Raptor Bird of Prey – The Redest RedTail

Raptor Bird of Prey – The Redest RedTail

Buto Jamaicensis

The Redest RedTail

Hawk Talons looks more like natures version of Automatic Knives for this large raptor bird of prey. The Red tailed hawk is one of Michigan’s favorite bird of prey hawks.  The mature redtail looks almost powerful. the chest can appear protruded & robust and if you are fortunate to get a closeup look at an open set of those claws or technically known as talons , the sight will leave you with an impression of futility for those unfortunate enough to get snared by those talons hydraulic death grips. Check out these MONSTER TALONS on this Michigan Red-tailed Hawk!!!

The Michigan Red-tailed Hawk is single mindedness in it’s pursuit and is non-distracted by other birds that seek to antagonize the Michigan raptor bird of prey while enjoying a meal.

 

Raptor Bird of Prey - Michigan Red-tailed Hawk

Raptor Bird of Prey – Pair of Predators – Red-tailed Hawk

 

 

nature photography red tailed hawk

Redtail of the Redtail Hawk closeup

 The Red, Robust Raptors of Michigan

nature photography - michigan

Nature Photography by Ike Austin – Michigan
Photography that is Therapy for the Soul 

Birds Photography Night Heron

Nature Photography – Michigan Belted KingFisher

Nature Photography – Michigan Belted KingFisher – The Blue Streaker

Megaceryle Alcyon – to grieve

Every Michigander should make seeing a Belted KingFisher in action a 2013 commitment.  Observing their fishing activity is both therapeutic and interesting to watch.  Firstly, the KingFisher quickly sends out a rapid machine gun like voice (KingFisher Call) to signal its arrival. After landing on a protruding strategically located tree branch, the King Fisher is now ready to dive for underwater prey. See Michigan Belted KingFisher photos here.  Flickr – Michigan Bird photos King Fisher here.

Michigan – Blue Waters, Blue Birds – The Great Blue State

 

Belted KingFisher Michigan

Belted KingFisher Michigan

Visit Wildlife in the Wetlands Art Gallery

 

 

nature photography - michigan

 

 

Nature Photography by Ike Austin – Michigan
Photography that is Therapy for the Soul 

Birds Photography Night Heron

Michigan Belted KingFisher – Blue Streak of Michigan

Michigan Belted KingFisher – The Michigan Blue Streak

Megaceryle Alcyon 

The Belted Michigan KingFisher  – Blue Streak Michigan is an elusive bird. The Belted KingFisher is swift in flight, quick on aerial maneuvers and one of the most fascinating and entertaining birds to watch when catching fish. When the KingFisher fish, it power dives downward from a high branch plunge and submerge itself under water to  quickly emerge from the water’s depth with a small fish in it’s large elongated beak.

The Belted KingFisher is a most peculiar looking bird. With a rather extended long protruding beak and large head sporting its trademarked Don King looking hair style, and almost miniature feet, the King Fisher is easily distinquished from other birds of similar size and blue color.  Despite these peculiarities, the KingFIsher has a lot of lessons we can learn about our own life and nature.

 

Belted KingFisher Michigan
Belted KingFisher Michigan – True Blue

 

Thereafter, the Michigan KingFisher quickly darts to a nearby branch where it then proceeds to harshly thrash the small prey against the branch multiple times;  swinging it’s head back and forth, back and forth, beating the small prey into unconsciousness.

 

Belted KingFisher Michigan
Belted KingFisher Michigan

 

Michigan KingFisher – Blue Streak of Michigan
It is also interesting to watch the Belted KingFisher when a pair of the birds are often seen conducting a chase routine with another companion KingFisher.  The birds can be seen flying close, just barely skimming the water’s surface looking like a blue streak.  I thought it appropriate to give this Michigan bird the sub-title of… Blue Streak of Michigan. Nature Photography – Michigan Birds

 

Michigan Belted KingFisher

 

Blue Angel – Keen Eyesight and Observation
The Belted KingFisher is one of those birds I have concluded posses both keen eyesight and a detailed observation.  I must already be in position and remain motionless for an extended period of time. A small move will cause the KingFisher to causally move on to a further branch off in the distance.  Interestingly, the KingFisher does not react in a panic once my present has been discovered like the Blue Heron or White Egret might over react in a near panic.  No, not the Belted KingFisher, the Belted KingFisher will make it’s departure appear as natural as possible.

 

Michigan Belted KingFisher

 

About the Kingfisher
Nature Photography – Michigan Bird Identification
Photo Taken: Michigan Wetland
Name: Black Crowned Night Heron

Order: Ciconiiformes
Family: Alcedindae

Appearance:
The Michigan Kingfisher is a 8-10 inch short stumpy bird with a distinguished wild hairdo cap of feathers located on top of its head or crown.

Adult:
Color is top dark evening blue, underside white or silverish, female color is similar to the male which ports a reddish burgundy band across the chest.

Flight Characteristics:
Smooth to flickering wing beats, several flaps then pause that produce a smooth sustained glide in flight. The Kingfisher is a swift flier.

Habitat:
The Michigan Kingfisher prefers brushy dense thickets located in grasslands, flying from tree to tree along the edge of lake shores and wetlands.

Nesting:
Kingfisher constructs their nests by tunneling burrows several feet into the earth horizontally along the edge or end banks of wetlands.  Nests are located in the ground, sometimes hidden by trees or shrubs.

Incubates 3-7 pale white eggs for appx 21-26 days.

Mating Habits: The Kingfishers are monogamous during the mating year.

Feeding: Amphibians and fish.

Call: Series of rapid piercing loud rattled-pitched screeching.

Lessons From Nature
We can learn how not to be over dramatic in our reactions when we disagree or disapprove of someone or something by watching how the KingFisher casually responds to uninvited inhabitants that they disapprove of in their domain. Nature Photography Therapy for the Soul

 

The KingFisher can be spotted openly at Kensington Metro Park, Erie Metro Park and an abundant of wetlands.

nature photography - michigan

Nature Photography by Ike Austin – Michigan
Photography that is Therapy for the Soul 

Birds Photography Night Heron
Birds Photography Night Heron

For some interesting and imaginative, new awareness reading…
read the book below.

ThirdSon and the River’s Sky
images of birdsThirdSon and the River’s Sky

 

  • As a kid, I spent an enormous amount of time down by the river. I was drawn like a magnet to the many sounds of nature that filled the air-the tides rumbling ashore, the faint call of seagulls echoing in the distant background. I would remain there all day under the pretense that I was fishing. I would walk the shores for miles, moving from one spot to the next. I later discovered that the sky above this river was alive. 
    Read More 

Lessons Learned – Dialogues in the Forest of Jimme’

Nature Speaks – Nature Photography, Therapy for the Soul –
Everyone can Hear

Nature Speaks  – Through Birds – Therapy for the Soul

Michigan Bird – Mallard Duck – Sun and Darkness Dialogue

Michigan Bird – SandHill Crane Ancient Feet Dialogue

Birds of Michigan – Great Horned Owl Dialogue

Birds of Michigan – Great White Egret Dialogue

Birds of Michigan – Green Heron Dialogue – One Strange
Sunset in Jimmie’

– ThirdSon and the River’s Sky

 

 

Michigan’s Blue Heron – Most Photographed Michigan Bird

Michigan’s Blue Heron
One of the Most Photographed Birds in Michigan 

The Michigan Blue Heron is often photographed as a silhouette, as a main foreground photographic subject, artist painted rendition, residential signage or photographed and submitted as contest entries.  The Michigan Blue Heron in one of the most prolific photographed birds in Michigan, this rather large bird is seen in many Michigan Metro Parks, State Parks, open wetlands, farmlands, near rivers, lakes, even an occasional roadside spotting.

 

Keen Eyesight and the Michigan Blue Heron – Eye of the Heron

Not much is written about the keen eyesight of the Blue Heron.  However, on rare occasions, during my many years of bird observation, I once noticed  a Blue Heron staring almost straight up looking up into the what appeared to be an empty clear blue sky.  I knew the Blue Heron had to be watching something so I really focused and low and behold, their was in fact the tiniest black dot gliding upon the thermal drafts.  I aimed and looked through my 400mm lens and sure enough it was a Michigan Bald Eagle soaring high above.  If I may guess, I think that the eagle was at least a mile high in the sky; it was only a dot to the naked human eye. Much is written about the eagle’s keen eyesight, but after observing the Blue Heron, it wouldn’t surprise me if he is almost equal in bird vision.

 

Vigilance and the Great Blue Heron

Another trait I’ve noticed about the Blue Heron is it’s vigilance.  This bird will fly in, land and remain stationary almost motionless for several minutes. The Blue Heron will observe everything in it’s immediate area just to be sure that no predators are lurking about.  Only after safety is confirmed does the Blue Heron start it’s traditional fishing routine.

 

Michigan Blue Heron

Michigan Blue Heron – Keen EyeSight

 

Nature Photography – Blue Heron, More Photographs

 

nature photography - michigan

Nature Photography by Ike Austin – Birds of Michigan Series
Photography that is Therapy for the Soul 

Birds Photography Night Heron

Bird Photographs – Nature of Birds

Bird Photography – The Nature of Birds
I see greater wisdom in the eyes of some birds, than in the faces of some men —ThirdSon

 

The close observation of watching birds over the years has enlightened me in a way where traditional teaching has been void.  Bird activity and behavior has demonstrated that a higher form of cognitive processes are being executed in those small heads of theirs, than what I have been led to believe.

Birds Photography - Great Horned Owl - Photo by Ike Austin

Birds Photography - Great Horned Owl - Photo by Ike Austin

 

 

 

 

Birds Photography - Green Heron - Photo by Ike Austin

Birds Photography - Green Heron - Photo by Ike Austin

I have witnessed birds that appear to be more engaged in something more like contemplation, compared to just mindless idleness and sitting on a branch.

 

 

 

 

Birds Photography - Osprey - Photo by Ike Austin

Birds Photography - Osprey - Photo by Ike Austin

Certain other birds often exude an equally fierce posture equal to that of human protectionism if they feel their young are threatened.

 

 

 

 

Photography Birds - Red Tailed Hawk

Photography Birds - Red Tailed Hawk

I would be standing motionless inside the house, hiding behind a double pane glass patio door and this certain Red-tailed Hawk would would instantly react to the silent opening and closing of the lens aperture and he’d give me that human-like look of annoyance then fly off; actually maintaining a sustained looking back at me while flying off.

This hawk would always take the time to survey all the windows in the house. If I pick a new spot, the hawk will look until he finds me. On the other hand, if I stay completely away from any of the windows, the hawk will sit on the branch for hours. Want to hear the strangest part about this hawk, if my wife comes to the window by herself, the hawk will not fly off.

 

 

 

 

Bird Photpgraphy - Mallard Ducks

Bird Photography - Mallard Ducks

I understand that some Mallards will maintain a mating pair for a couple of years. There was this one time I saw a thrashing of water, an intense commotion taking place on the other side of the wetland. A predatory bird had snatched a Mallard Duck.  After the incident the helpless squawking Mallards settled down, I was quite astonished to notice the emotion of remorse being expressed as the group of Mallards; sat huddled in a tight group,  motionless and quiet for that entire afternoon close to the seen of the crime.

 

 

 

 

Bird Photographs - Swan

Bird Photographs - Swan

 

 

Nature Photography – Michigan Birds

Nature Photography Birds

 

nature photography - michigan

Nature Photography by Ike Austin – Birds of Michigan Series
Photography that is Therapy for the Soul 

Birds Photography Night Heron

Birds Photography Night Heron