Graeme and I spent the morning at Bombay Hook NWR, and had a very good day! We started with a Peregrine Falcon, and went on to a Least Bittern and a Common Gallinule, two life birds.
I had several overexposures because the light was much better than I’m used to. Must check more often.
The locals told us the Spoonbills hadn’t been appearing, but we got lucky on the second go around, and found them quite close to the road.
Avocets, Stilts and Ibises rounded out the list.
![Glossy Ibibs 2021-6 Glossy Ibibs 2021-6](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Glossy-Ibibs-2021-6.jpg?resize=584%2C400&ssl=1)
![Glossy Ibibs 2021-10 Glossy Ibibs 2021-10](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Glossy-Ibibs-2021-10-.jpg?resize=584%2C451&ssl=1)
Glossy Ibises are quite striking.
![Black Necked Stilt 2021-2 Black Necked Stilt 2021-2](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Black-Necked-Stilt-2021-2.jpg?resize=584%2C490&ssl=1)
Bombay Hook is a reliable place to find Black Necked Stilts.
![Commin Gallinule 2021-1 Commin Gallinule 2021-1](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Commin-Gallinule-2021-1.jpg?resize=584%2C445&ssl=1)
This Common Gallinule is a first for me.
![Wood Duck 2021-179 Wood Duck 2021-179](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Wood-Duck-2021-179.jpg?resize=584%2C443&ssl=1)
![Wood Duck 2021-178 Wood Duck 2021-178](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Wood-Duck-2021-178.jpg?resize=584%2C479&ssl=1)
We saw about 35 Wood Ducks. These are first year birds.
![Semi Palmated Sandpiper 2021-1 Semi Palmated Sandpiper 2021-1](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Semi-Palmated-Sandpiper-2021-1.jpg?resize=584%2C285&ssl=1)
There were thousands of Semi Palmated Sandpipers.
![Great Blue Heron 2021-115 Great Blue Heron 2021-115](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Great-Blue-Heron-2021-115.jpg?resize=584%2C549&ssl=1)
Many Great Blue herons were fishing in the marsh.
![Forster's Tern 2021-17 Forster's Tern 2021-17](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Forsters-Tern-2021-17.jpg?resize=584%2C489&ssl=1)
A few dozen Forster’s Terns were rapidly fishing.
![Laughing Gull 2021-2. Laughing Gull 2021-2.](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Laughing-Gull-2021-2..jpg?resize=584%2C389&ssl=1)
![Laughing Gull. Laughing Gull.](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Laughing-Gull.-1.jpg?resize=584%2C502&ssl=1)
My best look at a Laughing Gull this year.
![Goldfinch 2021-8 Goldfinch 2021-8](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Goldfinch-2021-8.jpg?resize=584%2C500&ssl=1)
You can often find Goldfinches in the growth by the roadside.
![Least Bittern 2021-4 Least Bittern 2021-4](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Least-Bittern-2021-4.jpg?resize=584%2C358&ssl=1)
This Least Bittern was quite ar away, and I overexposed the shot. Lesson learned.
![Least Bittern 2021-4 Least Bittern 2021-4](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Least-Bittern-2021-4.jpg?resize=584%2C358&ssl=1)
This Least Bittern was quite far away, and I overexposed the shot. Lesson learned.
![Great Egret 2021-93 Great Egret 2021-93](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Great-Egret-2021-93.jpg?resize=584%2C630&ssl=1)
Two of many dozens of Great Egrets we saw.
![Roseate Spoonbill 2021-3 Roseate Spoonbill 2021-3](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Roseate-Spoonbill-2021-3.jpg?resize=584%2C413&ssl=1)
We were lucky to get a good look at these rare visitor.
![Roseate Spoonbill 2021-2 Roseate Spoonbill 2021-2](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Roseate-Spoonbill-2021-2.jpg?resize=584%2C457&ssl=1)
![Roseate Spoonbill 2021-3 Roseate Spoonbill 2021-3](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Roseate-Spoonbill-2021-3.jpg?resize=584%2C413&ssl=1)