June is coming to an end; have you spend it wisely or squandered the longest (or shortest, depending on your hemisphere) days of the year? More important, have you watched birds battle high above the earth? More on that in a moment. For now, how will you be spending this weekend and is bird watching on the itinerary? Please share your plans in the comments below.
I’ll probably be hanging around Rochester, which could mean pretty slim pickings as far as unusual bird sightings go. Corey and Charlie are usually better situated for enviable avifauna but while Corey will be tearing it up from NYC to Ulster County, Charlie is too busy at home contending with beautiful twins (which is his story to tell, not mine!) to get outdoors.
Whatever your plans this weekend, make time to enjoy SkyWatch Friday…
Sometimes, when you skywatch, it’s fun to watch a sky battle. I just returned from a few days down at my mother-in-law’s farm in Potter County. Now that the local birds are breeding and brooding, they’re also battling for territory, food, or just sheer glee and malice. One has to wonder about the motives of the roving gang of Ravens causing all manner of consternation to the local songbirds. It was my pleasure to observe some Eastern Kingbirds, no shrinking violets themselves, repel these ravens from the proximity of their nest. Once the dogfight took to the upper altitudes, I was able to capture this epic avian altercation.
The kingbird engages a much larger raven.
A solid strike!
Can the raven take many more of these?
Discretion is the better part of valor.
Excellent captures Mike.
Have a great weekend.
Guy
Regina In Pictures
Lovely photos. =)
I LOVE watching little birds chase away BIG ones. Makes me think birds don’t realize how big or small they are.
love the battle shots mike.
awesome.
Not sure where I’ll be birding (other than at my backyard feeders). However, I did want to say that I saw a Raven chasing a Red-tailed Hawk while we were up in the Sierras last week. Made me laugh thinking of all the times I’ve seen Ravens being chased away themselves. What goes around; comes around!
I, too, enjoy a good bird mobbing – fun series of photos! I think we’re going to do a bit of birding at the Chicago Botanic Garden this weekend with my parents. We became members back at the beginning of May but haven’t had a chance to visit again since, eek. Hopefully it’s not too hot. Have a great weekend!
fantastic capture!
I watched a Red-tailed Hawk get spanked by a Common Raven a couple of weeks ago. I believe the Raven’s had a nest nearby. I intend to work on one of my Breeding Bird Atlas blocks with my nephews at Mueller State Park in Colorado. I got to find those grouse and turkey fledglings!
Very cool captures !!!
I was kind of amused to see a couple of Blue Jays, dive bombing our cat. They apparently had a nest in the tree that Meeko had decided to stretch out under. Gave him a healthy respect for Blue Jays after that…
Happy SWF and have a great weekend. 🙂
Great action shots!
I’m hanging out in Nairobi, enjoying yard birds like African Paradise Flycatcher and Hadada Ibis!
Airbattle au naturel, nice!
Awesome pictures. I love to watch the birds chase my dog away from their nest in the bushes outside our house. She (the dog) is always brave while watching out the window. Once she is outside, it is usually tail between the legs, sprinting for the door!
I am taking my first trip out to California this week to attend the National Marine Educators Association conference in Pacific Grove. Staying at the Asilomar Conference Center which sits in the midst of a state park right on the Pacific coast. I am getting up close to species that I’ve wanted to see my whole life. They probably seem common to the local residents, but the Acorn Woodpeckers and Western Scrub Jays are a delight to me. The jays are clearly habituated to humans. One flew right into my bedroom when I opened the sliding door and seemed to be looking around for handouts or leftovers (blurry iPhone pic). I really regret not packing my binoculars and not having more time to do any birding (too many sessions and business to attend to). I hope to get back sometime soon and just watch the birds.