QOOP.com - Galleria - Tag: avianexcellence

She made my day! image Pileated woodpecker, dryocopus pileatus, Rocky River Reservation, Cleveland Metroparks. First snow of the year today .... And I got my lifetime shot of Mrs. Woodpecker. :) A pair of pileated woodpeckers came down to investigate a feeding station I had set up for cardinals. Unfortunately, the male wasn't bold enough to get good shots of ... But I can't complain because his mate was soooooooo good! They were only here for 2-3 minutes, but it was a very exciting 2-3 minutes for me. This bird is one of my favorite birds and getting the opportunity FINALLY to see them up close AND capture them was thrilling. :) :) :) Mrs. Woodpecker, you totally made this photographer's day.

Friendly Visitor image

The Race image Queens Farm Museum, NY (October, 2007)

Well swum, swan! image 'Zooquarium' - Hyannis, Massachusetts

Made Of Colours image Posing for half a second and than running away... but WHAT A COLORS!!! (New Jersey, Cape May County Park & Zoo, July 2007)

Baby Robins have arrived !! John Hague image

My New Best Friend © S.E. Amesse image Canada goose.

yes, I am handsome F Campbell image

Endangered Trio- Hawaiian Stilts (Ae'o) image Critically endangered species. Estimated to be only 1,200 total population. The Hawaiian Stilt was of the first bird species to be listed as Endangered in the United States Endangered Species Act.

Black Bellied Plover image I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority. ~E. B. White (1899 - 1985) Black-bellied Plovers are in the area (see map) for a stop-over as they migrate to their high Artic nesting grounds. Large: farm4.static.flickr.com/3257/2475136493_082f8b6664_b.jpg

Love Birds-Forster's Tern image God gives every bird its food, but He does not throw it into its nest. ~J. G. Holland View On Black

Yellow-rumped Warbler image View On Black

Floating Free Of Time image Ruby Throated Hummingbird flying nearly inverted. A very areobatic bird! Try viewing in large: www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1084709140&size=l Legends say that hummingbirds float free of time, carrying our hopes for love, joy and celebration. Like a hummingbird, we aspire to hover and savor each moment as it passes; embrace all that life has to offer and to celebrate the joy of every day. The hummingbird's delicate grace reminds us that life is rich, beauty is everywhere, every personal connection has meaning and that laughter is life's sweetest creation. –Papyrus

The Long Journey (Ruby-throated Hummingbird- Female) image Legends say that hummingbirds float free of time, carrying our hopes for love, joy and celebration. Like a hummingbird, we aspire to hover and savor each moment as it passes; embrace all that life has to offer and to celebrate the joy of every day. The hummingbird's delicate grace reminds us that life is rich, beauty is everywhere, every personal connection has meaning and that laughter is life's sweetest creation. –Papyrus

Orange-crowned Warbler image I experience a period of frightening clarity in those moments when nature is so beautiful. I am no longer sure of myself, and the paintings appear as in a dream. ~Vincent Van Gogh At one point this OCW (a rare winter visitor) was at my feet and for the first time I regretted having a "big lens" attached to my camera. It was so close I could not focus! View On Black See "Additional Information" at right for map location.

Red-bellied Woodpecker(s) image View On Black And soon that toil shall end; Soon shalt thou find a summer home, and rest, Soon, o'er thy sheltered nest. ~William Cullen Bryant (1794-1878) Although it's only the second week in February, this pair of Red-bellied Woodpeckers are already nesting.

Eastern Screech Owl ~ Gray Morph image View On Black The Lenape Indians (Native American) believed that if they dreamt of an Owl it would become their guardian. I've had Screech Owls around my backyard owl box for at least a week. One's a red morph and this one, a gray morph. I finally got a decent shot of this one by calling him in with an electronic call. This morning at 4am, it landed on my graden cucumber trellis which consists of an old wooden deck umbrella; canvas top removed and turned upside-down!

Orange crowned Warbler image You must first spend some time getting your model to relax. Then you'll get a natural expression. ~Norman Rockwell Sorry for posting so many shots of this rare little beauty. Amazingly I've been lucky to catch him 100% of the time at the location where he has been seen since last November. It is a fun bird to photograph. Always low and in good natural light! In this shot the light is late afternoon in full sun. By the way I got my "model" to relax by wearing full camo and standing very still!

The Maestro image Please: View On Black Nature's music is never over; her silences are pauses, not conclusions ~Mary Webb The common wild Mute Swan climbed onto a ledge of ice in the middle of a lake and appeared to be conducting a chorus of ducks and geese in front of him.

stellars eagle Savonna Lessley image This is, on average, the heaviest eagle in the world, as it averages about 15 to 20 lbs. The typical size range is 34-41 inches long and the wingspan is 6.8-8 feet. An unverified record exists of a huge female, who apparently gorged on salmon, having weighed 28 lb.

Penguin $8.39 Nadia Costa Magnet Penguin