Most of us in the good old U.S. of A. are looking at a long, lovely weekend in celebration of our nation’s independence from British tyranny. All around the world, students and teachers alike are celebrating freedom from tyranny of a different sort. So where are you going birding this weekend? Comment below on the excitement you have planned!
I’m still unpacking from my big move to Rochester but might sneak away for a bit to explore the local color. Corey won’t be far away as he’s plundering the Catskills in search of Bicknell’s Thrush and other boreal treats. Charlie is on standby for a flight so he could be birding anywhere in the world over the weekend or stuck in the hotel for three days waiting for the phone to ring. The latter might provide a preferable respite from traveling as Charlie is hosting the 3rd anniversary edition of I and the Bird this week!
While lifting your eyes to the skies this weekend for fireworks, be sure to indulge in Sky Watch Friday…
Watch the skies for powerful herons, like this Black-crowned Night Heron (photo by Corey)
What an awesome Sky Watch picture!
I will be birdig in my local patch this weekend BUT come 8-9 July, I will have the joy of leading a 2-day tour to Sinharaja ‘World Heritage’ rain forest.
Have a great 4th of July!
I’ll be birding at home in my own backyard probably…but there are lots of lovely birds to see there 🙂 Lovely photo and skywatch! Have a happy 4th!
Wow, Mike, this is magnificent.
I think this is the best Sky Watch Friday yet. The things I have seen are very encouraging and the photography is spot on.
I really admire your photography skills and your critical eye for composition, lighting and texture.
Abraham Lincoln
—Brookville Daily Photo
Great blog and shots. Nice bird.
Good one, Mike. It’s just – uh, mmh – It’s not a Yellow Crowned Night Heron! It’s a Black Crowned Night Heron. Gorgeous shot however – and one that’s still missing in my repertoire – this bird in flight!
Happy 4th!
Cheers, Klaus
Klaus, you are absolutely correct…and the post has been fixed. I sent Mike the shot telling him it was a Yellow-crowned (the shots I had taken just before the featured one were of a yellow-crowned). I guuss we need a copy editor!
It is well known that we Portuguese once sailed the seven seas searching for new lands, wealth and adventures.
We were brave in those days and gave the world new worlds!
Luckily I don’t have to sail the big oceans on a small ship to sea the wonders of our world …
No Sir, I just need to check with Mr. Tom, the finest host there is, for a trip around the world with SKY WATCH TOURS and with a click here, a click there I am quickly in the USA, England, Brazil, Italy, China, Australia, Finland … well, everywhere.
And on each stop I come to see a little marvel of our world under a great sky!
Hope you can come and see my piece of the sky at lenses & visions
I don´t think mine will be a match to yours but even so …
Great catch for SWF! This reminds me the quote… “God and Nature first made us what we are, and then out of our own created genius we make ourselves what we want to be. Follow always that great law. Let the sky and God be our limit and Eternity our measurement”…. Happy weekend! Mine’s up too hope you can drop by..
I will be on a lake in central Illinois and will photograph whatever bird happens to meander by. For the most part I will simply be celebrating the end of British tyranny!
Klaus, I should know better than to take Corey at his word! Thanks for the catch.
Just perfect!!!
Beautiful… thank you so much for joining in again this week.. I’m a bit late visiting but still wanted you to know your post was very much Appreciated..
Tom
Lol, Mike – you can be sure that I catch it when I see the shot, I’m still trying to make. Come thinking of it – I want one of the Yellow Crowned Night Heron, too!
Cheers, Klaus
Oh, I love those black-crowned night herons – and to see one in flight is even better. Regarding where I am birding this weekend — my own backyard.
Great sky watch post, still trying to see all the sky watch photos on Tom’s blog.
I’m going looking for Common Ravens in eastern Ohio – we’ve just had our first breeding record here since the late 19th century…