I'm Not Lost...I'm Bird Watching

I wonder where that expression:  "For the Birds" ever got started? It seems to imply it's just left overs and not the choice food or activity.  The birds around my house are not just getting scraps and slim pickings.  Only the best for my little featherd friends.  My son made the comment once..."Gee the birds eat better than we do!" Yup, it's a hobby of mine: I'm a Bird watcher. 

When I was a younger woman, I did not understand the interest in Bird Watching....now I do. There is a certain serenity in the watching, identifying and photography of birds.  The older I get, I am fullfilling a stereotype that "older" people bird watch.  I guess it is a sterotype for a reason; as a retired person I have more time to enjoy watching, listening to and snapping a few photos for my "Birder's book."  Perhpas when I was younger I was involved with other things and did not feel compelled to use precious free time looking at birds.  Yet, when one is trying to reduce stress, the opportunity to relax and view the flight of an Eagle soaring high or listen to the song of a Chickadee...well it is time well spent.

Rose-breasted grosbeak

I remember my Mom was very good at bird identification and several gifts my sister and I gave to her were bird related.  I know my sister gave her several feeders. I had given her a beautiful throw festooned with several colorful birds.  After she passed, I now have that beautiful throw to warm me on chilly evenings. Once for a birthday gift, she gave me the most fantastic "Birder's Bible": The Peterson Field Guide to the Birds.  She showed me how to use the book to idenify species and also how their coloration depends on the season. It has become a great tool for birding and I frequently think of Mom when referencing it.

Magpie in Anchorage, Alaska

The beauty of Bird Watching is that is doesn't take fancy equipment or alot of money to partake in the hobby. Just looking around your environment can bring a multitude of sightings; and not just in your own backyard.  When travelling, it  is such a treat to see birds you don't normally see at home.  When my husband and I were at Glacier National Park we saw a Stellar Jay, cousin to the Blue Jay, but a vivid and unique color of blue.  Also, when visiting my family in Alaska I always see Magpies and try to capture them in a photo.  They are kind of "bullies" in bird world, but they have the most beautiful plummage.

I saw a video the other day that made a great comparison between Pokemon and Birding. Remember Pokemon? My sons were crazy about them. The Pokemon creatures' images were depicted on cards for gameing.  The cards were collected, traded and played with. Also the Pokemon phenomina spread to almost every kind of merchandising you could imagine including a tv series, clothing, waterbottles and lunch boxes. Just about every elementary school teacher had to deal with that craze. I remember the tag line was: Gotta catch em all!  So you gotta catch them all, bird species that is. It has been said that Birding is just Pokemon for adults. There are so many varied and unique types of birds in this world that one will likely never "catch them all", but the quest is sure fun! Keep your binoculars and camera ready!  

                                                                           Julie Etta Smith

“A bird does not sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.” — Maya Angelou.

Looney for Loons

Photo by Julie E. Smith

The expression "Crazy as a Loon" probably is based on the Loon's eerie call that can sound like a "crazy person's" cackle.  Loons have different distinct calls, depending on what they are communicating, but nevertheless they all sound unique as the sound of a loon. When you hear that sound at dusk you know it's a loon.

My first introduction to the beauty of loons came several years ago while visiting my husband's uncle in Maine. They have a cabin on a woodland lake there and the loons are seen on a daily basis.  We saw them several times while visiting there, but we were much more likely to hear there calls in the evening, then actually see them. When I moved to the north woods of Wisconsin, on a lake, ....my fascination with these amazing waterbirds grew. The more I find out about them I realize they really are amazing creatures.

Photo by Julie E. Smith

I found out that loons can live up to 30 years. Wow. When they migrate, they frequently come back to the very same lake year after year. That's cool, because we have at least 3 or 4 that live on our lake. I have the joy of seeing them almost every day, and hearing them calling out the approach of twilight. Loons generally are territorial and only 3 to 4 loons occupy an area of about 2 square miles. Minnesota is the state with the largest loon population in the continental U.S.-with about 12,000 individuals. Perhaps that is why it is their state bird. Maine is next, with approximately 5,000 loons. In my home state of Wisconsin, there is an estimated population of a little over 4,000 loons. The DNR reports a growth rate of 25% of the loon population in the last 15 years. A real threat to the loon population is loss of habitat; they obviously have to have clean lakes to fish and undisturbed wooded/marshy areas for nesting.


Obviously they are water birds and excellent at diving and fishing. Their bodies are built for diving and they can remain submerged for up to 3 minutes. Yet, it's interesting that loons are not like other aquatic birds in that they can not walk on land. They are very awkward on land; very top heavy because their feet are positioned at the back of their body. Perfect for swimming and diving, not so much for walking. Last summer, my neighbor and I discovered a loon that had apparently overshot the lake and landed on the side of the road. He didn't seem injured, just "stuck" and could only weakly waddle. We didn't know what to do, so we called the DNR and they sent someone out. When the loon realized we were trying to capture him to assist, he became frightened and waddled much more quickly to the water, dove in and was fine. In hindsight, I found out that if a Loon gets too far from water, he just needs to get put back in. The safest and most effective way is just to cover with a blanket and gently put in the water. Better yet, call the DNR for assistance if you are not sure. In any case, I am glad that story had a happy ending.

Loon w/chick, photo from Mother Nature Network, Brian Lasenby

There are plenty of fish out there for both humans and loons, but since Loons fish in the same lakes as humans, certain threats to the loons have surfaced. The use of lead sinkers is the leading cause of adult mortality in loons. To aid digestion, loons ingest small stones from the bottom of the lake. A small lead sinker is easily confused with small stones. A single split shot sinker can kill a loon. The Wisconsin DNR has a link to assist and inform anglers about easy and economical alternatives to lead. Not only does it help loons but other aquatic life including ducks, turtles and bald eagles. You can find this information at: https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/documents/fishhealth/gettheleadout.pdf 
The use of lead buck shot by hunters, subsequently consumed inadvertently by carnivores such as bald eagles, is being phased out gradually and other types of ammunition are being developed. Perhaps that needs to be pursued with lead sinkers.

So many Native American stories surround the Loon. Yet my favorite is how the loon got it's distinct feather colorization "necklace." Ancient stories told of loons that would restore the sight of blind persons. Loons would carry the afflicted to the bottom of the lake several times to let the water wash over their eyes and restore their sight.

Just look at that beautiful necklace! Photo from Wildernessclassroom.com

Legend has it that a grateful person's eyesight was restored and they made the loon a beautiful necklace made of shells to hang around the loon's neck for all to see. To this day, the loon's plumage resembles a necklace of shells given in gratitude. Isn't that a beautiful story? I am so sentimental...I tear up just relaying the story. Sigh.

Last year for my birthday, my sister purchased for me a Loon call whistle. Kind of a slide whistle of sorts. Actually it's pretty cool and I am trying to perfect my call. I have yet to hear a loon answer me. They are probably swimming in a circle, laughing and saying to themselves...dumb human, who is she trying to fool? Yet, I will keep on trying to say "Hey, what's Up?" in Loon-Speak.

Sources: Fascinating Loons, by Stan Tekiela  2006
              Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources @  dnr.wi.gov

And So the Migration Begins....

I never really thought of myself as an avid "birder", bird watcher that is...until I moved to a home on a lake that happens to be situated on a migration flyway. (Central U.S./Mississippi Flyway) Not only have I seen so many different types of birds here, I now am seeing birds I have never, ever seen. As the chill in the air brings an omen of wintry days to come, many birds are on their way through to warmer climates with a brief stop at our lake for a rest and a bite to eat.  I couldn't be happier to let them stop by and I have developed the habit of having my camera ready to capture their image, if I'm stealth enough.

Common Merganser

My most recent "capture" is a water bird I identified (with my trusty Peterson Field Guide) as a Common Merganser. These Ladies (all identified as female) hung out on our dock all afternoon. Kind of pretty coloring and if you were to just glance you might think they were "just a group of Mallards", the males do have green heads. Sometimes it is better to take a second look to realize what you are seeing.

So I have enjoyed for months the beauty of the Loons that are on our lake.  I know they migrate, so they soon will be leaving us. Try as I might, the Loon is a creature that is hard to photograph, rather elusive.I rise to the challenge and keep trying for that perfect Loon picture.  I will soon have to postpone that challenge till March.

In the mean time, the flurry of birds "just passing through" are interesting to try to identify. I had pretty good success with the Merganser, but there are an amazing number of water birds that are really hard to identify. Grebes, Coots, Loons and Gallinules come in a variety of types.  If not familiar with these, it seems like I am hurling insults at you...You old Coot. Doesn't "Grebe" sound like an insult?

American Coot? (Can anybody confirm that?)

Unique names for some commonly found birds, but very unique to watch. Here is a photo of some birds that I believe to be American Coots. Any guesses out there on this photo? That is as close as I could get.

Many of these birds that I have captured in a photo, will probably winter here and I will continue to provide suet and seed for them.  It is a small price to pay for me to enjoy watching them and brightening up my yard. Additionally, my cats, love to sit and watch their activity as well. Not to fear, bird lovers....they are exclusively indoor cats and would not be allowed outside to hunt.

American Goldfinch

I have seen the usual finches, wrens and nuthatches at the feeder. In addition to those I have seen a Baltimore Oriole, Goldfinch and I have a few resident Bluejays that I see almost every day.  If I don't see them, I hear them.  Bluejays are one of the few birds that I definitely know their call, or shall I say screech. Even though considered the "bullies" of the bird world, I think Bluejays are so pretty.

Pileated Woodpecker

The latest visitor to my suet feeder was quite a surprise and really startled me to have such a huge bird right in front of my window: a Pileated Woodpecker.  These are the fellows that get quite large, and the one I saw was probably a young one. He has his full colorization, but as far as Pileated woodpeckers go, he was on the smaller side.  They grow to be almost 20" high and have a huge wingspan. Their adult size is compared to a large crow. This fellow pictured here has come to my feeder several times for the suet. Perhaps it will help with a growth spurt for him, he still is quite an impressive size already...good start!  Next time he comes I hope to get a better photograph, but here is what I happen to capture on my cell phone.

 So with my trusty bird book I continue to correctly identify most of the birds I happen to see.. It's kind of fun to look them up when you spot them.  I also found an additional web-site that is fun to browse thru and they even have audio to help you identify a bird call. I personally have fun listening to the Loons...what a unique and haunting sound. The link can be found at: www.allaboutbirds.org The site is managed by The Cornell Lab of Ornithology (Ithaca, New York) and contains a wealth of tips and photos.  They also have an amazing amount of information to assist with bird identification and the interesting hobby of "birding". One can always learn something new with this hobby because as this site states there are over 800 species of birds in the US and Canada.

Common Loon

I am determined to get some better Loon pictures before they migrate...but I may have to wait till spring. Time will tell, but here's a few that I captured early summer. So grab your binoculars and a camera and enjoy the flight of of our feathered friends.

 

My Fellow Bird Watchers......