April 13, 2014 - Minnesota Birds
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About two weeks ago, my friend Shawn Conrad and I went to see this Lewis’ Woodpecker. It’s normally found in the western United States, with a range extending only to the Black Hills of South Dakota. This bird somehow found its way to Roosevelt, Minnesota, near the Canadian border. It arrived last November and has been there ever since. It’s a little bigger than a Hairy Woodpecker but has been very aggressive defending the feeders it claimed. The homeowner told us this bird even chased away a Pileated Woodpecker which is half again as large as a Lewis’ Woodpecker.
Two years ago I wrote about a pair of Great Horned Owls that nested in Silverwood Park, only about a mile from our office in New Brighton. Here’s a link to that story: http://www.earlorfphotos.com/Pictures-of-the-Week/2012-Pictures-of-the-Week/April-22-2012-Baby-Owls/22559893_rvcX9x#!i=1805527568&k=6zXPZhQ Last year the owls tried a different nest location but were unsuccessful. This year they are back to the 2012 location and are successfully raising two babies. I was fortunate to get a photo that includes both of this year's babies and one of the adults.
This photo was taken three weeks after the previous one. The owlets have grown and started exploring the area around the nest. They can’t fly yet but this one was moving around in the tree where the nest is located. One of the adults was nearby keeping an eye on the youngster. It still has some downy feathers on its head and belly but the wing feathers and those on its face have already grown out.
Blue Jays are members of the corvid family which includes Crows and Ravens. Corvids are generally accepted as some of the smartest birds in the world. I can attest to that! We have at least four Blue Jays that come to our feeders and I’ve been trying to get good photos of them. I have some perches set up near the feeders and many birds, including the Blue Jays, land on them before going to eat. That gives me a chance to get more natural looking photos. The feeders are close to our porch which has sliding glass doors on three sides. I can set up my camera inside the porch, partially slide one of the glass doors open, and use the porch as a blind. Most birds are not bothered by my presence and go about the business of eating at the feeders. Not the Blue Jays. Even when I cover myself with my portable camouflage blind, they can tell when I’m there. They will be in the trees around the yard but they WILL NOT come down to the feeders. The minute I go inside the house, they come right down and eat. So, I admitted defeat and took this photo from inside the house, through the window.
Joan
on April 13, 2014Wow, Earl. You've done it again. I especially love the shot of the (wise?) owl watching over the family. I don't comment often but be assured I enjoy your photos, and your accompanying remarks, every week!
Beth Siverhus
on April 13, 2014Great photo of the Lewis', Earl! He is looking a little scruffy after the long winter, isn't he? Unbelievable that he is still hanging around. I look for the Waskish eagles every time I drive down the Dad's. The top of the tree snapped off in a storm one year but it was above their nest, Phew! Nice photos as always.