Tony's Takes Photography

Wildlife, landscape and weather photography

LBB roundup: Goldeneye to yellowlegs

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LBB roundup: Goldeneye to yellowlegs
A northern flicker takes a break from pecking at a dead tree. (Tony’s Takes)

As I have said many times, I don’t normally take pictures of “little birds,” what I call almost any non-raptor bird. However, when the opportunity presents itself, I will snap an image of one every now and then.

There are so many smaller birds, I have a heck of a time identifying them and usually rely on friends to help me out. One friend calls these little ones he can’t identify, “LBBs” – Little Brown Birds. That keeps it simple and is oftentimes descriptive. 😉

Here is a look at some of the non-raptor birds that I have photographed in recent weeks.

A greater yellowlegs along the South Platte River. (Tony's Takes)
A greater yellowlegs along the South Platte River. (Tony’s Takes)
A house sparrow awaits its turn at the feeder. (Tony's Takes)
A house sparrow awaits its turn at the feeder. (Tony’s Takes)
A common merganser on a pond in Thornton, Colorado. (Tony's Takes)
A common merganser on a pond in Thornton, Colorado. (Tony’s Takes)
A common goldeneye swimming on a pond. (Tony's Takes)
A common goldeneye swimming on a pond. (Tony’s Takes)
A wet American coot on a pond. (Tony's Takes)
A wet American coot on a pond. (Tony’s Takes)
A belted kingfisher hanging out. (Tony's Takes)
A belted kingfisher hanging out. (Tony’s Takes)
A white crowned sparrow in Colorado. (Tony's Takes)
A white crowned sparrow in Colorado. (Tony’s Takes)

Red Tailed Hawk catches a coot

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Out for a drive northeast of Denver today and I see a flurry of activity near the road. Four hawks were clearly enjoying some sort of meal. As I got closer, three flew off but one lingered. I was able to get a few images of the Red Tail as it took off and flew away with what was left of an American Coot. Unfortunately it flew right into the sun so the images didn’t come out that great but it was a lot of fun to see.

View more pictures of the event below the main image.

A Red Tailed Hawk flies off with the rest of its meal, an American Coot. (© Tony’s Takes)
A Red Tailed Hawk flies off with the rest of its meal, an American Coot. (© Tony’s Takes)

American Coot closeup

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These little birds are oftentimes thought to be related to ducks but they are not.  Coots are found across much of North America and are quite common, frequently occupying the same waters and areas as ducks.  Their distinctive white bill and red eyes make them easy to pick out.  While not shown here, their legs and feet are a funny green color.  This particularly bird and some of his friends were hanging out at Ketring Lake in Littleton, Colorado, USA.

Read more about the American Coot here.

An American Coot on a pond in Littleton, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
An American Coot on a pond in Littleton, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)