[WPRESTO]

Sorry, I'm just being a compulsive ornithologist, i.e., compulsive need to label birds with their species identity to further the education of the public about the stupendous diversity of birds. I was away from checking PentaxForums for a while, so I had some catching up to do. No offense intended. I realize most people don't have my education, experience, and resources for bird ID.

i absolutely do not take offense when an error I've made is corrected, especially (perhaps) when it's something more-or-less scientific or factual. For zoo specimen birds I usually rely on the identifications provided on-site, recording them in a photograph, or by bringing home a brochure with the identifications. But in aviaries or multi-species cages or tanks (= fish) the signs may contain multiple species with a photograph to aid identification. If there are multiple similar species you can be misled by the orientation of the identification image versus the orientation of the bird in the image you've captured.

[wtlwdwgn]

The first image is a winner.

Thanks Walt.

[photolady95]

I shot this in my yard today. I could put it in the yard birds thread too but thought I'd stop here first.
Red Shouldered Hawk lunches on a Glass Lizard, a no legged thing



Same Hawk, different view:

[noelcmn]

Lucky you Photolady95.

What is the fuss all about? Some kind of mineral rock

[gifthorse]

Lucky you Photolady95.

What is the fuss all about? Some kind of mineral rock

Probably a salt lick (sometimes called a mineral lick). Herbivores like cows, horses, giraffes, and deer crave salt. People will leave these blocks of salt out to lure animals for hunting, photography, etc.

and now a wildlife...

Wild horses. (salt licks available for a small additional charge.)

[noelcmn]

So what is the additional Charge? Have seen this a few times now at Pilansberg National Park, at the Restaurant and Curio Shop, and figured the Park puts these (or pours some very salty water over the stones, especially for the large number of foreign tourists to the place, and of course locals like me!

Squacco Heron

[photolady95]

Lucky you Photolady95.

Thanks Noel. I have a pair that lives close by so I get a fair few shots of them at least twice a year, but this was only the second time of one of them eating anything.

[CharLac]

I shot this in my yard today. I could put it in the yard birds thread too but thought I'd stop here first.
Red Shouldered Hawk lunches on Blue indigo snake



Same Hawk, different view:

WOW!!! What lens/camera combo are you using?

[photolady95]

Thanks Charlie. If you click on it and go to Flickr, it will tell you the EXIF there. But it's the HD 55-300mm WR ED and K-50 White Knight.

[aslyfox]

good news for lovers of and photographers of trumpeter swans:

The Comeback of Trumpeter Swans - The New York Times

these are from Yellowstone last spring [ K 3 II + HD Pentax-D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW ]



the Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center where I work as a volunteer Docent has a mated pair which contribute to the reintroduction program

[noelcmn]

Wings everywhere- Herons and Sacred Ibises

[WPRESTO]

Turning its back on the raucous affair above.

[noelcmn]

Whatever is happening over there, I'm staying at a safe distance

[WPRESTO]

Turkeys again

[noelcmn]

Occasionally, you get to see some "strange" wildlife in Rietvlei Nature Reserve, coming all the way from the USA.