The Green Heron

A few pictures of a Green Heron, common on the North Fork of the White River.

Indigo Bunting in all his glory

Taken this summer outside St. Louis. these are extremely common on the ROLF property in Ozark County Missouri.

Painted Bunting at River of Life Farm

I took this picture in 2007 with the ROLF property and was so surprised to see him. But in reality Ozark county is on the northwest edge of their range. I saw a second one in the Caney Mountain Refuge in 2009. I am sure I can find them in May - June in many locations in Ozark County. Be on the look out for this beauty. The female is a rather plain green gray.

There is a Blog about them published below:

http://www.paintedbuntings.org/blog

Twin Fawns (wild)

Saw these a month ago in Rockwoods CA near St. Louis; they were being watched closely by the mother.

Black Throated Green Warbler

Uncommon to scarce in Missouri; this is probably a first year male; due to the blotchy black throat.

Some better Scarlet Tanager pictures

Taken yesterday, 7/26 in the afternoon.

Scarlet Tanagers

Although more scarce and harder to photograph, these are also gorgeous birds. They spend most of their time high in the tree canopy and are very nervous. I have never be able to get a clear shot of one; but have several where I tried to focus upwards through the branches. Pictured are a late summer male and female.

Summer Tanagers in Missouri

These beautiful birds are spring and summer visitors across the southern part of the state. The are particularly common in Ozark County and I counted 5 pairs with the River of Life Farm property in June 2009. At first appearing to be a Northern Cardinal; and then appearing to be a more exotic red color, they need a close look to differentiate. They are beautiful birds (about cardinal sized); a little smaller.

They migrate each April from South American to next here. They nest high in hardwood trees and build a nest of grass. The first nest is fledged in June.

I took these pictures in St. louis county on Sunday 7/11/10 with a Canon 7D. Shown are 2 male and 2 female Summer Tanagers.

Eastern Wood Peewee in the summer shade

This Wood Peewee was catching insects in the shade of some hickory trees Saturday.

Award Winning Bluebird Photo

Just won the award: click to enlarge.

Natures Prime - Hall of Fame Award

Hot Days -- Ozark Birds bathing

Days are hot and long in July. Creeks are pretty dry except after a downpour. Where songbirds can find a creek with moving waters; they can be found bathing and preening feathers.

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher

One of my favorite birds. Extremely small, active, very inquisitive, and a native of Missouri and Ozark county in the summer. This one responds to whispering and comes to see what I'm doing.

Reflections: Great Blue Heron

Picture taken last evening 6/15. These birds are common on the North Fork f the White River.

Ozark County leads Missouri in Black Bear sightings

MDC recently announced that Ozark County leads the state with 102 bear sightings. Howell and Douglas County rank 2nd and 3rd with 60 and 51 sightings respectively.

I was lucky last May 2009, to see a good-sized Black Bear while leaving the River of Life Farm property, but never reported it to MDC.

The bear so quickly crossed the road that I had no chance at a photo.

House Wren on a late June afternoon

The pair have now fledged their first brood of 2010. Looks like five chicks.

Redheaded Woodpeckers nearing fledging brood one

This pair of birds has been mating and nesting since 4/14; starting building nest in tree cavity on 4/22; began feeding chicks on 5/18; and now are making continuous trips to feed. My guess it that the fledglings will emerge tis week sometime; stay tuned. I try to visit the nesting site ever other day.

Summer Tanagers 2010

They have arrived in eastern and southern Missouri i good numbers. This young male visits a mulberry bush a dozen times per day. They will readily eat ripe fruit along with insects. Click to enlarge.

Unusual birds in action

These pictures were taken over the weekend at a Mulberry tree. Many species of birds were gorging themselves with ripened berries. Pictures female Baltimore Oriole, juvenile male Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole male and female and a Robin. Taken with Canon 7D with 400mm f 5.6.