Fledged in Northern Minnesota (yr 2, mth 7)

I hear many folks talk about how July is a horrible month for birding opportunities. Not true. While the unexpected jackpot finds during the spring and fall migrations are not possible, and the leaves block the view of birds you hear but can not see … July is a great month for birding. Think young! In other words, find the nests and the fledglings and you will be treated to neat views. Young birds have often not learned to be scared of us humans, and their parents are often so busy feeding their offspring who are almost their own size, that the adult birds sometimes lose a bit of their wariness.

The images below were taken over the course of the past week of fledglings. In short, get out there and enjoy the July heat!

Eastern Phoebe Family
Y2-M07-Eastern-Phoebe-5-Pine-Branches-Frame Y2-M07-Eastern-Phoebe-4 Y2-M07-Eastern-Phoebe-3 Y2-M07-Eastern-Phoebe-6-Tag-Your-It Y2-M07-Eastern-Phoebe-7-Tag-Your-It Y2-M07-Eastern-Phoebe-1 Y2-M07-Eastern-Phoebe-2

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Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker Kid
Y2-M07-Yellow-Bellied-Sapsucker-Juvenile-01

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Rescued Crow on an Early Morning Kayak
Y2-M07-Crow-Rescue-01 Y2-M07-Crow-Rescue-02c Y2-M07-Crow-Rescue-03-Horizon

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Belted Kingfisher
Y2-M07-Kingfisher-05-Preen-Mouthing-Off-B

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Common Yellowthroat
Y2-M07-Common-Yellow-Throat-Female-Ambush Y2-M07-Common-Yellow-Throat-Female-Flowers

Belted Kingfisher Preening Time

It is vitally important for all birds to take care of their feathers. Most birds have a preen or oil glad. They rub their bills over the gland; pick up some oil and then rub the oil over their feathers.

This morning I had the privilege of watching a belted kingfisher preen itself. Given how skittish these birds are, I was happy to just have a seat near by, but then the kingfisher put on a show for me!

Announcing Belted Kingfisher Preening Time!
Y2-M07-Kingfisher-01-Preening-Time-Annoucement

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Wings
Y2-M07-Kingfisher-03-Preen-Right-Wing Y2-M07-Kingfisher-02-Preen-Left-Wing

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Stretch!
Y2-M07-Kingfisher-04-Preen-Stretch

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Mouthing Off!
Y2-M07-Kingfisher-05-Preen-Mouthing-Off-A Y2-M07-Kingfisher-05-Preen-Mouthing-Off-B

Northern Lights over Little Stone Lake

My first ever time lapse video of the Northern Lights! 20 minutes during the heart of the storm reduced to a 30 second video. Location: Little Stone Lake in Northern Minnesota from 3:13 to 3:33 am early in the morning on July 23, 2015. Music: Largo from the New World Symphony legally downloaded from the Internet Archive.

Oh yes … the loons were yodeling like crazy during the height of the solar storm!  🙂

Aurora Borealis Time Lapse Video

Still Images from Last Night’s Aurora Display

  • Sony NEX-5t Mirrorless Camera
  • ISO = 1,600
  • Aperture = 3.5
  • Exposure = 8 seconds

Images from the Solar Storm!
Northern-Lights-Little-Stone-Lake-03a Northern-Lights-Little-Stone-Lake-03c

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Two Photographs Before Things Really Got Started
Northern-Lights-Little-Stone-Lake-01a Northern-Lights-Little-Stone-Lake-01b-Big-Dipper