2 for 1 Finds

Above is a picture of a Wood Thrush taken this morning. A birder who lives in close proximity to my work had reported it yesterday and was good enough to invite interested birders to come by this morning. I was fortunate to get several good looks, both with the naked eye and through bins, and four pictures that are at least good enough for identification. What a great way to start a work day.


As if a state rarity wasn't enough, we also had a White-throated Sparrow hopping around while the Wood Thrush was under cover. White-throateds are more common in Colorado, but this was a first in Boulder County for me.


It was with some House Finches, picking grit or seed off the driveway. The White-throated Sparrow has those awesome little golden tufts on its head, and in the early morning sunlight those and the white of its throat really shined.


I thought it was interesting how the different species approached the smooth concrete surface. The House Finches kept their bodies low, while the White-throated stood up tall as it searched.
One more shot of the Wood Thrush as well. It stands out from Colorado's more common Hermit Thrush by having bright white undersides with highly-contrasted,large black spots. Its head and upper back had a distinctive reddish brown color which was more apparent when watching it than what was captured in my pictures.



So two more birds for this year's list added in a few short minutes a stones throw from work, one of which was a lifer as well! I also added a Clark's Grebe over the weekend.

2010 Count: 206
Lifetime: 247

1st Post Trip Update (DeSoto NWR Visitor Center Trail)

Wow - what a trip! My family visit to Orange City, Iowa, (the reason for going) was great and so were the birds. I have so many pictures that it is going to take some time to get through them, and in the meantime there are more migrants in Colorado, so here is one tiny sample from one of three sets at the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge. By the way I saw DeSoto NWR on my AAA map while I was driving south on US 75 in eastern Nebraska, I had no idea about it, and decided that I would break up my day's drive to Grand Island by stopping there around lunch. I spent 5 hours and took over 5 Gb of pictures there while birdwatching in two states. The highlight of which was the Barred Owl above.
I had no idea about Barred Owls, and happened to spot this one just after I had thought..."Hmm haven't seen a Great Horned in a while." If only that though would work this well every time. Just one of many lifers on the trip, and I still have three substantial counts to submit to update my tally.

I'm not even sure if this is my best Brown Thrasher picture, but they were a FOY for me.

I had a lifer Harris Sparrow the night before on a cold and windy walk in Orange City. More on the hunt in scrub brush to find them later - but the next day these two were just out and about in front of a picnic table right next to my car.

Not the best of pics, but the colors of the White-Throated Sparrow stand out so well, even in a blurred flight shot.

Then there were Cedar Waxwings all over a flowering apple tree just above the Harris Sparrows next to my car, I mean really I have been spoiled.

More picture updates to follow, but for now:

2009 Count: 112

Lifetime: 129