Osprey Chick First Flight at Sunrise

Year 13

The sun had only been peeking over the tree tops at sunrise yesterday morning for less than ten minutes when this Osprey chick / juvenile first exercised its wings and then … woe nelly … took some first hoppy fights. Flying is scary! See the video where is the Osprey becomes briefly airborne, and it does NOT appear pleased! In the final image, the youngster’s sibling is looking on and seems to be thinking … do I have to do that?!

Osprey First Flight Ever

Osprey First Flight Video (video link for email subscribers)

The Saga of Icelandic Birding

Year 13

One week ago I arrived home from Iceland, and it is time for my final Icelandic birding post. This blog entry is really for me as I want to document all the various bird species which I was fortunate enough to see. In total I ended up birding these habitats

  • Arctic tundra & grasslands
  • Ocean inlets and headlands
  • Tidal ponds

Without further adieu …

Arctic Tern

Black Guillemot

Black-Headed Gull

Black-Legged Kittiwake

Black-Tailed Godwit

Common Eider

Common Redshank

Dunlins

Eurasian Oystercatcher

Eurasian Whimbrel

Eurasian Wigeon

European Golden Plover

European Herring Gull

Red-Necked Phalarope

Redwing

White Wagtail

End of Post … whew … lots of bird species!

Northern Grouse & Ptarmigans

Year 13,

The past week has been unique in terms of game birds … this morning when the heavy fog lifted I found both northern Minnesota Boreal Forest grouse species. I think the grouse … Spruce and Ruffed, both wanted to dry off. Last week in Iceland’s tundra habitat I saw my first ever Rock Ptarmigans. Thanks to my “eagle eyed” reader, Annie, who noticed that in fact Ptarmigan chicks were in my “rock images”, I went back and reviewed my master images. Thus, today I bring you reworked Rock Ptarmigan photos … complete with chicks! The post also includes the southern cousins of the boreal forest. As a bonus I am including a Broad Winged Hawk which was trying to dry off, but also trying to hunt the young Ruffed Grouse chicks.

Rock Ptarmigan & Chicks

Just the parent now …

Spruce Grouse

Ruffed Grouse (2 different birds)

Broad-Winged Hawk