Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Greater Roadrunner

I am linking up with Wild Bird Wednesday and Nature Notes

After my New Mexico trip I can knock another of my TOP TEN most want to see birds off of my list. It is the Greater Roadrunner.  A cool bird and another New Mexico lifer, YES!

I actually saw my first Roadrunner the day before this sighting. But the bird ran across the street and into the brush so fast, I could not get his photo. On this day at the Bosque Del Apache NWR the Roadrunner came out of the bushes and ran across a large open field.



These photos are thanks to dear hubby, he was sitting on the right side of the car for these shots. Hubby took a few shots of the Roadrunner as he ran across the field. What a cool sight!


 The Greater Roadrunner is a long-legged bird in the Cuckoo family. The adult has a bushy crest and a long, thick dark bill. The roadrunner has a long dark tail, dark on the head and back. They have four toes, two facing front and two face backward.  They feed in insects, fruits and small reptiles. The Roadrunner can run at speeds up to 20 MPH.



It seems that after I see a bird that I have really wanted to see, they keep appearing. During the rest of our trip, I started seeing more Roadrunners. Of course most of the time running across the road in front of the car. Sometimes they were just a blur. But cool sightings. 

I hope you enjoyed my Roadrunner, it was one of my favorite sightings in New Mexico. Thanks for visiting and for the nice comments.

Join in and post your birdies and to see more beautiful and wonderful bird photos please visit:
 Stewart's Wild Bird Wednesday and Michelle's  Nature Notes.  Thanks to our host Michelle our host Stewart.  Happy Birding and have a wonderful week!

59 comments:

Sonja said...

I hadn't realised that Roadrunners were cuckoos. Congratulations on the sighting and to your husband for getting the photos. They're one of your birds that I'd really like to see!

Carole M. said...

LOVE seeing these comical-looking birds

DeniseinVA said...

Really neat shots Eileen. I have only ever seen this bird once but too far away for a decent photo. Exciting to see so many new birds on your trip.

Stewart M said...

Any of us who watched cartoons as a kid want to see one of these!

We really did have a ACME cheese grater!

Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

Unknown said...

Beautiful birds! Nice clicks..

Elizabeth Edwards said...

wow, i am surprised you even saw him. he really is camouflaged. wow!! awesome!! ( :

Joop Zand said...

Very good shots Eileen...... well done.

Gretings, Joop

Crafty Green Poet said...

Congratulations on finally seeing the roadrunners! I love that last photo!

Helma said...

Eileen amazing, and this is a bird that can not come with us.
He is very good :-) I'll see you soon saw him and was able to capture.
Kind regards, Helma

Montanagirl said...

That's really cool - I have yet to see one of these. But we have family in Southern Utah, so maybe I'll get to see one sometime.

Pallavi said...

Your hubby took some real nice shots Eileen. The road runner looks like an inquisitive cute little thing :)

grammie g said...

Hi Eileen... Exciting lifer you was able to add to the list!!
Sorry but I have to say it Beep-beep!! : )

Grace

Hootin Anni said...

Love your photos Eileen. We've seen them in the Sonoran Desert when we lived in Tuscon and hiked...but not down here. Of course we rarely go out in the open country.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Great job capturing this interesting bird! I'd love to see one up close!

Irma said...

Beautiful pictures of this particular bird, Eileen.
In the Netherlands not to find this species.
Greetings Irma

TexWisGirl said...

yay! i know how cool these birds are - i still get excited to see them. :)

Karen said...

How cool Eileen! They are such a comical looking bird!

Suzan said...

I can only imagine how much fun the roadrunner is to watch!! Are they related to a woodpecker as well as the cockoo?? So similar in shape and structure. Did you say "Beep Beep" every time you saw one????

Gail Dixon said...

I saw one once, in Austin, Texas. It was so far away and the minute it sensed my presence, off it ran. I think I kept my blurry shots as a reminder that I actually did see it. Great spotting!

Anonymous said...

Hi Eileen, I am so happy for your - Roadrunners are neat birds! Glad you saw a bunch of 'em. Have a really good day today and a most pleasant Wed. tomorrow!

•°°• IcyBC •°°• said...

Wow..what a pretty bird! Hopefully I will get to see it once in real life..

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Oh how I remember how excited I was when I saw a Roadrunner in Arkansas last year... I hope to see another one when we go back there in Feb...

You got some great photos.
Hugs,
Betsy

George said...

You and your hubby make a great team -- these photos are wonderful. We saw a few roadrunners on our western trip as well.

Ellie said...

What a cool sight for you to see. I've never seen a road runner and always imagine them to be like the cartoon. You have got some great shots of him.
I'm glad you like my holiday pics. I have so many it is really difficult to know which ones to post. :)

Barb said...

I rhink Roadrunners are so unusual. Glad that you saw several on your trip and even managed some great photos!

DIMI said...

Hallo Eileen!!!
I have seen Roadrunners only on Texs posts!!!Very interesting bird indeed!!!Love the way he runs!!!Great captutes!!My congrats to your husband!!!Realy nice pictures!!Have a lovely week!!Hugs!!
Dimi...

Our Neck of the Woods said...

How neat to see a Roadrunner! I bet that was exciting. I've always been intrigued by them!

Merlesworld said...

The only contact I've had with these birds is in the cartoon, they are different looking, do they fly at all.
Merle........

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I love this bird. When we saw our first one (in New Mexico) a guy told us that the Spanish name is "paisano" which means fellow traveler. So we thought he was a good bird for full-time RVers (as we were then). You just can't help smiling when you see them!!!

HappyK said...

He hides well in there!!

Brian King said...

Congratulations on another lifer! These are cool birds. Your husband got some great photos!

Saun said...

Wow these are great ! I'm hiding in the bathroom so I can check out some blogs lol I'm sure they will find me soon lol time to get packing.....

Laura said...

So cool!!!

Zizi Santos said...

Lindas imagens !
é bom conhecer mais um pássaro e suas curiosidades!
parabéns pelas fotos!
Eu também estou participando com as fotos do meu marido.
aqui:
http://zizisantos.blogspot.com.br/2013/11/passaros-brasileiros.html
eu vi no seu blog e resolvi participar
beijo
Zizi

Carletta said...

So happy for you Eileen and glad this one didn't run away before you got your record shot.
I love that last shot in the series!

Stephanie said...

These are great. I really like your new banner at the top.

Indrani said...

Truly cool sights! You got terrific captures.

Lew said...

They are interesting birds. I saw some about 12 years when I was working in Phoenix.

MastHoliday said...

Well captures, Eileen! beautiful bird...

Elaine said...

How fun! You were certainly fortunate on your trip to see so many lifers!

Neil said...

Great to be able to get a new bird. Great series.

Vores have said...

Great image series you show Eileen. Thank you for sharing these beautiful pictures with us. Wish you a nice day :) Hanne Bente

Bob Bushell said...

Great bird to take on holiday with you, lol.

Dave said...

Brilliant bird to be seeing, what a thrill.

Lynne said...

Congrat's for your Roadrunner sighting . . . I would love seeing one!

Jen Sanford said...

Congrats on the lifer! Roadrunners are awesome.

EG CameraGirl said...

They are such fun birds to watch!

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

I'm glad you got to see more of these fascinating birds Eileen. The childhood cartoons have created a much bigger and taller bird in most people's mind I should think.

Small City Scenes said...

Nice shots---Boy they are fast aren't they. Glad you get to cross another sighting off you list. great fun. MB

Debbie said...

WoW-zers....what a great trip!!

nice images, i know you were excited!!

MyMaracas said...

Wonderful! Congrats on adding another to your list.

Rambling Woods said...

I didn't know about these birds.. Great post Eileen.... Michelle

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

Very cool shots. One time, when we lived in the desert in S.California, I heard a clicking noise and looked up and there on our flat roof was a roadrunner - right in town. No chance of a photo - but a great memory.

Unknown said...

Congrats on seeing the roadrunner! It's always been one of my favorite cartoons. Have a great day!

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

Hi Eileen. Well done. A great bird to see and you got great shots of it also.

Mary Howell Cromer said...

How wonderful for you and I am so jealous...sigh ;), have longed to see one even a little bit close up and you got some great images Eileen...really almost looks like fine paintings...very nice~

Kathie Brown said...

Woo Hoo! Congrats Eileen! It was a bird I thought I would never see either...until I moved to AZ!

Pat said...

How wonderful to see and photograph a Roadrunner!

Noushka said...

Hahaha!
I bet he inspired Disney... he really looks like Woodywood pecker! LOL!

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