Friday, August 17, 2012

Vireo Satisfying

From 8.12
I hear Red-Eyed Vireos all the time. They are fairly loud for a small bird, and often in the tree tops, hidden in among the leaves. I have seen them a few times, and never had a chance to get a decent photograph. On a hike through my new local patch in Vermont - Dead Creek WMA - I heard several Vireos as usual. I think they are teases, their calls saying, "hey you, up here, look up"
From 8.12
From 8.12
Well I lucked out and came upon what I assume to be a juvenile as it's call was more a whine and it seemed to have zero apprehension as I slowly approached. I sat down in the grass and watched it for five minutes from 10 feet away. I got closer than the photos would indicate but I ran out of batteries and the spare never went into my pocket as per usual routine. This forced me to look only and I feel I got to know this bird a bit better than I otherwise would. Imagine how many shots I might have had with a working battery.
From 8.12
From 8.12
From 8.12
From 8.12
From 8.12

13 comments:

  1. So that's why they call it a "Red-eyed" Vireo! I've seen a couple of them in one special spot in Idaho, but I've never got to really see that red eye. Nice shots Dan. Glad you've found what appears to be a very nice patch too.

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  2. Great photos Dan! Those are some red eyes; I've only seen the white-eyed ones!

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  3. Great photos Dan, showing the red eye. By the way, the juvenile has a dark brown eye, (which turns red by late winter), and indistinct wing bars. So this is an adult. Nice find. Not sure why it was giving an unusual call.

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  4. Thanks very much for the kind comments and great info Lillian & Don, maybe I was stressing it too close to a nest?

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  5. Incredible series of this red eyed beauty! Such a beautiful, beautiful bird!

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  6. Great pictures. This year I got pictures of a white-eyed.

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  7. Cool shots, Dan! Red-eyed Vireos are really hard to see in the light and shadows of the leaves and harder still to photograph. Did you move to VT? Dead Creek is a great area to go birding especially during shore bird migration.

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  8. I was vireo happy to be reading this post, Dan. Great photos.

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  9. Awesome captures of the Red-eyed Vireo, Dan! They really are beautiful birds. I wish my photos of Red-eyed Vireos were as great as yours.

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  10. Thank you all for the very kind comments. Hilke, yes I made the move the VT, and loving it.

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  11. Beautiful shots of the Red-eyed Vireo Dan. I would just like to see one, much less take great photos like these!

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