Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Birding Institute Park & Downtown Worcester

I did a little bird of birding during lunch today. I couldn't take that cooped up feeling anymore and had to get out there. Birding has become my new stress buster similar to running which was a big hobby of mine 5 years ago before I blew out my knees to that and my weight lifting. If I don't get my fix at least a few times a week I feel anxious and cranky. Needless to say while it was fun it's not the same as weekend birding or after work birding when I can be in comfortable clothes and hike in the woods and yes get a little dirt on me because I find that sometimes the best birds can be found in the most inconvenient and messiest of places. There would be none of that this hour due to the fact that I had my work clothes on and didn't think it would be appropriate to go back to work with mud on my face and thorns on my pants. ;o)


Anyhow, the picture above was taken at Institute Park. There were a lot of Baltimore Orioles there including the female above who was up on a tree branch preening herself after what appeared to be a bath in the pond. Look at those eyes and the seriousness of her face. She was not at all uncomfortable with my presence either which is probably due to the fact that she is used to people considering she lives in a public park.

A male Baltimore Oriole surveying the scene perched high upon a snag.

There were at least 6 gulls there too and I saw these two hanging out together. The pictures are lousy but I believe these to be Ring-billed Gulls due to their sweet face vs. the rather angry face of a Herring. I am not sure if it is a male and a female but they do appear to be adults (or third year?). Since most Ring-billed gulls don't breed here I am guessing they decided to remain childless for the summer and enjoy it some. HA! ;o)


A Great-blue Heron flew past me and if I didn't look up I would have missed it as it was rather quiet.

I went back to work to check on the Peregrine Falcons and I was just in time for an aerial show of sorts. I am almost positive this is the male who does this on occasion and a lot more over the past few days. I took this from my window at work and wish the sun was out more for a better photo.


Here is the female I am assuming going back into the nest box. I went up on the 24th floor to the 446 Main Street building in an attempt to get a look at the side section of their nest box to see if I could see her sitting on her nest. I am happy to report that she did indeed spend a lot of time there today and both were not out that much at the same time.

Here she is sitting on the side of the nest box. Most of the pictures I have taken in the past have been the front view but I think the side compartment is where I will see most of the action if anything should occur. The one thing that perplexes me is the fact that she sat like that for at least 5 minutes. Again, she was not on her eggs???? The picture is really bad because the falcons are a block away from me but if you look to the front of the nest box you may see what I believe to be the other falcon sitting on the right of the box. Not sure though.

While all this was going on, I looked down to see a Pigeon fight, that's right a Pigeon fight! They got in each others face the way people do before the first one breaks out a punch and then this is what happened. Finally the one on the right took off and the one of the left was declared the winner. Yup, this is birding for me today. The weekend cannot come soon enough for me!

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

What thrilling pictures. I can understand how this is a great stress-buster for you. I love that you share your passion with us.

Anonymous said...

I've gotten behind on our posts. You've seen some wonderful warblers. How fun. I don't seem to see that many on Cape Ann. :( But I'm gettins some other cool stuff.

Alan Pulley said...

What a great walk. I've been hoping to spot some orioles coming through my area but haven't seen any yet.

Rajesh said...

Awesome snaps of the birds, especially first two.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Kim, Sounds like you had a good 'break' ---and saw lots of birds. Just being out in nature is a 'stress buster' for me---and of course, seeing new waterfalls!!!!

Hugs,
Betsy

Kelly said...

...a great escape! I get that itchy I-gotta-get-out-and-bird feeling too. Loved the oriole photos...the female is classic. We saw...for the first time ever...a Baltimore Oriole in our backyard today! Leave it up to you to find two pigeons playing at Rocky. Made me laugh to see that wing all stretched out and ready to start swinging.

Larry Jordan said...

Super Oriole capture Kim! I really love your blog and all of your adventures. Your new profile photo is great too!

Isn't birding the best pastime ever?

Jayne said...

I'd love to see an Oriole, just once. Hope the Peregrines are serious about that nest. It would be sad to see it fail.

Deborah Godin said...

Love the pigeons - although when I first saw it, I didn't think of a fight, but of pigeon semiphores, lol!

NCmountainwoman said...

Those little short birding breaks can make the rest of the day bearable. Nice pictures.

Mary said...

Beautiful orioles! I hope your peregrines are OK.

Rich said...

Great Blue Heron shot and falcons too.

Ginnymo said...

Beautiful pictures Kim!! The Orioles are so pretty! Great flight pics too!! Looks like you had a good birding day for sure!! Hope the Falcons have babies in that nest!! They will be so cute to see!! Birds are funny when they fight. I have watched the Doves fight before. Mourning Doves.

troutbirder said...

The orioles are just gorgeous. One of my favorite birds.

Tina said...

Wow, just spent some time catching up on all your bird watching and bird snapping events. You certainly have been a busy girl, what with all the hours you are putting in at work and then finding and snapping such awesome pics of all those birds!! Great horned owl!! You must have been so thrilled. Great shot btw!!
You also have caught some great shots of some great warblers...and to see those baltimore birds..so cool!
Great posts, Kim! Enjoyed reading them all!

Anonymous said...

Yes, the rock doves are all wacked out on hormones this time of year. It's great to get out birding. I have to be careful when I go out during lunch...I may just decide to not go back!

Rick (Ratty) said...

I'm glad you posted the pictures of the orioles. I've been seeing them a lot lately. I even have a few bad pictures of them. I was wondering what they were. They looked similar to robins, but I knew they were too brightly colored to be them. Reading your site has been inspiring me to watch birds much more closely. It's been a very fun and interesting experience.

FAB said...

Beautiful pic of the perched Baltimore Oriole - One of your best?

Bryan Rains said...

I would guess that they should have chicks by now. They were certainly in the process of laying at the back end of March. With an incubation of 29 days they should be hatched. Keep your eyes open for prey being taken to the nest.

Chris said...

I guess this was one of th day you enjoyed a lot. Waht a nice description of it. I really do love this baltimore oriole. They are beautiful and elegant and your picture is wonderful. let's hope the week end will be sunny so that we can get more shots of yours!!

Shelley said...

Those Oriole photos turned out wonderful! I hope I get to see an Oriole this year! Laughed at your pigeon fight - looked like they were putting up their "fists" to go at it! LOL!

Kathie Brown said...

I say, grab every minute of nature you can get, especially when you have to work in an office! Good job. I hope it refreshed your spirits! That Baltimore oriole alone could cheer me up!

Anonymous said...

I have been checking back regularly for updates on the hawk that got hurt. Did you ever hear anything about it? I LOVE your blog by the way! Very fun birding life indeed!

-Lindsey

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