After yesterday’s encounter with the Great Egret, I vowed to carry my camera every jaunt. Here are a few shots from this morning, when mosquitos seem to outnumber birds.
One of today’s objectives was to relearn how to blog and handle photos on my iPad in preparation for traveling without the laptop. The last time was from Spain in 2021. We’re planning to head back in six weeks.
For various reasons: vacation and a major flood being the primary ones, I haven’t posted for a month. This morning, I was standing in our neighbors’ backyard as the dogs played and suddenly noticed this big white bird at the river. Of course, my camera and binoculars were elsewhere but I retrieved them and photographed this cooperative Great Egret.
No sooner had I taken a few shots when in swoops the local Great Blue Heron and both birds flew. Here’s a pre-flood shot I took – it was nice to see him back.
Later, I saw both birds together downstream and chasing one another. Some birder friends and I watched the egret fishing contentedly a little later in the morning.
It was a nice Friday morning surprise and we hope our white friend will stick around for a bit.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Yesterday I came upon a dozen or more Wild Turkeys and just like last year’s post in mid-April — the guys were displaying — the hens were in a “get lost, Buster” mood.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This popular birder bumper sticker seems especially appropriate at this time of year when I’m looking for winter birds that can be elusive – Grosbeaks, Buntings, Horned Larks, Bohemian Waxwings, Snowy Owls.
I had some extra time this morning and took the long way on back roads to my appointment. Coming around the corner of a narrow road, I came upon a flock of about a dozen Evening Grosbeaks feeding on sumac. It was a tangle of camera, binos, labradoodle, and caution lights as I rolled the window down and shot. The birds were busy, no traffic passed, and it was a nice little moment.
Now to find some Snow Buntings. Happy Solstice.