Chincoteague NWR: A Great Place for Birds

Mention the name Chincoteague among a group of island goers and each may have different reasons for being attracted to this sea-side island.  For some it is the beach, others travel there for the fishing and boating while others enjoy the browsing the little shops scattered about the island, and all enjoy the restaurants and the friendly folks at the local businesses.  Among this group of Chincoteague enthusiast is a dedicated group of birders who value the Chincoteague NWR for the amazing birding opportunities it provides. 

 

I captured the following photos of Great Egrets and a Snowy Egret along the roadside during my recent visit.   Access here to some awesome wildlife photo opportunities frequently is only a few feet from your car's door if not out the window.

 

 

Assateague Beach in Black and White

My photography interest is centered around wildlife, however I welcomed the opportunity to shoot some beach shots in classic B&W while visiting Chincoteague and Assateague Islands. 

 

Assateague Morning

Assateague Sunrise

 

Looking back at our recent visit to Assateague Island these two images stood out for how they relate to the wildlife photographer.  To be successful as an outdoor photographer it is necessary to be out on location early in the morning and late in the evening to capture the best light of the day and when wildlife is most active.

Great Blue Heron

 

To successfully photograph wildlife one must often resort to the tactics of the Great Blue Heron; be in the right location and wait motionlessly until just the right moment to strike. 

Yellow-rumped Warbler: Another Lifer

While I have photographed many species of birds, warblers have consistently eluded me.  However while watching rutting whitetails recently I noticed this unusual bird flitting about the underbrush.  Focusing the camera on it I noted the similarity to birds I had photographed earlier during my Assateague Island visit.  Checking references I have come to the conclusion that this bird is a male Yellow-rumped Warbler. 

 

 This image and the one following are the birds photographed at Assateague.

My guess is that either these are females or immature birds.  Perhaps a more accomplished birder than I can offer some suggestions as to which is the case.

Great Egret: Assateague Island

 Great Egrets were the most frequently sighted bird species during our visit to Chincoteage and Assateague.   Being white they were easily see stalking about the salt marshes whereas most other species could easily disappear in the dense vegetation.

The slow deliberate movements of a hunting egret makes them an easy target for the photographer although proper exposure can be problematic.  When shooting white subjects it is very easy to over expose loosing feather detail.

The best egret shot of the trip occurred when we spotted a bird perched on a pine blow-down.  The warm early morning sun illuminating the bird while the background remained in deep shadow made a perfect "natural studio".

American Oystercatcher: Assateague Island

Capturing a "lifer" is always a special moment and that moment came for me when we spotted a pair of American Oystercatchers on the bay side of Assateague Island.  I had previously only seen these birds in photos and was surprised at their large size.

While the first bird stood near the waterline the second bird busied itself bathing.

When finished bathing and stood erect its leg bands were easily visible.  American oystercatchers, while not listed as endangered are a species of concern in a number of states.  Beach recreational use and development is listed as the biggest threats they face today.

 

The dark bill and dark eyes of this bird indicates that it is immature.  

 

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Sanderlings: Assateague Island

As I make this post Hurricane Sandy is grinding her way towards the New Jersey coast.  Her projected path is charted to bring her center to within 40 miles of my home somewhere around daylight tomorrow.  The wind is howling outside driving sheets of heavy rain before it.  So far our electric power has stayed on but with the lights flickering frequently I'm thinking that it is only a matter of time before we loose it.

 

Working with the photos from our weekend getaway, I cannot help but think about the kind people we met at Chincoteague and what they are going through tonight.  The causeway between the island and the Eastern Shore was closed at 7:15 this morning and those left have no choice but to ride out the storm.

 

Sanderlings were present along the Assateague beach in large numbers.  They are quite entertaining to watch as they rush down the beach with each receding wave rapidly probing the sand for a morsel of food.

And with each incoming wave rush up the beach again only to turn around and repeat the process time and time again. 

Sanderling probing the beach as a wave recedes

Having caught a crab or shrimp of some type this bird runs to avoid sharing its catch.

Once clear of the flock it drops the morsel 

And breaks it into smaller more manageable pieces

 

These sanderlings showed virtually no fear of humans frequently coming too close for my lens to focus.  The most difficult part of photographing them was trying to keep up with their rapid movement.

The Surf is Up: Sunrise at Assateague Island

With Hurricane Sandy approaching, my wife views the angry Assateague Surf at dawn.

 

Planning a little ocean side getaway my wife and I ventured down to Virgina's picturesque Chincoteague Island on Thursday.  With wildlife photography and late-season beach bumming in mind we were keeping track of hurricane Sandy as she churned he way towards our east coast. 

Our plans called for heading home after sunrise Saturday and with the hurricane headed our way we were not tempted to linger. 

The approaching storm made for a memorable morning on the beach

 

I will be sharing the bird photos from the trip in future posts