Monday, May 28, 2012

Memorial Day walk

Down on the trail again.  I was watching for the Indigo Bunting I had seen a few week earlier.  This is the best photo I could get.


Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (from what I can tell)

So I was out with Russ and had my camera (you never know what you'll see).  Saw a bird I did not recognize (not even from a book).  I got fairly close (as you'll see).  Looked through my Iowa bird book and nothing.  So I Googled "gray and white bird" and then checked Images.  I'll let you decide, but I believe I saw a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.  They do live in Iowa.  I am including pictures I took and then also including photos from BirdsofIowa.com Click here to see page from this website.

Des Moines Iowa



Close up   Des Moines Iowa
Same as above but just blown up.

Click to enlarge any photo.


And here are the photos from the website I found...





Sunday, May 20, 2012

Russ and Al on the trail


While on the trail, saw my very first Indigo Bunting.  This is not a photo I took...

Goldfinches on the feeder

 I've got a "sock" hanging in the oak tree just beyond our fence.  I was testing out our new camera and trying to get as close as possible.  I've been fortunate to get some decent photos including both a male and female feeding.




Same photo just blown up.
Male and Female
Got 'em both.
A little better.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Why did the (wild) turkey cross the road?

Apparently to get to the other side.  We were out with Russ yesterday morning and were down by our community mailbox and saw two wild turkeys walking (strutting?) across the street.  Didn't seem fazed by us or Russ.  Last we saw they were walking into another backyard on our street.  Wished I would've had our camera.  What was funny were the wet footprints they left on the pavement.