I once heard a birder call them "Barking dogs of the prairie"...it made me laugh, because I knew what he meant, but I covet hearing them here in the pastures and even in the yard out back. They can be as noisy as they want - its music to my ears!
I was just a child in NE. My Dad liked to birds watch so I often sat with him to talk about. colors a nd songs. Then I grew up and after school I traveled and lived in other countries that once again I found the beauty and peace in sitting quietly to bird watch. NE is many years behind me. Maybe some day I will return and hunt the birds you admire so much. I think that would be great fun.
I haven't lived in NE for many years. I moved from AZ recently to SC. I have new birds and fauna to learn now. Just sorry I missed the lovely Dickcissels.
I did have such a grand time dawdling. Yesterday I had a long drive for a medical appointment, and coming home I just took my time and turned off onto some random gravel roads and just had a splendid dawdle. And I heard lots of Dickcissels.
Once again Diane you are showing me a bird who until today, has been unknown to me. I love your part of the country for the places that still shelter such birds. And thank you for the audio! Is that a female at a distance buzzing her reply to the male? The opera tenor to his loving audience of one or maybe 2-3? :-) You make taking these perfect pictures look so easy!!!! So glad you share them.
I think the distant replies are other dudes, advertising their own patches. Females chirp or buzz some, but they are not thought to sing like the males.
I find there are a number of birds that give me problems identifying juveniles versus females. It's fun to see your photos and learn about birds I don't see. Thank you.
Yes. I spent a long time trying to decide whether what that adult-female/young-male bird was. I ended up not able to decide. Maybe someone who knows their molt sequences very well can clear it up for us.
I once heard a birder call them "Barking dogs of the prairie"...it made me laugh, because I knew what he meant, but I covet hearing them here in the pastures and even in the yard out back. They can be as noisy as they want - its music to my ears!
Music indeed, for those who have ears to hear and who love the sounds of nature.
I am from NE and have never seen a dickcissel. I feel I have missed something special. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and pictures!
You should see Dickcissels in Nebraska! The first Dickcissel I ever saw was behind a gas station in Aurora, Nebraska, surrounded by farmland.
I was just a child in NE. My Dad liked to birds watch so I often sat with him to talk about. colors a nd songs. Then I grew up and after school I traveled and lived in other countries that once again I found the beauty and peace in sitting quietly to bird watch. NE is many years behind me. Maybe some day I will return and hunt the birds you admire so much. I think that would be great fun.
I haven't lived in NE for many years. I moved from AZ recently to SC. I have new birds and fauna to learn now. Just sorry I missed the lovely Dickcissels.
Thank you once more for the lovely visuals, and sweet memories of county roads and “dawdling.” My kind of life.
I did have such a grand time dawdling. Yesterday I had a long drive for a medical appointment, and coming home I just took my time and turned off onto some random gravel roads and just had a splendid dawdle. And I heard lots of Dickcissels.
Once again Diane you are showing me a bird who until today, has been unknown to me. I love your part of the country for the places that still shelter such birds. And thank you for the audio! Is that a female at a distance buzzing her reply to the male? The opera tenor to his loving audience of one or maybe 2-3? :-) You make taking these perfect pictures look so easy!!!! So glad you share them.
I think the distant replies are other dudes, advertising their own patches. Females chirp or buzz some, but they are not thought to sing like the males.
Such beautiful, fun birds! Great pix, too!
Thanks you Larry.
Gorgeous photos.
Love your great photos, Diane! As always. Thank you for sharing this sweet hobby! ~Sue
Thank you, Diane, for expanding my appreciation and understanding!
I find there are a number of birds that give me problems identifying juveniles versus females. It's fun to see your photos and learn about birds I don't see. Thank you.
Yes. I spent a long time trying to decide whether what that adult-female/young-male bird was. I ended up not able to decide. Maybe someone who knows their molt sequences very well can clear it up for us.