Ruddy Turnstone - Hawaii

Ruddy Turnstone, originally uploaded by Michael A. Nelson.

Keeping with the theme of long range migratory birds, here is the Ruddy Turnstone which breeds in Northern Alaska and the far north of Canada. The Turnstone winters in many areas of the world with this one staying in Hawaii.

Pacific Golden Plover - Hawaii

Pacific Golden Plover, originally uploaded by Michael A. Nelson.

Its been awhile since my last entry - busy busy times. While I was in Hawaii there were numerous Golden Plovers all over Hawaii. Most parks and lawns had a few. This one allowed me to get pretty close.

The migration of the Plover is quite amazing with most making the Alaska to Hawaii trip non-stop. If you want to read more about the migration of this Plover check out this site

Japanese White Eye - Hawaii

Japanese White Eye, originally uploaded by Michael A. Nelson.

This is lazy photography at its best. I hate to admit it, however I am sitting on a lounge chair by the pool at a Honolulu hotel when this Japanese White Eye decides to pose for me. Naturally I take my camera everywhere and I get this nice shot. So laziness does pay off from time to time.

Saffron Finch - Hawaii

Saffron Finch, originally uploaded by Michael A. Nelson.

Well, I thought I would continue with the Hawaii theme and show this photograph of the Saffron Finch. Often used as a cagebird they have established themselves in Hawaii. It originally came from just outside the Amazon Basin in South America and is a type of Tanager.

I discovered this bird poking around on the grass beside our condo we were staying in. He was nice enough to pose before he left.

Hawaiian Stilt - Hawaii

Hawaiian Stilt, originally uploaded by Michael A. Nelson.

On a recent trip to Hawaii, I picked up this rare picture of the Black Necked Stilt or more specifically the Hawaiian Stilt which is endangered in Hawaii. This bird is considered by many to be a subspecies of the Black-necked Stilt and by others to be a distinct species. The Stilt is the only shorebird to breed in the Hawaiian Islands.

We were returning our rental car at the airport and just across the street I noticed the stilts. I pulled the car over to the side and grabbed my camera. My wife Darlene was going crazy as we were about to board a plane and needed to return the car. Oh well, the life of a nature photographer!!!!