Tag: Birds

Photo of the Month December 2014

As my journey and adventures in Montana ended, the last hurrah was this baldy who was kind enough to pose for me as a good-bye present.

We left the day after Christmas in between two very cold and windy storms, and our trip home took us several days due to driving conditions.

I will forever hold Montana as the Treasure State, and I already miss it something fierce. But, Florida sun is nice in the middle of winter! Plus, it is good to be back home where ospreys and dozens of white pelicans have been here to greet me.

Photo of the Month November, 2014

You never know what will come to the pond to drink, and with pheasant season in full swing, this guy was looking for a drink before being shot at again by someone. He was quite colorful and didn’t stay long, but it is good to know that he and his mate are living comfortably in the thicket by the cabin.

Good luck to you, Mr. Pheasant.

Photo for the Month of July, 2014

After a few years of chasing these elusive birds, I finally manged to get a lot of photos of this one magpie who had taken up a sentinel position on the fence post. He was guarding something he wanted to eat, and I was stalking him from around trees and the corner of the cabin.

Finally, a magpie photo I could be proud of. He is also now a cross stitch pattern.

Photo for the Month of June, 2014

After spending several months squawking and flocking, the geese finally decided to get down to the business of making more little geese. While you can only see a couple of these little ones, there were a dozen or better in this brood.

There were more baby geese than there were ducks this year. This family stopped by long enough to swim around the pond, poke in the ground for goodies and then sail on down the stream to other great adventures.

Photo of the Month of May, 2013 

Well, I am not sure what kind of raptor he is, nor can I tell how old he or she is, but one thing is certain, the mouth was empty, and he would appreciate it very much if someone would fill it for him. 

I am not sure where he went or how long he sat on the fence, but I got several photos of him. They were taken inside the house, so the quality was not very good since I was shooting through two panes of glass. None the less, here is my afternoon visitor looking for a handout. 

Photo of the Month of July, 2012

Bald Eagles

These two were on display at Wildlife Prairie Park in Peoria, Illinois when I traveled back for a week of family fun. I dubbed them George and Martha because for some reason they reminded me of the Washingtons. I do not know why they did, but I stand by decision to give them the nickname.

I can see why these magnificent birds are our national bird and other than the fact that turkey is a delightful holiday treat, I see no reason for Franklin’s nomination for the turkey as the national symbol.

Photo of the Month of May, 2012

Apparently this type of behavior from Sandhill cranes makes them irresistible to the ladies. Accompany all your jumps with loud ear splitting cries and everyone will fall in love with you.

Actually, these guys are some really neat cranes and they were a great surprise to me when I first came to the mountains in the spring. I am used to seeing them nesting in the winters in Florida where they raise their chicks.

I never knew where they went during the rest of the year, so the first time I heard their call, I knew exactly what I was hearing.

While they are residents of the Platte River, they enjoy a migration to Albuquerque where they have an annual festival. In Florida, we don’t hold a festival for them, but we really should. They are quite remarkable and quirky birds.

Photo of the Month of April, 2012

I could not believe I was seeing this when it came winging down the headwaters of the Missouri at me, but sure enough, here was not one, but five beautiful white pelicans.

Right there in the bed of the Three Forks, Montana. They were casually floating along the Missouri River headwaters as they merged with the Jefferson River, Madison River and the Gallatin River before heading on their journey to the Mississippi River.

This guy had a fish that he had snagged from the river, which was a lot better than the lady fly fishing upstream from him was doing.

The white pelican apparently travels all over the country and is protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. He was the last thing I expected to see when I went to see the landing site of the great Lewis and Clark expedition.

Photo of the Month of February, 2012

partridge in Montana
5 partridge in the yard ©jcleveland

Photo of the Month of February, 2012

5 Partridge in the yard.

Sounds a lot like a CSNY song, but these little guys have taken up residence in the front yard. They are skittish and fly off and about willy nilly if they are startled, but they are extremely social and enjoy moving about as a group.

They appear to be grey partridge and for the longest time, I have called them grouse. No wonder they always looked at me funny.

They do love to hide under the bushes and travel in this little group of five.