Succession Of Plumage?

I love photographing Red-winged Blackbirds, especially in the spring. The males have the bright color and they really stand out at this time of year. The clip below is from the Wikipedia entry linked above. If you scroll down, they talk about the succession of plumage and molts. Amazing!

Appearance in spring and summer of the first basic plumage (also known as the first breeding plumage or sub-adult plumage): the males, which normally are not yet defending a territory, present a dull black coloration acquired by the wear of the edges of the feathers. The stain alar may be more noticeable than in the first winter plumage due to wear subterminal blacklists, which generally only remain in the form of small black spots. Mottled wing spots are characteristic of young individuals and the extent of orange is highly variable. Females, which are usually already breeding, exhibit plumage similar to the first winter plumage, but darker above due to wear on beige edges or rust on feathers. The chest is less beige, and has a black and white veining.

~ Rick

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Not As Bright: But As Beautiful

This cardinal was a lot of fun. I saw her as we hiked torward the River J. Shook Bikeway Bridge. She was setting on the wood rails. As I lifted the camera to photograph her .. well, you know what happens. She flew away.

It looked like she just flew into the grass, so I walked over to the side of the trail to take a look. Nothing. I didn’t want to give up, so I waked to the large dropoff where the bridge begins. Looking down I saw nothing,

Suddenly saw her in a nearby tree. This time she waited long enough for me to capture a few photos. The female cardinal is not nearly as bright as the male, but they are beautiful.

~ Rick

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Check out our vlog, which includes more pictures and video on YouTube at tales.photos. Remember to subscribe!

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Bug Hunters

I love the White-breasted Nuthatch. They are a very cool bird that never rest. They are always going up and down the trees looking for lunch (bugs).

~ Rick

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Check out our vlog, which includes more pictures and video on YouTube at tales.photos. Remember to subscribe!

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Hiding Place

I shot this photo of this Red-winged Blackbird this past weekend. He was hiding in the trees until just after I photographed him. I really like this photo.

~ Rick

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Check out our vlog, which includes more pictures and video on YouTube at tales.photos. Remember to subscribe!

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©2019 ©2020 Rick Cartwright

Still Uniquely Ugly

The Black Vulture do not normally fly as far north as our normal hiking area. We saw these as we were driving from site to site just south of Piqua. I was driving while Teresa captured this photo.

I think in the years I have been photographing birds, I have only seen a black vulture this far north once. They are different than Turkey Vultures ... a little more about this species:

The black vulture is a scavenger and feeds on carrion, but will also eat eggs or kill newborn animals (livestock such as cattle). In areas populated by humans, it also feeds at garbage dumps. It finds its meals either by using its keen eyesight or by following other (New World) vultures, which possess a keen sense of smell. Lacking a syrinx—the vocal organ of birds—its only vocalizations are grunts or low hisses. It lays its eggs in caves or hollow trees or on the bare ground, and generally raises two chicks each year, which it feeds by regurgitation. In the United States, the vulture receives legal protection under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. (Wikipedia)

~ Rick

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Rick’s latest technology muse:

Check out our vlog, which includes more pictures and video on YouTube at tales.photos. Remember to subscribe!

Prints are available for many of the photos on this site on canvas, metal or glass. Contact Rick for more information.

©2019 ©2020 Rick Cartwright