H.J. Ruiz – Avian101 – Page 650 – "My Backyard Visitors" – All about birds

Memory Lane

DECEMBER 2009

Greater White Front Goose — Dec. 2009

Tags: birds, Greater white Front Goose, Memory Lane, nature, photography, photos of birds

Avian’s Survival Procedure

On the day I shot the pictures I’m posting today, our weather temperature was very low and the breeze made it feel even colder!.

Most birds under windy or cold conditions trigger a natural survival mode which is a change on their feather layers covering their bodies.

The change consists of ruffling their down feathers under the upper feather layers and that effect makes their bodies retain their the warmth of the body temperature and reflect the cold from the outside with the top layers of feathers.

This a very natural procedure used by avians for a way to protect their bodies from losing the normal body temperature.

In the case of humans our bare skin would not resist cold temperatures for long. We resort to a similar principle by wearing clothes and a down parka or being inside a down-lined sleeping bag. Same principle apply to wearing clothes in layers for better protection, keeping the body temperature from escaping and at the same time reflecting the cold from affecting the body.

Fleece or animal fur work on the same principle or fat blubber for other animals.

The reason I brought up this subject is mainly because some people believe that they have eaten too much and turned obese, when they have seen a rounded shaped bird.

Photo Gallery

Field Sparrow

Mourning Dove

Northern Cardinal (M)

Song Sparrow

Northern Mockingird

Carolina Wren

Tufted Titmouse

Text and photographs © HJ Ruiz – Avian101

Tags: Carolina Wren, Mourning Dove, nature, Northern Cardinal, Northern Mockingbird, photography, photos of birds, Tufted Titmouse

Wait and Adapt

This winter, the one we are currently having, has been the most hostile since I moved to Georgia nine and a half years ago. During that time, the previous winters were mild and happy ones, which never got to such low temperatures, at least that often or had such harsh winds nor gloomy and dark days as we are having lately!.

The days of Georgia winter used to be moderate cold in the morning and bright and warmer in the afternoons. Now, it’s a different story… with the lousy mood that makes the birds change their ways of feeding! ( Due to the limited short window of opportunity in the weather behavior).

I’ve been observing around my backyard and I’ve seen the birds, perched on trees or bushes, just sitting there trying to get warm ( I don’t blame them, they have to protect themselves to survive!). They just wait for the wind to stop or for a break in the clouds to get some sun rays to warm up a bit!

For me, seeing the situation from a photographer’s angle… it’s requiring more patience because birds do go to the feeders but at sporadic times. Meaning that I have to wait for the opportunities, in order to shoot and capture whatever photos I can.

The difference on the photographic effects being shot at different times of the day is quite dramatic!… Taking in consideration the angles of light from projected by the sun.

I’m satisfied with the final results, I honestly think it was worth the wait and new adaptation_ great factors applied for a good result!. See for yourself:

Photo Gallery

Brown-headed Cowbird (F)

White-throated Sparrow

Northern Cardinal (M)

Mourning Doves

Song Sparrow

Field Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Carolina Wren

Northern Mockingbird drinking water from frozen water dish

Tags: birds, Brown-Headed Cowbird, Carolina Wren, Field Sparrow, Mourning Dove, nature, Northern Cardinal, Northern Mockingbird, White-Throated Sparrow

Grief and Disappointment

One thing that I’m not worried about now is the weather. Why is that? It is people what worries me! Just take a look at the news everywhere! TV, Internet, Radio, Magazines, it is so pathetic that we live in such a violent world!

I’m sorry but I had to say at least a few words. I had said in the past that I would not discuss, Politics, Religion, Cultural Customs or other people’s lives. I’m keeping my word! The four initial blockquote lines of this post was only my reaction to what’s currently happening in our world.

I’ve been taking pictures at different times of the day, mostly when I see a break from the wind blowing or if the sunlight breaks through the gray sky. Many birds are taking shelter in their nests and wait for the right moments to get seeds from the feeders. They have to preserve their body temperature too!

Photo Gallery