My friend Rain Saulnier just published this short video on birders and photographers. I thought it worth sharing.
youtu.be/QM_s-ZerquA?...
#birding #birdphotography
New Zealand boasts some great cormorants, or “shags.” One of its great cormorants is the Great Cormorant, though this is not one. Rather, this is a Pied Cormorant (not to be confused with Little Pied Cormorant) overlooking a pond at Waikuku Beach (not to be confused with Waikiki Beach).
Clear?
This dapper Double-Banded Plover was watching over a newly-hatched chick on a beach by Kaikōura, on New Zealand's South Island. Following nesting season, many of these plovers traverse the Tasman Sea to spend the "winter" in Australia.
#birds #birdphotography #newzealandbirds #newzealandfinds
We get a lot more Tundra Swans than Trumpeter around Lethbridge, though both are possible. I know numbers of both have overwintered in the province this year.
I've not seen any migrant Snow Geese yet, but they're usually right alongside the Tundra Swans in the first waves of waterfowl. Looking forward to the big flocks!
But sticking with standard time would require me to get up an hour earlier for breeding bird surveys...
Spring has sprung in earnest in southern Alberta! Tundra Swans are always among the first harbingers of the new season, seemingly finding the first leads of open water the moment they open up.
#birds #birdphotography #Alberta #Albertabirds #spring #springhassprung
The takahē, once thought extinct, is a massive, flightless member of the rail family found only in New Zealand. While the population is increasing, there are still only several hundred in existence, and these are two of them!
#birds #birdphotography #newzealandbirds
Some late winter birding on the open prairie yesterday was rewarded with great views of a dozy Snowy Owl that was incontrovertibly not a plastic bag!
MD of Taber, Alberta
#birds #birdphotography #owls #alberta #albertabirds
My first spring migrant! A drake Northern Shoveler in a winter storm, taken from the dining room window.
Now, a half-decent photographer might have ventured outside to snap a higher-quality shot for the enjoyment of his Bluesky followers. I am not this photographer.
#birds #badbirdphotography
A Steller's Jay in its element.
#birds #birdphotography #albertabirds
The Evening Grosbeak is about the closest thing I have to a spark bird. When a flock of these stunning finches descended on my feeders in 2007, I could scarce believe my eyes. I never tire or seeing them.
#birds #birdphotography #wildalberta #albertabirds
Nobody told me breeding Great Egrets in other parts of the world sport black bills. This very nearly led to an embarrassing misidentification!
#birds #birdphotography #newzealand #newzealandbirds #newzealandfinds
If you'd like to get a good look at one of New Zealand's robins, just stir up some leaf litter. They'll flit right down to collect the invertebrate spoils. Honestly, I had way too many great photo ops spoiled because the bird immediately proceeded to fly toward my feet!
#birds #birdphotography
Anyone in the #Lethbridge area, I will be giving a public talk this week to address the question I get the most: Why study bird brains? I will discuss how studying bird brains led to some major discoveries and helps us understand bird behaviour.
#yql #birds #Alberta
www.sacpa.ca/why-study-bi...
This photo is brought to you from my kitchen window! A better-than-average view for doing the dishes.
After enduring a persistent mob of magpies, this Great Horned Owl had a well-deserved nap.
#birds #birdphotography #owl #sleepyowl #yardbird
The Blue Duck, or Whio, is New Zealand's answer to the Harlequin Duck and the Torrent Duck of the Andes. That is, they turn up their bills at quiet wetlands and opt instead to get bopped around by rapids in high-country rivers and streams.
#birds #birdphotography #newzealand #newzealandbirds
The Kea Playbook:
Step 1: Land on table occupied by sandwiches and unwary humans.
Step 2: Wait for humans to pick up their rectangles and point them at you.
Step 3: Make off with a sandwich.
#kea #alpineparrot #birds #birdphotography #newzealand #badbird
"Now I am become Death, the Destroyer of Worlds."
- New Zealand Fernbird, after seeing reflection in window
#birds #birdphotographý #newzealand #newzealandfinds #newzealandbirds #angrybirds
Some birds know their place.
Lake Taupō, New Zealand
#birds #birdphotography #smartbird #literatebird #newzealand #newzealandfinds
What is it about a jellyfish that's so inviting? Is it the freedom of the open sea? Their unhurried disposition? Their unassuming beauty? Is it that their world seems so far removed from our own? Or that, translucent and at the mercy of the waves, they could hardly take themselves too seriously?
I'm not certain of this Silver Gull's mental state, but I'm pretty sure I've been there.
#birds #birdphotographý #newzealand #newzealandbirds #weirdbird
This Northern Giant-Petrel was very excited for its turn at the yummy fish offal.
Kaikōura, New Zealand
#birds #birdphotographý #newzelandfinds #newzealandbirds #pelagicbirding #albatrossencounterkaikoura
"I now belong to a higher cult of mortals for I have seen the albatross."
- Robert Cusham Murphy
#birds #birdphotographý #albatross #newzealand #newzealandbirds
I'm getting the distinct impression that I'm not welcome here...
#birds #birdphotographý #angrybirds #newzealandbirds
A Weka on a mission!
(The mission: Acquire Pringles from unwary humans)
#birds #birdphotographý #newzealand #newzealandfinds #newzelandbirds #rakiura #ulvaisland #badbird
It's a Snowy Owl, I swear.
#birds #badbirdphotography #snowyowl
I support this important work.
The takahē may be indeed be the one borb to rule them all. Unfortunately, my best takahē photos don't capture the full extent of their borbitude.
Ha! The takahe is a strong contender!
