Since moving back to Delaware a few weeks ago I decided I needed to get into birding to take advantage of the great habitats found statewide. Also, it's too cold for herping so this is how I can get my fix. It was overcast all day Monday and I'm using a 55-250mm, so I apologize for the gloomy pics. If I've incorrectly IDed anything, please correct me!
Before birds, here is a fearless Red Fox. I was driving slowly down a dirt lane when I saw it 100 ft away and stopped the car. The fox stopped, then trotted up to my car and around to the drivers side, stopped, then walked away.
American Avocets. I watched this group forage for a couple minutes and I was impressed with how they all moved and turned in unison.
Northern Shovelers. Quite a few pairs were out.
American Coot. Saw tons of these but they were surprisingly difficult to photograph, seems like they have a knack for hiding behind veg.
Bald Eagle. Surveying an expansive salt marsh.
Red-shouldered Hawk. I'm not very good with IDing raptors and saw a few more than I couldn't ID or photograph.
Hooded Mergansers. Saw a few pairs of these, all in the same area. Goofy-looking
Buffleheads. Frustrating to try to photograph. I only saw them in tidal creeks and whenever one saw me it would quickly head the other direction.
Tundra Swan. "Mmmmm, mud".
Great Blue Heron. Too bad it was in a very busy background.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (?). The only songbird that would sit still.
Thanks for looking
Too cold to herp, might as well go birding (pics)
Moderator: Scott Waters
- Andy Avram
- Posts: 897
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 10:37 am
- Location: NE Ohio
Re: Too cold to herp, might as well go birding (pics)
I am going to upgrade the Red-shouldered picture by +2 and call it a Northern Harrier. Especially if you were in a saltmarsh, as that would be correct habitat as opposed to the forests the RsH likes. I agree with your other IDs. Looks like a pretty good day of birding.
Andy
Andy
Re: Too cold to herp, might as well go birding (pics)
Looking at pics I can now see the difference between the two, thanks a lot for the correction Andy.
(Can you not edit posts in the Bird Forum? I don't see the button like on other subforums.)
(Can you not edit posts in the Bird Forum? I don't see the button like on other subforums.)
- Andy Avram
- Posts: 897
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 10:37 am
- Location: NE Ohio
Re: Too cold to herp, might as well go birding (pics)
No problem.
As for the edit button, someone was complaining it was gone in another post on the main. I think Scott/Don took it off as an option. I for one am not a fan of that...
As for the edit button, someone was complaining it was gone in another post on the main. I think Scott/Don took it off as an option. I for one am not a fan of that...
- ZantiMissKnit
- Posts: 1037
- Joined: September 14th, 2012, 9:43 am
- Location: Boston area, MA
Re: Too cold to herp, might as well go birding (pics)
They're one of my favorites, goofy-looking or not.Matt J wrote: Hooded Mergansers. Saw a few pairs of these, all in the same area. Goofy-looking
Re: Too cold to herp, might as well go birding (pics)
nice Stuff were you at Bombay Hook? were the avocets recent? Taking two days south to visit family, avocets would be a nice detour
Re: Too cold to herp, might as well go birding (pics)
Yup, this was all at Bombay Hook NWR on 1/1/2013; right now I live 15 miles away. The avocets were all grouped together in the Raymond Pool, and when I left 5 hrs later they were still in the same area. Great vantage point from the observation tower, so you should check that out.pete wrote:nice Stuff were you at Bombay Hook? were the avocets recent? Taking two days south to visit family, avocets would be a nice detour