Lewis’s Woodpecker – Stevensville, Montana:  For three days I drove Glacier National Park, The National Bison Range, and Metcalf NWR looking for Lewis’s Woodpecker.  Lewis’s Woodpecker is an uncommon bird in its range, and I was told by park rangers and other birder’s that, “you don’t find Lewis’s, they just happen.  They move around a lot.”  
     The Lewis’s Woodpecker was first collect by Meriwether Lewis on the 1805 expedition into the recently acquired Louisiana Purchase territory.  The bird was named for its discoverer. 

Unlike other woodpeckers the Lewis’s does not usually dig into a tree for insects, but fly catches.  I have observed the bird perched in typical woodpecker posture, then, leap into the air to hawk insects.  It is most unusual behavior for a woodpecker.

     After chasing the bird for three days I did not think I would find one, then I stopped and talked with another photographer while shooting at Lee Metcalf NWR.  I asked him if he had seen a Lewis’s.  He told me he had seen one that morning on a road west and north of Stevensville.  With his directions I took off looking, and to my great surprise I found not one, but three birds just a half a mile north of where he told me to look.  As I watched the birds I was incredibly excited.  The Lewis’s is a “Lifer” for me.  Seeing the bird itself was enough, but I had not only seen the bird, I saw one fly to nearby cavity.  I had found nesting birds, and an opportunity to shoot photos.

    The nest was situated in a cottonwood stump about twelve feet off the ground.  There was also a drive into pasture about 20-25 feet from the nest that I would pull into.  The nest was perfectly situated for me to use my van as a blind.  I have enjoyed two good mornings shooting this wonderful, and some what rare bird.  I was just hoping to see this beautiful bird, but I have been fortunate to photograph it as well.  What more could I ask for!


Top Photo:  Nikon D7000, Nikkor 500mm f4, with 1.4 teleconverter, 1/1000 sec @ f8
Bottom Photo:  Nikon D 7000, Nikkor 500mm f4, 1/000 sec, @ f7.1

Pic of the Day

     Common Yellowthroat Warbler – Magee Marsh, Ohio:  Another one of the many warblers I saw along the boardwalk at Magee Marsh.  As mentioned in a previous post, the birds at Magee are fearless, often moving so close that I had to back-up to get a shot.  Although this image is cropped, the bird was within the minimum focus distance of my lens requiring the use of extension tubes to get this close-up. 

I love shooting the warblers, and I am already looking forward to next spring!

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 300mm f2.8VR - with extension tubes, 1/80sec. @ f5.6

Pic of the Day

     Mexican Jay – Santa Rita Lodge; Madera Canyon, Arizona:  The Mexican Jay is a common species found in pine-oak canyons of the southeast Arizona mountains.   I photographed this Mexican Jay at the Santa Rita Lodge in Madera Canyon, a world renown birding hotspot.  I typically travel to Madera Canyon to photograph hummingbirds, but the Santa Rita Lodge is a great place to photograph acorn woodpeckers, black-headed grosbeaks, blue grosbeaks, house finch, lesser goldfinch and Gould turkey.  The best time for hummingbirds is after July first, but I like late June as well, as the other species are in prime breeding plumage.   If you have never been birding in southeast Arizona, it is a trip worth making.

Nikon D300, Nikkor 500mm f4,  1/60 second @ f7.1