Horned Lark
Last week I showed you the Horned Lark in a bare field that very much resembled the feathers of its back and wings – brown soil with twigs and roots. Here is the opposite as one fed among a flock of its kind in the snow with only bits of grass and vegetation poking up here and there thanks to the wind and their work at the earth. I thought it was funny and perhaps rather smart when it perched on a rock for a minute. Not only did it get out of the snow but I suppose that is the best kind of camouflage it could now find. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach...
Read MoreHorned Lark Camouflage
This is not exactly the best photo of a Horned Lark ever, but it certainly depicts their unbelievable camouflage. How perfect is this field for a bird with a back like that? Remember that, for the most part, birds – at least those species that possess flight capabilities – do not have to worry about mammals on the ground. This also excludes domestic cats, an introduced creature they are still learning to deal with. Otherwise it is usually very easy to elude mammal predators as a healthy adult bird. How could a red fox or a raccoon sneak up on you in a flock in the middle of an...
Read MoreHoliday Open House Tomorrow!
Snowy Owls are only beginning to make their way into our area and most of our snow is yet to come, but you can enjoy the holiday season at RTPI this weekend! Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History’s Holiday Open House – Saturday, December 5, 2015 10AM – 4PM Enjoy the work of bird artist Michael DiGiorgio, a contributor to the most recent edition of the Peterson Field Guide to the Birds, in our From Field to Frame exhibition, as well as: *Free Admission *Refreshments *Roger Tory Peterson artwork and memorabilia *Part of Swedish Christmas Market Day in Jamestown – “Julmarknad”...
Read MoreRTPI’s Holiday Open House
Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History’s Holiday Open House – Saturday, December 5, 2015 10AM – 4PM Enjoy the work of bird artist Michael DiGiorgio, a contributor to the most recent edition of the Peterson Field Guide to the Birds, in our From Field to Frame exhibition, as well as: *Free Admission *Refreshments *Roger Tory Peterson artwork and memorabilia *Part of Swedish Christmas Market Day in Jamestown – “Julmarknad” organized by the Scandinavian Studies Program at SUNY-JCC Please be sure to find the time to visit us on Saturday at RTPI for a memorable family holiday...
Read MoreLapland Longspur (Calcarius lapponicus)
I recently took the photo of the flock of birds, including mostly Snow Buntings and Horned Larks, mostly for a record-type shot of a Lapland Longspur (Calcarius lapponicus) mixed in. They were enjoying some exposed grass to feed on with snow still covering so much of the earth. However, when looking at the photo I noticed I actually had two Longspurs, with a second mixed in behind it. They are in the right center of the shot. Thankfully I was able to photograph one of them a few days later while sitting on this roof with a Horned Lark sitting behind it, the heat haze from the strong sun ever...
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