Hootin' Around

We were on a mission that cold Saturday afternoon.  A mission to spot the Great Horned Owl that has been roosting at Prospect Park.  It was a successful operation!  But first, here's a bright red Cardinal set against a snowy, gray backdrop.

Northern Cardinal

Downy Woodpecker

At last! The elusive Downy Woodpecker.  Well, not elusive to the birdwatcher, we see several of these guys pretty much every time we're at the park, but we've never been able to get a good shot of one because they're always spiraling their way up and around trees much like the Brown Creeper.

Great Horned Owl

The fact that there is a Great Horned Owl apparently putting down roots in Prospect Park is kind of a big deal. A pair hasn't roosted in Prospect Park in something like 100 years.  There has been a pair at Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn for the last 4 years or so but never at P.P.  Owls really like it quiet...dead quiet.

This is actually part of the problem.  Many of the other birdwatchers we met also observing the owl are concerned that come summer time, this high traffic area of the park will no longer be a suitable habitat for the owls and they'll get out of dodge.  However, if the pair mates successfully this year, they'll be permanent residents at the park.

It was super freaky when she was looking DIRECTLY AT US!  If we'd had a small dog with us I would have been concerned.    Owls will eat pretty much anything, including other owls!  I'd love to go back and see her on a full moon.

We got to see her leave the roost and fly over to the next tree.  6' wing span on this bird!  Also, notice how her head is totally turned around.  Rotate your owl.  For science!

Early Winter Prospecting

These shots are from a trip to Prospect Park on an unseasonably warm day in mid November.  

Golden-Crowned Kinglet

Dark-eyed Junco

First time spotted for us.  I think we were so excited we were unable to focus the camera.  New goal for 2012: take a better picture of the Dark-eyed Junco.

American Coot

American Coot's are common on ponds and you'll see them all winter in NYC.  They've got the freakiest little webbed feet.

Mallard

Double Double-creasted Cormorants

Song Sparrow

I like looking at birds in the winter because they get all puffed up like this song sparrow.

Unidentified (Song Sparrow?)

Red-Bellied Woodpecker

On the northeast corner of the park there's a small path that's kind of trashy (literally) but it's not very well trodden and we've seen this woodpecker there several times.  This time happened to be just as the sun was setting so the light was really orange and beautiful.  "Red-belly" is a bit of a misnomer, as this type of woodpecker has a conspicuous red head and very slightly red belly (but you can rarely see it). "Red-headed Woodpecker" was already taken.   

Juvenille Possum

When we were having the Red-bellied sunset showdown some passers by pointed out this possum just off the path.  We thought he was dead at first!  That's just what he wanted us to think...

Backyard Birding

Here are a couple of shots of a White-throated Sparrow D saw outside our kitchen window back in December.  I saw him (or one of his kind) in the same spot today foraging for insects and seeds.

 White-throated Sparrow with Food in Beak: Love Those Yellow Supralorals!!

Notice the white throat.

Looking inquisitive by the rope swing....

Check back tomorrow on Sunday Sunday Sunday for a brand new post with a few brand new birds! 

Happy New Year!

Another holiday season come and gone, this one always busier than the last.  And no snow!!  I wonder what the birds are thinking.....

Here's some humor to pass the time:

Our latest field adventure will be reported on soon.  We were reacquainted with some old friends and met some new ones, exciting posts to follow!

Birdseed: for, or against?

Prospect Park: October 2011

A couple of weekends ago on one of those beautiful fall Saturday's we found a bird bonanza awaiting us at Prospect Park. After the several slow weekends we had, I thought we missed the fall migration and it would be nothing but Mallards and boring old song sparrows (kidding!) from here on out. Boy was I mistaken! Check out the sweet birds we spotted below.

 We were immediately greeted by this Brown Creeper.  I'd never seen one and was unfamiliar with their wylie maneuverings.  This is probably the best full body shot we got of him.

Brown Creeper 

A Perfect Day for Waterfowl Identification

Here are some additional shots from the Bay in October.  It was a slow day for passeriformes so we mostly spent our time identifying waterfowl and admiring the occasional sun bathing squirrel. 

 

 American Wigeon

Interesting ducks are everywhere!  Or at least they were on this bright October day.  The wigeon is the green headed guy in the middle, but hanging out with him in the salt marshes were several species including the common Mallard, Northern Shovelers,  and Blue and/or Green-winged Teals.  Who can identify the duck in the bottom right corner?

 

Osprey

There are several man made Osprey nests at the Bay but this was our first good sighting.  The picture doesn't really do it justice....this bird has a 5-6 foot wingspan!  

What?  What's that in it's feet?????  Lets take a closer look...

WOW!  It's a fish!!!!  The osprey's diet consists mainly of live fish, which he carries back to his nest before eating. 

Portrait of a Song Sparrow

We had some up close and personal time with a very approachable little song sparrow out at the Bay (that's Jamaica Bay for first time readers!) in early October.  D (he's the principle photographer in this outfit) got some great shots.  He was literally crawling on the ground commando style just nailing this bird shot after shot.  C'mon,  lets go check him out! 

This one reminds me of those 70's/80's portraits that people take where they never look directly at the camera, always off to one corner looking super thoughtful.  Oh sweet song sparrow! Why art thou so contemplative?

True to form, this sparrow was found foraging for insects in the salt marshes at Jamaica Bay. 

 

Smooth operator

 

TWEET TWEET!!!!!!!!!!

Sparrows are often overlooked as being boring but they're actually known for their distinctive and melodious songs, this guy in particular (duh!). Give it a listen!  It gets really good at 15:28.  :)

Song Sparrow Sings Sweetly