Same Lake more birds and fish...last weekend

Black Capped Chickadee

A bird almost universally considered “cute” thanks to its oversized round head, tiny body, and curiosity about everything, including humans. The chickadee’s black cap and bib; white cheeks; gray back, wings, and tail; and whitish underside with buffy sides are distinctive. Its habit of investigating people and everything else in its home territory, and quickness to discover bird feeders, make it one of the first birds most people learn.
White Breasted Nuthatch

Nuthatches are active, agile little birds with an appetite for insects and large, meaty seeds. They get their common name from their habit of jamming large nuts and acorns into tree bark, then whacking them with their sharp bill to “hatch” out the seed from the inside.
Red tailed Hawk I saw this bird on a tree limb in the woods looking down at a creek bed.

• You’ll most likely see Red-tailed Hawks soaring in wide circles high over a field. When flapping, their wingbeats are heavy. In high winds they may face into the wind and hover without flapping, eyes fixed on the ground. They attack in a slow, controlled dive with legs outstretched – much different from a falcon’s stoop.The Red-tailed Hawk is a bird of open country. Look for it along fields and perched on telephones poles, fenceposts, or trees standing alone or along edges of fields.

Edgar and his boys caught a mess of cat fish... it was very yummy... Thanks to Tim and Tab for cleaning and cooking :)

Birds!!! more Birds!!! and Catfish too.

Edgar had helped win a case for a lady in his union... Vicki... She was so nice and invited Edgar and I out to her families property in Oakwaville Ill. about an hour south east of St. Louis. Wow was her place amazing. Edgar caught this Catfish at her lake
This was a birding and wildlife overlook at her place. Her mother in law has been feeding birds here for at least 14 years.
This was part of the lake overlooking Vicki's house and the swimming beach, fishing dock and swim deck.
It was so beautiful! Edgar had a great time fishing he hooked at least one other really good sized CAT that got caught up in the rocks. I swam over to try to free it... and felt it or another fish brush past my leg. I couldn't free it so he had to break the line. I had fun swimming and watching the birds...
Ruby Throated Hummingbird

I saw about 30-50 of these little birds today... Her mother is law had several feeders and she said the hummingbirds swarm when the feeders get low. So there where many all around and in the trees near by. I didn't have my camera so again this is from the internet.

There where lots of birds but few I could positively identify... but this one was clear as day... Red bellied woodpecker. Again my camera would never do it justice so this is from the internet too.
I saw many Cardinals, more goldfinches and sparrows... none I could positively ID

It was a good day... but the hot sun made me soooo tired by the time I got home I took a 2 hour nap. I heard owls, pileated woodpeckers and warblers

Sightings 8/11/10

Red Headed Woodpecker:

Easily identified by its red head and white wing patches, this woodpecker is also the most adept at catching flying insects. It is one of only four woodpecker species known to cache food in the winter months and is the only known to cover food with bark and other wood. Historically a species with population fluctuations, it has experienced a 4.6% decline per year since 1980 due to habitat destruction and a milieu of other factors.

Identification
Adult males and females are indistinguishable in the field and are easily identified by their red heads, necks, throats, and upper breasts. Their remaining underparts are white and their upperparts are mostly black with a blue or green iridescence. A large white patch on the wings is used to identify both adults and juveniles. Juvenile plumage most differs from adults on the head, neck, and upper breast with varying degrees of brown or red and white wing patch. Bill is white or gray. The bird I saw was most likely a yearling...however his head was partially red. The bird was sitting as seen here pecking at an exposed tree limb.

Belted Kingfisher

Belted Kingfishers are found along shorelines and wetlands in fresh and salt water environments. They require sandy vertical banks for nest burrows and clear water so they can see their aquatic prey.

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Behavior

Belted Kingfishers perch or hover over open water, watching for prey. Once prey is sighted, they dive headfirst into the water and seize it with their bills. Typically prey is taken near the surface, and the birds do not submerge themselves completely. Belted Kingfishers are highly territorial and vigorously defend their territories. Their most common call is a dry rattle, often given in flight. Belted Kingfishers almost always take food from the water, feeding predominantly on small fish. They will also prey on crayfish, frogs, tadpoles, and other aquatic dwellers. The Belted Kingfisher nests in burrows dug in sandy banks. Two of its toes are fused together and act as a shovel for digging these burrows.

I also saw all of the same bird I saw on Sunday...As well as Mallard ducks, Mourning Doves and red winged black birds.

Beginning Birding 101

So I found myself in need of a new hobby.... since I really didn't have many I truly liked. So I took up watching the birds.... I love the outdoors... and I like to have lists of things I have accomplished... A life list of birds I have seen and positively identified... fits well.

So this morning after a few months of starting to notice birds and look over field guides... I went out on my morning expedition/ adventure...

My little point and shoot camera is not gonna work to take identifiable pictures...So you will just have to trust me until I can get a better camera.

So I went to an area of Forest park which has been returned to native vegetation with a prairie and a lake and stream... So this morning besides the everyday birds like robins and doves... I saw (pictures from the internet)

Starling:

First brought to North America by Shakespeare enthusiasts in the nineteenth century, European Starlings are now among the continent’s most numerous songbirds. They are stocky black birds with short tails, triangular wings, and long, pointed bills. Though they’re sometimes resented for their abundance and aggressiveness, they’re still dazzling birds when you get a good look. Covered in white spots during winter, they turn dark and glossy in summer
American Gold Finch:

This handsome little finch, the state bird of New Jersey, Iowa, and Washington, is welcome and common at feeders, where it takes primarily sunflower and nyjer. Goldfinches often flock with Pine Siskins and Common Redpolls. Spring males are brilliant yellow and shiny black with a bit of white. Females and all winter birds are more dull but identifiable by their conical bill; pointed, notched tail; wingbars; and lack of streaking. During molts they look bizarrely patchy. These are active and acrobatic little finches that cling to weeds and seed socks, and sometimes mill about in large numbers at feeders or on the ground beneath them. Goldfinches fly with a bouncy, undulating pattern and often call in flight, drawing attention to themselves. Their song sounds like Po-ta-to-chip.
Barn Swallow:

A familiar inhabitant of barns and other outbuildings, the Barn Swallow is easily recognized by its long forked tail. It was originally a cave breeder, but now the swallow nests almost exclusively on man-made structures. Migrates fully to Central and South America.