And a Sharp-shinned makes 55!

I posted a thread last April saying my backyard photo "life list" had reached a total of 50 species. With the addition of the Sharp-shinned Hawk shown below I've now reached 55 species.

I was amazed at how small this Sharp-shinned was...only slightly larger than a large pigeon; and how empty my backyard was of songbirds while he was around.
My captures are not as varied and dramatic as Ian's, but I didn't want him to have all the fun!

1. At distance to show the relative body size to tail length.

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These are great. #7 is my fav

Very nice. Its pretty amazing how tiny the sharpies really are. Seeing one in person will always be an easy thing ti pick out over a Coopers.

Im jealous of all the pretty green leaves you have up. Everything is still brown here......

Beautiful set and well done.

Beautiful set.

Love these, Steve! I particularly like the Cuckoo, simply because they're so unusual

Well done Steve and congrats. I believe my backyard list is only at 41 or 42.

Thanks for posting that. That's a male Sharpy, and they are small. Females are about 1/3 larger, and usually have a faint brownish tinge to their feathers, and more orange colored eyes. Cooper's hawks are about the size of a crow, and show a white terminal band at the tail tip, something that the majority of Sharpies lack or have a very thin one that is not as noticeable. This Sharpy has a distinct white terminal band, and illustrates why you should not ID a bird based on one trait. There are always exceptions, and this makes it important to examine the whole bird. When was that bird photographed?

Excellent set Steve, well done.

Very nice set Steve and congratulations on the new addition. A friend of mine watched, and photographed a Barred Owl take a Hairy Woodpecker off her suet feeder. It's the second time that she has witnessed such a thing. I still love your Purple Finch shot!

Some very nice species and photographs, Steve; well done.

A few months ago, out of idle curiosity, I decided to count up my backyard species from over the last several years. Our county has reported about 265 species, some of which have been accidental and not to be easily found again. I came up with about half or 130 that I've seen on, or within a stone's throw of, our property. And that includes some fairly attractive species such as great gray and boreal owls and trumpeter swans. I even saw a green heron once and they've only been reported here a couple times. I think most people would be amazed to know what is around.

Wow, amazing total there, Steve. I don't know if I could get to 15! (In Illinois) Super sharp shots, my friend. Oh yeah, of a Sharpie. You're a very dedicated birder and have my admiration.

mamaof2 wrote in post #17457042
These are great. #7 is my fav

Thanks a bunch Jessi! That Blue Grosbeak will definitely get you attention won't it.

GeoffSFAs10 wrote in post #17457060
Very nice. Its pretty amazing how tiny the sharpies really are. Seeing one in person will always be an easy thing ti pick out over a Coopers.

Im jealous of all the pretty green leaves you have up. Everything is still brown here......

Haha Geoff, remember these images have been collected since last April. Green leaves are only present on the Pines, Privet, and English Ivy right now. Thanks for stopping by with your comments.

budcam wrote in post #17457090
Beautiful set and well done.

Thank you Dan! Always appreciated.

Mag-1981 wrote in post #17457405
Beautiful set.

Greatly appreciated Mag!

Snydremark wrote in post #17457767
Love these, Steve! I particularly like the Cuckoo, simply because they're so unusual

Much appreciated Eric! The Cuckoo image was extreme luck, but I too learned how unusual they are after that. Another good reason for bird photography.

txcanon wrote in post #17457856
Well done Steve and congrats. I believe my backyard list is only at 41 or 42.

Always appreciate your input Brad! I know you'll keep shooting and your list will grow too.

Beekeeper wrote in post #17457946
Thanks for posting that. That's a male Sharpy, and they are small. Females are about 1/3 larger, and usually have a faint brownish tinge to their feathers, and more orange colored eyes. Cooper's hawks are about the size of a crow, and show a white terminal band at the tail tip, something that the majority of Sharpies lack or have a very thin one that is not as noticeable. This Sharpy has a distinct white terminal band, and illustrates why you should not ID a bird based on one trait. There are always exceptions, and this makes it important to examine the whole bird. When was that bird photographed?

Thanks for the comments B-keep! I first saw him about noonish this past Saturday by following a trail of feathers drifting down from above. The captures were obtained about 3PM that afternoon when he finally perched in some advantageous lighting. I've seen him about a half dozen times since including today (Tuesday) as well as the Cooper's who's typically a more regular visitor.

Red Dexs wrote in post #17458049
Excellent set Steve, well done.

Thanks as always Red; glad you enjoyed them.

SJC from VT wrote in post #17458155
Very nice set Steve and congratulations on the new addition. A friend of mine watched, and photographed a Barred Owl take a Hairy Woodpecker off her suet feeder. It's the second time that she has witnessed such a thing. I still love your Purple Finch shot!

Thank you Sandy! It was quite a surprise when he showed up; and I too find the Purple Finch to be a recent favorite.
I'm sure if I saw our Barred Owls going after anything in decent lighting I'd just simply stare in amazement. I'm sure those images are awesome!

CDMOOSE wrote in post #17458325
Some very nice species and photographs, Steve; well done.

A few months ago, out of idle curiosity, I decided to count up my backyard species from over the last several years. Our county has reported about 265 species, some of which have been accidental and not to be easily found again. I came up with about half or 130 that I've seen on, or within a stone's throw of, our property. And that includes some fairly attractive species such as great gray and boreal owls and trumpeter swans. I even saw a green heron once and they've only been reported here a couple times. I think most people would be amazed to know what is around.

Thanks as always Al for your generous comments.
I knew based on your threads that you would be one who should have a much longer list than I might ever achieve. You obviously live in an area that's ripe with migrants and locals, a veritable birders paradise.
I looked out of curiosity to see when my list got started and found the earliest pictures in Feb/March 2011. It grows much more slowly lately, but still grows!

ardeekay wrote in post #17458363
Wow, amazing total there, Steve. I don't know if I could get to 15! (In Illinois) Super sharp shots, my friend. Oh yeah, of a Sharpie. You're a very dedicated birder and have my admiration.

Thank you Sir Rog, your admiration and friendship are gratifying and humbling at the same time. I'd bet you've already got at least 10 in Illinois

Love number 4! Nice shots

Very nice sharpies, and the rest of the set.