Got some photos from you!
Thanks to all of you who have been sending me photos and videos. I love looking at all of them. Here are a few:
This first photo is from Janelle in Alaska. It is a Ptarmigan, but as I have never been to Alaska (ALAS!!!!!!), I am only guessing when I say it is a Willow Ptarmigan. I say that because these are both males in this photo and they lack the red on their heads which would be an ID trait of both the Rock and White-tailed Ptarmigan. I did verify my guess with the Merlin app – I was right. Willow Ptarmigan. Always feels good! (If you want more information about Merlin, here is a link: Merlin App – And Its Sound ID.) Janelle, what a great shot – and of a bird I will probably never see. Thanks so much for sharing with all of us.
The next photo is also from Janelle in Alaska. These are two Common Ravens. And for those of you who like me, can have a little trouble from time to time deciding if I am seeing an American Crow or a Common Raven, take a good look at the photo Janelle sent. Those beaks! Big and heavy. And these are big, solid birds. Crows average about 17 inches in length and weigh about 1 pound. Ravens are about 24 inches in length and weigh about 2.5 pounds. And what a view these birds have! Across the tundra. It does look like they are sitting there and contemplating the meaning of life. And don’t you agree that birds – and most animals – are better with this than we are? They rest. They are quiet. They spend long periods of time just gazing. They seem to take everything in. And just breathe. Especially this time of year when nesting and raising young is finished. And how are these two ravens related? A mated pair? Nest mates? Parent/child? We will never know. But if I had to guess, I would say it is parent/child. And I base this on the fact one is larger than the other. But my strongest observation to support that is this mated males and females are generally not this close unless they are mating and that would be in spring. This could be a parent with a juvenile from this year’s nest. One that still needs a bit of protection and maybe reassurance? And yes, I am anthropomorphizing. (For more on anthropomorphizing, click on this link: Anthropomorphism.)
The last photo I will share with you today comes from Florence in southern California. And I need your help identifying the species. Florence is new to birding, and she and I agree that of course this is a gull – and it is a juvenile. But I am not sure if this is a Herring Gull or a California Gull. She and I think it is one or the other. Comparing it to the size of the railing, I am leaning towards California Gull as it is the smaller of these two species of gull. But I am not sure at all. We do think whichever species this is, it is a first-year bird. These two species do not get their adult plumage until they are about 3 years old. Can any of you help? If you have a thought, please email me at: lindahendricksspence@birdingbeyondthefieldguide.com