[2014 Year in Review. India, Dominican Republic, Florida, Arizona, The Bahamas, Texas, Ohio, Michigan]
2014 has passed us by, leaving in its wake avian highlights that will linger on in our memories -- species that are particularly noteworthy because they represent Lifers, Endemics or simply remarkable birds that have left an indelible impact on the observer.
In that spirit, we review, in roughly chronological order and by geography, these truly memorable species:
India
A country with 1300 species is bound to be a top birding destination:
A stunning white-headed, white-breasted-raptor also known as the Red-backed Sea Eagle:
Jacanas are rail-like birds and this Bronze-winged Jacana was exceptional:
Kingfishers have an outsized personality -- even the Common Kingfisher is uncommonly beautiful:
A specialist of mangroves, the Collared Kingfisher:
A "terrestrial" kingfisher, this Little Green Beeeater excels at catching insects, especially bees:
Isabelline Shrike -- a beautiful name for an equally handsome shrike:
A hornbill flying overhead -- proof that birds descended from dinosaurs!
There are no pratincoles in America which is a shame because this Small Pratincole is a shorebird like no other:
And, when it comes to shorebirds, the Crab Plover is equally unique:
Finally, everyone loves streamers and this Greater Racquet-tailed Drongo has them in impressive dimensions:
The Caribbean (Bahamas and Dominican Republic)
The Caribbean is the tropics in our own backyard, readily accessible to those in the US with a mix of fascinating species.
First a colorful tropical finch, the Antillean Euphonia:
And, a shimmering green jewel -- a stunning Hispaniolan Emerald (an endemic):
Another endemic; this time a woodpecker:
To see a Tody, you have to travel to the Caribbean -- they are not found anywhere else in the world:
The Caribbean's proximity to South Florida means that this is one dove we get to enjoy as well:
Another hummer -- the Bahama Woodstar:
Arizona
If you had to bird only 10% of the States in the US, you would not be faulted for picking the Great Birding states of Texas, California, Florida, Alaska and Arizona. Why Arizona? Name one other state where all the following birds can be seen:
The only non-green, and brightest, empidonax flycatcher:
Our only Trogon:
The Black-tailed Gnatcatcher is certainly aptly named:
Our most colorful wren:
A "must see" warbler for every birder in the US:
Another Arizona specialty:
Texas
Another of the "Birding Big 5" states, Texas offers a collection of exclusive and hard-to-get species -- And, the incomparable Black-capped Vireo is one of them:
A resplendent Black-headed Grosbeak:
Painted Buntings at their breeding grounds:
A stunning Summer Tanager:
The Varied Bunting is one bird that can claim to outshine the Painted in a mystical blend of purple, blue, red and black:
The Vermilion Flycatcher is ablaze in a bright orangey-red:
Loud and gregarious, the Mexican Jay is hard to miss:
Ohio
Having covered the miracle of neotropical warbler migration on the shores of Lake Erie in earlier posts, we recap the "non warbler" species at Magee Marsh -- starting with a shorebird of the woods: The American Woodcock:
A superbly camouflaged raptor:
Not a pretty picture; but, this Turkey Vulture has a tale to tell -- what happens when you fly too close to an Eagle's nest. A pair of Bald Eagles viciously and repeatedly attacked this bird eventually "grounding" it.
Our only one-word named thrush:
A superbly camouflaged goatsucker:
A specialist bee-eater, this Tanager is now classified as a Cardinal:
Michigan
Michigan is a mecca for many breeding and migrating species -- starting with the indefatigable songster, Red-eyed Vireo:
The eye-catching Scarlet Tanager:
Michigan is an important breeding area for the most delicately hued of our warblers -- shunning the bright yellows, garish blacks, greens and reds of typical warblers for a zen-like composition in sky-blue and white:
The "Blue Canary" of our forests:
Michigan's birding reputation is reinforced by its claim to be the breeding home for America's rarest warbler:
Port Huron State Game Area (SGA) is a haven for breeding species including Mourning Warbler:
The Great Lakes attract migrating songbirds including this bright and crisp looking Savannah Sparrow:
Marshes at Lake St. Clair allow rails and herons to thrive:
Florida
As another "birding heavyweight" state, Florida offers excellent birding year-round -- for migration, breeding season as well as overwintering species:
Corkscrew Swamp has to be one of the best places in the country to see breeding Barred Owl:
Carolina Wren is seen year-round at the Swamp:
Indigo Buntings are common at the Lighthouse in migration:
Like many other raptors, Red-shouldered Hawk populations declined precipitously during the 20th century due to DDT and loss of habitat; now on the rebound, they are near ubiquitous in SW Florida:
A strawberry-red Summer Tanager in migration at the Lighthouse:
Florida is a haven for shorebirds with miles and miles of pristine mudflats and tidal lagoons that attract lots of species, including this Whimbrel:
Finally, a Yellow-throated Vireo in migration:
As every birder can relate, each species is more than a bird -- it represents a story and an experience that is special and delightful in some way. And, these highlights, for this blogger, were standouts from a very productive 2014.
2014 has passed us by, leaving in its wake avian highlights that will linger on in our memories -- species that are particularly noteworthy because they represent Lifers, Endemics or simply remarkable birds that have left an indelible impact on the observer.
In that spirit, we review, in roughly chronological order and by geography, these truly memorable species:
India
A country with 1300 species is bound to be a top birding destination:
A stunning white-headed, white-breasted-raptor also known as the Red-backed Sea Eagle:
Brahminy Kite, Goa |
Bronze-winged Jacana, Goa |
Common Kingfisher, Keoladeo National Park |
Collared Kingfisher, Zuari River, Goa |
Little Green Beeeater, Sambhar Lake Outskirts |
Isabelline Shrike, near Sultanpur National Park |
Malabar Pied Hornbill, Goa |
Small Pratincole, Goa |
Crab Plover, Jamnagar |
Greater Racquet-tailed Drongo, Goa |
The Caribbean (Bahamas and Dominican Republic)
The Caribbean is the tropics in our own backyard, readily accessible to those in the US with a mix of fascinating species.
First a colorful tropical finch, the Antillean Euphonia:
Antillean Euphonia, DR |
Hispaniolan Emerald seen at Ebano Verde |
Hispaniolan Woodpecker seen at Jardin Botanico, Santo Domingo |
Narrow-billed Tody seen at Ebano Verde |
White-crowned Pigeon seen on Grand Bahama |
Bahama Woodstar seen on Grand Bahama |
If you had to bird only 10% of the States in the US, you would not be faulted for picking the Great Birding states of Texas, California, Florida, Alaska and Arizona. Why Arizona? Name one other state where all the following birds can be seen:
The only non-green, and brightest, empidonax flycatcher:
Buff-breasted Flycatcher seen at Rose Canyon |
Elegant Trogon seen at Madera Canyon |
Black-tailed Gnatcatcher seen at Sabino Canyon |
Canyon Wren seen at Sabino Canyon |
Red-faced Warbler seen at Incinerator Ridge |
Yellow-eyed Junco seen at Rose Canyon |
Another of the "Birding Big 5" states, Texas offers a collection of exclusive and hard-to-get species -- And, the incomparable Black-capped Vireo is one of them:
Black-capped Vireo, Window Trail |
Black-headed Grosbreak, Laguna Meadows Trail |
Painted Bunting, Rio Grande Village |
Summer Tanager, Rio Grande Village |
Varied Bunting, Green Gulch |
Vermilion Flycatcher, Rio Grande Village |
Mexican Jay, Chisos Mts |
Ohio
Having covered the miracle of neotropical warbler migration on the shores of Lake Erie in earlier posts, we recap the "non warbler" species at Magee Marsh -- starting with a shorebird of the woods: The American Woodcock:
American Woodcock |
Eastern Screech Owl |
Injured Tureky Vulture |
Veery |
Whip-poor-will |
Scarlet Tanager |
Michigan
Michigan is a mecca for many breeding and migrating species -- starting with the indefatigable songster, Red-eyed Vireo:
Red-eyed Vireo, Algonquin State Park |
Scarlet Tanager, Port Huron SGA |
Cerulean Warbler, Algonquin State Park |
Indigo Bunting, Algonquin State Park |
Kirtland's Warbler, Greyling |
Mourning Warbler |
Savannah Sparrow, Lake St. Clair |
Virginia Rail, Lake St. Clair |
Florida
As another "birding heavyweight" state, Florida offers excellent birding year-round -- for migration, breeding season as well as overwintering species:
Blue Grosbeak, Sanibel Lighthouse |
Barred Owl, Corkscrew Swamp |
Carolina Wren, Corkscrew Swamp |
Indigo Bunting, Sanibel Lighthouse |
Red-shouldered Hawk, Corkscrew Swamp |
Summer Tanager, Sanibel Lighthouse |
Hudsonian Whimbrel, Little Estero Lagoon |
Yellow-throated Vireo, Sanibel Lighhouse |
1 comment:
Hi There, DPH,
I am thoroughly enjoying your wonderful photos, and trying to decide which bird to draw next! Do you have any particular favorites?
My best to you,
Pam W
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