WINGSCAPES

Make Your Yard A Better Bird Habitat

Thanks to Dr. Stephen Kress of the Audubon Society for giving us his 10 Projects for Attracting More Songbirds. A renowned ornithologist, Dr. Kress is Director of the Seabird Restoration Project (check out some of his BirdCam photos in the Wingscapes Photo Gallery!) and author of The Audubon Society Guide to Attracting Birds.

Male American Kestrel!

Not only was Connie from Loveland, Colorado’s recent submission to the Wingscapes Photo Gallery of this superb image of a male American Kestrel a new life bird for the Wingscapes BirdCam Life List, it was the first addition of both a new taxonomic genus (Falco) and family (Falconidae) to that list.

Connie reports that this is the male of a pair of kestrels that are raising a brood in one of her Northern Flicker nest boxes. There are chicks in the nest as she has seen the parent birds bringing food into the box. We are now eagerly awaiting photos of emerging young kestrels!

More Wingscapes on the Web!

Want to be the first to know when we release super-secret info or have special sneak previews? Then join us on Facebook and Twitter! We're expanding the Wingscapes community to include these popular social networking channels. It's a great way not only for us to send information, but to learn more about you and your experiences.

Juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker

June – the month when the young adults of not only humans but a variety of species leave both their proverbial as well as real nests and set out for life in the world.

Keep your eyes open in your backyard and on walks around your neighborhood, and you’re likely to see the juveniles from a number of different bird species testing their wings and exercising their new-found freedom.

Naturally, some will be recorded by BirdCams. For example, these two superb images of a juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker were recently submitted to the Wingscapes BirdCam Photo Gallery by Margaret from Birmingham, Alabama. Many thanks indeed, Margaret.

BirdCam Review from Memphis Commercial Appeal

Horticulturist Felder Rushing had some nice things to say about the BirdCam in an article for the Memphis Commercial Appeal. He's been pointing his BirdCam to capture action at his homemade bird feeders, which he makes from recycled materials such as old kitchen colanders and trumpets.

"The camera, which has been featured on Martha Stewart's program, can be set on either still shots or movie mode, and the sensor isn't fooled by slight movements of the feeder or nearby leafy branches. And the quality is pretty darned good," Rushing writes.

A Very Real Bird Indeed

So bright is their coloration that whenever an image of a Painted Bunting is displayed, if there is any person present who has not previously seen or heard of them, one particular comment will almost certainly be heard: “That’s not a real bird; that’s an enhanced photo!”

Wingscapes BirdCam Photo Gallery contributor “K” from Amelia Island, Florida was kind enough recently to submit an image of both a male and female of the species. The green foliage behind the male gives a clue as to why it is colored as brightly as it is (to be visible to the females in their nesting habitat areas).

Urban Birds Funky Nests Contest

Have a great photo of a peculiar nesting spot? The Celebrate Urban Birds citizen science project is taking submissions through July 31 for their Funky Nests in Funky Places contest. Submit an image of an unusual nest location (some of the current entries include nests in basketball goals, recycling bins and shoes!) and you could win one of several great prizes.

Celebrate Urban Birds is a project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology designed to learn more about birds in urban environments.

 

Picture Perfect Bluebird

One of the greatest joys in any photographer’s life, professional or amateur, is when everything about a photograph – the subject, the background, the lighting, etc. – comes together perfectly.

Take this superb image of a male Eastern Bluebird, for example, that was recently submitted to the Wingscapes BirdCam Photo Gallery by Cher from central New York state. The focus is razor sharp, the bird’s feathers are well lighted and vividly colored, and even the gleam in the bird’s eye seems to twinkle. Well done indeed Cher! Thanks for sharing this wonderful image with us all.