Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Snow Bird Quiz: Name These Birds

One of the side effects of being a nature photographer is you generally operate alone. This is not an issue for me as I am somewhat of a loner.

Having said that, I do enjoy taking someone along as long as their attitude is one of wonder and adventure. I never refuse company, but it is true that I don't always seek it out either.

The assumption is often made by my crew that I prefer to do my nature stomping by myself. It is true that certain missions do require maximum stealth and discomfort. On those, I usually do not issue invitations.
And if safety is an issue, I am definitely not encouraging anyone to trek along with me.
I'd rather not have someone else along when tiptoeing through a swampy logjam loaded with water moccasins.
There is also the issue of boredom. I'm not bored sitting, standing, or stalking slowly while being feasted upon by mosquitoes. I do not mind being hot or cold for a shot at a good photo.

That fact can be an issue with company.

If you come along and I think you are miserable or bored, I will probably cut the experience short due to your discomfort ... thereby missing the great shot that presented itself 3 minutes after I sighed heavily and said, "Let's try somewhere else."

Still, when you are a husband and a Dad, and you love being with the smart and interesting people you live with, it's important they don't feel left out.

Rumor has it my son recently grumbled, "It figures Dad would choose a SINGLE person kayak."
In my defense, we have two canoes and I have never turned down a request to canoe with my crew. In fact it's usually my idea.

So Sunday, I asked Mrs. FC along on a photographic expedition.
She said what I expected, " Oh, you don't want someone else along interfering."

I convinced her that was not an issue and she agreed to come.
As it turned out, with her driving through the woods, I was able to shoot roadside birds in the brushy forest edges.

She was a good spotter and didn't mind sitting for a bit while I banged out megapixels.
She never complained about anything other than the absence of any girly type restroom.
In fact her patience and spotting skill allowed my to grab these migrant photos for the quiz you are about to take.



Question 1: Above and below, who is this?





Question 2: Above and below: Who is this?




Question 3: Above: Name that bird.

Bonus: Not a snowbird ... just our dull state bird.

Good luck on the quiz!
(And, yes, the quiz is just a cheezy attempt by me to have you expert birder types verify the identities of these flittytwitty LGB's)




24 comments:

Sharon said...

OOh OOH!! I know!! MOCKINGBIRD!! :oD

threecollie said...

That bottom guy looks familiar....like a certain someone who was drinking by the heater in the garden pond this morning. I ran for the camera, but he was gone before I got back...(mockingbird)
Is the top one a phoebe? Certainly some sort of little flycatcher guy

Sayre said...

Number one looks like some kind of flycatcher - possibly a young kingbird. I had a momentary thrill at number two, but I believe now that I would be mistaken to identify it as a meadowlark. I LOVE meadowlarks and really miss them (all over in Oklahoma). It doesn't have the right chest markings. Sigh. I'd need my bird book to identify the rest of them. *except the mockingbird - I KNOW that one!*

Doug Taron said...

Um, they're birds. Well, OK I got the mockingbird, but that was a gimme. Really, I'd be much more help if you were looking for an ID on some obscure, drab skipper. Still having tons of fun in Pure Florida (Conch Republic section), and even getting to photograph some obscure, drab skippers.

Florida Beach Basics said...

our state bird is NOT dull

marge

Stacy said...

#1 Eastern Phoebe

#2 Possibly a palm warbler, but there's lots of eeny yellow/brown birds down here, and I'm lazy.

#3 Prob. juvenile Eastern Phoebe

#4 Mockingbird, of course.

We have extensive photo records of Florida birds here if ever want to use them for reference.

Dani said...

Stacy nailed it!

Felicia said...

Agree--Stacy got it right (though I originally thought #3 was a dull Yellow-rumped Warbler).

Also, I recall hearing somewhere that the state bird got changed to the Osprey--what do you know about this?

Deb said...

I don't have my field guide with me today, but I was going to say the top one looked like a phoebe. The middle one is some warbler maybe.

I haven't seen a mockingbird in years. Which isn't really too surprising.

Sandcastle Momma said...

It's funny that you mention going alone because just the other day I was thinking that if you offered nature tours you'd be covered up with business. You seem to have a knack for finding hidden Florida treasures.
I have to agree with Stacy on the bird list - looks like she nailed it.

Unknown said...

1.A bird
2.A bird
3.A bird
4.mockingbird(only because I know that's the state bird of Florida)
I don't know the names of birds,I just like to look for,at,and photo them.

Julie Zickefoose said...

1. Eastern phoebe
2. palm warbler
3. yellow-rumped warbler (imm. female)
4. northern mockingbird

Eee! Eee! Eee! Science Chimp attack!

kathy a. said...

1. cute brown bird
2. cute yellow bird
3. another cute brown bird
4. i was ~this~ close to saying it was a florida scrub jay, but that's only because apparently the people petitioning for that bird to be THE bird are very vocal on google. but now that i know the truth, i've got carly simon and james taylor running in my head.

R.Powers said...

Sharon,
Me too! I knew that one!

3C,
I was thinking Phoebe too ... wasn't sure on the warblernicity of the center birds.

Sayre,
Phoebes and flycatchers same gang, so points there!
We have meadowlarks here, but I've yet to photo one.


Doug,
I'm sure you'll get your chance this spring when I'm posting buglings I'm not sure of.


Marge,
I'm not talking about his personality. I just think it's ridiculous for a state as bird rich as Florida to have a drab grey bird I could find in most of the US.


Stacy,
Thanks! I like that Phoebe keeps coming up because that was what I called it too.
I need reassurance ...


Dani,
Thanks!

Felicia,
Welcome! I have not heard that, although it would be a good candidate.

Deb,
No mockers that far north?

SCMomma,
But I would have to be nice to the customers right? ... even if they whine about the heat, the bugs, the scorpions ...

Chris and Jon,
Hey, I use that same field guide!

Julie,
Yes!! I knew I could draw you out! Thanks for the official word oh science chimp! heehee

R.Powers said...

Kathy A,
If you had discovered these birds first, they'd all have cute names! I could definitely vote for the Florida Scrub Jay! Love them.

Miz S said...

I adore mockingbirds! Florida just keeps going up, up, UP in my estimation!

robin andrea said...

I'm glad I got here after Julie Z weighed in. I hate to embarrass myself.

Thunder said...

Not sure what the names are, but I'm pretty sure they'd be good with a nice Sichuan sauce, or possibly grilled with some Xinjian spice! ;-)

LauraHinNJ said...

That palm warbler stumped me... kinda sad to see him looking so pale...

;-)

Anonymous said...

Sorry I'm flying in late to this post...
Ahem, we Mockers are not drab, but wear a fine coat of feathers in Confederate Grey.
We not only eat bugs, but sing all the live long day. Also we will fiercely protect our nests and young ones.
Thanks for appreciating us!

nina at Nature Remains. said...

Mockingbird is the Florida stste bird?
I'm surprised--thought maybe something more...flashy.

Anonymous said...

Dear mockingbird,
I love you, especially your songs, but please don't sh.t on my windowsill when you attack your imaginary enemy in my window. Such behavior is unbecoming to a fine bird.
Your admirer

Julie Zickefoose said...

I love your comments section. Never fails to crack me up.

Anonymous said...

To advisor,
Thank you very much.
Sorry about that, but just hose it off, or paint your windowsill the same color.
Respectfully submitted,
'Bird