I wish #54 were more birdlike, because it is such a strong image. 

They are all pretty good, but none of them conveys the idea of a nest cam, which is what Rfalconcam is.  Maybe something with the wings of a falcon echoing the Times Square wings?


Paul

[M]

M is for Merganser

When we are at the cabin on Sandy Island, in Lake Winnipesaukee (NH), we get big flocks of Common Mergansers.  They are big diving ducks that swim low in the water, looking strange and archaic, like Civil War submarines.  The beaks have tooth-like serrations for grabbing fish -- you can just make them out in one of the pictures.  They have these strange, shaggy red heads, except for the males, who a slicked-down look for mating season -- think Clark Gable in Gone With the Wind only green.  The courtship displays are said to be totally crazy. We miss this, since we are only on the island in August, when everyone is calm and back to red.

Paul

[L]

L is for Common Loon (Gavia immer)  These are the bird of the north.  When we are at the cabin in New Hampshire, they swim past our cabin.  Their calls wake us in the morning.  If the soul of Lake Winnipesaukee had a voice, this would be it.  One misty morning, the two parents called to one another far across the water before joining up and swimming away.

In the summer of 2004, I photographed this family from the porch of our cabin.  They are wary birds that usually stay far out in the lake, so a long lens and good luck are needed.  One picture shows a territorial display.

Paul

[K]

K is for Kiwi.  Here is the kiwi we met on Meet a Kiwi at the National Zoo.  His keeper described her experience of caring for him as sort of like having a combination of dog and cat.  This particular kiwi is unusual in that he is well-socialized toward people - he likes it when his keeper skritches him.  (I noticed that he gets skritched like a bird, rather than petted like a dog or cat, so that's one birdlike thing about him.)  Although he is very social (as kiwis go), there is no concern about him imprinting on humans and being unable to breed, because there is no parental care provided by either mother or father kiwi.  

Here is a kiwi cam.  She is only active at night, but it's an infra-red camera:
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/Birds/default.cfm?cam=Kiwi

Paul

One can never have enough Blue Jays. Our pair raise a family in our back yard every Spring.  They can do a flawless imitation of a Red Shouldered Hawk territorial defense call.  We sometimes leave peanuts on the windowsill for them to carry off to secret caches in the woods.

Paul

[I]

I is for White Ibis

One can never have too many Ibis, so here are a few from Ocracoke Island, North Carolina.  I like to watch them root around with their big, curved beaks.  The juveniles are brown.

Paul

[G]

G is for Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias herodias) .  This picture is sort of a birthday bird, because s/he was watching us as we arrived on the mainland in New Hampshire for an early birthday dinner for my wife.  It's a seriously great bird at up to 2.5 kg/5 lbs and a wingspan greater than the height of most people.  They are also common here in the Washington, DC, area.  I see one almost every morning on my daily bike ride to work.  They move very slowly and cautiously to get close to the fish and then grab it with a sudden, lightning-like strike.  One can then follow the progress of the fish as it makes its way down the heron's throat. 

I can watch these herons for hours and often do.  There is also a white morph that is called, surprisingly, the Great White Heron.

Paul

Thanks Suzanne and Don.  There's something inspiring about a young falcon who has survived the first few dangerous months on its' own and is starting a life of adventure.

Paul

Thanks!
What a sight to see them all in formation.

Paul

It looks like more migration today.  It's 8:46 EDT. and the ultralights are taking off. 

http://www.operationmigration.org/crane-cam.html

Paul

Date: October 31, 2010 - Entry 1 Reporter: Heather Ray
Subject: WE'RE MIGRATING!!! Location: Main Office
Flown Today: 55 miles: Winnebago to LaSalle Total Miles 185.4
Once the danger of frost passed this morning, Joe went up to test conditions and we those of us watching the trikecam were thrilled to watch as he landed next to the pen, turned on his vocalizer and launched with the birds!

10 birds are currently still locked onto his wingtips as he advances toward our LaSalle County, IL stopover site. #2 is again traveling via crate.

http://www.operationmigration.org/Field_Journal.html

Paul
 

After being stuck in Winnebago by high winds, the Whooping Cranes are flying again!  One of the airplanes just made a low pass and at least one crain has joined it in formation.  Big white birds against a dark, clear, morning sky.  Each day's flight is only about an hour, so click fast if you are online:

http://www.operationmigration.org/crane-cam.html

Paul

O is for Owl.

Paul

You need an owl today.  I did.

http://www.twincitiesnaturalist.com/2009/12/flying-eurasian-eagle-owl-video.html

Paul

The cranes are flying again at 10 AM EDT.  The ultralight made two passes ofer the field where the cranes were waiting.  On the second pass, I could see four cranes drop into formation off the right wing of one of the ultralights.  The live camera feed is jerky and pauses often, but it's worth it for the sight of huge white birds soaring over the beautiful Wisconsin countryside, green-gold in the early morning sun.

Paul