Brown Thrashers have returned

[IraRunyan]

I have not seen any Brown Thrashers for several months. This week they returned to my yard, infact a pair are out there.

I normally don't like to photograph a bird on the ground, but what could I do? That's where he was...............

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0803/irarunyan/Wildlife/BrownThrasher_5061.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0803/irarunyan/Wildlife/BrownThrasher_5065.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0803/irarunyan/Wildlife/BrownThrasher_5073.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0803/irarunyan/Wildlife/BrownThrasher_5084.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0803/irarunyan/Wildlife/BrownThrasher_5090.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0803/irarunyan/Wildlife/BrownThrasher_5112.jpg

[pardes]

Goodness gracious but these are great photos. I don't have the eyesight, the energy, or the right lens for bird photos but I dearly envy those who do.

I also jumped over to your "Florida wildlife" site. Boy did that make me homesick. I grew up in Ocala and attended U of F and while I don't miss the hot weather, I very much miss the wildlife and landscapes. Cross Creek, Cedar Key, Juniper Springs, Crystal River. Oh my but Florida was wildly gorgeous in the 1960's.

Have you photographed at Cedar Key lately? I took my very first Nikon camera there (in 1968) and nearly fainted from all the photo-ops.

One more question. Are there still panthers in the Ocala National Forest? The closest I ever got to them was hearing them scream now and then. Has anyone on your site been able to photograph them?

[Bud1880]

Very nice Ira. Love that last one, a beautiful bird. :thumb

[Jack'll do]

Very nice set Ira. The colors and detail are great. :clap