29 Comments
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Peter J. Ryan Sabom Nim's avatar

Good Morning! I was looking forward to reading your poem this weirdly hot predawn morning... hoping that all the birds are not too stressed by the heat. What a noble photo!

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Neil Barker's avatar

Good morning, Peter! Hopefully cooler weather around the corner soon.

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Ann Collins's avatar

It’s terribly hot here too, Peter. I’m actually glad I have to go to work today.

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Juliet Wilson's avatar

What a lovely little bird, I love the sunshine chest!

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Neil Barker's avatar

They were quite the sight to see that morning. :)

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Michael's avatar

Nice photographs!

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Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks, Michael - luck and timing and a most patient bird. :)

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KewtieBird’s Photo Journey's avatar

Beautiful

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Neil Barker's avatar

They are quite the beautiful bird to see in the rising Sun.

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Francesca Bossert's avatar

So pretty! We have European Serins here in Spain, they are small and hard to see, but I've seen them in our willow tree if they don't wiggle too deep into the branches. A bright flash of lemony-yellow when they fly away. And their song is cute!

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Neil Barker's avatar

Agreed, Francesca! I am not familiar with European Serins and looked them up - a very beautiful bird as well!

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James Freitas's avatar

One of my favorite birds. Wonderful Sijo and photos, Neil. Thanks for sharing

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Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks, James and I am growing to appreciate them as well. I so rarely see one like this posing for a decent photo!

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Susan McMahon's avatar

Beautiful photos ✨

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Neil Barker's avatar

Thank you, Susan and much appreciated.

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Aria Vink's avatar

Lovely pictures Neil! I love seeing them in the yard here. Lots of food for them here with all the gnats and mosquitoes

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Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks, Aria and much appreciated. Knowing that they keep the mosquito population in check makes me a big fan of them!

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Timber Fox's avatar

Lucky! I never see them, only hear them.

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Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks and this was a rare one-off for me - so challenging to see one like this out in the open!

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Heidi Zawelevsky's avatar

Beautiful, Neil. You've got me looking for the acrostics in the Sijos and I really like how you put that to effect here. In a poetic way, it's like seeing this Great Crested Flycatcher out in the open when usually they remain hidden from view and you only know them through their sound. I also really like the bold colors in the photo of the bird against the blue sky.

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Joni B's avatar

Good catch! I noticed and appreciated Neil's implementing Great, Cresting and Flying, too :-)

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Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks, Joni and much appreciated! Nice catch on the word play as well. ;)

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Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks Heidi and I figured you catch the word play and use of the name in the sijo. ;)

Those yellows stood out to me in the morning and I was fortunate to have a nice blue sky.

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Marisol Muñoz-Kiehne's avatar

Crested Flycatcher,

a Great one, in the open.

Not hiding, shining.

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Neil Barker's avatar

Nicely written, Marisol and thank you for sharing. Also like that you incorporated the name of the bird in the haiku. :)

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Steve Overby's avatar

I was lucky enough to identify one using the Merlin app, and even luckier to finally spot it at the top of my neighbors pine tree. I didn't even know Minnesota had such a thing. I now here them calling all the time, and have spotted him again since the first time. Not an avid birder, but a lifer for me.

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Neil Barker's avatar

That's awesome, Steve and congrats on identifying one as a lifer. They're a treat to finally see after listening to them so often.

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Nathaniel Bowler's avatar

Wow wow wow... I've seen a Great-crested out in the open like this once, and I totally flubbed the photos. Great shots Neil. They're so beautifully colored.

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Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks, Nathaniel and this was a rare one-off for me with the bird. Hoping you get to see one posing for a photo soon.

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