Over and Above the Call of Duty

                                                                  Brown Thrasher

                                                  Northern Cardinal Pair, Male on Right

                                                            Male Great-tailed Grackle

                                                             Northern Mockingbird

                                                            Turkey Vulture, in Flight

Male Red-winged Blackbird 

                                                  Male House Sparrow, Breeding Plumage

                                                             Blue-winged Teal Pair

                                                               Male Blue-winged Teal

                                                                Loggerhead Shrike

These are shots over the past couple of days, and one was a real surprise.  The last photo, the
Loggerhead Shrike, is an uncommon to rare bird.  It might fool you with that hooked bill, but it
really is a songbird.  The shrike perches and observes its surroundings on wire, bushes, treetops, etc., and will impale its prey on barbed wire and thorns.  This is one of two species in this country, and both feed on lizards, rodents insects and smaller birds.

The first six shots were obtained today, and it was noticed that northbound migrations are full speed ahead.  With our inclement weather waning, it has pushed more birds our way, and there should be a lot more to come.  So hold onto your cameras, binoculars, and spotting scopes, for you will be in for a pleasant ride this year.  You will encounter species not from your area, so pay close attention to what might be hiding in the wings.

                                               
                                                       Northern Shovelers in Flight