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Ashland Nature Center

At the start of October I picked up a new lens: a Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7. I was just in time to visit the Ashland Nature Center for their hawk watch, monitoring migrating birds.

The bird feeders were, as always, a great source of visible birds. I can’t say I got great photos of the hawks; I’m still working on my birds-in-flight technique and getting used to the new lens. The extra zoom and aperture of the Tamron compared to the Nikon 28-400mm are definitely nice, but the extra weight is definitely a workout.

Bluebird

Eastern bluebirds are some of my favorite birds. This juvenile has apparently not learned to be shy.

A juvenile bluebird perches on a branch and ignores the camera.
A juvenile bluebird side-eyes the camera without fear.
A juvenile bluebird challenges the camera.

Nestling

A carolina wren hides among the autumn leaves. Carolina Wren
A carolina wren sits among a nestle of thin branches, its mouth open in a call. Carolina Wren
A song sparrow bathes in a stream. Song Sparrow

Woodpeckers

Various sorts of woodpeckers were out in force.

A yellow-bellied sapsucker perches on a tree trunk. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
A red-bellied woodpecker perches on the side of a trunk, its beak slightly open Red-bellied Woodpecker
A red-bellied woodpecker perches on a branch. Red-bellied Woodpecker
A red-bellied woodpecker clings to a thin trunk. It has a seed in its beak from a bird feeder; perhaps it is searching for a hole in which to save the seed for later. Red-bellied Woodpecker
A downy woodpecker clings to a dead trunk. The trunk has many small holes; it is well-used by this bird and others. Downy woodpecker
A downy woodpecker perches at the top of a dead trunk. Downy woodpecker
A red-bellied woodpecker hangs upside-down from a branch. Red-bellied Woodpecker

Tennessee warbler

There was a large group (four or more) of Tennessee warblers that visited the bird feeders. Many birders complain about warblers, but these were happy to stay in sight for quite a while.

A Tennessee warbler balances n a pair of intertwined vines.
A Tennessee warbler mugs for the camera.
A Tennessee warbler has fund a caterpillar among a tangle of branches, leaves, and vines. This must be the much-vaunted 'early bird'. Early bird: Tennesee Warbler; worm: ??
A Tennessee warbler hides among leaves. Its color is tends more yellow-green than the oliage

Hawk watch

Each fall, birders and naturalists keep watch for migrating hawks from the top of a hill at Ashland. The location has clear sightlines for quite a ways.

A bald eagles carries on to its destination. Bald Eagle
A sharp-shinned hawk in flight. Sharp-shinned Hawk

By the feeder

A ruby-crowned kinglet poses on a vine. Ruby-crowned Kinglet
A house finch perches on a green vine. It has crumbs around its beak; it has been taking advantage of the bird feeders. House Finch
A house finch perches on a branch, eyeing the camera. The crumbs around its beak show it has been enjoying the feeders. House Finch
A white-breasted nuthatch perches in the crook between two branches. White-breasted Nuthatch
A chipmunk fills its cheeks with seeds dropped from the bird feeder.

The rest

An eastern phoebe poses dramatically on a thin branch. Eastern Phoebe
An eastern phoebe poses dramatically on a thin branch. Eastern Phoebe
A ruby-crowned kinglet prepares to land on a branch. Ruby-crowned Kinglet
A blue-headed vireo perches on a dead branch, its head cocked curiously. Blue-headed Vireo
A bee extracts nectar from one flower in a cluster.

All photos copyright Charles Eckman. All rights reserved.