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/
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58 comments:

  1. Nellie from Beyond My GardenMarch 11, 2011 at 1:02 PM

    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. TexWisGirlMarch 11, 2011 at 1:53 PM

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

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  3. theconstantwalkerMarch 11, 2011 at 2:27 PM

    Lovely little birds to see.

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  4. Bob BushellMarch 11, 2011 at 2:29 PM

    Beauties, every one.

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  5. LouiseMarch 11, 2011 at 3:30 PM

    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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  6. AlMarch 11, 2011 at 4:14 PM

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

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  7. LeontienMarch 11, 2011 at 5:25 PM

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

    Thanks
    Leontien

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  8. DawnMarch 11, 2011 at 10:41 PM

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

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  9. eileeninmdMarch 12, 2011 at 5:27 AM

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

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  10. UnknownMarch 12, 2011 at 5:44 AM

    Hi BMG. Look for other finch and large flocks.

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  11. UnknownMarch 12, 2011 at 5:46 AM

    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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  12. UnknownMarch 12, 2011 at 5:47 AM

    Thanks Andrew.

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  13. UnknownMarch 12, 2011 at 5:48 AM

    That they are Bob.

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  14. UnknownMarch 12, 2011 at 5:49 AM

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

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  15. UnknownMarch 12, 2011 at 5:49 AM

    I had to watch for it Al.

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  16. UnknownMarch 12, 2011 at 5:50 AM

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

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  17. UnknownMarch 12, 2011 at 5:54 AM

    Thanks Dawn.

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  18. UnknownMarch 12, 2011 at 5:54 AM

    That they are eileen.

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  19. Mike MottramMarch 12, 2011 at 6:00 AM

    Stunning in the snow.

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  20. UnknownMarch 12, 2011 at 6:11 AM

    Thanks Mike.

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  21. Iowa Gardening WomanMarch 12, 2011 at 6:26 AM

    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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  22. UnknownMarch 12, 2011 at 6:27 AM

    Robins are such a harbinger of spring, IGW

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  23. UnknownMarch 12, 2011 at 6:51 AM

    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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  24. UnknownMarch 12, 2011 at 6:52 AM

    It does look sprayed on doesn't it John?

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  25. MariaMarch 12, 2011 at 6:55 AM

    Beautiful little birdies.

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  26. UnknownMarch 12, 2011 at 6:59 AM

    Thanks Maria.

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  27. Amila KanchanaMarch 12, 2011 at 7:39 AM

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

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  28. Phil SladeMarch 12, 2011 at 7:43 AM

    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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  29. UnknownMarch 12, 2011 at 7:45 AM

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

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  30. UnknownMarch 12, 2011 at 7:48 AM

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

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  31. EG CameraGirlMarch 12, 2011 at 7:50 AM

    Very nice photos, Gary!

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  32. Lois EvensenMarch 12, 2011 at 8:07 AM

    So very nice! Lovely in the snow.

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  33. AnonymousMarch 12, 2011 at 8:27 AM

    Wow - what wonderful clarity and light. Superb shots!

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  34. Hilke BrederMarch 12, 2011 at 8:35 AM

    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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  35. AnonymousMarch 12, 2011 at 11:50 AM

    gorgeous shots ... cute birds too!

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  36. ChrisMarch 12, 2011 at 3:03 PM

    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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  37. Maude LynnMarch 12, 2011 at 4:55 PM

    Gorgeous captures!

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  38. Lynette KillamMarch 12, 2011 at 11:07 PM

    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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  39. UnknownMarch 13, 2011 at 6:48 AM

    Thanks EGW.

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  40. UnknownMarch 13, 2011 at 6:49 AM

    Thanks for the visit Lois and kind words.

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  41. UnknownMarch 13, 2011 at 6:49 AM

    Thanks ladyfi and glad you enjoyed them.

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  42. UnknownMarch 13, 2011 at 6:53 AM

    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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  43. UnknownMarch 13, 2011 at 6:54 AM

    Thanks twobarkingdogs.

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  44. UnknownMarch 13, 2011 at 6:55 AM

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

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  45. UnknownMarch 13, 2011 at 6:55 AM

    Thanks Mama Zen.

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  46. UnknownMarch 13, 2011 at 6:57 AM

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

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  47. magiceyeMarch 13, 2011 at 7:44 AM

    beautiful captures of delightful birds!

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  48. NatureFootstepMarch 13, 2011 at 8:45 AM

    Lovely birds and well captured. :)

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  49. UnknownMarch 13, 2011 at 9:39 AM

    Thanks Magiceye.

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  50. UnknownMarch 13, 2011 at 9:40 AM

    Thanks NatureFootsteps.

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  51. RoanMarch 13, 2011 at 9:45 AM

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

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  52. nonizamboniMarch 13, 2011 at 1:44 PM

    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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  53. UnknownMarch 13, 2011 at 2:09 PM

    Thanks BJSloan.

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  54. UnknownMarch 13, 2011 at 2:10 PM

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

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  55. UnknownMarch 13, 2011 at 6:27 PM

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

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  56. UnknownMarch 14, 2011 at 6:28 AM

    This year everyone loves RedPolls Lisa.

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  57. WillardMarch 15, 2011 at 2:45 AM

    Excellent captures, Gary.

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  58. UnknownMarch 15, 2011 at 7:11 AM

    Thanks Willard!!

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