The Eurasian Eagle Owl - Another Beautiful Bird of Prey

by Bill Degiulio

The Eurasian Eagle Owl

Just Look at Those Eyes!  

Source:  By Kamil via Wikimedia Commons

The Eurasian Eagle Owl is a beautiful "bird of prey".  Found in various habitats in Europe, Asia and parts of Africa, it is one of the largest of the owl family.  My friend and fellow hubber, Bill Degiulio , has written a wonderful article about this beautiful bird of prey, including two short videos that are just awesome!  Learn more about the Eurasian Eagle Owl here:  Birds of Prey - The Eurasian Eagle Owl

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The Florida Panther - Facts and Conservation Efforts - The Florida panther is the state animal of Florida and is considered to be one of the most endangered mammals on earth. Learn more about this beautiful "big cat" and what steps are being taken to prevent it from becoming extinct.

The Serval Cat - An African Wildcat - The Serval is a unique and little known wildcat of Africa. It can mainly be found south of the Sarah. With unusually large ears and an elongated neck, it is one of the most successful hunters of all wildcats.

The Liger - The Largest of the "Big Cats"

by sgbrown

Source:  wikipedia commons

Liger Couple

What is a liger, you ask? It is the result of mating a male lion with a female tiger. They are said to have the strength of a lion and the speed of a tiger. The liger is the biggest of the "big cats" and is one of the most beautiful big cats in existence. I was fortunate enough to see a female liger at the GW Exotic Animal Park, in Davis, Oklahoma. They are truly beautiful big cats! I was enough lucky (or unlucky) enough to see her mate with a male lion. That was totally unexpected and a little awkward, but something that is rarely seem by most people. I did take some pictures that day, but unfortunately, she stayed up very close to the fence that was between us and the pictures were not publish worthy.

Lean more about the amazing and beautiful liger,  with more pictures and video here...

The Liger - The Largest of the "Big Cats"

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The Serval - A Beautiful Wildcat of Africa

by sgbrown

The serval cat, (Leptailurus serval)

Source: sgbrown

Since I can't travel to Africa or other places to see exotic animals in the wild, the  best I can do is either the zoo or a wildlife rescue center. I love going to these places and seeing the wild animals and I especially love the wildcats. On one of my trips to the Oklahoma City Zoo, I came across this beautiful cat called a serval. It is a small wildcat of Africa and is closely related to the Golden cat and the caracal but has some very unique traits. Learn more about this beautiful African wildcat with information, photos and video.

The Serval Cat - An African Wildcat

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• The Caracal - An Elusive Wild Cat - The caracal is a medium sized wild cat and is noted for it’s beautiful elongated, tufted black ears. The word, caracal, comes from the Turkish word
  
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• Why Do Zebras Have Stripes - Some Interesting Theori...  Have you ever wondered why zebras have stripes? No one really knows for sure, but here are some interesting theories.

Backyard Bird Photography

Tufted Titmouse 

Source:  sgbrown

I love taking pictures of the birds that come to my house!  I have placed bird feeders just outside my windows so I can watch them up close. I keep black oil sunflower seeds in my small bird feeder and "scraps" in my larger bird feeder. The larger birds usually like corn and corn cobs, peanuts, old bread and they love my left over corn bread! Of course, I have a hummingbird feeder that I keep full of sugar water in the spring and summer for the hummingbirds. 

If you enjoy taking pictures of the birds that visit your house, I have included some tricks and tips to help you get better pictures of our feathered friends. 

Here are just a few of the pictures I have taken of "my" birds. 

Black Capped Chickadee

This was taken while I was standing outside on my back porch. I had just filled up the small bird feeder and they were "standing in line" waiting to get their turn. I didn't use a tripod, just steadied my elbows on the top of the table, held my breath and took the shot.

Male Bluebird

I have a black wrought iron plant stand that sits just a few feet away from my bird feeder. The birds love to sit on top of it while waiting for their turn at the feeder. This beautiful male blue bird seemed to think this was his spot most of the time. I took this picture through my living room window.

Male Cardinal

I don't really like to take pictures of the birds while they are on the bird feeder.  I want a more natural look in my photographs. Most of the time, if the birds are not on the feeder, they are up in the trees and not close enough to get a good picture, or there are leaves and tree limbs in the way.  The way I got around this was, I found an old dead tree limb and leaned it against the tree, fairly close to the feeder. I left a branch on the tree limb and arranged it so it would stick out to the side at about the same height as the feeder. Now as the birds come to the feeder, they will often land on this branch where I can get a good, clear shot of them.

Don't forget to check out my article with more detailed tips on Bird Photography in Your Own Backyard.

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• Hummingbird Photography for Beginners - Hummingbirds are amazing little creatures. They are the only bird that can fly backwards and they can hover like a little mini helicopter! They have beautiful iridescent colors and their wings can flap between 15 and 200 times per second!

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Are You Tired of Feeding the Squirrels Instead of the Birds?

by sgbrown

Mr. Squirrel is eating all my bird food!

Source:  sgbrown

I love to watch the birds at my house.  I have a bird feeder hanging from a tree right outside my living room window.  I love watching the different birds that come to the feeder, but I also have some other visitors to my bird feeder, squirrels.  I like squirrels and I enjoy watching them, they can be quite comical sometimes, but I don't like watching them eat all the sunflower seeds out of my bird feeder. 

The squirrels would run up the tree and climb down the chain or just jump from the tree over to the bird feeder. We tried everything we could think of to keep the squirrels off the bird feeder. I needed to find some way to squirrel proof my bird feeder.  Read more here...

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  Bird photography is one of the favorite genres of nature photographers. Bird photography can be fun as well as rewarding.Here are several tips you need to know to capture those really good bird pictures.

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  Hummingbirds are amazing little creatures. They are the only bird that can fly backwards and they can hover like a little mini helicopter! They have beautiful iridescent colors and their wings can flap between 15 and 200 times per second! 

• Nature Photography in Your Own Backyard
  Do you love taking pictures of nature? Is your travel or your time limited? Here are some ideas to get great nature shots right in your own backyard.

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Meet Zoe - The Rare Golden Zebra

by sgbrown

 

 

Zoe - The Golden Zebra

Source: Courtesy of: Bill Adams

 

 

Golden or White Zebra

Zoe is one of the rarest zebras in exsistance. She is what is called a Golden Zebra, although some refer to her as a “white” zebra. Zoe is the only Golden Zebra known to be in captivity at this time. Zoe was born on the Island of Molokai, Hawaii in 1998 and shortly after her and her mother, Oreo, were moved to the Three Ring Ranch, which is an animal sancturary on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Read more ...

 

 

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• 

How to Attract a Variety of Birds to Your Backyard

by sgbrown

Bluebird in Spring

Source:  sgbrown-Rockcreek Photography

I love watching the birds around our house.  I like to sit out on the porch in the mornings with my coffee and usually my camera and watch the birds. Just taking 20 or 30 minutes in the morning to enjoy nature and the birds, is just a wonderful way to start my day.

Beautiful Male Cardinal

Bird photography is one of my favorite hobbies and is becoming more and more popular. Most of us enjoy watching birds and if you would like to attract more of a variety of birds to you yard here are a few helpful ideas. Read more ...

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• Bird Photography in Your Own Backyard
  Bird photography is one of the favorite genres of nature photographers. Bird photography can be fun as well as rewarding.Here are several tips you need to know to capture those really good bird pictures.
• Nature Photography in Your Own Backyard
  Do you love taking nature pictures? Is your time or travel limited? Here are some suggestions on how to get take great nature photography right in your own backyard.
• How to Squirrel Proof Your Bird Feeder
  If you have a bird feeder at your house to attract birds, you probably have attracted some squirrels also. I love feeding and watching the birds, but the squirrels were scaring away the birds and eating most of the food. 
• Hummingbird Photography for Beginners
  Hummingbirds are amazing little creatures. They are the only bird that can fly backwards and they can hover like a little mini helicopter! Photographing these little speeders can be quite a challenge! Here are a few tips on hummingbird photography.

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