Thursday, January 3, 2013

Monk or Quaker

I've heard them and heard about them for a number of years, but hadn't seen them for myself until recently.

On the Friday before Christmas outing to take photos of my Daughter and her family, I finally saw the Monk Parakeet, also known as the Quaker Parrot.  I didn't have time, or the lens to shoot them on that day, so I went back the next day and gave it a try.




They really made a lot of racket when this flew over.  Thankfully, I didn't witness any carnage!

 

45 comments:

LL Cool Joe said...

Oh wow they are beautiful. You got some great shots of them too. Incredible.

Happy New Year to you!

The Cranky said...

Oh they're beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing these photos, I love them! (And it makes me feel a little warmer as well...like it's 16 F. rather than 14 F., hehe.)

mamahasspoken said...

WOW great eyes on your part! That looks like they were really up high!

Kathleen said...

AWESOME shots....and beautiful birds.
Keep up the great work!

Margaret (Peggy or Peg too) said...

you obviously have a great zoom lense. (I do not yet) these are great. but unlike all your other readers I find birds a bit on the ugly side......don't get your feathers rattled. I know they are God's creatures but...

Liz Mays said...

Wow, I'm glad you went back. They're incredible!

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

Aren't they adorable? Believe it or not we have them here in New England too, and I would have thought it would be too cold. They look tropical.

Ms. G said...

OMGosh! I didn't know we had those type of birds in North America. So Pretty : )

Sally said...

Great shots! Love these, and I'd never heard of them before.

You're a master of photograhy Ms A, for sure!

xoxo

TexWisGirl said...

i've read about them but never seen them myself! how cool!!! they're really cute, although i know they can wreak havoc in utility lines and such. :)

Nellie said...

These are beautiful! I've never seen them before - or even heard of them, for that matter. They are not at all common in our part of the country.

Help! Mama Remote... said...

Wow!!!!I'm in awe that you know what kind of bird it is. I would have said, "look at the green bird." LOL beautiful pictures.

Lynn Proctor said...

so cool--i have never heard of them--great shots!!

Saara said...

How funny - yet intelligent - looking they are! Great photos! I´m a big fan of birds :) Thank You!

Outcast said...

These birds are so cute and colourful, I really hope that eagle was gentle to them haha, they just look so precious.

Anonymous said...

Except for the big water tower and phone lines, these could've been in the jungle. Who knew that parrots lived in Texas?! ; )

lotta joy said...

I wonder if those could possibly be a breed of their own, maybe springing from parakeets and parrots who got tossed by owners or escaped through the years. I've never seen such a thing and I think you're a magician with that camera.

Chatty Crone said...

I didn't know those guys liked out in the wild like that.

George said...

I'm glad you went back to get these photos. This species is new to me, and I thoroughly your pictures. I'm glad you didn't see any carnage.

middle child said...

Carnage as in sh-t in your face? You really got some wonderful pictures. Thanks for sharing.

Shaun said...

They are very hansome birds. Glad ive found your photo blog. Im really enjoying what you have to say. Pop on over to mine if you get the time.
www.Valleysshutterbug.com
Shaun

Nancy said...

Wow and wow! Love the nest image.

Betty Manousos said...

i'm glad you were back-great photos of such beautiful birds.

very well captured images.

big hugs!

Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your Home said...

They are so pretty, what a sight!!!

Furry Bottoms said...

Those are really cool birds. They're WAY bigger than the parakeets that my roommate used to keep. You captured them very well! :)

Unknown said...

What beautiful birds, you were fortunate to see them. And your pictures were wonderful as always!

Anonymous said...

Oh, how cool! I actually pulled it up on the map, and I'm prepared to head over there next time I'm in the area. These are fantastic shots! I hope they're stay put until I can get there!

Alexandra said...

Can I tell you, again, how very much my family and I appreciate your photos.

THANK YOU.

From oldest to youngest, I call them over, and we marvel together.

THANK YOU.

Peggy K said...

Beautiful shots!! You KNOW I'm always tempted to ask about settings and equipment, don't you??

Got my camera book yesterday. Will try to start digging into it this weekend. Looking forward to creating shots like you do!! Thanks so much for setting me in the right direction!!

Marie said...

They're so pretty! I didn't realize they lived in the wild?? I'm so glad you shared these! So darn cute!!!

CiCi said...

Wonderful close up shots of these lovely birds. You were so fortunate to see them and go back there the next day. Looks like they are happy and doing fine in their nest and play area.

Vicki Lane said...

Great pictures! I remember seeing whole colonies of escaped parakeets (the little ones) in Florida years ago. These guys look kind of like the now-extinct Carolina Parakeet.

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

You got some very impressive close-ups of the Monks.

Happy New Year's, MsA.
xoRobyn

Pat Tillett said...

Hi there! Nice to see you! I've never seen or even heard of these guys! Amazing to see sights like that in the U.S. We think they're pretty and the eagle (and other birds I'm sure) look at them as lunch...
I'll be back!

Katherines Corner said...

Wowwwwwwwwwww. These are beautiful birds. I'm so happy you went back to get the photos to share with us xo

Powdered Toast Man said...

I thought they would be wearing cool robes.

Andy said...

Theses guys are high up but you still managed to get some excellent shots. Way to go!

Momma Fargo said...

Wow! How cool and great photographs, MS.A!

troutbirder said...

Another illegal alien, I assume. Why isn't Fix News on top of this?

Carol said...

Great pictures! I found you through Gigi's Ramblings. I'll be back!

momto8 said...

oh my gosh! what great photos!!! I wrote a blog post today about noticing things in everyday life...the lesson I learned from your photos!

Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking said...

Oh they are so pretty and your photos are just gorgeous!!

Deborah said...

I've never seen a birdy like that ever.

Betty said...

I think I've heard about them too. Maybe I read something once. Those are great photos.

Linda said...

Wow, wild parakeets! Great job on getting their pictures.