Big Bird, Small Bird
On Sunday I chanced to see Minnesota's smallest bird and it's largest bird (OK - almost the largest*) in the space of one hour, from that most excellent of birding positions - - shooting baskets in my driveway.
The smaller - Ruby Throated Hummingbird - must have been migrating through when it stopped for a drink from the Nasturium in front of our house. It hovered for a few seconds, then started flying directly towards me before quickly veering to it's left.
Almost an hour later I spotted a Bald Eagle circling the field behind our house. It was riding the thermals upwards and heating southwest.
Not bad for unplanned birding activity - no binocs.
*Without consulting my field guides I believe the Turkey Vulture is actually the largest in MN, Bald Eagle second largest?
The smaller - Ruby Throated Hummingbird - must have been migrating through when it stopped for a drink from the Nasturium in front of our house. It hovered for a few seconds, then started flying directly towards me before quickly veering to it's left.
Almost an hour later I spotted a Bald Eagle circling the field behind our house. It was riding the thermals upwards and heating southwest.
Not bad for unplanned birding activity - no binocs.
*Without consulting my field guides I believe the Turkey Vulture is actually the largest in MN, Bald Eagle second largest?
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