Winged Wednesday 10.15.2025: Birds, What else?

Eric Gofreed

Well-Known Member
It’s Winged Wednesday, where feathers, flutters, and flight steal the show! Whether it chirps, buzzes, glides, or hovers—if it takes to the air, it belongs here.

This week, I’m sharing a few photos straight from my own backyard. Yesterday’s weather served up thundershowers and drama, but between the bursts of rain and thunder, the light softened, the birds emerged—and I managed to grab a fourdecent shots. I am looking forward to seeing what’s flying through your corner of the world this week.

Thanks for visiting, and thanks for playing Winged Wednesday!

Steller’s Jay-07969-Edit.jpg

Steller’s Jay
A first for the yard! I spotted one a few weeks ago but never with a camera in hand. Even today, he showed up early, scoped out my blind, and vanished right after I snapped a few shots. Usually found even higher up in the Ponderosa forests of Oak Creek Canyon, he may have dropped in due to a poor cone crop this year. At 4,300 feet, I’m not exactly lowland—but it still felt like a surprise cameo from a high-elevation guest star.

Crissal Thrasher-08351-Edit.png

Crissal Thrasher
This desert skulker doesn’t usually strut—but this one sauntered right past the blind like he had an appointment. I tend to see them more often in winter, so this was a welcome surprise. Long tail, long bill, long odds of getting a clean shot… but not today.

White-crowned Sparrow-08579-Edit.jpg

White-crowned Sparrow
Caught mid-scamper, like he was late for a very important weed seed. These sleek little winter visitors may look regal, but on the ground, they hustle like they’ve got errands to run.

 Ladder-backed Woodpecker 8721-Edit.jpg

Ladder-backed Woodpeckers
One in, one out—like clockwork. The male swooped in just as the female startled and launched off, perfectly unsynchronized. These daily visitors rarely pose together, so catching them in this airborne handoff felt like a fleeting duet of woodpecker choreography.

Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay-08979-Edit.jpg

Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay
He launched like a blue firework, wings and tail flared to max flair. His beak and crop were stuffed with sunflower seeds—proof that brunch was successful and he had no intention of sharing.

Epilogue: If You Feed Them, They Will Come
From mountain cameos to semi-arid chaparral regulars, the birds didn’t just arrive—they performed.
A strutting thrasher, acrobatic woodpeckers, a sunflower-hoarding scrub-jay… all reminding me that even between thunderstorms, a few well-placed feeders and a patch of patience can turn a backyard into a stage.

Thanks for stopping by—and for playing Winged Wednesday.
 
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Eric Gofreed

Well-Known Member
Eric has to go in for hip surgery tomorrow. It was initially scheduled for Thursday, so that is the confusion.
Thanks, Doug.
First the internet went out multiple times. Then the power joined in—apparently in a show of solidarity against productivity.
At that point, I figured the universe had launched an organized protest to prevent Winged Wednesday from happening om Wednesday.

Between the blinking router lights, the clock flashing “12:00,” and an early appointment glaring at me from the calendar, I was dangerously close to rebranding it Winged Thursday and delaying for a day. But, I finally wrangled the electrons into brief cooperation. So yes, Winged Wednesday survived, barely.
 
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Trent Watts

Well-Known Member
Well done Eric. You are one dedicated presenter. Lots of issues to keep you from performing but you managed it. All the best healing for your operation.
 

Trent Watts

Well-Known Member
A few more from my trip to Denmark.
The birder I was with knew a fellow who was ringing (banding in North America) birds. I was invited along to watch for awhile. It was an interesting experience. The ringer had set up mist nets that the birds fly into and fall into a pocket. He checks the nets every 30 min. and gathers the birds, weighs, measures and does other recordings and then puts a band on the leg. The birds are unharmed and fly off as soon as released.

This was a Eurasian Blue Tit that he is measuring.
IMG_7533.jpg
IMG_7535.jpg
MA062051.jpg
 

AlanLichty

Moderator
I wandered up to the Columbia River Gorge yesterday to check out falls leaves with my drone but I had to bring it back to the ground when the winds got too strong to keep flying so I pulled out my mirrorless camera and decided to see what I might be able to see on a local pond. Turned out there was a Wood Duck family nearby. I don't see many of these so was happy to get off some shots.

CR5m2_GrazingWoodies101425.jpg


I tried to see if I could get a better view but it turns out my stealth-fu was lacking a bit:

CR5m2_DepartingWoodies101425.jpg
 

larryj

Well-Known Member
It’s Winged Wednesday, where feathers, flutters, and flight steal the show! Whether it chirps, buzzes, glides, or hovers—if it takes to the air, it belongs here.

This week, I’m sharing a few photos straight from my own backyard. Yesterday’s weather served up thundershowers and drama, but between the bursts of rain and thunder, the light softened, the birds emerged—and I managed to grab a fourdecent shots. I am looking forward to seeing what’s flying through your corner of the world this week.

Thanks for visiting, and thanks for playing Winged Wednesday!

View attachment 84571
Steller’s Jay
A first for the yard! I spotted one a few weeks ago but never with a camera in hand. Even today, he showed up early, scoped out my blind, and vanished right after I snapped a few shots. Usually found even higher up in the Ponderosa forests of Oak Creek Canyon, he may have dropped in due to a poor cone crop this year. At 4,300 feet, I’m not exactly lowland—but it still felt like a surprise cameo from a high-elevation guest star.

View attachment 84570
Crissal Thrasher
This desert skulker doesn’t usually strut—but this one sauntered right past the blind like he had an appointment. I tend to see them more often in winter, so this was a welcome surprise. Long tail, long bill, long odds of getting a clean shot… but not today.

View attachment 84573
White-crowned Sparrow
Caught mid-scamper, like he was late for a very important weed seed. These sleek little winter visitors may look regal, but on the ground, they hustle like they’ve got errands to run.

View attachment 84572
Ladder-backed Woodpeckers
One in, one out—like clockwork. The male swooped in just as the female startled and launched off, perfectly unsynchronized. These daily visitors rarely pose together, so catching them in this airborne handoff felt like a fleeting duet of woodpecker choreography.

View attachment 84576
Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay
He launched like a blue firework, wings and tail flared to max flair. His beak and crop were stuffed with sunflower seeds—proof that brunch was successful and he had no intention of sharing.

Epilogue: If You Feed Them, They Will Come
From mountain cameos to semi-arid chaparral regulars, the birds didn’t just arrive—they performed.
A strutting thrasher, acrobatic woodpeckers, a sunflower-hoarding scrub-jay… all reminding me that even between thunderstorms, a few well-placed feeders and a patch of patience can turn a backyard into a stage.

Thanks for stopping by—and for playing Winged Wednesday.
Hi Eric beautiful images as usual, thanks for sharing.
 

larryj

Well-Known Member
This week I will show how I fixed a dirty waterfront lake with a Snowy Egret standing amid a lot of rubble. I show 3 images; first the original capture, second is the same shot with the dirty lake cleaned up and third the cleaned up shot turn to B&W. Just having a little fun with Photoshop. ;)

SDIM0362spp.jpg


SDIM0362sppa.jpg


SDIM0362spp-Edit.jpg
 

Eric Gofreed

Well-Known Member
A few more from my trip to Denmark.
The birder I was with knew a fellow who was ringing (banding in North America) birds. I was invited along to watch for awhile. It was an interesting experience. The ringer had set up mist nets that the birds fly into and fall into a pocket. He checks the nets every 30 min. and gathers the birds, weighs, measures and does other recordings and then puts a band on the leg. The birds are unharmed and fly off as soon as released.

This was a Eurasian Blue Tit that he is measuring.
View attachment 84604View attachment 84605View attachment 84606
I’ve always wanted to say this in public without ducking for cover, "Great Tits," Trent! The birds, of course. Definitely the birds.
 

Eric Gofreed

Well-Known Member
This week I will show how I fixed a dirty waterfront lake with a Snowy Egret standing amid a lot of rubble. I show 3 images; first the original capture, second is the same shot with the dirty lake cleaned up and third the cleaned up shot turn to B&W. Just having a little fun with Photoshop. ;)

View attachment 84613

View attachment 84614

View attachment 84615
That’s a clever and fun edit, Larry! The transformation is impressive — I love how you turned a cluttered scene into clean art. The B&W version adds a whole new mood too.
 

Eric Gofreed

Well-Known Member
I wandered up to the Columbia River Gorge yesterday to check out falls leaves with my drone but I had to bring it back to the ground when the winds got too strong to keep flying so I pulled out my mirrorless camera and decided to see what I might be able to see on a local pond. Turned out there was a Wood Duck family nearby. I don't see many of these so was happy to get off some shots.

View attachment 84609

I tried to see if I could get a better view but it turns out my stealth-fu was lacking a bit:

View attachment 84610
Beautiful work, Alan. The Wood Duck drake is stunning! I think the others might be juvenile wigeons—either way, it’s a terrific scene and beautifully photographed.
 
It’s Winged Wednesday, where feathers, flutters, and flight steal the show! Whether it chirps, buzzes, glides, or hovers—if it takes to the air, it belongs here.

This week, I’m sharing a few photos straight from my own backyard. Yesterday’s weather served up thundershowers and drama, but between the bursts of rain and thunder, the light softened, the birds emerged—and I managed to grab a fourdecent shots. I am looking forward to seeing what’s flying through your corner of the world this week.

Thanks for visiting, and thanks for playing Winged Wednesday!

View attachment 84571
Steller’s Jay
A first for the yard! I spotted one a few weeks ago but never with a camera in hand. Even today, he showed up early, scoped out my blind, and vanished right after I snapped a few shots. Usually found even higher up in the Ponderosa forests of Oak Creek Canyon, he may have dropped in due to a poor cone crop this year. At 4,300 feet, I’m not exactly lowland—but it still felt like a surprise cameo from a high-elevation guest star.

View attachment 84570
Crissal Thrasher
This desert skulker doesn’t usually strut—but this one sauntered right past the blind like he had an appointment. I tend to see them more often in winter, so this was a welcome surprise. Long tail, long bill, long odds of getting a clean shot… but not today.

View attachment 84573
White-crowned Sparrow
Caught mid-scamper, like he was late for a very important weed seed. These sleek little winter visitors may look regal, but on the ground, they hustle like they’ve got errands to run.

View attachment 84572
Ladder-backed Woodpeckers
One in, one out—like clockwork. The male swooped in just as the female startled and launched off, perfectly unsynchronized. These daily visitors rarely pose together, so catching them in this airborne handoff felt like a fleeting duet of woodpecker choreography.

View attachment 84576
Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay
He launched like a blue firework, wings and tail flared to max flair. His beak and crop were stuffed with sunflower seeds—proof that brunch was successful and he had no intention of sharing.

Epilogue: If You Feed Them, They Will Come
From mountain cameos to semi-arid chaparral regulars, the birds didn’t just arrive—they performed.
A strutting thrasher, acrobatic woodpeckers, a sunflower-hoarding scrub-jay… all reminding me that even between thunderstorms, a few well-placed feeders and a patch of patience can turn a backyard into a stage.

Thanks for stopping by—and for playing Winged Wednesday.
Lovely shots.

Oliver
 
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