Bald Eagle at Possum Point

Posted on January 29, 2015 by Audubon

Slow birding for a couple of days. I went to Quiet Waters and Thomas Point yesterday and saw virtually nothing. Today I tried Possum Point first, then Thomas Point and didn’t so a whole lot better. Quite a change from the abundance of the last two years.

I saw this Bufflehead at Thomas Point yesterday.

This Ring Billed Gull was at Possum Point.

You can usually see Double Crested Cormorants flying in and out of the cove in the morning.

Another noisy Herring Gull.

This Bald Eagle was quite distant.

Gadwall at Thomas Point

Posted on January 25, 2015 by Audubon

It was a promising morning, warm enough and fairly clear skies. Possum Point was disappointing, with no ducks at all, and very few birds of any kind.

Thomas Point was much more active, with hundreds of ducks flying about and a coupe of good photo ops.

The theory is that the coming bad weather will bring us more birds. We’ll see.

Herring Gulls are often quite noisy.

I haven’t seen many Gadwalls at Thomas Point.

I don’t often get flight shots of Ruddy Ducks.

This Double Crested Cormorant was the only image I got at Possum Point.

There are probably 30-40 Tundra Swans wintering in the area.

A large flock of Canvasbacks flew off shortly after I arrived.

Bufflehead at Thomas Point

Posted on January 24, 2015 by Audubon

It was a glorious Winter day, with temps in the 50s and clear skies, but a serious lack of cool birds.

I found a few at Possum Point, then went to Thomas Point. where there were fewer ducks, quite far from shore.

Only a few Buffleheads were present.

This female Red Bellied Woodpecker was very intent on finding breakfast.

Song Sparrows thrive at Thomas Point.

I’m not a gull fan, but the Ring Billed Gull is beautiful in flight.

Dawn at Possum Point.

Carolina Wren at Thomas Point

Posted on January 22, 2015 by Audubon

Very foggy this morning. I had to work, so I got to Possum Point late, but it was a waste of time as the visibility was so poor.

A quick trip to Thomas Point turned up a few birds, but nothing of note.

Carolina Wrens are not camera shy.

You usually find Tundra Swans in shallow water.

Ring Billed Gulls often fly quite close to me.

Song Sparrow often forage in the rocks along shore.

White Throated Sparrows are regulars at Thomas Point.

Sanderling at Sandy Point

Posted on January 21, 2015 by Hugh

The morning was surprisingly clear, given that snow was forecast.
I had to work near Sandy Point, so I made a quick stop on the way home. There were very few ducks, but a small flock of Sanderlings flew in as I was leaving, and landed virtually at my feet.

You’ll almost always find a Ring Billed Gull at Sandy Point.

Lesser Scaups were the only ducks I saw.

Great Blue Heron at Possum Point

Posted on January 21, 2015 by Hugh

There was a lot of ice on the water this morning, which surprised me. I was hoping it would concentrate the ducks, but there weren’t as many as previously. A few flew out of the cove, but I couldn’t get good images.
A quick stop at Jonas Green Park turned up a couple of birds.

This Ruddy Duck was foraging within 15 feet of me.

Looking West from Possum Point.

A favorite hangout for Black Backed Seagulls.

I saw this Bald Eagle at Jonas Green Park.

I haven't seen many Great Blue Herons lately.

Peregrine Falcon at Possum Point

Posted on January 19, 2015 by Hugh

It was very cloudy this morning, and there wasn’t much activity at the point. I spent some time watching a raft of Ruddy Ducks, and was rewarded with a raiding falcon.
I also stopped at Thomas Point, where the ducks seem to be returning, but not close enough for good photos yet.

My first Surf Scoter of the year flew right over my head.

Ruddy Ducks will often let you get very close.

Wikipedia:The peregrine is renowned for its speed, reaching over 320 km/h (200 mph) during its characteristic hunting stoop (high speed dive), making it the fastest member of the animal kingdom.' An exciting find for me. It's only the fourth Peregrine I've seen.

Canvasbacks at Possum Point

Posted on January 17, 2015 by Hugh

It was sunny and warm enough this morning, and I decided to give Possum Point another try. It wasn’t as good as yesterday, but I got a few decent images and the Canvasbacks were a first for the year.

I had to chase this Red Bellied Woodpecker for a while.

The Bald Eagles continued fishing this morning, but didn't stay as long.

This Tundra Swan was the only bird I found at Thomas Point.

The Redheads are still foraging near the marina.

I almost missed this flock of Canvasbacks, who flew low out of the cove.

Bald Eagles at Possum Point

Posted on January 16, 2015 by Hugh

Where to go? It’s a daily decision, and there’s usually no obvious answer. I know I’ll be out 3-4 hours, and I prefer short travel times, but I’ll sometimes go further.
In any case, I chose Possum Point this morning, and it was the right choice.
I was greeted by the resident Hermit Thrush, then was treated to a fishing showcase by two Eagles. A few more ducks rounded off a very nice morning.

These may be the same Redheads I saw a few days ago.

Ruddy Ducks have been missing f or a while, so It was nice to find a few.

I saw my very first Common Goldeneye at Possum Point about three years ago.

The Turkey Vulture is another bird I usually ignore, but this one flew right over my head.

Double Crested Cormorants are common here, but they fly quickly, so you have to be ready when they take off.

I saw two Bald Eagles when I arrived, and it was a thrill to see them fishing so close to my position.

Hooded Merganser at Thomas Point

Posted on January 15, 2015 by Hugh

It was cloudy this morning, but sunshine was promised and eventually came.
I started at Quiet Waters, which was dead except for two foxes on the ice, who scampered away before I could get there.
Thomas Point was slow also, but the mergansers were a welcome sight.