There’s a lot of birds I want to see and photograph, but for this list I’m going to try and narrow it down to five. It’s been a huge goal of mine ever since I started birding and doing photography to find an owl. I’ve never seen one in person before and would love to so much. I’m not particular on a specific species, I just want to photograph one! I wouldn’t say no to a Snowy owl, but would also really love to see a Great Grey.
Second up bird to photograph is a Hummingbird. I’ve seen a very small amount come around my hosta plants when they’re blooming, and had one or two check out my feeder last spring. I’m trying my best this spring to have more hummingbird friendly plants and feeders to hopefully attract some to my yard. From what I’ve been able to gather, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird would be the most common species I should be able to find here in northwest Iowa. I would also love to find and photograph a Calliope Hummingbird.
Another bird I’ve been desperately wanting to find is the Pileated Woodpecker. They’re a very large, very prehistoric looking bird. Whenever I see a picture of one, they instantly remind me of a pterodactyl. I know they can commonly be found in northern Minnesota, so when I’m out adventuring looking for owls, I also hope to come across this amazing bird.
The next bird on the list is going to require some travel - to southern Texas. The Green Jay is one of the most stunning birds I’ve seen in a while, and I want to photograph one so bad! I’d never heard of this bird before I had started birding, and now that I have, I have to see one.
And whiles were on the topic is green birds and southern Texas, my last bird for the list is the Green Kingfisher. They have the most stunning forest green colored feathers with a rusty orange underbelly. Kingfishers in general are one of my favorite birds so I gotta find this bird this year!
As an honorable mention to the list, my partner Josh would love for me to find a Magpie! I know they can be found in Minnesota so we shouldn’t have to go to far to find one.
