Archive for the 'Feathered friends' Category

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Ever seen a Snipe?

Published on December 21, 2008 in Feathered friends. 0 Comments

If you are like me, you’ve never seen one. They don’t exist you know. At least that’s what I grew up believing. My older cousins once took me out “snipe hunting” when I was in grade school. After that, I KNEW they didn’t exist.

Well, today I actually SAW one! Deanne and I went out picture taking in the snow and ice today, and I decided to take her over to the place where I saw the Red-tailed Hawk and the Killdeer.

There it was… a type of bird that I was not familiar with — long thin beak, striped body, white belly, and brownish tail feathers. After shooting a few pics, we went over to my parents where we got some cocoa and had a look at their bird book. There it was… a Wilson’s Snipe. The DO exist after all!

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The Dear Killdeer

Published on December 15, 2008 in Feathered friends. 2 Comments

Determined to get away from the office at lunchtime on this cold (24 degrees!) and sunny day, I grabbed the camera and drove to a favorite spot, about a mile away.

There was a little bird there! A Killdeer was drinking from this semi-frozen puddle and it appeared to be pecking at insects in the edge of the grass.

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After shooting several pics of this one, another one came by. I assume it was her mate.

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He was slightly taller, and stayed really close, like he was on guard duty. (Tough guy, huh?)

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Here are a few interesting things I’ve learned about these beautiful birds: They are members of the Plover family and are very territorial. They are monogamous, keeping the same mate each year. They even appear to walk in unison!

killdeer-walk