Birds of Bassmaster

In this unique gallery, I wanted to dig into some pictures that likely didn't appear in our on-the-water galleries during Bassmaster Elite events over the past few years. Some did, some did not.
<p>
My mentor, friend and future Bass Fishing Hall of Famer Steve Bowman detests bird images that appear in fishing galleries — or at least he makes us believe that. Of course, that means I try to slip in one or two each time, just to
In this unique gallery, I wanted to dig into some pictures that likely didn’t appear in our on-the-water galleries during Bassmaster Elite events over the past few years. Some did, some did not.

My mentor, friend and future Bass Fishing Hall of Famer Steve Bowman detests bird images that appear in fishing galleries — or at least he makes us believe that. Of course, that means I try to slip in one or two each time, just to “poke the bear.” (Insert sinister laughing here.) I’ve heard from Bowman more than a few times about my bad habit to “bird watch” when I should be focusing on the angler, but sometimes you have to take advantage of the opportunities as they present themselves.

And who doesn’t like birds? I recently spent some time going through my entire photo collection since 2017, and the following gallery includes some of my favorite bird encounters while covering the Bassmaster Elite Series, 2017-2019.

Cherokee, 2017. A group of honkers signaling their presence next to a marker on Cherokee Lake in East Tennessee.

More Canada geese at Cherokee, 2017.
<p>
I won't claim to be a bird expert, so if you see a bird named incorrectly, or unnamed, period, let us know the slide number and correct species name in the comments below.
More Canada geese at Cherokee, 2017.

I won’t claim to be a bird expert, so if you see a bird named incorrectly, or unnamed, period, let us know the slide number and correct species name in the comments below.

Great blue heron, Bassmaster Classic, Lake Conroe, 2017.
Great blue heron, Bassmaster Classic, Lake Conroe, 2017.
Egret, Bassmaster Classic, Lake Conroe, 2017.
Egret, Bassmaster Classic, Lake Conroe, 2017.
Bassmaster Classic, Lake Conroe, 2017.
Bassmaster Classic, Lake Conroe, 2017.
American white pelican, Bassmaster Classic, Lake Conroe, 2017.
American white pelican, Bassmaster Classic, Lake Conroe, 2017.
American white pelican, Bassmaster Classic, Lake Conroe, 2017.
American white pelican, Bassmaster Classic, Lake Conroe, 2017.
De plane. Bassmaster Classic, Lake Conroe, 2017.
De plane. Bassmaster Classic, Lake Conroe, 2017.
Great blue heron, Bassmaster Elite, Lake Okeechobee, 2017.
Great blue heron, Bassmaster Elite, Lake Okeechobee, 2017.
Great blue heron, Bassmaster Elite, Lake Okeechobee, 2017.
Great blue heron, Bassmaster Elite, Lake Okeechobee, 2017.
Bassmaster Elite, Lake Okeechobee, 2017.
Bassmaster Elite, Lake Okeechobee, 2017.
Great blue heron, Bassmaster Elite, Lake Okeechobee, 2017.
Great blue heron, Bassmaster Elite, Lake Okeechobee, 2017.
Bassmaster Elite, Lake Okeechobee, 2017.
Bassmaster Elite, Lake Okeechobee, 2017.
Bassmaster Elite, Lake Okeechobee, 2017. Unknown species, DJI Phantom.
Bassmaster Elite, Lake Okeechobee, 2017. Unknown species, DJI Phantom.
Red-winged blackbird, Bassmaster Elite, Lake Okeechobee, 2017.
Red-winged blackbird, Bassmaster Elite, Lake Okeechobee, 2017.
Bassmaster Elite, Lake Okeechobee, 2017.
Bassmaster Elite, Lake Okeechobee, 2017.
Assorted pelicans and a cormorant? Bassmaster Elite, Lake Okeechobee, 2017.
Assorted pelicans and a cormorant? Bassmaster Elite, Lake Okeechobee, 2017.
Brown pelican, Bassmaster Elite, Lake Okeechobee, 2017.
Brown pelican, Bassmaster Elite, Lake Okeechobee, 2017.
American white pelican, Ross Barnett Bassmaster Elite 2017.
American white pelican, Ross Barnett Bassmaster Elite 2017.
Great blue heron, Ross Barnett Bassmaster Elite 2017.
Great blue heron, Ross Barnett Bassmaster Elite 2017.
Great blue heron, Ross Barnett Bassmaster Elite 2017.
Great blue heron, Ross Barnett Bassmaster Elite 2017.
Canada geese buzzing a VW bug. Ross Barnett Bassmaster Elite 2017.
Canada geese buzzing a VW bug. Ross Barnett Bassmaster Elite 2017.
Drake mallard duck, and yes he has two legs. Can anyone explain why many waterfowl birds stand on dry land with one leg?</p>
<p>Because the other leg is tired ...</p>
Drake mallard duck, and yes he has two legs. Can anyone explain why many waterfowl birds stand on dry land with one leg?
Because the other leg is tired …
This drake mallard thought my joke in the previous slide was funny. Ross Barnett Bassmaster Elite 2017.
This drake mallard thought my joke in the previous slide was funny. Ross Barnett Bassmaster Elite 2017.
So did this one.
So did this one.
Canada geese, Ross Barnett Bassmaster Elite 2017.
Canada geese, Ross Barnett Bassmaster Elite 2017.
Bald eagle, Ross Barnett Bassmaster Elite 2017.
Bald eagle, Ross Barnett Bassmaster Elite 2017.
Egret, Ross Barnett Bassmaster Elite 2017.
Egret, Ross Barnett Bassmaster Elite 2017.
Great blue heron, Ross Barnett Bassmaster Elite 2017.
Great blue heron, Ross Barnett Bassmaster Elite 2017.
Canada goose, Ross Barnett Bassmaster Elite 2017.
Canada goose, Ross Barnett Bassmaster Elite 2017.
Canada goose, Ross Barnett Bassmaster Elite 2017.
Canada goose, Ross Barnett Bassmaster Elite 2017.
Canada goose, Ross Barnett Bassmaster Elite 2017.
Canada goose, Ross Barnett Bassmaster Elite 2017.
Canada goose, Ross Barnett Bassmaster Elite 2017.
Canada goose, Ross Barnett Bassmaster Elite 2017.
Canada goose, Ross Barnett Bassmaster Elite 2017.
Canada goose, Ross Barnett Bassmaster Elite 2017.
Bald eagle, Sam Rayburn Texas Fest, 2017.
Bald eagle, Sam Rayburn Texas Fest, 2017.
Great blue heron, Sam Rayburn Texas Fest, 2017.
Great blue heron, Sam Rayburn Texas Fest, 2017.
Osprey, Sam Rayburn Texas Fest, 2017.
Osprey, Sam Rayburn Texas Fest, 2017.
Osprey, Sam Rayburn Texas Fest, 2017.
Osprey, Sam Rayburn Texas Fest, 2017.
Osprey, Sam Rayburn Texas Fest, 2017.
Osprey, Sam Rayburn Texas Fest, 2017.
Osprey, Sam Rayburn Texas Fest, 2017.
Osprey, Sam Rayburn Texas Fest, 2017.
Egret, Sam Rayburn Texas Fest, 2017.
Egret, Sam Rayburn Texas Fest, 2017.
Drake mallard duck, Toledo Bend Bassmaster Elite, 2017
Drake mallard duck, Toledo Bend Bassmaster Elite, 2017
Bald eagles, Toledo Bend Bassmaster Elite, 2017
Bald eagles, Toledo Bend Bassmaster Elite, 2017
Bald eagles, Toledo Bend Bassmaster Elite, 2017
Bald eagles, Toledo Bend Bassmaster Elite, 2017
Bald eagle, Toledo Bend Bassmaster Elite, 2017
Bald eagle, Toledo Bend Bassmaster Elite, 2017
Bald eagle, Toledo Bend Bassmaster Elite, 2017
Bald eagle, Toledo Bend Bassmaster Elite, 2017
Egret, Toledo Bend Bassmaster Elite, 2017
Egret, Toledo Bend Bassmaster Elite, 2017
Toledo Bend Bassmaster Elite, 2017
Toledo Bend Bassmaster Elite, 2017
Blue-winged teal, Lake St. Clair, 2017
Blue-winged teal, Lake St. Clair, 2017
Lake St. Clair, 2017
Lake St. Clair, 2017
Which one is real? (Hint: This could be a trick question ... ) Lake St. Clair, 2017
Which one is real? (Hint: This could be a trick question … ) Lake St. Clair, 2017
Drake mallard, Lake Martin, 2018.
Drake mallard, Lake Martin, 2018.
Honkers, Lake Martin, 2018.
Honkers, Lake Martin, 2018.
Juvenile loon, Bassmaster Classic at Lake Hartwell, 2018.
Juvenile loon, Bassmaster Classic at Lake Hartwell, 2018.
I can't help but shooting geese, in more ways than one ... They are fun birds to watch! Bassmaster Classic at Lake Hartwell, 2018.
I can’t help but shooting geese, in more ways than one … They are fun birds to watch! Bassmaster Classic at Lake Hartwell, 2018.
Great blue heron, Bassmaster Classic at Lake Hartwell, 2018.
Great blue heron, Bassmaster Classic at Lake Hartwell, 2018.
Biplane, Bassmaster Classic at Lake Hartwell, 2018.
Biplane, Bassmaster Classic at Lake Hartwell, 2018.
Canada goose, Bassmaster Classic at Lake Hartwell, 2018.
Canada goose, Bassmaster Classic at Lake Hartwell, 2018.
Great blue heron, Lake Travis, Texas Fest, 2018. He has his limit of bass skewered with his beak.
Great blue heron, Lake Travis, Texas Fest, 2018. He has his limit of bass skewered with his beak.
Great blue heron,  Lake Travis, Texas Fest, 2018.
Great blue heron, Lake Travis, Texas Fest, 2018.
Mallards in a down pour, Lake Travis, Texas Fest, 2018.
Mallards in a down pour, Lake Travis, Texas Fest, 2018.
It rained crazy-hard that day on Travis.
It rained crazy-hard that day on Travis.
Aside from the extremely sketchy van, there is a duck on the water's edge.
Aside from the extremely sketchy van, there is a duck on the water’s edge.
A bird of some type, unfeathered, Lake Travis, Texas Fest, 2018.
A bird of some type, unfeathered, Lake Travis, Texas Fest, 2018.
Closer shot of the same
Closer shot of the same “bird,” Lake Travis, Texas Fest, 2018.
You know you've sunk to new lows when you need a couple shots of a turkey vulture. Lake Travis, Texas Fest, 2018.
You know you’ve sunk to new lows when you need a couple shots of a turkey vulture. Lake Travis, Texas Fest, 2018.
Turkey vulture, Lake Travis, Texas Fest, 2018.
Turkey vulture, Lake Travis, Texas Fest, 2018.
Barred owl at Sabine River, 2018. Who Cooks For You Who Cooks For You All? #thosethatknowknow
Barred owl at Sabine River, 2018. Who Cooks For You Who Cooks For You All? #thosethatknowknow
Barred owl, Sabine River 2018.
Barred owl, Sabine River 2018.
I'm not real sure on this one, green heron, I think? Sabine River, 2018.
I’m not real sure on this one, green heron, I think? Sabine River, 2018.
I won't even pretend to know what this is. Please help in the comments below with the slide number and what you think this critter is.
I won’t even pretend to know what this is. Please help in the comments below with the slide number and what you think this critter is.
Moving way northeast from the Sabine, here is a cormorant on the St. Lawrence River, 2018.
Moving way northeast from the Sabine, here is a cormorant on the St. Lawrence River, 2018.
Red-winged blackbird at LaCrosse, Wisc., Bassmaster Elite 2018.
Red-winged blackbird at LaCrosse, Wisc., Bassmaster Elite 2018.
Oriole at LaCrosse, Wisc., Bassmaster Elite 2018. One of my favorite birds.
Oriole at LaCrosse, Wisc., Bassmaster Elite 2018. One of my favorite birds.
Oriole, very hard to capture on film. LaCrosse, Wisc., Bassmaster Elite 2018.
Oriole, very hard to capture on film. LaCrosse, Wisc., Bassmaster Elite 2018.
Another oriole.
Another oriole.
Bald eagle, LaCrosse Bassmaster Elite, 2018
Bald eagle, LaCrosse Bassmaster Elite, 2018
Bald eagle, LaCrosse Bassmaster Elite, 2018
Bald eagle, LaCrosse Bassmaster Elite, 2018
Raft of mallards led by what I assume is the mother hen and her adolescent offspring.
Raft of mallards led by what I assume is the mother hen and her adolescent offspring.
Bird food? This is a mayfly, which are known to hatch in extraordinary numbers along the Upper Mississippi River near LaCrosse, Wisc. Such large numbers that A) they show up on weather radars and B) they break out the snow plows to push them off the roads after they die in piles. It's an impressive phenomenon in that part of the country.
Bird food? This is a mayfly, which are known to hatch in extraordinary numbers along the Upper Mississippi River near LaCrosse, Wisc. Such large numbers that A) they show up on weather radars and B) they break out the snow plows to push them off the roads after they die in piles. It’s an impressive phenomenon in that part of the country.
Mayflies in the air. LaCrosse Bassmaster Elite, 2018
Mayflies in the air. LaCrosse Bassmaster Elite, 2018
Red-winged blackbird, LaCrosse Bassmaster Elite, 2018
Red-winged blackbird, LaCrosse Bassmaster Elite, 2018
Red-winged blackbird, LaCrosse Bassmaster Elite, 2018
Red-winged blackbird, LaCrosse Bassmaster Elite, 2018
Red-winged blackbird, LaCrosse Bassmaster Elite, 2018
Red-winged blackbird, LaCrosse Bassmaster Elite, 2018
Canada goose over Lake Chatuge, Bassmaster Elite AOY Championship, 2018
Canada goose over Lake Chatuge, Bassmaster Elite AOY Championship, 2018
Lake Chatuge, Bassmaster Elite AOY Championship, 2018. I'm not sure of the model number on this baby, but I bet it's fast.
Lake Chatuge, Bassmaster Elite AOY Championship, 2018. I’m not sure of the model number on this baby, but I bet it’s fast.
Cormorants drying off at St. Johns River, 2019.
Cormorants drying off at St. Johns River, 2019.
Bald eagles, St. Johns River, 2019.
Bald eagles, St. Johns River, 2019.
Another cormorant, St. Johns River, 2019.
Another cormorant, St. Johns River, 2019.
Great blue heron, St. Johns River, 2019.
Great blue heron, St. Johns River, 2019.
Osprey, St. Johns River, 2019.
Osprey, St. Johns River, 2019.
I call this one:
I call this one: “Gull on a post.” LOL. St. Johns River, 2019.
Swimming cormorant, St. Johns River, 2019.
Swimming cormorant, St. Johns River, 2019.
I call this one:
I call this one: “Gull on a post 2.” LOL. St. Johns River, 2019. But I’m guessing that’s not a gull? Help me label this one right.
Egret standing on a wood duck box, St. Johns River, 2019.
Egret standing on a wood duck box, St. Johns River, 2019.
Egret, St. Johns River, 2019.
Egret, St. Johns River, 2019.
Egret, St. Johns River, 2019.
Egret, St. Johns River, 2019.
Egret, St. Johns River, 2019.
Egret, St. Johns River, 2019.
Brown pelican, St. Johns River, 2019.
Brown pelican, St. Johns River, 2019.
Brown pelican, St. Johns River, 2019.
Brown pelican, St. Johns River, 2019.
Brown pelican, St. Johns River, 2019.
Brown pelican, St. Johns River, 2019.
Brown pelican, St. Johns River, 2019.
Brown pelican, St. Johns River, 2019.
Bald eagle, Lake Lanier, 2019.
Bald eagle, Lake Lanier, 2019.
Canada geese, Lake Lanier, 2019.
Canada geese, Lake Lanier, 2019.
Water-logged, swimming common loon, (juvenile) Lake Lanier, 2019.
Water-logged, swimming common loon, (juvenile) Lake Lanier, 2019.
Water-logged, swimming common loon, (juvenile) Lake Lanier, 2019.
Water-logged, swimming common loon, (juvenile) Lake Lanier, 2019.
Gulls around an island at Lake Lanier Bassmaster Elite, 2019.
Gulls around an island at Lake Lanier Bassmaster Elite, 2019.
More Canadas, Lake Lanier, 2019.
More Canadas, Lake Lanier, 2019.
Another juvenile loon at Lake Lanier, that's Chris Zaldain's boat int he background.
Another juvenile loon at Lake Lanier, that’s Chris Zaldain’s boat int he background.
Canada goose, Lake Lanier Bassmaster Elite, 2019
Canada goose, Lake Lanier Bassmaster Elite, 2019
Canada goose taking flight at the 2019 Bassmaster Classic out of Knoxville, Tenn.
Canada goose taking flight at the 2019 Bassmaster Classic out of Knoxville, Tenn.
Osprey, 2019 Bassmaster Classic out of Knoxville, Tenn.
Osprey, 2019 Bassmaster Classic out of Knoxville, Tenn.
Great blue heron and USAF. 2019 Bassmaster Classic out of Knoxville, Tenn.
Great blue heron and USAF. 2019 Bassmaster Classic out of Knoxville, Tenn.
Belly of the beast, USAF, 2019 Bassmaster Classic out of Knoxville, Tenn.
Belly of the beast, USAF, 2019 Bassmaster Classic out of Knoxville, Tenn.
Great blue heron, 2019 Bassmaster Classic out of Knoxville, Tenn.
Great blue heron, 2019 Bassmaster Classic out of Knoxville, Tenn.
Great blue heron, 2019 Bassmaster Classic out of Knoxville, Tenn.
Great blue heron, 2019 Bassmaster Classic out of Knoxville, Tenn.
Small on-seater, 2019 Bassmaster Classic out of Knoxville, Tenn.
Small on-seater, 2019 Bassmaster Classic out of Knoxville, Tenn.
Osprey, 2019 Bassmaster Classic out of Knoxville, Tenn.
Osprey, 2019 Bassmaster Classic out of Knoxville, Tenn.
Osprey, 2019 Bassmaster Classic out of Knoxville, Tenn.
Osprey, 2019 Bassmaster Classic out of Knoxville, Tenn.
Great blue heron, 2019 Bassmaster Classic out of Knoxville, Tenn.
Great blue heron, 2019 Bassmaster Classic out of Knoxville, Tenn.
Gulls on a boathouse, 2019 Bassmaster Classic out of Knoxville, Tenn.
Gulls on a boathouse, 2019 Bassmaster Classic out of Knoxville, Tenn.
Gulls taking flight.
Gulls taking flight.
Honkers, 2019 Bassmaster Classic out of Knoxville, Tenn.
Honkers, 2019 Bassmaster Classic out of Knoxville, Tenn.
Canada goose, 2019 Bassmaster Classic out of Knoxville, Tenn.
Canada goose, 2019 Bassmaster Classic out of Knoxville, Tenn.
Great blue heron, Bassmaster Elite at Lake Hartwell, 2019
Great blue heron, Bassmaster Elite at Lake Hartwell, 2019
Canada goose, Bassmaster Elite at Lake Hartwell, 2019
Canada goose, Bassmaster Elite at Lake Hartwell, 2019
They say this keeps geese and herons away from docks, on which these birds make a tremendous mess. Not sure if it works or not. Bassmaster Elite at Lake Hartwell, 2019
They say this keeps geese and herons away from docks, on which these birds make a tremendous mess. Not sure if it works or not. Bassmaster Elite at Lake Hartwell, 2019
Great blue heron, Bassmaster Elite at Lake Hartwell, 2019
Great blue heron, Bassmaster Elite at Lake Hartwell, 2019
Egret, Bassmaster Elite at Lake Hartwell, 2019
Egret, Bassmaster Elite at Lake Hartwell, 2019
Egret, Bassmaster Elite at Lake Hartwell, 2019
Egret, Bassmaster Elite at Lake Hartwell, 2019
More USAF at Winyah Bay Bassmaster Elite 2019.
More USAF at Winyah Bay Bassmaster Elite 2019.
Brown pelican, Winyah Bay Bassmaster Elite 2019.
Brown pelican, Winyah Bay Bassmaster Elite 2019.
Red-winged blackbird, Winyah Bay Bassmaster Elite 2019.
Red-winged blackbird, Winyah Bay Bassmaster Elite 2019.
Some sort of gull getting way too close to a DJI Phantom ... Both survived this encounter.
Some sort of gull getting way too close to a DJI Phantom … Both survived this encounter.
Cormorants, Winyah Bay Bassmaster Elite 2019.
Cormorants, Winyah Bay Bassmaster Elite 2019.
Great blue heron, Winyah Bay Bassmaster Elite 2019.
Great blue heron, Winyah Bay Bassmaster Elite 2019.
Egret, Winyah Bay Bassmaster Elite 2019. Note his green mask, pretty cool!
Egret, Winyah Bay Bassmaster Elite 2019. Note his green mask, pretty cool!
At the Guntersville Bassmaster Elite in 2019, this osprey was caught building a nest.
At the Guntersville Bassmaster Elite in 2019, this osprey was caught building a nest.
Or at least trying ..
Or at least trying ..
Up to the northeast at the 2019 Cayuga Bassmaster Elite, another osprey catching lunch.
Up to the northeast at the 2019 Cayuga Bassmaster Elite, another osprey catching lunch.
Flying away with lunch, 2019 Cayuga Bassmaster Elite.
Flying away with lunch, 2019 Cayuga Bassmaster Elite.
...
...
Perhaps an osprey, but too hard to tell for sure.  2019 Cayuga Bassmaster Elite.
Perhaps an osprey, but too hard to tell for sure. 2019 Cayuga Bassmaster Elite.
Great blue heron at Lake Tenkiller 2019. This was a rescheduled event that was originally supposed to occur on Ft. Gibson, but high waters forced the Elites to another nearby Oklahoma lake.
Great blue heron at Lake Tenkiller 2019. This was a rescheduled event that was originally supposed to occur on Ft. Gibson, but high waters forced the Elites to another nearby Oklahoma lake.
Teal and Canadas at Tenkiller Elite, 2019.
Teal and Canadas at Tenkiller Elite, 2019.
Flying teal, Tenkiller Elite, 2019.
Flying teal, Tenkiller Elite, 2019.
I call this one
I call this one “Gull on a tire,” Tenkiller Elite, 2019.
Wet drake mallard at St. Clair Bassmaster Elite AOY Championship, 2019.
Wet drake mallard at St. Clair Bassmaster Elite AOY Championship, 2019.
Ducks doing ducky things at St. Clair Bassmaster Elite AOY Championship, 2019.
Ducks doing ducky things at St. Clair Bassmaster Elite AOY Championship, 2019.