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.

Eastern Wood Peewee in the summer shade

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

Reflections: Great Blue Heron

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

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.

Red-talied Hawk -- Closer pictures

Taken yesterday 4/13 and today 4/14. Common across southern Missouri.

another Pileated Woodpecker

this is a male; foraging for ants. Got lucky again, he landed within 60-75 feet of me. Click to enlarge. Afternoon of 4/12/10.

Cardinals are eating Elm bud seeds

This pair of Northern Cardinals; (only male pictured), was Feasting on American Elm Buds (seeds). The have only a few days to gorge themselves.

Pileated Woodpecker Pair

Happened upon this pair yesterday; tearing a few logs apart in their quest for ants. They worked about 75-100 feet from me and I got about 425 shots off in about 20 minutes. The male has a red cheek bar; the female does not; she also has a brown patch on her forehead. They are awesome birds, very large, and primitive looking. Taken 4/6 Canon 7D + 400mm lens. There were at least 3 pairs of Pileated Woodpeckers nesting at River of Life Farm in 2009.

Yellow bellied sapsucker invasion

A good invasion !!!! They nest in Canada, winter in South America. They are migrating Woodpeckers. Their diet is tree sap and insects stuck to the sap. They tap or drill a line of holes around preferred trees; they use the holes to feed trough by re-opening and slightly enlarging and deepening the holes. They are in Missouri now, but will be moving on by the end of the month of April to northern Mn and all of Canada to breed. These pictures taken this past weekend when I saw 25-30 different sapsuckers in a few hours.

Red-talied Hawk Sequence

Yesterday I took this sequence of a Red-talied hawk leaving a tree in St. Louis county.

Mating Pair of Northern Cardinals

Taken Sunday (3/21) at Rockwoods Reservation near St. Louis, MO.

White-breated Nuthatch courtship has begun

I noticed yesterday (March 20th), that a White Breasted Nuthatch pair has been courting each other. There courtship antics include, jumping, bowing their heads, fanning their tails, carrying and presenting gifts to each other; flying short distances together from tree to tree, etc. This is actually the first time I have witnessed this. They should begin nesting in a week or so with good weather. Click to enlarge. Taken with a Canon 7D and a Canon EF400 f/5.6L lens at 1/1250 second.

Sort of cute picture of a Wild Turkey in Kirkwood Park

Cutest turkey picture yet.

Indigo Buntings arrival, molting for the nesting season

Just this first week of March.