Well it's a full week since the Friday 13th that wasn't the 13th. Anyways..we have been like everyone else just letting it be Spring already and WHAM! Frost/Freeze Gotcha Peas! Nay I didn't plant my peas yet, hope my winter Garden makes it tho...
So I made the trip back to Bear Island just to get over the wasted trip of before. None of the rare birds were there as I figured they would not be but wth one has to try right?
A wind chill was in play today and it got strong at times, so most of the waterfowl were sitting in the far away side of the ponds. Photos were a challenge, but I gave it a shot anyways.
Large flocks of Northern shovelers were in the pond across from the Entrance. A few of the Males are in breeding plumage...
Like I said pretty far away, this was my best zoom effort on this shoveler. Across the road in Mary's Pond lots of American Avocets, a few days ago a Black Necked Stilt was here...not seen today. Out of the wind there was a reflection.
This Killdeer was such a good bird he waited patiently for me to snap his photo.
On the tour drive there was blue winged and green winged teals...
Saw a lot of Tri Colored Herons,
And Little Blue Heron
Fun to watch them fish, And also fun to watch and listen to the Boat tailed Grackles fly in and out of the trees, they make some remarkable sounds!
In the trees the most numerous was the yellow-rumped warblers, they follow every single step you take, chipping at you all along the way!
Look who's watching ...
This is a big one! I'd say he is 7 ft long?
At reed level I saw a few of these little Savannah Sparrows, this one sat for a while.
My complete list is here
PEACE
Eleanor Roosevelt: You must do the thing you think you can not.
It was nice that you were able to get away even if there was lots of wind. The birds are beautiful. Frost good grief.
ReplyDeleteI may have something to really post soon.
IT was nice to think about only what bird is in the pond or in the tree,,,,a get away in more ways than one!
DeleteThats a good list for one day Sondra, and a good walk too at 8 miles. I've not come across eBird before and not sure if we have anything similar. We have postings of sightings on bird sites and FB pages etc. At the moment one of my favourite sightings here is the Great Crested Grebe and its enchanting to see a pair doing their mating dance. [Not my capture] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORqblRpH9Eg
ReplyDeleteI would feel very intimidated with that 7ft alligator lurking closeby, but maybe if you know that they are around then you are always on your guard.
I bet you felt good to get away for the day.
OH...I should explain I was driving the 8 miles then pulling over and walking to edges of the ponds, I did not walk but maybe one mile all day...it's laid out very nice a dirt one way road that makes a big oval basically. I have seen those Grebes on Keith's blog amazing to watch!
DeleteThe rare birds may have been gone, but you saw quite a few different species! Looks like a pretty good trip list. We had a fun visitor to our backyard this week, a Couch's Kingbird! Hung around the neighborhood for a few days. We're on the northern fringes of S. TX, so they aren't regular visitors. Last time I saw one was about ten years ago way down in Kingsville, as a matter of fact. Enjoy your day! XO
ReplyDeleteThe couch's would def be a lift bird for moi' I really hope to get to TX to bird, I'd like to drive the coast line east, south, then west following the Mexican border, and then end up at Big Bend.
DeleteYay, you got out birding. And alligatoring. It looks a lot like home to me. Love the teal and shovelers, even at a distance. It's just fun to look.
ReplyDeleteYES It was so good in spite of the strong wind...Hope to get some more birding in soon!
DeleteGlad you made it down there- Tricolored Herons are amazing! That sunshine is a thing of beauty as we've been slogging through rain for weeks here.
ReplyDeleteRain def puts the damper on outdoor activities, and the bins are useless in the rain!! However your coastal trip gave me a huge boost!
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