"birding" fun

[Kevin WS]

Two more.


Photo 1 - A Lilac-Breasted Roller. An aggressive little bird. Hawks insects in flight, as well as small birds, rodents, lizards, small snakes, and frogs.


Photo 2 - A Helmeted Guinea Fowl. Not much to say about this one - fairly common, and they eat anything going - from seeds and fruits through killing anything live they can, to scavenging leftovers! Very nice eating though - slightly gamey, with a rich dark meat.

[whulsey]

Kevin, that's the one I was talking about previously, only we tend to call them guinea hens. Ours tend to be a bit more drab coloring, but still good eating. Eggs are pretty good also, only small. Great watchbirds also, nothing gets by them.

[Kevin WS]

Spot on - especially re the watchbirds and eggs.

Here they tend to pickle the eggs mainly - a jar in the fridge for snacks (on toast, yum) is nice. They tend to be over pricey though unfortunately (when you can find them).

[Don Boose]

More very interesting birds, Kevin. Many thanks.

Don

[SCEtoAUX]

My grandmother had some guinea fowl. The hens would find a remote spot on the farmstead to nest if you did not keep an eye on them. It was always an adventure to hunt down a nest and deal with the ire of the guinea hen. And yep, they do make good watchbirds.

[Don Boose]

Spring is here, but it is still cold and wet, with periodic snow showers.

The robins are back in force, but sometimes puffed up against the cold.

And the pileated visits from time to time.

I have had two sightings of eagles (golden or immature bald) in my walks along the Conodoguinet, but no camera (and so far I have not had my camera and the GP-38-2s in the same time and place, Kevin).

Don

[birder]

Hey nice Don! Great for spring to show up even if it doesn't feel like it out yet
The swallows are wheeling over the water again, one Loon has shown up and the chipmunks are stuffing their cheeks...towhees are back, too. A few spring wildflowers blooming...will be nice to have March in the rear view mirror

[Kevin WS]

Don, I like the middle shot of the Robin. He looks appropriately miserable!

Now, how about a robin or eagle, perched on a GP-38?

[birder]

Springtime this year has brought back already migrant summer birds, and they are busy looking for nesting sites...we have 7 or 8 swallow boxes out and the violet greens and tree swallows chase each other about all day, the seasons change quickly..Calliope and Black-Chinned hummers are back already and crowding around the feeder as soon as the light of the day. This Tree Swallow was in a cherry tree this last week...and a mourning cloak butterfly, one of the hibernating butterflies, so its wings a bit worn, but still pretty getting warmed in the sun.

[Don Boose]

Beautiful images, Glen!

Neither tree swallows nor butterflies have shown up yet, but I look forward to seeing them when they do. I am also waiting for the chimney swifts to take up their annual residence in the chimney across the street.

Don