Weekend Birding: The Bird Walk
I’ve mentioned that every few weeks I go on a bird walk organized by the local birding club. We usually go to a forest preserve or nature trail. It’s a great way to see birds not normally found in backyards and an opportunity to learn how to identify them.
Last weekend was absolutely gorgeous with temperatures in the 80s. 75 people showed up for the walk, more than double our normal size group and we saw 42 species of birds. Unfortunately for me, the birds saw all these people and took off for the tops of the trees or dove into tall grasses, still in binocular range but out of the range of my camera’s lens.
I wandered off on my own for a bit down this lovely path hoping to find a bird or two that would pose for a photo. There were lots of warblers in the trees on the left but they were way too active and there were too many leaves to take pictures. I continued on down the path taking photos of leaves and plants. This berry plant was exceptionally attractive.
Eventually I wandered off the path to a marshy area and finally found a bird willing to pose for me, although he didn’t look happy about it and wouldn’t turn around. This little guy is an Eastern Phoebe. They are fairly common in eastern North America and can be recognized by their call of “phee-bee” and their constantly wagging tail.
Autumn is my favorite time for taking photos and a good time of year to see birds that are migrating south. Perhaps next weekend I will have better luck!
I link up my bird photos on Saturday Snapshot hosted by Alyce at At Home With Books. Visit her blog to see more great photos or add your own.
Under My Apple Tree 
That sounds such a lovely bird walk. I go on one once a month (when I’m not working or away), but we only get about 10-15 people at most. Last month was quite cold, there were 5 of us!
LikeLike
Normally we have about 20 people. This was the first time we’ve ever had that big a number.
LikeLike
Oh what a shame the birds had all (well nearly all) flown!
LikeLike
What beautiful pictures! Your photography is excellent.
Here’s my Saturday Snapshot
LikeLike
Last weekend was perfectly beautiful here in Ontario, too. That little Phoebe guy? Too funny. He looks exactly like, Don’t even think about taking my picture!
LikeLike
What a lovely day out.
LikeLike
Love all your pics but especially the one of the trees – hasn’t the weather been lovely? Hope you can get the bird pics you want next time.
LikeLike
I’m hoping for a few more good days this week when the trees should be at peak color.
LikeLike
A bird walk (organized group) sounds like a lot of fun Leslie – Beautiful pictures.
LikeLike
The trees forming a canopy over the pathway is gorgeous! And the berries, too. Love the shy bird.
Thanks for sharing…and enjoy many more such walks.
Here’s MY SATURDAY SNAPSHOT and
MY WEBSITE
LikeLike
That first picture captures the epitome of what I love about the fall – the angle of the sun, the turning leaves, the crispness of the whole season. Lovely. Here’s Mine
LikeLike
Leslie, thanks for taking us along on your bird walk even if you didn’t get a lot of shots. It looks really delightful and yes, that phoebe bird looks a little miffed! LOL
LikeLike
We have those berries growing in our backyard. The birds seem to love them!
LikeLike
Great pictures. Glad you were able to get that last one to pose (even if unhappy about it). Love visiting your blog!
Here’s mine: http://myreadersblock.blogspot.com/2011/10/saturday-snapshot-october-15.html
LikeLike
what a great way to spend a day walking in the trees and looking for birds!!
LikeLike
I love that berry photo. Absolutely love it!
LikeLike
That sort of a bird walk sounds like a lot of fun (except for having so many people scaring off the birds).
LikeLike
You always have such lovely photos of birds.
LikeLike
Gorgeous photos. Sounds like a lovely afternoon.
Have a good week
carol
LikeLike
Beautiful photos. You’ve made me wonder if there’s any group locally that does bird walks. I’ll have to look into it.
LikeLike