Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Jan 10, 2013 - 09:55am PT
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We have a tree like that off our back porch Reilly. Loaded with Goldfinch (Less and American), House Finch, and Flickers. It'll be sad the day that tree goes away.
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BrassNuts
Trad climber
Save your a_s, reach for the brass...
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Jan 10, 2013 - 11:10am PT
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Great new pics everyone. Not too much going on around here lately, but we did have a Cooper's (we think) in the hood on New Year's day...
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little Z
Trad climber
un cafetal en Naranjo
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Jan 10, 2013 - 01:51pm PT
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Nice start to the new year, sounds like there are some interesting birds out there, and folks are posting up great photos of birds that we haven't seen much before here on the Taco.
2012 was a good year for my Costa Rica list (the only one I really keep track of anymore). Got to 727, one off my high of 728. So far so good here in 2013. Carmiol's Tanager (formerly "Olive Tanager") was my first bird of the year. A good forest understory bird that was outside my room (this was at a hotel) at dawn. Already up to about 225, and today picked up a species that I missed last year, the Violet-green Swallow. That's always fun. Someone photographed a Bonaparte's Gull out on the Guanacaste coast about a week ago. That would be new for my CR list but have been too busy running around with work and time at home is at a premium.
Here's one of my best birds so far, at least one of my favorites. Sorry for the crummy digiscope photo. I see this species a few times a year but hardly ever perched like this so nicely. In fact we saw one later that same day at another location. That one was up flying.
Brandon - get up into the highlands for your Quetzal, either around V. Barú there in Chiriqui, Panama (above Boquete as already suggested, or at Cerro Punto on the CR side of the mountain), or up along the Interamerican Highway on Cerro de La Muerte once you get into Costa Rica. There is a good spot at KM 71. It's the Mirador de Quetzales / Paraiso de Quetzales. It looks a bit hokey from the highway but it's probably the best bet, and they charge a reasonable price, and you can do it as just a day visit, although they have cabins too if you want to stay. Not the best time of year, but pairs are starting to court, and early in the morning they are making lots of noise and doing courtship flights.
Good luck with the Harpy. You're going in the wrong direction if you want that one - you should be heading to the Darien.
I think Crimpie's right about that one bird being an imm. Red-tail rather than a Rough-leg (and she worded it all so nicely!), and Brassnuts, your yard bird looks like a Sharpy rather than a Coop (those fragile little stick legs are a give-away). Good on ya' for saving the duck!
Anyway, everyone have a good year.
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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Jan 10, 2013 - 03:25pm PT
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So, BN, you guys didn't score on the cardinal. . .
boo hoo!
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Jan 10, 2013 - 03:56pm PT
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SteveW - we haven't had a chance to look for the Cardinal yet. BN has been down with the flu (or something equally nasty). I've been working and delivering tea and food and dayquil and nyquil.
Thanks for the comment about the Red-Tail. It is the only hawk I feel like I nail 100% of the time relying on the patagial patch and 'apostrophe' on the underside of the wings (plus belly band).
I would love to see a Rough-Legged. Never have. Made me wonder if I've been seeing many and thinking RTH.
Your eagle is gorgeous Little Z! G.O.R.G.E.O.U.S.!
We saw some Quetzals in Costa Rica up at Monte Verde. Very fun finding him (without guides) and getting a nice look at him. We saw most of our other birds on that trip near the bathrooms and food vendors. It became a joke. Did see a Scarlet in the wild which was awesome!
Thanks for the Sharpie/Cooper thought. That bird sat there for an hour or so. Didn't even need binos. He seemed small so I thought Sharpie at first. Then it became a Coopers more. Frankly, I suck at IDing them. I thought his legs looked skinny. I'll trust that instinct more.
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Jan 10, 2013 - 04:54pm PT
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LOVE THIS PIC! Missed it earlier. Thanks for the laugh!!!!
BN wants to know if these are trappist monk swallows??
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drljefe
climber
El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson
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Jan 10, 2013 - 05:08pm PT
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As I was leaving for work this morning I made eye contact with a large hawk who was on the ground in front of my neighbor's house in downtown Tucson. Probably a Red Tailed or maybe a Cooper's, I'm not good with bird ID.
When I returned home there was a large pigeon taken apart in my driveway! I knew it must have been the hawk! Awesome.
Just thought I'd share that and say- great photos on this thread!
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Mike Bolte
Trad climber
Planet Earth
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Jan 10, 2013 - 05:18pm PT
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great shots Dave - some nice birds in there everyone. Nice shot of the titmouse. I'd love to see a hawk eagle.
I was driving down through the lower central valley this week.
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Tony
Trad climber
Pt. Richmond, CA
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Jan 10, 2013 - 05:21pm PT
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Mike,
Nice shot of a Yellow-billed Magpie, California's only endemic bird species.
little z,
Wow! I had to visit 5 continents to see that many in my best year.
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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Jan 11, 2013 - 09:12am PT
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Wonderful photos, Chewy!!!!
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Darwin
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Jan 11, 2013 - 11:25am PT
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Like Steve said Chewy, spectacular!
This old chestnut has been rehashed with a number of subjects. My favorite that hit closest to home concerned the rejection of a scientific paper. I don't work for that boss anymore. Anyway this one is for you Coloradans(sp?).
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdTTxTGcFQs]
I think there may be copyright issues, so look quickly. I know in the past the original movie owners have jumped bad. Actually it could apply to me and Red Crossbills or Varied Thrushes at the moment.
I saw Brown Creepers, Ruby Crowned and Golden Crowned Kinglets this sub-freezing morning, but no Crossbills. From a park a few minutes from my house yesterday:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inzxNQSudqk]
*obviously(?) neither is my video*
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little Z
Trad climber
un cafetal en Naranjo
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Jan 11, 2013 - 12:43pm PT
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Wow Chewy,
amazing photos! keep it comin'
Darwin, that is so funny. I'm forwarding it to about a half-dozen of my friends who are all little Hitlers when it comes to listing and such. What a laugh!
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Riley Wyna
Trad climber
A crack near you
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Jan 11, 2013 - 01:04pm PT
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The light juv rough-legged is stunning.
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Riley Wyna
Trad climber
A crack near you
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Jan 11, 2013 - 01:07pm PT
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Reilly- didnt see you Wagtail - where did ya see it? I have never seen a wagtail of any kind..
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Mike Bolte
Trad climber
Planet Earth
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Jan 11, 2013 - 01:55pm PT
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wow! great images Chewy!
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Darwin
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Jan 11, 2013 - 08:18pm PT
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I have to say that w.r.t. image quality, y'all have upped the bar. I'll never even hint at dismissing expensive glass (or skill) again!
And the "skinny little stick legs" was a revelation. Nonetheless, it was a rare and erratically sunny day here, so these are from the commute today:
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TGT
Social climber
So Cal
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Jan 11, 2013 - 08:28pm PT
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it was freezin' in the Monument last Sunday and we had Quail Springs all to ourselves all morning.
This guy sauntered by and posed for pictures.
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dee ee
Mountain climber
citizen of planet Earth
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Jan 11, 2013 - 08:30pm PT
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Pelagic trip tomorrow.....whoooo hooooo!
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