birds Archives • Page 2 of 17 • Into the Light Adventures

Pileated Woodpecker Speed

By Sandra | September 28, 2023 | Comments 24 comments

Pileated Woodpecker Speed – Pileated Woodpeckers are known for their speed, agility, and power. They are able to fly up to 30 miles per hour and sustain speeds of over 60 miles per hour when diving.

Additionally, Pileated Woodpeckers have been known to use their strong bills to chip away at tree trunks at a rate of up to 20 times per second. This combination of speed and strength makes Pileated Woodpeckers one of the most impressive birds in the Pileated woodpecker family.

I took a lot of photos to get these 4 good ones of this bird in flight. I am using a 600 mm lens and the weight of this camera is about 6 lbs. and moving it back and forth tilted up at the bird is a challenge by itself.

But I always like a good challenge. 🙂

Pileated Woodpecker Speed

Sandra J

Sandra J’s Photography & Fine Arts

The Pileated Woodpecker

By Sandra | September 27, 2023 | Comments 24 comments

The Pileated Woodpecker is one of the biggest, most striking forest birds on the continent. It’s nearly the size of a crow, black with bold white stripes down the neck and a flaming-red crest.

Look (and listen) for Pileated Woodpeckers whacking at dead trees and fallen logs in search of their main prey, carpenter ants, leaving unique rectangular holes in the wood. The nest holes these birds make offer crucial shelter to many species including swifts, owls, ducks, bats, and pine martens.

I normally see 4 of these gorgeous birds around my place all summer long. They are easy to find because of their size and they are actually very fast birds in flight. I actually got a couple photos of them flying I will share on tomorrows post.

I photographed this one below in Montana.

The Pileated Woodpecker

Sandra J

Sandra J’s Photography & Fine Arts

Such a Cool Looking Bird

By Sandra | September 26, 2023 | Comments 32 comments

Such a Cool Looking Bird – Many people consider the loon a symbol of wilderness; its rich yodeling and moaning calls, heard by day or night, are characteristic sounds of early summer in the north woods. In winter, silent and more subtly marked.

Common Loons inhabit coastal waters and large southern lakes. In such places they are solitary while feeding, but may gather in loose flocks at night.

The Common Loon video;

Sounds of the Common Loon Bird, Striking Colors, Young Loons Preparing to Fly from Water, Sparkles

Loons are water birds, only going ashore to mate and incubate eggs. Their legs are placed far back on their bodies, allowing efficient swimming but only awkward movement on land.

Loons are like airplanes in that they need a runway for takeoff. In the case of loons, they need from 30 yards up to a quarter-mile (depending on the wind) for flapping their wings and running across the top of the water in order to gain enough speed for lift-off.

Like many young birds, juvenile loons are really on their own after mom and dad leave at about 12 weeks. The parents head off on migration in the fall, leaving juveniles to gather into flocks on northern lakes and make their own journey south a few weeks later. Once the juveniles reach coastal waters on the ocean, they stay there for the next two years. In the third year, young loons return north.

Such a Cool Looking Bird

Sandra J

Sandra J’s Photography & Fine Arts

Teal Colored Eye Shadow

By Sandra | September 15, 2023 | Comments 28 comments

Teal Colored Eye Shadow – this is an unusual color for the eye shadow of this morning dove. I have never seen this shade before.

I have seen the blue shadow around the red eyes, this is the white winged dove below.

The ringed neck dove below has yellow eye shadow and red eyes.

Have a great weekend.

Teal Colored Eye Shadow

Sandra J

Sandra J’s Photography & Fine Arts

The Hummingbird

By Sandra | August 4, 2023 | Comments 37 comments

The Hummingbird – they travel over 2,000 miles twice a year. They winter in Central America or Mexico and migrate north to their breeding grounds in the U.S. during late winter and early spring.

When you see what amazing things this tiny little bird can do. It makes me realize there isn’t anything that I can not accomplish. Natures Little Wonders

Have a great weekend.

Have a Great Weekend

The Hummingbird

Sandra J

Sandra J’s Photography & Fine Arts

My Favorite Hummingbird Photos

By Sandra | August 3, 2023 | Comments 48 comments

My Favorite Hummingbird Photos – normally I always have 4 hummingbirds visiting my place. This year I have only see 2. I did not get a chance to photograph them this year and they are gone already. So, here are a few of last years photos.

Male Ruby Throated Hummingbird in a Dream World, abstract art work. Digital art.

My Favorite Hummingbird Photos

Sandra J

Sandra J’s Photography & Fine Arts

I See You

By Sandra | July 20, 2023 | Comments 33 comments

I See You – Have a Great Day

I See You

Sandra J

Sandra J’s Photography & Fine Arts

One in Front of the Other

By Sandra | July 19, 2023 | Comments 26 comments

One in Front of the Other – it is easy to photograph pelicans flying in tandem like this. They are the masters of gliding.

I like these photos because of the clouds in the background, makes it look like they are flying above them from this angle.

Video below or click here; Pelicans Riding the Invisible Updrafts

Top Gun Riding Invisible Updraft #shorts Pelicans

One in Front of the Other

Sandra J

Sandra J’s Photography & Fine Arts

Goslings Out for a Stroll

By Sandra | July 18, 2023 | Comments 30 comments

Goslings Out for a Stroll, a clear bright morning down by the river as the goslings are out for a walk.

Short video below of Geese or Click here; Goslings

Parents are not to far away. These to were getting dive bombed by a small bird in the tree. The one kept turning its head sideways like a dog does with a loud noise.

Goslings Out for a Stroll

Sandra J

Sandra J’s Photography & Fine Arts

Two New Birds

By Sandra | July 17, 2023 | Comments 35 comments

Two New Birds – First the Great Crested Flycatcher. I love all the yellow on its belly, it blends so well with the brown wings. Such a pretty bird.

Great Crested Flycatchers are large flycatchers with fairly long and lean proportions. Like many flycatchers they have a powerful build with broad shoulders and a large head. Despite its name, this bird’s crest is not especially prominent. The bill is fairly wide at the base and straight; the tail is fairly long.

I have finally seen the Red Headed Woodpecker. I had seen one in a movie I think and figured they must be rare and that I probably would never see one.

Guess what, this one I spotted in Illinois. I was so surprised. It was very far away and did not let me get to close to take a good photo. Such striking bold colors, add this to the life list.