Author: Richard

Views From The Bridge

Just up the street from our house, there’s a little bridge that I cross nearly every day on walks with Ginger. Over the years, I’ve seen all sorts of wildlife on the river from it – here are a few from the last few days.

This morning, I spotted these mergansers just as they saw me, and after a warning command, they turned and cruised easily back upstream.

There is ongoing feud with city crews over ornamental shrubs planted along the bridge approaches. Beavers are winning.

Several days ago, I encountered this Snapping Turtle laying eggs beside the bridge.

The next morning I saw this family cruising downstream to the bridge, watching me warily.

Returning about ten minutes later, I saw momma turtle just down from where the geese had entered.

It’s all part of nature but I am hoping the goslings made it ok.

Some Vermont Spring Birds

As the hills green up, often you can hear a bird but not spot it — at least open enough for a photo. Here are a few successful encounters I’ve had in the last few weeks.

Typically, warblers are bouncing around and in foliage, like this Yellow Warbler.

But, once in a while …
A cooperative Common Yellowthroat
A Chestnut-sided Warbler taking a quick break.
A more laid-back Veery.
Eastern Kingbirds often perch for nice photos.

One of the noisier and ubiquitous birds we hear is the Ovenbird with its distinctive “Tea-cher, Tea-cher, TEA-cher. They are small and hard to see. This one had a companion flitting nearby and had its mind on something other than the guy and dog standing on the path nearby.

Have a bird-filled, bug free June.

North Carolina Recap

We’ve been home for a few weeks and just getting to the rest of the NC photos. It was a great trip — and this is our second visit to a nice cottage in Manteo that we really like.

The birding in the yard is wonderful — here’s a Carolina Wren singing to me early one morning.

There’s a nice mix of woodlands and ocean — here are some shots from our outings.

A House Finch serenading.
There were many Great-crested Flycatchers about.
Tree Swallow.
This Pileated Woodpecker on a dirt road seemed healthy and just looking for breakfast.
A Coastal Plain Cooter.

The Bodie Island Lighthouse attracts hundreds of visitors each day, but we passed on climbing the stairway to the top — though I’m a pilot, I fear heights. I hope your spring birding goes well.

A Wednesday Beach Walk

We are on an outing to North Carolina for some warmer weather and beach walking. It’s been quite windy but things have improved, as has the birding. We stay in Manteo and usually visit the national seashore daily.

Our backyard

Brown Pelicans surround a fishing boat

Here’s a young Herring Gull and then an older model.

Sanderlings are fun to watch.
A Black-bellied Plover joined the party.

And a Whimbrel watched from a distance.

Early Spring Birds

The snow is melting, back roads are muddy, and every week new birds show up. Downy Woodpeckers, here in our backyard all year, are some of our favorites – and we get to see their fledglings in a few months.

American Crows are very active, hassling hawks like this Red-tailed, and often gathering in groups, known as “murders.”

Likewise, Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles, recent arrivals, forage together.

Turkey Vultures arrived about two weeks ago. Note the wing dihedral and wingtip feathers.

Another year-round bird which is fun to watch and hear is the Tufted Titmouse. This one was in a tree out back.

And sometimes, nothing is out and about — but this guy popped up in the only hole in the pond. It looks like he saw his shadow.

Some Friday Birds

Ginger and I went out for an outing on the nearby trails mid-day today. The walking was tricky in mushy snow but the birdsong was up-lifting. My first singing Song Sparrows, lots of Brown Creepers and nuthatches, titmice, cardinals, and crows. One who was quietly perched beside the trail was this Pine Grosbeak.

The river is open again and we are seeing a lot of activity, including this handsome Common Merganser, looking for love in all the right places.

Cold weather coming so much of the river will freeze again but that’s life in March in Vermont.

Snowbird

During a letup in yesterday’s snowstorm, I took Ginger down our path for a little outing and looking across the river, saw this Bald Eagle focused on preening its wings and body. Of course, my camera was in the house so I slowly retreated, dog in tow, and returned to take some photos.

I’m pretty sick of snow but never tire of seeing birds like this.

Some Winter Photos

I want to share some shots of winter birds and other items we’ve seen on our daily outings. I’ll start with a quiet and beautiful spot we found the other day.

In the neighborhood, there’s a nice variety of birds – yesterday there was a Northern Cardinal, a Carolina Wren, and a Tufted Titmouse singing away on a section of one street.

This guy was pretty quiet.

Whenever there’s open water, there’s often a merganser or two.

American Crows are out and about every day.

Most of our recent storms have had snow perfect for many outdoor activities.

As we get ready to “Spring Forward” this weekend it’s fun to think about the array of birds getting ready to head northward.

Winter Thaw

A week and a half ago, we were walking on the river while dozens of skaters came and went as we watched. A few days later, things thawed and now the ducks are back, enjoying some early spring-like weather. Sunday, I came upon this couple tucked into the back just upstream from the house.

A week earlier, this couple was foraging downtown in the main Winooski River.

Mergansers are here – not sure where they retreat to during earlier “below zero” weather. This pair of Hoodies are hanging out – I see them nearly every day.

And we don’t forget the faithful few who hang in here all winter, singing every chance they get. I hear cardinals, titmice, nuthatches, crows, and now and then, a raven on most of our walks.