December Birds

Posted on December 16, 2023 by Richard

Life sort of got in the way of blogging but I’ve been back lugging my camera with me the last few days. But first, here’s an iPhone shot – an American Tree Sparrow – through the kitchen window.

Several days ago, I came across this Cooper’s Hawk – at the limit of my SX70 Canon’s range.

Backyard birds like these Mourning Doves continue to delight us.

These Mallards are taking advantage of the still-open river out back.

This morning, I came across these Hoodies who were heading upstream. The morning light resulted in some interesting images.

Season’s Greetings and hopes for a more sane, more peaceful world in 2024.

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Some October Birds

Posted on October 19, 2023 by Richard

After a wonderful trip to Spain with a stopover in Lisbon, we are back in Vermont at the start of stick season. The leaves are gone and many of the birds but many of our favorites are around. Here are some:

Many Mallards will stay around all winter.
We see these Common Mergansers every day.
A pair of Hooded Mergansers.
Hermit Thrushes will be heading out soon.
White-throated Sparrows will be a delight to see all winter.

The cooler temperatures remind me of what’s ahead but also makes me think of Snowy Owls and the redpolls, crossbills, and waxwings that may show up. Good birding.

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Returning to Charca de Suarez

Posted on September 25, 2023 by Richard

On our first trip to Spain in 2018, we discovered this gem of a wetland refuge not far from our lodging in Salobreña. Nestled into an area of apartment and industrial buildings, it is a great network of ponds, shady paths, and streams that is open evenings and more on weekends. The ten or so “hides” attract birders and many serious photographers. It’s a “must visit” spot for us.

Two Greater Flamingos were among the highlights of our visit.
A Purple Swamphen with a Common Moorhen in the background.
A Little Egret
Common Waxbills are pretty but often an introduced pest.
Red-knobbed Coots, being rather rare, are studied and protected here.

So, Charca de Suárez is on the coast, a little over an hour drive from the Malaga airport and less than that from Granada. This little spot (40 acres), which has plans for expansion, is a perfect place to spend a few hours. Check the opening times, they change during the year. We hope to visit before we leave, hoping to see Margarito, the White Stork.

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A Walk to La Caleta

Posted on September 24, 2023 by Richard

In order to beat the heat of Southern Spain, we get out for walks and birding early. Twice now, we’ve made the half hour walk to the Village of La Caleta, seeing agriculture workers harvesting mangos, planting beans, herding goats.

La Caleta in the morning.

The other morning, after having coffee and toast at a sidewalk cafe, we walked a scenic path along the ocean, passing by some local fishing boats and an angler.

The tide was receding leaving many small sardines trapped in pools. I rescued several as my good act for the day.

Later, after buying some local produce at the small fruteria, we walked up around the neighborhoods, coming across a large group of schoolchildren at recess. Activities included jumping rope, tag, tug-of-war, wrestling , and just being noisy kids. No devices in sight.

It’s a good climb back up to our casa but like in Vermont, you don’t walk very far here without some hills. We saw Sardinian Warblers and other little brown birds and the ever-present soaring Eurasion Kestrels.

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First Days in Spain

Posted on September 20, 2023 by Richard

After a long trip, we’ve setted into our apartment and with nice views and weather, are seeing a nice mix of birds from our terrace.

We have an artist friend here from past visits and this montage of his captures much of the flavor of Salobreña.

One of my favorites is the eurasian kestrel which we see daily. I’ve yet to get a good photo but did capture this one yesterday at long distance.

A European Turtle Dove overlooking things.

Last night, one of the large field below us was irrigated and this morning a few Mallards arrived. Then a group of Cattle Egret showed up for desayuno.

As I watched them, this large group of dark birds appeared.

Glossy Ibises, probably on their way to Africa, were foraging all day.

Our landlord left instructions to close windows when we left the apartmento because when the folks are away, guess who comes in and plays?

Who, me?
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Testing the IPad

Posted on September 10, 2023 by Richard

We’re leaving for Spain in a few days and I’m planning to blog with my new iPad, but testing things while I still have computer backup. Here area few images from the last couple of days.

This Spotted Sandpiper was just upstream the other morning.

A month ago, I would have been in waist-deep flood water shooting this group. They are enjoying feeding at normal river level. It makes me wonder, where did the ride the storm out?

We’ve had several Great Egrets in the area since the storm, and seeing this heron and egret, couldn’t help but wonder if they were comparing migration plans.

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A Few Monday Birds

Posted on August 28, 2023 by Richard

We took a three mile walk around town this morning — here are a few shots from our jaunt.

Goldfinches are everywhere – many in new plumage.
This Downy looks like a youngster.
This Cardinal either had a rough weekend or is molting.
Our resident Great Blue Heron was patiently waiting for brunch.

These are days when Vermont is great — nice air, sun, and a breeze — and some last looks at birds who’ll be heading out in the weeks ahead.

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Local Birds — late August

Posted on August 22, 2023 by Richard

I have combined dog walks and birding for years and here are a few shots from recent outings. Here’s my companion, resting halfway through a three mile hike.

A few minutes earlier we had encountered several Northern Flickers.

Most of the woodlands birds aren’t singing now so you have to spot them. This Veery was very accommodating.

Walking along the river, I’m seeing the Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, and Belted Kingfishers nearly every day. Here are a Wood Duck, a Green Heron, and a Common Merganser.

It’s been a good birding summer and we look forward to fall walks — with fewer birds but also, fewer bugs.

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A Few August Backyard Birds

Posted on August 15, 2023 by Richard

We are fortunate to have a nice birdwatching venue behind our house, located less than a mile from the center of the city. Here are a few visitors in the last week or two:

We’ve had a family or two of Mourning Doves. These are waiting for me to refill the bird bath.
Ruby-throated Hummers delight us at the back porch feeder.

Our path to the river is still pretty muddy since the flood but this Gray Catbird is enjoying the lawn chair which survived the disaster.

The dead trees across the river are favorite perches for crows, kingbirds, and the occasional hawk or eagle. This Osprey, while not unusual to the area, is one of the first I’ve seen out back.

Checking eBird just now, I find that I’ve submitted 950 checklists and observed 136 species at this backyard patch. Nice spot for a birder to live.

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Two cameras – one Monarch

Posted on August 11, 2023 by Richard

Today, walking with Ginger, I was using my iPhone to capture some images for a Spanish lesson. This garden of coneflowers (Echinacea) just down the street, caught my eye.

You might notice the butterfly – I did as it moved from plant to plant. I got my regular camera ready and as it settled, got a nice shot of it.

In spite of floods, warming, smoke from Canada, and all, moments like this give me hope. Getting outside is a good way to stay healthy, physically and mentally.

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