Friday, March 11, 2011

Hoary and Common RedPolls of the Vermilon River. A Post to Camera Critters.

Common RedPoll Male
Common RedPoll Female

Common RedPoll Female

Common RedPoll Male

Common RedPoll Female


 
 Male eating seed.

Hoary RedPoll Male

Hoary RedPoll Male.
 After hiking into the woods and shooting these guys, I decided to try and attract them to my feeders, after all they're true northerners and don't need the shelter that the other birds do. Now my neighbours and I have a horde of RedPolls. Despite the fact that they're eating us out of house and home, we like them. I think we've got about 200 birds in all and they come in waves.

The real point of attracting them was to try and get some photos of the less numerous Hoary. They're distinguished by a white area on their back between their feathers. Compare the last two photos to the top  photos and you'll spot the difference instantly. But try it in a moving flock.

A post to Camera Critters @ http://camera-critters.blogspot.com/

58 comments:

  1. I like "male eating seed." I think I have trouble recognizing redpolls. I think I just think finch and don't notice that it is not a finch. Maybe if it actually was a redpoll I would notice that it is not the same. They are supposed to be common around my home. I'll have to start paying attention. They look like they went too close to the paint gun.
    nellie

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  2. We don't see them here but I bet the hordes of them are lovely to see!

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  3. Beautiful shots, and, yes, I can see the difference. I don't know if I could see it live, though, so I had better start shooting lots of pictures, while mine are still here.

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  4. Great photos. I wouldn't have noticed that difference without you pointing it out.

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  5. ohhh lovely little birds! It's good you pointed out the difference for me too!

    Thanks
    Leontien

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  6. Great pictures! (And interesting things I never knew before:)
    Wonderful photo blog!!

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  7. Wonderful shots of the Redpolls. They are pretty birds, especially the males.

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  8. Hi BMG. Look for other finch and large flocks.

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  9. Hi texisgirl. Large numbers are great to see,but what's funny is that in the middle of a blizzard, these little guys will still be feeding in large numbers, when everybody else has run for shelter.

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  10. Ya Loiuse, it's almost unnoticeable isn't it?

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  11. Hi Leontine. It's just a minor difference until you start to notice.

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  12. Lovely shots of the redpolls. They are one bird I have not seen. I saw robins here in Iowa yesterday, but we had snow earlier this week, today is really windy and cold with the winds out of the north.

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  13. Robins are such a harbinger of spring, IGW

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  14. Great shots of these guys! I've never seen them and I think the males look awesome -- as if they were tagged with a quick burst of spray paint...LOL Thanks for a fine post!

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  15. It does look sprayed on doesn't it John?

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  16. To have lots of such cute birds in your garden! I envy you!

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  17. It's great that you got so many pictures to show the variation Gary. It's really appreciated over here and I'm looking to catch a single Common Redpoll (heading to Scandinavia) this spring.

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  18. To AK. It's just like having my own flock or as I say horde.

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  19. I hope you see them in flocks,Phil. They actually feed during snow storms if you can believe it.

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  20. Wow - what wonderful clarity and light. Superb shots!

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  21. Lovely images, Gary! They sweet-looking birds! You describe the last one as a Hoary R. I thought Hoaries looked as if covered with hoar frost, that is, very pale over all. Anyway, nice post!

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  22. gorgeous shots ... cute birds too!

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  23. Looks like they are redpoll everywhere at the moment. I saw huge flocks of mealy redpoll this afternoon here... Lot and lots of them... Fantastic pictures Gary

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  24. Great shots, Gary! I very much enjoyed your photos as these are not I have not seen in my corner of the world...

    Lynette
    Imagination Lane

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  25. Thanks for the visit Lois and kind words.

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  26. Thanks ladyfi and glad you enjoyed them.

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  27. Thanks Hilke. I feel like I have my very own flock. I think the key to Id a hoary is the white back. The white all over is slightly only, maybe the difference between buff and beige,and virtually impossible to spot, especially in a flighty group.

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  28. Thanks Chris. The flocks are huge aren't they?

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  29. Hi Lynette. That's too bad because they're something to see.

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  30. beautiful captures of delightful birds!

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  31. We don't have redpolls here. They are beautiful birds. Great series of shots.

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  32. Love to see redpolls and housefinches [the same?] who frequent our feeders. I hear their song now, brave little souls that they are!
    Happy week--keep shoveling that snow.

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  33. They are the same nonizamboni, and thanks for the visit.

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  34. I love red polls! YOu got some really nice shots of them!

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  35. This year everyone loves RedPolls Lisa.

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