It's Springtime and here in the Southeast, it's also time for the ticks and other pests to come out. While shooting some birds in the trees behind my house Sunday, I got two with ticks on their eyes.





Both shot through double-pane Thermopane sliding-glass door with D70/70-200VR/TC-17E and cropped about 50%.

For some good reading about ticks and other bird parasites, see:
http://www.hiltonpond.org/ArticleBirdTicksMain.html

Regards,

Dick:)

Thanks Dick for reminding me another reason I moved to Alaska...no ticks. Great photos by the way. I am spending a few parts of the day keeping snow from burying my feeders and now have 3 feet of snow in my yard and we even have 12 1/2 hours of sunlight per day now. Ever watch a Black capped Chickadee try to peck the snow out of the hole so they can get some sunflower seeds?

Thank you, David!

Winter has always been my favorite season for hiking, camping, and walking about in the mountains for photos. Besides the deer having their antlers and better visibility through the bare foliage, I don't have to worry about snakes, ticks, chiggers, and gnats!

I've not been to Alaska yet, but have been fishing up in Canada. Didn't get any ticks but the mosquitoes were the size of buzzards and twice as ornery!! I guess every place has it's own annoyances.

Quote:

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Ever watch a Black capped Chickadee try to peck the snow out of the hole so they can get some sunflower seeds?

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Heheheh....a bird's gotta do what a bird's gotta do!!

Best to you,

Dick:)

Hey Rich,

Thanks for contributing with the photos of the birds...though I will be honest that I am sure that the bird would rather be 'tickless.' That just cannot be comfortable.

How is the wildlife at this time of year in Tennessee?

Cheers!
James

Our bears don't come out of their den until next month.

Wow, look at that. There is just something about Ticks and fleas that just make my skin crawl. It is an unfortunate consequence of living in the woods around here. Thank God for Frontline for the dogs. Interesting article too.
I have never see anything line that on a bird. Good capture.