January 31, 2012

some winter birds


These are birds I don't see every day so thought they were worth a post. Yes, seriously, I rarely see Starlings, so when a mob of them visits my garden I take notice (and hide the suet). But yawning Snowy Owls? I just got lucky there! The other owl is a Short-eared Owl. I saw no less than a half dozen different types of raptors that cold, dark morning on Boundary Bay.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love varied thrushes. I find their coloration amazing. We have a semi-resident one and I'm always delighted to see it. Lovely pictures my lovely friend.

Indigene Theresa said...

Wow, I wish I could see such a beautiful variety! Thank you for letting live vicariously through your amazing photography!

Ponita in Real Life said...

It works!! Thanks, Andrea.

We get hordes of starling here in the summer, chittering their way across the grass, snapping up every bug they find. I've seen thousands in one place. They make quite the racket!

Is that a golden eagle, Andrea? Or a juvenile bald?

My fave is the yawning owl, though. :-)

andrea said...

Ian: I love them, too. So much cheerier than the common robin.

Indigene: Happy to share, my dear! :)

Pam: I assume it's a juvenile bald eagle but they look very similar, don't they? There are a few of them right on the river at the horse rescue and I photographed this guy (gal?) last Thursday after my shift there.

xxx said...

lucky you... they are 'some birds'

kj said...

andrea! i have never seen an owl in my yard or travels and i think that must be such a good omen for you.

you are a fine photographer. i've told you that before. but birds are hard to capture with camera and these are great.

isn't it nice that we have reconnected? :^)

love kj

Kathie Brown said...

Wow! That is quite the collection there!

Mim said...

These photos are amazing, and capturing a yawning snowy owl is unreal! I never knew they yawned, but I suppose all creature yawn ( I wonder if it's catching like human yawns, so that all forest creature start yawning at the same time).

Thank you for the visit and comment. I don't usually paint but have just started playing around with these new oils and am feeling possibilities. Lots to learn though, the mind sometimes boggles.

You artwork is so beautiful, I'm enjoying going thru your older posts and seeing your work. I especially like the ""fields" paintings. I also had to laugh at your comment about social networking - there have been recent posts from others about being tired of social networking - its just too much work

So thanksnagain, it's good to meet you

Umā said...

These are amazing photos, especially the yawning owl!

I recently heard that unusually large numbers of snowy owls are making a rare migration from the arctic to the lower 48 states this winter. Apparently there was a population surge of owls (based on a plentiful supply of lemmings last year) which is driving them further from the arctic to search for food and nesting territory. I keep hoping I'll see one here in Western MA. We have other types of owls, but not snowy.

Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog today it's really nice to "meet" you and I look forward to checking out more of your artwork and writing...

andrea said...

Uma: If you check the blog of the commenter two above you (Kathiesbirds) I think she's seen snowy owls in New England this year.