I got a lifer.. whoohe!!!!!!

[Swedgin]

I left the park and was on my way out when I saw this fellow (Coopers Hawk).. I posted a pic taken with the old camera around the world camera but these are better...

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Funny how it goes.. I thought I was going to have an eventful day, and ended up with a cool memory. Thats why I Like photography and getting out doors so much.

al

Awesome, I love these guys.

I used to hunt with a female sparrowhawk (European equivalent to the coops) when I was living in Ireland 16 years ago.

[discuspaul]

Bachman's Sparrow
King Rail
Wilson's Phalarope
Greater Prairie Chicken
Rock Ptarmigan
Great Gray Owl
Hawk Owl
White Crowned Pigeon
Smooth Bill Ani
Blackbilled Magpie
Northern Wheatear
Bohemian Waxwing
Yellow-Headed Blackbird
Western Tanager
Henslow's Sparrow

Thats my most wanted 15 for the USA
al

It's been at least 40 years since I've seen either a Greater Prairie Chicken, or a Ptarmigan - saw both in mid & northern Saskatchewan, but haven't been back there since.

I understand populations of these birds have become sparser in their Canadian habitats as the years have passed, but I expect you could still spot some in the Prairies of our country - summer/fall for the Prairie Chicken, to winter for Ptarmigan.

Have no idea where you'd find Ptarmigan in the U.S. - perhaps northern Minnesota - parts of Michigan - perhaps the Dakotas. As for Prairie chicken, maybe the grain fields of areas like Wisconsin & surrounding states ?

[brewmaster15]

Flickr links removed ... info here.