Declining Numbers

Gallery: AvianPosted May 20, 2014251 views14 comments

Sadly, I've noted a steady decline here in Central Texas of migrating songbirds & warblers each spring.
"Increasingly, both casual bird-watchers and ornithologists note a steady decline in numbers—not just of endangered species, but also of common birds not usually considered to be at risk. Study after study, survey after survey show a worrisome downward trend in populations."
[National Geographic Daily News].
Here's a link to a short article from the Audubon Society called "Common Birds in Decline: The Outlook"
http://birds.audubon.org/common-birds-decline-outlook
F/8, 1/400th, ISO 800, 1D M3, 300mm f/2.8 + 2x ext. @ 9:07am & overcast.
American Yellow Warbler in May.

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on May 20, 2014 at 8:39 AM

Nice image, I like the colors and the alert pose. Have not seen one this spring yet. Thanks for sharing.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on May 20, 2014 at 10:09 AM

Wonderful image, Howard. I love this pose and the look on this guy. The steady decline is a sad thing. Nick

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on May 20, 2014 at 4:17 PM

Beautiful Bird! ID?

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on May 20, 2014 at 7:52 PM

A beautiful yellow warbler, Howard! Love the setting and the inquisitive pose! I'm trying to figure out if he's missing a toe, and what is the red and white thing underneath him? Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on May 20, 2014 at 8:01 PM

Yep, the YW's missing a toe, observant of you Sharon.
The red's the base of the myrtle tree leaf stem, but ya lost me with the white part

Thanx for your comment in any case

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on May 20, 2014 at 8:34 PM

The detail in this fella is paramount, Howard. Makes the bird look very fragile and delicate overall. Nice work as always.

Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on May 20, 2014 at 10:07 PM

Super cute, details where you need them, nice colors and depth

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on May 21, 2014 at 11:40 AM

Nice view of this Yellow Warbler. Good work getting him stationary and in the open.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Barb Pflaum on May 21, 2014 at 2:03 PM

Such a cute and beautiful bird! Excellent color, detail, and comp. It's sad that the bird numbers are declining.

Registered on January 14, 2009, 316 Posts, 2724 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on May 21, 2014 at 9:55 PM

A very nice pose, Howard. Excellent detail and composition.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on May 23, 2014 at 12:22 PM

Nice image Howard. I am not sure of the numbers you normally get there, but on my second trip to the ranch last week, I only saw three in four days and that was a lot less than when I was there 2 years ago.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on May 23, 2014 at 3:00 PM

Excellent inquisitive pose and lovely details here Howard, thanks for sharing the link.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on May 23, 2014 at 11:43 PM

Sweet shot.

Registered on March 13, 2011, 326 Posts, 1679 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on May 25, 2014 at 6:27 AM

Lovely setting and alert pose Howard

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments