Roger G

Ferruginous Hawk, Buteo regalis

Interested in photographing raptors in flight? Hawkwatch International has a number of migration study sites in the Western US, which will give you a chance to see and photograph migrating birds of prey in the fall [autumn] Sorry this isn't very timely. Hawkwatch International - Home

Common Poorwill ISO 25,600 lit by car headlights

Detail from Le Nid des Pinsons, Abraham Mignon [1640-1679]

It's definitely a Hairy Woodpecker. True there is a size difference between hairy and Downy, but size is notoriously difficult to judge in the field. It is much easier to judge the ratio between bill length and total head length [tip of bill to nape]. A crude measurement of this ratio on Mary Doo's Hairy Woodpecker suggests bill is about 33% of head length. And her Downy, 25%. With a bit of practice it becomes quite easy to distinguish them in the field.

The larger bill size actually suggests a Hairy Woodpecker rather than Downy. Maybe that's splitting "feathers" as they are very similar otherwise

Al-pics, Birds in flight are difficult to photograph, even with much experience and the best equipment. And small birds even more so. With martins [swallows in the US] you've chosen a very challenging subject! How are you doing with stationary birds? What about swans or other larger birds that tend to fly predictably rather than flitting all over the place? Do you have any photos to post? 'Blurring" might be due to various factors including bird movement, camera movement, and incorrect focus. Look for an on-line depth of field scale, or get a free/cheap app for your phone. You'll see that for your lens zoomed to 400mm, focused at 30 feet and at f8 you'll have a depth of field of just over 6"!

Another orchid - Calypso bulbosa

Recently fledged Dark-eyed Junco

Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus

American Three-toed Woodpecker carrying food to the nest

Sandy although there might be a Barn Swallow somewhere in your images, most are Cliff Swallows. The last photo clearly shows Cliff Swallows at the far left and far right - buffy rumps and near-square tails pretty much clinches the ID over almost all of the US. Here in NM they are sometimes called mud swallows. They nest colonially under many bridges over the Rio Grande in Albuquerque, tho in the "good old days" they built their mud nests on cliffs. Cool photos, thanks for posting, you too JDMvW.

Death Camus

No selfies? No flash? No selfie sticks? Hopefully all three.

Nice photo - immature Coopers Hawk.

Common Goldeneye, Rio Grande, near Taos NM