Thursday, January 15, 2015

Taking a chance

Linking up with Skywatch Friday  and Good Fences  


So here I am once again Jan 9th watching the bird list for Maryland and what do I see a Common Redpoll appearing at a feeder at the Black Hills Regional Park's visitor center.  The Redpoll has been on my list of must see birds for some time.. Hubby and I arrived at the park at 11am and started watching the feeders.



Above one of the feeders, I see an American Goldfinch and a few Pine Siskins.. No Common Redpoll.. The visitor center had feeders in the back and feeders in the front of the building.. So here I am like a crazy person walking back and forth from the front to the back..


A pretty House Finch.. but not a Redpoll.. Did I mention it was a cold and breezy day?


The lake above is one of the views from the visitor center.. A pretty blue sky  for Skywatch Friday and a fence scene around the boat dock for Good Fences.. Looking and waiting, waiting and looking... for the Common Redpoll.


A distant shot of some of the ducks and Coots in the lake... And a fence shot for my Good Fences post.


A little closer look but not too close, lol.  Some American Coots, the Wigeons and a few other ducks..The zoom on my CanonSX40 is good but not that good.



We did have some pretty views while waiting for the Common Redpoll to show himself.. I seriously believe it was hiding in the bushes waiting for me to leave..Two and a half hours go by and no sight of the Redpoll.. I guess you can call me a quitter, I gave up, hubby and I left a little after 2pm..




In the distance, I could see another fence scene and a farm.. If you look hard you can see a fence behind the bare trees..So my wild chase was not completely a waste I was able to take some fence photos..and I was happy to see the Pine Siskins again...Oh and wouldn't you know it the Common Redpoll showed up at 2:40 just after I left. My luck on chasing birds has not been good. :(


I enjoy taking moon shots when I can, this is the moon setting on the morning of Jan10th.


This sunrise was taken from my driveway on Jan 11th... So this has been part of my week in activities and photos... I hope you enjoyed and my quest to see the Common Redpoll will continue...

Thanks for stopping by and for the nice comments..I hope you enjoyed your visit.
To see more pretty skies from around the world please visit  Skywatch Friday
and check for more fence shots at Tex's Good Fences




Thanks to Theresa @ The Run*A*Round Ranch for hosting Good Fences and thanks to Sylvia, Yogi  and Sandy for hosting Skywatch Friday.  I wish everyone a happy day and weekend ahead..

66 comments:

chica said...

Aves, lua e céu maravilhosos! Lindo dia! bjs praianos,chica

Sue said...

Sorry you didn't get to see your Redpoll. I've often found that when I'm looking for something, it never appears, but shows up as a nice surprise later on when I least expect it! Good luck in your search.

Sara - Villa Emilia said...

Beautiful photos, Eileen!
For example the House Finch is very pretty, and I love the photo, so bright and sharp!
The sunrise looks lovely.
Have a nice weekend!

diane b said...

Bad luck with your attempt at seeing a Redpoll but you got some good shots anyway. I like how in the first shot the birds are hanging on sideways defying gravity.

Minoru Saito said...

Hi! The moon and sunrise photos are very beautiful. The lake photos are very cool too. Thanks for sharing.

Jocee said...

Beautiful photos, your day was not wasted. Love the sunrise one.

Ileana said...

All photos are beautiful. I enjoy taking moon shots,too! :) Have a nice day!

Unknown said...

A great selection of photos Eileen

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

Nice shots. The very best feature of the camera-pass time...it gets you outside...and opens your eyes. That is wonderful...ain't it?

Roan said...

Better luck next time. I don't think I would have lasted as long as you in those temperatures. Beautiful views!

Sue (this n that) said...

Hi Eileen, the birds kept you on your toes didn't they! You managed to get some really beaut shots in though. Lovely scenery and you certainly snared some fences too :D) Good luck next time for your Common Redpoll. Oh, and I just love the moon pic and that sunrise is spectacular. Cheerio for now

Unknown said...

I meant to write here more than an hour ago,
guess I got distracted by something else :)
This is a beautiful post with wonderful views
of that lake, just love it!
I even found the tiny fences ;)
And I want a camera that does moonshots too!
Have a great day
【ツ】Knipsa

21 Wits said...

These are the kinds of days and photos that long live upon our souls!

MadSnapper said...

my favorite foto today is your driveway view. wow and wow again. and i like that small beach at the lake..

Mersad said...

I love the little scene on the lake in shot nr.6. And the sunrise from your driveway is stunning!

Mersad
Mersad Donko Photography

Bethany Carson said...

Beautiful shots of the finch, moon, and sunrise. Sorry you weren't able to see the redpoll--hope you find one!

EG CameraGirl said...

I haven't seen any redpolls yet this winter but a friend had FOUR at her feeder. I haven't seen a pine siskin yet, either. Woe is me. ;)

Irma said...

Beautiful series pictures, Eileen.
I love the barmsijsjes on the first picture, and the beautiful finch in the second picture.
The sun and the moon are subleim.
Best regards, Irma

Cranberry Morning said...

What a little rascal that Redpoll is! Lol Beautiful post as always, Eileen.

TexWisGirl said...

lovely shots of the water birds and smaller visitors at the feeders. great moon, beautiful sky, love the farm. laughing out loud at the redpoll just waiting for you to exit before reappearing!

Linda Kay said...

Beautiful sunrise, Eileen. Maybe that birdie will come out of hiding on your next visit, or show up when you least expect it.l

ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© said...

Pretty skies and birds! I'm sure you'll capture that Redpoll someday...
~

DIMI said...

Hello Eileen!!
Great post!!
Wonderful series of pictures!!
Great shot of the House Finch,the sunrice and the moon !
Have a happy week!
Dimi...

Mary Hone said...

Well, even though you didn't get your bird, your shots are beautiful.

Giga said...

Failed today, will be another time. There are other birds in the pictures and great views. Regards.

Uppal said...

Hi,very nice pics of birds(second one i like the most) and wonderfully sweet description!

Linda W. said...

Sorry you weren't able to spot a redpoll. But you got some nice photos anyway!

Deb said...

Any day you can get beautiful photos like these is never wasted. Love those little finches. I guess I am lucky to have Red Poll at our feeders. They really are sweet but very shy, unlike the Chickadee. Deb

Maude Lynn said...

Got some lovely shots though!

Karen said...

Such a nice way to spend and afternoon. Lovely shots of the lake and birds and fence, too :) Have a great weekend. Good luck with your continued search for the Redpol.

Breathtaking said...

Lovely captures of the birds, and lake scenes. It does look cold, but very pictureque. Better luck next time for the Redpoll.

Debbie said...

the sky has been amazing this winter!!!!

phyllis said...

I was at Black Hill yesterday and it was bitterly cold. I saw quite a few House Finches but no Siskins and no Redpoll. I did catch sight of the Trumpeter Swan (tagged) and the Greater White Fronted Goose but, alas, no Redpoll. Oh well, maybe I'll get another chance this winter to see this bird.

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

I love the Common Redpoll image and the beuaituful sunrise in the last shot

Nancy J said...

And there I was, hoping to find you had found one, this is a story indeed.Your sunrise, the #1 for me today. Enjoy every day. without answering to the time clock, and the drive.

Helma said...

Great to see all these birds. But you maa is fantastic on again and the colors of your sky are really gorgeous!

Montanagirl said...

I'm back again - after a week. I can't seem to sit at the computer for more than one day a week anymore! Too many other things I need to be doing. Beautiful photos today, Eileen!!

Carletta said...

I have no doubt your persistence will pay off one day soon in search of the Redpoll. :)
You got some wonderful shots of your day though.

Rose said...

I have to look and see what a red poll is...I know I have seen them on others blogs but never in real life. Your luck sounds like mine.

George said...

I'm sorry you didn't see the redpoll, but I certainly enjoyed the pictures you got on your quest. Don't give up!

Our photos said...

Nice series ! I love the House Finch !

Pauline said...

A wonderful collection of photos. That's a pretty fence in the 6th shot. Pretty birds, too and oh, that moon!

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

You have my kind of luck! It doesn't look like a wasted trip though- all the pretty sights and your camera did get a workout..not to mention you, too, going back and forth! Beautiful moon shot!

This N That said...

We have tons of Pine Siskins..I'll have to look more closely at our purple finches..I don't know if we have Common Redpolls or not..
Pretty Lake..
Beautiful sunset..

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I hope you get the redpoll someday soon, but the pictures you did get are fun and you are so brave to stay out in that weather as long as you did!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful landscape and bird shots. We finally have blue skies for the first time in a couple of weeks.

Pat said...

Beautiful views. That's a lovely little House Finch.

Anonymous said...

Your pictures are beautiful, even without the elusive Redpoll. I hope you capture it, though!

Michelle said...

Though you didn't see what you were looking for, you captured some nice shots and I love that sky.

HappyK said...

A nice collection of pictures. Beautiful sunset! I like the feeder. Looks like it would be hard for squirrels to get at.

Brian King said...

It's nice you have a place like that to visit and watch the birds. I love the lake! The sky in the last photo is gorgeous!

Cloudia said...

your stills of birds seem full of action!

ALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
<3

Ida said...

That's a bummer that you missed the Redpoll, I've never even heard of it. I did enjoy your fence shots very much. I especially like the one with the gazebo by the water.

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

From start to finish, a perfect set of photos that fit their 'themes' perfectly!

Stephanie said...

Enjoyed viewing your wonderful photos!

DeniseinVA said...

I admire your dedication and fortitude In your search for the redpoll Eileen. In the meantime you got some great shots and I thank you so much for sharing them. Have a great weekend!

Red Nomad OZ said...

Don't you just hate it when everyone sees the bird except YOU?!?! I share your pain ... and I also believe this proves how intelligent birds are - they sure know when to hide!! Have a good weekend, my friend!

orchid0324 said...

Dearest Eileen; Although you got wonderful pictures of finches, ducks and scenery with fence, so sorry for not sighting the Redpoll. I'm sure you can SOON♪  Yes, and I LOVE the moon shot of yours.

Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my Dear friend in America, xoxo Miyako*

Bob Scotney said...

You didn't waste your time even if the Redpoll didn't make your day. Great moon shot.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I saw my first Pine Siskin of the season just two days ago.Maybe soon they'll be hanging off my feeders just like in your picture!

Lynne said...

Will it help if I tell you the Redpoles haven't visited here for almost two years. The last time they were here though there were MANY . . . I am hoping and waiting . . . like you.
Great post Eileen . . .

Beate said...

I love all of your pictures so much, they're amazing! Especially the ones of the Hourse Finch, the moon and the sunrise. So beautiful! :)

Anonymous said...

The Pine Siskins are adorable. Don't think I've ever seen one. I did see goldfinches visiting again this week. Maybe next time the Common Redpoll will be more cooperative.

Ela said...

Wonderful post and pictures !
Greetings

NatureFootstep said...

love ths sky shots and of course, the birds :)

Celeste said...

Good luck on your Redpoll hunt Eileen, I hope you get it eventually.
Lovely photos as always :)

Happy Monday!

  Wishing everyone a great day and a ha ppy new week! "Happiness is a place between too little and too much." "Find joy in th...