The latest from LTC. Bob
Another day here, much the same as the last.
One of our COLs just returned from leave, and mentioned that it’s all “gloom and doom” again in the nation’s Forth Estate, and that according to them, things are going to heck in a hand basket once again in Iraq. Don’t believe it - it was actually refreshing to see the GoI make a stand in Basra, and in Sadr City. With a “little help from their friends” (us and the Brits) they have cleared out many of those that GEN Petraeus refers to as the ‘irreconcilables’ and sent them along to another time and dimension..
Anyway - back here on boring old Victory Base, yesterday I made a trip over to the Bird Lake on Camp Slayer on my bike. Most all of the Shovelers have headed north, there were probably 20-30 of them left; I counted a dozen Marbled Teal and about the same number of Ferruginous Ducks, lots of Coots still, one Greylag Goose, several Little Grebes, a pair of Widgeons, one White-faced Duck…all the Green-winged Teal seemed to be gone. I didn’t get any pictures, just watched for a bit.
The first two pics are from 23 March - we were watching airplanes landing on the civilian side at BIAP, Runway 33R for those keeping track. I saw the Graceful Prinias last time, but never managed to get a decent picture.
The book says “small, unmarked, pale grey-buff warbler with long graduated tail…skulks in vegetation.” No kidding. So much that you rarely get a chance for the auto-focus to focus.
The call is a give away, though, as far as identification. There are lots of them about.
The next two are one of my favorite birds here - the Pied Kingfishers - they are fairly common as well, either perching or hovering over water. I got pretty close in the Explorer and was able to get these clear shots.
A male, characterized by his two black throat bands
and a female, who has only one.
That’s it for today - hope all are fine, wherever you happen to be.
SPC Roebuck says:
I am stationed in COB Speicher Iraq…and have seen only on a couple of occaisions a beautiful metalic emerald green bird flying overhead its shape is very similar to that of a swallow but the overall size is about 3 times as large…i am very curious to find the name and some pictures of this bird if you have any information i would greatly appreciate it…Sincerely…SPC Roebuck
26 April 2008, 2:08 pmBigwig says:
Hi SFC Roebuck,
My guess is that you are looking at Blue cheeked Bee Eater, aka Fred’s Spotted Wonder Chickens.
Let me know if that’s not it, and I’ll dig further.
28 April 2008, 11:02 amMrs. Newton says:
I came across your wonderful pictures while researching Mesopotamia for my Sixth grade students. I am putting together a PowerPoint presentation about the birds of ancient Mesopotamia. I will of course site your address along with my appreciation. Thanks for posting the pictures!
28 June 2008, 8:36 amMost Sincerely,
Mrs. Newton
grade 6
Western Massachusetts
USA
SGT Hendryx says:
Wondering where SPC Roebuck was on Speicher… I am there and only see doves, sparrows, and the
22 August 2008, 12:38 pmocassional magpie! Wondering if anyone has ever seen a Hoopoe on Speicher???? I also chased
around some very vocal somewhat dull birds at the 1701 bldg. They were possibly pipits??
observer says:
Gentlemen, I enjoy reading the postings regarding birds in Iraq. I was wondering if any of you know of satellite tracking done on Iraqi birds. I am _very_ interested in looking at those tracks. Appreciate your help.
25 November 2008, 1:17 am