Wednesday, April 8, 2015

From Our Balcony Window

I use the camera on my phone almost exclusively now for all picture taking.  It's easy to carry and quick to whip out, but there are times when I really wish I had my good camera with me ...
like when I was walking the other day and just happened across this hudhud (hoopoe) in the park.
 I was outside the fence surrounding the park when I took the first picture but was able to actually go inside and get a little closer for this next one.  
We don't see these birds often in town, so I'm always excited when I catch a glimpse of one.

This evening I watched two bulbuls from our balcony window as the sun went down.  
 Male and female bulbuls look alike so it's hard to tell them apart.  Their breeding season is March through June.
 This next photo is much clearer as it was taken through the open door.  (The top two were taken through a tinted window).  Bulbuls eat insects and fruits and they are loving this tree because it is filled with ripened berries again.  You can even see the berry stained chest on this one.
We've had hazy weather the past couple of days which makes me feel rather blah.  But watching birdies from the balcony certainly helps to cheer me up.

Have a wonderful Wednesday.

19 comments:

Lorrie said...

Your birdies have interesting names - ones I've never heard of. They are fun to say.
I Phones are so convenient, aren't they?

Linda said...

You know I love bird watching and all of nature. (except thunderstorm/tornado warnings which we're already experiencing today with the onset of much warmer weather)

Those birds are neat!

I sometimes take phone pictures, but nothing can take the place of my professional camera for great photos. I do sometimes carry my little pocket Nikon which has a really excellent zoom and closeup feature and that's what I used on my walk the other day to photograph the flowers.

Have a great remainder of the week.
Linda

Londoneya said...

I know what you mean about wanting to carry around something lightweight like your smartphone to take photos.

When I first started taking photographs I bought a lightweight compact camera with a decent zoom.

That was like 10 years ago. I'm sure nowadays you'll find that the technology has become even more sophisticated and lighter in your pocket! :) Worth researching.

Love your bird shots. It's so therapeutic to immerse ourselves in nature. Let's hope our cities preserve these natural habitats and not turn them into roads or parking lots (something I've seen happen in Cairo sadly).

Have a great day too!

Susan said...

Hi Tammy....

Oh, your birdie shots are darling. You are such a country girl at heart. Wish you could move to a place with rolling green grass and dozens of birdies at your back yard feeder. Susan

primrosesattic said...

Tammy beautiful pictures.
Rosezeeta.

Tanya said...

I love birds...I was in heaven in Hawaii, with all their different kinds. We have "limited resources" here in Vegas - I have a crazy mockingbird that has been singing songs ALL NIGHT for the past three weeks. I hope he finds a girlfriend SOON! LOVE that bird you have posted - thought it might be a woodpecker at first, so I googled it - BEAUTIFUL!

Diane said...

What an interesting bird. Are they large? The little bulbuls ares sweet but they need little bibs. Diane

Betsy said...

Great pictures Tammy. I also take pictures almost exclusively with my iphone for the same reason you have. Also, blogger won't let me post any pictures from our desktop computer anymore. Have a lovely day.
Blessings,
Betsy

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Tammy,
Wow, you got some very special bird in front of your lens with this hoopoe!
Guess that are mulberries on the tree with the bulbuls.
Lovely photos in all.
Hugs,
Mariette

Teresa Kasner said...

Wow, that first bird is amazing, I've never seen one like that! I hope you've enjoyed your week. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Quinn said...

I feel the same cheering effect when I see the little chickadees and finches and titmice and nuthatches visiting my feeder on a gloomy, raw day. (Like today, in fact!)
In another few weeks, the hummingbird feeder will be up again :)

Anonymous said...

That hudhud is certainly an interesting looking bird.

Gracie Saylor said...

Sorry about the hazy weather blahs, Tammy, but I enjoyed looking at your photos...all of which interested me...unusual birds and the awesome hazy moon especially! Rain showers have been scuttling through our area as of late, increasing the snow pack on Mt. Hood which is a good thing for skiers and our water supply! Wishing you happy days :) xx

~*~Patty S said...

What an unusual exotic looking bird. I know what you mean about zooming in with phone camera...I am also using my regular camera much less these days. On our recent vacation I stuck to the phone and Mr Magpie used the camera mostly.
Fun to see what's blooming along with your birds Tammy.
Happy April!
oxo

kathyinozarks said...

Good morning, lovely photos Tammy

Rostrose said...

Hello dearest Tammy,
your bird-watching cheered me up, too! I've never seen these birds before - neither the hudhud nor the bulbuls!
Lots of hugs and I hope you had a happy Easter-time!
xox Traude

Tanna said...

I saw a hoopoe on Margaret's Birding for Pleasure blog for the first time recently! Those are such cool looking birds! Glad to see another one. I've been using my phone, too... though I'm taking a photo class now and need to get back to trying to use my camera. ;) blessings ~ tanna

Mereknits said...

Your pictures are so wonderful. I think the dust adds such an interesting hue to the photos. I saw two small woodpeckers this morning, jumping around a tree.
Hugs and hope your head is better.
Meredith

Yarni Gras! said...

pretty birds :-)

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