Tag: bird

Gull Series, No. 2.

Ring-billed gulls (Larus delawarensis) and a herring gull (Larus argentatus), in Portsmouth, Virginia.

The herring gull (at upper right) is significantly larger than the four ring-billed gulls in this shot. The herring gull also sports a red mark on its lower bill. As breeding season approaches the red mark will become more intensely colored, and the bird’s legs will turn a more pronounced pink color. 

The two ring-billed gulls at front/center are birds in their first winter. Their feathers will lose their mottled appearance over the coming months. 

Please click photo for full view. 

Gull Series, No. 2.

Ring-billed gulls (Larus delawarensis) and a herring gull (Larus argentatus), in Portsmouth, Virginia.

The herring gull (at upper right) is significantly larger than the four ring-billed gulls in this shot. The herring gull also sports a red mark on its lower bill. As breeding season approaches the red mark will become more intensely colored, and the bird’s legs will turn a more pronounced pink color. 

The two ring-billed gulls at front/center are birds in their first winter. Their feathers will lose their mottled appearance over the coming months. 

Please click photo for full view. 

In the Mail: Thing 2 sent me a book of Charlie Harper bird illustrations today. My favorite is this wonderful graphic rendering of cardinals feeding – a scene that will play out throughout the winter here at FatChance Manor. A male cardinal will make frequent food offerings to his mate to reinforce their pair bond. 

And as an added bonus, the book’s arrival coincided with the first snowflakes of the year!

In the Mail: Thing 2 sent me a book of Charlie Harper bird illustrations today. My favorite is this wonderful graphic rendering of cardinals feeding – a scene that will play out throughout the winter here at FatChance Manor. A male cardinal will make frequent food offerings to his mate to reinforce their pair bond. 

And as an added bonus, the book’s arrival coincided with the first snowflakes of the year!

American goldfinches (Spinus tristis) gleaning black-eyed Susan seeds (Rudbeckia sp.), at Paradise Creek Nature Park, in Portsmouth, Virginia.

These birds have lost their vivid summer plumage. Once breeding season is done goldfinches become increasingly gregarious, and small colonies of birds meld into larger flocks. I estimate there were about one hundred birds in the flock I observed today. 

American goldfinches (Spinus tristis) gleaning black-eyed Susan seeds (Rudbeckia sp.), at Paradise Creek Nature Park, in Portsmouth, Virginia.

These birds have lost their vivid summer plumage. Once breeding season is done goldfinches become increasingly gregarious, and small colonies of birds meld into larger flocks. I estimate there were about one hundred birds in the flock I observed today.