Common Nighthawk

[Maestro]

While on one of my bike rides, I caught a glimpse of what I thought was a nightjar, but it turns out it is a common nighthawk. It was up on some metal awning that served as old entrance way to a ranch just south of where I live. I had never seen a nighthawk before and thought that they perched closer to the ground. Anyhow, after my bike ride I drove back and it was still there. I took this picture of it perching. My birds never seem to want to give me an interesting perch.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/maestros/Nature/Intermediate%20sized%20birds/Common_nighthawk.jpg

It eventually flew off and I could easily identify the white stripes on the slender wings near the primaries. It landed in the shade of a barn and I tried to get a better picture of it, but the shade and distance were too much to be able to get a pic with nice detail.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/maestros/Nature/Intermediate%20sized%20birds/Common_Nighthawk5b.jpg

Still though, I thought it was a nice find.

[Dick on Aruba]

It's a nice find indeed Stephen.

Thanks for sharing,

Dick.

[ShepsMom]

Nice catch Stephen! I wish i can go bike riding, too darn hot!!:rolleyes

[Harv]

Good stuff and a great find, Stephen... as well as a timely post. Coincidentally, I saw my first nighthawk yesterday. I was out running my two dogs in a nearby 6,000 acre county forrest when a bird flushed close to the ground from close beside me. At the time we were in an area of open pine forest. I followed it as it made a number of short flushes, finally landing on a low stump. I had no camera with me but made mental notes of the features of the bird and looked it up when I got home. Neat bird.

[Maestro]

Thanks all. I was quite surprised. I know that these are relatively common birds all over the US and into Canada but I believe them to be rather shy and hard to find so I was happy to have seen it and then been able to photograph it even though it wasn't a great perch for the bird.

[Maestro]

Good stuff and a great find, Stephen... as well as a timely post. Coincidentally, I saw my first nighthawk yesterday. I was out running my two dogs in a nearby 6,000 acre county forrest when a bird flushed close to the ground from close beside me. At the time we were in an area of open pine forest. I followed it as it made a number of short flushes, finally landing on a low stump. I had no camera with me but made mental notes of the features of the bird and looked it up when I got home. Neat bird.
That certainly is a conicidence! :thumb

[Ric Grupe]

Should have stopped in the kitchen and brought back a nice hunk of raw meat...for waiting for you.:D

Always nice to get something new to share! :thumb

[Maestro]

Should have stopped in the kitchen and brought back a nice hunk of raw meat...for waiting for you.:D

Always nice to get something new to share! :thumb

Perhaps, but I think it would have enjoyed more a big, fat, juicy grasshopper. They are insect eaters I believe. :D I am going to go try and find him once again today.

[Harryb]

Good catch and getting the darn bird to perch on something interesting is a constant battle. They just won't cooperate. :pissed

[raptorcaptor]

Cool find Stephen! I have yet to see one of these guys in the wild! Like the first shot!

[dbaker1221]

that's a cool find!:clap

[Maestro]

that's a cool find!:clap

Thanks Dave. I've found six more since including a juvenile, mom and dad. At least I think it was mom and dad.