusual coloration. Looks like two different birds mashed together! Is it for mating purposes do you think?

[Maestro]

15. Thanks Turtlensue

These birds are pretty much this color year round. Although like cardinals, the males may develop richer colors in the spring, but the green jays are pretty this color all the time.

[DebJ]

4. Wow thanks. I just love watching birds . . . just talking about in my

backyard. I'm up to three feeders: one for songbirds, one for finches, one for hummingbirds. Just did the hummingbird one a week ago. So far, I've only been able to get one all-too-quick glance of a green hummingbird, but the feeder is emptying.

For some reason the green jay made me think of Darth Vader.

[Maestro]

20. Thanks

I hope you see many birds in your backyard!

[bertha katzenengel]

5. that green jay is amazing! i've never knew such a bird existed.

didn't know about the groove-billed ani, either.

the photos are great. thank you so much for posting them.

[Maestro]

21. Thank you.

I am glad you are now aware of two more species here in the US.

[bigwillq]

6. You can share anytime you want.

These photos are beautiful. Post more when you get a chance.

[Maestro]

22. Thanks Will

I will certainly share when I can. Thanks for looking.

[mainegreen]

7. I like.

[Maestro]

28. I 'm glad you like.

[southpaw]

8. Wonderful photographs!

I actually think the first pic is my favorite!

[Maestro]

29. Thanks Southpawpicker

That one is one of my favorite hummingbird pics for this year and possibly ever. I really lucked out with the nice light and the nice pose she gave me.

[WinkyDink]

9. WOWOWOWOW!! I was blown away by the parakeets, but then the GREEN JAY!! Awesome!

Two questions:
1. What camera do you use; and
2. What size prints would you make of these, for clarity?

TIA!

[Maestro]

30. Thanks...both birds are just really awesome to observe

in the wild because of their colors and lively behavior especially the green parakeets. They are loud with lots of personality.

To answer your questions I use a Canon 40D DSLR. And at my website I only sell these up to 8X10 but I am sure that some of these that I am posting here could go even bigger and still retain sharpness. I actually haven't printed any of these so I am not 100% sure other than up to 8X10.

[WinkyDink]

51. Thank you for the information! I'm one of those technoparalyzed, always waiting for "the next great

thing"; hence, I have NO digital camera!

[blueraven95]

11. Maestro, these are beautiful!

[Maestro]

35. Thanks for looking!

[NJmaverick]

12. those are some very attractive birds

and well done photos.

[Maestro]

36. Thank you

They are quite beautiful. You just can't go wrong with bright colors like this and the ani is just wierd looking that it is cute. Thanks again for the nice comments.

[Erva]

13. Awesome pictures

Thanks for posting them, and for advocating for wildlife.

[Maestro]

39. Thanks

I just hope some of these birds are around for my grandkids to enjoy or even my own kids!

[momto3]

16. Very nice pictures

I always look forward to seeing your beautiful picts. Thanks for sharing!

Tracy

[Maestro]

40. You are very sweet.

I have many more to post but I will try to narrow it down somewhat.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

17. The patience you must have amazes me. Thanks for sharing.

When you share we all win

[Maestro]

41. Well, bird photography and wildlife photography

is about waiting but when you finally get the shot, it just makes it that much sweeter. Thanks.

[Shell Beau]

18. Beautiful!!!

[Maestro]

42. Yes they are!

Sometimes the color of Nature just blows me away. Thanks.

[Flaxbee]

19. lovely! Thank you for posting!

The green jay is incredible - I've never seen one! What purpose does the grooved bill on the Ani serve? Very interesting.

Great shots of the hummingbirds, parakeets and kiskadee!

[Maestro]

49. Thanks and you piqued my curiosity so I did just

a quick little investigation and found nothing on that aspect of the Ani. There is a smooth billed ani as well so the grooves may be nothing more than aesthetic. It is curious though.


Thanks again for the comments. I appreciate it.

[soleft]

23. Wow - you and your photos are phenomenal!

[Maestro]

50. You are very kind.

I'll be posting more soon.

[SeaLyons]

24. Such beautiful pictures!!!!

Thank you for sharing. They are just wonderful.

[Maestro]

55. I'm glad you liked them.

Thanks.

[ScreamingMeemie]

25. Thanks for sharing. Those parrots look just as interested in you

as you are in them. Amazing photography.

[Maestro]

56. Oh yes. They have lots of personality.

They are fun to watch and photograph. Thanks for looking.

[stuntcat]

26. the Groove Billed Ani

what an odd bird!!

I just LOVE the wild parakeets

They're all beautiful shots!

[Maestro]

57. Thanks.

Seeing the ani and other south of the border birds makes me want to travel to Costa Rica to see toucans and the like!

[cwydro]

27. I love your bird pics.

Thank you.

[Maestro]

58. Any time

Really, any time. Thanks.

[Shine]

31. I'm sure I've said this before:

First,

Second, you could definitely get paid for your amazing bird photos....if you haven't been already.


Here's a question for you:

What is it, specifically, about birds that you love photographing so much?

I'm curious to hear what they mean to you.

[Maestro]

60. Thanks Shine

First, don't get paid. I have sold a whopping three photos to people who weren't friends.

Secondly, I guess I love birds so much because in photography I like to see different textures, colors and unique perspectives (angles) and since I really like to photograph wildlife, birds just seem to give me everything I want. Having said that, I love to photograph any type of wildlife but I have a particular affinity to birds. They also can be so graceful, especially the shorebirds.

Thanks again Shine.

[Midlodemocrat]

32. Wow, Maestro!!!! Your pics are just beautiful.

I love when you post bird pics!!! Gorgeous. Thanks!

[Maestro]

61. Hey Mildo. Thanks so much.

I love sharing them with you guys and gals!

[DU GrovelBot]

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[Maestro]

62. Hey Grovelbot,

I did donate. Lay off...

[spindrifter]

34. These are just spectacular photos!

What a treat to see them!

[Maestro]

63. Thanks so much spindrifter

It was a real treat to see these in person too!

[cwydro]

37. one for you

[WinkyDink]

52. I love these birds! Do you know they can sometimes be seen in the Jersey marshes on the way to NYC?!

[Kool Kitty]

106. You are absolutely right.

I live in Monmouth County, NJ, in Aberdeen, and we see a lot of them around here.

[Maestro]

64. Nice great egret

There is a rookery that I go to every now and then in the spring that has tons of great egrets. It's a great place if you can get past the smell.

[ShenandoahAspen]

38. Those are beautiful.

Thanks for sharing! I'm such a sucker for animals and nature...

[Maestro]

65. Thanks

and I am huge sucker for Nature and Wildlife too!

[emilyg]

43. Lovely. Thank you.

[Maestro]

69. Thank you emilyg.

I'm glad you enjoyed them.

[u4ic]

44. Beautiful pics!

The green jay is so very striking.

Those parrots looked like conures to me, and I looked up the species...seems to be the green conure. (makes sense)

[Maestro]

70. Yes, you are correct.

The green conures are green parakeets. These though I assure you are wild. The green jay is amazing in its color. Striking is a good way to describe it for sure.

[cwydro]

45. Eagle

[stuntcat]

48. aw!

aw I love the squawking action shot!

[cwydro]

74. Yeah, we were out in the boonies

and I think she was pissed at humans that close to the nest. Even though it was way, way up high.

[WinkyDink]

53. Holy-moly!

[Maestro]

71. It's always nice to see and photograph an eagle.

I unfortunately lost all my eagle pics in an external drive crash! I was able to save many of my photos but not that batch. I do have some of the pics of the eagles on-line, but I no longer have the originals.

[marzipanni]

46. It is such a treat to see your birds, in close-up views

and also much farther than I've bird watched since I've never been to far south Texas. I feel that hummingbirds are my little spirit guides, so they always appeal to me.
The funny green parakeets remind me of the wild parrots of Telegraph Hill in San Francisco-
http://www.markbittner.net/parrots_central.html

[Maestro]

72. Thanks

Those parrots look like red-headed parrots which are also in Brownsville. I just couldn't get any decent pics of them. They preferred to stay in their cavity nests.

[Forkboy]

47. This is some of the best stuff yet.

Absolutely fantastic pictures. Thanks for sharing them, and the info.

[Maestro]

73. Thank you so much.

I do hope I am improving so I sincerely appreciate your comment.

[Bullwinkle925]

54. really amazing photos.

thanks for sharing and reminding us of the beauty this earth brings to all who will take the time to appreciate it.

[Maestro]

76. Thanks and you just hit the nail on the head about

reminding others and me about the beauty that this Earth can bring us! I'm still amazed and why anyone would not want to conserve and cherish it is beyond me.

[Bullwinkle925]

84. hear! hear!

[graywarrior]

59. Those are absolutely amazing!

[Maestro]

77. Thanks so much graywarrior

Your words are much appreciated.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

66. thank you, Maestro...your pics always put a smile on this face

[Maestro]

78. Then my photos achieved another goal of mine.

Thank you.

[Fran Kubelik]

67. Stunning!!!

[Maestro]

80. Thank you Fran.

Your comments and enjoyment make it all worthwhile.

[YankeyMCC]

68. Seems like it's been much to long since I've seen you post these kinds of pix

thanks Maestro, great stuff.

[Maestro]

81. Thank you and I will have more soon.

Stay tuned!

[Inchworm]

75. *gasp*

loverly!

[Maestro]

82. Hey Inchworm

How's the bird activity in your yard? Anything interesting? Thanks for the comment!

[snailly]

79. Fantastic pictures!

Those birds are gorgeous and the level of detail in the pics is amazing. How do you achieve that?

[Maestro]

88. Thanks snailly

How do I achieve the detail? Well, you have to get close and have a long lens is about the easiest way I suppose. Getting the correct exposure is also essential so you don't blow out any of the colors thus losing detail.

[DUlover2909]

83. Great camera and camera-work. Awesome photos!

[Maestro]

89. Thank you

I do love my camera and getting out in the field. It's relaxing for me.

[VenusRising]

85. Nicely done!

Those are gorgeous - birds and photos. Wildlife is just so amazing, isn't it?

[Maestro]

90. Thanks and yes it is incredibly amazing!

We all need to remember that. We need to preserve it, not destroy it for the next strip mall!

[Skittles]

86. OMG

WHAT A TREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Maestro]

91. Hey Skittles

And look forward to a post of mine with hummingbirds from right here in our area! Thanks for the comments.

[Skip Intro]

87. Stunningly beautiful.

Absolutely.

Leaves me wanting for words.

Thank you.

I think some of these pics could be and should be published.

At any rate, they certainly put a smile on my face.

You know, to hell with the Iphone and the latest hi def tv.

This is the real world.

And your post made me feel more at home than anything I've seen on the web in a long time.

thanks.

[Maestro]

92. I will not be buying an iPhone. I can't stand talking on the

phone and I take pics with my camera not the phone plus I listen to music either on my computer or in my car. But I do have an iPod.

I geniunely appreciate your comments. I am very humbled actually. Thank you very much. Many of the posts here keep me going when I am either freezing cold or boiling hot outside trying to get the "shot." More to come...

Thanks again.

[zanne]

93. Parakeets!

Incredible. What beautiful birds. I can't imagine looking out my window and seeing parakeets!

[Maestro]

95. They are a mainstay in Brownsville

My wife remembers them from the 70s when visiting her grandparents.

[zanne]

94. Maestro; Do the parakeets just summer in Texas...

Or do they live there year-round?

[Maestro]

96. They are there year round

along with red crowned parrots. It's pretty cool! Thanks for looking.

[zanne]

97. I would make the trip down there just to see the parakeets!

I love birds and I get excited when I see a Cardinal out my window!

[Maestro]

99. Well worth the trip.

Stay in South Padre at the Holiday Inn Express. I've had great service year after year and Brownsville is only a quick and easy 40 minute drive. Or you could just stay right there in Brownsville. Either way, if you like birds the Lower Rio Grande Valley is a must! Look at all these places to visit: World Birding Center in Texas

[Arugula Latte]

98. Gorgeous! And, on a side note, who can doubt dinosaur---->bird evolution

after seeing this?

[Maestro]

100. So true

Thanks for taking the time to look in the thread. I appreciate it.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

101. Sharp eye and obviously excellent camera.

You're so good it pisses me off.

Excellent photos. Well done.

[Maestro]

109. I certainly do not want to piss you off, but

thanks for the compliment.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

102. I've always wanted to see an ani...

Thanks for the beautiful photos!

[Maestro]

110. Any time

GoddessOfGuiness. Head down to south Texas in summer and you will find one or two or three.

[Kat45]

103. Wow! A lot of birds I've never seen before.

That green jay is wild looking, glowing. And the green parakeets--parrot-type birds in the wild, something you don't see every day. And they are such a brilliant green. Thanks for posting.

[Maestro]

111. It is amazing, but there are even feral monk parakeets

up here in my area in Dallas.

[Kat45]

125. There are even feral monk parakeets in colder climates

My memory isn't the best these days, but I think there are some in NY and maybe RI. They're very hardy birds and that's why in some states it's illegal to have them as pets. (I've never seen the feral birds but I have seen some in pet stores.

[bridgit]

104. Very nice, thanks for posting, drop by the eagles nest

when you get a moment, of course daytime is better http://wdfw.wa.gov/wildwatch/eaglecam/index.html

[Maestro]

112. I love eagles!

I have had the opportunity to photograph a few in the wild in Llano, Texas, but I'd really like to travel up the Northwest where they are more abundant. So cool. Thanks for the link.

[madeline_con]

105. I'd never heard of a green jay before. What a looker!

Thanks. The hummingbirds are too cute.

[Maestro]

113. Thank you

The green jays are impressive birds with vibrant colors. And who doesn't like hummingbirds?

[Mrs. Venation]

107. Beautiful Photos

Here are a few at the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Maryland.

[Maestro]

114. I can imagine

lots of migrating birds there during fall and spring!

[Zavulon]

108. Amazng photos.

Especially that of the green jay. I'm not much of a wildlife nut myself, but those shots are jaw-dropping. That is one cool-looking bird, too.

[Maestro]

115. Thank you

for the very nice comments.

[zanne]

116. I'm so glad you share your pictures with us.

I always see something I've never seen before, and you're a fantastic photographer.

[Maestro]

118. Thanks again zanne

You're very kind and I much appreciate the comments.

[cboy4]

117. Parakeets in the wild! I can't imagine how excited I'd be.

Just beautiful photos.

[Maestro]

119. And they are so funny with tons

of personality. On this same day, I also saw red crowned parrots which live in the Brownsville area too. Thanks for the comments.

[Zuiderelle]

120. Those are BEAUTIFUL pictures!

Wow. Good job, and great subjects!

[Maestro]

122. Thank you for the kind comments

[applegrove]

121. Gorgeous pics.

[Maestro]

123. Thanks applegrove

I am trying to finish processing all my photos from this summer. Stay tuned.

[Haole Girl]

124. Every single one is amazing!

[Maestro]

126. Thanks KC2

I appreciate the comments.