WINGSCAPES

Florida Scrub-jay Added to the BirdCam Life List

Of the many species of jay found in North America, the one that most attracts the attention of bird watchers and ornithologists alike is the Florida Scrub-jay, Aphelocoma coerulescens. Found only among the oak scrublands of Florida, Florida Scrub-jays are known for their intelligence and their habit of remaining together in multi-generational family groups.

Naturally, when Carol from Rockledge, Florida, uploaded to the BirdCam Photo Gallery the first reported Wingscapes BirdCam image of one of these remarkable birds, making it the most recent addition to the Wingscapes BirdCam Life List, we were very pleased indeed. Thanks Carol!

Suet Brings in the Birds of Autumn

With the autumn progressing, the colder days are increasing the popularity of suet among many of the feeder-visiting birds. Here in the Pacific Northwest, the Western Scrub-jays are becoming quite regular visitors to the feeders after their usual summer absence during which they forage far and wide among the lowland fields. However the plentiful and quick calories provided from suet is simply irresistible, not only to the Scrub-jays but to all the bird species that will spend the winter enduring the wet, cold northwest winter.

You Think Your Kid Has a Funny Haircut?

As June began to wane toward July, I’d been noticing that the iron hook by which I hang the nut feeder from our deck was even more popular than the contents of the nut feeder itself. So I repositioned the Wingscapes BirdCam from focusing on the feeder to focusing on the top curve of the iron feeder hook where most of the birds seemed to prefer to perch. I captured a number of great images, often of birds not known for visiting nut feeders. However the best of the lot was this one.

This is a juvenile Steller’s Jay. What will eventually be jet black in his plumage is still a dark, ashy grey color. But the most noticeable difference between what the bird looks like now and what it will look like as an adult is the crest on its head. Instead of the debonair, back-sloping crest of an adult, the juveniles of the species have a more 80’s punk-type crest.

Bluebirds and More from Cary, North Carolina

David from Cary, North Carolina sent in these great shots of various birds he recorded in his back yard using the Wingscapes BirdCam. Thanks David!

David writes:

Here's more of my favorite shots with the BirdCam.  All were photographed at my home in Cary, North Carolina.

Laura's First BirdCam Photos

We came across this post and wanted to share it with you.

Laura, from "Laura Goes Birding" has captured her first photos using the Wingscapes BirdCam.  Here is a Western Scrub-jay leaning in very close to the camera - just one of the birds whose images she captured.  We look forward to more great pictures from Laura.

BirdCam Week at The Zen Birdfeeder

I'm working through a backlog of items I want to post about. In early December, our friend Nancy Castillo posted some great BirdCam images on her blog The Zen Birdfeeder.  Nancy runs a Wild Birds Unlimited store and was one of our first dealers to catch-on to a great benefit of the BirdCam...it can be used to showcase other products.

On Monday, Nancy posted some great images of Woodpeckers and Nuthatches, including this one in which she captured a Downy and Hairy woodpecker together. This two are nearly identical except for their size. (Hairy is similar size to Red bellied or Red headed Woodpeckers,...Downy is smaller.)

...the Tuesday, Nancy showcased the WBU Eliminator feeder...
 

...on Wednesday, Nancy posted some cool shots of various Rodentia...

...on Thursday, it was a smattering of different birds. I was surprised recently to learn that many backyard birders have an aversion to Blue Jays. I love them. They take great photos...

...on Friday, Nancy posted some great video. Click here to check it out.

Wingscapes loves Nancy. She is a BirdCammer of the first order.

Crows are Cool...

The Bird Man sent me this amazing video of a crow that befriended a kitten. Evidence that the internet is an endless source of miscellanea and that crows are cool.

City Birder Finds BirdCam Success

Since beginning this project two years ago, I've been reading birding blogs. I have a particular interest in urban bird blogs. One of the most compelling aspects of birding is that it provides a way for people to connect with wildlife and nature regardless of where they live. Anyone, anywhere can enjoy birds...less true with other types of wildlife. That so much bio-diversity exists in cities is missed by many, and it sets up an "ah ha!" moment for many beginning birders. Once you realize how many species are around you everyday, it is hard not to be curious about what you can find if you actually start looking.

Anyway, I've enjoyed urban bird blogs like City Birder and  A DC Birding Blog for a while. I'd asked both to test out the BirdCam and was eager to see some images, especially from New York City. I was surprised when Rob Jett (City Birder) didn't have quick success, but he seems to have had a watershed session with it. In just several hours, he captured a Downy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Red-breasted Nuthatch, White-breasted Nuthatch, Chipping Sparrow and Purple Finch. Check out his post on December 1st. Hopefully we will see more BirdCam images from NYC.

 

Western Scrub-Jay

Floyd Schrock of McMinnville, Oregon writes Flycatcher - a great birding blog. He sent a nice note saying, "The BirdCam has opened up a whole new way for me to pursue both my 'birdwatching' and my photography of birds.  Through this little robot I can find out what is going on in my backyard while I'm away, and also get photos from perspectives that would be difficult or impossible otherwise.  Now my kids are suggesting new ways to use it, so I think I'm just getting started."

Floyd also passed along this great Western Scrub-Jay...another first for the BirdCam (as far as I know). I've never seen one.