Costa's Hummingbird, Calypte costae
The western U.S. is blessed with more species of the Hummingbird family than the east, including the lovely Costa’s Hummingbird, Calypte costae. The image above is a sub-adult taken in September in Southern California.It prefers arid areas, desert and desert scrub.
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Blue-crowned Motmot, Momotus momota
The Blue-crowned Motmot, Momotus momota is a wide ranging tropical species found from Mexico to central South America, as well as Trinidad and Tobago. The Motmot family seems closely related to the Kingfishers and like them, it tunnels into banks to where it nests.
There are about 20 subspecies recognized and many of them are suggested as candidates as full species. In particular the subspecies found in the Andes, M.m. aequatorialis, has been championed as the Highland Motmot, and the subspecies from Trinidad and Tobago, M. m. bahamensis, has also been proposed.
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Black-faced Ibis, Theristicus melanopis
Formerly considered a subspecies of the Buff-necked Ibis, Theristicus caudatus, the Black-faced Ibis, Theristicus melanopis, is now considered a separate species by all authorities. It is found in grassland areas of southern South America. These images were taken in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina.
 Black-faced Ibis, Theristicus melanopis |
 Black-faced Ibis, Theristicus melanopis |
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Tree Swallow in flight
At this time of year, Tree Swallows are busy flying about their preferred breeding sites, man made nest boxes. Since they are not too concerned with humans being fairly close, it can offer the nature photographer a chance for some in flight images. I outlined this method in a post two years ago called Photographing Swallows in flight. I spent a couple of hours at a nearby nesting site and came away with a few images.
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Killdeer Distraction Display
There are a number of bird species which put on a display when something approaches their nest, in an effort to draw the intruder away. For those in North America, one of the more common species to do this is the Killdeer, which gives a good imitation of having a broken wing and makes a lot of noise to accompany this act.
When you see this, you can take a look around on the bare ground and often see the scrap in the dirt or gravel which contains the eggs. They can be very difficult to see as they are marked to blend into the background very well.
Killdeer Nest
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Eastern Screech-Owl, Otus asio chick
While talking to a man about Wood Duck boxes that he maintained on his farm, I asked if he ever had Screech-Owls nesting in them as Eastern Screech-Owl, Otus asio, often do. he said that he currently had such a nest and kindly invited me to have a look. A quick look showed the nest box contained two large chicks, one of which you can see in the image above. The chick has just finished giving a rattle with its beak and hissed at us. We left them in peace and shortly after I saw an adult approach and enter the box.
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Iiwi, Vestiaria coccinea
I think the Iiwi, Vestiaria coccinea, is one of the most beautiful birds on earth.There were good numbers to be found at Hosmer Grove in Maui on the way up to Haleakala Crater. While they wouldn’t cooperate in coming down lower in the trees for a photograph, it is a great thrill to see these gems. Birdlife International lists it as Vulnerable due to population declines from Avian influenza and habitat loss.
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Magnolia Warbler, Dendroica magnolia
The Magnolia Warbler, Dendroica magnolia, is one of my favorites of the fantastic variety that makes up the Warbler Family. The male’s bright yellow underparts provide a strong contrast with the dark head,back and breast stripes. It is primarily an breeder in the eastern half of North America. It was named by Wilson since he first saw it in a magnolia tree.
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Tennessee Warbler, Vermivora perigrina
The Tennessee Warbler, Vermivora peregrina, breeds across Northern U.S. and southern Canada, preferring mixed woodland, especially spruce trees.
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Blackburnian Warbler, Dendroica fusca
The Blackburnian Warbler, Dendroica fusca, is not uncommon, but it often frequents the top of trees, making it difficult for photographers. It is always a treat to find one lower down where images will not be backlit.
Blackburnian Warbler, Dendroica fusca
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