Thursday, April 2, 2009

This and That

You know, it's amazing what one can see while doing every day ordinary errands. I was driving to the dump on Tuesday morning when suddenly I could see the outskirts of the hind quarters of a very large bird. At first I thought it was an odd looking Canada Goose until I got a better look at it and realized they were a small flock of Wild Turkeys. I quickly look in my rear view mirror to make sure no one is behind me and then I stop on the side the road and whip out my camera. This is not an easy task to do when you have your seat belt on so I had to get that off, find my camera, adjust settings and try and climb over to the passengers side to start clicking away. I get one photo and then they see me and start walking away real quickly.
I get out of my car at this point and continue to try and focus as they are now running on private property.

Finally they make their way past a car and into the woods. THIS is why my camera goes with me every where I go!



I went to the cemetery today to check on the Heron to see if she was still on the nest and sure enough she was. Her mate showed up after a while too so I am fairly confident to say that it appears as if she will nest there again this spring.



While I was there I met another fellow birder who came over to me and assumed I was at the cemetery for something else. Guess what it was?? Go on I dare you to based on the picture below. ;o)

Why it was a Mandarin Duck of course! I remember seeing one of these birds in my Peterson Field Guide and I thought it was a gorgeous bird. In fact, I thought of it as so pretty I couldn't understand why any would want it on their dinner plate, but different strokes for different folks I suppose.

The birder I met showed me a new area of the wetlands I was not familiar with and there it was hanging around with the Wood Ducks. He explained to me that he was probably trying to get near the female and that is why the male Wood Duck was making his presence known. The Mandarin kept on displaying by splashing in the water and fluffing his feathers in an attempt to entice the female. Now if the birder wasn't there and I had seen the Mandarin do this, I would have no idea why and would have probably thought he was just taking a bath or something. Very cool to learn all of this.

I am actually going on my first field trip this weekend with a local bird club. It's a good way to meet a lot of nice people who have a lot of knowledge on birds and that is exactly what I need right now with spring upon us. I know my backyard birds just fine, but don't know anything about the spring migrants that continue our way each day.

Take care everyone.

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love the heron nest photo, and fun turkey photos! Last year, on a Sunday morning, I looked out my window just in time to see a wild turkey running thru my yard. You are so right about bringing your camera with you. Two years ago I left mine at home, and wouldn't you know it, missed being able to take a photo of a moose on the side of the road (a few minutes from home)!

Helen said...

Great shots, Sounds like you had an exciting day. Helen

Leedra said...

I love your turkey butt shot.

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Anonymous said...

Looks like your turkeys have been reading my April Fools post. ;)

A Scattering said...

I swear birds are attracted to you - you're seeing the craziest things these days!

Shelley said...

Fantastic heinie shot of that Turkey! LOL!! And to see the heron and that mandarin duck - you do have the best luck! No wait - it's birder's intuition!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Wow Kim---you are turning into a really professional birder... You get the best pictures. Love those turkey shots--especially the back-side!!! ha

Enjoy your bird club field trip this weekend..
Hugs,
Betsy

Ruth said...

Our herons have been nesting here since mid-March but in a large rookery with many herons and many nests. Great turkey shots. I have never seen them like that. I really think it is time to change the name of your blog!!;-)

A New England Life said...

Wow, you really caught those Turkey's up close and personal! Can't say I've been that lucky! Where ever you're birding it certainly seems like a prime location. I have yet to see a Heron in the water this year, but I haven't really had much time to look either : /

Rich said...

Those wild turkeys are great!

Kelly said...

...nice shots! I can just imagine you chasing after those turkeys! Love the heron on the nest!!

Amy said...

Glad to hear you're joining a field trip this weekend! We're signed up for two this weekend and we're really looking forward to them. Have fun!

Kim said...

Thanks everyone. Ruth, I have been contemplaing changing the name of my blog now for months but I am having analysis paralysis on what to name it. Every name that I like is already taken when I do a google search. ;o(

Jayne said...

Those turkeys are so funny! Great shots! LOVE your nesting heron too. :c)

Chris said...

Wow kallen,
What a nice day. I love the first pictures because they are really funny, but the mandarin duck!! Congrats, it is a nice bird to see... have a nice week end.

Anonymous said...

You are so lucky. Cool shots of the turkeys. I like them. They seem to be more plentiful in some places than ever before. It used to be that the only time I ever saw them was when we drove to Texas and in some states, about dusk we could see them flying up into trees to roost for the night. That was in the days before digital photography and getting film developed and ordering prints was always a pain in the rear.

NCmountainwoman said...

Once again you have given us great photographs. Hope you enjoy the birding group. I'm seriously thinking of joining our local group as well.

Allison said...

We had about a dozen wild turkeys traipse across the lawn in the fall! What a beautiful Mandarin. And hmm, local bird clubs? Great thought! I wish I could join but I don't know if toddlers and babies would be allowed. "HEY KID!!! Shhhh!!!"

LOL

FAB said...

Nice fan 'tale' - Have a great weekend I'm sure you are going to post some 'lifers' as a result of your day out with new birding friends. Lol FAB

Deborah Godin said...

I just checked all my guides, and found nothing on Mandarin ducks, but since moving here from the west, I haven't replaced my Peterson's. I searched a little online, and as yet have found no info on feral populations in N. America. Such interesting observations, hope you see more of him!

ShySongbird said...

Such amusing photos of the Turkeys Kallen. We don't have wild ones here, difficult to imagine. I'm still giggling, well done!

Heather said...

I dig those turkey shots. Looks like the male was really showing off for the ladies! Have fun at your birding outing this weekend, and learn lots!

Mary said...

Love the turkey display! Don't you love stumbling on interesting birds when you don't expect them...but have your camera? Great heron shots! Your nest is a lot closer then the ones that I'm watching....or you have a better camera :-)

Dawn Fine said...

Very cool turkey tails! You are having some great birdie days..

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