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!

77 comments:

Seraphinas Phantasie said...

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

Marco Luijken said...

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

Many greetings,
Marco

Sue said...

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

NCSue said...

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

Adam Jones said...

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

Tom said...

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

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

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

Rhonda Albom said...

Beautiful birds.

Nancy's Notes said...

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

Terri said...

Terrific photos!

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

Watching birds is a special blessing, aint it?

MadSnapper said...

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

Nancy Chan said...

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

EG CameraGirl said...

How cool to see a King Rail!!

Poções de Arte said...

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

Gail said...

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

Mary Hone said...

Wow, he's an interesting looking bird.

Juni said...

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

Irma said...

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

Sara - Villa Emilia said...

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!

Tomoko said...

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

TexWisGirl said...

congratulations!! beautiful coloration!

Michelle B said...

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

Halcyon said...

What a beauty!

Caroline Gill said...

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.

Linda Kay said...

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

Linda W. said...

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

ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© said...

Great shots, congrats, Eileen!
~

Debbie said...

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

pretty images with the tall natural grasses!!!!

Nancy J said...

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

Bob Bushell said...

Lovely job done expertly, beauty.

Silver Parrot said...

Wonderful shots of this shy bird!

Debby Ray said...

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

DIMI said...

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

Black Jack's Carol said...

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!

Brian King said...

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

Stephanie said...

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

The Yum List said...

What an interesting pear shape that bird has.

Our photos said...

Very nice ! I love the last photo !

Rambling Woods said...

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

David M. Gascoigne, said...

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

This N That said...

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

September Violets said...

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

Barb said...

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!

DeniseinVA said...

That's an awesome bird Eileen, fabulous photos!

Stacy said...

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

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

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.

Lynne said...

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

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

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

Pietro Brosio said...

Very nice wild bird post!

Momfever said...

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

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

A wonderful sighting and great images of it. eileen

Noushka said...

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 :)

diane b said...

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

Unknown said...

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

jp@A Green Ridge said...

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

Keith's Ramblings said...

What an amazing series - I'm so glad I dropped by.


Visit Keith's Ramblings!

Crafty Green Poet said...

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

Gillian Olson said...

Interesting bird. I agree retirement is wonderful!

LV said...

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

Pat said...

Congratulations on getting these great shots, Evelyn.

Pat said...

Oooh...I mean Eileen!

A Colorful World said...

Wonderful views of the King Rail. Great photos!

Anonymous said...

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

GreenComotion said...

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

Zizi Santos said...

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

Laura said...

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

Maude Lynn said...

Pretty bird, Eileen!

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

How Interesting!!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Hugs,
Debbie

Cloudia said...

Intriguing series, E


( '>
/))
//""

ALOHA from Honolulu,
ComfortSpiral
=^..^=


Andrea said...

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.

Rose said...

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

Mary Howell Cromer said...

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

4RRanch said...

love the sky up through the trees, lovely.

Kate said...

Beautiful shots!

Suzan said...

Neat front view of the King Rail!!

Anonymous said...

Fantastic sighting, Eileen. Great series of photos.

Happy Monday!

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