Sunday, August 12, 2012

To Hike or Not to Hike At the Vermilon River.

 Hikes this week were weather dependent, as at last the rain has come. Unfortunately, the rain is too late for the wild blueberries. The crop was less than originally anticipated. Pin Cherries are almost non-existent, while the Choke Cherries were good.. High bush cranberries are ripening now, and the raspberries are finished now, although they were plentiful this year. The gold sky shots were taken while I dithered on whether to go on a hike or not.

Since I was outside I went. Although a bit of rain fell, I didn't turn back. Most of the shots were taken on the west side of the River.

THE POST IS AGAIN SET UP FOR THE SLIDESHOW, SO CLICK ANY PHOTO TO ENLARGE AND VIEW.



An Interesting Sky shot.

Insipid Sun

River Sky.

 The Geese are rehearsing the young in long distance flying in preparation for the migration. Sometimes the traditional V formation is hard to pull together.
This one was totally on his own.

 This one was shaking all over as he landed.
Wet Goose.

Young Goose.

This is a song sparrow. The forest is alive with young birds in non-breeding plumage as you're going to see. Almost all the non-breeding plumage seems to contain a lot of varieties of brown.
White-throated Sparrow.

Same.

White-throated Sparrow.

 Now the fun begins. What is this little guy? I put in next a Yellow-Rumped Warbler that I shot in the spring to help, as he's in full breeding plumage. I ran into the guy opposite in a flock in a stand of black spruce and then another group near the big wetland. All the photos are some variation of Yellow-Rump, immature or in a non-breeding plumage.
Yellow-Rump In breeding plumage.

Immature Yellow-Rump

Non breeding plumage-showing yellow.


Almost completely recognizable.

Showing some yellow.

Some Yellow.

Immature.

Immature no yellow visible.

Tree Swallow.

 I saw a lot of woodpeckers in the spring but few in summer. Now they're visiting my feeders. Opposite a male Hairy.
Female Hairy.

Male Ruby-throat Hummingbird.

Female Ruby  Throat.

Marsh Skullcap?

High Bush Cranberries.

Bunch Berries.

Purple Loosestife, an invasive plant.

This huge sunflower was brightly growing in the forest clearing.

A post to I'd-Rather-B-Birdin'Our World Tuesday, and Wild Bird Wednesday.

58 comments:

  1. Lovely post, glad the rain didn't stop you! Beautiful birds and wonderful photos.

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  2. Looks like you had a satisfactory photo hike despite the rain. Those sky shots are gorgeous!

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  3. I don't know if this is really the best word to use, but that white throated sparrow is 'delicious' in color and its markings!! Beautiful.

    I also have always enjoyed Canadian Geese when we lived in Colorado...they were everywhere. Now, down here in South Texas, I don't get to see them.

    Thanks for linking up at the Bird D'Pot...your photo shares are always spectacular.

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  4. Oh what a great hike that was for me....and I didn't even have to check the weather report first ;)......Your photos are amazing....I love the one with the Geese...mother nature is wonderful.

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  5. I did not know you had humemr so far up north. Interesting!

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  6. the geese in practice are cool shots. :)

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  7. I love the scenery in that 5th shot! Your birds are wonderful as always, but the Whote Throated Sparrow is gorgeous, as is the Ruby Throat Hummingbird!!
    Lovely flowers too.

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  8. Fantastik nice picture series you run.
    Thank you for another wonderful trip.
    Wishing you a good Sunday.
    Hanne Bente

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  9. Nice images! In Illinois, the rains came too late to rescue the corn and soybean crops. The tail pattern of that unknown warbler fits Magnolia Warbler.

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  10. AS usual, you amazed me with your pictures!Awesome!

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  11. Beautiful pictures -- everything -- and the hummer particularly -- looks amazing in the slide show. And I wish I could get such lovely golden pictures on a day when I was dithering ;>)!

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  12. Love the pretty sky captures. Very nice collection of birds.
    I had a good crop of Blueberries but my Holly bush didn't bloom. The weather is strange everywhere.

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  13. Great and interesting post.
    Wonderful photos.
    Here some of the Geese have already started the migration.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Mette

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  14. Beautiful shots! Love the hummers.

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  15. Weather is always unpredictable Garry but I'm so pleased you decided to go ahead with your walk. I especially love the golden sky captures and that little tree swallow is price-less.

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  16. Nice series of exciting plants and birds. A beautiful sight and great pictures.

    Ottar

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  17. Awesome, dramatic skies! I love the hummers, too! Beautiful birds, flowers and superb captures of all as always, Gary! Hope you have a wonderful week!

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  18. Love your sky pics and the close ups of the white throated sparrow.

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  19. I love the arch of clouds in that third photo, and of course the bird photos are excellent.

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  20. Everything is so beautiful,love the sky pics.Cool finding a sunflower on a rainy day.

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  21. Once again a great set of photos.

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  22. Sky shot with dark looming clouds is amazing. Also I lobe that wet duck.

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  23. The interesting sky shots are dramatic and very beautiful. I love the birds in flight and so cool to find the huge sunflower. All of your shots are very appealing.

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  24. I loved seeing your feathered friends and the lovely wildflowers.

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  25. Nice pics, I love how you know the birds.

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  26. Great series! I am so impressed how you allways succed to photograph all the birds :)

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  27. A wonderful series; especially love your Hummer captures!

    I wish I knew all the different wild and otherwise berries and such.

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  28. What a fabulous collection of photos. I love the one you call River Sky. There's where I want to be...

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  29. It was nice to get some much needed rain here too..Love the birds..I only saw 2 cowbirds this season being raised by chipping sparrows not song sparrows or cardinals..I really hate to see them at all..Michelle

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  30. a gorgeous post of images... summer wonder!

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  31. Such amazing bird shots - love those woodpeckers. And your skies are gorgeous.

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  32. Wonderful shots of sky. It is always a delight to see your birds.

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  33. As always, such awe-inspiring shots from you!

    Cheers … visiting from Our World Tuesday

    Tito Eric

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  34. I love your bird shots..especially the woodpecker as I have recently saw one in my yard..

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  35. Thanks a lot.You took me to such a wonderful hike! Sky is dramatic and gorgeous. I especially love a tree swallow. Shining blue plimage has decent beauty!
    keiko

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  36. Excellent photos, very beautiful those clouds and wonderful series of geese. Greetings.

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  37. I find many birds hard to identify this time of year. You did well!

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  38. Hey Gary, with those pictures and all that variety of animals I would definitely "hike".

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  39. Another great post with very good photos!

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  40. Another great post with very good photos!

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  41. Beautiful sky pictures, also love the ducks and the sunflower (my favorite flower !)

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  42. Those photos of the sky do look threatening! Great photos of the birds. I especially liked the geese learning to fly in formation - and of course the hummingbirds which are always fascinating.

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  43. Love your series of photos on the Yellow-Rumped, really terrific! And I'm just in love with your spider web photo in the earlier post - just beautiful!

    Thanks for joining up with Windows on Wildlife this week!

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  44. Such lovely scenery and wonderful wildlife shots! I am not one for cold weather so I appreciate your photos!

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  45. I always get so much enjoyment out of your posts, Gary, with scenery and birds, and sometimes animals. Wonderful place you live in.
    K

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  46. Love the white throated sparrow!

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  47. ...that tree swallow is incredibly handsome; its colors. And your sky photos today Gary------breathtaking.

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  48. Your ability to capture the shots of the birds and identify them just amazes me! I am lucky if I manage to get the photo - and forget about the identification, unless it is something really well known! I always enjoy reading your posts - so much information!

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  49. Hi Gary

    I really liked your flying geese and the White-Throated Sparrow, as always a very nice post.

    Guy

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  50. so many amazing images, how could one pick a favorite!!

    always hike!!

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  51. Lots of nice photos!
    Greetings Pia in Sweden

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  52. especially liked the geese, and the white-throated sparrow with that dash of yellow, wonderful nature...

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  53. Loved all your pictures, the skies, the birds and that lone sunflower. Thanks,

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  54. Excellent captures of the birds. Love all your photos.

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  55. Nice shots, Gary. Good to hear that the warblers are starting to stream though. Not many yet near our NE Illinois home.I was disappointed to learn that the loosestrife was a noxious invasive plant-- they looked so pretty when they took over a field near our home in New Mexico. Truth is, they crowded out all the other plants!

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