Female Red-winged Blackbird

 In Arkansas, Red-winged Blackbirds are as plentiful as ants at a picnic. There is such a big difference between the male and female of this species it is easy to miss the ID of the female.

 I first encountered a female Red-winged Blackbird while walking along the edge of a Cyprus swamp. Torn between scouring the ground for snakes and looking at the bird, I chose the bird. It flew right in and landed at eye level in front of me. Back in 2010, I had no idea what it was. I know I would do better now.

 This great blackbird showed up in Goulds and was first reported by Ian Winter on January 9.

Since then, the bird has been staying in the area as feed has been in regular supply.

 In good light it is easy to see the numerous variations of rich color on this bird.

 Someone placed seed on the top of this post creating a great viewing station.

For nearly 20 minutes, I watched as it picked at the seed. At this particular time, there were only three juncos around. That could likely be attributed to the hawk I saw being chased off by the crows as I drove up. Glad the Red-winged Blackbird was no sissy and stuck around to finish breakfast.

Bonaparte's Gull Blows In

 While standing along the west end of Q.V. Lake having a chat with Dave Hawkings, in blew this Bonaparte's Gull.

 It made quite a splash. For at least five minutes it washed itself from head to toe. Had it just come from the salt water wishing a fresh bath? Who knows?

 It was, indeed, a spectacle as it put on a big, wet show. It was hard to take your eyes off of it.

 This species of gull is known breed in Alaska and west and central Canada. During the winter it should be anywhere in the northern U.S. to Mexico or Cuba. Yet, year over year, a Bonaparte's Gull or two show up in St. John's, Newfoundland.

 It is a welcome visitor!

 Once clean, this gull flapped its wings a bit, seemed to try to dry them and then lifted off to go to the ice.

 This bird doesn't need much running space to get airborne. One hop, and it was up.

 On the ice it continued to spruce up before moving in with the flock of Black-headed Gulls.

I included this shot because it illustrates a couple of good comparison field marks to help new birders to identify it in the flock. Often times, the most distinct feature (the black bill) is tucked in when it is resting. Nonetheless, it is still possible to ID this bird without seeing the bill. The Bonaparte's is 1" to 2" smaller than the Black-headed Gull. In the center of the shot is the Bonaparte's. To its left is a Black-headed Gull on the small side, and to its right is a larger Black-headed Gull.

Note the shorter legs on the Bonaparte's Gull and the lighter leg color. Pick out the smallest bird in the flock and look it over closely. It may be the Bonaparte's.

Bowring Park Creeper

 These photos of a Brown Creeper were taken in Bowring Park on December 6, 2014. I saw this particular bird near the bungalow.

 Later, I saw two more near the duck pond, but they were impossible to photograph....as usual. These birds move quickly as they circle around the tree truck moving upward and then dropping back down again. The canopy of the tree also creates a darkened area, once again complicating photography.

On the same day, I saw two more Brown Creepers in the area of the lower Waterford River. Shots of them were much worse than these. On several visits back to the park in the new year, I have yet to be able to spot one of these very well camouflaged birds. I'll just have to keep looking up.

Black and White Warbler - Index Update

 Over the years I have accumulated a group of better photos than those I initially linked to my index page.

 As a result, I am gradually updating the index links. In some cases, I have to create a new page, and this is one of them.

 These shots include images of males, females and immature Black and White Warblers.

 For narratives about these sightings, run a search at the top of this page and a variety of entries will appear.