Alright...you folks haven't been stumped yet when it comes to ID questions. This has been a toughie for me though. While I can figure out most flora ID's, anything avian tends to elude me. This image was taken almost exactly a year ago, and was recently scanned for a project that I'm wrapping up. The feather was fairly large, probably a bit over a foot in length.
So, any takers? A detail from the scan is provided below if looking more closely would be helpful. Thanks!
Hey Joel - I think that's a bird feather....probably a pretty big bird, with some red and black coloring. I'm guessing it can fly..... Does that help??
(I know I haven't been around much lately - and you probably wish I'd just go away again now, don't you!!) CJ
Posted by Chuck Beatty on July 24, 2008 at 8:33 AM
Joel,
I can eliminate hawks, owls, eagles and turkeys. Based on the size it must be a fairly large bird. Do you have sandhill cranes up there?
CJ - Thanks a lot for nothing! Uhhhh. ...No, miss having you around more often. I hope things are well with you and your family.
Chuck - Yes, but I don't see them to often. This location falls within the southern edge of their breeding grounds, and I know they're around at the time of year this was made (though I've never seen them within this park - they prefer marshy areas). From looking at photos, the feather doesn't seem to match though. Hmmm.
Posted by Chuck Beatty on July 24, 2008 at 2:37 PM
Are there domestic geese around the park? We have a large domestic goose at the CVNP Beaver Marsh who escaped his domesticity. He now thinks he's one of the Canadians, who tolerate him in spite of his bad manners. A wing feather from a bird his size would match what you describe size-wise, though he is mostly grey and white.
I've never seen any geese of any sort around the park. It's primarily dense woodland, which adds to my confusion. Crazy stuff. Thanks for your thoughts Chuck!
Posted by Toni Lankerd on July 25, 2008 at 11:17 AM
It could very well be a Sandhill Crane feather, Joel. I've seen them a slightly different color from the norm in the Upper Peninsula due to the tannin in the water. At least that's the reason given by one of the park rangers at Seney WLR.
This is a wild turkey feather from its wing. I have been a fly tier for over thirty years and have used these feathers many times.
Wayne
Posted by Chuck Beatty on July 27, 2008 at 8:37 AM
Wayne, Would this be from an immature bird?
Posted by Wayne Bartz on July 27, 2008 at 10:27 AM
I would guess that it is from a young bird, probably a male that isn't a full adult.
Wayne
Posted by Chuck Beatty on July 27, 2008 at 12:12 PM
Thanks, Wayne. Joel, sorry to have eliminated turkeys in my earlier post. Hadn't considered that immature turkeys have non-banded feathers. Old dog. New trick. Go figure.
Discussion
14 repliesSo, any takers? A detail from the scan is provided below if looking more closely would be helpful. Thanks!
Technicals: Tachihara 4x5, Fujinon 135mm, Fuji Provia 100f, Polarizer
(I know I haven't been around much lately - and you probably wish I'd just go away again now, don't you!!) CJ
I can eliminate hawks, owls, eagles and turkeys. Based on the size it must be a fairly large bird. Do you have sandhill cranes up there?
Chuck - Yes, but I don't see them to often. This location falls within the southern edge of their breeding grounds, and I know they're around at the time of year this was made (though I've never seen them within this park - they prefer marshy areas). From looking at photos, the feather doesn't seem to match though. Hmmm.
I decided to google "sandhill crane feather" and see what came up. Here's an interesting link and I'll allow you to do the footwork:
http://www.lab.fws.gov/featheratlas/index.php
Enjoy,
Tim!
Wayne
Wayne