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Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer) in Suva, Fiji
I asked AI for help identifying this bird, it came up with Re-vented Bulbul, Here’s what clinched it: I’m now confident in this identification. It’s great that you were able to get another shot! Red-vented Bulbuls are quite common throughout Fiji, so it’s not surprising to find one perched in an urban area of Suva.…
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Great Frigatebird (Fregata minor) in Pago Pago, American Samoa
According to the magical AI I asked, this is the Great Frigatebird, and Here’s some information about it: Interesting facts:
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Great Myna and Common Myna Birds seen in Hawaii
I was going to do a post each, but there is something interesting about seeing both the Great and Common Myna birds “at the same time” even if it is in pictures take on different days, and getting a sense of how they are similar and different. Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis). With the help of…
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short-billed dowitcher in Hilo Hawaii
According to the wonderful AI that helps me identify the birds and animals in my photographs: These birds are commonly found in Hawaii during the winter months, as they migrate south from their breeding grounds in the Arctic. They are often seen wading in shallow water or mudflats, probing for food with their long bills.…
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Wandering Tattler in Hilo Hawaii
I asked AI to help identify three photos of the same bird, and really loved it’s answer from the third shot: Here’s why this image is particularly helpful: The combination of these features in all your photos, along with the bird’s behavior and location, makes me confident that this is indeed a Wandering Tattler.
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Nene Geese, also known as Hawaiian Geese (Branta sandvicensis) in Hilo Hawaii at Liliuokalani Garden
According to the wonderful AI that helped me identify the animals in my photographs: They are endemic to the Hawaiian islands, meaning they are found nowhere else in the world. They are a type of goose with a distinctive black face and head, with buff cheeks and a striped neck. They are the rarest goose…
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Japanese White-eye (Zosterops japonicus) in Hilo Hawaii
According to the AI I consulted, Here’s how I identified it: While other white-eye species exist in Hawaii, the Japanese White-eye is the most widespread and abundant.
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Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) in Hilo Hawaii
Admittedly this is not a great photo, but I just barely managed to capture this one shot, so I’m grateful for what I got of this bird while he was in a tree up above me. According to the infamous AI that helped me identify the bird: While they are not native to Hawaii, they…
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Saffron Finch (Sicalis flaveola) in Hilo Hawaii
I asked AI for a helping hand, it came up with Saffron Finch, Here’s why: While it’s possible it could be a similar species like a Yellow Warbler, the orange on the face and the location make the Saffron Finch the most likely identification.
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A Pacific Golden Plover (Pluvialis fulva) in Honolulu, Hawaii
Per AI: Here’s how you can tell:
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Red-crested Cardinal (Paroaria coronata) – Honolulu, Hawaii
It’s easily identified by its striking red head, crest, and upper breast, contrasting with its gray body. They are native to South America but have been introduced to other areas like Hawaii and Puerto Rico. Interestingly, at the same time I got a fun shot of a pair of cardinals. Per AI: It’s interesting to…
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House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) in Honolulu, Hawaii
At first I was disappointed this little bird wasn’t perched on something more scenic when I snapped his picture — then I realized this street sign does a nice job of offering a sense of scale.
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A White Pigeon in Honolulu
According to AI: While it might look like a dove to some, doves and pigeons are actually very closely related and belong to the same bird family. The terms are often used interchangeably, especially when referring to all-white birds. White pigeons are commonly used for releases at weddings and funerals, which is likely why this…
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Cattle Egret – near the state Capitol in Honolulu
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Zebra Dove? If AI Identification is to be believed…
I saw several interesting, to me, birds in Nawiliwili, Hawaii, and tried to get some shots of them.
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Grackle — Long-Tailed Grackle?
This is a common bird, or so it seems to me, in the Austin area. They make quite a bit of noise, and gather in large groups at times, which might be part of why I tend to notice them.
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White-Winged Dove?
I was not sure if this bird was new-to-me, or different from others I had already photographed as I walked around the grounds of the State Capitol in Austin, but I typically shoot first so I can ask questions later. This is a case where I was glad I did… I had half -expected it…
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Great Blue Heron
These pictures are admittedly blurry and not the best, but given I was using 125x optical zoom from a moving ship, trying to take pictures of a moving bird on a distant shoreline, who was blending in with the surrounding rocks, I think I did fairly well picking out the Great Blue Heron, and snapping…
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American Goldfinch
These American Goldfinches were hanging out at the Halifax Public Gardens when I went to visit — they are small birds (by my estimation) and pretty darn fast when they want to be, but I think I got a few nice shots of them, particularly showing their beautiful yellow feathers. I will admit, I only…
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Spotted Sandpiper?
I showed two pictures to AI and found out: Based on the size, shape, and markings of the bird in the picture, it is most likely a Spotted Sandpiper. Here are some of the key features that helped me identify the bird as a Spotted Sandpiper: The bird in the second picture also exhibits the…
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Mallard – what a Duck
The Halifax Public Gardens not only has a lot of really pretty flowers, but some photogenic birds as well. Keep in mind, this are “wild ducks” and birds, and part of that means they migrate, move about where ever the whim takes them… and need to remain capable of caring for themselves, so when they…
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Juvenile Herring Gull
Sailing out of Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada we saw a LOT of seagulls… which I discovered were Herring Gulls… and interestingly we saw some of the Juvenile’s hanging out… fishing, doing what Juveniles do (i.e. seeming to be playing and generally having fun.) There was one shot when I captured a Juvenile and an adult…
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Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
I was checking out the view from our cabin on the ship when I realized that across the way a bunch of birds were having a party on shore… according to the ever knowledgeable google, there is a Great Blue Heron hanging out among them — I will admit it was that tall, majestic bird…
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Just another Sea Gull? Say it ain’t so.
In 2023 I met a gentleman who was photographing birds. His camera has an impressive lens, and I could hear the rapid fire of his shutter. I couldn’t resist asking if he had any tips for someone who wants to snap a shot or two of the birds they see out and about… preferably in…
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A Sparrow in Massachusetts
Walking around Boston not only did we see a lot of birds, notably Sparrows, but I noticed they were extremely comfortable flying near both humans and cars. They nestle down, and get comfortable in tourist destinations, seemingly oblivious to the other beings wandering around the Freedom Trail.
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A Bird with a view…
Just taking a zen moment on a rough day to watch a bird watch the sun set.
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Let your mind take a moment of rest from the stress of life, and traffic…
Stopped at a traffic light today this handsome bird took a rest nearby. The light, and his pose, came together to make a striking photo. And a really nice distraction from traffic and a long light. It feels like a lot of times, when I want to snap a pic of a bird, they are…
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Open yourself to the unexpected and be amazed by what you see…
This weekend I took a scenic detour. I was hoping to see some wildflowers, and I guess I wasn’t the only one. Some birds were flitting around, having fun. Then one took a rest, in the perfect place for me to try and snap a few shots. I love trying to get pictures of birds…