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View Full Version : The first of the Great Kiskadees


Maestro
Jul-15-2008, 06:45 PM
These are all from the Martin Refuge in Edinburg, Texas and are not from the blinds, but rather they are from my little hikes around the property during midday when the light at the blinds was not good for photography.

In this first image, the big lump in the throat is a cicada that this kiskadee had just swallowed. I have an image of the "flip" into the mouth but that one is blurry.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/maestros/Nature/Summer%2008%20Wildlife/GreatKiskadee1.jpg

After eating, it sat peacefully on this branch for a while until its mate came by to bother it about something. It was probably time to clean their nest. ;) It was a huge nest by the way.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/maestros/Nature/Summer%2008%20Wildlife/GreatKiskadee4.jpg

This last one came in to a small decorative water patio pond that the Martin's have on their patio. I was just sitting there actually trying to photograph buff-bellied hummingbirds as they came to the feeder and flowers on the patio. This one took water then flew back into the dense brush. It came out somewhat and sat low in this bush squawking away. At what? I'm not sure. But these guys are loud. This also seemed a bit smaller than the others I was seeing. I used flash for fill here.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/maestros/Nature/Summer%2008%20Wildlife/GreatKiskadee3.jpg

Ric Grupe
Jul-16-2008, 04:29 AM
Oh...no...not another bird I never saw before! My brain is on overload.:rofl

Nice catches, Stephen. :thumb

Maestro
Jul-16-2008, 12:19 PM
Sorry Ric. But come on down to the Lower Rio Grande Valley and I will show these large flycatchers any time!

bhowdy
Jul-16-2008, 12:55 PM
Nice images Maestro. New bird for me as well. :thumb
Hey Ric, pick me up in Knoxville on your way thru to Texas!

Maestro
Jul-16-2008, 01:40 PM
Nice images Maestro. New bird for me as well. :thumb
Hey Ric, pick me up in Knoxville on your way thru to Texas!

Thanks Bob. Luckily these guys are pretty easy to find in the Valley.

Ric Grupe
Jul-16-2008, 06:17 PM
Nice images Maestro. New bird for me as well. :thumb
Hey Ric, pick me up in Knoxville on your way thru to Texas!
Texas...? :scratch

Oh! That wee little state to the south and west.:rofl

My wife has a sister in San Angelo.

Hey wait a minute Knoxville ain't on my way.

http://rickay.smugmug.com/photos/291316286_FdpMv-L.gif

Jack'll do
Jul-17-2008, 03:54 AM
New bird for me as well Stephen. I particularly like the pose, & comp in #2

Maestro
Jul-17-2008, 04:46 PM
Thanks Jack and Ric you are slaying me! :rofl