Natural selection is what drives our birds. They must find the best mate possible in order to proliferate. It is the female that decides who is the best, the strongest, the fastest, and the most good-looking. These are the attributes that will determine the best offspring possible, as well as the healthiest. She wants a mate that will feed her and her offspring well. He must be the best of the best, with top quality genetics. This is the secret to the life of mating birds, a strong genetic presence.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NynZTN0O6ZM
Most of the Birds of Paradise are only located in Papua New Guinea. The other few are in Australia, namely the Satin Bowerbird, who builds an extravagant love nest.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U89tw093s_Y
This is also an Australian Bird of Paradise, the Superb Lyrebird, but he is one up on the average bird. He is a remarkable mimic that can make some very interesting sounds, including the human voice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjAcyTXRunY
Meet Victoria's Riflebird of north Queensland, Australia. These are young males, given instruction by an adult male. They don't come out of the egg and know what they are doing with displays. It takes several years to perfect this dance that will be attractive to females, and takes a lot of hard work.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AasRYzlpVQ
The remarkable colors of these birds changes with the infiltration of light. The birds also have uncharacteristic moves and are masters at shape shifting. Additionally, they time their moves to a science and practice, indeed, makes perfect.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM2jwdNBYIg
And here, we have all 39 Birds of Paradise. These are truly the birds of wonder that are one of the best kept secrets of the natural world in all its glory. It has taken many years for this video to be made, through a great deal of hard work through my current school, Cornell University. I wish to personally thank the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, who has awakened in me, this group of beautiful birds to study and appreciate.
http://www.birdsofparadiseproject.org/content.php?page=98
Sunday, August 31, 2014
Saturday, August 30, 2014
The Secret of The Northern Reaches
Great Blue Heron, Daybreak
Green Heron Adult, Family #2
Ditto
Ditto, On Alert
Ditto, Thinking About Fishing
Ditto, Disturbed
Mallard Hen
Mississippi Kite in Flight
Turkey Vulture in Flight
Northern Reaches, #1
Northern Reaches, #2
Great Blue Heron Sunning
Gulf Fritillary on Sunflower
0715-0930/partly cloudy/light and variable winds/74-82 degrees
Numerous birds were at the Northern Reaches, including two Belted Kingfishes, an assortment of woodpeckers, several Eastern Kingbirds. Now is the time to build up weight and get ready for migration. The Kites were calling and everywhere they went a drove of ducks came toward me.
Friday, August 29, 2014
The Songbirds Are Coming Through Boomer Lake Region
Green Heron Portrait
Ditto, Hunting
Ditto, Hiding
Great Egret
Ditto
Great Egret with Green Heron(Left)
Great Egret
"Balancing Act"
Great Egret "Steady"
Mallard
Great Egret
Ditto
Great Egret(Turtle on Left)
Louisiana Waterthrush
Yellow Warbler
0715-0920/Mostly Cloudy/Light and Variable Winds/74 degrees
This was my first time out in a good eight days. Sad, isn't it? In the midst of migration, I hope that the remainder of the week is better. I considered myself lucky to get the last two birds. The last time that I saw the Yellow Warbler, I was unable to get a good photo, so the dark day today was a blessing in disguise. Wish me luck for better pictures over the next few days.
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Sunday, August 24, 2014
Friday, August 22, 2014
An Open and Shut Case of Youth
0715-0825/partly cloudy/15 mph winds/76-78 degrees
It seems so long ago since I took these photos, but it was just this morning. As the day gets ready to come to an end, and darkness begins to fall, I consider myself lucky. If it wasn't for nature, where would we be? There is no concrete jungle on my stomping ground, and for that I am thankful. I hope that these pictures leave you in awe of the natural world and make you smile. If that happens, I have done my job.
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Southern Cove Breathes Life Into the Area
Green Heron Fledgling
In Flight
"Grace"
Beaver Working on Residence
Green Heron Youngster
"Inbound!"
Great Blue Heron Settles In
Ditto
Green Heron in Flight
Double-crested Cormorant
Clear and Sunny/Light and Variable Winds/0715-0900/76-82 degrees
The young crop of Green Herons are doing well and are still very active. There was a lot going on in the Southern Cove this morning, and the area residents are happy in this weather. More people were out than usual on this fine weekday, enjoying what the area has to offer. It is a pleasure to see the area in such high traffic.
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