Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Dark-eyed Junco


While on my trip last week, I photographed this Dark-eyed Junco in the woods. It was gathering nesting material and taking it to a hole in an embankment. I think this might actually be the Slate-colored subspecies of Junco, but I'm not positive enough to say so with absolute certainty. Not that it really makes that much difference for post purposes.












50 comments:

Mary Howell Cromer said...

I like the new you image! Those Juncos bringing in the nesting materials, how wonderful for you to witness and share, such sweet chaps~

Marc Heath said...

Very nice shots, a rare bird in the UK.

Elizabeth Edwards said...

what a beautiful bird. so lovely. (:

Linda said...

Gorgeous photos, Brian! Glad to see you back in blogland! I always look forward to your photos and miss them when you are traveling!

Pamela Gordon said...

If 2 comments show up it's because I had trouble signing in. :) These are great photos. I didn't know juncos live in holes in the earth. We have dark eyed juncos here. Have a great day. Pamela

Meggie said...

Thanks for introducing me to the Junco with your wonderful photos. I also like the new profile photo of you....

TexWisGirl said...

adorable. and cute.

Kerri Farley said...

These are Super! I LOVE that you caught him with this mouth FULL!

Modesto Viegas said...

Good series!!

Reena said...

Great captures of him/her in action!

Unknown said...

I love the frames of the bird gathering for nest!

HansHB said...

So nice to see this!
Great post!
Happy World Bird Wednesday!

Joanne Olivieri said...

What wonderful shots of this cute little guy. Love the details and shadows that you captured.

Springman said...

It's interesting when you take time away from your spectacular wetland photos and show us the other facets of your talent eye.
A junco with a mouthful of salad?Awesome!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Beautiful birds and that shot with his mouth full of green nest materials is fantastic. Lovely series.

Unknown said...

They're beauties!! Mine have left for the far north now!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Tanya Breese said...

what cuties these are!! great pics!!

theconstantwalker said...

A lovely little bird Brian and your images are fantastic.
Nice new look to your blog as well..

Deb said...

love those photos....

barbara l. hale said...

Terrific pics of this little Junco. Ours have already flown north for the spring and I kind of miss them. Nice to have a little junco fix.

Shaun said...

Nice Juncos. But it think most people are interested in the change of profile picture. lol

Great shots though.

Shaun Valleys ShutterBug

mick said...

A great series of photos.

Debbie said...

oooohhhh I love to watch them build their nests!!! what a wonderful series!!!

NatureFootstep said...

I love the shots where it has the nesting material in it´s bill. Gorgeous. :)

Nancy said...

Such a pretty little bird -- we have them in winter/early spring. :)

eileeninmd said...

Great series, Brian! It would be neat to watch them building their nest, great find!

Carole M. said...

How sweet the Dark-Eyed Junco; I love the wone with the mossy nesting material it it's beak! Such great snaps Brian.

Kathie Brown said...

It is difficult to capture them in good light, especially with their eyes glimmering. Well done! And it is indeed the Slate-colored variety. maybe someday they will split the species again!

Dina said...

Love that mouthful! I haven't seen this bird before. Great catch.

Tammy said...

Beautiful photos Brian; great lighting!!! I haven't seen this species before, but it looks like a neat bird. I love bird behaviors that you've captured!

Leenie said...

Haha! The "mustache" photo made me laugh. It looked like the little junco was giving YOU the dark eye.

Eko said...

Mainiota kuvausta - kiinnostavaa...!
Pesän rakentaja on mukava sarja.
Terveisin Eko

NatureStop said...

Great captures of a lovely bird!

Gillian Olson said...

Beautiful bird, excellent captures.

Anonymous said...

They are adorable birds. We have them here all winter - don't get to see all the nesting activity. Wonderful captures!

Vores have said...

Beautiful picture series you run.
Wishing you a good day.
Hanne Bente / hbt.finus.dk

A wondering star said...

Beautiful close pictures of the fascinating little birds.
I'm not sure if it is discovered here in Norway.

Thanks for sharing

CameraCruise said...

Great series of beautiful shots.
What a cute bird.
Have a great day.
Mette

Arija said...

How gorgeous is that? with the soft green moss gathered up in it's beak, great!

Halcyon said...

A pretty little friend!

Hilke Breder said...

Great nest building sequence! Here in SE VT we usually see them only in the winter or early spring.

Liz said...

What a cute little bird. Lovely series!

Tezzie said...

I've no idea how you do it...your bird shots are always SO amazing!

penny said...

Such a sweet face. Your a master at getting beautiful shots, Brian.

jeanlivingsimple said...

Excellent captures! I have wondered where they spend their nesting season...now I know.:)

Stewart M said...

I think you Americans put this bird up to remind me of the utter confusion it caused me when I saw one in a car park about 20 years ago. I'd been in the States about 3 days and I could barely name a single bird - I pleaded for help from a passing birder, who while helpful, clearly thought I was a nut job!

Thanks for the memories!

Stewart M

PS: great picture! :)

Roan said...

I haven't seen one here...yet, but my bird book says they are in this area. He doesn't seem shy at all. Very nice series.

Anonymous said...

Stunning, just stunning.

A Colorful World said...

Beautiful! You got some great shots!

Andrea @ From The Sol said...

The Junco's winter in our area but we never get to see what their nesting habits are. This was a reat treat ... thank you

Andrea @ From The Sol