Tuesday, May 19, 2015

King Rail

Linking up with Wild Bird Wednesday and Nature Notes and Wordless on Tuesday

For this week's wild bird I am sharing the King Rail seen at the Swan Harbor Farms park in Havre De Grace, Maryland. My persistence paid off, this was our third trip to this park to see the King Rail.  The third time was a charm and not a strike out. It was not a lifer for me, but it was the first time I was able to get some photos. It is usually a shy bird but this King Rail came out into the open a few times while we sat in the blind and watched.



 I read on our listserve that this bird was being seen in the open on a few different days. I can not say enough how happy I am to be retired so I can go now and see these cool birds whenever I want..



A funny head on view of the King Rail. They are rufous above and below and they are found in fresh water marshes year round.




I hope you enjoyed my wild bird post. Till next week's wild bird post.
Join in and post your birdies and to see more beautiful and wonderful bird and nature photos please visit:

 Stewart's Wild Bird Wednesday and Michelle's  Nature Notes and Wordless on Tuesday

Thanks to all of our hosts. Michelle for Nature Notes and Stewart of Wild Bird Wednesday and Sue for Wordless on Tuesday.


  Happy Birding and have a wonderful week!

78 comments:

  1. Hi Eileen,
    what a wonderful bird in the weed. So beautiful !
    Best regards, Synnöve

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  2. Hello Eileen,
    Wonderful how you've could photograph this very special bird. Nice between his own nature with the high grass.

    Many greetings,
    Marco

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  3. Hi Eileen--what wonderful shots you got of that elusive bird. I'm glad you're retired too!! I get to see more birds!!
    :D
    Have a great day

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  4. I'm envious of your photography - you always capture wonderful images. And this is a fine, fat fellow!
    Thanks for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/05/textures.html

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  5. Brilliant pictures Eileen, your patience paid off big time. That's a new bird for me. Have a great week.

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  6. I'm so glad that you are persistent, it always a treat to see what you find. Tom The Backroads Traveller

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  7. Another one I haven't seen! I'm glad he finally came out for you to capture a shot.

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  8. What great shots, oh my goodness! Look at those feathers, they are just so beautiful!

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  9. Watching birds is a special blessing, aint it?

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  10. My first viewing of a Rail.. enjoy your retirement..

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  11. This is a very pretty bird, letting you take its photos.

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  12. Que lindas fotos e preciosos momentos!
    Esses "flagras" são maravilhosos, ainda mais quando temos a oportunidade de registrá-los.
    Abraços.

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  13. I need you to give me photography lessons! These are great.

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  14. What great pictures of the King Rail! I can imagine your excitement, when the bird showed itself in the open like that!

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  15. Wow, he's an interesting looking bird.

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  16. Olá Eileen, com certeza é um pássaro diferente e tem os seus encantos, com certeza!
    Beijos, tenha uma semana iluminada.

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  17. Hello Eileen,
    Beautiful series of this King Rail.
    So beautiful in nature and the high grass.

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  18. Wonderful photos, Eileen!
    What a handsome bird. I needed to google it and learned its binomial name is Rallus elegans. It is elegant! :)
    Have a lovely day!

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  19. Hello, Eileen.
    Your king rain in the weed looks gentle.
    I like the bird.

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  20. congratulations!! beautiful coloration!

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  21. Great shots! I have never seen a King Rail before. I am glad you were persistent and got the shot. Have a great week!

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  22. Wow! What a fabulous King Rail, Eileen! We have water Rails here (I heard one last w/e, but didn't manage to see it). Thank you for visiting my blog.

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  23. So happy you were able to finally end your quest for this shy guy!

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  24. Looks like he's a shy guy! Good photos.

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  25. i love the look, although a little funky dead on!!!

    pretty images with the tall natural grasses!!!!

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  26. To be there at the perfect time, a bonus, and retirement, that is a bonus too, enjoy every day. Love those tall reeds? grasses? Marshland plants? whatever the name, they set off your photo so well

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  27. Lovely job done expertly, beauty.

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  28. Wonderful shots of this shy bird!

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  29. These are wonderful photos of this lovely bird, Eileen. You surely must have a pretty long lens to get in so close!

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  30. Hello Eileen!
    What a beautiful bird!Wonderful pictures!Great captures!!Lucky to see this lovely bird!
    Have a happy week!
    Dimi...

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  31. I, too, love that you have time to get out there and search for the birds that you know are around but require time and patience to see, let alone photograph! So happy that you are enjoying your retirement, Eileen! Oh, and the King Rail is an absolute beauty!

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  32. Very nice! This is another one I've never seen.

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  33. Another new bird for me to see. Nice looking bird.

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  34. What an interesting pear shape that bird has.

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  35. Very nice ! I love the last photo !

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  36. You must have such patience to get the photos of these shy birds... Wonderful.. Have a great week Eileen.. Michelle

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  37. Great shots of a bird I have only ever managed to see once.

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  38. Great shots Eileen..Certainly a different shape!!Don't think I've ever seen one..

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  39. This is such a beautiful bird Eileen! I don't see these really nice marsh birds, but I guess you really have to look for them. You got some great shots of him and all his pretty markings. Lucky you ;) Enjoy your week, and happy birding!
    Wendy

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  40. You captured some great photos of the Rail. I like the one where it looks like it's giving you a piece of its mind!

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  41. That's an awesome bird Eileen, fabulous photos!

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  42. This bird is so beautiful and hooray for you to get some excellent photos of it. This is just wonderful!

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  43. That's wonderful Eileen! YOu need two life lists -- one for first time ever and one for first time photographed.

    An different looking bird, that I'd never heard of.

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  44. Always something new to count on with you Eileen . . . very nice . . .

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  45. Such an unsuual bird! It looks like a compilation of a few. Great photos, Eileen!

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  46. In that one picture he seems to be looking you right in th eye!

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  47. A wonderful sighting and great images of it. eileen

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  48. Gorgeous but shy bird, how great you managed such lovely photos.
    Interesting to see how it differs from our european rails.
    Lovely post, Eileen!
    Keep well and enjoy your day :)

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  49. Wow you got some great shots of a shy bird. Retirement is good!

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  50. A very pretty bird! Have a great day, Eileen!

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  51. Nice find in wonderful surroundings!...:)JP

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  52. wonderful photos, such a lovely bird. Quite like our water rail.

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  53. Interesting bird. I agree retirement is wonderful!

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  54. Wonderful wild bird post. I have never heard of this one.

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  55. Congratulations on getting these great shots, Evelyn.

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  56. Wonderful views of the King Rail. Great photos!

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  57. Hi Eileen, i do not think I have seen one. Beautiful large waders! Great photographs! Have a super nice Thursday tomorrow!

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  58. Cool bird, Eileen and I am very glad you are enjoying your retirement, doing what you like to do.
    Have a Super Day!
    Peace :)

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  59. Que bom você se aposentou!
    assim poderá ver muitos pássaros e trazer para nós!
    Esse Rei é muito lindo!
    bjs

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  60. Such a beautiful bird... how wonderful that you are able to spend time in those beautiful wetlands and by the sea.

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  61. How Interesting!!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  62. Intriguing series, E


    ( '>
    /))
    //""

    ALOHA from Honolulu,
    ComfortSpiral
    =^..^=


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  63. I am not so fond of water birds because they are not common here. But migratory birds are so plenty during some seasons, i guess they come here during winter months in their habitat.

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  64. You sure have a wide range of bird shots! I hate o think of how many of your photos I have not seen.

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  65. I may be late, yet I always arrive ;). How exciting to have gotten the King Rail that is so awesome Eileen!

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  66. love the sky up through the trees, lovely.

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  67. Neat front view of the King Rail!!

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  68. Fantastic sighting, Eileen. Great series of photos.

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Have a happy day, Eileen

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