A Symphony in the Air

Posted By on January 7, 2016

Nature is conspiring to delight me. The person above is the Eastern Bluebird.

This morning, a little brown bird which I believe to be the Eastern Phoebe, darted across the lawn. He took up residence in a tree outside the screen and stayed there. His coloring is such that I have difficulty photographing him well. These birds are really about an inch or two high, and of course are usually at a distance from me.

Brown bird

Going closer, I saw quite a flock of tiny creatures flying over head. The biggest thing about them was their vocal cords. Birdsong is so loud given its origins.

A beauty in the midst of winter.
A beauty in the midst of winter.

Then I saw with the cat and noticed the roses in the pitifully maintained back garden.

He sat for quite a while on this branch, but never turned towards me before taking off
He sat for quite a while on this branch, but never turned towards me before taking off

This was in the neighbor’s oak tree. I’m not sure what bird this is as he never faced me, but he was with the flock of Eastern Phoebes.

Old friends come back to visit today. A lot less wary.
Old friends come back to visit today. A lot less wary.

After a half an hour of struggle to set my camera to match the lighting and distance, and also to capture the darting creatures, I looked off and saw movement on the water’s edge. They glided away serenely today, as I did not attempt to chase them.

Such a pleasure to see this one again. And to manage to capture an image, though poor.
Such a pleasure to see this one again. And to manage to capture an image, though poor.

The belted kingfisher. Several of these skimmed over the water’s surface. I didn’t see a dive, although I have seen one catch a fish in the past.

Way up in the tree top, all across the way.
Way up in the tree top, all across the way.

And finally, this red crested bird, 20 or 30 feet away, and about as much in the air. It is bigger than the flock of variously sized birds that entranced me this morning, but seemed to be travelling with them, as well.

It was a tremendous day of backyarding!

The lack of white on the neck seemed to indicate the small blue heron, but on reflection, I think this is the tricolored.
The lack of white on the neck seemed to indicate the small blue heron, but on reflection, I think this is the tricolored.
Beautiful bird which are extremely common because they travel in such large flocks and hang out on laws and just on the down hanging limbs of trees.
Beautiful bird which are extremely common because they travel in such large flocks and hang out on laws and just on the down hanging limbs of trees.
In this posture, I thought it must be the small blue heron, but perhaps not. This is just a different individual than I am used to seeing, less white at the underside of neck.
In this posture, I thought it must be the small blue heron, but perhaps not. This is just a different individual than I am used to seeing, less white at the underside of neck.
The snakebird! In a very common pose, here on the dock. Today it seemed like it was embracing the whole world. Wikipedia explains the origins of the name: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anhinga
The snakebird! In a very common pose, here on the dock. Today it seemed like it was embracing the whole world. Wikipedia explains the origins of the name: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anhinga
This is the bird, close up, I so often see with his companion, the tricolored heron.
This is the bird, close up, I so often see with his companion, the tricolored heron.
The heart of a palm tree. It looks like a sun in disguise.
The heart of a palm tree. It looks like a sun in disguise.
The backyard in winter
The backyard in winter
I very much like naked trees. It was one of my favourite things about the winter in the Midwest. This is a happy thing for me.
I very much like naked trees. It was one of my favourite things about the winter in the Midwest. This is a happy thing for me.
  • Aperture: ƒ/8
  • Camera: Canon PowerShot SX510 HS
  • Taken: 7 January, 2016
  • Focal length: 129mm
  • ISO: 3200
  • Shutter speed: 1/320s